Automated in vivo compound screening with zebrafish and the discovery and validation of PD 81,723 as a novel angiogenesis inhibitor.

Angiogenesis is a critical process in tumor progression. Inhibition of angiogenesis by blocking VEGF signaling can impair existing tumor vessels and halt tumor progression. However, the benefits are transient, and most patients who initially respond to these therapies develop resistance.

Sialic acid catabolism by N-acetylneuraminate pyruvate lyase is essential for muscle function.

Sialic acids are important components of glycoproteins and glycolipids essential for cellular communication, infection, and metastasis. The importance of sialic acid biosynthesis in human physiology is well illustrated by the severe metabolic disorders in this pathway. However, the biological role of sialic acid catabolism in humans remains unclear.

An inkjet-printed bioactive paper sensor that reports ATP through odour generation.

We describe an inkjet printed paper-based sensor that reports ATP by the enzyme catalysed hydrolysis of S-methyl-L-cysteine generating an odour (methyl mercaptan) that is easily detectable by the human nose.

Tuning cellulose nanocrystal gelation with polysaccharides and surfactants.

Gelation of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) dispersions was measured as a function of the presence of four nonionic polysaccharides. Addition of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxypropyl guar (HPG), or locust bean gum (LBG) to CNC dispersions induced the gelation of dilute CNC dispersions, whereas dextran (DEX) did not. These behaviors correlated with adsorption tendencies; HEC, HPG, and LBG adsorbed onto CNC-coated quartz crystal microbalance sensors, whereas DEX did not adsorb.

Centrifugal seeding of mammalian cells in nonwoven fibrous matrices.

Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have many advantages over two-dimensional cultures. However, seeding cells in 3D scaffolds such as nonwoven fibrous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) matrices has been a challenge task in tissue engineering and cell culture bioprocessing. In this study, a centrifugal seeding method was investigated to improve the cell seeding efficiency in PET matrices with two different porosities (93% and 88%).

Long-term culturing of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells in conditioned media and three-dimensional fibrous matrices without extracellular matrix coating.

ESCs have unlimited proliferation potential and capability to differentiate into all tissue types. They are ideal cell sources for tissue engineering and cell therapy, but their supplies are limited. Current in vitro ESC cultures are carried out in tissue flasks with the surface precoated with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins.