wjs018

Breakthrough here is the ability to image embryos comprised of living cells as opposed to post-mortem embryos.

original doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.003

This summarizes a paper in which researchers created a microscope probe using a single, 110 µm diameter optical fiber. An interesting technique from this that I had not seen before, was that the end of the optical fiber is angled and coated with aluminum to create a mirror looking perpendicular to the length of the fiber. This enables researchers to image living cells less intrusively.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-36889-z

This article describes using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) containing silencing RNA (siRNA) to slow or prevent the spread of cancerous multiple myeloma cells through the body.

What I found interesting about this approach is that these LNPs do not target the cancerous cells themselves, but rather targets healthy endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the body. The mechanism of action is to reduce the expression of a protein (CyPA) that cancer cells use to aid their spread through the body. So, these LNPs are simply used to help contain and localize the cancerous growth while traditional cancer treatments are used to treat the malignant cells.

A significant challenge for this approach going forward is tuning the targeting and biodistribution of the LNPs. Most LNP treatments end up in either the liver or spleen where they transfect cells in those organs and express protiens. I don't have direct experience with siRNA molecules, but transfecting epithelial cells in a lasting way could prove difficult as it scales up from mouse models.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215711120

Getting therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier is one of the biggest hurdles to many investigational neuroscience macromolecules. This approach of using a proven mechanism of action (ultrasound) in a device that is easily implantable and does not need to later be removed looks promising.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg6075

Some recent evidence points to the Earth's magnetic field playing a part in preferentially selecting right-handed chirality in RNA precursors. This work is not complete though as not every nucleotide can be made from this process yet, but it is so far, the best explanation available as to why genetic material and amino acids are exclusively R and L (respectively) oriented.