Benefits and limitations of telegenetics: A literature review.

Telegenetics involves the use of technology (generally video conferencing) to remotely provide genetic services. A telegenetics platform is critical for those with limitations or vulnerabilities compromising their ability to attend clinic in-person, including individuals in rural areas. As the demand for remote genetics services increases, and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic with social distancing practices in place, we conducted a literature review to examine the benefits and limitations of telegenetics and explore the views of patients and health professionals utilizing telegenetics.

Impact of direct-to-consumer genetic testing on Australian clinical genetics services.

The increasing popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) is thought to be creating a burden on clinical genetic services worldwide. However, no Australian studies have collected recent evidence regarding this impact. We surveyed Australian clinical genetics services about DTCGT-related referrals over the past 10 years.

Entrapment of photosystem I within self-assembled films.

We have developed a process to incorporate an integral membrane protein, Photosystem I (PSI), into an organic thin film at an electrode surface and thereby insulate the protein complex on the surface while mimicking its natural environment. The PSI complex, which is primarily more hydrophobic on the exterior than interior, is hydrophobically confined in vivo within the thylakoid membrane. To mimic the thylakoid membrane and entrap PSI on an electrode, we have designed a series of steps using a thin self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to adsorb and orient PSI followed by exposures to longer-chained methyl-terminated alkanethiols that place exchange with components of the original SAM in the interprotein domains.

Photosystem I patterning imaged by scanning electrochemical microscopy.

We report the first directed adsorption of Photosystem I (PSI) on patterned surfaces containing discrete regions of methyl- and hydroxyl-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. SAM and PSI patterns are characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The insulating protein complex layer blocks the electron transfer of the SECM mediator, thereby reducing the electrochemical current significantly.

Effect of lidocaine on ovalbumin and egg albumin foam stability.

Foam fractionation is a simple separation process that can remove and concentrate hydrophobic molecules such as proteins, surfactants, and organic wastes from an aqueous solution. Bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin have been widely used as model proteins due to their strong foaming potential and low price. Here, we study the effect of lidocaine on albumin foam, since drugs like lidocaine are known to bind with albumin.