scholarly journals Development of a tunable 3D wrinkled platfom for designing cellular three-dimensional communication networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany R. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Communication Networks ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cellular Communication Network ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Washing Method

The study of cell-cell communication is hindered by the absence of a platform which is capable of specifically directing cellular growth while allowing examination of the communication between cells. In this thesis, a tuneable micro-to-nano scale wrinkled nonplanar platform was developed and optimized through the use of photolithography and a microfluidic washing method. The platform demonstrated the ability to create micro and nanowrinkled structures in a wide range of flow conditions. The developed platform was then used as a cell culture platform to investigate the spacing dependence of bovine fibroblasts. The identification of a critical bridging distance for bovine fibroblasts provided a means to optimized the platform for culturing a cellular communication network between bovine fibroblasts. The cellular network which resulted demonstrated, via FRAP (Fluorescence-recovery-after-photobleaching), the capacity for communication between cells. Creating multilevel length scaled structures on a tunable platform which directed cellular growth while maintaining communication presents potential applications in research, industry and clinical aspects.

scholarly journals Development of a tunable 3D wrinkled platfom for designing cellular three-dimensional communication networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethany R. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Communication Networks ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Cellular Communication Network ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Washing Method

The study of cell-cell communication is hindered by the absence of a platform which is capable of specifically directing cellular growth while allowing examination of the communication between cells. In this thesis, a tuneable micro-to-nano scale wrinkled nonplanar platform was developed and optimized through the use of photolithography and a microfluidic washing method. The platform demonstrated the ability to create micro and nanowrinkled structures in a wide range of flow conditions. The developed platform was then used as a cell culture platform to investigate the spacing dependence of bovine fibroblasts. The identification of a critical bridging distance for bovine fibroblasts provided a means to optimized the platform for culturing a cellular communication network between bovine fibroblasts. The cellular network which resulted demonstrated, via FRAP (Fluorescence-recovery-after-photobleaching), the capacity for communication between cells. Creating multilevel length scaled structures on a tunable platform which directed cellular growth while maintaining communication presents potential applications in research, industry and clinical aspects.

scholarly journals A structural perspective on the mechanisms of quorum sensing activation in bacteria

2015 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 2189-2203 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAROLINA LIXA ◽  
AMANDA MUJO ◽  
CRISTIANE D. ANOBOM ◽  
ANDERSON S. PINHEIRO
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Regulate Gene Expression ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Regulate Gene

Bacteria are able to synchronize the population behavior in order to regulate gene expression through a cell-to-cell communication mechanism called quorum sensing. This phenomenon involves the production, detection and the response to extracellular signaling molecules named autoinducers, which directly or indirectly regulate gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner. Quorum sensing may control a wide range of biological processes in bacteria, such as bioluminescence, virulence factor production, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. The autoinducers are recognized by specific receptors that can either be membrane-bound histidine kinase receptors, which work by activating cognate cytoplasmic response regulators, or cytoplasmic receptors acting as transcription factors. In this review, we focused on the cytosolic quorum sensing regulators whose three-dimensional structures helped elucidate their mechanisms of action. Structural studies of quorum sensing receptors may enable the rational design of inhibitor molecules. Ultimately, this approach may represent an effective alternative to treat infections where classical antimicrobial therapy fails to overcome the microorganism virulence.

scholarly journals Sporulation in solventogenic and acetogenic clostridia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamou Diallo ◽  
Servé W. M. Kengen ◽  
Ana M. López-Contreras
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biotechnological Production ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Sporulation Initiation ◽  
Solventogenic Clostridia

AbstractThe Clostridium genus harbors compelling organisms for biotechnological production processes; while acetogenic clostridia can fix C1-compounds to produce acetate and ethanol, solventogenic clostridia can utilize a wide range of carbon sources to produce commercially valuable carboxylic acids, alcohols, and ketones by fermentation. Despite their potential, the conversion by these bacteria of carbohydrates or C1 compounds to alcohols is not cost-effective enough to result in economically viable processes. Engineering solventogenic clostridia by impairing sporulation is one of the investigated approaches to improve solvent productivity. Sporulation is a cell differentiation process triggered in bacteria in response to exposure to environmental stressors. The generated spores are metabolically inactive but resistant to harsh conditions (UV, chemicals, heat, oxygen). In Firmicutes, sporulation has been mainly studied in bacilli and pathogenic clostridia, and our knowledge of sporulation in solvent-producing or acetogenic clostridia is limited. Still, sporulation is an integral part of the cellular physiology of clostridia; thus, understanding the regulation of sporulation and its connection to solvent production may give clues to improve the performance of solventogenic clostridia. This review aims to provide an overview of the triggers, characteristics, and regulatory mechanism of sporulation in solventogenic clostridia. Those are further compared to the current knowledge on sporulation in the industrially relevant acetogenic clostridia. Finally, the potential applications of spores for process improvement are discussed.Key Points• The regulatory network governing sporulation initiation varies in solventogenic clostridia.• Media composition and cell density are the main triggers of sporulation.• Spores can be used to improve the fermentation process.

scholarly journals Analysis of the RNA content of the exosomes derived from blood serum and urine and its potential as biomarkers

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1652) ◽  
pp. 20130502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mu Li ◽  
Emily Zeringer ◽  
Timothy Barta ◽  
Jeoffrey Schageman ◽  
Angie Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Serum ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Culture Model ◽  
Culture Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abnormal Cells ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Invasive Diagnostics ◽  
Serum And Urine

Exosomes are tiny vesicles (30–150 nm) constantly secreted by all healthy and abnormal cells, and found in abundance in all body fluids. These vesicles, loaded with unique RNA and protein cargo, have a wide range of biological functions, including cell-to-cell communication and signalling. As such, exosomes hold tremendous potential as biomarkers and could lead to the development of minimally invasive diagnostics and next generation therapies within the next few years. Here, we describe the strategies for isolation of exosomes from human blood serum and urine, characterization of their RNA cargo by sequencing, and present the initial data on exosome labelling and uptake tracing in a cell culture model. The value of exosomes for clinical applications is discussed with an emphasis on their potential for diagnosing and treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancer.

Three-Dimensional Microfabrication System for Biodegradable Microdevices With High-Resolution and Bio-Applicability

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Yamada ◽  
Fuminori Niikura ◽  
Koji Ikuta
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Biodegradable Polymers ◽  
Conventional Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Batch Process ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
A Cell ◽  
The One ◽  
Almost All

Biodegradable polymers are employed in medicine and its further application is expected with eagerness. But the lack of an appropriate processing method retards the progress. To overcome this problem, we have developped a novel three-dimensional microfabrication system. The system design allows us the processing of the free three-dimensional micro-level forms by stacking up melted polymers from the nozzle. Different from the conventional method, we adopted a batch process to supply materials in order to eliminate the prior process that required toxic solvents. In addition, it is possible to handle almost all biodegradable thermoplastic resins by adopting this system. A single layer from the piled-up layers of extruded lines was observed to evaluate the resolution. The lateral and depth resolutions attained are 40 μm and 45 μm, respectively. Biodegradable polymers enable three-dimensional microstructures such as micro-pipes, micro-bends, and micro-coil springs to be manufactured in less than 15 min. The biocompatibility of the newly fabricated structure was evaluated using a cell line (PC12). For this purpose, a small vessel, with a transparent base, was fabricated using PLA and cells were cultivated in it. The results were then compared with the results obtained using the standard method. The mechanical strength of our microstructures was evaluated using a tensile strength test. The tensile strength of the microstructure was lower than the one obtained from the conventional method, but has enough strength for fabrication of medical devices. Our system renders it possible to produce toxic-free, as well as transparent and leakage-free devices. Our system is expected to have potential applications in optimum design and fabrication of implantable devices, especially in tissue engineering.

scholarly journals Additive Manufacturing of Biopolymers for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine: An Overview, Potential Applications, Advancements, and Trends

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhinakaran Veeman ◽  
M. Swapna Sai ◽  
P. Sureshkumar ◽  
T. Jagadeesha ◽  
L. Natrayan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
3D Printing ◽  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Tissue Regeneration ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Porous Scaffolds ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries

As a technique of producing fabric engineering scaffolds, three-dimensional (3D) printing has tremendous possibilities. 3D printing applications are restricted to a wide range of biomaterials in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Due to their biocompatibility, bioactiveness, and biodegradability, biopolymers such as collagen, alginate, silk fibroin, chitosan, alginate, cellulose, and starch are used in a variety of fields, including the food, biomedical, regeneration, agriculture, packaging, and pharmaceutical industries. The benefits of producing 3D-printed scaffolds are many, including the capacity to produce complicated geometries, porosity, and multicell coculture and to take growth factors into account. In particular, the additional production of biopolymers offers new options to produce 3D structures and materials with specialised patterns and properties. In the realm of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM), important progress has been accomplished; now, several state-of-the-art techniques are used to produce porous scaffolds for organ or tissue regeneration to be suited for tissue technology. Natural biopolymeric materials are often better suited for designing and manufacturing healing equipment than temporary implants and tissue regeneration materials owing to its appropriate properties and biocompatibility. The review focuses on the additive manufacturing of biopolymers with significant changes, advancements, trends, and developments in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering with potential applications.

scholarly journals Bioprocesses with Reduced Ecological Footprint by Marine Debaryomyces hansenii Strain for Potential Applications in Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 1028
Author(s):  
Silvia Donzella ◽  
Claudia Capusoni ◽  
Luisa Pellegrino ◽  
Concetta Compagno
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Debaryomyces Hansenii ◽  
High Growth ◽  
High Growth Rate ◽  
Food Industries ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Marine Strain

The possibility to perform bioprocesses with reduced ecological footprint to produce natural compounds and catalyzers of industrial interest is pushing the research for salt tolerant microorganisms able to grow on seawater-based media and able to use a wide range of nutrients coming from waste. In this study we focused our attention on a Debaryomyces hansenii marine strain (Mo40). We optimized cultivation in a bioreactor at low pH on seawater-based media containing a mixture of sugars (glucose and xylose) and urea. Under these conditions the strain exhibited high growth rate and biomass yield. In addition, we characterized potential applications of this yeast biomass in food/feed industry. We show that Mo40 can produce a biomass containing 45% proteins and 20% lipids. This strain is also able to degrade phytic acid by a cell-bound phytase activity. These features represent an appealing starting point for obtaining D. hansenii biomass in a cheap and environmentally friendly way, and for potential use as an additive or to replace unsustainable ingredients in the feed or food industries, as this species is included in the QPS EFSA list (Quality Presumption as Safe—European Food Safety Authority).

scholarly journals Biomimicry in Bio-Manufacturing: Developments in Melt Electrospinning Writing Technology Towards Hybrid Biomanufacturing

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
pp. 3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferdows Afghah ◽  
Caner Dikyol ◽  
Mine Altunbek ◽  
Bahattin Koc
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
Melt Electrospinning ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Homogeneous Cell

Melt electrospinning writing has been emerged as a promising technique in the field of tissue engineering, with the capability of fabricating controllable and highly ordered complex three-dimensional geometries from a wide range of polymers. This three-dimensional (3D) printing method can be used to fabricate scaffolds biomimicking extracellular matrix of replaced tissue with the required mechanical properties. However, controlled and homogeneous cell attachment on melt electrospun fibers is a challenge. The combination of melt electrospinning writing with other tissue engineering approaches, called hybrid biomanufacturing, has introduced new perspectives and increased its potential applications in tissue engineering. In this review, principles and key parameters, challenges, and opportunities of melt electrospinning writing, and particularly, recent approaches and materials in this field are introduced. Subsequently, hybrid biomanufacturing strategies are presented for improved biological and mechanical properties of the manufactured porous structures. An overview of the possible hybrid setups and applications, future perspective of hybrid processes, guidelines, and opportunities in different areas of tissue/organ engineering are also highlighted.

Fabrication of Periodic Arrays of Nanoscale Square Helices

2002 ◽  
Vol 728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin O. Jensen ◽  
Scott R. Kennedy ◽  
Michael J. Brett
Keyword(s):  
Photonic Band Gap ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Thin Film Deposition ◽  
Film Deposition ◽  
Inorganic Materials ◽  
Periodic Arrays ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Third Dimension

AbstractWe demonstrate fabrication of periodic arrays of nanometre scale square helices, with potential applications in three-dimensional photonic bandgap (PBG) materials. Processing is performed using a thin film deposition method known as Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD). Through advanced substrate motion, this technique allows for controlled growth of square helices in a variety of inorganic materials. Organization of the helices into periodic twodimensional geometries is achieved by prepatterning the substrate surface using electron beam lithography. The regular turns of the helices yield periodicity in the third dimension, perpendicular to the substrate. We present studies of tetragonal and trigonal arrays of silicon helices, with lattice constants as low as 300 nm. By deliberately adding or leaving out seeds in the substrate pattern, we have succeeded in engineering line defects. Our periodic nanoscale structure closely matches an ideal photonic band gap architecture, as recently proposed by Toader and John. While our fabrication technique is simpler than most suggested PBG schemes, it is highly versatile. A wide range of materials can be used for GLAD, manipulation of lattice constant and helix pitch ensures optical tunability, and the GLAD films are robust to micromachining.

scholarly journals Cooperation of partially-transformed clones: an invisible force behind the early stages of carcinogenesis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Dna Mutations ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Mechanisms Of Carcinogenesis ◽  
Fundamental Forces ◽  
Mutational Process

AbstractMost tumours exhibit significant heterogeneity and are best described as communities of cellular populations competing for resources. Growing experimental evidence also suggests, however, that cooperation between cancer clones is important as well for the maintenance of tumour heterogeneity and tumour progression. However, a role for cell communication during the earliest steps in oncogenesis is not well characterised despite its vital importance in normal tissue and clinically manifest tumours. By modelling the interaction between the mutational process and cell-to-cell communication in three-dimensional tissue architecture, we show that non-cell-autonomous mechanisms of carcinogenesis could support and accelerate pre-cancerous clonal expansion through the cooperation of different, non- or partially- transformed mutants. We predict the existence of a ‘cell-autonomous time-horizon’, a time before which cooperation between cell-to-cell communication and DNA mutations might be one of the most fundamental forces shaping the early stages of oncogenesis. The understanding of this process could shed new light on the mechanisms leading to clinically manifest cancers.

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