scholarly journals Living Machines

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (06) ◽  
pp. 44-47
Author(s):  
Monique Brouillette
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
World Health ◽  
Reverse Engineer ◽  
Biological Machines ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Human Joints ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Emergent Behaviors

This article provides an insight into National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research and development of biological machines. The goal of these research projects is to build living, multicellular machines that sense, move, and solve real-world health problems. One of the Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems (EBICS) group has developed a biobot that walks. Inspired by the structure of human joints, this walker has two short, stubby legs connected by a bridge. The skeleton is constructed from a soft Jell-O-like 3D-printed skeleton called hydrogel, and surrounded by a band of skeletal muscle. The group genetically engineered the cells to produce a protein called channel rhodopsin, a sensory photorecepter that enables the muscle to contract in response to blue light. This provides an easy on–off switch to activate the muscle spurring the bot to move its legs and walk. As biologists understand better how tissues develop, bioengineers will be able to reverse-engineer development to better program cells to self-assemble to create biological machines. Plans for future bots include different cell types and many more functionalities.

scholarly journals Cells into Systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (11) ◽  
pp. 30-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger D. Kamm ◽  
Robert M. Nerem ◽  
K. Jimmy Hsia
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Emergent Systems ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Biological Machines ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Emergent Behaviors ◽  
Real World Problems

This article focuses on different research efforts of Emergent Behaviors of Integrated Cellular Systems (EBICS) for creating biological machines. EBICS’s mission is to create a new scientific discipline for building living, multicellular machines that solve real-world problems in health, security, and the environment. The goal of building biological machines may be achieved through either of two distinct pathways— engineered systems and emergent systems—and the distinctions between them are important and fundamental. While a great deal of progress has been made developing the components for biological machines, one key challenge is the limited understanding of how cells interact with each other and with their environment. In order to create a biological machine, engineers will need to understand the language that cells of different types use to communicate with each other. Biological machines of the future will encompass the complexities of nature, the intricacies of which we are just beginning to comprehend.

scholarly journals Rapid interrogation of cancer cell of origin through CRISPR editing

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (32) ◽  
pp. e2110344118
Author(s):  
Weiran Feng ◽  
Zhen Cao ◽  
Pei Xin Lim ◽  
Huiyong Zhao ◽  
Hanzhi Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell Analysis ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Cell Of Origin ◽  
Guide Rna ◽  
Immunodeficient Mice ◽  
Complex Technology ◽  
Different Cell Types

The increasing complexity of different cell types revealed by single-cell analysis of tissues presents challenges in efficiently elucidating their functions. Here we show, using prostate as a model tissue, that primary organoids and freshly isolated epithelial cells can be CRISPR edited ex vivo using Cas9–sgRNA (guide RNA) ribotnucleoprotein complex technology, then orthotopically transferred in vivo into immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice to generate cancer models with phenotypes resembling those seen in traditional genetically engineered mouse models. Large intrachromosomal (∼2 Mb) or multigenic deletions can be engineered efficiently without the need for selection, including in isolated subpopulations to address cell-of-origin questions.

Moving Living Cells and Fluids on Microchips for Diagnostics

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Toner
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Cellular Systems ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Microfluidic Mixing ◽  
Cellular Behavior ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Multiple Cell ◽  
Engineered Tissue

Biomedical applications of microfabricated devices is no longer limited to non-living systems as genes-on-a-chip or lab-on-a-chip, recent advances in the understanding of cellular behavior in microenvironments have started to pave the way toward living micro-devices. These emerging devices are expected to become key technologies in the 21st century of medicine with a broad range of applications varying from diagnostic, tissue engineered products, cell-based drug screening tools, and basic molecular biology tools. They will also include multiple cell types and/or genetically engineered cells to investigate complex interactions between cells from different tissues. These sophisticated devices will contain micro-engineered tissue units coupled to each other by complex microfluidic handling network. Microfluidic mixing systems will also precisely regulate the composition and concentration of drugs to be tested. This presentation will briefly review the early historical literature on the use of microtechnologies in cellular systems and then focus on various applications in cancer biology, HIV/AIDS and global health, inflammation, and systems biology. The presentation will primarily focus on interesting transport phenomena at the microscale and how such information can be used for the development of microfluidic systems for diagnostics and other applications.

Study of the Molecular Architecture of Keratin Filaments by Electron Microscopy

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 118-119
Author(s):  
U. Aebi ◽  
P. Rew ◽  
T.-T. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Molecular Architecture ◽  
The Past ◽  
Keratin Filaments ◽  
Different Types ◽  
10 Nm Filaments ◽  
Different Cell Types

Various types of intermediate-sized (10-nm) filaments have been found and described in many different cell types during the past few years. Despite the differences in the chemical composition among the different types of filaments, they all yield common structural features: they are usually up to several microns long and have a diameter of 7 to 10 nm; there is evidence that they are made of several 2 to 3.5 nm wide protofilaments which are helically wound around each other; the secondary structure of the polypeptides constituting the filaments is rich in ∞-helix. However a detailed description of their structural organization is lacking to date.

Processing and Characterization of Recombinant von Willebrand Factor Expressed in Different Cell Types Using a Vaccinia Virus Vector

1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 154-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Meulien ◽  
M Nishino ◽  
C Mazurier ◽  
K Dott ◽  
G Piétu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Von Willebrand Factor ◽  
Human Fibroblasts ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
L Cells ◽  
Von Willebrand ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Willebrand Factor

SummaryThe cloning of the cDNA encoding von Willebrand factor (vWF) has revealed that it is synthesized as a large precursor (pre-pro-vWF) molecule and it is now clear that the prosequence or vWAgll is responsible for the intracellular multimerization of vWF. We have cloned the complete vWF cDNA and expressed it using a recombinant vaccinia virus as vector. We have characterized the structure and function of the recombinant vWF (rvWF) secreted from five different cell types: baby hamster kidney (BHK), Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), human fibroblasts (143B), mouse fibroblasts (L) and primary embryonic chicken cells. Forty-eight hours after infection, the quantity of vWF antigen found in the cell supernatant varied from 3 to 12 U/dl depending on the cell type. By SDS-agarose gel electrophoresis, the percentage of high molecular weight forms of vWF varied from 39 to 49% relative to normal plasma for BHK, CHO, 143B and chicken cells but was less than 10% for L cells. In all cell types, the two anodic subbands of each multimer were missing. The two cathodic subbands were easily detected only in BHK and L cells. By SDS-PAGE of reduced samples, pro-vWF was present in similar quantity to the fully processed vWF subunit in L cells, present in moderate amounts in BHK and CHO and in very low amounts in 143B and chicken cells. rvWF from all cells bound to collagen and to platelets in the presence of ristocetin, the latter showing a high correlation between binding efficiency and degree of multimerization. rvWF from all cells was also shown to bind to purified FVIII and in this case binding appeared to be independent of the degree of multimerization. We conclude that whereas vWF is naturally synthesized only by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes, it can be expressed in a biologically active form from various other cell types.

Role of Transcriptional Read-Through in PRE Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Acta Naturae ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. Elizar’ev ◽  
D. V. Lomaev ◽  
D. A. Chetverina ◽  
P. G. Georgiev ◽  
M. M. Erokhin
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Transcription Terminator ◽  
Response Elements ◽  
Polycomb Response Elements ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Multicellular Organisms ◽  
Different Cell Types ◽  
Main Factor

Maintenance of the individual patterns of gene expression in different cell types is required for the differentiation and development of multicellular organisms. Expression of many genes is controlled by Polycomb (PcG) and Trithorax (TrxG) group proteins that act through association with chromatin. PcG/TrxG are assembled on the DNA sequences termed PREs (Polycomb Response Elements), the activity of which can be modulated and switched from repression to activation. In this study, we analyzed the influence of transcriptional read-through on PRE activity switch mediated by the yeast activator GAL4. We show that a transcription terminator inserted between the promoter and PRE doesnt prevent switching of PRE activity from repression to activation. We demonstrate that, independently of PRE orientation, high levels of transcription fail to dislodge PcG/TrxG proteins from PRE in the absence of a terminator. Thus, transcription is not the main factor required for PRE activity switch.

MAPK: A Key Player in the Development and Progression of Stroke

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-256
Author(s):  
Yangmin Zheng ◽  
Ziping Han ◽  
Haiping Zhao ◽  
Yumin Luo
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mapk Signaling Pathway ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Different Cell Types

Conclusion: Stroke is a complex disease caused by genetic and environmental factors, and its etiological mechanism has not been fully clarified yet, which brings great challenges to its effective prevention and treatment. MAPK signaling pathway regulates gene expression of eukaryotic cells and basic cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, metabolism and apoptosis, which are considered as therapeutic targets for many diseases. Up to now, mounting evidence has shown that MAPK signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis and development of ischemic stroke. However, the upstream kinase and downstream kinase of MAPK signaling pathway are complex and the influencing factors are numerous, the exact role of MAPK signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke has not been fully elucidated. MAPK signaling molecules in different cell types in the brain respond variously after stroke injury, therefore, the present review article is committed to summarizing the pathological process of different cell types participating in stroke, discussed the mechanism of MAPK participating in stroke. We further elucidated that MAPK signaling pathway molecules can be used as therapeutic targets for stroke, thus promoting the prevention and treatment of stroke.

scholarly journals DRES-13. DUAL KINASE INHIBITION TO COMBAT EGFR-INHIBITOR RESISTANCE IN GLIOBLASTOMA

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi74-vi74
Author(s):  
Erin Smithberger ◽  
Abigail Shelton ◽  
Madison Butler ◽  
Alex Flores ◽  
Ryan Bash ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Egfr Inhibitor ◽  
Tumor Resistance ◽  
Pten Deletion ◽  
In Cells

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor with a poor survival rate. One of the most common molecular alterations seen in GBM is amplification and/or mutation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR), which has made it an attractive therapeutic target. However, several EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been tested clinically in GBM with minimal success. One reason for this lack of efficacy could be due to acute, adaptive resistance via alternative pathway activation. To investigate this mechanism of tumor resistance, we used RNA-seq and multiplex inhibitor bead/mass spectrometry (MIB-MS) to analyze the transcriptomes and kinomes of genetically engineered murine astrocytes with common GBM genotypes. We have previously shown that 38% of the expressed kinome varied among a panel of diverse nGEM astrocytes harboring Cdkn2a deletion (C) plus Pten deletion (CP), wild-type human EGFR (CE) or EGFRvIII (CEv3) overexpression or both EGFRvIII overexpression and Pten deletion (CEv3P). Although CE have a similar transcriptional profile to C cells at baseline, when treated with the EGFR inhibitor afatinib, CE respond more similarly to CEv3 cells. When cells containing endogenous murine EGFR (C and CP) are treated with afatinib, fewer than 0.5% of kinases showed differential expression. In cells with EGFR overexpression alone, more than 6% of kinases were differentially expressed upon afatinib treatment, including Ntrk3, Fgfr2 and 3, Lyn, Bmx, Epha2 and 5, Fn3k, a kinase involved in fructosamine processing, and Nrbp2, a kinase involved in regulation of apoptosis. This effect was blunted in cells lacking Pten in addition to having EGFRvIII (CEv3P), resulting in less than 2% of kinases being differentially expressed. The only kinase upregulated in all three EGFR-overexpressing cell types was Coq8a, which is involved in electron transport and response to DNA damage. Given this overlap in response, Coq8a could be a potential dual treatment target for GBM.

scholarly journals Special Issue: “Bacteriophages and Biofilms”

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa ◽  
Barbara Maciejewska
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Different Cell Types

Biofilms are a community of surface-associated microorganisms characterized by the presence of different cell types in terms of physiology and phenotype [...]

scholarly journals In situ differentiation of iridophore crystallotypes underlies zebrafish stripe patterning

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dvir Gur ◽  
Emily J. Bain ◽  
Kory R. Johnson ◽  
Andy J. Aman ◽  
H. Amalia Pasoili ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Color ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Single Type ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cryogenic Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽  
Different Cell Types

AbstractSkin color patterns are ubiquitous in nature, impact social behavior, predator avoidance, and protection from ultraviolet irradiation. A leading model system for vertebrate skin patterning is the zebrafish; its alternating blue stripes and yellow interstripes depend on light-reflecting cells called iridophores. It was suggested that the zebrafish’s color pattern arises from a single type of iridophore migrating differentially to stripes and interstripes. However, here we find that iridophores do not migrate between stripes and interstripes but instead differentiate and proliferate in-place, based on their micro-environment. RNA-sequencing analysis further reveals that stripe and interstripe iridophores have different transcriptomic states, while cryogenic-scanning-electron-microscopy and micro-X-ray diffraction identify different crystal-arrays architectures, indicating that stripe and interstripe iridophores are different cell types. Based on these results, we present an alternative model of skin patterning in zebrafish in which distinct iridophore crystallotypes containing specialized, physiologically responsive, organelles arise in stripe and interstripe by in-situ differentiation.

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