Filming a live cell by scanning electrochemical microscopy: label-free imaging of the dynamic morphology in real time

The morphology of a live cell reflects the organization of the cytoskeleton and the healthy status of the cell. We established a label-free platform for monitoring the changing morphology of live cells in real time based on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The dynamic morphology of a live human bladder cancer cell (T24) was revealed by time-lapse SECM with dissolved oxygen in the medium solution as the redox mediator. Detailed local movements of cell membrane were presented by time-lapse cross section lines extracted from time-lapse SECM. Vivid dynamic morphology is presented by a movie made of time-lapse SECM images. The morphological change of the T24 cell by non-physiological temperature is in consistence with the morphological feature of early apoptosis. To obtain dynamic cellular morphology with other methods is difficult. The non-invasive nature of SECM combined with high resolution realized filming the movements of live cells

Spectrin-based skeleton as an actor in cell signaling

This review focuses on the recent advances in functions of spectrins in non-erythroid cells. We discuss new data concerning the commonly known role of the spectrin-based skeleton in control of membrane organization, stability and shape, and tethering protein mosaics to the cellular motors and to all major filament systems. Particular effort has been undertaken to highlight recent advances linking spectrin to cell signaling phenomena and its participation in signal transduction pathways in many cell types

Electrical pulse-induced electrochemical biosensor for hepatitis E virus detection

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Current Application of Micro/Nano-Interfaces to Stimulate and Analyze Cellular Responses

Microfabrication technologies have a high potential for novel approaches to access living cells at a cellular or even at a molecular level. In the course of reviewing and discussing the current application of microinterface systems including nanointerfaces to stimulate and analyze cellular responses with subcellular resolution, this article focuses on interfaces based on microfluidics, nanoparticles, and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Micro/nanointerface systems provide a novel, attractive means for cell study because they are capable of regulating and monitoring cellular signals simultaneously and repeatedly, leading us to an enhanced understanding and interpretation of cellular responses. Therefore, it is hoped that the integrated micro/nanointerfaces presented in this review will contribute to future developments of cell biology and facilitate advanced biomedical applications.close2

Update on protein biomarkers in traumatic brain injury with emphasis on clinical use in adults and pediatrics

Purpose This review summarizes protein biomarkers in mild and severe traumatic brain injury in adults and children and presents a strategy for conducting rationally designed clinical studies on biomarkers in head trauma. Methods We performed an electronic search of the National Library of Medicine’s MEDLINE and Biomedical Library of University of Pennsylvania database in March 2008 using a search heading of traumatic head injury and protein biomarkers. The search was focused especially on protein degradation products (spectrin breakdown product, c-tau, amyloid-β1–42) in the last 10 years, but recent data on “classical” markers (S-100B, neuron-specific enolase, etc.) were also examined. Results We identified 85 articles focusing on clinical use of biomarkers; 58 articles were prospective cohort studies with injury and/or outcome assessment. Conclusions We conclude that only S-100B in severe traumatic brain injury has consistently demonstrated the ability to predict injury and outcome in adults. The number of studies with protein degradation products is insufficient especially in the pediatric care. Cohort studies with welldefined end points and further neuroproteomic search for biomarkers in mild injury should be triggered. After critically reviewing the study designs, we found that large homogenous patient populations, consistent injury, and outcome measures prospectively determined cutoff values, and a combined use of different predictors should be considered in future studies