XY Traverse Stage for Automated Microscopy using Compliant Mechanism

This abstract provides an overview of research in precision engineering, with a focus on compliant mechanisms for XY stage positioning. The study explores existing methods, such as piezoelectric actuators and compliant mechanisms, as well as the work of renowned researchers in the field. It introduces two distinctive approaches for displacement reduction: topology optimization and flexure transmission mechanisms. The research aims to improve precision and reliability in automated microscopy and suggests a novel actuation procedure for the XY traversal stage using displacement reduction compliant mechanisms. Compliant mechanisms are essential in this application due to their unique attributes, including high precision, reduced mechanical complexity. These mechanisms play a crucial role in XY stage positioning for automated microscopy, where accuracy and reliability are of paramount importance. The study suggests potential future directions for validation, considering thermal effects, scalability, and decoupling challenges in XY stage applications, with the ultimate goal of advancing automated microscopy technology

Detection of biomolecules from nano to atto-gram through plasmonic Elisa via tuning the catalyst

A simple and affordable plasmonic ELISA platform is demonstrated using silver nanocrystals as chromogens, and nanocatalysts in the place of enzyme. Apart from ultralow detection limitup to 10 molecules of human Immunoglobulin G (2.5 × 10−18 g/1.68 × 10−19 M), we exhibit very broad dynamic range covering 11-log which goes up to 100 × 10−9 g/6.72 × 10−9 M. To achieve this broad dynamic range and highly controlled standard deviation, nanocatalysts were tuned in terms of shape, size, metallic ratio, surface modification and other parameters. A comparative study is also done between traditional chromogen to independently developed new silver chromogen, and among different catalysts. Our results indicate plasmonic ELISA with small size nanocatalysts may become a very powerful detection strategy for biomolecules

Erratum to: Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (3rd edition) (Autophagy, 12, 1, 1-222, 10.1080/15548627.2015.1100356

non present

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field