Cell-Staining Innovations to Improve Research tools
Traditional methods to stain cells enhance the visualization of their individual components. Purdue University researchers have developed innovative methods, probes, and assays to selectively image pancreatic cancer cells, target organelles in live cells, monitor iCP in live cells, and monitor Legionella infections.
solution 1
Researchers have developed a method using DNA origami to selectively deliver nanoparticles like fluorescent imaging agents and oncological therapeutics to KRAS-mutant pancreatic cancer cells.
This innovation has been validated in the laboratory, demonstrating the ability of the DNA origami nanostructures enter pancreatic cancer cells without any functionalization of targeting ligands.
in publications & media
DNA Walker-Regulated Cancer Cell Growth Inhibition Chembiochem. 2016 Jun 16;17(12):1138-41. doi: 10.1002/cbic.201600052. Epub 2016 Apr 28.
Conformational Control of DNA Origami by DNA Oligomers, Intercalators and UV Light – PubMed (nih.gov)
solution 2
Researchers have developed new pH-activable fluorescent probes for targeting organelles in live cells. The robust probes emit high fluorescence at the acidic pH of the organelle and negligible fluorescence at cytosolic neutral pH.
The probes are soluble, cell-permeable, and readily taken up by target organelles. The researchers have designed three probes that localize to the lysosome, mitochondria, or nucleus, respectively, and are activated upon uptake by the organelles.
solution 3
Researchers have developed a fluorescent probe that selectively targets the core particle of the immunoproteasome (iCP) and can be used to monitor its expression in live cells. The iCP is a target of interest for autoimmune disease and cancer drug development.
Current probes are not selective for iCP; they do not distinguish between it and other forms of the proteasome core particle. The new probe fluoresces upon cleavage by iCP, is efficient and selective, and can be used in live cells.
solution 4
Researchers have developed a fluorometric assay for real-time monitoring of ubiquitination events catalyzed by bacterial SidE enzymes in Legionella infections. The assay is well suited for high-throughput identification of Legionella infection inhibitors.
They synthesized a fluorescently labelled synthetic substrate peptide for SdeA, a member of the SidE family, that changes in fluorescence polarization when ubiquitinated by the enzyme.
This technology is amendable to high-throughput screening and will assist in discovery of inhibitors for Legionella infection as well as identifying and characterizing SidE-like enzymes in other bacterial species.
Industry partners interested in developing or commercializing the innovations should contact Clayton Houck, Senior Licensing Associate – Life Sciences, cjhouck@prf.org.
