Targeting lentiviral vectors to primordial germ cells (PGCs): An efficient strategy for generating transgenic chickens.

Recent advances in avian transgenic studies highlight the possibility of utilizing lentiviral vectors as tools to generate transgenic chickens. However, low rates of gonadal chimerism and germ line transmission efficiency still limit the broad usage of this method in creating transgenic chickens. In this study, we implemented a simple strategy using modified lentiviral vectors targeted to chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) to generate transgenic chickens.

Determination of alkaline phosphatase activity and of carcinoembryonic antigen by using a multicolor liquid crystal biosensor based on the controlled growth of silver nanoparticles.

An ultrasensitive liquid crystal biosensor is described for multicolor visualization of the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) based on the controlled growth of silver nanoparticles. The enzymatic product is accumulated on the surface of the LC sensing film by means of silver deposition, and the birefringent signal (observed with a polarizing microscope) is strongly enhanced as a result. The presence of AuNPs also enhances the sensitivity by about 4 orders of magnitude.