Sortase A-Based Post-translational Modifications on Encapsulin Nanocompartments.

Protein-based encapsulin nanocompartments, known for their well-defined structures and versatile functionalities, present promising opportunities in the fields of biotechnology and nanomedicine. In this investigation, we effectively developed a sortase A-mediated protein ligation system in to site-specifically attach target proteins to encapsulin, both internally and on its surfaces without any further steps. We explored the potential applications of fusing sortase enzyme and a protease for post-translational ligation of encapsulin to a green fluorescent protein and anti-CD3 scFv.

A Scalable Microfluidic Platform for Nanoparticle Formulation: For Exploratory- and Industrial-Level Scales.

Nanoparticle synthesis on microfluidic platforms provides excellent reproducibility and control over bulk synthesis. While there have been plenty of platforms for producing nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled physicochemical properties, such platforms often operate in a narrow range of predefined flow rates. The flow rate limitation restricts either up-scalability for industrial production or down-scalability for exploratory research use.

Fully integrated sample-in-answer-out platform for viral detection using digital reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (dRT-RPA).

Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) is one of the most promising diagnostic methods for pathogen detection, owing to the simplified isothermal amplification technique. Using one-step digital reverse transcription RPA (dRT-RPA) to detect viral RNA provides a fast diagnosis and absolute quantification. Here, we present a chip that purifies, digitalizes, and detects viral RNA of SARS-CoV-2 in a fully automated and sensitive manner.

sRNA-controlled iron sparing response in Staphylococci.

Staphylococcus aureus, a human opportunist pathogen, adjusts its metabolism to cope with iron deprivation within the host. We investigated the potential role of small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) in dictating this process. A single sRNA, named here IsrR, emerged from a competition assay with tagged-mutant libraries as being required during iron starvation.

Virome and bacteriome characterization of children with pneumonia and asthma in Mexico City during winter seasons 2014 and 2015.

Background: Acute asthma exacerbations and pneumonia are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children and may coexist in the same children, although symptom overlap may lead to difficulties in diagnosis. Microbial and viral diversity and differential abundance of either may play an important role in infection susceptibility and the development of acute and chronic respiratory diseases.

Objectives: To describe the virome and bacteriome present in the upper respiratory tract of hospitalized children with a clinical diagnosis of asthma and pneumonia during an acute exacerbation and an acute respiratory illness ARI episode respectively.

Detection and characterization of respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory illness and asthma exacerbation in children during three different seasons (2011-2014) in Mexico City.

Background: Viral infections play a significant role in causing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and exacerbations of chronic diseases. Acute respiratory infections are now the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. Recently, human rhinovirus (HRV) infection has been emerged as an important cause of pneumonia and asthma exacerbation.