characterizing-multiscale-mechanical-properties-brain-tissue-using

Characterizing Multiscale Mechanical Properties of Brain Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Impact Indentation, and Rheometry

To design and engineer materials inspired by the properties of the brain, whether for mechanical simulants or for tissue regeneration studies, the brain ...

isolation-culture-primary-cholangiocytes-from-mice-with-polycystic

Isolation and Culture of Primary Cholangiocytes from Mice with Polycystic Liver Disease Using a Two-step Digestion Method

In this protocol, we optimized a two-step digestion method to isolate high-purity and high-viability primary cholangiocytes from wild-type mice and mice ...

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tianjin Medical University

We present an experimental determination of the response of a gated flat-field spectrometer at the Shenguang-II laser facility. X-rays were emitted from a target that was heated by laser beams and then were divided into different intensities with a step aluminum filter and collected by a spectrometer. The transmission of the filter was calibrated using the Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The response characteristics of the spectrometer were determined by comparing the counts recorded by the spectrometer with the relative intensities of the x-rays transmitted through the step aluminum filter. The response characteristics were used to correct the transmission from two shots of an opacity experiment using the same samples. The transmissions from the two shots are consistent with corrections, but discrepant without corrections.

Calibration of a gated flat field spectrometer as a function of x-ray intensity.

An extreme ultraviolet spectrometer has been developed for high-energy density physics experiments at the Shenguang-III (SG-III) laser facility. Alternative use of two different varied-line-spacing gratings covers a wavelength range of 10-260 Å. A newly developed x-ray framing camera with single wide strip line is designed to record time-gated spectra with ~70 ps temporal resolution and 20 lp/mm spatial resolution. The width of the strip line is up to 20 mm, enhancing the capability of the spatial resolving measurements. All components of the x-ray framing camera are roomed in an aluminum air box. The whole spectrometer is mounted on a diagnostic instrument manipulator at the SG-III laser facility for the first time. A new alignment method for the spectrometer based on the superimposition of two laser focal spots is developed. The approaches of the alignment including offline and online two steps are described. A carbon spectrum and an aluminum spectrum have been successfully recorded by the spectrometer using 2400 l/mm and 1200 l/mm gratings, respectively. The experimental spectral lines show that the spectral resolution of the spectrometer is about 0.2 Å and 1 Å for the 2400 l/mm and 1200 l/mm gratings, respectively. A theoretical calculation was carried out to estimate the maximum resolving power of the spectrometer.

Extreme ultraviolet spectrometer for the Shenguang III laser facility.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials can uniquely span the physical dimensions of a surrounding composite matrix in the limit of maximum reinforcement. However, the alignment and assembly of continuous 2D components at high volume fraction remain challenging. We use a stacking and folding method to generate aligned graphene/polycarbonate composites with as many as 320 parallel layers spanning 0.032 to 0.11 millimeters in thickness that significantly increases the effective elastic modulus and strength at exceptionally low volume fractions of only 0.082%. An analogous transverse shear scrolling method generates Archimedean spiral fibers that demonstrate exotic, telescoping elongation at break of 110%, or 30 times greater than Kevlar. Both composites retain anisotropic electrical conduction along the graphene planar axis and transparency. These composites promise substantial mechanical reinforcement, electrical, and optical properties at highly reduced volume fraction.

Layered and scrolled nanocomposites with aligned semi-infinite graphene inclusions at the platelet limit.

Cholangiocytes transit from quiescence to hyperproliferation during cystogenesis in polycystic liver disease (PLD), the severity of which displays prominent sex differences. Epigenetic regulation plays important roles in cell state transition. We aimed to investigate the sex-specific epigenetic basis of hepatic cystogenesis and to develop therapeutic strategies targeting epigenetic modifications for PLD treatment.

Multi-omics profiling of cholangiocytes reveals sex-specific chromatin state dynamics during hepatic cystogenesis in polycystic liver disease.

CRISPR-based base editors (BEs) are powerful tools for precise nucleotide substitution in a wide range of organisms, but spatiotemporal control of base editing remains a daunting challenge. Herein, we develop a photoactivatable base editor (Mag-ABE) for spatiotemporally controlled genome editing in vivo for the first time. The base editing activity of Mag-ABE can be activated by blue light for spatiotemporal regulation of both EGFP reporter gene and various endogenous genes editing. Meanwhile, the Mag-ABE prefers to edit A4 and A5 positions rather than to edit A6 position, showing the potential to decrease bystander editing of traditional adenine base editors. After integration with upconversion nanoparticles as a light transducer, the Mag-ABE is further applied for near-infrared (NIR) light-activated base editing of liver in transgenic reporter mice successfully. This study opens a promising way to improve the operability, safety, and precision of base editing.

Bo Qing

Department of Biological Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Characterizing Multiscale Mechanical Properties of Brain Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Impact Indentation, and Rheometry

Isolation and Culture of Primary Cholangiocytes from Mice with Polycystic Liver Disease Using a Two-step Digestion Method

Bo Qing

.css-o250i3{font-size:18px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;line-height:21.6px;}Department of Biological Engineering

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Characterizing Multiscale Mechanical Properties of Brain Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Impact Indentation, and Rheometry

Isolation and Culture of Primary Cholangiocytes from Mice with Polycystic Liver Disease Using a Two-step Digestion Method

Department of Biological Engineering