Evaluation of the current knowledge limitations in breast cancer research: a gap analysis

BACKGROUND A gap analysis was conducted to determine which areas of breast cancer research, if targeted by researchers and funding bodies, could produce the greatest impact on patients. METHODS Fifty-six Breast Cancer Campaign grant holders and prominent UK breast cancer researchers participated in a gap analysis of current breast cancer research. Before, during and following the meeting, groups in seven key research areas participated in cycles of presentation, literature review and discussion. Summary papers were prepared by each group and collated into this position paper highlighting the research gaps, with recommendations for action. RESULTS Gaps were identified in all seven themes. General barriers to progress were lack of financial and practical resources, and poor collaboration between disciplines. Critical gaps in each theme included: (1) genetics (knowledge of genetic changes, their effects and interactions); (2) initiation of breast cancer (how developmental signalling pathways cause ductal elongation and branching at the cellular level and influence stem cell dynamics, and how their disruption initiates tumour formation); (3) progression of breast cancer (deciphering the intracellular and extracellular regulators of early progression, tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis); (4) therapies and targets (understanding who develops advanced disease); (5) disease markers (incorporating intelligent trial design into all studies to ensure new treatments are tested in patient groups stratified using biomarkers); (6) prevention (strategies to prevent oestrogen-receptor negative tumours and the long-term effects of chemoprevention for oestrogen-receptor positive tumours); (7) psychosocial aspects of cancer (the use of appropriate psychosocial interventions, and the personal impact of all stages of the disease among patients from a range of ethnic and demographic backgrounds). CONCLUSION Through recommendations to address these gaps with future research, the long-term benefits to patients will include: better estimation of risk in families with breast cancer and strategies to reduce risk; better prediction of drug response and patient prognosis; improved tailoring of treatments to patient subgroups and development of new therapeutic approaches; earlier initiation of treatment; more effective use of resources for screening populations; and an enhanced experience for people with or at risk of breast cancer and their families. The challenge to funding bodies and researchers in all disciplines is to focus on these gaps and to drive advances in knowledge into improvements in patient care

Neuromorphic vibrotactile stimulation of fingertips for encoding object stiffness in telepresence sensory substitution and augmentation applications

We present a tactile telepresence system for real-time transmission of information about object stiffness to the human fingertips. Experimental tests were performed across two laboratories (Italy and Ireland). In the Italian laboratory, a mechatronic sensing platform indented different rubber samples. Information about rubber stiffness was converted into on-off events using a neuronal spiking model and sent to a vibrotactile glove in the Irish laboratory. Participants discriminated the variation of the stiffness of stimuli according to a two-alternative forced choice protocol. Stiffness discrimination was based on the variation of the temporal pattern of spikes generated during the indentation of the rubber samples. The results suggest that vibrotactile stimulation can effectively simulate surface stiffness when using neuronal spiking models to trigger vibrations in the haptic interface. Specifically, fractional variations of stiffness down to 0.67 were significantly discriminated with the developed neuromorphic haptic interface. This is a performance comparable, though slightly worse, to the threshold obtained in a benchmark experiment evaluating the same set of stimuli naturally with the own hand. Our paper presents a bioinspired method for delivering sensory feedback about object properties to human skin based on contingency-mimetic neuronal models, and can be useful for the design of high performance haptic devices

31th International Conference on Information Modelling and Knowledge Bases

Information modelling is becoming more and more important topic for researchers, designers, and users of information systems.The amount and complexity of information itself, the number of abstractionlevels of information, and the size of databases and knowledge bases arecontinuously growing. Conceptual modelling is one of the sub-areas ofinformation modelling. The aim of this conference is to bring together experts from different areas of computer science and other disciplines, who have a common interest in understanding and solving problems on information modelling and knowledge bases, as well as applying the results of research to practice. We also aim to recognize and study new areas on modelling and knowledge bases to which more attention should be paid. Therefore philosophy and logic, cognitive science, knowledge management, linguistics and management science are relevant areas, too. In the conference, there will be three categories of presentations, i.e. full papers, short papers and position papers

Cellular Metrology: Scoping for a Value Proposition in Extra- and Intracellular Measurements

open15The symptomatic irreproducibility of data in biomedicine and biotechnology prompts the need for higher order measurements of cells in their native and near-native environments. Such measurements may support the adoption of new technologies as well as the development of research programs across different sectors including healthcare and clinic, environmental control and national security. With an increasing demand for reliable cell-based products and services, cellular metrology is poised to help address current and emerging measurement challenges faced by end-users. However, metrological foundations in cell analysis remain sparse and significant advances are necessary to keep pace with the needs of modern medicine and industry. Herein we discuss a role of metrology in cell and cell-related R&D activities to underpin growing international measurement capabilities. Relevant measurands are outlined and the lack of reference methods and materials, particularly those based on functional cell responses in native environments, is highlighted. The status quo and current challenges in cellular measurements are discussed in the light of metrological traceability in cell analysis and applications (e.g., a functional cell count). An emphasis is made on the consistency of measurement results independent of the analytical platform used, high confidence in data quality vs. quantity, scale of measurements and issues of building infrastructure for end-users.openFaruqui N; Kummrow A; Fu B; Divieto C; Rojas F; Kisulu F; Cavalcante JJV; Wang J; Campbell J; Martins JL; Choi JH; Sassi MP; Zucco M; Vonsky M; Ryadnov MGFaruqui, N; Kummrow, A; Fu, B; Divieto, C; Rojas, F; Kisulu, F; Cavalcante, Jjv; Wang, J; Campbell, J; Martins, Jl; Choi, Jh; Sassi, Mp; Zucco, M; Vonsky, M; Ryadnov, M

Point-of-care colorimetric sensors for disease diagnosis and food monitoring

Current analyte detection techniques in healthcare and food industries, such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and liquid or gas chromatography, are expensive, time-consuming, laboratory-dependent, and require trained personnel. These challenges drive the development of point-of-care (POC) sensing that is simple, cheap, rapid, and allow naked-eye detection. Nanomaterials with unique physicochemical properties play essential roles in the development of POC colorimetric sensors, leading to remarkable improvements in detection sensitivities, ease of operation, and robustness of the sensing platforms. These nanomaterials have shown their high stability towards extreme environmental conditions, high tunability upon various modifications, high capabilities to conjugate with chemical and biological molecules, highlighting their applicability in a wide range of sensing applications. In this thesis, I demonstrate three different POC sensing platforms using inorganic metal oxide nanoparticles and organic nanomaterials (conjugated polymers) towards protein and volatile organic compounds for disease diagnosis and food quality monitoring. In the first system, I aimed to identify methods to improve the catalytic activity of ceria nanozymes and tackle the demand for POC diagnostic devices by developing a simple, rapid, label-free colorimetric paper-based assay using the optimized ceria nanoparticles. The paper-based assay can detect serum albumin, a biomarker for chronic kidney disease. The colorimetric responses can be observed by the naked eye within 5 minutes and the paper-based ceria nanoparticle assay can preserve its catalytic activity over 3 months when stored at room temperature, highlighting its potential for long-term sensing applications. In the second system, I aimed to resolve the issue of invalid estimation of food quality by embedding food sensors onto food packaging. I developed a food sensor using conjugated polymer polydiacetylene (PDA) by inkjet printing on the food packaging. The sensor can detect five biogenic amines commonly released from spoiled food including putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, histamine, and tyramine. Furthermore, the PDA-based sensor can detect chicken thigh spoilage in real-time when stored at different temperature conditions (4 °C and room temperature). This sensor can provide a valid estimation of food quality in real-time, showing a great potential to reduce food waste and foodborne illness. In the last system, I aimed to tackle the demand for developing more sustainable materials for food sensing applications. I synthesized bioplastic from whey protein isolate and incorporated with PDA, achieving a plastic-based sensor for food spoilage detection, and providing a potential for intelligent food packaging. The PDA-based plastic sensor demonstrated the detection towards cadaverine and spermidine, the main chemical compounds released from seafood products, enabling the tuna steak spoilage detection at 4 °C and room temperature in real time. Furthermore, the PDA-based bioplastic also showed a high disintegration rate and low toxicity. The PDA-based plastic sensor demonstrates its potential to reduce environmental stress and provide valid food quality indication. In summary, I presented colorimetric sensors, which allow for simple, cheap, rapid, portable, and naked-eye detection towards protein and volatile organic compounds for disease diagnosis and food spoilage monitoring

Towards an Agile Biodigital Architecture: Supporting a Dynamic Evolutionary and Developmental View of Architecture

Architecture and biology are fields of high complexity. Generative design approaches provide access to continuously increasing complexity in design. Some of these methods are based on biological principles but usually do not communicate the conceptual base necessary to appropriately reflect the input from biology into architecture. To address this, we propose a model for analysis and design of architecture based on a multistaged integrated design process that extends the common morphological process in digital morphogenesis with a typology-based ontological model. Biomimetics, an emerging field to strategically search for information transfer from biology to technological application, will assist in delivering a frame of reference and methodology for establishing valid analogies between the different realms as well as integration of the biological concept into a larger framework of analogy to biological processes. As the biomimetic translation of process and systems information promises more radical innovation, this chapter focuses on the dynamic perspectives provided by biological development and evolution to model the complexity of architecture. The proposed process was used to inform five parallel workshops to explore dynamic biological concepts in design. The potential of the process to investigate biomimetic processes in architecture is then discussed, and future work is outlined

Integration of sustainable and net-zero concepts in shape-memory polymer composites to enhance environmental performance

This review research aims to enhance the sustainability and functionality of shape-memory polymer composites (SMPCs) by integrating advanced 4D printing technologies and sustainable manufacturing practices. The primary objectives are to reduce environmental impact, improve material efficiency, and expand the design capabilities of SMPCs. The methodology involved incorporating recycled materials, bio-based additives, and smart materials into 4D printing processes, and conducting a comprehensive environmental impact and performance metrics analysis. Significant findings include a 30% reduction in material waste, a 25% decrease in energy consumption during production, and a 20% improvement in shape-memory recovery with a margin of error of ±3%. Notably, the study highlights the potential use of these SMPCs as biomimetic structural biomaterials and scaffolds, particularly in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The ability of SMPCs to undergo shape transformations in response to external stimuli makes them ideal for creating dynamic scaffolds that mimic the mechanical properties of natural tissues. This increased design flexibility, enabled by 4D printing, opens new avenues for developing complex, adaptive structures that support cell growth and tissue regeneration. In conclusion, the research demonstrates the potential of combining sustainable practices with 4D printing to achieve significant environmental, performance, and biomedical advancements in SMPC manufacturing