Simultaneous spectral illumination of microplates for high-throughput optogenetics and photobiology.

The biophysical characterization and engineering of optogenetic tools and photobiological systems has been hampered by the lack of efficient methods for spectral illumination of microplates for high-throughput analysis of action spectra. Current methods to determine action spectra only allow the sequential spectral illumination of individual wells. Here we present the open-source RainbowCap-system, which combines LEDs and optical filters in a standard 96-well microplate format for simultaneous and spectrally defined illumination.

Preclinical evaluation of two phylogenetically distant arenavirus vectors for the development of novel immunotherapeutic combination strategies for cancer treatment.

Background: Engineered arenavirus vectors have recently been developed to leverage the body's immune system in the fight against chronic viral infections and cancer. Vectors based on Pichinde virus (artPICV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (artLCMV) encoding a non-oncogenic fusion protein of human papillomavirus (HPV)16 E6 and E7 are currently being tested in patients with HPV16+ cancer, showing a favorable safety and tolerability profile and unprecedented expansion of tumor-specific CD8 T cells. Although the strong antigen-specific immune response elicited by artLCMV vectors has been demonstrated in several preclinical models, PICV-based vectors are much less characterized.

STAT3β is a tumor suppressor in acute myeloid leukemia.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) exists in 2 alternatively spliced isoforms, STAT3α and STAT3β. Although truncated STAT3β was originally postulated to act as a dominant-negative form of STAT3α, it has been shown to have various STAT3α-independent regulatory functions. Recently, STAT3β gained attention as a powerful antitumorigenic molecule in cancer.

STAT3 isoforms: Alternative fates in cancer?

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 is the main mediator of IL-6-type cytokine signaling and an important transcriptional regulator of cell proliferation, maturation and survival. It has been described as a key player in cancer development and progression. However, under certain circumstances, STAT3 is also considered a potent tumor suppressor.

Insulin promotes Rip11 accumulation at the plasma membrane by inhibiting a dynamin- and PI3-kinase-dependent, but Akt-independent, internalisation event.

Rip11 is a Rab11 effector protein that has been shown to be important in controlling the trafficking of several intracellular cargoes, including the fatty acid transporter FAT/CD36, V-ATPase and the glucose transporter GLUT4. We have previously demonstrated that Rip11 translocates to the plasma membrane in response to insulin and here we examine the basis of this regulated phenomenon in more detail. We show that Rip11 rapidly recycles between the cell interior and surface, and that the ability of insulin to increase the appearance of Rip11 at the cell surface involves an inhibition of Rip11 internalisation from the plasma membrane.