RESUMEN
Biology can be misused, and the risk of this causing widespread harm increases in step with the rapid march of technological progress. A key security challenge involves attribution: determining, in the wake of a human-caused biological event, who was responsible. Recent scientific developments have demonstrated a capability for detecting whether an organism involved in such an event has been genetically modified and, if modified, to infer from its genetic sequence its likely lab of origin. We believe this technique could be developed into powerful forensic tools to aid the attribution of outbreaks caused by genetically engineered pathogens, and thus protect against the potential misuse of synthetic biology.
Asunto(s)
Bioterrorismo/prevención & control , ADN/análisis , Genética Forense/métodos , Organismos Modificados Genéticamente/genética , Medidas de Seguridad , Animales , Biotecnología , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles/métodos , Enfermedades Transmisibles/microbiología , Enfermedades Transmisibles/transmisión , Conjuntos de Datos como Asunto , Ingeniería Genética , Humanos , Organismos Modificados Genéticamente/patogenicidad , Virulencia/genéticaRESUMEN
Tissue-engineered nerve guides can provide mechanical support as well as chemical stimulation for nerve regeneration. PC12 cells were used to test the novel combination of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and macroporous collagen-based microcarriers (CultiSphers) as an initial phase in the fabrication of multichanneled nerve guides. Laminin-coated PCL was an effective matrix for the attachment, proliferation, and viability of PC12 cells, relative to uncoated PCL. PC12 cells attached to laminin-coated PCL and extended neurites when cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells attached and proliferated on CultiSphers and extended neurites in response to NGF. A novel PCL/CultiSpher composite material also supported PC12 attachment and proliferation and provides a potentially useful material for the fabrication of synthetic nerve guides.
