Microinjection of living adherent cells by using a semi-automatic microinjection system

Testing in vitro is an alternative to animal experimentation. The capillary pressure microinjection technique is a supporting technology for efficient in vitro testing. The main benefit of the technique is the possibility of injecting large molecules into a single living cell. The ultimate goal of the research discussed in this paper is to increase the cell survival rate in capillary pressure microinjection. A method to reliably evaluate cell survival rate is therefore needed. A three-phase evaluation process is presented in this paper. The first phase determines the success rate of the injection capillary to penetrate the cell membrane. The second phase studies the success rate of delivering the injection substance inside the cell, while the third phase studies cell survival after the microinjection. In addition to the three-phase evaluation process, this paper describes the initial results of penetration and injection tests performed by using a semi-automatic capillary pressure microinjection system developed by the research group. Three adherent cell lines, namely, retinal pigment epithelial cells, MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, were used in the experiments. The results of the penetration tests show that the average success rate of penetrating the cell membrane using the micromanipulator was 87%. The goal of the injection tests was to demonstrate the successful microinjection of living cells and to study the injection success rate. Fluorescein dextran was injected into MCF-7 cells, and preliminary results showed an injection success rate of 49%. In the survival tests, the neuronal cells were microinjected with KCl. During long-term observation after the microinjection, the microinjected cells first decreased their adhesion to the plate, but later adhered to the bottom of the plate and even grew some dendrites. In the next phase of the study, more tests will be performed in order to obtain a statistically reliable value for the survival rate.     

光学透明技术在植物多尺度成像中的应用

光学透明技术是一种通过各种化学试剂,将原本不透明的生物样本实现透明化,并在光学显微镜下深度成像的技术。结合多种光学显微成像新技术,光学透明技术可对整个组织进行成像和三维重建,深度剖析生物体内部空间特征与形成机制。近年来,多种植物光学透明技术和多尺度成像技术被陆续研发,并取得了丰硕的研究成果。该文综述了生物体光学透明技术的基本原理和一些新技术,重点介绍基于光学透明技术开发的新型成像方法及其在植物成像与细胞生物学中的应用,为后续植物整体、组织或器官的透明、成像与三维重构及功能研究提供理论依据和技术支持。     

Management and timing of cleft palate fistula repair

This study reviewed 199 cleft palate repairs resulting in 22 percent fistula formation. Of these, 49 percent were judged to be symptomatic. Of 44 fistulas, 21 required treatment, of which 14 had conventional type surgical closure with an overall success rate of 35 percent. Good surgical technique and good surgical judgment were felt to be important factors both in preventing postoperative fistula and in the success of their repair. Conventional methods of surgical repair of hard palate fistulas were seen to result in a very poor success rate. Orthodontic movement of maxillary segments was seen to contribute to late postoperative fistula formation. Therefore, orthodontic movement should be completed before undertaking surgical repair of anterior palatal fistulas. Finally, the success rate of anterior fistula repair has been dramatically improved by the addition of free periosteal grafts and cancellous bone grafts.     

On oxygen limitation in a whole cell biocatalytic Baeyer-Villiger oxidation process

In this article, a recombinant cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO), overexpressed in Escherichia coli has been used to study the oxidation of bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-en-6-one to its two corresponding lactones at very high enantiomeric excess. The reaction is a useful model for the study of biocatalytic oxidations to create optically pure molecules. The major limitations to a highly productive biocatalytic oxidation in this case are oxygen supply, product inhibition, and biocatalyst stability. In this article, we investigate the effects of whole cell biocatalyst concentration on the rate of reaction at a range of scales from shake flasks to 75 L bioreactors. At low cell concentrations (<2 g(dcw)/L) the maximum specific rate (0.65 g/g(dcw).h) is observed. However, at higher cell concentrations (> 2 g(dcw)/L), the reaction becomes oxygen limited and both the specific rate and absolute rate decrease with further increases in cell concentration. The role of oxygen limitation in reducing the rate of reaction with scale was investigated by increasing the maximum oxygen transfer rate in the reactor at a high cell concentration and observing the increase in product formation rate. We propose a qualitative model demonstrating the relationship between oxygen limitation, biocatalyst concentration, and the rate of reaction. This conceptual model will be a useful guide in the industrial scale-up of whole cell mediated Baeyer-Villiger biocatalysis.     

The liquid overlay technique is the key to formation of co-culture spheroids consisting of primary osteoblasts, fibroblasts and endothelial cells

Background aimsThe 3-dimensional (3-D) culture of various cell types reflects the in vivo situation more precisely than 2-dimensional (2-D) cell culture techniques. Spheroids as 3-D cell constructs have been used in tumor research for a long time. They have also been used to study angiogenic mechanisms, which are essential for the success of many tissue-engineering approaches. Several methods of forming spheroids are known, but there is a lack of systematic studies evaluating the performance of these techniques.MethodsWe evaluated the performance of the hanging drop technique, carboxymethyl cellulose technique and liquid overlay technique to form both mono- and co-culture spheroids consisting of primary osteoblasts, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The performance of the three techniques was evaluated in terms of rate of yield and reproducibility. The size of the generated spheroids was determined systematically.ResultsThe liquid overlay technique was the most suitable for generating spheroids reproducibly. The rate of yield for this technique was between 60% and 100% for monoculture spheroids and 100% for co-culture spheroids. The size of the spheroids could be adjusted easily and precisely by varying the number of seeded cells organized in one spheroid. The formation of co-culture spheroids consisting of three different cell types was possible.ConclusionsOur results show that the most suitable technique for forming spheroids can vary from the chosen cell type, especially if primary cells are used. Co-culture spheroids consisting of three different cell types will be used to study angiogenic phenomena in further studies.     

High-efficiency derivation of human embryonic stem cell lines following pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis allows the characterisation of embryos that carry a gene responsible for a severe monogenic disease and to transfer to the mother’s uterus only the unaffected one(s). The genetically affected embryos can be used to establish human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines. We are currently establishing a cell bank of ESC lines carrying specific disease-causing mutant genes. These cell lines are available to the scientific community. For this purpose, we have designed a technique that requires only minimal manipulation of the embryos. At the blastocyst stage, we just removed the zona pellucida before seeding the embryo as a whole on a layer of feeder cells. This approach gave a good success rate (>20%), whatever the quality of the embryos, and allowed us to derive 11 new hESC lines, representing seven different pathologies. Full phenotypic validation of the cell lines according to ISCI guidelines confirmed their pluripotent nature, as they were positive for hESC markers and able to differentiate in vitro in all three germ layers derivatives. Nine out of 11 stem cell lines had normal karyotypes. Our results indicate that inner cell mass isolation is not mandatory for hESC derivation and that minimal manipulation of embryos can lead to high success rate.     

Conceptual framework and rationale

The sterile insect technique (SIT) has been shown to be an effective and sustainable genetic approach to control populations of selected major pest insects, when part of area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) programmes. The technique introduces genetic sterility in females of the target population in the field following their mating with released sterile males. This process results in population reduction or elimination via embryo lethality caused by dominant lethal mutations induced in sperm of the released males. In the past, several field trials have been carried out for mosquitoes with varying degrees of success. New technology and experience gained with other species of insect pests has encouraged a reassessment of the use of the sterility principle as part of integrated control of malaria vectors. Significant technical and logistic hurdles will need to be overcome to develop the technology and make it effective to suppress selected vector populations, and its application will probably be limited to specific ecological situations. Using sterile males to control mosquito vector populations can only be effective as part of an AW-IPM programme. The area-wide concept entails the targeting of the total mosquito population within a defined area. It requires, therefore, a thorough understanding of the target pest population biology especially as regards mating behaviour, population dynamics, dispersal and level of reproductive isolation. The key challenges for success are: 1) devising methods to monitor vector populations and measuring competitiveness of sterile males in the field, 2) designing mass rearing, sterilization and release strategies that maintain competitiveness of the sterile male mosquitoes, 3) developing methods to separate sexes in order to release only male mosquitoes and 4) adapting suppression measures and release rates to take into account the high reproductive rate of mosquitoes. Finally, success in area-wide implementation in the field can only be achieved if close attention is paid to political, socio-economic and environmental sensitivities and an efficient management organization is established taking into account the interests of all potential stakeholders of an AW-IPM programme.     

Application of hybrid LRR technique to protein crystallization

LRR family proteins play important roles in a variety of physiological processes. To facilitate their production and crystallization, we have invented a novel method termed "Hybrid LRR Technique". Using this technique, the first crystal structures of three TLR family proteins could be determined. In this review, design principles and application of the technique to protein crystallization will be summarized. For crystallization of TLRs, hagfish VLR receptors were chosen as the fusion partners and the TLR and the VLR fragments were fused at the conserved LxxLxLxxN motif to minimize local structural incompatibility. TLR-VLR hybridization did not disturb structures and functions of the target TLR proteins. The Hybrid LRR Technique is a general technique that can be applied to structural studies of other LRR proteins. It may also have broader application in biochemical and medical application of LRR proteins by modifying them without compromising their structural integrity.     

Polypeptoids synthesis based on Ugi reaction: Advances and perspectives

Polypeptoids are peptidomimetic polymers invented in the early 1990s. Although polypeptoid chemistry is developing rapidly, the simple synthesis of polypeptoids and sequence-controlled polypeptoids still remains a challenge. Fortunately, we have seen a drastic rising trend in the area of Ugi reaction for polypeptoid chemistry. In the following article, recent examples of the Ugi reaction for polypeptoids synthesis will be presented, as will their suitability for sequence-defined peptide-peptoid hybrids. The advantages and limitations of the Ugi reaction will be discussed, which is important for the simple and general synthesis of polypeptoids.     

Nonlinear vibrational microscopy applied to lipid biology

Optical microscopy is an indispensable tool that is driving progress in cell biology. It still is the only practical means of obtaining spatial and temporal resolution within living cells and tissues. Most prominently, fluorescence microscopy based on dye-labeling or protein fusions with fluorescent tags is a highly sensitive and specific method of visualizing biomolecules within sub-cellular structures. It is however severely limited by labeling artifacts, photo-bleaching and cytotoxicity of the labels. Coherent Raman Scattering (CRS) has emerged in the last decade as a new multiphoton microscopy technique suited for imaging unlabeled living cells in real time with high three-dimensional spatial resolution and chemical specificity. This technique has proven to be particularly successful in imaging unstained lipids from artificial membrane model systems, to living cells and tissues to whole organisms. In this article, we will review the experimental implementations of CRS microscopy and their application to imaging lipids. We will cover the theoretical background of linear and non-linear vibrational micro-spectroscopy necessary for the understanding of CRS microscopy. The different experimental implementations of CRS will be compared in terms of sensitivity limits and excitation and detection methods. Finally, we will provide an overview of the applications of CRS microscopy to lipid biology.     

Efficient regulation of sigmaF, the first sporulation-specific sigma factor in B.subtilis

Differential gene expression is established in the prespore and mother-cell compartments of Bacillus subtilis through the successive activation of a series of cell-type-specific sigma factors. Crucial to the success of this process is the control of the first prespore-specific sigma factor, sigmaF. sigmaF is regulated by the proteins SpoIIAB, SpoIIAA and SpoIIE. SpoIIAB forms an inhibitory complex with sigmaF, which can be dissociated by interaction with SpoIIAA. During this interaction SpoIIAA is phosphorylated. SpoIIE is a membrane-bound phosphatase that dephosphorylates SpoIIAA, thereby re-activating it. It is not understood how sigmaF is activated specifically in the prespore but not in the mother cell. Here, we use a recently developed fluorescence spectroscopy technique to follow in real time the formation of sigmaF.SpoIIAB complexes and their dissociation by SpoIIAA. We show that complete activation of sigmaF is induced by a tenfold increase in SpoIIE activity. This result demonstrates that relatively small changes in SpoIIE activity, which could arise from asymmetric septation, can achieve the all-or-nothing response in sigmaF activity required by the cell. For long-term sigmaF activation, we find that sustained SpoIIE activity is required to counteract the activity of SpoIIAB. Even though the continual phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of SpoIIAA by these two enzymes will expend some ATP, the formation of SpoIIAA.SpoIIAB.ADP complexes greatly diminishes the rate of the phosphorylation reaction, and thus minimizes the wastage of energy. These features provide a very efficient system for regulating sigmaF.     

On the influence of oxygen and cell concentration in an SFPR whole cell biocatalytic Baeyer-Villiger oxidation process

Efficient whole cell biotransformations, in particular microbial whole cell Baeyer-Villiger oxidation with molecular oxygen, demand comprehension and optimization of the process details involved. Optimal provision of oxygen and control of bioprocess parameters are pivotal for their success. The interrelation of cell density and oxygen supply in an in situ substrate feeding and product removal (SFPR) whole cell Baeyer-Villiger oxidation process was investigated in detail. Both parameters were optimized with respect to practical considerations. The outcome of this study supports a schematic process model, allows estimation of optimum process conditions and exploration of its limits.     

Britton Chance (1913-2010)--from sailing to biophysics and biochemistry and back

A short CV of Britton Chance, an outstanding American biophysicist and biochemists, who has passed away in November 2010, is presented. Chance invented and applied in biochemical research fast recording of difference spectra during chemical reactions. Due to this technique he discovered and studied formation of enzyme-substrate complexes as exemplified by the peroxidase reaction. He also described spectral changes of electron carriers of mitochondrial respiratory chain that accompany transition from the resting to the active (phosphorylating) states. Applying vibrating platinum electrode, he recorded changes in the rate of oxygen uptake by isolated mitochondria in resting and phosphorylating states and defined the so-called respiratory states, called after his name. He was the first to describe formation of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria. Britton Chance was a devoted yachtsman and won a gold medal for the United States in sailing at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki.     

Development and validation of a novel bioreactor system for load- and perfusion-controlled tissue engineering of chondrocyte-constructs

Osteoarthritis is a severe socio-economical disease, for which a suitable treatment modality does not exist. Tissue engineering of cartilage transplants is the most promising method to treat focal cartilage defects. However, current culturing procedures do not yet meet the requirements for clinical implementation. This article presents a novel bioreactor device for the functional tissue engineering of articular cartilage which enables cyclic mechanical loading combined with medium perfusion over long periods of time, under controlled cultivation and stimulation conditions whilst ensuring system sterility. The closed bioreactor consists of a small, perfused, autoclavable, twin chamber culture device with a contactless actuator for mechanical loading. Uni-axial loading is guided by externally applied magnetic fields with real-time feedback-control from a platform load cell and an inductive proximity sensor. This precise measurement allows the development of the mechanical properties of the cultured tissue to be monitored in real-time. This is an essential step towards clinical implementation, as it allows accounting for differences in the culture procedure induced by patient-variability. This article describes, based on standard agarose hydrogels of 3 mm height and 10 mm diameter, the technical concept, implementation, scalability, reproducibility, precision, and the calibration procedures of the whole bioreactor instrument. Particular attention is given to the contactless loading system by which chondrocyte scaffolds can be compressed at defined loading frequencies and magnitudes, whilst maintaining an aseptic cultivation procedure. In a "proof of principle" experiment, chondrocyte seeded agarose gels were cultured for 21 days in the bioreactor system. Intermittent medium perfusion at a steady flow rate (0.5 mL/min) was applied. Sterility and cell viability (ds-DNA quantification and fluorometric live/dead staining) were preserved in the system. Flow induced shear stress stimulated sGAG (sulfated glycosaminoglycan) content (DMMB assay) after 21 days, which was confirmed by histological staining of Alcian blue and by immunostaining of Aggrecan. Experimental data on mechanotransduction and long-term studies on the beneficial effects of combined perfusion and different mechanical loading patterns on chondrocyte seeded scaffolds will be published separately.     

鱼类核移植与重编程

鱼类核移植是动物克隆研究的一个重要领域, 我国学者在上世纪60年代首创了鱼类的核移植研究。以斑马鱼为模式动物, 进行核移植与再程序化研究具有独特的优势。文章总结了鱼类细胞核移植研究的历史、斑马鱼核移植研究概况、以及影响核移植胚胎发育的因素, 特别是核移植胚胎基因组的表观遗传修饰, 如基因组DNA甲基化及组蛋白乙酰化和甲基化等的研究, 将有助于完善克隆技术并提高克隆的成功率, 推动克隆技术的广泛开展和应用。     

Cryopreservation of murine spermatozoa

Cryopreservation of mouse sperm provides an economic option for preserving the large number of mouse strains now being generated by transgenic and targeted mutation methodologies. The ability of a spermatozoan cell to survive cryobiological preservation depends on general biophysical constraints that apply to all cells, such as the avoidance or minimization of the formation of intracellular ice during cooling. This action is typically achieved by use of cryoprotectant substances and by controlled, slow rates of cooling. Superimposed on those general constraints may be special characteristics of mouse spermatozoa, such as more narrow, osmotically driven volume tolerance limits and the fact that relatively successful freezing can be obtained without the use of a permeating cryoprotective agent. The lack of important information regarding sperm cells fundamental cryobiological properties, including their osmotic and membrane permeability characteristics, has hindered progress in developing anything but empirically derived methods. Genetic differences between inbred mouse strains are reflected in motility and fertility characteristics of mouse sperm and contribute to the difficulty of developing successful cryopreservation methods. Recovery of live young from frozen sperm has been much more successful with sperm from hybrid mice than from most inbred strains. There have been no published reports of successful cryopreservation of rat sperm. Nevertheless, in mice, success in deriving live young from intracytoplasmic sperm injection using sperm frozen under suboptimal conditions raises the possibility of using this technique for the ultimate rescue of sperm regardless of the success of cryopreservation. This technique, however, requires additional development and verification of its efficacy before it will be suitable for general laboratory use. Although cryopreservation of mouse sperm is not yet universally successful, it can be used reliably to supplement cryopreservation of embryos and other germline cells or tissues for preserving biomedically important strains of mice for research.     

Presence or Absence of Ras Dimerization Shows Distinct Kinetic Signature in Ras-Raf Interaction

Initiations of cell signaling pathways often occur through the formation of multiprotein complexes that form through protein-protein interactions. Therefore, detecting their presence is central to understanding the function of a cell signaling pathway, aberration of which often leads to fatal diseases, including cancers. However, the multiprotein complexes are often difficult to detect using microscopes due to their small sizes. Therefore, currently, their presence can be only detected through indirect means. In this article, we propose to investigate the presence or absence of protein complexes through some easily measurable kinetic parameters, such as activation rates. As a proof of concept, we investigate the Ras-Raf system, a well-characterized cell signaling system. It has been hypothesized that Ras dimerization is necessary to create activated Raf dimers. Although there are circumstantial evidences supporting the Ras dimerization hypothesis, direct proof of Ras dimerization is still inconclusive. In the absence of conclusive direct experimental proof, this hypothesis can only be examined through indirect evidences of Ras dimerization. In this article, using a multiscale simulation technique, we provide multiple criteria that distinguishes an activation mechanism involving Ras dimerization from another mechanism that does not involve Ras dimerization. The provided criteria will be useful in the investigation of not only Ras-Raf interaction but also other two-protein interactions.     

A permeabilized cell system for studying regulation of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase: NADPH as rate limiting factor in benzo(a)pyrene metabolism

The disadvantage of a whole cell system for studying the metabolism of xenobiotics is that some substrates and regulatory molecules do not readily cross the cell membrane. The present study describes a technique to permeabilize H-4-II-E rat hepatoma cells for the study of benzo(a)pyrene metabolism. NADPH is an essential cofactor in the in vitro microsomal metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene and has been shown by indirect measurement to be a rate limiting factor in mixed function oxidase activity in whole liver perfusion systems. The role of NADPH has not been directly demonstrated in an intact cell system. Using this permeabilized whole cell system it is possible to directly demonstrate that NADPH is rate limiting in the mixed function oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene.     

Paul Ehrlich--in search of the magic bullet

In 2004, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Paul Ehrlich, considered the founder of immunology. His life and work can be divided into three creative periods: first, he developed histological staining, then he accomplished his ground-breaking work on immunology, and eventually invented chemotherapy. Paul Ehrlich can be perceived as a man whose success was not the consequence of a will to power, but of his substantial interest in science.     

Empirical Testing of a Leadership and Planning Model for Reengineering Business Processes

This article discusses the use of a case study to test the validity of a hypothesis. The conjecture posed is that a specific model for planning and implementation decisions that applies to the leadership aspects of investment decisions will lead to improved planning and implementation success. The model is flexible and comprehensive and could serve as a foundation for reminder guidelines for issues that comprise decision making. A retrospective analysis of the case is used to confirm that a consideration of the issues raised by the model would indeed have prevented the difficulties encountered by the company in the case.