Chromothripsis: A Cause of Genome Instability in Cancer

Cancer is a term given to uncontrolled cell growth, which is the result of accumulation of genetic changes during cell division. It can occur due to both genetic and environmental reasons. One such genetic cause of cancer discovered recently is known as Chromothripsis. It is defined as the fragmentation and rearrangement of chromosomes. Researchers are still trying to find the true mechanism underlying Chromothripsis. Two models have been significantly described; first one is the ‘micronuclei hypothesis’, which occurs as a result of chromosome mis-segregation during Mitosis. Second model is based on the ‘telomere crisis’, which occurs due to faulty telomerase enzyme and cell cycle checkpoint pathway. In this letter, we have tried to give brief information about the mechanisms behind Chromothripsis and their role in causing genome instability leading to cancer.

Machine learning tools can now help with improving Taxol production in plant cell cultures

Chemotherapeutic intervention for cancer care is an important step. One of the most effective chemotherapy agents in use today is Paclitaxel (PTX), sold under the common name Taxol and Oxanol. Due to its ability to inhibit microtubule formation in cells, PTX is effective at all stages of the cancer and is FDA approved for treatment of many types of cancer (ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, cervical cancer, and pancreatic cancer). PTX is a plant alkaloid in the taxane family of compounds obtained from bark of the Pacific Yew tree (Taxus brevifolia) [1]. Adequate market supply of PTX has remained a challenge, as paclitaxel represents only a minor proportion of the total taxoid content of the Taxus species. Over the years, research into finding an alternate to cutting down Yew trees for PTX harvesting has been on the forefront. It is estimated that up to 60 trees may need to be harvested for the treatment of one patient.

BioMEMS for Life-Saving Biomedical Technologies

Lately, there have been huge research interests in developing micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) for various biological and medical applications. These bioMEMS based devices are considered instrumental to develop many life-saving biomedical technologies. To this end, a number of studies have focused on the developments of bioMEMS in the field of molecular biology, biotechnology, medicine, biochemical and material sciences and also in microsystems technology. The applications of bioMEMS are extensive that include diagnostic research, drug delivery, therapeutics, tissue engineering, biosensors and lab-on-a-chip systems for regenerative medicine, to name a few. Here, we present a perspective on the important breakthroughs in bioMEMS including the advances in microfabrication, monitoring and modulating cellular activities along with notable applications of bioMEMS in the modern healthcare sector.

Advanced Nanomaterial Based Solutions to Mitigate the Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic

The worldwide healthcare response to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) has led to the developments of several highly specialized techniques for diagnosis, for example, whole genome sequencing and computed tomography imaging. Considerable effort is also being directed towards detecting and preventing different modes of community transmission. One such mode of transmission, the presence of the virus on various surfaces that people may come in contact with, is being countered with the rapid detection. To this end, non-contact, optical techniques-based detection of COVID-19 have been shown to be useful for early prevention of spread of the virus by identifying infected surfaces. Especially, researchers have demonstrated nanomaterials-enabled diagnostic methods for rapid and early detection of SARS-CoV-2. It is believed that nanotechnology-based innovations particularly in the fields of diagnostics and therapeutics can provide solutions to the very complex problems of COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we present a critical overview of recent literature that specifically addresses how nano-engineered materials are enabling the effective and rapid diagnosis of COVD-19. Prominent techniques are described that show high accuracy of detection even in trace concentrations, which is achieved by measuring color change and also light-sensitive nanomaterials. Fingerprint techniques that enable identification of virus that is present at the surface are also described. Finally, we present a brief perspective of using nanomaterials in diagnostics, monitoring and surveillance to battle against highly contagious viruses in order to mitigate and prevent future global health emergencies.

Non-Invasive Diagnostic Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease

The emergence of biomarkers in biologic fluids is considered an important milestone in the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. Biomarkers are widely considered critically important for the diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of the disease. It is believed that an early diagnosis of AD at a presymptomatic stage could provide the key for a successful intervention and treatment of AD. It is due to the reason that preventative and therapeutic strategies that are known to be AD stage-dependent can have a better chance of clinical success at a very early stage of the disease when critical neurons are not lost. To this end, current clinical trials are extensively being employed by taking advantage of different diagnostic biomarkers. While there has been notable progress in biomarkers for AD, the current research emphasis has been on exploring non-invasive biomarkers due to the advantages of cost-effectiveness, rapid diagnosis and significantly less medical procedural complexities that make these biomarkers potential game changer in AD diagnostics. Here, we present a bird eye view on the subject and discuss the progress made in important non-invasive biomarkers for AD.

On-Chip PCR Based Plasmonic Microfluidic Platform: Ultrafast Point-of-Care Diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2

It is critically important to have rapid screening and identification of contagious viral diseases such as the current COVID-19 pandemic that is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Rapid and accurate diagnostic is essential for preventing worldwide spread of virus and ensuring in-time care for patients during the fast spread of pandemic diseases. Nanobiotechnology enabled tools have allowed to develop advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based diagnostics of contagious viral diseases. To this end, microfluidic on-chip PCR platforms have shown huge promise for highly efficient, rapid and small-volume bioassay for point-of-care (POC) diagnostic applications in mitigating the challenges of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we discuss latest advances in ultrafast, real-time, and on-chip nanoplasmonic PCR for rapid and quantitative molecular diagnostics at POC level.

The Role of NAD+ in Rejuvenating Human Body

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a coenzyme and considered an essential cofactor in cellular bioenergetics and adaptive stress responses. It is present in all living cells and governs fundamental biological processes including energy production, DNA repair, gene expression, calcium-dependent secondary messenger signaling and also in immune-regulatory roles. NAD+ depletion has been a subject of intense research due to the reason that it is associated with hallmarks of aging and age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent studies have suggested that physiological and pharmacological interventions that elevate cellular NAD+ levels may slow or even reverse the aspects of aging and also delay the progression of age-related diseases. In this min-review, we have described the roles of NAD+ in relationships to aging and major age-related diseases. The emphasis is on the contribution of NAD+ depletion to aging along with strategies to modulate NAD+ metabolism through physiological and pharmacological pathways. Recent human clinical studies on NAD+ boosting are summarized. We have specifically addressed how boosting NAD+ levels could potentially play an important role as a promising therapeutic strategy to counter aging-associated pathologies and accelerated aging. Finally, a brief perspective on the future research direction is presented.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines as Potential Early Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets to Combat Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is a serious medical condition and widely considered one of the most common causes of death and disability in the world today. There have been notable research advances in stroke so far and studies have shown that stroke’s complex pathophysiology process involves the oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. However, despite the progress in stroke research, currently there are no established biochemical factors available that can be employed in the early diagnostics and intervention in stroke. Mostly, stroke diagnosis is based on neuroimaging, which is not a rapid tool to diagnose stroke. This decreases the survivability rate. Further, conventional therapeutic approaches for ischemic stroke management are based on restoring blood flow to the affected brain area and these therapies are effective only during a limited time window. Hence, this procedure results in benefiting only a very small percentage of patients. In view of these limitations, the ongoing research has focused on seeking alternative treatment methods that can reduce stroke brain damage and improve patients’ outcome. To this end, research goals are targeted towards gaining insights into the inflammatory response triggered by cerebral ischemia that is supposed to play an important role in the progression of stroke, and also the subsequent study of inflammatory molecules in the acute phase of stroke. In this mini-review, we describe the inflammatory processes occurring during ischemic stroke along with the potential for pro-inflammatory cytokines to become stroke biomarkers as well as interesting neuroprotective therapeutic targets that could be blocked or stimulated to modulate inflammation after stroke. Finally, we present a perspective briefly discussing some viewpoints on future studies in the ongoing field of stroke research.

Oil Degrading Bacteria: Remediation of Environmental Pollution Resulting from Petroleum Hydrocarbons

It is widely known that petroleum hydrocarbons constitute one of the most hazardous pollutants that affect human and environmental health. The ongoing research on bioremediation with petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria has shown tremendous promise of the technology due to its advantages of high efficiency and eco-friendly nature. To this end, studies have been carried out to identify a large amount of bacterial species with petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading ability for applications in bioremediation. Here, we present a brief perspective of some of the notable advances in oil degrading bacteria and the remedial actions for decontamination of water and soil along with recovering the spilled materials at oil sites.

COVID-19 reveals redox vulnerabilities in two minority groups

The COVID-19 pandemic spread rapidly throughout the world, but some populations were more affected than others. For example, compared to other groups, a higher morbidity and mortality was documented in African Americans and individuals of Mediterranean descent. These populations are marked by both increased prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, and lower utilization of angiotensin receptor blockers/angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension. In this brief report, we suggest that G6PD status should be assessed in all COVID-19 positive individuals belonging to the two ethnic groups. If detected, N-acetylcysteine should be utilized to lower the oxidative burden and “sartans” should be prescribed as first-line therapy in hypertensive individuals.