You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to a modern browser for the best experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Microbes’ Roles in Wound Healing
Normal wound healing cascade is highly dynamic and has four distinct overlapping phases which involves several cellular and molecular interactions. It is known to be one of the most complicated processes in human body. The wound healing mechanism can be interrupted due to the involvement of several diseases that eventually develop to chronic wounds such as in diabetic foot ulcers. Infection is a common problem in chronic wound cause by microbes residing on the superficial layer of the skin. It is frequently resulting in impaired wound healing and patient morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic therapy and wound dressings are the main treatments to treat infected chronic wounds. However, the presence of polymicrobial infections, formation of bacterial biofilms and antibiotics resistance are the major challenges faced by healthcare providers to kill or eliminate the microbes from the wounds. Considering all the possible factors, more studies are needed to elucidate the role of microbes as well as the selection of suitable empirical antibiotics in reducing the infections and provide optimal healing in chronic wounds.  
  • 2.1K
  • 23 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Bioreactors for Manufacturing of Adoptive Cell Immunotherapies
Harnessing the human immune system as a foundation for therapeutic technologies capable of recognizing and killing tumor cells has been the central objective of anti-cancer immunotherapy. There has been an increasing interest in improving the effectiveness and accessibility of this technology to make it widely applicable for adoptive cell therapies (ACTs) such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), dendritic cells (DCs), natural killer (NK) cells, and many other. Automated, scalable, cost-effective, and GMP (good manufacture practice)-compliant bioreactors for production of ACTs are urgently needed. The existing and most advanced systems for ACT manufacturing, including cell culture bags, G-Rex flasks etc.
  • 2.1K
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bioelectricity in Living Organisms
Biomolecular recognition is approached within the establishment of coherent synchronizations among signaling players, whose physical nature can be equated to oscillators tending to the coherent synchronization of their vibrational modes. Cytoskeletal elements are now emerging as senders and receivers of physical signals, “shaping” biological identity from the cellular to the tissue/organ levels.
  • 2.0K
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Types of Collagens
Collagen, a widely recognized extracellular matrix protein, has found extensive use in medical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. This is due to its crucial role in tissue and organ formation, and its involvement in various cellular functions. Additionally, collagen serves as an effective surface-active agent and displays its capacity to permeate lipid-free interfaces. In comparison to other natural polymers like albumin and gelatin, collagen showcases exceptional biodegradability, minimal antigenicity, and remarkable biocompatibility.
  • 2.0K
  • 16 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Modelling the Human Placental Interface In Vitro
Acting as the primary link between mother and fetus, the placenta is involved in regulating nutrient, oxygen, and waste exchange; thus, healthy placental development is crucial for a successful pregnancy. In line with the increasing demands of the fetus, the placenta evolves throughout pregnancy, making it a particularly difficult organ to study. Research into placental development and dysfunction poses a unique scientific challenge due to ethical constraints and the differences in morphology and function that exist between species. An alternative is to create an in vitro model of the human placenta. Advancements in the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), microfluidics, and bioprinting have each contributed to the development of new models, which can be designed to closely match physiological in vivo conditions. By including relevant placental cell types and control over the microenvironment, these in vitro models can reveal clues to the pathogenesis of placental dysfunction and facilitate drug testing across the maternal-fetal interface. 
  • 2.0K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Plant-Derived Nutraceuticals in the Treatment of Tendinitis
In tendinitis, as a very common and painful condition disabling musculoskeletal functionality and still lacking sustainable treatment, various plant-derived compounds have been demonstrated to affect inflammation and promote tissue healing, thus representing promising bio-active treatment agents in tendinitis therapy.
  • 2.0K
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Polymers Used in Microfluidic Devices
Polymers are sustainable and renewable materials that are in high demand due to their excellent properties. Natural and synthetic polymers with high flexibility, good biocompatibility, good degradation rate, and stiffness are widely used for various applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and microfluidic chip fabrication. Indeed, the advances in microfluidic technology allow the fabrication of polymeric matrix to construct microfluidic scaffolds for tissue engineering and to set up a well-controlled microenvironment for manipulating fluids and particles. 
  • 2.0K
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Degenerated Intervertebral Discs
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the most common findings in CLBP patients. DDD is an inflammatory–catabolic process triggered by a long list of genetic, mechanical, and environmental factors that ultimately leads to the resorption of the IVD.
  • 1.9K
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Claws and Denticles of Coconut Crabs
The exoskeleton of the pinching side of claws with denticles and of the outer side without them on the coconut crab, Birgus latro, which is a rare organism, were studied using a materials science approach. The mechanical resistance of three claws of different sizes was investigated along the exoskeleton thickness from the outer surface to the inner surface, and the results were compared, including the contribution of the microstructure and chemical compositions. Mechanical properties, hardness (H) and stiffness (Er), were probed through nanoindentation tests.
  • 1.8K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Advances of Microneedles in Biomedical Applications
A microneedle (MN) is a painless and minimally invasive drug delivery device initially developed in 1976. As microneedle technology evolves, microneedles with different shapes (cone and pyramid) and forms (solid, drug-coated, hollow, dissolvable and hydrogel-based microneedles) have been developed. 
  • 1.8K
  • 18 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Characterization of Hydrogel Microarchitecture for Cellular Applications
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a three-dimensional, acellular scaffold of living tissues. Incorporating the ECM into cell culture models is a goal of cell biology studies and requires biocompatible materials that can mimic the ECM. Among such materials are hydrogels: polymeric networks that derive most of their mass from water. With the tuning of their properties, these polymer networks can resemble living tissues. The microarchitectural properties of hydrogels, such as porosity, pore size, fiber length, and surface topology can determine cell plasticity. The adequate characterization of these parameters requires reliable and reproducible methods. 
  • 1.8K
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
In Vitro Placental Models of Human Trophoblast
The complex process of placental implantation and development affects trophoblast progenitors and uterine cells through the regulation of transcription factors, cytokines, adhesion receptors and their ligands. Differentiation of trophoblast precursors in the trophectoderm of early ontogenesis, caused by the transcription factors, such as CDX2, TEAD4, Eomes and GATA3, leads to the formation of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast populations. The molecular mechanisms involved in placental formation inside the human body along with the specification and differentiation of trophoblast cell lines are, mostly due to the lack of suitable cell models, not sufficiently elucidated. This research is an evaluation of current technologies, which are used to study the behavior of human trophoblasts and other placental cells, as well as their ability to represent physiological conditions both in vivo and in vitro. An in vitro 3D model with a characteristic phenotype is of great benefit for the study of placental physiology. At the same time, it provides great support for future modeling of placental disease. 
  • 1.8K
  • 26 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Cerebral Organoid Glioma ‘GLICO’ Model for Drug Screening
Glioblastoma, a grade IV astrocytoma, is regarded as the most aggressive primary brain tumour with an overall median survival of 16.0 months following the standard treatment regimen of surgical resection, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide. The ability to understand and manipulate complex cancers such as glioblastoma requires disease models to be clinically and translationally relevant and encompass the cellular heterogeneity of such cancers. Therefore, brain cancer research models need to aim to recapitulate glioblastoma stem cell function, whilst remaining amenable for analysis. The development of 3D cultures has overcome some of these challenges, and cerebral organoids are emerging as cutting-edge tools in glioblastoma research. The opportunity to generate cerebral organoids via induced pluripotent stem cells, and to perform co-cultures with patient-derived cancer stem cells (GLICO model), has enabled the analysis of cancer development in a context that better mimics brain tissue architecture.
  • 1.7K
  • 31 Jan 2023
Topic Review
mTOR in the Treatment of Microbial Infections
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is the major controller of a number of important cellular activities, including protein synthesis, cell expansion, multiplication, autophagy, lysosomal function, and cellular metabolism. The mTOR signaling system regulates gene transcription and protein manufacturing to control proliferation of cell, differentiation of immune cell, and tumor metabolism. Due to its vital role in case of microbial infections, inflammations and cancer development and progression, mTOR has been considered as a key therapeutic target for the development of targeted medication. 
  • 1.7K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Blood–Brain Barrier for CNS Drug Delivery
Blood Brain Barrier is a diffusional interface between the brain tissue and the blood vasculature. 
  • 1.7K
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Pancreatic Cancer Organ-Chip Models
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an expeditiously fatal malignancy with a five-year survival rate of 6–8%. Conventional chemotherapeutics fail in many cases due to inadequate primary response and rapidly developing resistance. This treatment failure is particularly challenging in pancreatic cancer because of the high molecular heterogeneity across tumors. Additionally, a rich fibro-inflammatory component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) limits the delivery and effectiveness of anticancer drugs, further contributing to the lack of response or developing resistance to conventional approaches in this cancer. Patient-derived three-dimensional (3D) organoid technology has provided a unique opportunity to study patient-specific cancerous epithelium. Patient-derived organoids cultured with the TME components can more accurately reflect the in vivo tumor environment. A number of in vitro models have been developed to address the limitation of the lack of tumor extracellular matrix (ECM) in the conventional models of cancer and drug screening platforms. In this regard, microfluidic chips are cutting-edge devices that process fluids in micro-sized channels and allow the culture of multiple cell types within a matrix—so-called ‘organ-on-a-chip (OOC)’ technology. OOC allows us to recapitulate 3D multicellular architecture and microengineering of TME with the potential to bridge the gaps between bench and bedside by providing screening platforms for testing anticancer agents before reaching human clinical trials.
  • 1.7K
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Microvascular Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have come a long way in recent decades, but the lack of functioning vasculature is still a major obstacle preventing the development of thicker, physiologically relevant tissue constructs. A large part of this obstacle lies in the development of the vessels on a microscale—the microvasculature—that are crucial for oxygen and nutrient delivery. 
  • 1.7K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Current Advances in Regeneration of Degenerated Articular Cartilage
Functional ability is the basis of healthy aging. Articular cartilage degeneration is amongst the most prevalent degenerative conditions that cause adverse impacts on the quality of life; moreover, it represents a key predisposing factor to osteoarthritis (OA). Both the poor capacity of articular cartilage for self-repair and the unsatisfactory outcomes of available clinical interventions make innovative tissue engineering a promising therapeutic strategy for articular cartilage repair. Significant progress was made in this field; however, a marked heterogeneity in the applied biomaterials, biofabrication, and assessments is nowadays evident by the huge number of research studies published to date. Accordingly, this entry assimilates the most recent advances in cell-based and cell-free tissue engineering of articular cartilage and also focuses on the assessments performed via various in vitro studies, ex vivo models, preclinical in vivo animal models, and clinical studies in order to provide a broad overview of the latest findings and clinical translation in the context of degenerated articular cartilage and OA.
  • 1.6K
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
The Emergence of Organoids in Cellular Systems
Cellular models have created opportunities to explore the characteristics of human diseases through well-established protocols, while avoiding the ethical restrictions associated with post-mortem studies and the costs associated with researching animal models. Organoids are 3D cellular structures that mimic the architecture and function of native tissues. They are generated in vitro from stem cells or differentiated cells, such as epithelial or neural cells, and are used to study organ development, disease modeling, and drug discovery. Organoids have become a powerful tool for understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human physiology, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of cancer, metabolic diseases, and brain disorders. 
  • 1.6K
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
Application of Prime Editing to Liver Hereditary Diseases
Gene therapy holds tremendous potential in the treatment of inherited diseases. Unlike traditional medicines, which only treat the symptoms, gene therapy has the potential to cure the disease by addressing the root of the problem: genetic mutations. The discovery of CRISPR/Cas9 in 2012 paved the way for the development of those therapies. Improvement of this system led to the recent development of an outstanding technology called prime editing. This system can introduce targeted insertions, deletions, and all 12 possible base-to-base conversions in the human genome. Since the first publication on prime editing in 2019, groups all around the world have worked on this promising technology to develop a treatment for genetic diseases. Liver diseases are currently the most studied field for human gene therapy by prime editing. To date, prime editing has been attempted in preclinical studies for tyrosinemia type 1, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, phenylketonuria, DGAT1-deficiency, bile salt export pump deficiency, liver cancer, and for a liver disease caused by a mutation in the DNMT1 gene.
  • 1.6K
  • 21 Feb 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 14
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Academic Video Service
Feedback