Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kumar Abhishek, Anto Sam Crosslee Louis Sam Titus, Mai T. P. Dinh, Anton Mukhamedshin, Chandra Mohan, Sean C. Gifford, Sergey S. Shevkoplyas
Summary: This study describes a new approach that enables the size-based separation of desired lymphocyte subsets by artificially enlarging unwanted lymphocytes and other blood cells. The new rosette-enabled size-based (RESIZE) separation approach is faster and more efficient than the standard immunodensity method, with similar recovery rates but higher purity for lymphocyte subsets. The integration of RESIZE into the manufacturing workflow of cellular immunotherapies could greatly streamline the process and improve their cost and availability.
Article
Biology
Maria Podinovskaia, Cristina Prescianotto-Baschong, Dominik P. Buser, Anne Spang
Summary: This study introduces a novel live-cell imaging assay for monitoring endosome maturation process, applicable to various types of mammalian cells. It was found that different endosome conversion processes and acidification relied on different factors. This assay serves as a powerful tool to further unravel various aspects of endosome maturation.
Article
Immunology
Raymond M. Johnson, Hiromitsu Asashima, Subhasis Mohanty, Albert C. Shaw
Summary: Chlamydia infections cause significant diseases and finding biomarkers for evaluating protective immunity is crucial for vaccine trials. IL-13 has been linked to protection from infection/immunopathology. RNAseq analysis of T cells in naturally immune mice revealed distinct CD4 and CD8 signatures that could be used to assess Chlamydia vaccine candidates.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
C. Brian Fitzgerald, Andrey N. Shkoporov, Aditya Upadrasta, Ekaterina Khokhlova, R. Paul Ross, Colin Hill
Summary: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the gut phageome, with studies showing high specificity and temporal stability in individual gut phageomes, as well as their specific alterations in disease cohorts. However, the majority of gut bacteriophages remain uncultured and unclassified, with their hosts and infection strategies still unknown. The development of a new method has the potential for high-throughput screening applications for mass discovery of new phages in different environments.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Amy Sarah Ginsburg, Sahar Zandi Nia, Dorothy Chomba, Dustin Dunsmuir, Mary Waiyego, Jesse Coleman, Roseline Ochieng, Sichen Liu, Guohai Zhou, J. Mark Ansermino, William M. Macharia
Summary: The study evaluated the feasibility of EarlySense's under-mattress MCPM technology in African healthcare facilities, showing high uptime, strong clinical event detection performance, and measurement agreement compared to the reference technology.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lele Yang, Lifang Cui, Shumin Ma, Qingqing Zuo, Qilai Huang
Summary: This study developed an affinity cell sorting system for efficient enrichment of gene transfer-positive cells, which holds great potential in gene research and therapy.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Jeong Hun Kim, Won Suk Lee, Hye Jin Lee, Hannah Yang, Seung Joon Lee, so Jung Kong, Soyeon Je, Hyun-Jin Yang, Jongsun Jung, Jaekyung Cheon, Beodeul Kang, Hong Jae Chon, Chan Kim
Summary: A novel orally administered Kyn pathway regulator, STB, effectively inhibited IDO and TDO, suppressed Kyn levels, increased CD8(+) T cell infiltration, and reprogrammed the TME through changes in immune gene signatures. Combination immunotherapy with STB and immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrated the most potent anti-tumor efficacy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walter Linzenbold, Andreas Fech, Manuela Hofmann, Wilhelm K. Aicher, Markus D. Enderle
Summary: The traditional method of injecting cells with a needle through a cystoscope in pig urethral sphincter muscle has a high failure rate, so a new needle-free water-jet system for precise injection of cells was developed and tested. This system is designed to fit in endoscopes and allows for minimally invasive applications, with settings that enable high cell viability post-injection in different tissue layers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eric Z. Zeng, Isabelle Chen, Xingchi Chen, Xuegang Yuan
Summary: This article discusses the development of EV biogenesis and secretion pathways, as well as the role and application of microRNAs in EVs. It provides important information and knowledge for the future design of EVs with specific cargos in tissue repair and regeneration.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Dongho Lee, Juhyeon Jeon, Sangwook Han
Summary: This paper proposes a near-field cell balancing method for batteries of higher capacity and power. The method utilizes wireless power transfer to balance battery cells, offering higher efficiency than conventional passive approaches and faster equalization than active approaches. This method is designed to meet the increasing demand for faster cell balancing associated with high-capacity and high-power batteries.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lina Chakrabarti, Raghothama Chaerkady, Junmin Wang, Shao Huan Samuel Weng, Chunlei Wang, Chen Qian, Lisa Cazares, Sonja Hess, Peter Amaya, Jie Zhu, Diane Hatton
Summary: In this study, we enriched Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) host cells with high mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) to enhance protein productivity and biomanufacturing capability. Stable transfectant pools and clonal cell lines expressing difficult-to-express bispecific molecules were generated from the MMP-enriched host. The MMP-enriched host exhibited improved fed-batch productivity, enhanced cell viability, favorable lactate metabolism, and improved cell cloning efficiency. Proteomic analysis and Western blot validation revealed the underlying mechanisms by which high MMP influenced production performance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nils Kroell, Xiaozheng Chen, Bastian Kueppers, Julius Lorenzo, Abtin Maghmoumi, Matthias Schlaak, Eric Thor, Christian Nordmann, Kathrin Greiff
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of near-infrared-based material flow composition determinations and demonstrated its technical feasibility in plastic recycling. By using different data processing techniques, mass-based MFCOs can be predicted from near-infrared-based false-color data, which showed high correlations with manual sorting analysis. The results pave the way for new sensor technology applications in plastic recycling.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tina Petrogiannis-Haliotis, Kevin Pehr, David Roberge, Ryan N. Rys, Yury Monczak, Gizelle Popradi, Lissa Ajjamada, Naciba Benlimame, Christiane Querfeld, Nathalie Johnson, Hans Knecht
Summary: We present a case of CD4+ small/medium-sized pleomorphic lymphoma with extensive lesions in the legs. Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analysis showed distinct CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations with no CD4/CD8 co-expression. TCR gene rearrangement studies confirmed the neoplastic population to be of T-cytotoxic cell lineage, representing a previously undescribed type of CTCL.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Suyang Wu, Stephanie A. Ketcham, Claudia C. C. Corredor, Douglas Both, James K. K. Drennen, Carl A. A. Anderson
Summary: This study transferred an at-line model to monitor lab-scale bioreactors in real-time, eliminating the need for frequent sampling and enabling precise controls. A new model was constructed, improving prediction accuracy and reducing prediction bias. The RMSE of the final model was 6.56% with an R-2 of 92.4%.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jasper W. Bannenberg, Marcel H. Tempelaars, Marcel H. Zwietering, Tjakko Abee, W. den Besten
Summary: Pathogens exhibit highly variable behavior at the single-cell level, impacting the efficacy of detection methods. Heterogeneity in single-cell growth is influenced by heat stress, selective enrichment broth, and the specific strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Low cell concentrations can impede detection due to cell heterogeneity, emphasizing the importance of considering single-cell heterogeneity in optimizing enrichment procedures for low levels of L. monocytogenes contamination.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Patrick Pilak, Andre Schiefner, Judith Seiboth, Johannes Oehrlein, Arne Skerra
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Friedrich-Christian Deuschle, Andre Schiefner, Corinna Brandt, Arne Skerra
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Andre Schiefner, Rebecca Walser, Michaela Gebauer, Arne Skerra
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Friedrich-Christian Deuschle, Elena Ilyukhina, Arne Skerra
Summary: Anticalin proteins are engineered versions of lipocalins that form a new class of clinical-stage biopharmaceuticals. Through combinatorial gene libraries and molecular selection techniques, the natural ligand specificities of lipocalins have been expanded from small molecules to peptides and proteins, leading to the development of promising Anticalin lead candidates in various disease areas. Anticalins offer an alternative to antibodies with potentially superior features as next-generation biologics, with examples of drug candidates under preclinical and clinical development.
EXPERT OPINION ON BIOLOGICAL THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Marco Mannes, Arthur Dopler, Oliver Zolk, Sophia J. Lang, Rebecca Halbgebauer, Britta Hoechsmann, Arne Skerra, Christian K. Braun, Markus Huber-Lang, Hubert Schrezenmeier, Christoph Q. Schmidt
Summary: Use of C5 inhibitor eculizumab to block the terminal complement pathway has revolutionized clinical management of complement-mediated diseases. New findings show that C3/C5 convertases function differently than previously thought, with C3 inhibition not necessarily leading to C5 inhibition. Surface-deposited C4b alone can recruit and activate C5, and only C5 bound on C3b/C4b-decorated surfaces requires surface fixation for activation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Uli Binder, Arne Skerra
Summary: This study successfully developed a long-acting version of Tα1, which effectively improves its plasma half-life in vivo, laying the foundation for the therapeutic development of the next generation of thymosin alpha 1. By combining PASylation technology with RimJ enzyme-mediated N-acetylation, the problems of stability, protein degradation, and low bioactivity of synthetic peptide drugs were addressed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Eichinger, Irmgard Neumaier, Arne Skerra
Summary: Bovine butyrophilin (BTN1A1) is a glycoprotein found on milk fat globules that acts as a hydrophilic coat protein. Its structure differs from human immune receptors but shows similarity to human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. This discovery may provide insights into the correlation between neurological autoimmune diseases and cow milk consumption.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Caroline Werner, Stefan Stangl, Lukas Salvermoser, Melissa Schwab, Maxim Shevtsov, Alexia Xanthopoulos, Fei Wang, Ali Bashiri Dezfouli, Dennis Tholke, Christian Ostheimer, Daniel Medenwald, Martin Windberg, Matthias Bache, Martin Schlapschy, Arne Skerra, Gabriele Multhoff
Summary: Tumor-specific biomarkers, such as Hsp70 in liquid biopsies, are useful for tumor detection, monitoring of responses, and outcome prediction. The compHsp70 ELISA, using two monoclonal antibodies, is a sensitive and reliable tool for measuring free and vesicular Hsp70 levels in tumor patients' circulation, serving as a potential biomarker for risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jonas Schilz, Charlotte Clement, Franziska Greiner, Arne Skerra
Summary: A novel strategy for the efficient and gentle affinity purification of PASylated proteins is reported, which allows direct one-step purification from cell extracts or culture supernatants while avoiding harsh elution conditions. This method can improve the efficiency of biological drug development.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andreas Eichinger, Sabine Rauth, Dominik Hinz, Anna Feuerbach, Arne Skerra
Summary: In this study, the structural analysis of two Anticalin(R) proteins that tightly bind A beta(40) peptide, a key player in Alzheimer's disease, were described. These proteins, engineered based on human lipocalin 2, show compact single-domain binding properties and offer a potential alternative to antibodies. Both crystal structures of the engineered anticalins revealed their ability to recognize the same epitope in the middle of the beta-amyloid peptide. This finding suggests that anticalins may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Anita Annahazi, Thomas Erwin Berger, Ihsan Ekin Demir, Florian Zeller, Michael Muller, Markus Anneser, Arne Skerra, Klaus Michel, Michael Schemann
Summary: This study demonstrated for the first time the presence of functional 5-HT1P receptors on human submucous neurons and found no evidence for a role of 5-HT4 or 5-HT7 receptors in the postsynaptic activation of human submucous neurons by 5-HT.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Job, Anja Kohler, Andreas Eichinger, Mauricio Testanera, Benjamin Escher, Franz Worek, Arne Skerra
Summary: Neurotoxic organophosphorus compounds (OPs) can be extremely dangerous when misused. A potential treatment involves using an enzyme to break down the nerve agent into harmless substances. The bacterium Brevundimonas diminuta (BdPTE) has been studied for its potential in this area. Engineering studies have led to improved versions of BdPTE with high catalytic efficiency. Unexpectedly, the crystal structure of a highly active variant revealed a new conformation in the active site region, leading to further amino acid exchanges and optimization of the enzyme for OP nerve agent detoxification.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lea Naestle, Friedrich-Christian Deuschle, Volker Morath, Arne Skerra
Summary: The transferrin receptor (TfR) plays a role in transporting substances across the blood-brain barrier, offering a non-invasive way to deliver therapeutics to the brain. Researchers have identified a specific lipocalin, called FerryCalin, which binds to murine TfR and shows potential as a vehicle for delivering biopharmaceuticals to the brain. Through affinity maturation, lipocalin variants were engineered to bind to TfR in a non-competitive manner, with FerryCalin exhibiting a dissociation constant of 3.8 nM. This research provides insight into the potential use of FerryCalin or its mutants for brain drug delivery.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Elena Jerschke, Andreas Eichinger, Arne Skerra
Summary: Using Anticalin technology, a lipocalin protein named Colchicalin has been engineered with high affinity for the toxic plant alkaloid colchicine, offering potential as an antidote and for sensitive detection in biological samples. The crystal structure of unliganded Colchicalin and its complex with colchicine were compared, revealing significant rearrangements in four structurally variable loops. Upon binding to colchicine, a dramatic shift and side-chain flip occur in loop #3 and Phe71, respectively, creating space in the ligand pocket. These findings demonstrate a conformational adaptation mechanism similar to that observed in antibodies, highlighting the general similarity between antigen/ligand binding by immunoglobulins and lipocalins.
ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F-STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Job, Anja Koehler, Mauricio Testanera, Benjamin Escher, Franz Worek, Arne Skerra
Summary: In this study, the phosphotriesterase of Brevundimonas diminuta (BdPTE) was rationally engineered to improve its hydrolysis efficiency of malaoxon, a common pesticide metabolite. The mutant BdPTE(VRNVVLARY) showed significantly increased hydrolysis rate and improved properties including expression yield, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance. This mutant BdPTE could be a promising candidate for developing a biocatalytic antidote for the detoxification of common pesticides and related organophosphorus compounds.
PROTEIN ENGINEERING DESIGN & SELECTION
(2023)