Short hairpin or small hairpin RNA (shRNA) is artificial RNA, which has a hairpin loop structure, and uses inherent microRNA (miRNA) machinery to silence target gene expression. This is called RNA interference (RNAi). These can be delivered via plasmids or viral/bacterial vectors. Challenges in shRNA-mediated gene silencing include 1. Off-target silencing, 2. Packaging shRNA encoding lentivirus, and 3. Stable transduction in cells. RNAi has been designed to have anywhere from 19-27 bs, but the most effective design has 19 bp. In case commercial shRNAs are not available, potential target sites can be chosen within exon, 5’- or 3’ UTR, depending on which splice variants of the gene are desired. One should use the latest algorithms and choose at least two different sequences, targeting different regions, in order to have confidence in overcoming off-target effects. A BLAST search after selecting potential design will eliminate potential off-target sequences. For the second challenge, sequencing the vector using primers for either strand (50-100 bp upstream) is suggested, along with using enzymatic digestion on agarose gel for the vector. Next, once the shRNA-containing vector is packaged in a virus, it is important to check the viral titer before transduction. Finally, using a marker in the lentiviral vector (fluorescent protein or antibiotic resistance), along with qPCR for target gene expression can help in determining the efficacy of transduction and shRNA on its target site.
Protein expression refers to the techniques in which a protein of interest is synthesized, modified or regulated in cells. The blueprints for proteins are stored in DNA which is then transcribed to produce messenger RNA (mRNA). mRNA is then translated into protein. In prokaryotes, this process of mRNA translation occurs simultaneously with mRNA transcription. In eukaryotes, these two processes occur at separate times and in separate cellular regions (transcription in nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm). Recombinant protein expression utilizes cellular machinery to generate proteins, instead of chemical synthesis of proteins as it is very complex. Proteins produced from such DNA templates are called recombinant proteins and DNA templates are simple to construct. Recombinant protein expression involves transfecting cells with a DNA vector that contains the template. The cultured cells can then transcribe and translate the desired protein. The cells can be lysed to extract the expressed protein for subsequent purification. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein expression systems are widely used. The selection of the system depends on the type of protein, the requirements for functional activity and the desired yield. These expression systems include mammalian, insect, yeast, bacterial, algal and cell-free. Each of these has pros and cons. Mammalian expression systems can be used for transient or stable expression, with ultra high-yield protein expression. However, high yields are only possible in suspension cultures and more demanding culture conditions. Insect cultures are the same as mammalian, except that they can be used as both static and suspension cultures. These cultures also have demanding culture conditions and may also be time-consuming. Yeast cultures can produce eukaryotic proteins and are scalable, with minimum culture requirements. Yeast cultures may require growth culture optimization. Bacterial cultures are simple, scalable and low cost, but these may require protein-specific optimization and are not suitable for all mammalian proteins. Algal cultures are optimized for robust selection and expression, but these are less developed than other host platforms. Cell-free systems are open, free of any unnatural compounds, fast and simple. This system is, however, not optimal for scaling up.
Contamination can affect cell characteristics, i.e., growth, metabolism, and morphology leading to unreliable and erroneous experimental data. Depending on the source of contaminants, one can detect contamination by using a light microscope, gram stain, isothermal amplification, or PCR. Bacteria and fungi can usually be identified by optical microscopy. Mycoplasma in cell cultures cannot be detected visually. Hence, these microbes can go unnoticed for long periods and are determined using dedicated assays. Early and rapid identification of contaminants is vital to detect, handle and prevent contamination for good cell-culture practices. However, detection and identification can be challenging and tricky based on usual visual identifications. Hence it is essential to use a standard contamination detection kit to detect and maintain best practices.
Contamination can affect cell characteristics, i.e., growth, metabolism, and morphology leading to unreliable and erroneous experimental data. Depending on the source of contaminants, one can detect contamination by using a light microscope, gram stain, isothermal amplification, or PCR. Bacteria and fungi can usually be identified by optical microscopy. Mycoplasma in cell cultures cannot be detected visually. Hence, these microbes can go unnoticed for long periods and are determined using dedicated assays. Early and rapid identification of contaminants is vital to detect, handle and prevent contamination for good cell-culture practices. However, detection and identification can be challenging and tricky based on usual visual identifications. Hence it is essential to use a standard contamination detection kit to detect and maintain best practices.
Contamination can affect cell characteristics, i.e., growth, metabolism, and morphology leading to unreliable and erroneous experimental data. Depending on the source of contaminants, one can detect contamination by using a light microscope, gram stain, isothermal amplification, or PCR. Bacteria and fungi can usually be identified by optical microscopy. Mycoplasma in cell cultures cannot be detected visually. Hence, these microbes can go unnoticed for long periods and are determined using dedicated assays. Early and rapid identification of contaminants is vital to detect, handle and prevent contamination for good cell-culture practices. However, detection and identification can be challenging and tricky based on usual visual identifications. Hence it is essential to use a standard contamination detection kit to detect and maintain best practices.
Contamination can affect cell characteristics, i.e., growth, metabolism, and morphology leading to unreliable and erroneous experimental data. Depending on the source of contaminants, one can detect contamination by using a light microscope, gram stain, isothermal amplification, or PCR. Bacteria and fungi can usually be identified by optical microscopy. Mycoplasma in cell cultures cannot be detected visually. Hence, these microbes can go unnoticed for long periods and are determined using dedicated assays. Early and rapid identification of contaminants is vital to detect, handle and prevent contamination for good cell-culture practices. However, detection and identification can be challenging and tricky based on usual visual identifications. Hence it is essential to use a standard contamination detection kit to detect and maintain best practices.
Contamination can affect cell characteristics, i.e., growth, metabolism, and morphology leading to unreliable and erroneous experimental data. Depending on the source of contaminants, one can detect contamination by using a light microscope, gram stain, isothermal amplification, or PCR. Bacteria and fungi can usually be identified by optical microscopy. Mycoplasma in cell cultures cannot be detected visually. Hence, these microbes can go unnoticed for long periods and are determined using dedicated assays. Early and rapid identification of contaminants is vital to detect, handle and prevent contamination for good cell-culture practices. However, detection and identification can be challenging and tricky based on usual visual identifications. Hence it is essential to use a standard contamination detection kit to detect and maintain best practices.
Protein isolation is a technique that involves isolation and/ or purification of protein from cells or tissues via chromatography or electrophoresis. The major challenges in protein isolation include: 1. The concentration of proteins in cells is variable and tends to be small for some intracellular proteins. Unlike nucleic acids, proteins cannot be amplified. 2. Proteins are more unstable than nucleic acids. They are easily denatured under suboptimal temperature, pH or salt concentrations. 3. Finally, no generalized technique/protocol can be applied for protein isolation. Proteins may have different electrostatic (number of positively or negatively charged amino acids) or hydrophobic properties. Therefore, protein purification requires multiple steps depending on their charge (a negatively charged resin/column for positively charged proteins and vice-versa), dissolution (using detergents) and unlike in the case of DNA and RNA, instead of using salts, proteins should be isolated by isoelectric precipitation.
Protein isolation is a technique that involves isolation and/ or purification of protein from cells or tissues via chromatography or electrophoresis. The major challenges in protein isolation include: 1. The concentration of proteins in cells is variable and tends to be small for some intracellular proteins. Unlike nucleic acids, proteins cannot be amplified. 2. Proteins are more unstable than nucleic acids. They are easily denatured under suboptimal temperature, pH or salt concentrations. 3. Finally, no generalized technique/protocol can be applied for protein isolation. Proteins may have different electrostatic (number of positively or negatively charged amino acids) or hydrophobic properties. Therefore, protein purification requires multiple steps depending on their charge (a negatively charged resin/column for positively charged proteins and vice-versa), dissolution (using detergents) and unlike in the case of DNA and RNA, instead of using salts, proteins should be isolated by isoelectric precipitation.
Protein isolation is a technique that involves isolation and/ or purification of protein from cells or tissues via chromatography or electrophoresis. The major challenges in protein isolation include: 1. The concentration of proteins in cells is variable and tends to be small for some intracellular proteins. Unlike nucleic acids, proteins cannot be amplified. 2. Proteins are more unstable than nucleic acids. They are easily denatured under suboptimal temperature, pH or salt concentrations. 3. Finally, no generalized technique/protocol can be applied for protein isolation. Proteins may have different electrostatic (number of positively or negatively charged amino acids) or hydrophobic properties. Therefore, protein purification requires multiple steps depending on their charge (a negatively charged resin/column for positively charged proteins and vice-versa), dissolution (using detergents) and unlike in the case of DNA and RNA, instead of using salts, proteins should be isolated by isoelectric precipitation.
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