Multiplexed Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles for Biomarker Development

Extracellular vesicles(EVs)are cell-derived membranous particles that play a crucial role in molecular trafficking,intercellular transport and the egress of unwanted proteins.They have been implicated in many diseases including cancer and neurodegeneration.EVs are detected in all bodily fluids,and their protein and nucleic acid content offers a means of assessing the status of the cells from which they originated.As such,they provide opportunities in biomarker discovery for diagnosis,prognosis or the stratification of diseases as well as an objective monitoring of therapies.The simultaneous assaying of multiple EV-derived markers will be required for an impactful practical application,and multiplexing platforms have evolved with the potential to achieve this.Herein,we provide a comprehensive overview of the currently available multiplexing platforms for EV analysis,with a primary focus on miniaturized and integrated devices that offer potential step changes in analytical power,throughput and consistency.

Patient-derived iPSC models of Friedreich ataxia:a new frontier for understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic application

Friedreich ataxia(FRDA)is a rare genetic multisystem disorder caused by a pathological GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in the FXN gene.The numerous drawbacks of historical cellular and rodent models of FRDA have caused difficulty in performing effective mechanistic and translational studies to investigate the disease.The recent discovery and subsequent development of induced pluripotent stem cell(iPSC)technology provides an exciting platform to enable enhanced disease modelling for studies of rare genetic diseases.Utilising iPSCs,researchers have created phenotypically relevant and previously inaccessible cellular models of FRDA.These models enable studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying GAA-induced pathology,as well as providing an exciting tool for the screening and testing of novel disease-modifying therapies.This review explores how the use of iPSCs to study FRDA has developed over the past decade,as well as discussing the enormous therapeutic potentials of iPSC-derived models,their current limitations and their future direction within the field of FRDA research.

Biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Ireland and the UK

As we navigate the transition from the Fourth to the Fifth Industrial Revolution,the emerging fields of biomanufacturing and biofabrication are transforming life sciences and healthcare.These sectors are benefiting from a synergy of synthetic and engineering biology,sustainable manufacturing,and integrated design principles.Advanced techniques such as 3D bioprinting,tissue engineering,directed assembly,and self-assembly are instrumental in creating biomimetic scaffolds,tissues,organoids,medical devices,and biohybrid systems.The field of biofabrication in the United Kingdom and Ireland is emerging as a pivotal force in bioscience and healthcare,propelled by cutting-edge research and development.Concentrating on the production of biologically functional products for use in drug delivery,in vitro models,and tissue engineering,research institutions across these regions are dedicated to innovating healthcare solutions that adhere to ethical standards while prioritising sustainability,affordability,and healthcare system benefits.