This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China 31970752, Science, Technology, Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality JCYJ20190809180003689, JSGG20200225150707332, JSGG20191129110812708, WDZC20200820173710001; Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Open Funding, SZBL2020090501004; China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2020M680023; and General Administration of Customs of the People&#39;s Republic of China 2021HK007.

1. Processing of samples
<ol>
	<li>Take Frog Virus 3 (FV3, genera Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae), a double-stranded DNA virus. Select the major capsid (mcp) gene as the target for the detection of FV3 since it is highly conserved and usually regarded as the target for ranavirus detection. The target sequence selected is shown in Table 1. 
	NOTE: Frog Virus 3 is taken as an example in this protocol.</li>
	<li>For target DNA fragments preparation, use DNA...

<ol>
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In this method, we develop a fast, easy-to-implement, highly sensitive, sequence-specific, and POC DNA virus detection system with AI assistance. After obtaining samples, RPA is applied to amplify the target sequence, and then CRISPR/Cas12a can recognize the target DNA and release fluorescence, which enlarges the detection signal. Portable smartphone microscopy is built to take fluorescence images, and deep learning models with transfer learning are used for binary classification of the positive and negative samples' ima...

In recent years, epidemics of infectious diseases caused by different viruses have occurred frequently, including the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in 20141 and 20182, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 20153, the Zika virus disease epidemic in 20154, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)5 and the continuing Monkeypox caused by Monkeypox virus (MKPV) in 20226. These sudden outbreaks of epidemic infectious diseases cause a large number of deaths and bring huge economic losses and social unrest. A rapid and accurate detection system is urgently required to quickly diagnose the infection and prevent the virus&#39;s further spread.
Recently, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins have gained worldwide attention and have shown promising results in nucleic acid detection7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15. The CRISPR/Cas12a protein, guided by CRISPR RNA (crRNA), binds to and cleaves the target DNA. This activity leads to the release of nonspecific single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), known as trans-cleavage, and can be utilized to enhance the detection signal for nucleic acid detection. Some traditional detection methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are complicated, time-consuming, and costly for point-of-care (POC) detection. Our previous work successfully developed an automated, integrated, and cost-effective detection system for the African swine fever virus (ASFV) based on CRISPR/Cas12a technology. In this system, we achieved a detection limit of 1 pM within a 2-h time frame without the need for amplification. The CRISPR/Cas12a system and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) are combined to improve the sensitivity and specificity for trace DNA detection. Compared with other isothermal amplification techniques, RPA is simple in design and convenient in operation since it has a shorter reaction time without sophisticated temperature control equipment.
For POC detection of pathogens, instruments such as smartphone microscopy (SPM), handheld fluorimeter, or lateral flow strips are developed for the results readouts16,17,18. SPM captures images through a camera and uploads them to some mobile applications for fast data analysis. Such microscopy makes a portable, cheap, and miniatured signal acquisition system with high sensitivity and has shown advantages in detecting pathogens such as H5N1, the Zika virus, and SARS-CoV-219,20.&#160;Therefore, we build a portable SPM to catch the fluorescence signals triggered by RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a detection of the target DNA virus. The ssDNA reporter probe linking a fluorophore and a quencher will be cleaved when CRISPR/Cas12a recognizes the target DNA virus, and the fluorescence emitted by the fluorophore can be captured by SPM.
Compared to the professional software usually used to obtain the results information from the fluorescence images from SPM21,&#160;some experts use machine learning and deep learning to quantify the concentrations of virus DNA after attaining fluorescence images22, which is more time-consuming. When it comes to classifying medical images, conventional neural networks (CNNs) are often used to learn features from the raw pixelated images in an end-to-end manner23,24,25,26. Popular CNN-based deep learning models like AlexNet, DenseNet-121, and EfficientNet-B7 have been successfully applied in this field27,28. However, obtaining large data sets in specific domains can be challenging, necessitating transfer learning29,30. This approach pre-trains a deep learning model with a large dataset, and the pre-trained model is used as the starting point for a new task with a small dataset. This technique can reduce the need for large data sets, combat overfitting, and reduce training time31. Herein, we use deep learning models with transfer learning for the binary classification of the positive and negative samples&#39; fluorescence images.
In this method, we combine RPA and the CRISPR/Cas12a system for the trace detection of DNA viruses. Target DNA is amplified and recognized by RPA and CRISPR/Cas12a separately, which triggers the collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a that cleaves a fluorophore-quencher labeled DNA reporter and generalizes fluorescence. We build a portable SPM to take the fluorescent images for POC detection and develop deep learning models for binary classification. The schematic of the built POC detection system is shown in Figure 1.&#160;Without skilled operators and bulky instruments, the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-SPM with artificial intelligence (AI) assisted classification shows great potential for POC DNA virus detection.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/64833/64833fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: The schematic of the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12-SPM detection system along with AI classification for collected images. The nucleic acids of animal-derived samples are released by PINDBK. The Target DNA of the virus is amplified and recognized specifically by the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a system. CRISPR/Cas12a bonds with crRNA and the Cas12a-crRNA complex bonds with target DNA, which triggers the collateral cleavage of CRISPR/Cas12a on the ssDNA reporter probes. The fluorophore on the reporter is released, and the fluorescence is detected by a commercialized plate reader or the SPM we build. Three different deep learning models, including AlexNet, DenseNet-121, and EfficientNet-B7 with transfer learning, are used to classify the fluorescence images. This figure is reused with permission from Lei et al.35. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/64833/64833fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>20x amplification</td>
			<td>OLYMPUS</td>
			<td>OPLN20X</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>532 nm green laser</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>PL201</td>
			<td>with 0.9 mW output power</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>535 nm cutoff wavelength</td>
			<td>chrome</td>
			<td>AT535</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6x DNA loading buffer</td>
			<td>Thermo scientific</td>
			<td>R0611</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>96-well black microplate</td>
			<td>Corning Incorporated</td>
			<td>3603</td>
			<td>Black with flat clear bottom</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Aspherical lens</td>
			<td>Lubang</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bandpass filter</td>
			<td>SEMROCK</td>
			<td>FF01-542/27-25</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bsu DNA Polymerase</td>
			<td>ATG Biotechnology</td>
			<td>M103</td>
			<td>Large Fragment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>crRNA</td>
			<td>Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNA fragments</td>
			<td>Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dichroic holders</td>
			<td>Ruicage</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dichroic mirror</td>
			<td>SEMROCK</td>
			<td>FF555-Di03-25x36</td>
			<td>with a cutoff wavelength of 535 nm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>E.Z.N.A Gel Extraction Kit</td>
			<td>Omega Biotek</td>
			<td>D2500-02</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EnGen Lba Cas12a (Cpf1)</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (Beijing) LTD</td>
			<td>M0653T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Filter holders</td>
			<td>Ruicage</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorophore-ssDNA-Quencher reporter probes</td>
			<td>Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>TAMRA (carboxy tetramethylrhodamine) as the fluorophore at the 5 ends; BHQ2 (Black Hole Quencher-2) as the quencher at the 3 ends</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GP32</td>
			<td>ATG Biotechnology</td>
			<td>M104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ImageJ</td>
			<td>Open-source</td>
			<td>Version 1.53t 24</td>
			<td>Downloaded from https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microplate reader</td>
			<td>SPARK, TECAN</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Multi-Block thermal Cycler PCR instrument</td>
			<td>LongGene</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NanoDrop 2000/2000c Spectrophotometers</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>ND-2000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NEBuffer r2.1</td>
			<td>New England Biolabs (Beijing) LTD</td>
			<td>B6002S</td>
			<td>10x CRISPR/Cas12a Reaction buffer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen plasma treatment&#160;</td>
			<td>Electro-Technic&#160; Products</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pathogen Inactivate, Nucleic acid extraction-free, Direct-to-PCR Buffer with Proteinase K (PINDBK)</td>
			<td>Ebio</td>
			<td>PINDBK -25mL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PCR primer pairs</td>
			<td>Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PDMS</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>Sylgard 184</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPA primer pairs</td>
			<td>Sangon Biotech</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Smartphone</td>
			<td>Huawei</td>
			<td>Mate10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Translation stages</td>
			<td>Ruicage</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Transmitted neutral density filters</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>ND40A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triplet achromatic lenses</td>
			<td>Thorlabs</td>
			<td>TRH127-020-A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UvsX</td>
			<td>ATG Biotechnology</td>
			<td>M105</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UvsY</td>
			<td>ATG Biotechnology</td>
			<td>M106</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

dna virus detection system based on rpa-crispr/cas12a-spm and deep learning

We report a fast, easy-to-implement, highly sensitive, sequence-specific, and point-of-care (POC) DNA virus detection system, which combines recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and CRISPR/Cas12a system for trace detection of DNA viruses. Target DNA is amplified and recognized by RPA and CRISPR/Cas12a separately, which triggers the collateral cleavage activity of Cas12a that cleaves a fluorophore-quencher labeled DNA reporter and generalizes fluorescence. For POC detection, portable smartphone microscopy is built to take fluorescent images. Besides, deep learning models for binary classification of positive or negative samples, achieving high accuracy, are deployed within the system. Frog virus 3 (FV3, genera Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae) was tested as an example for this DNA virus POC detection system, and the limits of detection (LoD) can achieve 10 aM within 40 min. Without skilled operators and bulky instruments, the portable and miniature RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-SPM with artificial intelligence (AI) assisted classification shows great potential for POC DNA virus detection and can help prevent the spread of such viruses.

This method focuses on a fast, easy-to-implement, highly sensitive, and point-of-care (POC) detection system for DNA viruses. Primer pairs design for the RPA reaction and crRNA design for CRISPR/Cas12a reaction are two of the essential parts since they will affect the efficiency of the RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a reaction and influence the subsequent detection and classification.
In this method, FV3 is regarded as an example of DNA virus detection. Some RPA primer pairs for FV3 are...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about DNA Virus Detection System Based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-SPM and Deep Learning at JoVE.com

DNA Virus Detection System Based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-SPM and Deep Learning

We present a protocol that combines recombinase polymerase amplification with a CRISPR/Cas12a system for trace detection of DNA viruses and builds portable smartphone microscopy with an artificial intelligence-assisted classification for point-of-care DNA virus detection.

We report a fast, easy-to-implement, highly sensitive, sequence-specific, and point-of-care (POC) DNA virus detection system, which combines recombinase ...

dna-virus-detection-system-based-on-rpa-crisprcas12a-spm-deep

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

Intranuclear Microinjection of DNA into Dissociated Adult Mammalian Neurons

Primary neuronal cell cultures are valuable tools to study protein function since they represent a more biologically relevant system compared to immortalized cell lines. However, the post-mitotic nature of primary neurons prevents effective heterologous protein expression using common procedures such as electroporation or chemically-mediated transfection. Thus, other techniques must be employed in order to effectively express proteins in these non-dividing cells.
In this article, we describe the steps required to perform intranuclear injections of cDNA constructs into dissociated adult sympathetic neurons. This technique, which has been applied to different types of neurons, can successfully induce heterologous protein expression. The equipment essential for the microinjection procedure includes an inverted microscope to visualize cells, a glass injection pipet filled with cDNA solution that is connected to a N2(g) pressure delivery system, and a micromanipulator. The micromanipulator coordinates the injection motion of microinjection pipet with a brief pulse of pressurized N2 to eject cDNA solution from the pipet tip. 
This technique does not have the toxicity associated with many other transfection methods and enables multiple DNA constructs to be expressed at a consistent ratio. The low number of injected cells makes the microinjection procedure well suited for single cell studies such as electrophysiological recordings and optical imaging, but may not be ideal for biochemical assays that require a larger number of cells and higher transfection efficiencies. Although intranuclear microinjections require an investment of equipment and time, the ability to achieve high levels of heterologous protein expression in a physiologically relevant environment makes this technique a very useful tool to investigate protein function.

Direct intranuclear injection of cDNA is an effective transfection technique for post-mitotic cells. This method provides high levels of heterologous protein expression from single or multiple cDNA constructs and enables protein function to be studied in a physiologically relevant environment with a variety of single cell assays.

Primary neuronal cell cultures are valuable tools to study protein function since they represent a more biologically relevant system compared to ...

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System 

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers. Genetic studies in mammalian systems have been limited due to the lack of readily available tools including defined mutant genetic cell lines, regulatory expression systems, and appropriate selectable markers. To circumvent these difficulties, model genetic systems in lower eukaryotes have become an attractive choice for the study of functionally conserved DNA repair proteins and pathways. We have developed a model yeast system to study the poorly defined genetic functions of the Werner syndrome helicase-nuclease (WRN) in nucleic acid metabolism. Cellular phenotypes associated with defined genetic mutant backgrounds can be investigated to clarify the cellular and molecular functions of WRN through its catalytic activities and protein interactions. The human WRN gene and associated variants, cloned into DNA plasmids for expression in yeast, can be placed under the control of a regulatory plasmid element. The expression construct can then be transformed into the appropriate yeast mutant background, and genetic function assayed by a variety of methodologies. Using this approach, we determined that WRN, like its related RecQ family members BLM and Sgs1, operates in a Top3-dependent pathway that is likely to be important for genomic stability. This is described in our recent publication [1] at <a href="http://www.impactaging.com">www.impactaging.com</a>. Detailed methods of specific assays for genetic complementation studies in yeast are provided in this paper.

Genetic Studies of Human DNA Repair Proteins Using Yeast as a Model System

Genetic studies in yeast can be employed to investigate the molecular and cellular functions of human genes in cellular DNA metabolism. Methods are described for the genetic characterization of the human WRN gene product defective in the premature aging disorder Werner syndrome in functionally conserved pathways using yeast as a tractable model system.

Understanding the roles of human DNA repair proteins in genetic pathways is a formidable challenge to many researchers.  Genetic studies in mammalian ...

DNA-based Fish Species Identification Protocol

We have developed a fast, simple, and accurate DNA-based screening method to identify the fish species present in fresh and processed seafood samples. This versatile method employs PCR amplification of genomic DNA extracted from fish samples, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis to generate fragment patterns that can be resolved on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and matched to the correct species using RFLP pattern matching software.
The fish identification method uses a simple, reliable, spin column- based protocol to isolate DNA from fish samples. The samples are treated with proteinase K to release the nucleic acids into solution. DNA is then isolated by suspending the sample in binding buffer and loading onto a micro- spin cup containing a silica- based fiber matrix. The nucleic acids in the sample bind to the fiber matrix. The immobilized nucleic acids are washed to remove contaminants, and total DNA is recovered in a final volume of 100 &mu;l. The isolated DNA is ready for PCR amplification with the provided primers that bind to sequences found in all fish genomes. The PCR products are then digested with three different restriction enzymes and resolved on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer. The fragment lengths produced in the digestion reactions can be used to determine the species of fish from which the DNA sample was prepared, using the RFLP pattern matching software containing a database of experimentally- derived RFLP patterns from commercially relevant fish species.

This publication describes how to use the Agilent Fish Species Identification System to identify the species of a fish by extracting DNA and performing PCR and RFLP analysis.

We have developed a fast, simple, and accurate DNA-based screening method to identify the fish species present in fresh and processed seafood samples. ...

Associated Chromosome Trap for Identifying Long-range DNA Interactions

Genetic information encoded by DNA is organized in a complex and highly regulated chromatin structure. Each chromosome occupies a specific territory, that may change according to stage of development or cell cycle. Gene expression can occur in specialized transcriptional factories where chromatin segments may loop out from various chromosome territories, leading to co-localization of DNA segments which may exist on different chromosomes or far apart on the same chromosome. The Associated Chromosome Trap (ACT) assay provides an effective methodology to identify these long-range DNA associations in an unbiased fashion by extending and modifying the chromosome conformation capture technique. The ACT assay makes it possible for us to investigate mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in trans, and can help explain the relationship of nuclear architecture to gene expression in normal physiology and during disease states.

The associated chromosome trap (ACT) assay is a novel unbiased method for identifying long-range DNA interactions. The characterization of long range DNA interactions will allow us to determine the relationship of nuclear architecture to gene expression in both normal physiology and in diseased states.

Genetic information encoded by DNA is organized in a complex and highly regulated chromatin structure.  Each chromosome occupies a specific territory, ...

Amplification, Next-generation Sequencing, and Genomic DNA Mapping of Retroviral Integration Sites

Retroviruses exhibit signature integration preferences on both the local and global scales. Here, we present a detailed protocol for (1) generation of diverse libraries of retroviral integration sites using ligation-mediated PCR (LM-PCR) amplification and next-generation sequencing (NGS), (2) mapping the genomic location of each virus-host junction using BEDTools, and (3) analyzing the data for statistical relevance. Genomic DNA extracted from infected cells is fragmented by digestion with restriction enzymes or by sonication. After suitable DNA end-repair, double-stranded linkers are ligated onto the DNA ends, and semi-nested PCR is conducted using primers complementary to both the long terminal repeat (LTR) end of the virus and the ligated linker DNA. The PCR primers carry sequences required for DNA clustering during NGS, negating the requirement for separate adapter ligation. Quality control (QC) is conducted to assess DNA fragment size distribution and adapter DNA incorporation prior to NGS. Sequence output files are filtered for LTR-containing reads, and the sequences defining the LTR and the linker are cropped away. Trimmed host cell sequences are mapped to a reference genome using BLAT and are filtered for minimally 97% identity to a unique point in the reference genome. Unique integration sites are scrutinized for adjacent nucleotide (nt) sequence and distribution relative to various genomic features. Using this protocol, integration site libraries of high complexity can be constructed from genomic DNA in three days. The entire protocol that encompasses exogenous viral infection of susceptible tissue culture cells to integration site analysis can therefore be conducted in approximately one to two weeks. Recent applications of this technology pertain to longitudinal analysis of integration sites from HIV-infected patients.

We describe a protocol for amplifying retroviral integration sites from the genomic DNA of infected cells, sequencing the amplified virus-host junctions, and then mapping these sequences to a reference genome. We also describe techniques to quantify the distribution of integration sites relative to various genomic annotations using BEDTools.

Retroviruses exhibit signature integration preferences on both the local and global scales. Here, we present a detailed protocol for (1) generation of ...

SA-&#946;-Galactosidase-Based Screening Assay for the Identification of Senotherapeutic Drugs

Cell senescence is one of the hallmarks of aging known to negatively influence a healthy lifespan. Drugs able to kill senescent cells specifically in cell culture, termed senolytics, can reduce the senescent cell burden in vivo and extend healthspan. Multiple classes of senolytics have been identified to date including HSP90 inhibitors, Bcl-2 family inhibitors, piperlongumine, a FOXO4 inhibitory peptide and the combination of Dasatinib/Quercetin. Detection of SA-&#946;-Gal at an increased lysosomal pH is one of the best characterized markers for the detection of senescent cells. Live cell measurements of senescence-associated &#946;-galactosidase (SA-&#946;-Gal) activity using the fluorescent substrate C12FDG in combination with the determination of the total cell number using a DNA intercalating Hoechst dye opens the possibility to screen for senotherapeutic drugs that either reduce overall SA-&#946;-Gal activity by killing of senescent cells (senolytics) or by suppressing SA-&#946;-Gal and other phenotypes of senescent cells (senomorphics). Use of a high content fluorescent image acquisition and analysis platform allows for the rapid, high throughput screening of drug libraries for effects on SA-&#946;-Gal, cell morphology and cell number.

SA-&amp;#946;-Galactosidase-Based Screening Assay for the Identification of Senotherapeutic Drugs

Cellular senescence is the key factor in the development of chronic age-related pathologies. Identification of therapeutics that target senescent cells show promise for extending healthy aging. Here, we present a novel assay to screen for the identification of senotherapeutics based on measurement of senescence associated &#946;-Galactosidase activity in single cells.

Cell senescence is one of the hallmarks of aging known to negatively influence a healthy lifespan. Drugs able to kill senescent cells specifically in cell ...

Visualizing and Quantifying Endonuclease-Based Site-Specific DNA Damage

Cells are continuously exposed to various DNA damaging agents, inducing different cellular responses. Applying biochemical and genetic approaches is essential in revealing cellular events associated with the recruitment and assembly of DNA repair complexes at the site of DNA damage. In the last few years, several powerful tools have been developed to induce site-specific DNA damage. Moreover, novel seminal techniques allow us to study these processes at the single-cell resolution level using both fixed and living cells. Although these techniques have been used to study various biological processes, herein we present the most widely used protocols in the field of DNA repair, Fluorescence Immunostaining (IF) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP), which in combination with endonuclease-based site-specific DNA damage make it possible to visualize and quantify the genomic occupancy of DNA repair factors in a directed and regulated fashion, respectively. These techniques provide powerful tools for the researchers to identify novel proteins bound to the damaged genomic locus as well as their post-translational modifications necessary for their fine-tune regulation during DNA repair.

This article introduces essential steps of immunostaining and chromatin immunoprecipitation. These protocols are commonly used to study DNA damage-related cellular processes and to visualize and quantify the recruitment of proteins implicated in DNA repair.

Cells are continuously exposed to various DNA damaging agents, inducing different cellular responses. Applying biochemical and genetic approaches is ...

Deep Learning-Based Segmentation of Cryo-Electron Tomograms

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows researchers to image cells in their native, hydrated state at the highest resolution currently possible. The technique has several limitations, however, that make analyzing the data it generates time-intensive and difficult. Hand segmenting a single tomogram can take from hours to days, but a microscope can easily generate 50 or more tomograms a day. Current deep learning segmentation programs for cryo-ET do exist, but are limited to segmenting one structure at a time. Here, multi-slice U-Net convolutional neural networks are trained and applied to automatically segment multiple structures simultaneously within cryo-tomograms. With proper preprocessing, these networks can be robustly inferred to many tomograms without the need for training individual networks for each tomogram. This workflow dramatically improves the speed with which cryo-electron tomograms can be analyzed by cutting segmentation time down to under 30 min in most cases. Further, segmentations can be used to improve the accuracy of filament tracing within a cellular context and to rapidly extract coordinates for subtomogram averaging.

This is a method for training a multi-slice U-Net for multi-class segmentation of cryo-electron tomograms using a portion of one tomogram as a training input. We describe how to infer this network to other tomograms and how to extract segmentations for further analyses, such as subtomogram averaging and filament tracing.

Cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) allows researchers to image cells in their native, hydrated state at the highest resolution currently possible. The ...

Generation of Brown Fat-Specific Knockout Mice Using a Combined Cre-LoxP, CRISPR-Cas9, and Adeno-Associated Virus Single-Guide RNA System

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an adipose depot specialized in energy dissipation that can also serve as an endocrine organ via the secretion of bioactive molecules. The creation of BAT-specific knockout mice is one of the most popular approaches for understanding the contribution of a gene of interest to BAT-mediated energy regulation. The conventional gene targeting strategy utilizing the Cre-LoxP system has been the principal approach to generate tissue-specific knockout mice. However, this approach is time-consuming and tedious. Here, we describe a protocol for the rapid and efficient knockout of a gene of interest in BAT using a combined Cre-LoxP, CRISPR-Cas9, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) single-guide RNA (sgRNA) system. The interscapular BAT is located in the deep layer between the muscles. Thus, the BAT must be exposed in order to inject the AAV precisely and directly into the BAT within the visual field. Appropriate surgical handling is crucial to prevent damage to the sympathetic nerves and vessels, such as the Sultzer's vein that connects to the BAT. To minimize tissue damage, there is a critical need to understand the three-dimensional anatomical location of the BAT and the surgical skills required in the technical steps. This protocol highlights the key technical procedures, including the design of sgRNAs targeting the gene of interest, the preparation of AAV-sgRNA particles, and the surgery for the direct microinjection of AAV into both BAT lobes for generating BAT-specific knockout mice, which can be broadly applied to study the biological functions of genes in BAT.

In this protocol, we describe the technical procedures to generate brown adipose tissue (BAT)-specific knockout mice leveraging a combined Cre-LoxP, CRISPR-Cas9, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) single-guide RNA (sgRNA) system. The described steps include the design of the sgRNAs, the preparation of the AAV-sgRNA particles, and the microinjection of AAV into the BAT lobes.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an adipose depot specialized in energy dissipation that can also serve as an endocrine organ via the secretion of bioactive ...

Image Analysis of Immunohistochemically Stained Endometrial Tissue

Platform for Quantitative Detection of Endometrial Immune Cells Based on Immunohistochemistry and Digital Image Analysis

To evaluate the endometrial immune microenvironment of patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM), a digital immunohistochemistry image analysis platform was developed and validated to quantitatively analyze endometrial immune cells during the mid-luteal phase. All endometrium samples were collected during the mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Paraffin-embedded endometrial tissues were sectioned into 4 &#181;m thick slides, and immunohistochemistry (IHC)staining was carried out for detecting endometrial immune cells, including CD56+ uNK cells, Foxp3+ Tregs, CD163+ M2 macrophages, CD1a+ DCs, and CD8+ T cells. The panoramic slides were scanned using a digital slide scanner and a commercial image analysis system was used for quantitative analysis. The percentage of endometrial immune cells was calculated by dividing the number of immune cells in the total endometrial cells. Using the commercial image analysis system, quantitative evaluation of endometrial immune cells, which are difficult or impossible to analyze with conventional image analysis, could be easily, and accurately analyzed. This methodology can be applied to quantitatively characterize the endometrium microenvironment, including interaction between immune cells, and its heterogeneity for different reproductive failure patients. The platform for quantitative evaluation of endometrial immune cells may be of important clinical significance for the diagnosis and treatment of RM patients.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Reproductive Immunology with a Protocol for the Quantitative Evaluation of Endometrial Immune Cells 

Here, a digital immunohistochemistry image analysis platform was developed and validated to quantitatively analyze the endometrial immune cells of patients with recurrent miscarriages in the window of implantation.

To evaluate the endometrial immune microenvironment of patients with recurrent miscarriage (RM), a digital immunohistochemistry image analysis platform ...