Development and Optimization of a Miniaturized Western Blot-Based Screening Platform to Identify Regulators of Post-Translational Modifications

Western blotting: a powerful staple in scientific and biomedical research

Western blotting (WB), also known as immunoblotting, is a well-known molecular biology method that biologists often use to investigate many features of the protein, ranging from basic protein analysis to disease detection. WB is simple, unique, rapid, widely used routine tool with easy interpretation and definite results. It is being used in various fields of science, research and development, diagnostic labs and hospitals. The principle of WB is to accomplish the separation of proteins based on molecular weight and charge. This review addresses in detail the individual steps involved in the WB technique, its troubleshooting, internal loading controls, total protein staining and its diverse applications in scientific research and clinical settings, along with its future perspectives.

Nanoparticles and trained immunity: Glimpse into the future

Emerging evidences show that innate immune cells can display changes in their functional programs after infection or vaccination, which lead to immunomodulation (increased or reduced responsiveness) upon secondary activation to the same stimuli or even to a different one. Innate cells acquire features of immunological memory, nowadays using the new term of "trained immunity" or "innate immune memory", which is different from the specific memory immune response elicited by B and T lymphocytes. The review focused on the concept of trained immunity, mostly on myeloid cells. Special attention is dedicated to the pathogen recognition along the evolution (bacteria, plants, invertebrate and vertebrate animals), and to techniques used to study epigenetic reprogramming and metabolic rewiring. Nanomaterials can be recognized by immune cells offering a very promising way to learn about trained immunity. Nanomaterials could be modified in order to immunomodulate the responses ad hoc. Many therapeutic possibilities are opened, and they should be explored.

Recent Advancements in Electrochemical Biosensors for Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers Detection

Background

It is estimated that the average time between the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the patient’s death is 5-9 years. Therefore, both the initial phase of the disease and the preclinical state can be included in the critical period in disease diagnosis. Accordingly, huge progress has recently been observed in biomarker research to identify risk factors for dementia in older people with normal cognitive functions and mild cognitive impairments.

Methods

Electrochemical biosensors are excellent analytical tools that are used in the detection of AD biomarkers as they are easy to use, portable, and can do analysis in real time.

Results

This review presents the analytical techniques currently used to determine AD biomarkers in terms of their advantages and disadvantages; the most important clinical biomarkers of AD and their role in the disease. All recently used biorecognition molecules in electrochemical biosensor development, i.e., receptor protein, antibodies, aptamers and nucleic acids, are summarized for the first time. Novel electrochemical biosensors for AD biomarker detection, as ideal analytical platforms for point-of-care diagnostics, are also reviewed.

Conclusion

The article focuses on various strategies of biosensor chemical surface modifications to immobilize biorecognition molecules, enabling specific, quantitative AD biomarker detection in synthetic and clinical samples. In addition, this is the first review that presents innovative single-platform systems for simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers and other important AD-associated biological species based on electrochemical techniques. The importance of these platforms in disease diagnosis is discussed.