A tool for CRISPR-Cas9 sgRNA evaluation based on computational models of gene expression.

Background: CRISPR is widely used to silence genes by inducing mutations expected to nullify their expression. While numerous computational tools have been developed to design single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) with high cutting efficiency and minimal off-target effects, only a few tools focus specifically on predicting gene knockouts following CRISPR. These tools consider factors like conservation, amino acid composition, and frameshift likelihood.

Optical fibre long-period grating sensors modified with antifouling bio-functional nano-brushes.

Recent advances in optical sensing technologies underpin the development of high-performance, surface-sensitive analytical tools capable of reliable and precise detection of molecular targets in complex biological media in non-laboratory settings. Optical fibre sensors guide light to and from a region of interest, enabling sensitive measurements of localized environments. This positions optical fibre sensors as a highly promising technology for a wide range of biochemical and healthcare applications.

Sandwich Immuno-RCA Assay with Single Molecule Counting Readout: The Importance of Biointerface Design.

The analysis of low-abundance protein molecules in human serum is reported based on counting of the individual affinity-captured analyte on a solid sensor surface, yielding a readout format similar to digital assays. In this approach, a sandwich immunoassay with rolling circle amplification (RCA) is used for single molecule detection (SMD) through associating the target analyte with spatially distinct bright spots observed by fluorescence microscopy. The unspecific interaction of the target analyte and other immunoassay constituents with the sensor surface is of particular interest in this work, as it ultimately limits the performance of this assay.

Detecting and understanding meaningful cancerous mutations based on computational models of mRNA splicing.

Cancer research has long relied on non-silent mutations. Yet, it has become overwhelmingly clear that silent mutations can affect gene expression and cancer cell fitness. One fundamental mechanism that apparently silent mutations can severely disrupt is alternative splicing.

Rapid prototyping of PMMA-based microfluidic spheroid-on-a-chip models using micromilling and vapour-assisted thermal bonding.

The application of microfluidic devices as next-generation cell and tissue culture systems has increased impressively in the last decades. With that, a plethora of materials as well as fabrication methods for these devices have emerged. Here, we describe the rapid prototyping of microfluidic devices, using micromilling and vapour-assisted thermal bonding of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), to create a spheroid-on-a-chip culture system.