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The Contribution and Application of Molecular Biology in the Applied Biosciences — Focusing on Medicine, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Fields

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A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 3395

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ioannis Tsamesidis

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Guest Editor

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: oxidative stress; Plasmodium falciparum; artemisinin; red blood cells; thalassemia; nanoparticles; ROS; antioxidants; hemoglobinopathies; antimalarials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Evangelia Stalika

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Guest Editor

1. Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, AUTH, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
2. Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; antioxidants; genetic profile; immunity; disease pathogenesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid development of new approaches and techniques in the area of molecular biology has led to new insights in the field of medicine for clinical applications and biomaterial science for tissue engineering approaches. More specifically, investigative methods of molecular biology have made inroads into uncovering fundamental medical processes that are revealed when we fully understand their molecular details. Cloning tools, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, DNA arrays and next-generation sequencing (nGS) are some of the molecular biology tools used in in guiding drug discovery and development diagnostic methods. The information that arises thanks to the above genetic tools in addition to patients’ reported outcomes covers all the elements that we have to take into consideration in routine clinical decision-making strategies in order to optimize the treatment benefit for patients. Additionally, as molecular biologists progressively discover the pathogenetic mechanisms that underly several entities, evidence regarding the correct combination of extracellular and intracellular chemical gradients, cellular attachements complexes and other stimuli required to activate tissue regeneration is revealed. The aim of this Special Issue is to gather all the relevant new insights and updates from the field of medicine, biomaterials and tissue engineering under the prism of molecular biology tools in order to obtain a more comprehensive view of the obstacles and challenges that are raised.

Dr. Ioannis Tsamesidis
Dr. Evangelia Stalika
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

medicine
biomaterials
tissue engineering
molecular biology
patients’ reported outcomes
personalized medicine

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3330 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Modified Bioceramic Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Cement with Mesoporous Nanoparticles on Human Gingival Fibroblasts

by Alexandra Kalash, Ioannis Tsamesidis, Georgia K. Pouroutzidou, Eleana Kontonasaki, Dimitrios Gkiliopoulos, Aristidis Arhakis, Konstantinos N. Arapostathis and Anna Theocharidou

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(4), 3005-3021; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46040188 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 585

Abstract

The ion doping of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) has played an important role in revolutionizing several materials applied in medicine and dentistry by enhancing their antibacterial and regenerative properties. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a dental material widely used in vital pulp therapies with high success rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the modification of MTA with cerium (Ce)- or calcium (Ca)-doped MSNs on the biological behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). MSNs were synthesized via sol–gel, doped with Ce and Ca ions, and mixed with MTA at three ratios each. Powder specimens were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Biocompatibility was evaluated using a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay following hGFs’ incubation in serial dilutions of material eluates. Antioxidant status was evaluated using Cayman’s antioxidant assay after incubating hGFs with material disc specimens, and cell attachment following dehydration fixation was observed through SEM. Material characterization confirmed the presence of mesoporous structures. Biological behavior and antioxidant capacity were enhanced in all cases with a statistically significant increase in CeMTA 50.50. The application of modified MTA with cerium-doped MSNs offers a promising strategy for vital pulp therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution and Application of Molecular Biology in the Applied Biosciences — Focusing on Medicine, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Fields)

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Review

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30 pages, 3426 KiB

Open AccessReview

Molecular Basis of Yeasts Antimicrobial Activity—Developing Innovative Strategies for Biomedicine and Biocontrol

by Ana-Maria Georgescu, Viorica Maria Corbu and Ortansa Csutak

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4721-4750; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050285 - 14 May 2024

Viewed by 328

Abstract

In the context of the growing concern regarding the appearance and spread of emerging pathogens with high resistance to chemically synthetized biocides, the development of new agents for crops and human protection has become an emergency. In this context, the yeasts present a huge potential as eco-friendly agents due to their widespread nature in various habitats and to their wide range of antagonistic mechanisms. The present review focuses on some of the major yeast antimicrobial mechanisms, their molecular basis and practical applications in biocontrol and biomedicine. The synthesis of killer toxins, encoded by dsRNA virus-like particles, dsDNA plasmids or chromosomal genes, is encountered in a wide range of yeast species from nature and industry and can affect the development of phytopathogenic fungi and other yeast strains, as well as human pathogenic bacteria. The group of the “red yeasts” is gaining more interest over the last years, not only as natural producers of carotenoids and rhodotorulic acid with active role in cell protection against the oxidative stress, but also due to their ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic yeasts, fungi and bacteria using these compounds and the mechanism of competition for nutritive substrate. Finally, the biosurfactants produced by yeasts characterized by high stability, specificity and biodegrability have proven abilities to inhibit phytopathogenic fungi growth and mycelia formation and to act as efficient antibacterial and antibiofilm formation agents for biomedicine. In conclusion, the antimicrobial activity of yeasts represents a direction of research with numerous possibilities of bioeconomic valorization as innovative strategies to combat pathogenic microorganisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution and Application of Molecular Biology in the Applied Biosciences — Focusing on Medicine, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Fields)

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39 pages, 1459 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Therapeutic Gene Editing Applications to Genetic Disorders

by Eric Deneault

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4147-4185; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050255 - 30 Apr 2024

Viewed by 608

Abstract

Recent years have witnessed unprecedented progress in therapeutic gene editing, revolutionizing the approach to treating genetic disorders. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the progression of milestones leading to the emergence of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based technology as a powerful tool for precise and targeted modifications of the human genome. CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease, base editing, and prime editing have taken center stage, demonstrating remarkable precision and efficacy in targeted ex vivo and in vivo genomic modifications. Enhanced delivery systems, including viral vectors and nanoparticles, have further improved the efficiency and safety of therapeutic gene editing, advancing their clinical translatability. The exploration of CRISPR-Cas systems beyond the commonly used Cas9, such as the development of Cas12 and Cas13 variants, has expanded the repertoire of gene editing tools, enabling more intricate modifications and therapeutic interventions. Outstandingly, prime editing represents a significant leap forward, given its unparalleled versatility and minimization of off-target effects. These innovations have paved the way for therapeutic gene editing in a multitude of previously incurable genetic disorders, ranging from monogenic diseases to complex polygenic conditions. This review highlights the latest innovative studies in the field, emphasizing breakthrough technologies in preclinical and clinical trials, and their applications in the realm of precision medicine. However, challenges such as off-target effects and ethical considerations remain, necessitating continued research to refine safety profiles and ethical frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution and Application of Molecular Biology in the Applied Biosciences — Focusing on Medicine, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Fields)

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27 pages, 2402 KiB

Open AccessReview

Harnessing Natural Polymers for Nano-Scaffolds in Bone Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Overview of Bone Disease Treatment

by Sushmita Saurav, Prashish Sharma, Anil Kumar, Zeba Tabassum, Madhuri Girdhar, Narsimha Mamidi and Anand Mohan

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(1), 585-611; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46010038 - 5 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1484

Abstract

Numerous surgeries are carried out to replace tissues that have been harmed by an illness or an accident. Due to various surgical interventions and the requirement of bone substitutes, the emerging field of bone tissue engineering attempts to repair damaged tissues with the help of scaffolds. These scaffolds act as template for bone regeneration by controlling the development of new cells. For the creation of functional tissues and organs, there are three elements of bone tissue engineering that play very crucial role: cells, signals and scaffolds. For the achievement of these aims, various types of natural polymers, like chitosan, chitin, cellulose, albumin and silk fibroin, have been used for the preparation of scaffolds. Scaffolds produced from natural polymers have many advantages: they are less immunogenic as well as being biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic and cost effective. The hierarchal structure of bone, from microscale to nanoscale, is mostly made up of organic and inorganic components like nanohydroxyapatite and collagen components. This review paper summarizes the knowledge and updates the information about the use of natural polymers for the preparation of scaffolds, with their application in recent research trends and development in the area of bone tissue engineering (BTE). The article extensively explores the related research to analyze the advancement of nanotechnology for the treatment of bone-related diseases and bone repair. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Contribution and Application of Molecular Biology in the Applied Biosciences — Focusing on Medicine, Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Fields)

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