An Ig Transmembrane Domain Motif Improves the Function of TCRs Transduced in Human T Cells: Implications for Immunotherapy.

Adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes (ACT) engineered with T-cell receptors (TCRs) of known antitumor specificity is an effective therapeutic strategy. However, a major constraint of ACT is the unpredictable interference of the endogenous TCR α and β chains in pairing of the transduced TCR. This effect reduces the efficacy of the genetically modified primary T cells and carries the risk of generating novel TCR reactivities with unintended functional consequences.

Detection of naphthalene in sea-water by a label-free plasmonic optical fiber biosensor.

In this study we developed an optical fiber biosensor able to detect the presence of naphthalene in sea-water. With this aim, we designed and produced an antibody specific for the naphthalene molecule. The capability of the antibody to bind to naphthalene was characterized by ELISA tests.

Golgi membrane fission requires the CtBP1-S/BARS-induced activation of lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase δ.

Membrane fission is an essential cellular process by which continuous membranes split into separate parts. We have previously identified CtBP1-S/BARS (BARS) as a key component of a protein complex that is required for fission of several endomembranes, including basolateral post-Golgi transport carriers. Assembly of this complex occurs at the Golgi apparatus, where BARS binds to the phosphoinositide kinase PI4KIIIβ through a 14-3-3γ dimer, as well as to ARF and the PKD and PAK kinases.

On the possibility of ephedrine detection: time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based approach.

Ephedrine is one of the main precursor compounds used in the illegal production of amphetamines and related drugs. Actually, conventional analytical methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are used for the detection of ephedrine; sadly, these methods require qualified personnel and are time-consuming and expensive. In order to overcome these problems, in recent years, different methods have been developed based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and electrochemical method.

A novel fluorescence polarization assay for determination of penicillin G in milk.

Detection of penicillin G in milk is of interest because of the wide use of this antibiotic in livestock. Current analytical methods used to quantify the penicillin G in milk are based on HPLC, mass spectrometry and electrophoresis. These methodologies are time-consuming and require trained personnel.