Application of a proton microprobe to biomedical research

The capability of PIXE analysis to simultaneously detect trace elements with Z≥14, with a high power of detection, can be exploited in biomedical research if the diameter of the proton beam is reduced to micrometer dimensions. In this case, trace analyses of small particles or small parts of a larger specimen are rendered possible without deteriorating the detection limits of PIXE. The measurements yield a completely new type of information on the biological microstructure. In order to fully utilize the abilities of the combined method, however, sample preparation techniques, and irradiation procedures have to be adapted to each analysis problem. Examples of application of the Bochum Proton Microprobe will be used to demonstrate how and to what extent this can be achieved for different types of biomedical problems.     

Laparoscopic techniques for biomedical research.

The techniques used for laparoscopic observation of reproductive systems in 23 species are described. The application of various techniques to biomedical research is examined, and the methods used for laparoscopic follicular aspiration and injection, as well as the techniques for uterine flushing collection from swine and nonhuman primates, and oviductal deposition of test solutions are described.     

Transgenic animals in biomedical research.

The advent of transgenic technology, in which foreign genetic information is stably introduced into the mammalian germ line, has dramatically enhanced our basic knowledge of physiologic and pathologic processes. Transgenic animals created by these genetic manipulations are being used to provide insights into gene regulation, development, pathogenesis, and the treatment of disease. Furthermore, transgenic biotechnology holds great promise for the creation of genetically superior livestock and the industrial production of precious pharmaceuticals. It is evident now that the study and use of transgenic animals will significantly improve the human condition.     

酪氨酸磷酸化蛋白质组学技术研究进展及其在生物医学研究中的应用

在酪氨酸磷酸化蛋白质组学的研究过程中,酪氨酸磷酸化位点的富集是最重要的一步。目前常用的富集方法是抗体亲和富集或SH2 superbinder富集。此外,通过质谱与生物信息学等技术,可实现大规模酪氨酸磷酸化位点的鉴定。对酪氨酸磷酸化蛋白质组学进行深度覆盖研究,揭示癌症发生发展过程中失调的激酶,将有助于深入理解癌症的发生发展过程;且由于75%的致癌基因是酪氨酸激酶基因,酪氨酸激酶抑制剂作为抗癌药物受到了越来越多的关注。应用酪氨酸磷酸化蛋白质组学技术,可以鉴定与癌症等重大疾病相关的酪氨酸激酶,从而帮助找到酪氨酸激酶抑制剂。总之,酪氨酸磷酸化蛋白质组学技术可以在酪氨酸激酶鉴定、酪氨酸激酶抑制剂研究及酪氨酸磷酸化信号通路研究等生物医学领域中得到很好的应用。     

Taking the profit out of biomedical research tools.

A National Institutes of Health proposal will restrict the licensing of Federally funded biomedical research tools for commercial gain.     

Ethics and biomedical research

Ethics in biomedical research took off from the 1947 Nuremberg Code to its own right in the wake of the Declaration of Helsinki in 1964. Since then, (inter)national regulations and guidelines providing a framework for clinical studies and protection for study participants have been drafted and implemented, while ethics committees and drug evaluation agencies have sprung up throughout the world. These two developments were crucial in bringing about the protection of rights and safety of the participants and harmonization of the conduct of biomedical research. Ethics committees and drug evaluation agencies deliver ethical and scientific assessments on the quality and safety of the projects submitted to them and issue respectively approvals and authorizations to carry out clinical trials, while ensuring that they comply with regulatory requirements, ethical principles, and scientific guidelines. The advent of biomedical ethics, together with the responsible commitment of clinical investigators and of the pharmaceutical industry, has guaranteed respect for the patient, for whom and with whom research is conducted. Just as importantly, it has also ensured that patients reap the benefit of what is the primary objective of biomedical research: greater life expectancy, well-being, and quality of life.     

Biomimicry in biomedical research

Biomimicry (literally defined as the imitation of life or nature) has sparked a variety of human innovations and inspired countless cutting-edge designs. From spider silk-made artificial skin to lotus leaf-inspired self-cleaning materials, biomimicry endeavors to solve human problems. Biomimetic approaches have contributed significantly to advances biomedical research during recent years. Using polyacrylamide gels to mimic the elastic modulus of different biological tissues, Disher’s lab has directed meschymal stem cell differentiation into specific lineages.¹ They have shown that soft substrates mimicking the elastic modulus of brain tissues (0.1~1 kPa) were neurogenic, substrates of intermediate elastic modulus mimicking muscle (8 ~17 kPa) were myogenic, and substrates with bone-like elastic modulus (25~40 kPa) were osteogenic. This work represents a novel way to regulate the fate of stem cells and exerts profound influence on stem cell research. Biomimcry also drives improvements in tissue engineering. Novel scaffolds have been designed to capture extracellular matrix-like structures, binding of ligands, sustained release of cytokines, and mechanical properties intrinsic to specific tissues for tissue engineering applications.^2,3 For example, tissue engineering skin grafts have been designed to mimic the cell composition and layered structure of native skin.⁴ Similarly, in the field of regenerative medicine, researchers aim to create biomimetic scaffolds to mimic the properties of a native stem cell environment (niche) to dynamically interact with the entrapped stem cells and direct their response.⁵