{"title":"CRISPR-Cas9-mediated loss-of-function screens","authors":"Jia-qing Liu, Tao Li","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2019.1670739","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2019.1670739","url":null,"abstract":"The CRISPR-Cas9 system, which uses sgRNA for targeting and the nuclease Cas9 for cleavage, has emerged as a versatile and efficient tool for genome engineering; the system has overcome the limitations of previous technologies and implements various gene editing strategies. The large-scale loss-of-function (LOF) gene scanning technology based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system can be utilized to reveal associations between the genotype and phenotype by inducing efficient and scalable gene perturbations throughout the whole genome. This technology is playing a breakthrough role in the exploration of genes associated with tumors and viruses and its expansion together with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) can be used to assess multiplexed gene interactions as well as more complicated phenotypes. Here, we introduce LOF genetic screens based on CRISPR knockout (CRISPR ko) and its applications in synthetic lethality and virus-host interactions. We highlight the recent progress on combining this technique with single cell RNA-seq. We also compare the advantages and pitfalls of CRISPR variants, discuss the future perspectives of gene therapy and raise important considerations regarding off-target effects.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2019.1670739","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42039586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Toward holistic medicine and holistic biology: life sciences after precision medicine and systems biology","authors":"B. Yuan","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2019.1682064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2019.1682064","url":null,"abstract":"In the field of life sciences, systems biology has encountered insurmountable obstacles caused by the complexity and adaptability of organisms. In the near future, precision medicine is expected to establish a personalized state-description system and a corresponding targeted-treatment system, but the comprehensive treatment of disease will remain a significant and difficult problem that needs to be resolved. As the holistic modeling method in complexity science matures and its concordance with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods is increasingly revealed, the introduction of this method into the life sciences will become a necessity for scientific development. The incorporation of this method in the fields of biology and medicine will lead to the emergence of ‘holistic biology’ and ‘holistic medicine’. Holistic medicine is a personalized medicine system that incorporates TCM’s holistic concept and treatment approaches based on syndrome differentiation. Holistic medicine fundamentally solves the problem of complex life system integration and transforms adaptability from an obstacle for understanding organisms into an indispensable tool for more effective regulation and control of organisms. As a result, systems biology and precision medicine will be followed by an era of holistic medicine and holistic biology.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2019.1682064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48238219","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Application of phiC31 integrase system in stem cells biology and technology: a review","authors":"Adham Fani Maleki, M. Sekhavati","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2018.1447516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2018.1447516","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Two specific characteristics of stem cells, self-renewal and their differentiation capacity have made them important for vast scientific areas, particularly in the molecular and cell biology of stem cells, as well as regenerative medicine. Gene targeting plays a pivotal role in creating modified stem cells, which are considered the mainstay in regenerative medicine. The phiC31 integrase system, as a site-specific recombinase, could be a straightforward and efficient approach for this aim. According to the high potential of the application of phiC31 integrase system in stem cells, the present paper reviews previous studies, placing the focus on stem cell types and their application.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2018.1447516","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49040635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Alpha brain oscillations, approach attitude, and locus of control affect self-perception of social efficacy in cooperative joint-action","authors":"M. Balconi, M. E. Vanutelli","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2018.1465858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2018.1465858","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The neurophysiological basis of social ranking perception underlying the execution of cooperative joint-actions was explored in the present study. Self-perception of social ranking, personality trait (Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and locus of control (LoC)) and alpha brain oscillations were considered. Subjects were required to match their cognitive performance in terms of accuracy (error rate) and response time. A positive feedback condition of a better joint-performance was provided and compared to absence of feedback. It was found that higher BAS participants and higher internal LoC responded in greater measure to post-feedback condition with better real performance probably based on their sensitivity to rewarding for high-BAS and the increased sense of self-efficacy. Moreover, higher-BAS showed an increased frontal left activity when they perceived increased cooperative efficacy. The present results confirmed the tendency to modulate both self-perceived social position and real performance based on the personal attitudes and the frontal.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2018.1465858","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48894222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Singh, A. Gobbi, S. Santoni, L. Hansen, P. This, J. Péros
{"title":"Assessing the impact of plant genetic diversity in shaping the microbial community structure of Vitis vinifera phyllosphere in the Mediterranean","authors":"P. Singh, A. Gobbi, S. Santoni, L. Hansen, P. This, J. Péros","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2018.1552628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2018.1552628","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The aerial surface of the plant (phyllosphere) is the habitat of complex microbial communities and the structure of this microbiome may be dependent on plant genetic factors, local environment or interactions between them. In this study, we explored the microbial diversity present in the phyllosphere of a very diverse set of grapevine cultivars representing the three genetic pools of the species, grown on an experimental plot at Montpellier (French Mediterranean region). We assessed microbiome variation in the phyllosphere using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), according to the grapevine genetic pools or cultivars, and organs (i.e. leaves and grape berries). The observed microbiome was complex; out of 542 bacterial genera; Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Sphingomonas, and Acinetobacter were the most abundant and almost ubiquitously present across the samples, and out of 267 fungal genera; Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Mycosphaerella and Aspergillus were most represented. Our results illustrated that the microbial taxa were almost uniformly distributed among the genetic pools and only a few cultivar or genetic pool level differences were found, but a very clear differential taxa abundance was found between the leaf and berry samples. Some genus level associations were also observed with certain genetic pools.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2018.1552628","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47949586","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayman Ahmad Al kraiem, Guang Yang, Fahd Al kraiem, Tie Chen
{"title":"Challenges associated with ceftriaxone resistance in Salmonella","authors":"Ayman Ahmad Al kraiem, Guang Yang, Fahd Al kraiem, Tie Chen","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2018.1491427","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2018.1491427","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Salmonella is the leading cause of typhoidal and non-typhoidal infections in the world. The entry of Salmonella into the bloodstream causes an invasive disease state, resulting to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in children. Owing to the misuse of antibiotics, certain Salmonella serovars are multi-drug resistant and do not respond to traditional antibiotics, such as ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, presenting a significant challenge for healthcare practitioners in treating and controlling the spread of this disease. Therefore, expensive third-generation cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, are currently used to treat Salmonella infection. However, a novel serovar of Salmonella that resists ceftriaxone was recently identified in Saudi Arabia, indicating wide spread Salmonella resistance. A comprehensive literature review on ceftriaxone resistance in Salmonella is therefore necessary to reflect upon current challenges. In this report, we provide a summary of Salmonella incidence, mechanisms of ceftriaxone resistance in Salmonella, and current treatment options.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2018.1491427","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41968781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Chung, G. Rajakumar, T. Gomathi, S. Park, Seung-Hyun Kim, M. Thiruvengadam
{"title":"Nanotechnology for human food: Advances and perspective","authors":"I. Chung, G. Rajakumar, T. Gomathi, S. Park, Seung-Hyun Kim, M. Thiruvengadam","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1365775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1365775","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Nanotechnology is an exciting and rapidly emerging field in agriculture and food science. The usage of nanoscale materials in sensing and detection applications is growing quickly, providing alternative methods to conventional techniques for detecting chemical and biological contaminants in foods, beverages, and other products. Nanotechnology has the potential to innovate the agricultural, feed, and food sectors (further stated as agri/feed/food). Applications that are marketed already feature original product packaging with antimicrobial nanoparticles, and agrochemicals and nutrients that have been nano-encapsulated. Many nano-enabled products are presently under research and development, and may be introduced into the industry in the future. As with any other structured product, for market sanctions, applications need to prove the safe use of such new products without posing unwarranted safety risks to the consumer or the environment. In this review, we summarize the uses of nanotechnology related to food and nutraceuticals, while also identifying the outstanding challenges.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1365775","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43186090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Mumtaz, A. Hamid, M. Akhtar, F. Anwar, U. Rashid, Mizher Hezam Al-Zuaidy
{"title":"An overview of recent developments in metabolomics and proteomics – phytotherapic research perspectives","authors":"M. Mumtaz, A. Hamid, M. Akhtar, F. Anwar, U. Rashid, Mizher Hezam Al-Zuaidy","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1279573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1279573","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In recent years, medicinal plants have gained much attention as potential source of bioactives for the development of novel herbal drugs for primary healthcare. However, phytotherapeutic mechanisms of action of phytomedicines need to be explored comprehensively. Out of the available strategies for the said purpose, metabolomics is one, which results in the production of inclusive metabolite profiles providing a clear understanding of diagnostic changes in the levels of metabolites, leading to therapeutic monitoring of drug targets through the elucidation of metabolomic pathways. On the other hand, proteomics is also a powerful strategy to deal with systematic protein expression analysis and analyze different biomarkers compared to metabolomics during drug treatment. Currently, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography coupled with MS and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MS coupled with multivariate statistical techniques, such as principle component analysis, partial least square and orthogonal-partial least square are among the widely applicable analytical tools for metabolite profiling, whereas two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight -MS are the most accepted analytical methods for proteomic biomarker investigation. The present review summarizes the recent developments and perspectives of the biomarker investigation strategies so as to elaborate their imperative role for sustainable herbal drug developments.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1279573","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44858429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Kho, S. Manickam, Sorayya Malek, Mogeeb A. A. Mosleh, S. K. Dhillon
{"title":"Automated plant identification using artificial neural network and support vector machine","authors":"S. Kho, S. Manickam, Sorayya Malek, Mogeeb A. A. Mosleh, S. K. Dhillon","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1412361","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1412361","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Ficus is one of the largest genera in plant kingdom reaching to about 1000 species worldwide. While taxonomic keys are available for identifying most species of Ficus, it is very difficult and time consuming for interpretation by a nonprofessional thus requires highly trained taxonomists. The purpose of the current study is to develop an efficient baseline automated system, using image processing with pattern recognition approach, to identify three species of Ficus, which have similar leaf morphology. Leaf images from three different Ficus species namely F. benjamina, F. pellucidopunctata and F. sumatrana were selected. A total of 54 leaf image samples were used in this study. Three main steps that are image pre-processing, feature extraction and recognition were carried out to develop the proposed system. Artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) were the implemented recognition models. Evaluation results showed the ability of the proposed system to recognize leaf images with an accuracy of 83.3%. However, the ANN model performed slightly better using the AUC evaluation criteria. The system developed in the current study is able to classify the selected Ficus species with acceptable accuracy.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1412361","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44498030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Healthy lifestyle and eating perceptions: correlations with weight and low-fat and low-sugar food consumption in adolescence","authors":"I. Küster, N. Vila","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1329170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1329170","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Background: Low-fat and low-sugar foods, marketed as health promoters, offer an interesting avenue for consumers to pursue a healthier life. Despite the relevance of educating adolescents about the importance of a healthier lifestyle, even today little attention is paid to this issue. The aim of this paper is to analyse adolescent consumers with varying degrees of a healthy lifestyle and different healthy eating perceptions and the relationship with their body mass index (BMI) and their low-fat and low-sugar food consumption. Methods: With a sample of 590 (353 from public schools and 237 from private schools) young consumers (13–17 years old) and SSS statistical tools, some interesting results are obtained. Results: Data obtained confirm the relationships among healthy life style activities and BMI and low food consumption. Also, data show interesting relationships among healthy eating perceptions and BMI and low food intake. Conclusions: The empirical results and findings from this study would be valuable for marketers and administration in the food industry to formulate marketing communication strategies and to promote a healthier lifestyle and eating perceptions among adolescents.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1329170","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48906410","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}