Cellular Development: Bioactive Saffolds

As we prepared the sample to run a gel (gel electrophoresis), the adrenaline started rushing through every fiber of my veins, and my pulse pounding. After all, this was not the first time we ran a gel to determine the presence of the synthetic silk protein. After a repeated failure of nine times, we double-checked each step, calculation, and method. Carefully, we placed the gel inside the machine and pressed, “Run”; the sign of a new breakthrough was on its

30-33). Edexcel Limited. Jenkins, A., Kratochvíl, P., Stepto, R. F., & Suter, U. W. (2009). Glossary of Basic Terms in Polymer Science. Pure and Applied Chemistry , 68 (12), 2287-2311.

Among other approaches tried by scientists, colloidal systems like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles etc., have shown promise but not many products have made it to the market (7). Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are gaining much popularity in recent years. Among these, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems from biodegradable and biocompatible polymer are an interesting option for controlled drug delivery and drug targeting (8). Amongst the various drug-delivery systems, solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLCs) are potentially attractive choices due to their natural components and easily scaled-up formulation processes. In addition, their hydrophobic core provides a suitable environment for entrapment of hydrophobic drugs (9). Among the important technological advantages of nanoparticles as drug carriers are: high stability (i.e. long shelf life), high carrier capacity (i.e. many drug molecules can be incorporated into the particle matrix), feasibility of incorporation of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances, and feasibility of variable routes of administration (10). NLCs are kind of lipid-based nanoparticles, which has the advantages of biodegradable, brain targeting, well-recognized safety profile by drastically reducing drug-related toxicities through reduction of nonspecific biodistribution (11). NLCs consist of an unstructured solid lipid

Syllabus dot point: Use available evidence to gather and present data from secondary sources and analyse progress in the recent development and use of a named biopolymer. This analysis should name the specific enzyme(s) used or organism used to synthesise the material and an evaluation of the use or potential use of the polymer produced related to its properties

Stem cells are of high interest due to the fact that, unlike other types of cells, they are able to multiply into a variety of different specialized cell types (Panno, 2010, p. xiv). When a stem cell divides, that newly created stem cell can either remain as is, or it can develop into a specific type of cell with a particular function (“Stem Cell Basics,” 2002). Stem cells can also regenerate indefinitely, and will continue to divide even in a laboratory environment, without sacrificing their distinctive characteristics (Bellomo, 2006, p. 7). These unique features have proven to be quite valuable, and the prospect of curing serious diseases through stem cell manipulation is predicted to be on the horizon (Panno, 2010, p. xv).

Many molecules, particularly peptides and polypeptides are physically embedded in polymers to create a complex network of interconnecting pores through which the drug could subsequently diffuse. The pore structure and polymer composition is controlled in order to design systems that release the drug at nearly any rate and for nearly

The recent development in the ability to grow brain organoids promises exciting new areas of research into drug and therapy treatments in vivo (in a laboratory) without experimentation on patients, though this technology is still some way off use in SCI, and are mainly used in neurodegenerative diseases (Lee et al., 2017)

Promising materials for nanofibrous scaffolds include poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) in combination with gelatin because electrospun PCL closely resembles the ECM and gelatin is a natural biopolymer with biodegradable and biocompatible properties. Previous studies in the field of tissue engineering have focused on the biological properties and biocompatibility of NGCs, but little work has been done to study the biomechanical properties of NGCs and how they compare to native peripheral nerve tissue in vivo. This is an important area of study because the NGCs must be sufficiently elastic to avoid tension at the injury site, but cannot collapse due to the patient’s movements [7]. Designing NGCs with favorable mechanical properties is necessary for successful axonal growth and nerve regeneration. This research will provide a better understanding of the mechanical properties of peripheral nerve tissue and NGCs as well as develop a method to test the performance of NGCs in

Treating peripheral nerve injury is a major clinical challenge owing to the limited ability of the peripheral nerves to regenerate itself. Conventional treatment methods such as coaptation, autografting and xenografting possess inherent drawbacks such as reduced nerve stretching capacity, neuroma formation etc. To overcome these limitations, artificial nerve grafts employing natural or synthetic biomaterials are being developed. Axonal guidance structures and luminal fillers such as Schwann cells, stem cells, or nerve growth factors are also incorporated in the grafts to enhance their functionality. This paper reviews some of the biomaterials used in peripheral nerve regeneration, various modifications incorporated in them and their efficiency

Matrigel-embedded eccrine sweat cells rapidly enter the cell cycle, but cell proliferation subsequently decreases with time

Another way of using electroporation to introduce foreign DNA is through the use of cell lines. For this experiment, cell lines are used to grow mammalian cells in vitro, which can then be introduced into the model. The advantage to using this method is that standard transient expression assay can be used to easily ensure the introduction of the foreign gene into the cells before they are introduced to the model. However, the downside to using this method is that it takes much longer and is a more labor-oriented process than the proposed experiment, (Potter).

ecently, siRNA technology opened a new avenue for effective manipulation of regenerative pathways involved in heart tissue including cell cycle and inflammatory reactions. One of the major factors that should be considered for delivering siRNA to heart tissue is the type of delivery vehicle. To date, many delivery systems such as viral vectors, lipid carriers or polymeric nanoparticles are used for siRNA delivery to heart [147]. Each of these vehicles have their own advantages and disadvantages that affect the efficacy of siRNA delivery and consequently the heart regeneration process. For example, Eulalio et al. have shown that siRNA administration by viral vector can significantly increase the cardiac function and eliminate the infarcted zone in the injured heart without fibrosis induction.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) give rise to the movement of cancer from one section of the body to another, and are located in several tumour varieties. The unique properties of stem cells which make them different from normal cells are; their unspecialised nature, capability to give rise to specialised cell types and ability to divide and renew themselves (Bethesda, 2015). These stem cell properties can be used to classify CSCs, and therefore can enable them to treat NPC. A major result of this manipulation process is the ability the cell can have to extrude dyes such as Hoechst 33342 through the ATP binding cassette (which encloses membrane proteins that transfer an extensive array of substrates) (Dean, 2002)(Wu, C., & Alman, B. A., 2008). Importantly, SP cells are a source of research as they contain these stem cell characteristics and are therefore able to exclude the Hoechst 33342 dye. This

Novelty – The authors of this paper appear to demonstrate a novel functionalization for DNA origami-based drug delivery nanocarriers: transferrin. It is noted, however, that transferrin has been used as a targeting ligand in other forms of nanocarriers. Perhaps this detail should be more clearly stated to clarify that neither transferrin nor DNA origami are novel concepts, but rather their successful combination

Hsieh and his research team from Institute of Polymer Science and Engineering, National Taiwan University formulated two thermoresponsive water-based biodegradable polyurethane dispersions that are potentially used as the ink for bioprinting of a scaffold that holding neural stem cells2. In general speaking, it is a type of ink called “hydrogel”2, which commonly used in soft tissues printing such as neural and muscle tissues3, it is able the mimic the real cell growing environment in the body. Also, it could be made by various formulation giving different properties for different usage3. Dr. Hsieh and his team formulated two hydrogels with similar properties and major components, the only difference is a chemical that that compose the soft