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Evolution of Modern Molecular Biology Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2021) | Viewed by 9207

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Interests: microbiome-host interactions and their role in human disease; algorithmical applications to modern scientific problems

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Guest Editor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
Interests: genetic; molecular; biochemical; cytological and proteomic approaches to study meiotic chromosome dynamics in fission yeast

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forty years ago, when relatively powerful microprocessors first became available, many young entrepreneurs were inspired to create companies, platforms, and programming tools that helped make computing available to everyone. This in turn helped spark the information revolution. Today, thanks to the increasing sophistication, speed, and power of computer modeling and other new tools, we are on the brink of another revolution — this time in bioscience.

In laboratories around the world, some of the brightest scientists — well-established and those early in their  careers — are conceiving novel theories at the very forefront of knowledge. The complexity of biology is a fascinating challenge, and I am keen to see the field deconstruct its mysteries, establish reliable and predictive models, and put that knowledge to work.

The aim of this Special Issue, therefore, is to offer a platform for scientists working on the different aspects of Molecular Biology; fusion of classical methods with novel approaches drives human progress, and it is this belief that fuels our optimism in that direction.

We invite you to submit manuscripts addressing novel uses of classical techniques in molecular biology and possible applications of these methods in future medical and life science research for a compilation of our current knowledge into a comprehensive issue.

Dr. Oleg Karaduta
Dr. Mari K. Davidson
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • CRISPR
  • Multiomics
  • Systems Biology
  • Molecular Databases
  • Chemical Modulation
  • Computational Biology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3718 KiB  
Article
Phenotypical and Functional Characteristics of Human Regulatory T Cells during Ex Vivo Maturation from CD4+ T Lymphocytes
by Varvara G. Blinova, Natalia S. Novachly, Sofya N. Gippius, Abdullah Hilal, Yulia A. Gladilina, Daria D. Eliseeva and Dmitry D. Zhdanov
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(13), 5776; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11135776 - 22 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) participate in the negative regulation of inflammatory reactions by suppressing effector cells. In a number of autoimmune disorders, the suppressive function and/or the number of Tregs is compromised. The lack of active functioning Tregs can be restored with adoptive [...] Read more.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) participate in the negative regulation of inflammatory reactions by suppressing effector cells. In a number of autoimmune disorders, the suppressive function and/or the number of Tregs is compromised. The lack of active functioning Tregs can be restored with adoptive transfer of expanded ex vivo autologous Tregs. In our study, we traced the differentiation and maturation of Tregs CD4+CD25+FoxP3+CD127low over 7 days of cultivation from initial CD4+ T cells under ex vivo conditions. The resulting ex vivo expanded cell population (eTregs) demonstrated the immune profile of Tregs with an increased capacity to suppress the proliferation of target effector cells. The expression of the FoxP3 gene was upregulated within the time of expansion and was associated with gradual demethylation in the promotor region of the T cell-specific demethylation region. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed changes in the expression profile of genes involved in cell cycle regulation. In addition to FOXP3, the cells displayed elevated mRNA levels of Ikaros zinc finger transcription factors and the main telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT. Alternative splicing of FoxP3, hTERT and IKZF family members was demonstrated to be involved in eTreg maturation. Our data indicate that expanded ex vivo eTregs develop a Treg-specific phenotype and functional suppressive activity. We suggest that eTregs are not just expanded but transformed cells with enhanced capacities of immune suppression. Our findings may influence further development of cell immunosuppressive therapy based on regulatory T cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution of Modern Molecular Biology Applications)
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Review

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11 pages, 277 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances of Integrative Bio-Omics Technologies to Improve Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) Care
by Nisha Karwal, Megan Rodrigues, David D. Williams, Ryan J. McDonough and Diana Ferro
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(24), 11602; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112411602 - 7 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2608
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex autoimmune disease that currently cannot be cured, only managed. Optimal treatment the of T1D symptoms, requires a multidisciplinary care team, including endocrinologists, educators, primary care providers, health care specialists, genetic counselors, and data scientists. This review [...] Read more.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex autoimmune disease that currently cannot be cured, only managed. Optimal treatment the of T1D symptoms, requires a multidisciplinary care team, including endocrinologists, educators, primary care providers, health care specialists, genetic counselors, and data scientists. This review summarizes how an integrative approach to T1D drives innovation and quality improvements in health care. Specifically, we highlight how “-omics” technologies facilitate the understanding of different aspects of the disease, including prevention, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and treatment. Furthermore, we explore how biological data can be combined with personal and electronic health records to tailor medical interventions to the individual’s biology and lifestyle. We conclude that truly personalized medicine will not be limited to one data source but will emerge from the integration of multiple sources and disciplines that together will support individuals with T1D in their everyday life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution of Modern Molecular Biology Applications)
19 pages, 358 KiB  
Review
CRISPR-Cas Systems: Prospects for Use in Medicine
by Marina V. Zaychikova, Valery N. Danilenko and Dmitry A. Maslov
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(24), 9001; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10249001 - 16 Dec 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3295
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas systems, widespread in bacteria and archaea, are mainly responsible for adaptive cellular immunity against exogenous DNA (plasmid and phage). However, the latest research shows their involvement in other functions, such as gene expression regulation, DNA repair and virulence. In recent years, they [...] Read more.
CRISPR-Cas systems, widespread in bacteria and archaea, are mainly responsible for adaptive cellular immunity against exogenous DNA (plasmid and phage). However, the latest research shows their involvement in other functions, such as gene expression regulation, DNA repair and virulence. In recent years, they have undergone intensive research as convenient tools for genomic editing, with Cas9 being the most commonly used nuclease. Gene editing may be of interest in biotechnology, medicine (treatment of inherited disorders, cancer, etc.), and in the development of model systems for various genetic diseases. The dCas9 system, based on a modified Cas9 devoid of nuclease activity, called CRISPRi, is widely used to control gene expression in bacteria for new drug biotargets validation and is also promising for therapy of genetic diseases. In addition to direct use for genomic editing in medicine, CRISPR-Cas can also be used in diagnostics, for microorganisms’ genotyping, controlling the spread of drug resistance, or even directly as “smart” antibiotics. This review focuses on the main applications of CRISPR-Cas in medicine, and challenges and perspectives of these approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evolution of Modern Molecular Biology Applications)
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