A neural circuit state change underlying skilled movements.

In motor neuroscience, state changes are hypothesized to time-lock neural assemblies coordinating complex movements, but evidence for this remains slender. We tested whether a discrete change from more autonomous to coherent spiking underlies skilled movement by imaging cerebellar Purkinje neuron complex spikes in mice making targeted forelimb-reaches. As mice learned the task, millimeter-scale spatiotemporally coherent spiking emerged ipsilateral to the reaching forelimb, and consistent neural synchronization became predictive of kinematic stereotypy.

The Paracrine Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Response to Pulsed Focused Ultrasound.

We studied the paracrine function of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from various sources in response to pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS). Human adipose tissue (AD), bone marrow (BM), and umbilical cord (UC) derived MSCs were exposed to pFUS at two intensities: 0.45 W/cm I (310 kPa PNP) and 1.

Density Based Characterization of Mechanical Cues on Cancer Cells Using Magnetic Levitation.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness is correlated to malignancy and invasiveness of cancer cells. Although the mechanism of change is unclear, mechanical signals from the ECM may affect physical properties of cells such as their density profile. The current methods, such as Percoll density-gradient centrifugation, are unable to detect minute density differences.

Fast, in vivo voltage imaging using a red fluorescent indicator.

Genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) are emerging optical tools for acquiring brain-wide cell-type-specific functional data at unparalleled temporal resolution. To broaden the application of GEVIs in high-speed multispectral imaging, we used a high-throughput strategy to develop voltage-activated red neuronal activity monitor (VARNAM), a fusion of the fast Acetabularia opsin and the bright red fluorophore mRuby3. Imageable under the modest illumination intensities required by bright green probes (<50 mW mm), VARNAM is readily usable in vivo.

An Automated Microfluidic Assay for Photonic Crystal Enhanced Detection and Analysis of an Antiviral Antibody Cancer Biomarker in Serum.

We report on the implementation of an automated platform for detecting the presence of an antibody biomarker for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer from a single droplet of serum, in which a nanostructured photonic crystal surface is used to amplify the output of a fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay. The platform is comprised of a microfluidic cartridge with integrated photonic crystal chips that interfaces with an assay instrument that automates the introduction of reagents, wash steps, and surface drying. Upon assay completion, the cartridge interfaces with a custom laser-scanning instrument that couples light into the photonic crystal at the optimal resonance condition for fluorescence enhancement.

Monitoring Neutropenia for Cancer Patients at the Point of Care.

Neutrophils have a critical role in regulating the immune system. The immune system is compromised during chemotherapy, increasing infection risks and imposing a need for regular monitoring of neutrophil counts. Although commercial hematology analyzers are currently used in clinical practice for neutrophil counts, they are only available in clinics and hospitals, use large blood volumes, and are not available at the point of care (POC).

Isolation, Detection, and Quantification of Cancer Biomarkers in HPV-Associated Malignancies.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been recognized as the main etiologic factor in the development of various cancers including penile, vulva, oropharyngeal and cervical cancers. In the development of cancer, persistent HPV infections induce E6 and E7 oncoproteins, which promote cell proliferation and carcinogenesis resulting elevated levels of host antibodies (e.g.

Photonic crystals: emerging biosensors and their promise for point-of-care applications.

Biosensors are extensively employed for diagnosing a broad array of diseases and disorders in clinical settings worldwide. The implementation of biosensors at the point-of-care (POC), such as at primary clinics or the bedside, faces impediments because they may require highly trained personnel, have long assay times, large sizes, and high instrumental cost. Thus, there exists a need to develop inexpensive, reliable, user-friendly, and compact biosensing systems at the POC.

Advances in biosensing strategies for HIV-1 detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring.

HIV-1 is a major global epidemic that requires sophisticated clinical management. There have been remarkable efforts to develop new strategies for detecting and treating HIV-1, as it has been challenging to translate them into resource-limited settings. Significant research efforts have been recently devoted to developing point-of-care (POC) diagnostics that can monitor HIV-1 viral load with high sensitivity by leveraging micro- and nano-scale technologies.