MicroRNA regulation of molecular networks mapped by global microRNA, mRNA, and protein expression in activated T lymphocytes.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate specific immune mechanisms, but their genome-wide regulation of T lymphocyte activation is largely unknown. We performed a multidimensional functional genomics analysis to integrate genome-wide differential mRNA, miRNA, and protein expression as a function of human T lymphocyte activation and time. We surveyed expression of 420 human miRNAs in parallel with genome-wide mRNA expression.

Deconvoluting post-transplant immunity: cell subset-specific mapping reveals pathways for activation and expansion of memory T, monocytes and B cells.

A major challenge for the field of transplantation is the lack of understanding of genomic and molecular drivers of early post-transplant immunity. The early immune response creates a complex milieu that determines the course of ensuing immune events and the ultimate outcome of the transplant. The objective of the current study was to mechanistically deconvolute the early immune response by purifying and profiling the constituent cell subsets of the peripheral blood.

Applying genomics to organ transplantation medicine in both discovery and validation of biomarkers.

The field of biomarker discovery made a significant leap over the past few decades. As we enter the Era of the Human Genome, thousands of biomarkers can be identified in a relatively high-throughput fashion. While such magnitude and diversity of biomarkers can be seen as a challenge by itself, the field is being moved forward by new advances in bioinformatics and Systems Biology.

Rediscovery of natural products using genomic tools.

A screening methodology called 'genomic screening' was established to identify natural products that can regulate cellular gene expression. Application of genomic screening to Keishi-bukuryo-gan (KBG), a Japanese herbal medicine formulation, identified a previously unnoticed transcriptional effect by linoleic acid, a known KBG component. The approach opens up a possibility to develop cell-permeable molecular tools for functional genomics research and sets a stage to evaluate the potential of natural products for transcription therapies.

The radiobiological effects of heavy ions on mammalian cells and bacteria.

The radiobiological effects of heavy ions have been studied in experiments with mouse corneal epithelium, liver cells of rats irradiated in vivo, and the bacterium Escherichia coli B. From exposure of E. coli B to radiations with different LET, the effectiveness of the modifying influence of anoxia and some other radioprotectors has been determined.

Results of cytogenetic studies of seeds after their extended orbital flight aboard the Salyut orbital scientific station.

Air-dry seeds of Lactuca sativa (lettuce) with a different level of spontaneous mitagenesis were used in these experiments. A part of the seeds was given pre-flight gamma radiation in doses of 1 and 10 krads. Comparison of the results for the in-flight experiments, laboratory and "transport" control showed an increase of cells with chromosome aberrations and an increase of radiobiological effect in irradiated seeds flown aboard the Salyut scientific station.

Physiological and hematological effects of chronic irradiation.

The information available for assessing radiation hazard involved in prolonged space missions is so far insufficient. Therefore, a three-year experiment was carried out in which 180 dogs were exposed to irradiation, simulating the dose value and rate of exposure that may occur in a real space flight of long duration. The exposure included a chronic irradiation (with dose rates of 21, 62 and 125 rads/year) and a combined irradiation during which the animals were exposed to chronic and acute irradiations with a dose of 8 or 42 rads applied three times every year, the annual total dose being 120 or 188 rads, respectively.

Influence of Cosmos 368 space flight conditions on radiation effects in yeasts, hydrogen bacteria and seeds of lettuce and pea.

Radiobiological studies have been carried out on board the Cosmos 368 satellite, launched on 8 October 1970 and returning to earth on 14 October 1970. Yeast diploid cells Saccharomyces ellipsoides, Megri strain 139-B, haploid cells Zygosaccharomyces Baili, hydrogen bacteria Hydrogenomonas eutropha, strain Z-1, Berlin variety lettuce seeds and Capital variety pea seeds were used in these experiments. The biological specimens were irradiated with gamma-rays at dose rates of 71.

Vestibular analyzer as a critical organ in the evaluation of radiation hazards during space flights.

During space flights the vestibular analyzer functions under conditions which are not usual for Earth environments. The vestibular analyzer periodically or constantly experiences the action of angular, linear or Coriolis acceleration combined with ionizing radiation. The quantitative evaluation of the functional state of the vestibular analyzer made it possible to obtain material on semicircular canal activity disturbances at different periods of radiation sickness and responses of the irradiated body, given various doses of gamma radiation, to angular and Coriolis acceleration.

Characteristics of biological effects of cosmic radiation, model investigations.

In view of the probability of the influence of ionizing radiation on crewmen and the appropriate problem of creating adequate anti-radiation protection, it is necessary to investigate the peculiarities of biological effects of cosmic radiation. Under actual space flight conditions, cosmic radiation will affect the human organism in the complex along with other factors. Full imitation of cosmic radiation on the ground is impossible but it can exert influence on the human radiosensibilty.