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Topic Review
Optical Biosensors for COVID-19 and Other Viruses Diagnosis
The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a huge concern globally because of the astounding increase in mortality rates worldwide. The medical imaging computed tomography technique, whole-genome sequencing, and electron microscopy are the methods generally used for the screening and identification of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • 425
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
QED Coherence and Hormesis: Foundations of Quantum Biology
“Quantum biology” (QB) is a promising theoretical approach addressing questions about how living systems are able to unfold dynamics that cannot be solved on a chemical basis or seem to violate some fundamental laws (e.g., thermodynamic yield, morphogenesis, adaptation, autopoiesis, memory, teleology, biosemiotics). Current “quantum” approaches in biology are still very basic and “corpuscular”, as these rely on a semi-classical and approximated view. The important considerations of theory and experiments of the recent past in the field of condensed matter, water, physics of living systems, and biochemistry to join them by creating a consistent picture applicable for life sciences is summarized. Within quantum field theory (QFT), the field (also in the matter field) has the primacy whereby the particle, or “quantum”, is a derivative of it.
  • 420
  • 29 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Autofluorescent Biomolecules in Diptera
Light-based phenomena in insects have long attracted researchers’ attention. Surface color distribution patterns are commonly used for taxonomical purposes, while optically-active structures from Coleoptera cuticle or Lepidoptera wings have inspired technological applications, such as biosensors and energy accumulation devices. In Diptera, besides these optically-based phenomena, the ability of some biomolecules to fluoresce makes them to act as markers of bio-metabolic and structural features useful for vector control studies. Resilin or chitinous compounds, with their respective blue or green-to-red autofluorescence (AF), are commonly related to biomechanical and structural properties, helpful to clarify the mechanisms underlying substrate adhesion of ectoparasites’ leg appendages, or the antennal abilities in tuning sound detection. Metarhodopsin, a red fluorescing photoproduct of rhodopsin, allows to investigate visual mechanisms, whereas the AF of NAD(P)H and flavins, commonly correlated to energy metabolism, favor the investigation of sperm vitality. Lipofuscins are AF biomarkers of aging, as well as pteridines, which can be involved in the synthesis of pigments and, similarly to kynurenines, are also exploited in metabolic investigations. 
  • 415
  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry
Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) has emerged as a promising tool for understanding the human brain’s complex workings due to its ability to measure changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin levels, thus providing insights into neural activity and functional connectivity. fNIRS technology offers a novel approach to studying brain function, especially visual processing and perception. fNIRS offers unique advantages, such as portability, cost-effectiveness and safety, making it suitable for clinical and research applications. Additionally, the combination of fNIRS with emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) opens new avenues for immersive investigations into brain function.
  • 409
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
The Physics of DNA Folding
Within cell nuclei, several biophysical processes occur in order to allow the correct activities of the genome such as transcription and gene regulation. To quantitatively investigate such processes, polymer physics models have been developed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying genome functions. Among these, phase-separation plays a key role since it controls gene activity and shapes chromatin spatial structure. By considering more complex polymer models, it is possible to reproduce the folding of real genomic regions, having specific, intricate contact patterns as seen, e.g., in Hi-C or GAM experiments. To this aim, it is necessary to specialize the polymer model, i.e., the attractive interaction between the polymer and binding molecules, by introducing different types of the polymer sites, each interacting with their specific cognate binders.
  • 403
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
Yeast Heterologous Expression Systems Study Plant Membrane Proteins
Researchers are often interested in proteins that are present in cells in small ratios compared to the total amount of proteins. These proteins include transcription factors, hormones and specific membrane proteins. However, sufficient amounts of well-purified protein preparations are required for functional and structural studies of these proteins, including the creation of artificial proteoliposomes and the growth of protein 2D and 3D crystals. This aim can be achieved by the expression of the target protein in a heterologous system. The most popular for heterologous protein expression are the two species, baker’s yeast S. cerevisiae and methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris, expression in which is a well-established and widely used technique. 
  • 401
  • 26 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Optical Sensors in Mechanobiology
Optical sensors play a central role in the study of mechanobiology by enabling the accurate detection and measurement of mechanical forces and their effects on biological systems. Mechanobiology explores how mechanical forces influence cellular processes, tissue development, and overall physiological functions.
  • 395
  • 03 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Patient-Derived Xenotransplant of CNS Neoplasms in Zebrafish
Glioblastoma and neuroblastoma are the most common central nervous system malignant tumors in adult and pediatric populations. Both are associated with poor survival. These tumors are highly heterogeneous, having complex interactions among different cells within the tumor and with the tumor microenvironment. One of the main challenges in the neuro-oncology field is achieving optimal conditions to evaluate a tumor’s molecular genotype and phenotype. In this respect, the zebrafish biological model is becoming an excellent alternative for studying carcinogenic processes and discovering new treatments. It is possible to maintain glioblastoma and neuroblastoma primary cell cultures and transplant the cells into zebrafish embryos. The zebrafish is a suitable biological model for understanding tumor progression and the effects of different treatments. This model offers new perspectives in providing personalized care and improving outcomes for patients living with central nervous system tumors.
  • 390
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) mediate or modulate fast synaptic communication in the central and peripheral nervous systems making them vital for neurological processes ranging from memory and learning to nicotine addiction. 
  • 388
  • 23 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Building Atomistic Models of Asymmetric Lipid Bilayers
The compositional asymmetry of biological membranes has attracted significant attention over the last decade. Harboring more differences from symmetric membranes than previously appreciated, asymmetric bilayers have proven quite challenging to study with familiar concepts and techniques, leaving many unanswered questions about the reach of the asymmetry effects. One particular area of active research is the computational investigation of composition- and number-asymmetric lipid bilayers with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
  • 385
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Modular Design in Triboelectric Sensors
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered considerable interest as a promising technology for energy harvesting and stimulus sensing. While TENGs facilitate the generation of electricity from micro-motions, the modular design of TENG-based modular sensing systems (TMSs) also offers significant potential for powering biosensors and other medical devices, thus reducing dependence on external power sources and enabling biological processes to be monitored in real time. Moreover, TENGs can be customised and personalized to address individual patient needs while ensuring biocompatibility and safety, ultimately enhancing the efficiency and security of diagnosis and treatment. 
  • 382
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Artificial Intelligence-based Algorithms for Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as the prevailing method for near-atomic structure determination, shedding light on the important molecular mechanisms of biological macromolecules. However, the inherent dynamics and structural variability of biological complexes coupled with the large number of experimental images generated by a cryo-EM experiment make data processing nontrivial. In particular, ab initio reconstruction and atomic model building remain major bottlenecks that demand substantial computational resources and manual intervention. Approaches utilizing recent innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, particularly deep learning, have the potential to overcome the limitations that cannot be adequately addressed by traditional image processing approaches.
  • 381
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Exploring Biomolecular Self-Assembly with Far-Infrared Radiation
Physical engineering technology using far-infrared radiation has been gathering attention in chemical, biological, and material research fields. In particular, the high-power radiation at the terahertz region can give remarkable effects on biological materials distinct from a simple thermal treatment. Self-assembly of biological molecules such as amyloid proteins and cellulose fiber plays various roles in medical and biomaterials fields. A common characteristic of those biomolecular aggregates is a sheet-like fibrous structure that is rigid and insoluble in water, and it is often hard to manipulate the stacking conformation without heating, organic solvents, or chemical reagents.
  • 366
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Effect of Fullerenes
The use of carbon nanomaterials including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-onions, carbon dots and carbon quantum dots for environmental applications has increased substantially. These nanoparticles are now used in the development of sensors and switches, in agriculture as smart fertilizers and in the biomedical realm for cancer therapy intervention, as antioxidants, in gene delivery and as theranostics.
  • 366
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Molecular Serum Albumin
Serum albumin is a popular macromolecule for studying the effect of proteins on the colloidal stability of nanoparticle (NP) dispersions, as well as the protein–nanoparticle interaction and protein corona formation.
  • 365
  • 05 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Textile Electrodes for Wearable Biopotential Signal Monitoring
The technology of wearable medical equipment has advanced to the point where it is now possible to monitor the electrocardiogram and electromyogram comfortably at home. The transition from wet Ag/AgCl electrodes to various types of gel-free dry electrodes has made it possible to continuously and accurately monitor the biopotential signals. Fabrics or textiles, which were once meant to protect the human body, have undergone significant development and are now employed as intelligent textile materials for healthcare monitoring. The conductive textile electrodes provide the benefit of being breathable and comfortable.
  • 361
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detection Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Its early and correct diagnosis is of particular importance to controlling and preventing the disease from spreading to other tissues. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) is recognised as the combination of conventional anatomical MRI and at least two functional magnet resonance sequences: diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and, optionally, MR spectroscopy (MRS).
  • 357
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Protein Ser/Thr Phosphatase Folding
Post-translational modification (PTM) is a key mechanism providing the functional diversity of proteins in cellular signaling and physiology and changing the functions or stability of proteins. 
  • 357
  • 25 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Membrane Protein Preparation for Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy Analysis
Single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM SPA) has emerged as an exceptionally well-suited technique for determining the structure of membrane proteins (MPs). Indeed, huge increase in the number of MPs solved via cryo-EM SPA at a resolution better than 3.0 Å in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) has been observed. However, sample preparation remains a significant challenge in the field. 
  • 357
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Mechanobiology of Metastasis
The major cause (more than 90%) of all cancer-related deaths is metastasis, thus its prediction can critically affect the survival rate. Metastases are predicted by lymph-node status, tumor size, histopathology and genetic testing. The identification of new potential prognostic factors will be an important source of risk information for the practicing oncologist, potentially leading to enhanced patient care through the proactive optimization of treatment strategies. Mechanobiology, as a branch of biomechanics and/or a branch of biology, has reached a mature stage mainly because of the significant technological and methodological advances at the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels and the need to disclose the mechanical basis of biology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of cancer.
  • 355
  • 23 Mar 2023
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