Boster Bio Life Science Blog

Neuroscience 2023 is taking place in Washington, D.C. at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from November 11-15. Join 30,000 scientists from around the world to discover hot topics and tools for neuroscience!

Meet us at Booth# 2104 to pick up some Boster goodies including pathway posters, technical resources, free phone accessories, and a Dr. Booster plush doll!

Come and discover how our products, services, and resources can boost your research. We hope to see you there...

As autumn leaves turn golden, Boster Bio is excited to present a medley of pioneering studies that have recently been published. This month’s issue covers a spectrum from novel therapeutic interventions to insightful multi-omics analyses.

In the therapeutic domain, we spotlight a novel implantable hydrogel-based sensor that allows for real-time drug monitoring in rats. We also observe a shift in cancer treatments with a new cocktail nanovaccine. Additionally, fresh approaches are introduced for targeting lung fibrosis using mitochondrial transfer and enhancing liver cancer treatments with artesunate.

On a molecular scale, studies revealed how indoor air pollutants impact liver health and blood lipid levels. Scientists also investigated the protective role of gut fungi against intestinal issues and the potential of mung bean sprout nanoparticles in diabetes management. Moreover, recent findings linked a compound in the colon, phosphocholine, with a specific fungus Candida tropicalis, highlighting mycobiota’s importance for our digestive health.

Scroll down to learn more about these discoveries!

Implantable Hydrogel-Protective DNA Aptamer-Based Sensor Supports Accurate, Continuous Electrochemical Analysis of Drugs at Multiple Sites in Living Rats

Authors: Li, S., Dai, J., Zhu, M., Currás, N.A., Li, H., Wang, Y., Wang, Q…
Journal: ACS Nano

The ability to track the levels of specific molecules, such as drugs, metabolites, and biomarkers, in the living body, in real time and for long durations, would improve our understanding of health and our ability to diagnose, treat, and monitor disease. To this end, we are developing electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensors...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Rat IL-12(P70) ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK1652); Rat Endothelin 1/EDN1 ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK0952)

Efficient Intervention for Pulmonary Fibrosis via Mitochondrial Transfer Promoted by Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Authors: Huang, T., Lin, R., Su, Y., Sun, H., Zheng, X., Zhang, J., Lu, X…
Journal: Nature Communications

The use of exogenous mitochondria to replenish damaged mitochondria has been proposed as a strategy for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the success of this strategy is partially restricted by the difficulty of supplying sufficient mitochondria to diseased cells. Herein, we report the generation of high-powered mesenchymal...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Mouse MMP-9 ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK0466); Mouse TGF Beta 1 ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK0515); 4% Paraformaldehyde (PFA) Solution In PBS (AR1068); Anti-Ki67/MKI67 Antibody Picoband™ (PB9026); Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L) Secondary Antibody, FITC Conjugated (BA1105)

In Situ Cocktail Nanovaccine for Cancer Immunotherapy

Authors: Liu, M., Xie, D., Hu, D., Zhang, R., Wang Y., Tang, L., Zhou, B…
Journal: Advanced Science

In situ vaccination is a desirable strategy for cancer immunotherapy due to its convenience and capacity to target tumor antigens. Here, an in situ nanovaccine based on a cationic peptide with cholesterol-modified, DP7-C, for cancer immunotherapy is rationally designed, and developed a cancer nanovaccine that is easy to preparate...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Mouse TNF Alpha/Tumor Necrosis Factor ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK0527)

Artesunate Sensitizes Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Sorafenib via Exacerbating AFAP1L2-SRC-FUNDC1 Axis-Dependent Mitophagy

Authors: Ma, Z., Chen, W., Liu, Y., Yu, L., Mao, X., Guo, X., Jiang, F., Guo, Q…
Journal: Autophagy

Sorafenib is the most widely used first-line drug for the treatment of the advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, sorafenib resistance often limits its therapeutic efficacy. To evaluate the efficacy of artesunate against sorafenib-resistant HCC and to investigate its underlying pharmacological mechanisms...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Citrate Buffer Powder (AR0024)

Global Analysis of HLA-A2 Restricted MAGE-A3 Tumor Antigen Epitopes and Corresponding TCRs in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Authors: Zhang, B., Ren, Z., Zhao, J., Zhu, Y., Huang, B., Xiao, C., Zhang, Y…
Journal : Theranostics

Background: Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with poor prognosis. Adoptive cell therapy using engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) targeting cancer-testis antigens, such as Melanoma-associated antigen 3 (MAGE-A3), is a potential approach for the treatment of NSCLC. However, systematic...

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Cited Boster Product(s): HRP Conjugated AffiniPure Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L) (BA1054)

Representing 5-20% of the circulating group 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the innate immune system. They were named ‘natural killer’ due to their ability to recognize and kill physiologically stressed cells (tumor cells or virus-infected cells) without the presence/activation of typical markers for immune system activation, such as antibodies or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on cell surfaces (Abel et al., 2018; Guia et al., 2018; Pol...

This month, we're excited to spotlight a selection of cutting-edge research studies that have benefited from Boster Bio's high-quality products.

Several studies this month deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms, including the role of pancreatic acinar cells in chronic pancreatitis fibrosis and the intriguing connections between the PCCB gene, associated with schizophrenia, and GABAergic pathways.

On the therapeutic front, different innovative methods have emerged, from an injectable hydrogel for osteoarthritis therapy to the promising rapid antidepressant-like effects of the connexin hemichannel inhibitor D4. Immunotherapy has also taken a front seat, with new research on IL2Rbg targeting combined with radiotherapy in HNSCC, and the screening of potential vaccines against Mycoplasma synoviae.

Scroll down to learn more and uncover insights from these new research studies!

Pancreatic Acinar Cells-Derived Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Contributes to Fibrosis of Chronic Pancreatitis via Inducing Autophagy and Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells

Authors: Wang, D., Han, S., Lv, G., Hu, Y., Zhuo, W., Zeng, Z., Tang, J…
Journal: Gastroenterology

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Studies have demonstrated that the activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) play a crucial role in pancreatic fibrogenesis in chronic pancreatitis (CP), while the precise mechanism for PSCs activation has not been fully elucidated. We analyzed that the role of injured pancreatic acinar cells (iPACs)...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG (H+L) Secondary Antibody, Cy3 Conjugated (BA1032)

Selective Targeting of IL2Rbg Combined With Radiotherapy Triggers CD8- and NK-Mediated Immunity, Abrogating Metastasis in HNSCC

Authors: Gadwa, J., Amann, M., Bickett, T.E., Knitz, M.W., Darragh, L.B…
Journal: Cell Reports Medicine

The implementation of cancer immunotherapies has seen limited clinical success in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Interleukin-2 (IL-2), which modulates the survival and functionality of lymphocytes, is an attractive target for new immunotherapies but one that is limited by presence of regulatory T cells (Tregs)...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Human IL-2/Interleukin-2 ELISA Kit PicoKine® (EK0397)

Human Forebrain Organoid-Based Multi-Omics Analyses of PCCB as a Schizophrenia Associated Gene Linked to GABAergic Pathways

Authors: Zhang, W., Zhang, M., Xu, Z., Yan, H., Wang, H., Jiang, J., Wan, J…
Journal: Nature Communications

Identifying genes whose expression is associated with schizophrenia (SCZ) risk by transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) facilitates downstream experimental studies. Here, we integrated multiple published datasets of TWAS, gene coexpression, and differential gene expression analysis to prioritize SCZ candidate genes for functional...

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Cited Boster Product(s): Goat Anti-Mouse IgG (H+L) Secondary Antibody, Cy3 Conjugated (BA1031)

Good news! We're happy to announce that we have established a warehouse in the Netherlands that has already started operations! With our new warehouse, we hope to enable faster shipping for all our customers in Europe. For products in stock, this arrangement will significantly reduce lead time.

To check if a product is in stock at our Netherlands warehouse, please visit any product page and select “Europe (including UK)” in the “Add to Cart”/“Get a Quote” box, which will display sto...

Welcome to this month's Research Spotlight where we delve into an array of exciting scientific discoveries!

For the field of neuroscience, scientists examined the significance of G3BP2-Tau interaction for Tau aggregation as well as the role of SMN for neurodegeneration. In gastroenterology, researchers presented modified prebiotic-based probiotics as a novel approach for treating colitis. Furthermore, another study offered insights into the connections between gut microbiota and diabetic...

Writing a winning research grant proposal is essential for securing funding to support your scientific endeavors. However, crafting a successful proposal can be a daunting task, even for experienced researchers. Research grant proposals require careful planning, strategic thinking, and attention...

When applying for a research grant, the rationale of your project is one of the most critical components of your grant proposal. Your rationale should justify why your research is necessary and why it is worth funding. A well-crafted rationale can help demonstrate the significance and potential impact of your project, ultimately raising your chances of receiving funding. Below, we discuss some guidelines for crafting...

When applying for research grants, an important component of your proposal is the budget. A well-planned budget can help convince funders that your project is feasible and will have a significant impact. However, creating a budget can be challenging, especially for early-career researchers who may not have experience in managing research funds. In this blog, we discuss some tips for budgeting for your research grant proposal.

Understand the funder's guidelines

Before creating a budget, it's essential to understand the funder's guidelines. Each funding agency may have different rules and regulations about what expenses are eligible for funding. Some may have specific limits on how much funding can be allocated to different categories, such as personnel, travel, and equipment. It's critical to read the guidelines carefully and make sure that your budget adheres to them.

Plan ahead

Creating a budget requires careful planning and attention to detail. Start by outlining the different categories of expenses that your project will incur, such as personnel, equipment, supplies, and travel. Consider the duration of your project and estimate the costs for each category for the entire project timeline. Be realistic and considerate of potential delays or unexpected expenses.

Be specific and detailed

Your budget should be as detailed as possible to provide clarity and transparency to funders. Provide a breakdown of each expense category, including the number of personnel involved, the duration of their involvement, and their hourly or daily rates. When listing equipment and supplies, provide thorough descriptions and itemized costs.

Justify the expenses

Funders want to know that their investment will be used efficiently and effectively. Therefore, you will need to justify each expense and demonstrate how it will contribute to the success of your project. For example, if you're requesting funds for travel expenses, explain how attending a conference or meeting will contribute to your...

Research grants are a critical source of funding for scientists, researchers, and academics across various fields. However, searching for relevant grants for your research project can be a daunting task. With numerous funding opportunities available, it can be challenging to navigate the funding landscape and find the right fit. In this blog, we will share some guidelines...