Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nolan Frey, Utku M. Sonmez, Jonathan Minden, Philip LeDuc
Summary: New microfluidic systems have great potential in biology research. This article discusses microfluidic tools for studying intact model organisms, describing their technical features and advantages, as well as identifying challenges and barriers to their accessibility.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dmytro Kukhtar, Martin Fussenegger
Summary: Synthetic biology has traditionally focused on single cell systems, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells, for introducing new or altered functionality. This article extends the field of synthetic biology to nematodes, particularly the well-studied organism Caenorhabditis elegans, as a practical platform for developing applications in a multicellular context. The authors review transgenesis techniques for nematodes and discuss the application of synthetic biology principles in constructing nematode gene switches and genetic devices for controlling motility. Potential applications of engineered nematodes are also discussed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hamilton White, Vanessa Kamara, Veronika Gorski, Molly Busby, Dirk R. Albrecht
Summary: Fluorescent genetically encoded calcium indicators have greatly contributed to our understanding of neural dynamics. However, methods that can assess neural function across many individuals at once are needed. This paper describes the use of wide-field microscopy to scale up neuronal recordings to many small organisms at once, and presents examples of functional changes in neural excitability and dynamics.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Nakul Sridhar, Apresio Kefin Fajrial, Rachel L. Doser, Frederic J. Hoerndli, Xiaoyun Ding
Summary: Caenorhabditis elegans is an important genetic model for neuroscience studies, but most studies are limited in obtaining both high-resolution microscopy imaging and behavior analysis in the same set of animals. In this paper, a novel microfluidic device using surface acoustic waves is presented to temporarily immobilize worms, allowing for non-invasive analysis of behavior and high-resolution imaging. This device enables longitudinal analysis of animal motility and subcellular morphological changes during development and aging.
Article
Cell Biology
Catia Igreja, Tobias Loschko, Alejandra Schaefer, Radhika Sharma, Shiela Pearl Quiobe, Elbin Aloshy, Hanh Witte, Ralf J. Sommer
Summary: The detection, manipulation and purification of proteins are crucial in modern life sciences studies. The introduction of the ALFA-tag provides a novel epitope tag for nematode research with a wide range of applications, such as super-resolution microscopy and immunoprecipitation. This study successfully demonstrates the utilization of ALFA-tagging in nematode model organisms, leading to high-resolution protein expression and successful pulldown experiments.
Review
Biology
Evgeniy R. Galimov, David Gems
Summary: Research suggests that in certain populations, such as clonal, viscous ones, programmed organismal death may promote fitness through social benefits. Adaptive death may also exist in certain semelparous fish, and in these cases, the death is more often caused by kin selection rather than self-destructive mechanisms.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Seleipiri Charles, Guillaume Aubry, Han-Ting Chou, Annalise B. Paaby, Hang Lu
Summary: The article introduces a method for large-scale smFISH imaging using microfluidics to reduce labor intensity. By designing embryo traps and developing a protocol that allows for efficient chemical exchange of hundreds of C. elegans embryos simultaneously, the bottleneck of performing efficient reagent exchange on chip for large numbers of embryos is addressed. Additionally, the device design optimizes imaging throughput and allows for high-temporal-resolution studies, benefiting large-scale RNAi and drug screens beyond C. elegans embryos.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Diogo Carregosa, Sara Mota, Sofia Ferreira, Beatriz Alves-Dias, Natasa Loncarevic-Vasiljkovic, Carolina Lage Crespo, Regina Menezes, Rita Teodoro, Claudia Nunes dos Santos
Summary: The rise of neurodegenerative diseases in an aging population poses significant health, social, and economic consequences. Diets rich in (poly)phenols have been shown to have health benefits in preventing cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. The role of gut microbiota in metabolizing (poly)phenols and the potential brain effects of low molecular weight (poly)phenol metabolites still require further research.
Review
Cell Biology
Agata Tyczewska, Alicja Rzepczak, Daria Sobanska, Kamilla Grzywacz
Summary: Aging is a gradual decline of various functions of organisms resulting in diminished abilities to protect against environmental damage and reinforce physiological harmony. Recent studies have shown that the mechanisms of lifespan regulation are conserved throughout evolution. This review focuses on the emerging roles of tRNA-associated processes in aging and lifespan regulation, including tRNA metabolism, epitranscriptome, and tRNA-derived fragments. Understanding the basic mechanisms of aging could lead to the development of new diagnostics and treatments for aging-related diseases.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Paulo Castro Cardoso da Rosa, Mayara Bitencourt Leao, Cristiane Lenz Dalla Corte, Carolina Ferreira de Matos
Summary: Nanotechnology has been widely utilized with nanomaterials applied in various technologies. However, the specific toxicological risks posed by nanomaterials remain largely unknown. Studies examining the toxicity mechanisms of carbon nanomaterials have shown that the dimensionality of the materials does not directly correlate with toxicity. Further research, including the use of alternative experimental models, is necessary to deepen the understanding of carbon nanomaterial toxicity mechanisms.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Junyi Zou, Koushambi Mitra, Palapuravan Anees, Daphne Oettinger, Joseph R. Ramirez, Aneesh Tazhe Veetil, Priyanka Dutta Gupta, Rajini Rao, Jayson J. Smith, Paschalis Kratsios, Yamuna Krishnan
Summary: Cellular sodium ion (Na+) homeostasis plays an integral role in organism physiology. This study introduces a pH-independent probe that can target organelles and report the levels of Na+ inside them. By using this probe, the researchers discovered that the Na+ levels inside different stages of endosomes are higher than in the cytosol and decrease as the endosomes mature. They also found that Na+ levels in lysosomes of nematodes are regulated by the Na+/H+ exchanger NHX-5 in response to salt stress. This ability to image subcellular Na+ levels will provide a deeper understanding of Na+ homeostasis mechanisms at a cellular level.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rafael Alves da Silva, Nagela Bernadelli Sousa Silva, Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins, Regina Helena Pires, Denise Von Dolinger de Brito Roder, Reginaldo dos Santos Pedroso
Summary: This study investigated the synergistic potential of essential oils (EO) from Citrus limon, Cupressus sempervirens, Litsea cubeba, and Melaleuca alternifolia, both alone and in combination with clotrimazole, on the formation and eradication of Candida spp. biofilms. The results showed that these combinations were effective in inhibiting and eradicating the biofilms, while maintaining safety for Caenorhabditis elegans.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Fusun Doldur-Balli, Toshihiro Imamura, Olivia J. Veatch, Naihua N. Gong, Diane C. Lim, Michael P. Hart, Ted Abel, Matthew S. Kayser, Edward S. Brodkin, Allan Pack
Summary: Sleep disturbances often accompany neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). These disturbances may contribute to behavioral deficits and affect neuropathogenesis. Sleep interventions have been found to improve sleep and daytime behaviors in children with ASD. This study examines sleep phenotypes in various model systems and suggests that synaptic dysfunction may connect ASD and sleep disturbances. Targeting synaptic function could be a novel approach to therapy for individuals with ASD experiencing sleep disturbances.
SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Polymer Science
Masoud Salehipour, Shahla Rezaei, Mahsa Yazdani, Mehdi Mogharabi-Manzari
Summary: Hydrogels play a crucial role in biomedical applications such as enzyme immobilization. The performance of hydrogels is influenced by various factors and faces both opportunities and challenges. This review summarizes the recent synthetic approaches and discusses future perspectives.
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Pablo E. Layana E. Castro, Antonio Garcia Garvi, Francisco Navarro Moya, Antonio-Jose Sanchez-Salmeron
Summary: This study proposes a training method based on a custom-generated dataset with a synthetic image simulator to solve the problem of skeletonization using low-resolution images of Caenorhabditis elegans. Different U-Net neural network architectures were trained and tested, showing good generalization on real image dataset and producing satisfactory skeletonization results in the presence of image-based noise. The best U-Net model achieved a significant improvement of 3.32% compared to previous work using traditional image processing techniques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMPUTER VISION
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Anurag Singh, Davide D'Amico, Penelope A. Andreux, Gillian Dunngalvin, Timo Kern, William Blanco-Bose, Johan Auwerx, Patrick Aebischer, Chris Rinsch
Summary: This study investigates the prevalence of UA producers in a healthy population and the effectiveness of direct UA supplementation in overcoming microbiome variability. Results show that 40% of subjects converted precursor compounds into UA after consuming pomegranate juice. UA producers were characterized by higher gut microbiome diversity and a specific bacteria ratio. Direct supplementation significantly increased plasma UA levels, providing a >6-fold exposure compared to PJ.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jean-David Morel, Lucie Sauzeat, Ludger J. E. Goeminne, Pooja Jha, Evan Williams, Riekelt H. Houtkooper, Ruedi Aebersold, Johan Auwerx, Vincent Balter
Summary: The metallome is often overlooked in mammals, but it plays a crucial role in cell functioning. In this study, the authors analyze the metallome and copper and zinc isotope compositions in aging mice and identify organ-specific, age-dependent, and isotopically-typified networks of interactions that are associated with clinical and molecular traits. The findings shed light on the importance of the metallome as an overlooked omic layer and provide insights into potential manipulation of cellular processes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pirkka-Pekka Laurila, Peiling Luan, Martin Wohlwend, Nadege Zanou, Barbara Crisol, Tanes Imamura de Lima, Ludger J. E. Goeminne, Hector Gallart-Ayala, Minho Shong, Julijana Ivanisevic, Nicolas Place, Johan Auwerx
Summary: Inhibition of sphingolipid synthesis, targeting multiple pathogenic pathways, shows promise as a potential treatment for muscular dystrophies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arwen W. Gao, Gaby El Alam, Amelia Lalou, Terytty Yang Li, Marte Molenaars, Yunyun Zhu, Katherine A. Overmyer, Evgenia Shishkova, Kevin Hof, Maroun Bou Sleiman, Riekelt H. Houtkooper, Joshua J. Coon, Johan Auwerx
Summary: The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) is a potential pharmacological target for aging and age-related diseases. Through an integrative analysis of omics datasets, researchers found that activation of UPRmt through doxycycline (Dox) prolonged the lifespan of genetically divergent worm strains. The study revealed shared and strain-specific mechanisms of the beneficial effects of Dox-induced UPRmt on lifespan, involving impacts on mitochondria, defense response, and lipid metabolism.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Sanchez-Navarro, Miguel Angel Martinez-Rojas, Adrian Albarran-Godinez, Rosalba Perez-Villalva, Johan Auwerx, Abigail de la Cruz, Lilia G. Noriega, Florencia Rosetti, Norma A. Bobadilla
Summary: Sirt7 deficiency protects mice from acute kidney injury by reducing albuminuria and tubular damage markers, as well as decreasing inflammation. This suggests that Sirt7 plays a critical role in promoting renal damage and inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laia Morato, Simone Astori, Ioannis Zalachoras, Joao Rodrigues, Sriparna Ghosal, Wei Huang, Isabelle Guillot de Suduiraut, Jocelyn Grosse, Olivia Zanoletti, Lei Cao, Johan Auwerx, Carmen Sandi
Summary: Puberty stress can lead to changes in adiposity and social behavior, and the reduced levels of NAMPT in fat tissue contribute to lifelong reductions in sociability induced by stress. Impairments in the NAD(+)/SIRT1 pathway in the nucleus accumbens are implicated in sociability deficits. Normalization of NAMPT levels or treatment with NAD(+) boosters can prevent impairments in sociability and neuronal excitability in the accumbens.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Nadia Bresciani, Hadrien Demagny, Vera Lemos, Francesca Pontanari, Xiaoxu Li, Yu Sun, Hao Li, Alessia Perino, Johan Auwerx, Kristina Schoonjans
Summary: Here, we highlight the significance of a locus containing a liver-specific gene encoding a mitochondrial transport protein called SLC25A47. We demonstrate that mice with genetic disruption of the Slc25a47 locus fail to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, leading to diverse liver abnormalities and profound physiological consequences.
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Terytty Yang Li, Arwen W. Gao, Xiaoxu Li, Hao Li, Yasmine J. Liu, Amelia Lalou, Nagammal Neelagandan, Felix Naef, Kristina Schoonjans, Johan Auwerx
Summary: Stressed mitochondria activate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) to improve organismal health. A study found that increased ATFS-1 translation, mediated by v-ATPase/TORC1, plays an essential role in UPRmt activation and mild mitochondrial stress-induced longevity.
JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Giorgia Benegiamo, Giacomo V. G. von Alvensleben, Sandra Rodriguez-Lopez, Ludger J. E. Goeminne, Alexis M. Bachmann, Jean-David Morel, Ellen Broeckx, Jing Ying Ma, Vinicius Carreira, Sameh A. Youssef, Nabil Azhar, Dermot F. Reilly, Katharine D'Aquino, Shannon Mullican, Maroun Bou-Sleiman, Johan Auwerx
Summary: Mice from different genetic backgrounds have diverse responses to metabolic challenges. PWK/PhJ mice show significant mitochondrial dysfunction and progress to fibrotic NASH similar to human NASH, making them a novel NASH mouse model.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Terytty Yang Li, Qi Wang, Arwen W. Gao, Xiaoxu Li, Yu Sun, Adrienne Mottis, Minho Shong, Johan Auwerx
Summary: Lysosomal acidification through v-ATPase is crucial for the transcriptional activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). The activation of lysosomes by v-ATPase stimulates mTORC1, which then phosphorylates the transcription factor ATF4, leading to the activation of the UPRmt and mitochondrial function resilience.
Review
Cell Biology
Tanes Lima, Terytty Yang Li, Adrienne Mottis, Johan Auwerx
Summary: This review examines how mitochondrial stress pathways affect cellular and systemic homeostasis during aging, and discusses the roles of signaling pathways involved in regulating these pathways. The review also highlights how mitochondrial failure can result in heteroplasmy and deregulation of key metabolites.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Giorgia Benegiamo, Maroun Bou Sleiman, Martin Wohlwend, Sandra Rodriguez-Lopez, Ludger J. E. Goeminne, Pirkka-Pekka Laurila, Marie Klevjer, Minna K. Salonen, Jari Lahti, Pooja Jha, Sara Cogliati, Jose Antonio Enriquez, Ben M. Brumpton, Anja Bye, Johan G. Eriksson, Johan Auwerx
Summary: This study identifies genetic variants of the mitochondrial supercomplex assembly factor COX7A2L that promote cardiorespiratory fitness in mice and humans. The increased expression of COX7A2L leads to more supercomplexes and improved respiration, as well as lower body fat and enhanced cardiorespiratory fitness.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Adrienne Mottis, Terytty Y. Li, Gaby El Alam, Alexis Rapin, Elena Katsyuba, David Liaskos, Davide D'Amico, Nicola L. Harris, Mark C. Grier, Laurent Mouchiroud, Mark L. Nelson, Johan Auwerx
Summary: The study shows that tetracyclines can induce a mild adaptive mitochondrial stress response, leading to improved survival and disease tolerance against influenza virus infection. A derivative of tetracycline called 9-tert-butyl doxycycline (9-TB) is found to be effective in preventing influenza virus infection without affecting the gut microbiome.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Anurag Singh, Davide D'Amico, Penelope A. Andreux, Andreane M. Fouassier, William Blanco-Bose, Mal Evans, Patrick Aebischer, Johan Auwerx, Chris Rinsch
Summary: The study demonstrates that the administration of Urolithin A can significantly improve muscle strength, aerobic endurance, and physical performance, while reducing inflammation and enhancing mitochondrial efficiency.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexis Maximilien Bachmann, Jean-David Morel, Gaby El Alam, Sandra Rodriguez-Lopez, Tanes Imamura de Lima, Ludger J. E. Goeminne, Giorgia Benegiamo, Sylvain Loric, Marc Conti, Maroun Bou Sleiman, Johan Auwerx
Summary: The sharp increase in global obesity prevalence is primarily due to changes in physical activity and eating behavior, but the metabolic and clinical impacts of these obesogenic conditions vary between sexes and genetic backgrounds. By analyzing genetically diverse mouse strains, researchers have found that mice, like humans, exhibit diverse physiological and biochemical responses to high-fat diet. These findings support the use of diverse mouse populations in future studies on metabolic dysfunctions.