Thermodynamic parameters obtained for the formation of the Cas12a-RNA/DNA complex.

The thermodynamics of interactions between Cas12a, RNA, and DNA are important to understanding the molecular mechanisms governing CRISPR-Cas12a's specificity and function. In this study, we employed isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the binding properties and energetic contributions of Cas12a-crRNA complexes with single-stranded (ssDNA) and double-stranded (dsDNA) DNA substrates. ITC analyses revealed significant thermal effects during the interaction of Cas12a-crRNA with ssDNA but no detectable effects with dsDNA.

The Photomodification Method Allows for Determining the Composition of the Full and Soft Protein Corona on the Lipid Surface of Composite Nanoparticles.

A protein corona (PC) is formed and maintained on the surface of any nanoparticle (NP) introduced into biological media. The full PC is formed by a hard and soft corona, and the latter determines the nature of the interaction of NPs with cells and the body's liquids. Nanomedicines are becoming increasingly important in modern health services, making information about the composition of PCs on the surface of NPs critically important for "managing" the behavior of nano-objects in the body.

Study of Hard Protein Corona on Lipid Surface of Composite Nanoconstruction.

The composition of the protein corona covering any nanoparticle (NP) when it enters a biological fluid determines the parameters of the NP's interaction with the body. To "control" these parameters, it is important to know the composition of the protein corona, the determination of which is a complex task associated with the two-layer organization of the corona (hard and soft coronas). In a previous publication, we reported obtaining lipid-coated NPs with a full protein corona, isolating them, and proving the presence of the corona on the surface of the NPs.

Cleavage of DNA Substrate Containing Nucleotide Mismatch in the Complementary Region to sgRNA by Cas9 Endonuclease: Thermodynamic and Structural Features.

The non-ideal accuracy and insufficient selectivity of CRISPR/Cas9 systems is a serious problem for their use as a genome editing tool. It is important to select the target sequence correctly so that the CRISPR/Cas9 system does not cut similar sequences. This requires an understanding of how and why mismatches in the target sequence can affect the efficiency of the Cas9/sgRNA complex.

Detection of prions in matching post-mortem skin and cerebrospinal fluid samples using second-generation real-time quaking-induced conversion assay.

Real-time quaking-induced conversion assay (RT-QuIC) exploits templating activity of pathogenic prion protein for ultrasensitive detection of prions. We have utilized second generation RT-QuIC assay to analyze matching post-mortem cerebrospinal fluid and skin samples of 38 prion disease patients and of 30 deceased neurological controls. The analysis of cerebrospinal fluid samples led to 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity, but some samples had to be diluted before the analysis to alleviate the effect of present RT-QuIC inhibitors.