Brooks, L. J. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2024

A video-rate hyperspectral camera for monitoring plant health and biodiversity

Hyperspectral cameras are a key enabling technology in precision agriculture, biodiversity monitoring, and ecological research. Consequently, these applications are fuelling a growing demand for devices that are suited to widespread deployment in such environments. Current hyperspectral cameras, however, require significant investment in post-processing, and rarely allow for live-capture assessments. Here, we introduce a novel hyperspectral camera that combines live spectral data and high-resolution imagery. This camera is suitable for integration with robotics and automated monitoring systems. We explore the utility of this camera for applications including chlorophyll detection and live display of spectral indices relating to plant health. We discuss the performance of this novel technology and associated hyperspectral analysis methods to support an ecological study of grassland habitats at Wytham Woods, UK.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

The white matter is a pro-differentiative microenvironment for glioblastoma

Glioblastomas are hierarchically organised tumours driven by glioma stem cells that retain partial differentiation potential. Glioma stem cells are maintained in specialised microenvironments, but how they undergo lineage progression outside of these niches remains unclear. Here we identify the white matter as a differentiative niche for glioblastomas with oligodendrocyte lineage competency. Tumour cells in contact with white matter acquire pre-oligodendrocyte-like fate, resulting in decreased proliferation and invasion. Differentiation is a response to white matter injury, which is caused by tumour infiltration itself in a tumoursuppressive feedback loop. Mechanistically, tumour cell differentiation is driven by selective white matter upregulation of SOX10, a master regulator of normal oligodendrogenesis. SOX10 overexpression or treatment with myelination-promoting agents that upregulate endogenous SOX10, mimic this response, leading to white matter-independent pre-oligodendrocyte-like differentiation and tumour suppression in vivo. Thus, glioblastoma recapitulates an injury response and exploiting this latent programme may offer treatment opportunities for a subset of patients.

cancer biology↗