Binding characterization of the interleukin-13 signaling complex and development of a ternary time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay

The potential for genetically altered microglia to influence glioma treatment

Diffuse and unstoppable infiltration of brain and spinal cord tissue by neoplastic glial cells is the single most important therapeutic problem posed by the common glioma group of tumors: astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, their malignant variants and glioblastoma. These neoplasms account for more than two thirds of all malignant central nervous system tumors. However, most glioma research focuses on an examination of the tumor cells rather than on host-specific, tumor micro-environmental cells and factors. This can explain why existing diffuse glioma therapies fail and why these tumors have remained incurable. Thus, there is a great need for innovation. We describe a novel strategy for the development of a more effective treatment of diffuse glioma. Our approach centers on gaining control over the behavior of the microglia, the defense cells of the CNS, which are manipulated by malignant glioma and support its growth. Armoring microglia against the influences from glioma is one of our research goals. We further discuss how microglia precursors may be genetically enhanced to track down infiltrating glioma cells.

Dynamic Ranges of Detection-Coupled Assays and Their Effect on IC50 Measurements for Inhibition of Enzymatic Reactions

Most assays used to monitor enzymatic activities can be considered detection-coupled assays (i.e., indirect measurement of an analyte by using another chemical reaction for detection). The major reason for this is that the analyte that indicates the activity of the reaction cannot be directly measured or specifically directly measured by conventional means, such as optical density, fluorescence, and so on. By coupling another reaction to the enzymatic reaction of interest, the activity of the reaction can be monitored without modification to the analyte itself. However, due to the additional coupling reaction between the analyte and the detection reagents, the dynamic range of the assay could be greatly limited by the coupling reaction, and the apparent parameters of the enzymatic reaction could be much different from its uncoupled counterpart, causing significant deviations for IC50 measurement for an inhibition reaction of the enzyme. By using exact solutions for both the enzymatic and the coupling reactions, the effects of the coupling reaction on the dynamic range and accuracy of the IC50 measurement are reviewed and evaluated. In addition, real examples are provided to further illustrate the problem and validate the analysis.

Grading the commercial optical biosensor literature-Class of 2008: 'The Mighty Binders'

Optical biosensor technology continues to be the method of choice for label-free, real-time interaction analysis. But when it comes to improving the quality of the biosensor literature, education should be fundamental. Of the 1413 articles published in 2008, less than 30% would pass the requirements for high-school chemistry. To teach by example, we spotlight 10 papers that illustrate how to implement the technology properly. Then we grade every paper published in 2008 on a scale from A to F and outline what features make a biosensor article fabulous, middling or abysmal. To help improve the quality of published data, we focus on a few experimental, analysis and presentation mistakes that are alarmingly common. With the literature as a guide, we want to ensure that no user is left behind.

Ultrasensitive fluorescence detection of single protein molecules manipulated electrically on Au nanowire

Proteins assembled on an Au nanowire are manipulated by an electrical potential applied on the nanowire, which leads to the modulation of molecular fluorescence. The molecular modality can be unequivocally correlated with the modulated fluorescence, which enables the specific fluorescence from a single target protein to be unambiguously distinguished from background noise and nonspecific fluorescence. As demonstrated through a thrombin assay, this simple method can significantly improve the sensitivity and specificity of the protein detection down to the single molecule level.