Optimising a self-assembling peptide hydrogel as a Matrigel alternative for 3-dimensional mammary epithelial cell culture.

Three-dimensional (3D) organoid models have been instrumental in understanding molecular mechanisms responsible for many cellular processes and diseases. However, established organic biomaterial scaffolds used for 3D hydrogel cultures, such as Matrigel, are biochemically complex and display significant batch variability, limiting reproducibility in experiments. Recently, there has been significant progress in the development of synthetic hydrogels for in vitro cell culture that are reproducible, mechanically tuneable, and biocompatible.

Microneedle-based devices for point-of-care infectious disease diagnostics.

Recent infectious disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, have highlighted the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis to initiate treatment and curb transmission. Successful diagnostic strategies critically depend on the efficiency of biological sampling and timely analysis. However, current diagnostic techniques are invasive/intrusive and present a severe bottleneck by requiring specialist equipment and trained personnel.

Poly(lactic acid)/Carbon Nanotube Composite Microneedle Arrays for Dermal Biosensing.

Minimally invasive, reliable and low-cost in vivo biosensors that enable real-time detection and monitoring of clinically relevant molecules and biomarkers can significantly improve patient health care. Microneedle array (MNA)-based electrochemical sensors offer exciting prospects in this respect, as they can sample directly from the skin. However, their acceptability is dependent on developing a highly scalable and cost-effective fabrication strategy.

A central role for dityrosine crosslinking of Amyloid-β in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of insoluble amyloid plaques in the neuropil composed of highly stable, self-assembled Amyloid-beta (Aβ) fibrils. Copper has been implicated to play a role in Alzheimer's disease. Dimers of Aβ have been isolated from AD brain and have been shown to be neurotoxic.