• Composite fiber system: Mucus-penetrating nanoparticles encapsulated in mucoadhesive nanofibers. The system demonstrated greater than 30-fold increased nanoparticle retention in reproductive tract at 24 hr.

Nanoparticle-releasing nanofiber composites for enhanced in vivo vaginal retention

Current approaches for topical vaginal administration of nanoparticles result in poor retention and extensive leakage. To overcome these challenges, the researchers developed a nanoparticle-releasing nanofiber delivery platform and evaluated its ability to improve nanoparticle retention in a murine model. In this first study of nanoparticle releasing fibers for drug delivery, they discovered that the system demonstrated 30-fold increased nanoparticle retention in the reproductive tract 24 hours following administration.

  • Yeast agglutination

High-throughput characterization of protein–protein interactions by reprogramming yeast mating

The researchers achieved high-throughput, quantitative characterization of protein–protein binding interactions without requiring purified recombinant proteins, by linking interaction strength with yeast mating. Using a next-generation sequencing output, they characterized protein networks consisting of thousands of pairwise interactions in a single tube and have demonstrated the effect of changing the binding environment.

  • Graphical representation of chemical crosslinking mass spectrometry analysis of protein conformations and supercomplexes in heart tissue

Chemical Crosslinking Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Protein Conformations and Supercomplexes in Heart Tissue

The researchers demonstrate the application of crosslinking mass spectrometry to identify protein structural features and interactions in tissue samples, providing systems structural biology insight into protein complexes as they exist in the mouse heart. The extension of crosslinking mass spectrometry analysis into the realm of tissues opens the door to increasing understanding of protein structures and interactions within the context of the greater biological system.

  • Global PiT-2 homozygous knockout mice exhibit reduced bone and tissue mineral density

Loss of PiT-2 results in abnormal bone development and decreased bone mineral density and length in mice

The study's findings suggest that PiT-2 is involved in normal bone development and growth and plays roles in cortical and trabecular bone metabolism feasibly by regulating local phosphate transport and mineralization processes in the bone. Further studies that evaluate bone cell-specific loss of PiT-2 are now warranted and may yield insight into complex mechanisms of bone development and growth, leading to identification of new therapeutic options for patients with bone diseases.