Development of model of exosome transport in microfluidic gut-brain axis-on-a-chip.

The gut communicates with the brain in a variety of ways known as the gut-brain axis (GBA), which is known to affect neurophysiological functions as well as neuronal disorders. Exosomes capable of passing through the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) have received attention as a mediator of gut-brain signaling and drug delivery vehicles. In conventional well plate-based experiments, it is difficult to observe the exosome movement in real time.

Development of a whole-cell biosensor by cell surface display of a gold-binding polypeptide on the gold surface.

Cell surface display was used as a strategy to display the gold-binding polypeptide (GBP) fusion protein on the surface of Escherichia coli, and consequently to immobilize the cells on the gold surface. The DNA encoding the GBP was fused to the truncated fadL gene and was expressed by the tac promoter. For the display of the core streptavidin (cSA) of Streptomyces avidinii, the cSA gene was fused to the truncated oprF gene.

Transcript and protein level analyses of the interactions among PhoB, PhoR, PhoU and CreC in response to phosphate starvation in Escherichia coli.

The responses to phosphate starvation by PhoR-PhoB two-component regulatory system are also affected by other regulatory systems in Escherichia coli. The interactions among PhoB, PhoR, PhoU and CreC were investigated at transcript and protein levels using real-time PCR and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses. CreC showed an interaction with PhoB, before an interaction between PhoB and PhoR, suggesting that this acts as a constant sensor for the early response to phosphate starvation.