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University Health Network, Krembil Neuroscience Centre

8 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Biology

The use of SC1 (Pluripotin) to Support mESC Self-renewal in the Absence of LIF

Wen Xiong¹, Yan Gao¹, Xun Cheng¹, Charles Martin¹, Dongmei Wu¹, Shuyuan Yao¹, Min-Ju Kim², Yang Liu¹

¹Research and Development, Stemgent, ²Product Marketing, Stemgent

SC1 functions through dual inhibition of Ras- GAP and ERK1. We tested the function of SC1 in supporting mouse ES cell self-renewal in the absence of LIF and showed that SC1 is able to maintain self-renewal of mouse ES cell cultures.

Bioengineering

Protocol for Biofilm Streamer Formation in a Microfluidic Device with Micro-pillars

Mahtab Hassanpourfard¹, Xiaohui Sun², Amin Valiei¹, Partha Mukherjee³, Thomas Thundat¹, Yang Liu², Aloke Kumar⁴

¹Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, University of Alberta, ²Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, ³Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, ⁴Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta

Protocols for the study of biofilm formation in a microfluidic device that mimics porous media are discussed. The microfluidic device consists of an array of micro-pillars and biofilm formation by Pseudomonas fluorescens in this device is investigated.

Medicine

Synergetic Use of Neural Precursor Cells and Self-assembling Peptides in Experimental Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

Klaus Zweckberger¹, Yang Liu¹, Jian Wang¹, Nicole Forgione¹, Michael G. Fehlings^1,2,3

¹Department of Genetics and Development, Toronto Western Research Institute and Spinal Program, University Health Network, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, ²Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, ³Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto

Treating cervical spinal cord injury with both self-assembling peptides (SAP) and neural precursor cells (NPC), together with growth factors, is a promising approach to promote regeneration and recovery. A contusion/compression aneurysm clip rat model of cervical SCI and combined treatment involving SAP injection and NPC transplantation is established.

Bioengineering

Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation Mediated by Sporosarcina pasteurii

Swayamdipta Bhaduri¹, Nandini Debnath¹, Sushanta Mitra², Yang Liu³, Aloke Kumar¹

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, ²Department of Mechanical Engineering, York University, ³Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta

Protocols for microbiologically induced calcite precipitation (MICP) using the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii are presented here. The precipitated calcium carbonate was characterized through optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is also shown that exposure to MICP increases the compressive strength of sponge.

Cancer Research

Evaluating In Vitro DNA Damage Using Comet Assay

Yanxin Lu^1,2, Yang Liu¹, Chunzhang Yang¹

¹Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, ²Basic Medical Science Department, Zunyi Medical College-Zhuhai Campus

The comet assay is an efficient method to detect DNA damage including single and double-stranded DNA breaks. We describe alkaline and neutral comet assays to measure DNA damage in cancer cells to evaluate the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy.

Behavior

Impact of High-intensity Interval Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise on the Cardiac Troponin T Level at an Early Stage of Training

Haifeng Zhang^1,2, Jinlei Nie³, Zhaowei Kong⁴, Xiangui Zhu¹, Yang Liu¹, Qingde Shi³

¹Physical Education College, Hebei Normal University, ²Hebei Provincial Key Lab of Measurement and Evaluation in Human Movement and Bio-Information, ³School of Health Sciences and Sports, Macao Polytechnic Institute, ⁴Faculty of Education, University of Macau

Here, we present protocols of high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous exercise to observe the response of circulating cardiac troponin T (cTnT) concentration to acute exercise over 10 days. The information may assist with clinical interpretations of post-exercise cTnT elevation and guide the prescription of exercise.

Cancer Research

Measurement of the Compressibility of Cell and Nucleus Based on Acoustofluidic Microdevice

Qibin Fu¹, Yan Zhang¹, Tuchen Huang¹, Yang Liu¹

¹Sino-French Institute of Nuclear Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University

Here a protocol is presented to build a fast and non-destructive system for measuring cell or nucleus compressibility based on acoustofluidic microdevice. Changes in mechanical properties of tumor cells after epithelial-mesenchymal transition or ionizing radiation were investigated, demonstrating the application prospect of this method in scientific research and clinical practice.

Engineering

A Teleoperated Robotic System-Assisted Percutaneous Transiliac-Transsacral Screw Fixation Technique

Binbin Liu¹, Fei Xu¹, Yang Liu¹, Tianqi Wang², Yajing Cao², Zehang Zheng¹, Hanqing Xu¹, Chuang Huang¹, Zhengqiang Luo¹

¹Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, ²Wuhan United Imaging Healthcare Surgical Technology Co. Ltd.

Teleoperated robotic system-assisted percutaneous transiliac-transsacral screw fixation is a feasible technique. Screw channels can be implemented with high accuracy owing to the excellent freedom of movement and stability of the robotic arms.