Direct Cellular Delivery of Exogenous Genetic Material and Protein via Colloidal Nano-Assemblies with Biopolymer

The zoonotic potential of bat-borne coronaviruses

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20200097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 365-381

Author(s):

Ny Anjara Fifi Ravelomanantsoa ◽

Sarah Guth ◽

Angelo Andrianiaina ◽

Santino Andry ◽

Anecia Gentles ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Material ◽

Field Research ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Mammalian Host ◽

Past Century ◽

The Past ◽

Novel Host ◽

Horseshoe Bat ◽

Human Infections

Seven zoonoses — human infections of animal origin — have emerged from the Coronaviridae family in the past century, including three viruses responsible for significant human mortality (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) in the past twenty years alone. These three viruses, in addition to two older CoV zoonoses (HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63) are believed to be originally derived from wild bat reservoir species. We review the molecular biology of the bat-derived Alpha- and Betacoronavirus genera, highlighting features that contribute to their potential for cross-species emergence, including the use of well-conserved mammalian host cell machinery for cell entry and a unique capacity for adaptation to novel host environments after host switching. The adaptive capacity of coronaviruses largely results from their large genomes, which reduce the risk of deleterious mutational errors and facilitate range-expanding recombination events by offering heightened redundancy in essential genetic material. Large CoV genomes are made possible by the unique proofreading capacity encoded for their RNA-dependent polymerase. We find that bat-borne SARS-related coronaviruses in the subgenus Sarbecovirus, the source clade for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, present a particularly poignant pandemic threat, due to the extraordinary viral genetic diversity represented among several sympatric species of their horseshoe bat hosts. To date, Sarbecovirus surveillance has been almost entirely restricted to China. More vigorous field research efforts tracking the circulation of Sarbecoviruses specifically and Betacoronaviruses more generally is needed across a broader global range if we are to avoid future repeats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Association of nanoparticles with extracellular genetic material and implications for the fate of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental systems

10.1021/scimeetings.0c07368 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nadrat Chowdhury

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Resistance Genes ◽

Genetic Material ◽

Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽

Environmental Systems

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Evaluation of radiation-induced genotoxicity on hu-man melanoma cells (SK-MEL-37) by flow cytometry

Brazilian Journal of Radiation Sciences ◽

10.15392/bjrs.v7i2a.572 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2A) ◽

Author(s):

Leticia Bonfim ◽

Luma Ramirez de Carvalho ◽

Daniel Perez Vieira

Keyword(s):

Genetic Material ◽

Micronucleus Assay ◽

Melanoma Cells ◽

Dead Cell ◽

Genotoxic Damage ◽

Sytox Green ◽

60Co Source ◽

Radiation Induced ◽

Death And Loss ◽

Cell Fractions

Micronucleus assay is a test used to evaluate genotoxic damage in cells, which can be caused by various factors, like ionizing radiation. Interactions between radiation energies and DNA can cause breakage, leading to use chromosomal mutations or loss of genetic material, important events that could be induced in solid tumors to mitigate its expansion within human body. Melanoma has been described as a tumor with increased radio resistance. This work evaluated micronuclei percentages (%MN) in human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-37), irradiated by gamma radiation, with doses between 0 and 16Gy. Cell suspensions were irradiated in PBS by a 60Co source in doses between 0 and 16Gy, and incubated by 48h. Then cell membranes were lysed in the presence of SYTOX Green and EMA dyes, preserving nuclear membranes. Using this method, EMA-stained nuclei could be discriminated as those derived from dead cells, and SYTOX nuclei and micronuclei could be quantified. Micronuclei percentages were found to be proportional to dose, (R2 = 0.997). Only the highest dose (16Gy) could induce statistically significant increase of MN (p<0.0001), although cultures irradiated by 4, 8 and 16Gy showed significant increase of dead cell fractions. Calculation of the nuclei-to-beads ratio showed that 8 and 16Gy could reduce melanoma cell proliferation. Results showed that although cell death and loss of proliferative capacity could be observed on cultures irradiated at lower doses, genotoxic damage could be induced only on a higher dose. Resistance to radiation-induced genotoxicity could explain a relatively high radio resistance of melanoma tumors.

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Cryobanking of Amphibian Genetic Recourses in Russia: Past and Future

Russian Journal of Herpetology ◽

10.30906/1026-2296-2019-26-6-319-324 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (6) ◽

pp. 319-324

Author(s):

Victor K. Uteshev ◽

Edith N. Gakhova ◽

Ludmila I. Kramarova ◽

Natalia V. Shishova ◽

Svetlana A. Kaurova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Material ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Cell Biophysics ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Modern Biology ◽

Rare And Endangered Species ◽

Long Term Storage ◽

Current State ◽

Rare And Endangered ◽

Academy Of Sciences

In modern biology, a search for efficient and safe ways of long-term storage of animal genomes is vital for the survival of rare and endangered species. To date, the only reliable method of prolonging the preservation of genome is deep freezing of somatic and reproductive cells, including spermatozoa. Here we overview the current state of reproductive technologies and present the cryopresevation strategies of genetic material of selected amphibian species. These strategies were developed at the Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russia. Cryopreservation could help managing the threatened populations of amphibian species through genome storage and mediate the production of healthy animals from the stored material.

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