Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Jiaxin Su, Chenyang Sun, Jinya Du, Xiaotong Xing, Fang Wang, Haifeng Dong
Summary: Since their discovery in 1994, DNAzymes have been widely used in biosensing and therapy due to their stability, simplicity, and sensitivity. RNA-cleaving DNAzymes are commonly used for various applications, including as signal reporters. This review focuses on the recent advances of RNA-cleaving DNAzyme-based amplification strategies in biosensing, discussing their applications in diagnosis and disease treatment. Two major types of amplification strategies, direct response and combinational response, are highlighted. Finally, the current status, challenges, and prospects of DNAzyme-based biosensors are presented.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Sengeni Anantharaj, Suguru Noda
Summary: By designing innovative electrocatalysts and activating them in-situ, the gap between theoretical and practically achievable potentials in water electrolysis for hydrogen production can be minimized. However, this strategy faces challenges such as poor stability and creating a hostile environment in the electrolyte solution.
News Item
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carrie Arnold
Summary: There are lingering questions regarding the ability of AI tools to truly disrupt the pharmaceutical industry.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Tajrian Amin, William C. H. Parr, Ralph J. Mobbs
Summary: The emergence of 3D-Printing technologies has led to the development of Patient-specific implants (PSIs), particularly in spinal surgery. Despite the potential benefits of PSIs in improving surgical outcomes, obstacles to widespread acceptance and application remain to be addressed.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Gao, Yixin Liu, Wendi Huo, Yuwei Song, Yu Chen, Jinchao Zhang, Xinjian Yang, Yi Jin, Xing-jie Liang
Summary: RNA-cleaving DNAzymes, known for their stability, catalytic activity, synthesis ease, functionalization ease, and modification ease, have been extensively studied in bioanalysis and biomedical applications. By incorporating these DNAzymes into amplification systems, sensing platforms can detect various targets with high sensitivity and selectivity. Additionally, these DNAzymes have therapeutic potential in gene therapy by cleaving mRNA to regulate protein expression. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent applications of RNA-cleaving DNAzymes, highlighting their uniqueness and superiority in biosensing and gene therapy. The challenges and prospects of utilizing RNA-cleaving DNAzymes as diagnostic and therapeutic agents are also discussed. This review provides valuable suggestions for researchers and promotes the development of DNAzymes for accurate analysis, early diagnosis, and effective therapy in medicine and beyond.
Review
Hematology
Elien Sergeant, Malicorne Buysse, Timothy Devos, Ben Sprangers
Summary: Bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells have the potential to modulate immune responses and promote immune tolerance in kidney transplant recipients. However, caution is needed regarding their clinical use, as more detailed analysis of the mechanisms for transplant tolerance induction and factors affecting their functionality is required.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michaela Egger, Raphael Bereiter, Stefan Mair, Ronald Micura
Summary: Nucleolytic ribozymes utilize general acid-base catalysis to perform phosphodiester cleavage. However, the general base knockout study on pistol ribozymes challenges the common view that γ-catalysis critically depends on the N1 moiety. The overall catalysis of pistol ribozymes is made up by three catalytic factors (α, β, γ).
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Laurent Gouiffes, Melissa Ordonez
Summary: This article discusses international arbitration as a potential forum for adjudicating climate change claims, with a focus on the rise of 'green' investment treaties. It highlights the increasing involvement of the legal profession in collaborative efforts to address climate change issues. The trend is expected to globalize in the coming years, positioning international arbitration as an attractive mechanism for addressing these challenges and resolving climate change disputes.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhang Qian, Liang Yuyan, Xing Hang
Summary: DNAzymes with RNA-cleaving activity are widely used for metal ion detection, but they sometimes suffer from false positive signals in biological environments. Strategies to control and reactivate DNAzyme activity have been developed to improve sensing performance, focusing on caging-decaging strategies for spatiotemporal control. This research topic has potential challenges and opportunities to advance the field of DNAzymes.
CHEMICAL RESEARCH IN CHINESE UNIVERSITIES
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Mariarosaria De Falco, Mariarita De Felice, Federica Rota, Daniele Zappi, Amina Antonacci, Viviana Scognamiglio
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review of available methods for isothermal amplification of nucleic acids and their integration into different detection systems. It aims to improve the sensitivity, stability, and specificity of biosensor technology. The effective methodologies of nucleic acid isothermal amplification have been successfully applied to sensitive detection of viral and bacterial nucleic acids, even in low-resource settings.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aida Montserrat Pages, Maarten Hertog, Bart Nicolai, Dragana Spasic, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: A mathematical model describing and predicting the reaction of a 10-23 RNA-cleaving DNAzyme is presented for the first time, expanding the range of conditions in which the model can be used.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Maud Mavigner, Ann Chahroudi
Summary: Monthly treatment with two neutralizing antibodies maintained HIV suppression in nearly 50% of children who received early antiretroviral treatment (Shapiro et al.).
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ki-Dong Lim, Hun-Kook Choi, Ik-Bu Sohn, Byeong-Ha Lee, Jin-Tae Kim
Summary: A new method for fabricating a lensed fiber with a desired focal length using femtosecond and CO2 lasers is proposed, achieving greater precision and efficiency compared to conventional methods.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Darragh Hare, Hueseyin Ambarli, Amy J. Dickman, Egil Droge, Mohammad S. Farhidinia, Paul J. Johnson, Munib Khanyari, Rose Mandisodza-Chikerema, Robert A. Montgomery, Chris Sutherland, Hugh Webster, Matthew Wijers
Summary: Trophy hunting is a highly controversial topic in wildlife conservation, with divergent views on its effectiveness and impact. The use of a blanket term for trophy hunting overlooks the variations in hunting practices and reasons behind trophy collection. It is crucial for stakeholders to communicate clearly and specify their stance on different hunting activities.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michal Razew, Wojciech P. Galej
Summary: The two recent studies shed light on the assembly of the nuclear exosome targeting complex (NEXT) and its mechanism for degrading specific classes of RNA, providing valuable insights into cellular RNA degradation processes.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Annelies Dillen, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: Continuous biosensors are highly desirable in research, diagnostics, and industrial settings. This review provides an overview of affinity-based continuous biosensing, discussing the necessary components and strategies for achieving continuous measurements, as well as reviewing biosensors that have successfully integrated these elements.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Annelies Dillen, Claudia Scarpellini, Woud Daenen, Seppe Driesen, Peter Zijlstra, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: Throughout the years, fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR)-based biosensors have been proven to be powerful tools for biomolecular interactions and target detection. However, the need for multiple steps and external reagents to obtain significant signals for low molecular weight targets has increased time, cost, and complexity. In this work, cis-duplexed aptamers (DAs) were implemented on FO-SPR sensors to overcome these limitations. The use of covalently conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) resulted in an amplified and concentration-dependent signal, with a detection limit of 230 nM for a specific ssDNA target. The reversible redistribution of AuNPs allows for continuous measurements and holds promise for future low molecular weight target detection.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jolien Breukers, Karen Ven, Caroline Struyfs, Louanne Ampofo, Iene Rutten, Maya Imbrechts, Francesca Pollet, Julie Van Lent, Winnie Kerstens, Sam Noppen, Dominique Schols, Paul De Munter, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Karen Vanhoorelbeke, Dragana Spasic, Paul Declerck, Bruno P. A. Cammue, Nick Geukens, Karin Thevissen, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: FLUIDOT is a versatile microfluidic platform that incorporates customizable microwells, optical tweezers, and an interchangeable cell-retrieval system. It is straightforward to fabricate and operate, making it widely accessible. FLUIDOT's performance and flexibility have been validated and demonstrated in two applications, allowing for the study and screening of single cells.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Iene Rutten, Devin Daems, Karen Leirs, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: Evalution(TM) is a novel microfluidic platform that combines encoded microparticles and channel-based microfluidics to enable fast, sensitive, and simultaneous detection of multiple disease-related biomarkers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yagmur Yildizhan, Kaat Driessens, Hong Shen Kevin Tsao, Robin Boiy, Debby Thomas, Nick Geukens, An Hendrix, Jeroen Lammertyn, Dragana Spasic
Summary: EVs have great potential as biomarkers for cancer diagnostics. There is a need for sensitive and standardized EV detection methods. We have developed a bioassay using a FO-SPR biosensor, which shows remarkable sensitivity and specificity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Henry Ordutowski, Cesar Parra-Cabrera, Clement Achille, Ruben Dochy, Francesco Dal Dosso, Jeroen Lammertyn, Rob Ameloot, Dragana Spasic
Summary: Although efficient diagnostic testing often relies on centralized laboratories, rapid diagnostics at the point-of-care (POC) are increasingly investigated to provide an affordable and easy-to-use alternative that requires minimal external equipment. 3D printing is a promising technology to enable the single-step fabrication of POC diagnostic devices. In this study, the researchers aimed to improve the time-to-result and detection limit of the 3D-printed microfluidic device used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by designing a second-generation device and optimizing the IgE ELISA.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aida Montserrat Pages, Maarten Hertog, Bart Nicolai, Dragana Spasic, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: A mathematical model describing and predicting the reaction of a 10-23 RNA-cleaving DNAzyme is presented for the first time, expanding the range of conditions in which the model can be used.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Amina Benchennouf, Matthias Corion, Angelica Dizon, Yijie Zhao, Jeroen Lammertyn, Barbara De Coninck, Bart Nicolai, Joeri Vercammen, Maarten Hertog
Summary: Selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) is a technique for detecting and quantifying volatile compounds. It can be used to measure concentrations of target compounds or as a fingerprinting technique to scan all product ions. However, combining SIFT-MS full scan data from multiple batches or large-scale experiments is challenging due to signal fluctuation over time.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matthias Corion, Simao Santos, Bart De Ketelaere, Dragana Spasic, Maarten Hertog, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: Numerous researchers and institutions are developing sexing technologies to improve animal welfare. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the technological approaches reported in papers and patents. A total of 49 papers and 115 patent families were analyzed, and 11 technology categories were identified. The differences between technologies in papers and patents were observed, with more diverse approaches found in patents. It was also noted that none of the technologies fully comply with industry requirements, but 5 companies have entered the market. Close monitoring of market performance and further research are needed.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jorik Waeterschoot, Willemien Gossele, Hojjat Alizadeh Zeinabad, Jeroen Lammertyn, Erin Koos, Xavier Casadevall Solvas
Summary: This study presents a novel method for the production of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Fluorinated silica nanoparticles (FNPs) are used to stabilize a lipid-containing aqueous droplet in a fluorinated oil, allowing the formation of GUVs. The encapsulated lipids can be released in an outer aqueous medium by a simple centrifugation process. The study demonstrates that this technique can produce contaminant-free GUVs comparable to those produced via electroformation, and it also shows the potential for incorporating transmembrane proteins.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jolien Breukers, Hannah Op de Beeck, Iene Rutten, Montserrat Lopez Fernandez, Sven Eyckerman, Jeroen Lammertyn
Summary: Picoinjection is a method for adding reagents into microfluidic droplets. This paper presents a new flexible control method for individual picoinjectors, allowing for predetermined volume injection by controlling flow rate and equilibrium pressure. This method enables the creation of monodisperse droplet libraries with variable fluorescent intensities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Caroline Struyfs, Jolien Breukers, Dragana Spasic, Jeroen Lammertyn, Bruno P. A. Cammue, Karin Thevissen
Summary: Single cell analyses have become popular due to cell-to-cell variability, while flow cytometry remains the gold standard, limiting the investigation of interdependency of cellular events. In this study, using a microfluidic platform, the kinetic responses of single yeast cells to antifungal treatment were investigated, revealing the close interdependency between reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction and membrane permeabilization (MP).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
