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Interleukin signaling is involved in a number of biological processes, including cell growth and differentiation, inflammation and immunity. Interleukins are glycoproteins which act on hematopoietic cells to regulate immune responses or target cells for destruction by the immune system. Interleukins mediate communication between cells through a complex network of receptors. Interleukin receptors are members of a large family of cell surface molecules called cytokine receptors. Interleukins bind to the receptor and cause it to dimerize with another interleukin receptor, which in turn stimulates activity within the target cells. Interleukins play a major role in host defense against …

CD Markers Cluster of Differentiation (CD) markers play an important role in the differentiation of B cells, T cells and NK (natural killer) cells. These markers are often responsible for the identification of certain cancers and tumors, resulting in CD markers being good candidates for cancer therapies. CTLA-4 Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4)(CD152) is a protein receptor found on T cells. Both CTLA-4 and CD28 bind to B7-1/2 on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells and B cells. CTLA-4 has been shown to bind B7-1/2 with a higher affinity than CD28 d …

Chemokines are highly conserved cytokines that control the movement of cells around the body. All 45 members of the chemokine family can be divided into 4 subfamilies depending on their structure and presence of cysteine motifs (the CC chemokines, CXC CX3C and XC) and are recognised by chemokine receptors, G-protein coupled receptors with 7 transmembrane domains predominantly found on the surface of leukocytes. Upon binding of the chemokine to a cognate chemokine receptor, the receptor undergoes a conformational change exposing the highly conserved DRYLAIV domain. The exposed motif binds to neighbouring G-proteins, kick-starting a signal transduction cascade which will ulti …

Toll-Like Receptors The innate immune response has come under the spotlight in recent years due to its central role in propagating the pathogenesis of several diseases, and specifically in driving neurodegenerative aetiology (1-3). Toll-like receptors (TLRs), the mammalian homologue of the Drosophila melanogaster Toll, are highly conserved innate immune receptors and master regulators of the cellular innate immune response (4-6). Research by several groups in the early 1990s discovered the pivotal role of TLRs in the initiation and propagation of the inflammatory signalling in response to bacterial, viral or microbial nucleic acids, kn …

Testing for COVID-19 Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organisation have emphasised the crucial importance of viral testing. This has therefore led to a huge demand for high-throughput testing of throat and nasopharyngeal samples (Source). The greater number of patients being qualitatively tested for coronavirus, the more treatment can be provided, and the greater the reduction in the rapid spread of this virus. Typically, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used for viral diagnostic testing and requires a nasopharyngeal swab for the viral sample. Nasopharyngeal swabs ar …

SARS-CoV-2 검사 키트-코로나 바이러스 검사를위한 원스텝 RT-qPCR 키트 (2019-nCoV 종) 강력하고 재현 가능한 원스텝 코로나 바이러스 검사 (2019-nCoV종) 제품 개요 : 현재 2019-nCoV 또는 COVID-19로 불리는 새로운 코로나 바이러스는 중국 우한에서 진행중인 폐렴 발병 사례의 원인으로 알려졌습니다. Assay Genie Coronavirus COVID-19(2019-nCoV종) 원스텝 RT-qPCR 검사 키트는 실시간 RT qPCR을 사용하여 호흡기 검체에서(가래; 비인두, 구인두, 면봉 및 세척액; 기관 흡인액) 2019-nCoV 또는 COVID-19의 체외 검출을 위해 사용됩니다. Assay Genie Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV종) 원스텝 RT-qPCR 감지 키트는 단일 튜브에서 효율적인 cDNA 합성 및 실시간 PCR을 가능하게합니다. 이 키트에는 실시간 PCR을 수행하기 위해 두 배의 농도로 공급되는 qPCR MasterMix 시약이 포함되어 있습니다. qPCR MasterMix (2x) 시약 …

Rapid Antibody & Antigen tests available from Assay Genie SKU Product Name INCP-AC0502 COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test ICI …

ST2, a member of the IL-1R Subfamily ST2 is a member of the IL-1R subfamily and was identified in 1989 [1]. The ST2 gene is located on chromosome 2q12 in humans and contains 13 introns and spans 40 kilobases (kb). In humans three splice variants exist, ST2L, sST2 and ST2V (Figure 1a). ST2L is a transmembrane bound receptor and as such specifically belongs to the Toll/IL-1R (TIR) superfamily and shows homology to the intracellular domain of IL-1R1 [2]. sST2 is a soluble protein with no transmembrane sequence, it is excreted extracellularly and binds to IL-33. Both ST2L and sST2 contain three identical Ig extracellular domains, although …

What do scientists consider their skill set when looking for jobs outside of academia? Mine where hard to sum. I was a PhD in cell biology. I could Western Blot, I had used thousands of antibodies. I could present data. But outside the traditional ABCs of cell biology I had no further experience. Laser focused, academic, scientific, but show me where I can provide value to a business? Being mindful of your CV skill set It was 2012 when I realized this. I had just submitted my PhD in 2011 at University College Dublin and was now working as a Post-Doc in Cambridge University on kinetochore-microtubule interactions. However, what I did realize at the …

During my PhD I knew how networking was important, it helped me source reagents off other labs, get the best advice and helped me land a post doc at Cambridge University. Its not what you know, its who you know! Following my PhD I targeted a lab that I knew I wanted to research in. I didn’t have the publications to get me in the door, so I knew I had to meet the professor and make a great impression to make sure I landed the job. Don’t just email your CV and hope! I could have emailed them with my CV, like the 300+ other applications they get a week, or I could fly over to Cambridge, call in, introduce myself and make sure they kne …

Our Cancer Research Club symposium series continued on Wednesday afternoon, at Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland. The Bouchier-Hayes lecture theatre was at maximum capacity with over 60 scientists from all major universities and Institutes in Ireland coming together to network around the theme of “The Tumor Microenvironment”.This event was organised by Dr. Tríona Ní Chonghaile & Dr. Helena Bonner from RCSI who provided a great series of lectures and invited guests.Our first speaker was Alessandra Di Grande who is a PhD student in Tríona Ní Chonghaile’s group in RCSI. Alessandra was our chosen PhD award winner. Alessandra provided a great insight into BH3 mimetic …

Science communication (Scicomm) is currently on the up. As rebellion against the increasing distrust of science stemmed from bigoted and ignorant leaders, scientists are turning to social media – the real voice of the people. It is a great space to educate and enthuse about science, especially to the younger generation who are growing up with social media as a huge influence. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As your following grows it is important to stay true to your message and not just “do it for the likes”. With Instagram and its changing algorithms it is a constant battle to stay “visible”. It’s also extremely h …

Adhesion Molecules Direct cell-cell interactions are maintained and regulated by cell adhesion molecules. The expression of adhesion molecules directs inflammatory responses (Walpola et al., 1994). Early adhesion molecules include P and E selectins which slow down leukocyte movements along the endothelium wall so adhesion molecules such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 can attach to the ligand on leukocytes (Leeuwenberg et al., 1992, Libby, 2006). Soluble forms of these adhesion molecules are also found in the supernatant of cytokine activated cultured endothelial cells (Pigott et al., 1992). In atherosclerosis, adhesion molecules are upregulate …

Structure, Function, and Detection Assays for COVID-2019 Background The global spread of the novel coronavirus has sparked international interest in understanding the cellular mechanisms of host infiltration. SARS-Cov-2 (formerly 2019-nCoV) has been identified as the causative viral agent of the disease COVID-19.   Recent efforts to understand SARS-CoV-2 have yielded crucial knowledge in the fight against coronaviruses. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been implicated as the cellular receptor which facilitates uptake of the virus into the host cell. Thanks to the tireless efforts …

Ralitsa R. Madsen – University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories Each one of us is the result of an extraordinary developmental process during which a single fertilised egg turns into more than a trillion cells. This is critically dependent on exquisite coordination of fundamental cell behaviours including growth, migration and “decisions” to differentiate into cell types with specialised functions. When co-ordination is lost, either during development or in adulthood, disease results. Cancer is one severe consequence of dysregulation, but in some people, loosening of growth controls may arise during development an …

By Charlotte O'Donnell PhD Similar to IL-33, IL-36R ligands are involved in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Analogous to IL-33, d is localised to the nuclei of intestinal epithelial cells [1]. The presence of IL-36γ in the nucleus may be due to its role as an “alarmin”. In murine models of intestinal damage such as the DSS colitis model and also in mechanical mucosal injury model, IL-36γ was released by the intestinal epithelial cells and shown to enhance mucosal healing. The effects of IL-36γ on colonic fibroblasts have been examined in a recent study. It was demonstrated that IL-36γ induced pr …

BDNF Overview Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a central mediator of neuroplasticity, a term used to describe the ability of neurons to adapt in response to challenges, resulting in structural and functional changes to neurons (Huang et al, 2001). BDNF is the second member of the neurotrophin family to be identified, with nerve growth factor (NGF) discovered 3 decades prior (Barde et al, 1982; Levi-Montalcini and Hamburger, 1951). Several other neurotrophic factors have since been discovered, all possessing distinct functions in specified areas of the central nervous system (CNS) (Shen et al, 1997). BDNF is expressed through …

In 2006, upon completion of the Human Genome Project, it was discovered that nearly 8% of the human genome is made up of viral DNA. These viral remnants are composed of ancient germline infections known as human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) which are passed on to future generations in a Mendelian fashion1–4. Although these viral elements were previously thought to be ‘junk DNA’ or DNA with no functions in the body, research has slowly been emerging over the years that show that these viral sequences play a key role in many cancers including breast cancer. Structure of the Human Endogenous Retrovirus (HERV) …

PCR Detection of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Contents Background Assay Information Sample Types       Upper Respiratory       Lower Respiratory Notes Background COVID-19 (causative agent: SARS-CoV-2), the novel coronavirus which has brought the capital of China’s Hubei province to a standstill, has been deemed a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organisation as of January 2020. (1) Wuhan is the epicentre of the epidemic, but cases have been reported across the world. A large po …

What is the Coronavirus Spike Protein? COVID-19, the newest coronavirus to gain international attention, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The most common abbreviation for this virus is SARS-CoV-2.   Coronaviruses are a family of viruses named for their crown-like appearance when imaged (corona being the Latin for crown). The large, type I transmembrane spike glycoprotein accounts for this notable feature. It is a heavily-glycosylated, cell-surface protein which is thought to mediate viral entry into susceptible cells. This spike glycoprotein, called ‘S’, is trimeric in structure. In addi …

Ahmad Gazali PhD candidate, University of Eastern Finland Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease where the pancreatic β cells that produce insulin, a key hormone involved in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, are destroyed through dysregulated immune responses. Clinical manifestations of T1D In humans, the clinical manifestation of T1D is typically preceded by a preclinical phase in which diabetes-associated autoantibodies (DAAs) can be detected in the circulation (1), also known as early pre-diabetic stage. Shortly before the manifestation of clinical diabetes, children with circulating DAA exhibit impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in oral glucose test …

Immune Regulation in COVID-19: Immunomodulatory Mechanisms against SARS-CoV-2 Infection What is COVID-19? COVID-19 the disease caused by the coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 has caused the current COVID-19 global pandemic. This virus is spread via aerosolised droplets that can be produced via coughing or sneezing. In most cases, it causes mild to moderate symptoms including a cough, a fever, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties. However, in more severe cases, it has a greater impact causing pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and possible multi-organ failure. …

Key Points Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is a method of gene editing that uses the Cas9 protein and specific guide RNAs to either delete host genes or insert specific gene sequences into the host genome. CRISPR screening is used to find a small number of important genes or genetic sequences within a massive number of genetic sequences such as the entire genome. There are three main types of CRISPR screening assays which include viability-based negative selection screens, viability-based positive selection screens and marker-based selection screens …

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, irreversible and ultimately fatal disease characterized by progressive scaring (fibrosis) of the lungs. Affecting older adults, it targets the tissue between the lungs alveoli and the bloodstream, severely compromising gas exchange leading to worsening dyspnoea (difficulty breathing). It is associated with a poor prognosis, with several retrospective longitudinal studies suggesting a median survival of 2-3 years from the time of diagnosis (1). There is no known cause of IPF (thus the term “idiopathic” – a disease/condition which arises spo …