Publications by authors named "Ann-Kristin Afflerbach"
Article Synopsis
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing is revolutionizing clinical genetics by providing fast, long-read, and real-time DNA and RNA sequencing, making it more accessible and affordable.
- This review highlights its potential in precision cancer diagnostics and treatment, showcasing successful case studies where it identified key genetic markers that influenced treatment decisions.
- The article also discusses challenges in using Nanopore sequencing clinically and current efforts aimed at overcoming these obstacles.
Pediatric high-grade gliomas of the subclass MYCN (HGG-MYCN) are highly aggressive tumors frequently carrying MYCN amplifications, TP53 mutations, or both alterations. Due to their rarity, such tumors have only recently been identified as a distinct entity, and biological as well as clinical characteristics have not been addressed specifically. To gain insights into tumorigenesis and molecular profiles of these tumors, and to ultimately suggest alternative treatment options, we generated a genetically engineered mouse model by breeding hGFAP-cre::Trp53::lsl-MYCN mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Molecular brain tumor diagnosis is usually dependent on tissue biopsies or resections. This can pose several risks associated with anesthesia or neurosurgery, especially for lesions in the brain stem or other difficult-to-reach anatomical sites. Apart from initial diagnosis, tumor progression, recurrence, or the acquisition of novel genetic alterations can only be proven by re-biopsies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The relevance of in vitro models for studying human biology relies on using the right human cell source and modeling systems that mimic real human conditions.
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are highlighted as a valuable resource due to their ability to differentiate into various cell types without the ethical issues related to other stem cells.
- Advanced platforms like microfluidics, Organs-on-a-Chip, and organoids are enhancing researchers' ability to replicate complex in vivo environments, making these integrated systems significant for clinical and research purposes.