Generation of Zika virus–specific T cells from seropositive and virus-naïve donors for potential use as an autologous or “off-the-shelf” immunotherapeutic

BackgroundZika virus (ZIKV) infection can cause severe birth defects in newborns with no effective currently available treatment. Adoptive transfer of virus-specific T cells has proven to be safe and effective for the prevention or treatment of many viral infections, and could represent a novel treatment approach for patients with ZIKV infection. However, extending this strategy to the ZIKV setting has been hampered by limited data on immunogenic T-cell antigens within ZIKV. Hence, we have generated ZIKV-specific T cells and characterized the cellular immune responses against ZIKV antigens.MethodsT-cell products were generated from peripheral blood of ZIKV-exposed donors, ZIKV-naive adult donors and umbilical cord blood by stimulation with pentadecamer (15mer) overlapping peptide libraries spanning four ZIKV polyproteins (C, M, E and NS1) using a Good Manufacturing Practice–compliant protocol.ResultsWe successfully generated T cells targeting ZIKV antigens with clinically relevant numbers. The ex vivo–expanded T cells comprised both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells that were able to produce Th1-polarized effector cytokines and kill ZIKV-infected HLA-matched monocytes, confirming functionality of this unique T-cell product as a potential “off-the-shelf” therapeutic. Epitope mapping using peptide arrays identified several novel HLA class I and class II–restricted epitopes within NS1 antigen, which is essential for viral replication and immune evasion.DiscussionOur findings demonstrate that it is feasible to generate potent ZIKV-specific T cells from a variety of cell sources including virus naïve donors for future clinical use in an “off-the-shelf” setting.     

Tissue Residue Guideline for ∑DDT for Protection of Aquatic Birds in China

DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) is a chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide that has been used worldwide. While the use of DDT has been phased out in many countries, it is still produced in some parts of the world for use to control vectors of malaria. DDE (1,1,-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene) and DDD (1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) are primary metabolites of DDT and have similar chemical and physical properties. DDT and its metabolites (DDE and DDD) are collectively referred to as ∑DDT. The lipophilic nature and persistence of the ∑DDT result in biomagnification in wildlife that feed at higher trophic levels in the food chain. Wildlife in aquatic ecosystems depend on aquatic biota as their primary source of food, which provide the main route of exposure to ∑DDT. Studies about effects of ∑DDT on birds were reviewed. The tissue residue guidelines for DDT (TRGs) for protection of birds in China were derived using species sensitivity distribution (SSD) and toxicity percentile rank method (TPRM) based on the available toxicity data. Risks of ∑DDT to birds were assessed by comparing the TRGs and ∑DDT concentrations in fishes from China. The tissue residue guideline for protection of birds in China is recommended to be 12.0 ng ∑DDT/g food.     

《微生物工程》课程教学探索与改革

结合“微生物工程”课程的教学实践, 通过实施整合优化课程体系、改进教学方法以及建立多层次的实验教学体系等方面的改革措施, 以期达到提高教学质量、提升学生的综合素质和创新能力的目的。     

创新创业教育在微生物学实践教学中的探索

创新创业教育是当前高等教育改革的重要方向,如何将微生物学实践教学与创新创业教育相结合是一个值得研究的课题。我们在微生物学实践课程体系和学生业余科研中探索出以下举措来培养学生的创新能力和创业思维:建立兴趣小组参与实验准备的模式,这能让学生快速成长为实验能手,成了我校微生物学实验教学的优良传承和特色,并辐射到全校的其他课程;通过多元化的设计方案、专题实验来锻炼学生综合应用知识的能力、科研思维和创新能力,这让学生在潜移默化中走上科研道路;指导学生申报科研课题和参加学科竞赛项目,培养学生的实验技能和探索能力,这成为实践教学的有益延伸。上述改革的成效显著,学生学习的积极性和参与科研的意识被激发,申报科研项目的质量和数量大大提高,在学科竞赛获奖、参与论文发表和专利申请等方面获得了不俗的成绩。该组合模式为本科生创新创业能力的培养和综合素质的提升发挥了重要的作用,尤其对地方本科院校人才培养具有重要的推广价值。     

基于良好农业规范(GAP)的出口型德国小香葱病虫害控制技术

根据良好农业规范标准的要求,结合出口型德国小香葱的质量安全要求,对德国小香葱生产过程中的病虫害的综合控制进行了阐述。     

过度静脉输液的现状、危害及管控措施

通过分析我国过度静脉输液的现状和危害,结合国外静脉输液管理指南,提出改善我国静脉输液的管控措施,促进我国医疗机构静 脉输液合理使用和管理,保障患者用药安全。     

合成生物学底盘微生物细胞的应用及其生物安全在创新型本科生培养中的实践

本科生创新能力培养是"双一流"建设人才培养的重要组成部分。合成生物学是一门新兴多学科交叉领域,被誉为可改变世界的十大新技术领域之一。构建高版本底盘微生物细胞和利用底盘细胞人工合成细胞工厂是合成生物学的重要组成部分。以实现创新型本科生为培养目标,我们将合成生物学底盘微生物细胞技术融入人才培养环节,通过组织学生参加国际遗传工程机器设计竞赛、主持大学生创新创业训练项目以及完成本科生毕业设计课题等多元化途径,提高学生理论联系实际及创新实践能力。同时,由于底盘微生物细胞是基因组经过精简、优化或其基因通路被改变的细胞,其应用存在一定的生物安全风险。我们通过将安全教育纳入培养大纲和教学计划、出版实验室安全与操作规范专业教材、开发虚拟仿真实验项目、建立实验室准入制度和信息化管理体系,以及针对底盘微生物细胞从购买、管理、规范使用和废弃物处理等进行生物安全教育等系列举措,规范底盘微生物细胞应用的生物安全。这些实践为培养创新型本科生提供了一个强有力的途径和有效保障,也为合成生物学的发展提供了支持,并有助于培养新的生力军。     

Cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities in Australia and New Zealand

Cell and gene therapy products are rapidly being integrated into mainstream medicine. Developing global capability will facilitate broad access to these novel therapeutics. An initial step toward achieving this goal is to understand cell and gene therapy manufacturing capability in each region. We conducted an academic survey in 2018 to assess cell and gene therapy manufacturing capacity in Australia and New Zealand. We examined the following: the number and types of cell therapy manufacturing facilities; the number of projects, parallel processes and clinical trials; the types of products; and the manufacturing and quality staffing levels. It was found that Australia and New Zealand provide diverse facilities for cell therapy manufacturing, infrastructure and capability. Further investment and development will enable both countries to make important decisions to meet the growing need for cell and gene therapy and regenerative medicine in the region.     

薏苡新品种特异性、一致性和稳定性测试指南研制

植物新品种满足特异性、一致性和稳定性(合称DUS)是授予品种权的前提条件之一。DUS测试指南是开展DUS测试的技术依据。本文详细介绍了薏苡DUS测试指南的研制过程,包括适用范围、繁殖材料的要求、测试性状的选择、性状表达状态和相应代码的确定、标准品种的筛选、DUS判定标准和技术问卷的设计等。薏苡指南的研制对促进中国薏苡新品种保护,鼓励品种创新及加强品种管理具有重要意义。     

对医学研究生教育的实践与思考

医学研究生教育作为我国高等教育的重要组成部分,为国家培养了大批高素质医学人才。本文就我们医学研究生教育的实践,探讨医学研究生教育存在的问题。医学研究生教育应首先应加强医学专业知识的全面学习,做到博学而精深。同时,应注重科研素质和人文素质的培养。最后,医学研究生的教育国际化也是非常重要的一个问题。总之,医学院校研究生教育应更加注重创新性、科研素质、人文素质和国际视野的培养,培养具有国际竞争力的高素质专业医学人才。