Comparison of truncated human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) expression in pET28a(+) versus pET-SUMO vector and two Escherichia coli strains.

Purpose: Truncated human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) expression rises a great scientific interest, considering its possible therapeutic and diagnostic applications. A promising research direction is the therapeutic use of smaller hACE2 versions with high binding affinity as decoy receptors for S1 glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Another possible application is the use of these truncated versions for the functionalization of appropriate nanomaterials for constructing novel biosensors with a rapid and sensitive response for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) detection.

Generation of a 3D melanoma model and visualization of doxorubicin uptake by fluorescence imaging.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer and is responsible for 75% of deaths from skin cancers. For an accurate evaluation of potential treatment efficacy, it is important to use study models as close as possible to the in vivo conditions. A 3D model consisting of B16F10 spheroids was developed using liquid overlay technique on plates coated with 1% agarose, in the presence of 1% methylcellulose and L929-conditioned medium.