Biology subjects

Nguyen, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Nguyen, C..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

PEPOP: new approaches to mimic non-continous epitopes

Bioinformatics methods are helpful to identify new molecules for diagnostic or therapeutic applications. For example, the use of peptides capable of mimicking binding sites has several benefits as replacing a protein difficult to produce, or toxic. Using peptides is less expensive. Peptides are easier to manipulate, and can be used as drugs. Continuous epitope predicted by bioinformatics tools are commonly used and these sequential epitopes are used as such in further experiments. Numerous discontinuous epitope predictors have been developed but only two bioinformatics tools proposed so far to predict peptide sequences: Superficial and PEPOP. PEPOP can generate series of peptide sequences that can replace continuous or discontinuous epitopes in their interaction with their cognate antibody. We have developed an improved version of PEPOP dedicated to answer to the experimentalists need for a tool able to handle proteins and to turn them into peptides. The PEPOP web site has been reorganized by peptide prediction category and is therefore better formulated to experimental designs. Since the first version of PEPOP, 32 new methods of peptide design were developed. In total, PEPOP proposes 35 methods in which 34 deal specifically with discontinuous epitopes, the most represented epitope type in nature.\n\nWe present the user-friendly, well-structured web-site of PEPOP and its validation through the use of predicted immunogenic or antigenic peptides mimicking discontinuous epitopes in different experimental ways. PEPOP proposes 35 methods of peptide design to guide experimentalists in using peptides potentially capable of replacing the cognate protein in its interaction with an Ab.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2018

Development of an on-chip detection of Zika virus and antibodies simultaneously using array of nanowells

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections are an emerging health pandemic of significant medical importance. ZIKV appeared recently in the Americas from Africa via the South Pacific. The current outbreak has garnered attention by exhibiting unique characteristics of devastating neurodevelopmental defects in newborns of infected pregnant women. Current guidelines for ZIKV diagnostics developed by the Center of Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) consist of nucleic acid testing, plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and a serologic test for IgM detection. To better accommodate and comply with these guidelines, we developed a simultaneous on-chip detection of ZIKV and anti-ZIKV antibodies using an array of nanowells. Using on-chip microengraving, we were able to detect anti-ZIKV antibodies and their immunoglobulin isotypes. In parallel, applying on-chip real-time PCR with epifluorescence microscopy, we were able to quantify ZIKV viral load as low as one copy. To test clinical samples of patients at the postconvalescent stage, we analyzed samples from 8 patients. The on-chip nanowells could effectively identify antibodies that reacted against ZIKV envelope protein and their isotypes with high sensitivity and specificity. The small sample requirement with high specificity and sensitivity and combined molecular and serological tests could potentially be very advantageous and beneficial in accurate detection of Zika infection for better disease monitoring and management.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2017

Social interactions impact on the dopaminergic system and drive individuality

Individuality is a ubiquitous and well-conserved feature among animal species. The behavioral patterns of individual animals affect their respective role in the ecosystem and their prospects for survival. Even though some of the factors shaping individuality have been identified, the mechanisms underlying individuation are poorly understood and are generally considered to be genetics-based. Here we devised a large environment where mice live continuously, and observed that individuality, measured by both social and individual traits, emerged and settled within the group. Midbrain dopamine neurons underwent neurophysiological adaptations that mirrored this phenotypic divergence in individual behaviors. Strikingly, modifying the social environment resulted in a fast re-adaptation of both the animals personality and its dopaminergic signature. These results indicate that individuality can rapidly evolve upon social challenges, and does not just depend on the genetic or epigenetic initial status of the animal.

neuroscience↗