Progress in molecular biology and translational science最新文献

Oral administration of proteins and peptides has gained significant attention recently due to its potential to transform therapeutic strategies, providing a non-invasive and patient-friendly method for delivering biopharmaceuticals. The primary hurdle in oral delivery stems from the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, characterized by acidic pH, enzymatic degradation, and limited permeability across the intestinal epithelium. Various innovative approaches have emerged to overcome these challenges, including nanoparticle-based delivery systems, mucoadhesive formulations, and chemical modifications of peptides aimed at improving stability and absorption rates. Nanoparticle-based delivery systems, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles, hold promise in protecting proteins and peptides from enzymatic degradation while enhancing their bioavailability. These nanoparticles can be tailored to target specific areas within the GI tract, extending drug release and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. Mucoadhesive formulations utilize polymers like chitosan, alginate, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives to adhere to GI mucosal surfaces, prolonging residence time and facilitating drug absorption. Chemical modifications, such as PEGylation, glycosylation, and lipidation have been employed to enhance the stability and permeability of proteins and peptides in the GI tract. PEGylation, in particular, has been widely used to extend the circulation half-life and reduce the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins. Advancements in nanotechnology, especially the development of smart nanocarriers capable of responsive drug release triggered by pH or enzymatic stimuli, show promise in further improving oral delivery of proteins and peptides. The integration of bioinformatics and computational modeling techniques has facilitated the design of novel drug delivery systems with optimized pharmacokinetic profiles. This chapter focuses on the advancements and challenges in the oral delivery of protein and peptide-based drugs, highlighting the innovative strategies being explored to enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Wearable biosensors are revolutionizing the landscape of modern healthcare by enabling continuous, non-invasive monitoring and real-time diagnostics across a myriad of medical applications. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of wearable biosensors, beginning with an exploration of their fundamental components, including biological elements, transducers, and electronic interfaces. It categorizes these devices based on the types of biological matrices they utilize, such as tears and saliva, and the nanomaterials and transduction mechanisms that underpin their functionality. Highlighting state-of-the-art advancements, the chapter delves into specific applications in ophthalmology and oral health, showcasing innovative tear-based sensors for monitoring intraocular pressure and glucose levels, as well as saliva-based devices for detecting oral diseases and systemic biomarkers. Through detailed examples, such as multifunctional contact lenses and smart mouthguards, the chapter illustrates the potential of these technologies to transform disease detection, health monitoring, and personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, it addresses the current challenges in wearable biosensor development, including issues of sensor accuracy, durability, and user comfort, while outlining future directions for research and integration into everyday healthcare practices. This chapter aims to provide readers with a thorough understanding of wearable biosensors' current state, innovations, and future potential in enhancing health and wellness monitoring.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNAs that do not encode proteins but play key roles in diverse biological functions such as gene regulation, chromatin remodeling, and other cellular processes. Two major types are small ncRNAs (sncRNAs, with a size of ∼21-34 nucleotides) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs, size of>200 nucleotides), and each has multiple subtypes. Notably, ncRNAs constitute over 90 % of the RNAs from the human genome. Exploring ncRNAs is important to understand the complexities of cellular regulations and for potential therapeutic applications as biomarkers or therapies in various diseases such as cancer. In this chapter, we provide a gist of ncRNAs, their role in regulation.

The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable biosensors is revolutionizing personalized healthcare, enabling continuous monitoring, early detection of health issues, which enhances the efficiency of data processing and real-time decision-making. Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLMs) play a pivotal role in this ecosystem by offering advanced capabilities in analyzing complex health data, understanding nuanced health contexts, and generating tailored health recommendations instantaneously. This study provides insights into how machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and MLLM can work together to facilitate the analysis of physiologic data for real-time monitoring and early warning systems as well as complex decision support mechanisms. In addition, the emergence of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) driven by AI and MLLM provides comprehensive recommendations. Looking ahead, the potential convergence of digital people, meta-universes and world models with wearable biosensors presents an innovative vision for personalized health management.

Peptide-based vaccines have emerged as a promising avenue in the realm of immunization strategies. This chapter provides an overview of the key aspects and advancements in peptide-based vaccine development. Peptides, as fragments of larger proteins, hold the potential to induce targeted immune responses while minimizing off-target effects. We discuss the principles of peptide selection, epitope identification, and delivery platforms, underscoring the importance of rational design to optimize immunogenicity. The integration of computational tools and advanced analytical methods has enabled the refinement of peptide vaccine candidates. Studies on infectious diseases, cancers, and new pathogens showcase the versatility and efficacy of peptide vaccines. As the field progresses, collaborative efforts between researchers, industry, and healthcare systems are essential to bridge the gap from laboratory research to clinical application. The future holds promise for peptide-based vaccines to contribute significantly to disease prevention and therapeutic intervention.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are vital regulatory molecules that play critical roles in gene expression, cellular signaling, and various biological processes. This review explores the diverse types of ncRNAs, including microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, emphasizing their structural features and functional implications. Accurate structural predictions of ncRNAs are essential for understanding their interactions with other biomolecules and developing therapeutic strategies. Advances in computational methods and experimental techniques are enhancing our ability to predict RNA structures and elucidate their roles in health and disease. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in accurately modeling complex RNA structures and understanding the dynamic nature of RNA folding. Future research directions will focus on integrating multi-omics data, refining prediction algorithms, and addressing ethical considerations associated with ncRNA-based therapies. The potential applications of ncRNAs in drug discovery, biomarker identification, and synthetic biology underscore their importance in modern biomedical research.

This chapter x-rays the pivotal roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in gene regulation and cellular processes with emphasis on their diverse functions and mechanisms. The ncRNA types, which include miRNAs, siRNAs, and lncRNAs were highlighted stating their significance in gene regulation and disease. Then, the biogenesis and functional roles of these ncRNAs were explained with a focus on their transcription, processing, and mechanisms of action such as RNA interference and gene silencing. Furthermore, the chapter delves into the pathways of miRNAs, siRNAs, and lncRNAs to elucidate their regulatory roles in chromatin remodeling, transcription, and post-transcriptional processes. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomics were piqued for their transformative impact on ncRNA research towards enabling comprehensive analysis and discovery of novel ncRNA functions. Consistently, the integration of multi-omics data, showcasing bioinformatics tools, and exemplified studies that reveal ncRNA networks and systems biology approaches were highlighted. These led to the suggestion that addressing technical and computational challenges, such as data quality, reproducibility, and integration is pivotal to future advancements in applications of lncRNA. Therefore, dissecting ncRNA Pathways and Omics Integration shows the potential applications of ncRNA research in personalized medicine and therapeutics which has culminated in its growing significance in biomedical research and its promise for innovative treatment strategies.

This chapter, "Implantable Biosensors: Advancements and Applications," provides a succinct overview of the state-of-the-art in implantable biosensor technology, highlighting both established clinical uses and promising areas of ongoing research. It begins by outlining the fundamental principles and advantages of these sensors, such as their precision in physiological monitoring and capability for real-time therapeutic interventions. A variety of implantable sensors are categorized, including biophysical and biochemical types, each designed for specific medical applications. In endocrinology, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems represent a pivotal and well-established use of implantable biosensors for diabetes management. In contrast, applications in ophthalmology, such as sensors for monitoring intraocular pressure to prevent glaucoma, are still under investigation and not yet widely adopted in clinical practice, though they hold significant promise. The chapter also explores potential applications across other medical fields, including cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, otolaryngology, urology, orthopedics, pharmacology, and oncology. These areas are witnessing innovative research and development efforts aimed at harnessing the potential of implantable biosensors for enhanced patient care. The integration of these sensors with drug delivery systems and their role in real-time disease biomarker monitoring underscore their transformative potential. In summary, this chapter highlights the significant advancements in implantable biosensors, emphasizing their current clinical applications and future possibilities in revolutionizing medical diagnostics and treatment.

This chapter examines advancements and future trajectories in wearable biosensing technologies, a multidisciplinary field encompassing healthcare, materials science, and information technology. Wearable biosensors are revolutionizing real-time physiological and biochemical monitoring with applications in personalized health monitoring, disease diagnosis, fitness, and therapeutic interventions. In addition to Internet of Things (IoT) and wireless connectivity technologies such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and 5G, which facilitate transparent remote monitoring and data exchange, other notable innovations such as machine learning and artificial intelligence enhance real-time processing of data, predictive analytics, and personalized healthcare solutions. While lab-on-skin technologies support non-invasive continuous diagnostics, nanomaterials such as graphene and quantum dots have significantly enhanced the sensitivity and efficiency of sensors. Future developments will address multimodal sensor systems for comprehensive health monitoring, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) integration, and sustainable and self-healing biosensors. However, challenges related to scalability, commercialization, and environmentally conscious design persist. Significant case studies on diabetic management through continuous glucose monitoring and workplace stress monitoring conclude the chapter, highlighting the transformative potential of wearable biosensors in occupational health and healthcare.