Building an Artificial Stem Cell Niche: Prerequisites for Future 3D-Formation of Inner Ear Structures-Toward 3D Inner Ear Biotechnology.

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in stem cells for the purpose of regenerative medicine to deliver a wide range of therapies to treat many diseases. However, two-dimensional cultures of stem cells are of limited use when studying the mechanism of pathogenesis of diseases and the feasibility of a treatment. Therefore, research is focusing on the strengths of stem cells in the three-dimensional (3D) structures mimicking organs, that is, organoids, or organ-on-chip, for modeling human biology and disease.

Nanolayered chemical modification of silicon surfaces with ionizable surface groups for pH-triggered protein adsorption and release: application to microneedles.

The aim of this work was to develop a nanolayered pH sensitive coating method whereby proteins are coated at a suitable pH on the surface of chemically modified biomedical/bioanalytical microdevices and protein release is triggered by a pH-shift upon contact with the physiological environment. In this work such a coating was developed and was applied onto microneedles. First, the surface of microneedle arrays was modified with basic groups with a surface pK below physiological pH.

Fluorescent nanoparticle adhesion assay: a novel method for surface pKa determination of self-assembled monolayers on silicon surfaces.

Since the computer industry enables us to generate smaller and smaller structures, silicon surface chemistry is becoming increasingly important for (bio-)analytical and biological applications. For controlling the binding of charged biomacromolecules such as DNA and proteins on modified silicon surfaces, the surface pK(a) is an important factor. Here we present a fluorescent nanoparticle adhesion assay as a novel method to determine the surface pK(a) of silicon surfaces modified with weak acids or bases.

Selective modulation of nuclear factor of activated T-cell function in restenosis by a potent bipartite peptide inhibitor.

Rationale: Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is importantly implicated in pathological cardiac remodeling and vascular lesion formation. NFAT functionality is mainly regulated by calcineurin, a Ca(2+)-dependent multi-effector phosphatase. Calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine A (CsA) were shown to be effective in the treatment of restenosis and vascular inflammation but with adverse side effects.