University of Verona

6 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

JoVE Journal

A Comparative Analysis of Recombinant Protein Expression in Different Biofactories: Bacteria, Insect Cells and Plant Systems

Elisa Gecchele^*1, Matilde Merlin^*1, Annalisa Brozzetti², Alberto Falorni², Mario Pezzotti¹, Linda Avesani¹

¹Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy, ²Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

In this study the expression of a target human recombinant protein in different production platforms was compared. We focused on traditional fermenter-based cultures and on plants, describing the set-up of each system and highlighting, on the basis of the reported results, the inherent limits and advantages for each platform.

Genetics

The Terroir Concept Interpreted through Grape Berry Metabolomics and Transcriptomics

Silvia Dal Santo^*1, Mauro Commisso^*1, Erica D'Incà¹, Andrea Anesi^1,2, Matteo Stocchero³, Sara Zenoni¹, Stefania Ceoldo¹, Giovanni B. Tornielli¹, Mario Pezzotti¹, Flavia Guzzo¹

¹Biotechnology Department, University of Verona, ²Lab. of Bioorganic Chemistry, Physics Department, University of Trento, ³S-IN Soluzioni Informatiche

This article describes the application of untargeted metabolomics, transcriptomics and multivariate statistical analysis to grape berry transcripts and metabolites in order to gain insight into the terroir concept, i.e., the impact of the environment on berry quality traits.

Immunology and Infection

An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses

Gabriella Bergamini^*1, Fabio Stellari^*2, Angela Sandri^*3, Maria M. Lleo³, Gaetano Donofrio⁴, Francesca Ruscitti^5,2, Federico Boschi⁶, Andrea Sbarbati⁷, Gino Villetti², Paola Melotti⁸, Claudio Sorio¹

¹Department of Medicine, General Pathology Division, Cystic Fibrosis Translational Research Laboratory "D. Lissandrini", University of Verona, ²Corporate Preclinical R&D, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., ³Department of Diagnostic and Public Health, Microbiology Division, University of Verona, ⁴Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, ⁵Department of Biomedical Biotechnological and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, ⁶Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, ⁷Department of Neurological, Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, ⁸Cystic Fibrosis Regional Center (CFC), AOUI Verona

The method described here allows for the visualization of IL-8 promoter-dependent inflammation activation in the lungs of mice through non-invasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI). The same animal can be subjected to BLI multiple times for up to two months from the time of delivery of the luciferase reporter construct.

Bioengineering

Transient Expression in Red Beet of a Biopharmaceutical Candidate Vaccine for Type-1 Diabetes

Mattia Santoni^*1, Edoardo Bertini^*1, Roberta Zampieri¹, Anna Cuccurullo¹, Mauro Commisso¹, Elisa Gecchele¹, Linda Avesani¹

¹Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona

Here, we present a protocol to produce an oral vaccine candidate against Type 1 diabetes in an edible plant.

Immunology and Infection

Pseudotyped Viruses As a Molecular Tool to Monitor Humoral Immune Responses Against SARS-CoV-2 Via Neutralization Assay

Tobia Fantoni^*1, Michele Bissoli^*1, Chiara Stefani¹, Mauro Voi¹, Alexandrina Dabija¹, Rebecca Casula¹, Domenico Luca Minafra¹, Julys da Fonseca Palmeira², Enrique Roberto Argañaraz², Martin Mayora-Neto³, Nigel J. Temperton³, Donato Zipeto¹, Alessandra Ruggiero¹

¹Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, ²Laboratory of Molecular Neurovirology, Faculty of Health Science, University of Brasília, ³Viral Pseudotype Unit, Medway School of Pharmacy, Universities of Kent and Greenwich at Medway

Pseudotyped viruses (PVs) are replication-defective virions that are used to study host-virus interactions under safer conditions than handling authentic viruses. Presented here is a detailed protocol that shows how SARS-CoV-2 PVs can be used to test the neutralizing ability of patients' serum after COVID-19 vaccination.

Medicine

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

Marco A. Minetto¹, Chiara Busso¹, Andrea Ferraris¹, Angelo Pietrobelli^2,3, John A. Shepherd⁴, Cassidy McCarthy², Steven B. Heymsfield²

¹Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, ²Pennington Biomedical Research Centre, ³Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, Paediatric Unit, University of Verona, ⁴Department of Epidemiology, University of Hawaii Cancer Center

The procedures for body size, shape, and composition assessment through commercially available solutions for three-dimensional optical imaging enable the rapid collection of accurate and reproducible data. Clinicians could implement the acquisition of innovative and useful biomarkers ("e-tape" measurements) in routine evaluations of patients to assist in characterizing their health status.