基于CRISPR的快速灵敏便捷分子检测

快速灵敏检测技术对疾病防控必不可少。特别是新冠疫情暴发以来,人们深刻认识到快速灵敏检测技术的重要性。近年来,以CRISPR/Cas为代表的基因编辑技术带来了生物技术革命性的进步。CRISPR的核酸检测技术因其快速、准确、灵敏、经济等特点,正在引发分子诊断革新,并已被成功应用于传染病、遗传病、肿瘤基因突变诊断,以及食品安全等领域。本文归纳了基于CRISPR的多种核酸检测体系及应用,并对未来CRISPR核酸检测发展趋势及结合人工智能的智能化检测进行了展望。     

DNA vaccines: a mini review

DNA vaccines are a major breakthrough in the field of vaccination with several advantages over traditional vaccines. Unlike traditional vaccines, DNA vaccines stimulate both arms of the immune system offering long lasting immunity. DNA vaccines not only have the potential to fight against infectious diseases such as influenza and hepatitis but they can also be used to prevent autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. In general, this article is intended as a mini-review to discuss DNA vaccination, as well as patents on different types of DNA vaccines.     

Cathepsin E: a mini review

Cathepsin E is a major intracellular aspartic protease which is predominantly present in the cells of immune system and is frequently implicated in antigen processing via the MHC class II pathway. In the present review some of the known features of cathepsin E such as tissue distribution, subcellular localization, enzymatic properties, intracellular trafficking, gene regulation and associated physiological conditions are highlighted.     

Micropropagation of Ajuga species: a mini review

The genus Ajuga L., belonging to Lamiaceae family, is widespread. The demand for Ajuga species has risen sharply because of their medicinal, ornamental, and pharmacological properties. These wide-ranging plants are being rapidly depleted due to over-collection for ornamental and medicinal purposes, as well as by habitat destruction and deforestation. Ajuga boninsimae, A. bracteosa, A. ciliate, A. genevensis, A. incisa, A. makinoi, A. multiflora, A. pyramidalis, A. shikotanensis, A. reptans, and A. vestita are categorized and protected as endangered plants. In vitro plant culture has therefore emerged for the conservation and mass clonal propagation of rare plants. This mini-review covers the current in vitro scenario in the propagation of Ajuga species. Adventitious or axillary shoots are initiated on the leaf, petiole and internodes, as well as roots, nodes, and shoot tip explants. Shoot induction is predominantly dependent on plant growth regulators added to the culture medium. Full- or half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with or without auxin is used for in vitro rooting. Rooted shoots need to be acclimatized in the greenhouse with an estimated 82–100% survival rate.     

Bio-catalytic desulfurization of fossil fuels: a mini review

For a long time now, the combustion of fossil fuels to give usable energy has led to the release of many types of pollutants into the atmosphere. Of particular interest is sulfur dioxide derived from combustion of diesel and related organic-sulfur containing media. Its presence in the air has resulted in the deterioration of health and depletion in aesthetic quality of materials. As a result, environmental regulations are now put in place to regulate the level of sulfur in different fuel types. To achieve this goal, many techniques have been tested, and bio-catalytic desulfurization is now being considered due to some limitations with conventional hydrodesulfurization approach. This essay discusses various kinds of microbial isolates that are harnessed for this purpose, and the influence of genetic engineering techniques and various factors on the activities of these biocatalysts. With increasing knowledge of microbial ecology, better understanding of biochemical systems, exploration of new conversion pathways and optimization of bioreactor design, enhancement in this approach is expected to bring an increase in its acceptability and improve the prospects of its full commercialization as viable alternative to the conventional hydrodesulfurization of fossil fuels.     

Basic biology of Pneumocystis carinii: a mini review

Basic aspects of cell biology of Pneumocystis carinii are reviewed with major emphasis on its life cycle and the structural organization of the trophozoites and cyst forms. Initially considered as a protozoan it is now established that Pneumocystis belongs to the Fungi Kingdom. Its life cycle includes two basic forms: (a) trophozoites, which are haploid cells that divide by binary fission and may conjugate with each other forming an early procyst and (b) cysts where division takes place through a meiotic process with the formation of eight nuclei followed by cytoplasmic delimitation and formation of intracystic bodies which are subsequently released and transformed into trophozoites. Basic aspects of the structure of the two developmental stages of P. carinii are reviewed.     

Fungal decolorization of dye wastewaters: a review

In recent years, there has been an intensive research on fungal decolorization of dye wastewater. It is becoming a promising alternative to replace or supplement present treatment processes. This paper examines various fungi, living or dead cells, which are capable of decolorizing dye wastewaters; discusses various mechanisms involved; reports some elution and regeneration methods for fungal biomass; summarizes the present pretreatment methods for increasing the biosorption capacity of fungal biomass; discusses the effect of various factors on decolorization.     

Role of calpains in diabetes mellitus: a mini review

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by defects in haepatic glucose production, insulin action and insulin secretion, which can also lead to a variety of secondary disorders. The disease can lead to death without treatment and it has been predicted that T2DM will affect 215 million people world-wide by 2010. T2DM is a multifactorial condition whose precise genetic causes and biochemical defects have not been fully elucidated but at both levels, calpains appear to play a role. Positional cloning studies mapped T2DM susceptibility to CAPN10, the gene encoding the intracellular cysteine protease, calpain 10. Further studies have shown a number of non-coding polymorphisms in CAPN10 to be functionally associated with T2DM whilst the identification of coding polymorphisms, suggested that mutant calpain 10 proteins may also contribute to the disease. The presence of both calpain 10 and its mRNA have been demonstrated in tissues from several mammalian species whilst calpain 10 appears to be associated with pathways involved in glucose metabolism, insulin secretion and insulin action. It appears that other calpains may also participate in these pathways and here we present an overview of recent studies on calpains and their putative role in T2DM.     

酿酒酵母高级醇代谢研究进展

高级醇是酿酒酵母在饮料酒酿造过程中产生的主要代谢副产物之一.饮料酒中高级醇含量过高,易导致饮用后产生头痛、口渴等症状,是醉酒较慢、醉酒后较难醒酒的主要原因.文中系统综述了饮料酒中主要高级醇的风味特征、代谢途径及诱变育种技术在酿酒酵母高级醇代谢调控中的应用,特别阐述了代谢工程技术在氨基转移酶编码基因、α-酮酸代谢基因、乙...     

Mechanical transduction by membrane ion channels: a mini review

There are ion channels in the cell membrane that are sensitive to stress in the membrane cytoskeleton. Some channels turn on with stress, others turn off. In specialized receptors such as those involved in hearing, touch, etc. the role of the channels is clear. However, virtually all cells have these channels, and we don't yet know the physiological role of the channels although it is reasonable to suppose that they are involved in the control of cell size, either acutely as in volume regulation, or trophically as in the control of cell division.     

Construction and applications of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses: a mini review

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has posed a serious threat to global public health and social stability. There is an urgent need for understanding the nature and infection mechanism of the virus. Owing to its high infectivity and pathogenicity and lack of effective treatments, live SARS-CoV-2 has to be handled in biosafety level 3 laboratories, which has impeded research into SARS-CoV-2 and the development of vaccines and therapeutics. Pseudotyped viruses that lack certain gene sequences of the virulent virus are safer and can be investigated in biosafety level 2 laboratories, providing a useful virological tool for the study of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we will discuss the construction of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses based on different packaging systems, current applications, limitations, and further explorations.     

Bio-processing of bamboo fibres for textile applications: a mini review

This review addresses the potential biotechnological techniques for textile fibre extraction (degumming), mainly focusing on bamboo, one of the main and recently developed textile natural fibres in China. The latest developments in microbial and enzymatic processing for ecological fibre extraction as well as the development of a molecular technique for natural fibre bio-treatment are highlighted.     

Coral reefs studies and threats in Malaysia: a mini review

Coral reefs in Malaysia are about 4,006 km² with over 550 species contributed to nation’s economy. Coral reefs studies and threats in Malaysia have been reviewed briefly. Perspectives are addressed as coral reefs studies, threats, gaps and future studies. Coral reefs in Malaysia are being damaged at an increasing rate where it faces natural and anthropogenic stresses. Excellent summaries are available in terms of coral reefs cover throughout Malaysia however scarce in terms of qualitative, quantitative and biogeographical data. There are also limited studies on heavy metals concentration in corals skeleton studies. Poor to fair conditions of coral reefs in Peninsular Malaysia is due to increases of sedimentation and tourism impacts. Overfishing and fish blasting were main threats of coral reefs damage in Sabah. In Sarawak, coral reefs are threatened by high sedimentation and sand mining. The 1998–1999 bleaching event also affected coral reefs in Malaysia due to climate change. Gaps in coral reefs studies can be completed by continuous collaborations between local and international researchers as well as research by local universities. Economic valuation, policy analysis and community participation are directions in future coral reefs studies in Malaysia. Future studies are to understand effects of management on coral reefs health and impact of pollution on coral reefs growth with a standard coral reefs methodology. Established legal systems to reduce threats received by coral reefs are also need to be introduced. Role of science-driven management with community participation and media mass are also gaps to be highlighted in future studies.     

Trypanosoma rangeli interactions within the vector Rhodnius prolixus: a mini review

This article is an integrative mini review of the research on the interactions between Trypanosoma rangeli and the insect vector, Rhodnius prolixus. Special attention is given to the interactions of these parasites with the gut environment, gut walls, with hemolymph invasion, hemocytes, hemocyte microaggregations, prophenoloxidase-activating system, superoxide, and nitric acid generation and eicosanoid pathways. We described factors affecting vectorial capacity and suggested that T. rangeli may modulate the hemocoelic invasion and the survival of the parasites by overcoming the cellular and humoral defense reactions of the insect vector at different physiological events. The mechanisms of these interactions and their significance for parasite transmission are discussed.     

Interactions between microbial biofilms and marine fouling algae: a mini review

Natural and artificial substrata immersed in the marine environment are typically colonized by microorganisms, which may moderate the settlement/recruitment of algal spores and invertebrate larvae of macrofouling organisms. This mini-review summarizes the major interactions occurring between microbial biofilms and marine fouling algae, including their effects on the settlement, growth and morphology of the adult plants. The roles of chemical compounds that are produced by both bacteria and algae and which drive the interactions are reviewed. The possibility of using such bioactive compounds to control macrofouling will be discussed.