Biology subjects

Nisbet, D. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Nisbet, D. R..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Selonsertib-Eluting Electrode Coating Attenuates Cochlear Injury Pathways

Cochlear implants partially restore sound sensation for individuals with severe-to-profound hearing loss. This can significantly improve the recipients quality of life, largely through improved communication with spoken language. However, surgical trauma from electrode insertion also instigates biological responses that can compromise device performance and longevity. To address these limitations, we designed a novel polymer-based coating that provides controlled release of selonsertib, an apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) inhibitor with well described anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis and cytoprotective properties. We describe the physical and molecular evaluation of this coating, including the application of next generation mass spectrometry-based proteomics in mammalian cochlear explants and their culture medium. These analyses provide new insights into the acute tissue response in the damaged cochlea and demonstrate that selonsertib eluted from the polymer coating has a significant pro-survival, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrosis effect. This study establishes proof-of-concept for selonsertib-eluting polymers, demonstrating both feasibility for targeted drug delivery and efficacy for mitigating acute cochlear damage responses.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Spatially precise neuron formation via hydrogel mediated modulation of the host astrocyte response

The regenerative capacity of the central nervous system after injury or disease is limited. Advancements in genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of non-neuronal cells into induced neurons presents a promising strategy for neuronal replacement and circuit reconstruction yet is hindered by suboptimal reprogramming efficacy. Here, we have achieved high astrocyte-to-neuron reprogramming efficacy through the ectopic expression of a SOX2 transcription factor using adeno-associated viral vectors. We subsequently designed a hybrid composite biomaterial to act as an implantable reprogramming workshop that perform sequential operations. Once injected, this bespoke system forms a tissue mimetic hydrogel encouraging the ingress of astrocytes to act as our raw material. We demonstrate that the system localized and enhanced the spatially confined delivery of reprogramming factors, entrapping astrocytes to then pass through an intermediate neuroblast state to robustly yield mature neurons. Sustained delivery of valproic acid within the system further promoted neuronal maturation. Overall, using design rules informed by requirements of the reprogramming strategy, we have designed a smart delivery system optimized for both the target tissue and reprogramming factors in a minimally invasive manner to enhance neural repair. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=163 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/695501v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (65K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@397e41org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@90047forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1175831org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19f30eb_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

A Minimally Invasive, Scalable and Reproducible Neonatal Rat Model of Severe Focal Brain Injury

BackgroundNeonatal brain injuries such as stroke cause focal ischemic lesions that often result in lifelong neurological disabilities, as treatment options are limited. To speed up the discovery of potential therapies, early-phase screening with models that reliably reproduce brain injury, with scalable injury volume and minimal confounders, such as varying anaesthesia duration and painful procedures, is essential. MethodsPostnatal day 10 Sprague-Dawley rats of both sexes, with four litters per group and timepoint, were randomly allocated to delivery of intraperitoneal Rose Bengal (25, 40, or 60 mg/kg) and 10 minutes of light-emitting diode illumination through the intact scalp and skull. Infarct progression and reproducibility were assessed at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days post-injury. Outcomes included infarct volume and sensorimotor function, and cleaved caspase-3, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ionised calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) immunoreactivity, with analysis of sex differences. Data were analysed using one-way or two-way ANOVA with Sidaks post-hoc tests. ResultsThere was no mortality due to the infarct, and procedure time was approximately 19 minutes across all groups; the lesion was consistent and supported scalability. The 25 mg/kg dose produced a reproducible cortical infarct (3.74 {+/-} 0.58 mm3; CV = 31%). Lesion size increased with dose and decreased over time (11.15 {+/-} 0.63 mm3 at 60 mg/kg versus 0.05 {+/-} 0.007 mm3 at 14 days; p < 0.0001). Cleaved caspase-3 and glial activation persisted for 14 days, indicating ongoing apoptosis and gliosis. No sex-dependent effects were observed in lesion volume, behaviour, or gliosis. ConclusionsThis refined neonatal photothrombotic ischaemia model is reproducible, scalable, and ethically improved, requiring no skin incision. Its minimal surgical burden, absence of mortality, consistent histopathology, and measurable functional outcomes make it an ideal platform for preclinical screening of neuroprotective and reparative interventions in the developing brain.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Electrodetection of small molecules by conformation-mediated signal enhancement

Electrochemical biosensors allow the rapid, selective, and sensitive transduction of critical biological parameters into measurable signals. However, current electrochemical biosensors often fail to selectively and sensitively detect small molecules due to their small size and low molecular complexity. We have developed an electrochemical biosensing platform that harnesses the analyte-dependent conformational change of highly selective solute-binding proteins to amplify the signal generated by analyte binding. Using this platform, we constructed and characterized two biosensors that can sense leucine and glycine, respectively. We show that these biosensors can selectively and sensitively detect their targets over a wide range of concentrations - up to seven orders of magnitude - and that the selectivity of these sensors can be readily altered by switching the bioreceptors binding domain. Our work represents a new paradigm for the design of a family of modular electrochemical biosensors, where access to electrode surfaces can be controlled by protein conformational change.

biochemistry↗