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  • Rapid and precise genome engineering in a naturally short-lived vertebrate. eLife Bedbrook, C. N., Nath, R. D., Nagvekar, R., Deisseroth, K., Brunet, A. 2023; 12

    Abstract

    The African turquoise killifish is a powerful vertebrate system to study complex phenotypes at scale, including aging and age-related disease. Here, we develop a rapid and precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in approach in the killifish. We show its efficient application to precisely insert fluorescent reporters of different sizes at various genomic loci in order to drive cell-type- and tissue-specific expression. This knock-in method should allow the establishment of humanized disease models and the development of cell-type-specific molecular probes for studying complex vertebrate biology.

    View details for DOI 10.7554/eLife.80639

    View details for PubMedID 37191291

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10188113

  • Husbandry of the African Turquoise Killifish Nothobranchius furzeri. Cold Spring Harbor protocols Nath, R. D., Bedbrook, C. N., Nagvekar, R., Brunet, A. 2023

    Abstract

    The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) is an extremely short-lived vertebrate that has emerged as a powerful model organism for several research areas, including aging and embryonic diapause, which is the temporary suspension of embryonic development. The killifish research community is expanding and developing new solutions to improve the tractability of the killifish as a model system. Starting a killifish colony from scratch can present numerous challenges. In this protocol, we aim to highlight critical elements in building and maintaining a killifish colony. This protocol should help laboratories start a killifish colony and standardize aspects of killifish husbandry.

    View details for DOI 10.1101/pdb.prot107738

    View details for PubMedID 36863854

  • A cryptic oxidoreductase safeguards oxidative protein folding in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America Reardon-Robinson, M. E., Nguyen, M. T., Sanchez, B. C., Osipiuk, J., Rückert, C., Chang, C., Chen, B., Nagvekar, R., Joachimiak, A., Tauch, A., Das, A., Ton-That, H. 2023; 120 (8): e2208675120

    Abstract

    In many gram-positive Actinobacteria, including Actinomyces oris and Corynebacterium matruchotii, the conserved thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase MdbA that catalyzes oxidative folding of exported proteins is essential for bacterial viability by an unidentified mechanism. Intriguingly, in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the deletion of mdbA blocks cell growth only at 37 °C but not at 30 °C, suggesting the presence of alternative oxidoreductase enzyme(s). By isolating spontaneous thermotolerant revertants of the mdbA mutant at 37 °C, we obtained genetic suppressors, all mapped to a single T-to-G mutation within the promoter region of tsdA, causing its elevated expression. Strikingly, increased expression of tsdA-via suppressor mutations or a constitutive promoter-rescues the pilus assembly and toxin production defects of this mutant, hence compensating for the loss of mdbA. Structural, genetic, and biochemical analyses demonstrated TsdA is a membrane-tethered thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase with a conserved CxxC motif that can substitute for MdbA in mediating oxidative folding of pilin and toxin substrates. Together with our observation that tsdA expression is upregulated at nonpermissive temperature (40 °C) in wild-type cells, we posit that TsdA has evolved as a compensatory thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that safeguards oxidative protein folding in C. diphtheriae against thermal stress.

    View details for DOI 10.1073/pnas.2208675120

    View details for PubMedID 36787356

  • Cervical Cancer Screening Postpandemic: Self-Sampling Opportunities to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer. International journal of women's health Lozar, T., Nagvekar, R., Rohrer, C., Dube Mandishora, R. S., Ivanus, U., Fitzpatrick, M. B. 2021; 13: 841-859

    Abstract

    The persisting burden of cervical cancer in underserved populations and low-resource regions worldwide, worsened by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires proactive strategies and expanded screening options to maintain and improve screening coverage and its effects on incidence and mortality from cervical cancer. Self-sampling as a screening strategy has unique advantages from both a public health and individual patient perspective. Some of the barriers to screening can be mitigated by self-sampling, and resources can be better allocated to patients at the highest risk of developing cervical cancer. This review summarizes the implementation options for self-sampling and associated challenges, evidence in support of self-sampling, the available devices, and opportunities for expansion beyond human papillomavirus testing.

    View details for DOI 10.2147/IJWH.S288376

    View details for PubMedID 34566436