Preliminary Studies of Stand-Alone Lance Concepts for Nanoinjection of DNA

Author(s):  
Mark H. Fernelius ◽  
Nathan C. Toone ◽  
Brian D. Jensen ◽  
Sandra H. Burnett ◽  
Larry L. Howell

Nanoinjection is an innovative approach for the electromechanical injection of DNA into cells, in which DNA is electrically attracted to a lance, inserted into a cell, and repelled by reversing the electrical polarity. In previous work, the lance has been micromachined as part of an on-chip microelectromechanical system. This work investigates a Stand-Alone Lance concept, where the lance and other components are independent of a common substrate. The Stand-Alone Lance may make nanoinjection more accessible to researchers and be more compatible with lab equipment commonly available in transgenic facilities. Required parameters for the electrode are investigated using a mathematical computer model. Different materials and fabrication processes for the metal lance are also considered. Additional testing was performed using tungsten probes, including mock injections on mouse egg cells. Based upon the optimistic cell viability rate, it is recommended to further investigate the use of the Stand-Alone Lance to perform nanoinjections.

Toxics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Soisungwan Satarug ◽  
Scott H. Garrett ◽  
Seema Somji ◽  
Mary Ann Sens ◽  
Donald A. Sens

We explored the potential role of zinc (Zn) and zinc transporters in protection against cytotoxicity of cadmium (Cd) in a cell culture model of human urothelium, named UROtsa. We used real-time qRT-PCR to quantify transcript levels of 19 Zn transporters of the Zrt-/Irt-like protein (ZIP) and ZnT gene families that were expressed in UROtsa cells and were altered by Cd exposure. Cd as low as 0.1 µM induced expression of ZnT1, known to mediate efflux of Zn and Cd. Loss of cell viability by 57% was seen 24 h after exposure to 2.5 µM Cd. Exposure to 2.5 µM Cd together with 10–50 µM Zn prevented loss of cell viability by 66%. Pretreatment of the UROtsa cells with an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis (buthionine sulfoximine) diminished ZnT1 induction by Cd with a resultant increase in sensitivity to Cd cytotoxicity. Conversely, pretreatment of UROtsa cells with an inhibitor of DNA methylation, 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (aza-dC) did not change the extent of ZnT1 induction by Cd. The induced expression of ZnT1 that remained impervious in cells treated with aza-dC coincided with resistance to Cd cytotoxicity. Therefore, expression of ZnT1 efflux transporter and Cd toxicity in UROtsa cells could be modulated, in part, by DNA methylation and glutathione biosynthesis. Induced expression of ZnT1 may be a viable mechanistic approach to mitigating cytotoxicity of Cd.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Liu ◽  
Kehui Wang ◽  
Li Huang ◽  
Jicheng Zhao ◽  
Xinpeng Chen ◽  
...  

Centromere identity is defined by nucleosomes containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant. The deposition of CENP-A at centromeres is tightly regulated in a cell-cycle-dependent manner. We previously reported that the spatiotemporal control of centromeric CENP-A incorporation is mediated by the phosphorylation of CENP-A Ser68. However, a recent report argued that Ser68 phosphoregulation is dispensable for accurate CENP-A loading. Here, we report that the substitution of Ser68 of endogenous CENP-A with either Gln68 or Glu68 severely impairs CENP-A deposition and cell viability. We also find that mice harboring the corresponding mutations are lethal. Together, these results indicate that the dynamic phosphorylation of Ser68 ensures cell-cycle-dependent CENP-A deposition and cell viability.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Wiest

Label-free monitoring of living cells is used in various applications such as drug development, toxicology, regenerative medicine or environmental monitoring. The most prominent methods for monitoring the extracellular acidification, oxygen consumption, electrophysiological activity and morphological changes of living cells are described. Furthermore, the intelligent mobile lab (IMOLA) – a computer controlled system integrating cell monitoring and automated cell cultivation – is described as an example of a cell-based system for microphysiometry. Results from experiments in the field of environmental monitoring using algae are presented. An outlook toward the development of an organ-on-chip technology is given.


2019 ◽  
Vol 124-125 ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingji Wei ◽  
Yecheng Zhang ◽  
Guoxiao Li ◽  
Ying Ni ◽  
Siqi Wang ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1562-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Richardson ◽  
Juan Gnecco ◽  
Tianbing Ding ◽  
Kevin Osteen ◽  
Lisa M. Rogers ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-qi Hu ◽  
Lai-guang Sun ◽  
Wu-jun Guo

Objective The primary purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the microRNA 146a (miR-146a) and the proliferation of cells occurring in glioblastoma multiforme. The secondary purpose of the paper is to investigate abnormalities of expression in miR-146a. Methods A real-time PCR assay was used to investigate the abnormal expression of miR-146a in glioma and adjacent tissue. Lipofection was used to transfect a mimic of miR-146a and induce the upregulation of miR-146a. Real-time PCR was used to observe the expression level of miR-146a. A cell viability analysis was conducted using MTT. A luciferase report vector was used to identify potential targets for miR-146a. Results The miR-146a component was found to be downregulated in glioma tissue compared with adjacent nontumor tissue (p<0.05). The upregulation of miR-146a in glioma cells through miR-146a mimic transfection led to reduction of cell viability and to an increase in the percentage of apoptosis. Notch1 was the name of the potential targeted gene for miR-146a in glioma. Conclusions The study found that the presence of miR-146a potentially affected the proliferation of glioma cells by regulating the rate of Notch1 expression.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 8945-8960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Richardson ◽  
Sehoon Jeong ◽  
Sungjin Kim ◽  
Arum Hart ◽  
Ramkumar Menon

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomás C. O'Riordan ◽  
Deirdre Buckley ◽  
Vladimir Ogurtsov ◽  
Rosemary O'Connor ◽  
Dmitri B. Papkovsky

Spine ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 1291-1297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae-Hong Lim ◽  
Prem S. Ramakrishnan ◽  
Gail L. Kurriger ◽  
James A. Martin ◽  
Jeff W. Stevens ◽  
...  

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