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Kelly AR, Glover DJ. Information Transmission through Biotic-Abiotic Interfaces to Restore or Enhance Human Function. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3605-3628. [PMID: 38729914 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Advancements in reliable information transfer across biotic-abiotic interfaces have enabled the restoration of lost human function. For example, communication between neuronal cells and electrical devices restores the ability to walk to a tetraplegic patient and vision to patients blinded by retinal disease. These impactful medical achievements are aided by tailored biotic-abiotic interfaces that maximize information transfer fidelity by considering the physical properties of the underlying biological and synthetic components. This Review develops a modular framework to define and describe the engineering of biotic and abiotic components as well as the design of interfaces to facilitate biotic-abiotic information transfer using light or electricity. Delineating the properties of the biotic, interface, and abiotic components that enable communication can serve as a guide for future research in this highly interdisciplinary field. Application of synthetic biology to engineer light-sensitive proteins has facilitated the control of neural signaling and the restoration of rudimentary vision after retinal blindness. Electrophysiological methodologies that use brain-computer interfaces and stimulating implants to bypass spinal column injuries have led to the rehabilitation of limb movement and walking ability. Cellular interfacing methodologies and on-chip learning capability have been made possible by organic transistors that mimic the information processing capacity of neurons. The collaboration of molecular biologists, material scientists, and electrical engineers in the emerging field of biotic-abiotic interfacing will lead to the development of prosthetics capable of responding to thought and experiencing touch sensation via direct integration into the human nervous system. Further interdisciplinary research will improve electrical and optical interfacing technologies for the restoration of vision, offering greater visual acuity and potentially color vision in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Kelly
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Dominic J Glover
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Remmo A, Kosch O, Kampen L, Ludwig A, Wiekhorst F, Löwa N. Counting cells in motion by quantitative real-time magnetic particle imaging. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4253. [PMID: 38378785 PMCID: PMC10879211 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54784-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is an advanced and powerful imaging modality for visualization and quantitative real-time detection of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). This opens the possibility of tracking cells in vivo once they have been loaded by MNPs. Imaging modalities such as optical imaging, X-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) face limitations, from depth of penetration and radiation exposure to resolution and quantification accuracy. MPI addresses these challenges, enabling radiation-free tracking of MNP-loaded cells with precise quantification. However, the real-time tracking of MNP-loaded cells with MPI has not been demonstrated yet. This study establishes real-time quantitative tracking of MNP-loaded cells. Therefore, THP-1 monocytes were loaded with three different MNP systems, including the MPI gold standard Resovist and Synomag. The real-time MPI experiments reveal different MPI resolution behaviors of the three MNP systems after cellular uptake. Real-time quantitative imaging was achieved by time-resolved cell number determination and comparison with the number of inserted cells. About 95% of the inserted cells were successfully tracked in a controlled phantom environment. These results underline the potential of MPI for real-time investigation of cell migration and interaction with tissue in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani Remmo
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestr. 2-12, 10587, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Olaf Kosch
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestr. 2-12, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lena Kampen
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antje Ludwig
- Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universitätzu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Wiekhorst
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestr. 2-12, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Löwa
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Abbestr. 2-12, 10587, Berlin, Germany
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Bissiere S, Hernandez B, Rubio C, Simón C, Plachta N. Updates on preimplantation embryo research. Fertil Steril 2023; 120:467-472. [PMID: 37150393 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2023.04.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Preimplantation development is the only stage of human development that can be studied outside the body in real time, as human embryos can be produced by in vitro fertilization and cultured in the laboratory as self-contained structures until the blastocyst stage. Here, we focus some of the key cellular and morphogenetic processes by which the 1-cell embryo is transformed gradually into a blastocyst ready for implantation. Although most of our knowledge about the dynamic series of events patterning preimplantation human development derives from work in mouse embryos, we discuss key differences that could exist with humans. Furthermore, we highlight how new approaches may enable to reveal many of the unknown processes driving human preimplantation development, particularly using noninvasive imaging and genetic technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Bissiere
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Blake Hernandez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Carlos Simón
- Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, & INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Nicolas Plachta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Lawrence R, Watters M, Davies CR, Pantel K, Lu YJ. Circulating tumour cells for early detection of clinically relevant cancer. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2023:10.1038/s41571-023-00781-y. [PMID: 37268719 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00781-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Given that cancer mortality is usually a result of late diagnosis, efforts in the field of early detection are paramount to reducing cancer-related deaths and improving patient outcomes. Increasing evidence indicates that metastasis is an early event in patients with aggressive cancers, often occurring even before primary lesions are clinically detectable. Metastases are usually formed from cancer cells that spread to distant non-malignant tissues via the blood circulation, termed circulating tumour cells (CTCs). CTCs have been detected in patients with early stage cancers and, owing to their association with metastasis, might indicate the presence of aggressive disease, thus providing a possible means to expedite diagnosis and treatment initiation for such patients while avoiding overdiagnosis and overtreatment of those with slow-growing, indolent tumours. The utility of CTCs as an early diagnostic tool has been investigated, although further improvements in the efficiency of CTC detection are required. In this Perspective, we discuss the clinical significance of early haematogenous dissemination of cancer cells, the potential of CTCs to facilitate early detection of clinically relevant cancers, and the technological advances that might improve CTC capture and, thus, diagnostic performance in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Lawrence
- Centre for Biomarkers and Therapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Melissa Watters
- Barts and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University London, London, UK
| | - Caitlin R Davies
- Centre for Biomarkers and Therapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumour Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Yong-Jie Lu
- Centre for Biomarkers and Therapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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Ng WS, Sielaff H, Zhao ZW. Phase Separation-Mediated Chromatin Organization and Dynamics: From Imaging-Based Quantitative Characterizations to Functional Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23148039. [PMID: 35887384 PMCID: PMC9316379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23148039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As an effective and versatile strategy to compartmentalize cellular components without the need for lipid membranes, phase separation has been found to underpin a wide range of intranuclear processes, particularly those involving chromatin. Many of the unique physico-chemical properties of chromatin-based phase condensates are harnessed by the cell to accomplish complex regulatory functions in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. Here, we survey key recent findings on the mechanistic roles of phase separation in regulating the organization and dynamics of chromatin-based molecular processes across length scales, packing states and intranuclear functions, with a particular emphasis on quantitative characterizations of these condensates enabled by advanced imaging-based approaches. By illuminating the complex interplay between chromatin and various chromatin-interacting molecular species mediated by phase separation, this review sheds light on an emerging multi-scale, multi-modal and multi-faceted landscape that hierarchically regulates the genome within the highly crowded and dynamic nuclear space. Moreover, deficiencies in existing studies also highlight the need for mechanism-specific criteria and multi-parametric approaches for the characterization of chromatin-based phase separation using complementary techniques and call for greater efforts to correlate the quantitative features of these condensates with their functional consequences in close-to-native cellular contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woei Shyuan Ng
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119543, Singapore; (W.S.N.); (H.S.)
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences (CBIS), Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
| | - Hendrik Sielaff
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119543, Singapore; (W.S.N.); (H.S.)
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences (CBIS), Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
| | - Ziqing Winston Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119543, Singapore; (W.S.N.); (H.S.)
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences (CBIS), Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
- Mechanobiology Institute (MBI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 117411, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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Gamble JT, Elson DJ, Greenwood JA, Tanguay RL, Kolluri SK. The Zebrafish Xenograft Models for Investigating Cancer and Cancer Therapeutics. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10040252. [PMID: 33804830 PMCID: PMC8063817 DOI: 10.3390/biology10040252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The identification and development of new anti-cancer drugs requires extensive testing in animal models to establish safety and efficacy of drug candidates. The transplantation of human tumor tissue into mouse (tumor xenografts) is commonly used to study cancer progression and to test potential drugs for their anti-cancer activity. Mouse models do not afford the ability to test a large number of drug candidates quickly as it takes several weeks to conduct these experiments. In contrast, tumor xenograft studies in zebrafish provide an efficient platform for rapid testing of safety and efficacy in less than two weeks. Abstract In order to develop new cancer therapeutics, rapid, reliable, and relevant biological models are required to screen and validate drug candidates for both efficacy and safety. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as an excellent model organism suited for these goals. Larval fish or immunocompromised adult fish are used to engraft human cancer cells and serve as a platform for screening potential drug candidates. With zebrafish sharing ~80% of disease-related orthologous genes with humans, they provide a low cost, high-throughput alternative to mouse xenografts that is relevant to human biology. In this review, we provide background on the methods and utility of zebrafish xenograft models in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Gamble
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Daniel J. Elson
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Juliet A. Greenwood
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Arizona State University, Scotsdale, AZ 85257, USA;
| | - Robyn L. Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Siva K. Kolluri
- Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
- Correspondence:
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De Niz M, Nacer A, Frischknecht F. Intravital microscopy: Imaging host-parasite interactions in the brain. Cell Microbiol 2019; 21:e13024. [PMID: 30830993 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.13024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM) is a powerful technique for imaging multiple organs, including the brain of living mice and rats. It enables the direct visualisation of cells in situ providing a real-life view of biological processes that in vitro systems cannot. In addition, to the technological advances in microscopy over the last decade, there have been supporting innovations in data storage and analytical packages that enable the visualisation and analysis of large data sets. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of techniques predominantly used for brain IVM, including thinned skull windows, open skull cortical windows, and a miniaturised optical system based on microendoscopic probes that can be inserted into deep tissues. Further, we explore the relevance of these techniques for the field of parasitology. Several protozoan infections are associated with neurological symptoms including Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma spp., and Trypanosoma spp. IVM has led to crucial findings on these parasite species, which are discussed in detail in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana De Niz
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasglow, UK
| | - Adéla Nacer
- Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, EN63QG, Potters Bar, UK
| | - Friedrich Frischknecht
- Parasitology-Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Heidelberg Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany
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Toolbox for In Vivo Imaging of Host-Parasite Interactions at Multiple Scales. Trends Parasitol 2019; 35:193-212. [PMID: 30745251 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have for long been pivotal for parasitology research. Over the last few years, techniques such as intravital, optoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging, optical projection tomography, and selective plane illumination microscopy developed promising potential for gaining insights into host-pathogen interactions by allowing different visualization forms in vivo and ex vivo. Advances including increased resolution, penetration depth, and acquisition speed, together with more complex image analysis methods, facilitate tackling biological problems previously impossible to study and/or quantify. Here we discuss advances and challenges in the in vivo imaging toolbox, which hold promising potential for the field of parasitology.
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eDetect: A Fast Error Detection and Correction Tool for Live Cell Imaging Data Analysis. iScience 2019; 13:1-8. [PMID: 30785030 PMCID: PMC6383125 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Live cell imaging has been widely used to generate data for quantitative understanding of cellular dynamics. Various applications have been developed to perform automated imaging data analysis, which often requires tedious manual correction. It remains a challenge to develop an efficient curation method that can analyze massive imaging datasets with high accuracy. Here, we present eDetect, a fast error detection and correction tool that provides a powerful and convenient solution for the curation of live cell imaging analysis results. In eDetect, we propose a gating strategy to distinguish correct and incorrect image analysis results by visualizing image features based on principal component analysis. We demonstrate that this approach can substantially accelerate the data correction process and improve the accuracy of imaging data analysis. eDetect is well documented and designed to be user friendly for non-expert users. It is freely available at https://sites.google.com/view/edetect/ and https://github.com/Zi-Lab/eDetect.
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Martin EW, Sung MH. Challenges of Decoding Transcription Factor Dynamics in Terms of Gene Regulation. Cells 2018; 7:cells7090132. [PMID: 30205475 PMCID: PMC6162420 DOI: 10.3390/cells7090132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Technological advances are continually improving our ability to obtain more accurate views about the inner workings of biological systems. One such rapidly evolving area is single cell biology, and in particular gene expression and its regulation by transcription factors in response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Regarding the study of transcription factors, we discuss some of the promises and pitfalls associated with investigating how individual cells regulate gene expression through modulation of transcription factor activities. Specifically, we discuss four leading experimental approaches, the data that can be obtained from each, and important considerations that investigators should be aware of when drawing conclusions from such data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik W Martin
- Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Myong-Hee Sung
- Transcription Systems Dynamics and Biology Unit, Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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