Biology subjects

Asante, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Asante, D..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Highly Efficient Multiplexed Genome Engineering and Clone Selection to Enable Next Generation Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-based Cell Therapies

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have revolutionized regenerative medicine and cellular therapies. To improve the functionality and safety of iPSC-based therapies, genome engineering has been employed to disrupt gene expression and introduce therapeutic transgenes. However, current genome editing methods face significant challenges, including labor-intensive procedures, low efficiency, and safety concerns. Here, we report a novel and efficient approach for multiplex genome engineering in iPSCs using Integrase-mediated Programmable Genomic Integration (I-PGI) technology. I-PGI combines CRISPR-mediated genome editing and site-specific integrases, enabling precise gene insertion without DNA double-strand breaks. By optimizing I-PGI components and protocols, we achieved multiple gene knockouts and knock-ins of up to five transgenes in a single process. Additionally, we developed a streamlined workflow for enrichment, deposition, and screening of single-cell clones with the desired genome edits. This approach significantly accelerates and improves the precision of multiplex iPSC engineering, paving the way for next-generation iPSC-based therapies.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Varietal Reponses of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to different Nitrogen levels under Conventional Production Systems

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a vital staple crop globally, with its cultivation expanding to meet increasing demand. In Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ghana, rice productivity is often limited by poor soil fertility. Farmers frequently apply high nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates to boost yields; however, excessive nitrogen use contributes to environmental problems such as nutrient leaching and pollution. While optimal nitrogen application rates have been extensively studied, limited research has focused on varietal responses among rice genotypes. This study evaluated the response of five rice varieties (CRI-Agra Rice, Togo Marshall, CRI-Amankwatia, CRI-Enapa, and Jasmine 85) to different nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg N/ha), focusing on morphophysiological, biomass and yield-related traits. The findings showed significant (p < 0.001) variations in these traits with increasing nitrogen levels. Application of 90 kg N/ha led to substantial improvements: 40% increase in chlorophyll content, 34.3% in culm length, 71.4% in panicle number, 28.3% in straw dry weight and 42.9% in grain yield over the control (0 kg N/ha). Nitrogen significantly promoted vegetative growth, delayed flowering and enhanced biomass and grain production. Genotypic differences in nitrogen use efficiency were also observed. Togo Marshall, CRI-Agra Rice and Jasmine 85 showed over 30% increases in chlorophyll content, while CRI-Enapa exhibited higher plant height and panicle number at 90 kg N/ha. Togo Marshall and CRI-Enapa recorded the highest biomass and yield responses, indicating superior nitrogen utilization. Overall, CRI-Enapa and Togo Marshall performed best at 60-90 kg N/ha. These findings highlight the importance of genotype-specific nitrogen management strategies for improving rice productivity and sustainability in Ghana and similar regions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Comparing Robotic and Computer Vision Assessments of Unilateral and Bilateral Reaching in Healthy Adults

Assessment of reaching is foundational to upper limb neurorehabilitation. Current neurorehabilitation needs have increased the demand for quantitative clinical assessments of bilateral coordination. Robotics and computer vision for motion tracking are two means to provide relevant quantitative metrics but have many differences including the dimensionality of reaching movements (planar versus three-dimensional) and data acquisition. We do not know how consistent measures of bilateral coordination performance are between these different assessments. In this study, we examined how one robotic and one computer vision method can identify differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical reaching, and the correlations in movement time, and hand lag between these two approaches. Thirty healthy young adults completed four reaching games using the Kinarm exoskeleton robot and a custom developed augmented reality assessment using computer vision. We found that both approaches were able to detect well-established movement time and hand lag differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical reaching, with the differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical being larger with the computer vision approach. Moderate correlations were found between approaches for unilateral and symmetric reaching in both movement time and hand lags; however, no significant correlations were found between approaches for asymmetric reaching. Our results show that reaching task performance differs between robotic and computer vision-based assessment, however, both approaches provide quantitative metrics of unilateral and bilateral reaching that are consistent with prior research. There are benefits and tradeoffs to each approach, and this study informs how clinicians and researchers can consider the methodological differences when determining which assessment method to use.

neuroscience↗