Theranostic cells: emerging clinical applications of synthetic biology

The commensal microbiome is essential for human health and is involved in many processes in the human body, such as the metabolism process and immune system activation. Emerging evidence implies that specific changes in the microbiome participate in the development of various diseases, including diabetes, liver diseases, tumors, and pathogen infections. Thus, intervention on the microbiome is becoming a novel and effective method to treat such diseases. Synthetic biology empowers researchers to create strains with unique and complex functions, making the use of engineered microbes for clinical applications attainable. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances about the roles of the microbiome in certain diseases and the underlying mechanisms, as well as the use of engineered microbes in the prevention, detection, and treatment of various diseases.

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Gene-circuit therapy on the horizon: synthetic biology tools for engineered therapeutics

Acta Biochimica Polonica ◽

10.18388/abp.2020_5744 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rafał Krzysztoń ◽

Yiming Wan ◽

Julia Petreczky ◽

Gábor Balázsi

Keyword(s):

Synthetic Biology ◽

Transgene Expression ◽

Quantitative Methods ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Gene Circuits ◽

Gene Circuit ◽

Precise Control ◽

Genome Modification ◽

Therapeutic Function ◽

Therapeutic Context

Therapeutic genome modification requires precise control over the introduced therapeutic functions. Current approaches of gene and cell therapy fail to deliver such command and rely on semi-quantitative methods with limited influence on timing, contextuality and levels of transgene expression, and hence on therapeutic function. Synthetic biology offers new opportunities for quantitative functionality in designing therapeutic systems and their components. Here, we discuss synthetic biology tools in their therapeutic context, with examples of proof-of-principle and clinical applications of engineered synthetic biomolecules and higher-order functional systems, i.e. gene circuits. We also present the prospects of future development towards advanced gene-circuit therapy.

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Synthetic biology advancing clinical applications

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology ◽

10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.06.008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (3-4) ◽

pp. 345-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Marc Folcher ◽

Martin Fussenegger

Keyword(s):

Synthetic Biology ◽

Clinical Applications

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Specimen Preparation for Clinical Applications of X-Ray Microanalysis

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100135241 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 328-329

Author(s):

J.D. Shelburne ◽

G.M. Roomans

Keyword(s):

Carbon Coating ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Point Of View ◽

Practical Significance ◽

Sweat Test ◽

Specimen Preparation ◽

Tissue Preparation ◽

X Ray ◽

Gallbladder Stones ◽

Clinical Problems

Proper preparative procedures are a prerequisite for the validity of the results of x-ray microanalysis of biological tissue. Clinical applications of x-ray microanalysis are often concerned with diagnostic problems and the results may have profound practical significance for the patient. From this point of view it is especially important that specimen preparation for clinical applications is carried out correctly.Some clinical problems require very little tissue preparation. Hair, nails, and kidney and gallbladder stones may be examined and analyzed after carbon coating. High levels of zinc or copper in hair may be indicative of dermatological or systemic diseases. Nail clippings may be analyzed (as an alternative to the more conventional sweat test) to confirm a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. X-ray microanalysis in combination with scanning electron microscopy has been shown to be the most reliable method for the identification of the components of kidney or gallbladder stones.A quantitatively very important clinical application of x-ray microanalysis is the identification and quantification of asbestos and other exogenous particles in lung.

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Reduction of Potassium in Kidney Proximal Tubules to Aid in Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis of Calcium

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100119193 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. 474-475

Author(s):

A. LeFurgey ◽

P. Ingram ◽

L.J. Mandel

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Proximal Tubule ◽

Electron Probe ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Proximal Tubules ◽

Rabbit Kidney ◽

Target Cells ◽

X Ray ◽

Freeze Dried

For quantitative determination of subcellular Ca distribution by electron probe x-ray microanalysis, decreasing (and/or eliminating) the K content of the cell maximizes the ability to accurately separate the overlapping K Kß and Ca Kα peaks in the x-ray spectra. For example, rubidium has been effectively substituted for potassium in smooth muscle cells, thus giving an improvement in calcium measurements. Ouabain, a cardiac glycoside widely used in experimental and clinical applications, inhibits Na-K ATPase at the cell membrane and thus alters the cytoplasmic ion (Na,K) content of target cells. In epithelial cells primarily involved in active transport, such as the proximal tubule of the rabbit kidney, ouabain rapidly (t1/2= 2 mins) causes a decrease2 in intracellular K, but does not change intracellular total or free Ca for up to 30 mins. In the present study we have taken advantage of this effect of ouabain to determine the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic Ca content in freeze-dried cryosections of kidney proximal tubule by electron probe x-ray microanalysis.

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Simple teaching aid with clinical applications

Journal of Dental Education ◽

10.1002/j.0022-0337.1976.40.2.tb00939.x ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 106-106

Author(s):

DL Torney ◽

HD Espinosa

Keyword(s):

Clinical Applications ◽

Teaching Aid

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Lexical Comprehension in Young Children With Developmental Delays

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/1058-0360.0301.79 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 79-88 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Theresa A. Kouri

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Developmental Delays ◽

Normal Development ◽

Clinical Applications ◽

Group Status ◽

Novel Object ◽

Related Information ◽

Comprehension Skills ◽

Lexical Items ◽

Lexical Concepts

Lexical comprehension skills were examined in 20 young children (aged 28–45 months) with developmental delays (DD) and 20 children (aged 19–34 months) with normal development (ND). Each was assigned to either a story-like script condition or a simple ostensive labeling condition in which the names of three novel object and action items were presented over two experimental sessions. During the experimental sessions, receptive knowledge of the lexical items was assessed through a series of target and generalization probes. Results indicated that all children, irrespective of group status, acquired more lexical concepts in the ostensive labeling condition than in the story narrative condition. Overall, both groups acquired more object than action words, although subjects with ND comprehended more action words than subjects with DD. More target than generalization items were also comprehended by both groups. It is concluded that young children’s comprehension of new lexical concepts is facilitated more by a context in which simple ostensive labels accompany the presentation of specific objects and actions than one in which objects and actions are surrounded by thematic and event-related information. Various clinical applications focusing on the lexical training of young children with DD are discussed.

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