BIOTECNOLOGIA E ENGENHARIA GENÉTICA: AVANÇOS ATUAIS, DESAFIOS EMERGENTES E HORIZONTES FUTUROS NA CIÊNCIA MODERNA

Biotechnology is the term given to the branch of science that employs knowledge, techniques, and genetic engineering methods for creating various products using living organisms as raw material. Although this term has been recently adopted, humans have long been manipulating biological processes for their own benefit. Biotechnology is multidisciplinary and encompasses various fields of knowledge, with significant progress achieved over the years, particularly in the medical and cosmetic sectors. Through genetic engineering, it has become possible to edit genes more precisely, revolutionizing the study and manipulation of DNA and allowing the proposal and use of strategies that were once unthinkable in the scientific field to address contemporary issues. Among its most recent contributions are the development of new drugs and biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, cellular, genetic, and protein therapies, as well as the production of biocosmetics. However, there are still challenges to be faced in the extensive use of genetic engineering, ranging from production costs and the success of the technique at the molecular level to ethical issues surrounding the application of this technology. Thus, this literature review aims to discuss the most recent advances, applications, and future perspectives of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the scientific field.La biotecnología es el nombre dado al campo de la ciencia que utiliza conocimientos, técnicas y métodos de la ingeniería genética para crear diversos productos a partir del uso de seres vivos como materia prima. Aunque este término ha sido adoptado recientemente, durante mucho tiempo, los seres humanos han utilizado la manipulación de procesos biológicos buscando su propio beneficio. La biotecnología es multidisciplinaria e involucra varias áreas del conocimiento, y a lo largo de los años ha logrado importantes avances, especialmente en las áreas médica y cosmética. A través de la ingeniería genética, se ha vuelto posible editar genes de manera más precisa, revolucionando la forma de estudio y manipulación del ADN y permitiendo la propuesta y el uso de estrategias antes impensables en el campo científico para abordar los problemas contemporáneos. Entre sus contribuciones más recientes se encuentran el desarrollo de nuevos fármacos y biofármacos, vacunas, terapias celulares, genéticas y proteicas, así como la producción de biocosméticos. Sin embargo, existen desafíos en el uso extensivo de la ingeniería genética, que van desde los costos de producción y el éxito de la técnica a nivel molecular hasta las cuestiones éticas que rodean la aplicación de esta tecnología. Por lo tanto, esta revisión buscó abordar los avances más recientes, así como las aplicaciones y perspectivas futuras del uso de la biotecnología y la ingeniería genética en el campo científico.Biotechnology is the term given to the branch of science that employs knowledge, techniques, and genetic engineering methods for creating various products using living organisms as raw material. Although this term has been recently adopted, humans have long been manipulating biological processes for their own benefit. Biotechnology is multidisciplinary and encompasses various fields of knowledge, with significant progress achieved over the years, particularly in the medical and cosmetic sectors. Through genetic engineering, it has become possible to edit genes more precisely, revolutionizing the study and manipulation of DNA and allowing the proposal and use of strategies that were once unthinkable in the scientific field to address contemporary issues. Among its most recent contributions are the development of new drugs and biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, cellular, genetic, and protein therapies, as well as the production of biocosmetics. However, there are still challenges to be faced in the extensive use of genetic engineering, ranging from production costs and the success of the technique at the molecular level to ethical issues surrounding the application of this technology. Thus, this literature review aims to discuss the most recent advances, applications, and future perspectives of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the scientific field.Biotecnologia é o nome dado ao ramo da ciência que se utiliza de conhecimentos, técnicas e métodos da engenharia genética para a criação de diversos produtos a partir do uso de seres vivos como matéria-prima. Embora esse termo tenha sido adotado recentemente, há muito tempo o ser humano já utiliza a manipulação de processos biológicos visando o seu benefício próprio. A biotecnologia é multidisciplinar e envolve várias áreas do conhecimento, sendo que no decorrer dos anos tem alcançado importantes progressos, notadamente nas áreas médica e cosmética. Através da engenharia genética tornou-se possível editar genes de forma mais precisa, o que revolucionou a maneira de estudo e manipulação do DNA, permitindo a proposição e uso de estratégias outrora impensáveis no campo científico para o enfrentamento dos problemas contemporâneos. Dentre suas contribuições mais recentes estão o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos e biofármacos, vacinas, terapias celular, gênica e proteica, além da produção de biocosméticos. Contudo, ainda existem desafios a serem enfrentados no uso extensivo da engenharia genética, os quais permeiam desde os custos de produção e o sucesso da técnica no nível molecular até às questões éticas envolvendo a aplicação dessa tecnologia. Dessa forma, a presente revisão literária buscou discorrer sobre os avanços mais recentes permeando também as aplicações e perspectivas futuras do uso da biotecnologia e da engenharia genética no campo científico

ANÁLISE DE GENES DIFERENCIALMENTE EXPRESSOS EM AMOSTRAS DE CÂNCER DE MAMA DO SEQUENCE READ ARCHIVE (SRA)

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly prevalent disease in women with millions of new cases each year. Among the technological advances, RNA-seq technology stands out, which has allowed us to better understand gene expression, making it possible to unveil protein interactions between early and recurrent (post-mastectomy) breast tumors. New tools based on bioinformatics have emerged to follow the advancement of sequencing, with the main examples being the online analysis platforms Galaxy and WebGestalt. Additionally, the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) was established as a public repository for next-generation sequence data, as was the use of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) functional genomic data repository. In this work, using total RNA sequencing analysis, it was possible to demonstrate generalized comparisons of early-stage CM with recurrent CM. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG and Reactome were used to evaluate the functional relationships and improved pathways between early-stage CM and post-mastectomy recurrent CM. In conclusion, through the development of this study it was possible to discover new biomarkers that could be used as future therapeutic targets, enabling a better diagnosis and prognosis in BC aiming to improve the overall survival of patients.El cáncer de mama (CM) es una enfermedad altamente prevalente en las mujeres con millones de casos nuevos cada año. Entre los avances tecnológicos destaca la tecnología RNA-seq, que ha permitido comprender mejor la expresión génica, permitiendo desvelar interacciones proteicas entre tumores de mama tempranos y recurrentes (posmastectomía). Han surgido nuevas herramientas basadas en bioinformática para seguir el avance de la secuenciación, siendo los principales ejemplos las plataformas de análisis online Galaxy y WebGestalt. Además, se estableció el Archivo de lectura de secuencias (SRA) como un depósito público para datos de secuencias de próxima generación, al igual que el uso del depósito de datos genómicos funcionales Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). En este trabajo, utilizando el análisis de secuenciación de ARN total, fue posible demostrar comparaciones generalizadas de CM en etapa temprana con CM recurrente. Además, se utilizaron Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG y Reactome para evaluar las relaciones funcionales y las vías mejoradas entre la CM en etapa temprana y la CM recurrente posmastectomía. En conclusión, gracias al desarrollo de este estudio fue posible descubrir nuevos biomarcadores que podrían ser utilizados como futuras dianas terapéuticas, permitiendo un mejor diagnóstico y pronóstico en CM con el objetivo de mejorar la supervivencia global de los pacientes.O câncer/neoplasias de mama (CM) é uma doença altamente incidente em mulheres com milhões de novos casos a cada ano. Dentre os avanços tecnológicos destaca-se a tecnologia de RNA-seq que permitiu compreender melhor a expressão gênica, possibilitando desvendar as interações proteicas entre tumores de mama em estágio inicial e recorrente (pós-mastectomia). Novas ferramentas baseadas em bioinformática surgiram para acompanhar o avanço dos sequenciamentos, e tem-se como principais exemplos as plataformas online de análise Galaxy e WebGestalt. Além disso, foi estabelecido o Sequence Read Archive (SRA) como um repositório público para os dados de sequência de nova geração, assim como foi estabelecido o uso do repositório de dados genômicos funcionais o Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Neste trabalho, utilizando análise de sequenciamento de RNA total, foi possível demonstrar comparações generalizadas do CM em um estágio inicial com CM recorrente. Além disso, utilizou-se Ontologia Genética (GO), KEGG e Reactome para avaliar as relações funcionais e vias aprimoradas entre CM em um estágio inicial e CM recorrente pós-mastectomia. Em conclusão, através do desenvolvimento deste estudo foi possível descobrir novos biomarcadores que poderão ser utilizados como futuros alvos terapêuticos, possibilitando um melhor diagnóstico e prognóstico no CM visando à melhoria da sobrevida global das pacientes.O câncer/neoplasias de mama (CM) é uma doença altamente incidente em mulheres com milhões de novos casos a cada ano. Dentre os avanços tecnológicos destaca-se a tecnologia de RNA-seq que permitiu compreender melhor a expressão gênica, possibilitando desvendar as interações proteicas entre tumores de mama em estágio inicial e recorrente (pós-mastectomia). Novas ferramentas baseadas em bioinformática surgiram para acompanhar o avanço dos sequenciamentos, e tem-se como principais exemplos as plataformas online de análise Galaxy e WebGestalt. Além disso, foi estabelecido o Sequence Read Archive (SRA) como um repositório público para os dados de sequência de nova geração, assim como foi estabelecido o uso do repositório de dados genômicos funcionais o Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Neste trabalho, utilizando análise de sequenciamento de RNA total, foi possível demonstrar comparações generalizadas do CM em um estágio inicial com CM recorrente. Além disso, utilizou-se Ontologia Genética (GO), KEGG e Reactome para avaliar as relações funcionais e vias aprimoradas entre CM em um estágio inicial e CM recorrente pós-mastectomia. Em conclusão, através do desenvolvimento deste estudo foi possível descobrir novos biomarcadores que poderão ser utilizados como futuros alvos terapêuticos, possibilitando um melhor diagnóstico e prognóstico no CM visando à melhoria da sobrevida global das pacientes

Computational biology helps understand how polyploid giant cancer cells drive tumor success

Precision and organization govern the cell cycle, ensuring normal proliferation. However, some cells may undergo abnormal cell divisions (neosis) or variations of mitotic cycles (endopolyploidy). Consequently, the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), critical for tumor survival, resistance, and immortalization, can occur. Newly formed cells end up accessing numerous multicellular and unicellular programs that enable metastasis, drug resistance, tumor recurrence, and self-renewal or diverse clone formation. An integrative literature review was carried out, searching articles in several sites, including: PUBMED, NCBI-PMC, and Google Academic, published in English, indexed in referenced databases and without a publication time filter, but prioritizing articles from the last 3 years, to answer the following questions: (i) “What is the current knowledge about polyploidy in tumors?”; (ii) “What are the applications of computational studies for the understanding of cancer polyploidy?”; and (iii) “How do PGCCs contribute to tumorigenesis?

Different antiproliferative effects of matuzumab and cetuximab in A431 cells are associated with persistent activity of the MAPK pathway

9 p. : il.Preclinical studies have shown the potential antitumour efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this report, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of the MAb matuzumab (EMD 72000) towards A431 cells and compared it to cetuximab. While cetuximab induced cell cycle arrest and inhibited A431 cell proliferation, matuzumab did not. Both MAbs inhibited growth factor induced EGFR, HER2 and AKT phosphorylation; however, only cetuximab inhibited ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Taken together, the data indicate that each antibody may elicit different responses on EGFR downstream signalling pathways with a distinct impact on A431 cell line survival. When combined, MAbs synergistically inhibited cell proliferation and induced EGFR down-regulation with a strong inhibition of ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. In addition, both MAbs efficiently inhibited VEGF expression and induced ADCC, highlighting their therapeutic potential in vivo when used either as a single agent or in combination

Translational Bioinformatics Applied to the Study of Complex Diseases

Translational Bioinformatics (TBI) is defined as the union of translational medicine and bioinformatics. It emerges as a major advance in science and technology by covering everything, from the most basic database discoveries, to the development of algorithms for molecular and cellular analysis, as well as their clinical applications. This technology makes it possible to access the knowledge of scientific evidence and apply it to clinical practice. This manuscript aims to highlight the role of TBI in the study of complex diseases, as well as its application to the understanding and treatment of cancer. An integrative literature review was carried out, obtaining articles through several websites, among them: PUBMED, Science Direct, NCBI-PMC, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), and Google Academic, published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, indexed in the referred databases and answering the following guiding question: “How does TBI provide a scientific understanding of complex diseases?” An additional effort is aimed at the dissemination, inclusion, and perpetuation of TBI knowledge from the academic environment to society, helping the study, understanding, and elucidating of complex disease mechanics and their treatment

Prognostic Factors and Markers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Recent Progress and Future Challenges

Lung cancer is a highly aggressive neoplasm and, despite the development of recent therapies, tumor progression and recurrence following the initial response remains unsolved. Several questions remain unanswered about non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): (1) Which patients will actually benefit from therapy? (2) What are the predictive factors of response to MAbs and TKIs? (3) What are the best combination strategies with conventional treatments or new antineoplastic drugs? To answer these questions, an integrative literature review was carried out, searching articles in PUBMED, NCBI-PMC, Google Academic, and others. Here, we will examine the molecular genetics of lung cancer, emphasizing NSCLC, and delineate the primary categories of inhibitors based on their molecular targets, alongside the main treatment alternatives depending on the type of acquired resistance. We highlighted new therapies based on epigenetic information and a single-cell approach as a potential source of new biomarkers. The current and future of NSCLC management hinges upon genotyping correct prognostic markers, as well as on the evolution of precision medicine, which guarantees a tailored drug combination with precise targeting