Biology subjects

Lauer, G.

Publications and source records attributed to Lauer, G..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

PinkyCaMP a mScarlet-based calcium sensor with exceptional brightness, photostability, and multiplexing capabilities

Genetically encoded calcium (Ca2+) indicators (GECIs) are widely used for imaging neuronal activity, yet current limitations of existing red fluorescent GECIs have constrained their applicability. The inherently dim fluorescence and low signal-to-noise ratio of red-shifted GECIs have posed significant challenges. More critically, several red-fluorescent GECIs exhibit photoswitching when exposed to blue light, thereby limiting their applicability in all-optical experimental approaches. Here, we present the development of PinkyCaMP, the first mScarlet-based Ca2+ sensor that outperforms current red fluorescent sensors in brightness, photostability, signal-to-noise ratio, and compatibility with optogenetics and neurotransmitter imaging. PinkyCaMP is well-tolerated by neurons, showing no toxicity or aggregation, both in vitro and in vivo. All imaging approaches, including single-photon excitation methods such as fiber photometry, widefield imaging, miniscope imaging, as well as two-photon imaging in awake mice, are fully compatible with PinkyCaMP.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Axolotl mandible regeneration occurs through mechanical gap closure and a shared regenerative program with the limb

The mandible plays an essential part in human life and, thus, defects in this structure can dramatically impair the quality of life in patients. Axolotls, unlike humans, are capable of regenerating their lower jaws; however, the underlying mechanisms and their similarity to those in limb regeneration are unknown. In this work, we used morphological, histological, and transcriptomic approaches to analyze the regeneration of lateral resection defects in the axolotl mandible. We found that this structure can regenerate all missing tissues in 90 days through gap minimization, blastema formation, and finally tissue growth, differentiation, and integration. Moreover, transcriptomic comparisons of regenerating mandibles and limbs showed that they share molecular phases of regeneration, that these similarities peak during blastema stages, and that mandible regeneration occurs at a slower pacing. Altogether, our study demonstrates the existence of a shared regenerative program used in two different regenerating body structures with different embryonic origins in the axolotl, and contributes to our understanding of the minimum requirements for a successful regeneration in vertebrates, bringing us closer to understand similar lesions in human mandibles.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Fine-mapping of genetic loci driving spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection

Approximately three quarters of acute HCV infections evolve to a chronic state, while one quarter are spontaneously cleared. Genetic predispositions strongly contribute to the development of chronicity. We have conducted a genome-wide association study to identify genomic variants underlying HCV spontaneous clearance using Immunochip in European and African ancestries. We confirmed two previously reported significant associations, in the IL28B/IFNL41,2 and MHC regions, with spontaneous clearance in the European population. We further fine-mapped the MHC association to a region of about 50 kilo base pairs, down from 1 mega base pairs in the previous study. Additional analyses suggested that the association in the MHC locus might be significantly stronger for virus subtype 1a than 1b, suggesting that viral subtype may have influenced the genetic mechanism underlying the clearance of HCV.

immunology↗