Medical Biotechnology Commons^™

From Relapse To Restoration: Insights Into The Immunopathology Of Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv) In Women Of Reproductive Age, Nhi To, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been a subject of study for decades, yet its complex pathogenesis remains poorly understood. BV affects most women of reproductive age, with significant associations to gynecological and obstetric complications. A deeper understanding of the complicated host-microbiota dynamic is crucial for advancing treatment options, as BV continues to pose challenges in effective management. This review aims to explore the current research on vaginal microbiota as well as potential mechanisms of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their interaction with the host immune system, altogether sheds light on the complex interplay within the human reproductive tract. While Lactobacillus-dominant communities support …

Comes In Waves: Clinical Overview Of Vibrio Species, Natalie M. Prosser, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Earth’s oceans, despite their beauty and vast ecosystems, pose numerous threats to marine life and humans living along the coastline. Vibrio species (spp.) is a common species of oceanic bacteria native to coastal and brackish waters. This bacterium is capable of causing various degrees of human disease among different populations. Three clinically significant species of Vibrio include Vibrio vulnificus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Vibrio cholera; all three species share virulence factors, but each are capable of causing varying degrees of vibriosis infections. Vibriosis infections include but are not limited to wound infections, necrotizing fasciitis, and gastroenteritis. In particular, …

Endocannabinoids And Their Role In Renal Health Of African Americans, William L. Doss Iii, Md, Mba, Abpmr

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

The current biomarkers used for detecting renal disease Creatinine has long been seen to be inadequate in identifying the extent of renal disease in African and African American populations. CB1 and CB2 receptors are ubiquitous in the human body and their expression is increased with inflammation in the body. In response to the increased expression, the hypothalamus produces endocannabinoids in response. As a result, endocannabinoids can be a biomarker in detecting renal disease where inflammation is a significant factor in renal injury.

Evaluating Bone Fracture Healing Utilizing Doppler Imaging Modes, Shear Wave Elastography, X-Ray And Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry In A Rabbit Model, Priscilla Machado, Rachel Blackman, Ji-Bin Liu, Flemming Forsberg, Traci Fox

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

The healing of a bone fracture is a complex, multistage process consisting of inflammation in the local tissue, angiogenesis, callus formation, and eventually, remodeling and restoration of the bone to its original morphology. It is estimated that 5-10% of fractures do not heal properly and exhibit non-union of the fractured bone segments, with long-term complications compared to properly healed fractures. There is great clinical benefit in the ability to have early detection of impending non-union fractures, and diagnostic ultrasound can be used to image formation of the callus in a healing fracture through the use of different imaging modes. …

Localization Of The Multidrug Efflux Pump, Cdr1, In The Fluconazole-Resistant Ent2 Mutant Candida Albicans Strain, Ty Moyer, Sean Chadwick, Scott Gygax, Paula Mccourt

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

Deletion of the ENT2 gene in Candida albicans causes the mutant strain to exhibit fluconazole resistance despite having susceptibility prior to this mutation. It was hypothesized that the gain of resistance was sourced by the disruption in endocytic functions, specifically the inability to properly recycle the drug efflux pump, Cdr1. To fully analyze this mutation's effects on the endocytic functions of C. albicans, the Cdr1 protein was tagged in a wild type strain with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and its localization was examined via fluorescence microscopy. To examine Cdr1 protein localization in the ent2 mutant strain, tagging of …

Design And Validation Of A Multiplex Qpcr Assay For The Diagnosis Of Bacterial Vaginosis, Morgan G. Shriver, Richard Sunday, Zi-Xuan Wang, Scott Gygax

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

Current diagnostic criteria and treatment options for bacterial vaginosis (BV) commonly result in the misdiagnosis and/or mistreatment of the active infection, as well as subsequent reinfection with BV. This project aims to design and validate a multiplex qPCR assay as a means to accurately detect and quantify populations of dysbiotic Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera Type 1 & Type 2, Bacterial vaginosis-associated bacterium 2 (BVAB2), as well as the commensal Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, and Lactobacillus gasseri in vaginal specimen for the accurate diagnosis of BV. As these bacterial species are generally unable to be …

Engineered Car19 T-Cells To Demonstrate In Vitro Antileukemia Activity, Khushi Shah, Gian Zhang, Michael Milone

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

The Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells, also known as CAR T-cells, are a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment. They are engineered Tlymphocytes and recombinant receptors for specific antigens. They are mainly responsible for redirecting specificity, activation, and function of T lymphocytes and other immune cells in a single molecule. It attaches to the cancer cells, thereby leading to the destruction of the tumor. The CAR Tcells are made up of different domains, which include Antigen Binding Domain (CD19), Hinge, and Transmembrane Region, followed by Co- Stimulatory Domain (CD28) and T-cell Activation Domain (CD3). The Antigen Binding Domain recognizes the specific …

Capa: Quality Control Testing Of Laboratory Plates, Div Galdi, Bryn Mallon

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

The purpose of a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) investigation is to identify and address errors, deviations, and compliance issues to ensure the integrity, reliability, and quality of research and biomanufacturing. In the biotech industry, where identifying and rectifying root causes of errors is key to ensuring quality data and preventing future errors, CAPA plays a crucial role. The Jefferson Biotechnology (JBT) lab was asked to investigate the sterility of a biotech supplier’s microbiological agar plates, when a client reported contamination in their agar plates, suspecting contamination prior to sleeve opening. By attempting to reproduce our client's results through …

Empowering Students With 5s Organizational Skills For Research Laboratory Optimization, Paula Mccourt, Phd

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

5S (Sort, Set-in-order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain) is a cost-effective organizational methodology frequently employed by biotech research labs and biomanufacturing to streamline optimization of production. Educational research labs offer experiential learning opportunities and serve as ideal environments for implementing 5S principles within undergraduate and graduate biotechnology curricula. In the Jefferson Biotechnology Program, the newly updated “Lab Design and Stewardship (BT303/503)” lecture and laboratory course, now integrates the 5S methodology into biotech student skill development. Participants in the BT303/503 course are instructed to improve workspaces within the biotechnology laboratory to bolster safety, efficiency, and inventory and equipment management. Through a …

Retention Of Respiratory Therapists: A Systems Thinking Approach, Jerin G. Juby, Dmgt, Rrt

JCHP Collaborative Capstone and Research Exchange

Abstract

Respiratory therapists are an integral part of the healthcare workforce in the United States. The healthcare workforce shortage accelerated by the COVID global pandemic has impacted respiratory therapy departments across the nation, with organizations struggling to hire and retain staff. The prevailing approaches in combating this are linear in nature and do not consider the complexity of the system. This mode of thinking does not adequately consider the characteristics and influences of the containing system, the many elements within the problematic organizational system, or their interdependencies and interactions. This study frames retention as a complex system problem wherein organizations …

The Nurosleeve, A User-Centered 3d Printed Hybrid Orthosis For Individuals With Upper Extremity Impairment, Mehdi Khantan, Mikael Avery, Phyo Thuta Aung, Rachel M. Zarin, Emma Hammelef, Nabila Shawki, Mijail Demian Serruya, Alessandro Naopli

Farber Institute for Neuroscience Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Active upper extremity (UE) assistive devices have the potential to restore independent functional movement in individuals with UE impairment due to neuromuscular diseases or injury-induced chronic weakness. Academically fabricated UE assistive devices are not usually optimized for activities of daily living (ADLs), whereas commercially available alternatives tend to lack flexibility in control and activation methods. Both options are typically difficult to don and doff and may be uncomfortable for extensive daily use due to their lack of personalization. To overcome these limitations, we have designed, developed, and clinically evaluated the NuroSleeve, an innovative user-centered UE hybrid orthosis.

METHODS: This …

Aptamer Proteomics Of Serum Exosomes From Patients With Primary Raynaud's And Patients With Raynaud's At Risk Of Evolving Into Systemic Sclerosis, Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez, Simon T. Dillon, Xuesong Gu, Towia A. Libermann, Sergio A. Jimenez

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: A major unmet need for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) clinical management is the lack of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of patients with Raynaud's Phenomenon at high risk of evolving into SSc.

OBJECTIVE: To identify proteins contained within serum exosomes employing an aptamer proteomic analysis that may serve to reveal patients with Raynaud's Phenomenon at risk of developing SSc.

METHODS: Exosomes were isolated from serum samples from patients with Primary Raynaud's Phenomenon and from patients with Raynaud's Phenomenon harbouring serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA) who may be at high risk of evolving into SSc. The expression of 1,305 proteins was quantified …

Advance Trends In Targeting Homology-Directed Repair For Accurate Gene Editing: An Inclusive Review Of Small Molecules And Modified Crispr-Cas9 Systems, Forough Shams, Hadi Bayat, Omid Mohammadian, Somayeh Mahboudi, Hassan Vahidnezhad, Mohsen Soosanabadi, Azam Rahimpour

Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine Papers and Presentations

Introduction: Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat and its associated protein (CRISPR-Cas)-based technologies generate targeted modifications in host genome by inducing site-specific double-strand breaks (DSBs) that can serve as a substrate for homology-directed repair (HDR) in both in vitro and in vivo models. HDR pathway could enhance incorporation of exogenous DNA templates into the CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DSB site. Owing to low rate of HDR pathway, the efficiency of accurate genome editing is diminished. Enhancing the efficiency of HDR can provide fast, easy, and accurate technologies based on CRISPR-Cas9 technologies. Methods: The current study presents an overview of attempts conducted on the …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Methylprednisolone-Loaded Polylactic Acid/Hyaluronic Acid Nanofibrous Scaffold For Soft Tissue Engineering, Mehdi Keikha, Elahe Entekhabi, Mahvash Shokrollahi, Masoumeh Haghbin Nazarpak, Zahra Hassannejad, Somaye Akbari, Alex R. Vaccaro, Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar

Rothman Institute Papers

Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated that tissue engineering scaffolds, including Schwann cells, may improve axonal regeneration, particularly in combination with Methylprednisolone as an influential neuroprotective factor. The primary aim of this study was to design composite electrospun scaffolds based on polylactic acid (PLA)/ hyaluronic acid (HA) containing various percentages (0.05–2% (w/v)) of Methylprednisolone (MP) with suitable mechanical and chemical properties for soft tissue especially to promote nerve growth. For the first time, MP was implicated in a PLA/HA nanofibrous and its effect on fiber’s properties was scrutinized as a candidate for nerve tissue.

New Insights On The Role Of The Mesenchymal-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Axis In Autologous And Allogeneic Hematopoiesis., Tatiana D. Zorina

College of Health Professions Faculty Papers

Cytoreductive protocols are integral both as conditioning regimens for bone marrow (BM) transplantation and as part of therapies for malignancies, but their associated comorbidities represent a long-standing clinical problem. In particular, they cause myeloablation that debilitates the physiological role of mesenchymal stem and precursor cells (MSPCs) in sustaining hematopoiesis. This review addresses the damaging impact of cytoreductive regimens on MSPCs. In addition, it discusses prospects for alleviating the resulting iatrogenic comorbidities. New insights into the structural and functional dynamics of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niches reveal the existence of "empty" niches and the ability of the donor-derived healthy HSCs to …

A Rewiring Model Of Intratumoral Interaction Networks., Mengmeng Sang, Shawn Rice, Libo Jiang, Xin Liu, Claudia Gragnoli, Chandra P. Belani, Rongling Wu

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Faculty Papers

Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) has been regarded as a key cause of the failure and resistance of cancer therapy, but how it behaves and functions remains unclear. Advances in single-cell analysis have facilitated the collection of a massive amount of data about genetic and molecular states of individual cancer cells, providing a fuel to dissect the mechanistic organization of ITH at the molecular, metabolic and positional level. Taking advantage of these data, we propose a computational model to rewire up a topological network of cell-cell interdependences and interactions that operate within a tumor mass. The model is grounded on the premise …

The Single Mitochondrion Of The Kinetoplastid Parasite Crithidia Fasciculata Is A Dynamic Network., John Dimaio, Gordon Ruthel, Joshua J. Cannon, Madeline F. Malfara, Megan L. Povelones

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Biotechnology Faculty Papers

Mitochondria are central organelles in cellular metabolism. Their structure is highly dynamic, allowing them to adapt to different energy requirements, to be partitioned during cell division, and to maintain functionality. Mitochondrial dynamics, including membrane fusion and fission reactions, are well studied in yeast and mammals but it is not known if these processes are conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution. Kinetoplastid parasites are some of the earliest-diverging eukaryotes to retain a mitochondrion. Each cell has only a single mitochondrial organelle, making them an interesting model for the role of dynamics in controlling mitochondrial architecture. We have investigated the mitochondrial division cycle in …

A Plausible Mechanism, Based Upon Short-Root Movement, For Regulating The Number Of Cortex Cell Layers In Roots., Shuang Wu, Chin-Mei Lee, Tomomi Hayashi, Simara Price, Fanchon Divol, Sophia Henry, Germain Pauluzzi, Christophe Perin, Kimberly L Gallagher

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Biotechnology Faculty Papers

Formation of specialized cells and tissues at defined times and in specific positions is essential for the development of multicellular organisms. Often this developmental precision is achieved through intercellular signaling networks, which establish patterns of differential gene expression and ultimately the specification of distinct cell fates. Here we address the question of how the SHORT-ROOT (SHR) proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtSHR), Brachypodium distachyon (BdSHR), and Oryza sativa (OsSHR1 and OsSHR2) function in patterning the root ground tissue. We find that all of the SHR proteins function as mobile signals in A. thaliana and all of the SHR homologs physically interact …

A Construct With Fluorescent Indicators For Conditional Expression Of Mirna., Linghua Qiu, Hongyan Wang, Xugang Xia, Hongxia Zhou, Zuoshang Xu

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Transgenic RNAi holds promise as a simple, low-cost, and fast method for reverse genetics in mammals. It may be particularly useful for producing animal models for hypomorphic gene function. Inducible RNAi that permits spatially and temporally controllable gene silencing in vivo will enhance the power of transgenic RNAi approach. Furthermore, because microRNA (miRNA) targeting specific genes can be expressed simultaneously with protein coding genes, incorporation of fluorescent marker proteins can simplify the screening and analysis of transgenic RNAi animals. RESULTS: We sought to optimally express a miRNA simultaneously with a fluorescent marker. We compared two construct designs. One expressed …