Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Songlin He, Yongkang Yang, Ziheng Xu, Hongkun Ling, Yu Wang, Li Wan, Ningning Huang, Qing Ye, Yin Liu
Summary: In this study, we designed an enzyme-free DNA amplifier based on a chain reaction, which significantly improved the reaction speed by releasing one more cycling molecule in each loop. The amplifier demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity in microfluidic chip module and PCR instrument experiments. This automated amplification strategy has the potential to be applied in in vivo signal detection, imaging, and signal molecule translation.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jing-Wei He, Xiao-Ming Sun, Ya-Ling Chen, Meng-Kun Xin, Da Liu, Cheng-Yu Li
Summary: Despite the powerful capability of DNA amplifiers in sensing low-abundance analytes in living biosystems, their usage of complicated carriers and uncontrollable sensing phase pose difficulties in therapeutic application. In this study, we have developed a carrier-free concept by self-assembling antisense oligonucleotides embedded nucleic acid modules with simple photosensitizer aggregates, enabling efficient biological delivery. Furthermore, we have integrated a light-responsive behavior by inserting a target identification domain with a photocleavage-linker, allowing manual activation of the sensing phase via external irradiation. This robust sensing-to-therapy DNA amplifier exhibits satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for detecting potential breast cancer biomarkers.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Yuhang Chen, Lingqiu Xu, Qin Xu, Yuqin Wu, Jing Li, Hongbo Li
Summary: DNA nanotechnology is widely used in various fields, and entropy-driven DNA nanomachines have advantages in biosensors. However, the atomic economy of non-covalent molecular reactions in these machines is low, resulting in DNA waste. This study presents a smart photoelectrochemical biosensor design that efficiently avoids waste and achieves high specificity and sensitivity through the use of engineered waste-free DNA amplifiers and superparamagnetic particles.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chao Huang, Xiaowen Xu, Dafeng Jiang, Wei Jiang
Summary: A novel MNAzyme signal amplification strategy was developed for enzyme-free and label-free detection of DNA-binding proteins, with low detection limit and excellent selectivity and specificity demonstrated.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Qian Zhang, Cong Su, Jian-Ge Qiu, Bing-Hua Jiang, Chun-yang Zhang
Summary: To maintain the stability and integrity of cellular genomic DNA, DNA repair enzymes play a crucial role in repairing DNA damage caused by various factors. Abnormal DNA repair enzyme activity can lead to cell death, cancer, and other human diseases. To accurately monitor DNA repair enzymes in cells, enzyme-free nucleic acid amplification approaches have been introduced for real-time imaging. These approaches provide new insights into the dynamic changes of DNA repair enzymes at the single-cell level.
COORDINATION CHEMISTRY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xu Pan, Xin Li, Jie Sun, Zhiying Xiong, Haoyu Hu, Shangwei Ning, Hui Zhi
Summary: This study reveals that DNA methylation can drive tissue-specific enhancer basal transcription and target gene expression in human cancers. By integrating methylome, transcriptome, and 3D genomic data, enhancer methylation triplets were identified and regulatory patterns within them were dissected. Cancer-specific core TFs regulated by enhancers were observed to shape enhancer methylation forming enhancer methylation-driven CRCs (emCRCs).
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jialong Wang, Shunjun Xie, Dengren Liu, Hong Zhou, Li Wang, Shufeng Liu
Summary: The study introduces an assembled molecular beacon-based self-propelled DNA machine for enzyme-free and distinctly amplified nucleic acid detection. The sensing system shows two-level signal amplification capability, enabling highly sensitive detection of nucleic acid targets and suitability for analysis in complex biological matrices.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Julie Vanderstraeten, Babette Lamote, Maria Joao Mauricio da Fonseca, Philippe De Groote, Yves Briers
Summary: Cellulosomes are multi-enzyme complexes produced by micro-organisms that efficiently hydrolyze lignocellulosic biomass. This study focused on the incorporation of hemicellulases in designer cellulosomes. By converting the free Cellvibrio japonicus xyloglucan degradation system to the cellulosomal mode, the researchers were able to release xyloglucan oligosaccharides, galactose, xylose, and glucose from tamarind xyloglucan using a purified designer xyloglucanosome.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaojia Zhao, Zicheng Zhu, Rong Zou, Lingyun Wang, Hang Gong, Changqun Cai
Summary: A 3D DNA walker was developed for the reliable and quantitative detection of H5N1 DNA, demonstrating excellent analytical sensitivity and specificity with a detection limit of 60 pM. The method showed potential for clinical applications by selectively detecting H5N1 DNA in clinical blood serum samples.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Electrochemistry
Xinya Jiang, Huijun Wang, Fang Yang, Li Cheng, Cai Nie, Wenbing Shi
Summary: In this study, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on interparticle DNA walker and N-Ti3C2 QDs was developed for sensitive assay of MUC1. The interparticle DNA walker could improve the conversion efficiency of target MUC1 by enhancing its moving freedom and area. The synthesized N-Ti3C2 QDs showed higher ECL luminous efficiency compared to previous reported N-Ti3C2 QDs, providing a potential feasible method for other protein sensitive assay.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wei Li, Ding Zhao, Dongdong Tian, Manman Zhai, Hongdan Xu, Liuchuang Zheng, Shengqiang Li, Ye Sang
Summary: The article introduces an enzyme-free electrochemical strategy for analyzing thrombin concentration in human serum using a DNA network assembled by nonlinear hybridization chain reaction. The strategy has high sensitivity and specificity, and performs well in detecting thrombin in serum samples.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Charles Blanluet, Diego A. Huyke, Ashwin Ramachandran, Alexandre S. Avaro, Juan G. Santiago
Summary: This study demonstrates that endpoint-based assays in CRISPR-Cas12 detection are limited by experimental choices and work best for known target concentrations. It also reveals that SNP activation results in measurable changes in the kinetic parameters of Cas12 trans-cleavage. To overcome the limitations of endpoint-based assays, the researchers developed a new assay based on the quantification of Michaelis-Menten parameters.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hua Bao, Xiaoxi Chen, Qian Xiao, Shanshan Yang, Shuyu Wu, Xiaonan Wang, Xue Wu, Kefeng Ding, Yang Shao
Summary: This study aims to explore the correlation between cfDNA fragment distribution and blood biochemical and hematological parameters in healthy individuals. The findings suggest that cfDNA fragment distribution is associated with physiological parameters related to cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory response, and hepatocyte injury.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ming-Jun Xiao, Qiao Ding, Han-mei Deng, Ruo Yuan, Ya-Li Yuan
Summary: In this study, a novel photoelectrochemical biosensor was constructed using non-sensitizer participated photoactive 3D DNA nanospheres generated in-situ on a rigid DNA tripod. The biosensor demonstrated ultra sensitive detection of miRNA-141, providing a new and efficient strategy for potential application in early disease diagnosis and monitoring.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peiyong Jiang, Y. M. Dennis Lo
Summary: A new assay for cell-free DNA fragmentation enhances the prediction of gene expression in liquid biopsies.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Neima Briggs, Jill Weatherhead, K. Jagannadha Sastry, Peter J. Hotez
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2016)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thomas E. Schaus, Sungwook Woo, Feng Xuan, Xi Chen, Peng Yin
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2017)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Junfei Wei, Leroy Versteeg, Zhuyun Liu, Brian Keegan, Ana Clara Gazzinelli-Guimaraes, Ricardo T. Fujiwara, Neima Briggs, Kathryn M. Jones, Ulrich Strych, Coreen M. Beaumier, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Peter J. Hotez, Bin Zhan
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2017)
Review
Immunology
Bin Zhan, Coreen M. Beaumier, Neima Briggs, Kathryn M. Jones, Brian P. Keegan, Maria Elena Bottazzi, Peter J. Hotez
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2014)
Article
Oncology
David Rushworth, Bipulendu Jena, Simon Olivares, Sourindra Maiti, Neima Briggs, Srinivas Somanchi, Jianliang Dai, Dean Lee, Laurence J. N. Cooper
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2014)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Steven M. Chirieleison, Peter B. Allen, Zack B. Simpson, Andrew D. Ellington, Xi Chen
Article
Microbiology
Neima Briggs, Junfei Wei, Leroy Versteeg, Bin Zhan, Brian Keegan, Ashish Damania, Jeroen Pollet, Kelly S. Hayes, Coreen Beaumier, Christopher A. Seid, Jamie Leong, Richard K. Grencis, Maria Elena Bottazzi, K. Jagannadha Sastry, Peter J. Hotez
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Austin N. Southard-Smith, Alan J. Simmons, Bob Chen, Angela L. Jones, Marisol A. Ramirez Solano, Paige N. Vega, Cherie' R. Scurrah, Yue Zhao, Michael J. Brenan, Jiekun Xuan, Martha J. Shrubsole, Ely B. Porter, Xi Chen, Colin J. H. Brenan, Qi Liu, Lauren N. M. Quigley, Ken S. Lau
Review
Infectious Diseases
Neima Briggs, Sheldon Campbell, Shaili Gupta
Summary: Septicemia from bloodstream infections (BSI) is a significant cause of inpatient mortality and a costly condition to manage for US hospitals. Advances in diagnostic systems have accelerated the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of causative pathogens, but clinical impact remains varied due to the need for conventional AST and prescriber understanding. Rapid diagnostic platforms show improved outcomes when used in conjunction with active antimicrobial stewardship, and newer technologies are expanding on rapid detection of genotypic determinants of resistance.
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neima Briggs, Michael V. Gormally, Fangyong Li, Sabrina L. Browning, Miriam M. Treggiari, Alyssa Morrison, Maudry Laurent-Rolle, Yanhong Deng, Jeanne E. Hendrickson, Christopher A. Tormey, Mahalia S. Desruisseaux
Summary: The study found that early administration of CCP can improve outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, while improvement was not observed with late administration of CCP. Timing of administration should be considered in future trials.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mila B. Ortigoza, Hyunah Yoon, Keith S. Goldfeld, Andrea B. Troxel, Johanna P. Daily, Yinxiang Wu, Yi Li, Danni Wu, Gia F. Cobb, Gillian Baptiste, Mary O'Keeffe, Marilou O. Corpuz, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Amee Amin, Ioannis M. Zacharioudakis, Dushyantha T. Jayaweera, Yanyun Wu, Julie Philley, Megan S. Devine, Mahalia S. Desruisseaux, Alessandro D. Santin, Shweta Anjan, Reeba Mathew, Bela Patel, Masayuki Nigo, Rabi Upadhyay, Tania Kupferman, Andrew N. Dentino, Rahul Nanchal, Christian A. Merlo, David N. Hager, Kartik Chandran, Jonathan R. Lai, Johanna Rivera, Chowdhury R. Bikash, Gorka Lasso, Timothy P. Hilbert, Monika Paroder, Andrea A. Asencio, Mengling Liu, Eva Petkova, Alexander Bragat, Reza Shaker, David D. McPherson, Ralph L. Sacco, Marla J. Keller, Corita R. Grudzen, Judith S. Hochman, Liise-anne Pirofski
Summary: The randomized clinical trial did not show significant benefits of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) in hospitalized patients compared to placebo. However, exploratory analyses suggested that high-titer CCP may have benefits for early participants in the pandemic when other treatments were not in use. This indicates a heterogeneous treatment effect of CCP over time.
JAMA INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Jinxing Jiang, Ming Xia, Lijie Zhang, Xi Chen, Yue Zhao, Chenquan Zeng, Haiyan Yang, Peng Liang, Guanghe Li, Ning Li, Hui Qi, Teng Wei, Lili Ren
Summary: This study presents a workflow to rapidly generate human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific TCR-T cells and identifies a TCR targeting HPV16. These HPV16-specific TCR-T cells demonstrated high activity against HPV16-positive human cervical cancer cells in vitro and effectively suppressed tumor growth in a murine model. The study provides an efficient method for identifying virus-specific TCRs and encourages further exploration of the therapeutic potential of TCR-T cell technique in treating virus-related cancers.
Article
Immunology
Neima Briggs, Brian M. Wei, Chaarushi Ahuja, Catherine Baker, Carlo Foppiano Palacios, Emily Lee, Niamh O'Grady, Santhi Singanamala, Katelyn Singh, Thilinie D. Bandaranayake, Jeffrey M. Cohen, William Damsky, Matthew W. Davis, Rojelio Mejia, Caroline A. Nelson, Jeffrey E. Topal, Marwan M. Azar
Summary: Cutaneous leishmaniasis can cause significant maternal morbidity and even fetal mortality during pregnancy, but therapeutic options are limited. We report a case of leishmaniasis in a pregnant immigrant with exuberant mucocutaneous lesions that showed a favorable response to liposomal amphotericin B.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Niamh O'Grady, Matthew Davis, Dayna McManus, Jeffrey Topal, Marwan M. Azar, Neima Briggs
Summary: Liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) is a preferred agent for the treatment of opportunistic fungal and parasitic infections in pregnant patients, but optimal dosing regimens are still unclear. This review describes the use of LAmB for mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in a pregnant patient with a dosing strategy using ideal body weight. Current guidelines and literature lack recommendations for dosing weight in pregnancy. Using ideal body weight may minimize adverse effects to the fetus while maintaining efficacy for treatment of MCL in pregnancy.