Dynamic cell stimulation is a powerful technique for probing gene networks and for applications in stem cell differentiation, immunomodulation and signaling. We developed a robust and flexible method and associated microfluidic devices to generate a wide-range of precisely formulated dynamic chemical signals to stimulate live cells and measure their dynamic response. This signal generator is capable of digital to analog conversion (DAC) through combinatoric selection of discrete input concentrations, and outperforms existing methods by both achievable resolution, dynamic range and simplicity in design. It requires no calibration, has minimal space requirements and can be easily integrated into microfluidic cell culture devices. The signal generator hardware and software we developed allows to choose the waveform, period and amplitude of chemical input signals and features addition of well-defined chemical noise to study the role of stochasticity in cellular information processing.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c7lc00531h | DOI Listing |
Biosens Bioelectron
January 2025
Centre for Advanced Optoelectronic Functional Materials Research and Key Laboratory of UV Light-Emitting Materials and Technology of Ministry of Education, Northeast Normal University, 130024, Changchun, China. Electronic address:
The development of integrated multiple signal outputs within a single platform is highly significant for efficient and accurate on-site biomarker detection. Herein, colorimetric/electrochemical dual-mode microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) were designed for portable, visual and accurate dopamine (DA) detection. The dual-mode μPADs, featuring folded structure, integrate a colorimetric layer and an electrochemical layer using wax printing and laser-induced graphene (LIG) pyrolysis techniques, allowing the vertical flow of analyte solution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnnu Rev Plant Biol
January 2025
2UMRT INRAE 1158 BioEcoAgro, Biologie des Plantes et Innovation, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France; email:
Pectins underpin the assembly, molecular architecture, and physical properties of plant cell walls and through their effects on cell growth and adhesion influence many aspects of plant development. They are some of the most dynamic components of plant cell walls, and pectin remodeling and degradation by pectin-modifying enzymes can drive developmental programming via physical effects on the cell wall and the generation of oligosaccharides that can act as signaling ligands. Here, we introduce pectin structure and synthesis and discuss pectin functions in plants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcc Chem Res
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva 84105, Israel.
ConspectusA key challenge in modern chemistry research is to mimic life-like functions using simple molecular networks and the integration of such networks into the first functional artificial cell. Central to this endeavor is the development of signaling elements that can regulate the cell function in time and space by producing entities of code with specific information to induce downstream activity. Such artificial signaling motifs can emerge in nonequilibrium systems, exhibiting complex dynamic behavior like bistability, multistability, oscillations, and chaos.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Adv
January 2025
School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
The cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) limits the immune response and promotes resolution of acute inflammation. Because of its immunosuppressive effects, IL-10 up-regulation is a common feature of tumor progression and metastasis. Recently, IL-10 regulation has been shown to depend on mitochondria and redox-sensitive signals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Adv
January 2025
Laboratory of Mitochondrial Biology and Metabolism, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Although lipid-derived acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) is a major carbon source for histone acetylation, the contribution of fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) to this process remains poorly characterized. To investigate this, we generated mitochondrial acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 (ACAT1, distal FAO enzyme) knockout macrophages. C-carbon tracing confirmed reduced FA-derived carbon incorporation into histone H3, and RNA sequencing identified diminished interferon-stimulated gene expression in the absence of ACAT1.
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