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Optogenetic skeletal muscle cells embedded in a natural hydrogel matrix self-assemble to form mature contractile myotubes. When the fibers are coupled to a 3D-printed soft robotic skeleton, optically stimulated contraction of this muscle tissue can produce force and generate directional locomotion. These muscle bioactuators set the stage for the next generation of bio-hybrid machines, termed bio-bots. Tissue stained by Vincent Chan and imaged by Vincent Chan and Ritu Raman. Image from Cvetkovic, C. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 111, 1012510130 (2014).
In the last decade, super-resolution microscopy has enabled us to image cells with unprecedented detail. This Perspective discusses how the field can move beyond images to extract quantitative biological information from multidimensional SMLM data.
Specific and sensitive tools for quantifying intracellular magnesium cations are needed in biochemical research. This protocol describes the synthesis and use of a fluorescent Mg2+ probe based on diaza-18-crown-6-hydroxyquinoline.
This protocol describes the synthesis of two photoredox catalysts, [Ir{dF(CF3)2ppy}2(bpy)]PF6 and [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2, that are activated by visible light. These single-electron transfer agents are used to facilitate diverse synthetic transformations.
Cu-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (AAA) is used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and natural products. This protocol uses organolithium reagents in the Cu-catalyzed AAA of allylic substrates with Taniaphos or phosphoramidites as ligands.
This protocol describes how to develop linear models to predict individual behavior from brain connectivity data with proper cross-validation, and how to use an online tool to visualize the most predictive features of the models.
This protocol describes steps to design and generate biological machines. Ring-shaped skeletal muscle actuators are cultured and coupled to a 3D-printed skeleton. Contraction of muscle rings can be controlled by optical or electrical stimulation.
Single-cell bisulfite sequencing (scBS-seq) is a cost-effective method for surveying CpG methylation across genomes of single cells. It gives higher coverage than other methods, is automatable and is compatible with parallel RNA-seq from the same cell.
The authors describe here a core protocol with three variants, in which S. thermophilus cells are challenged with phages to study the adaptive nature of this bacterial CRISPR system. In addition, they elaborate on the use of this protocol in undergraduate education.
Geo-seq combines laser capture microdissection and single-cell RNA-seq technology to enable transcriptome analysis of small quantities of cells from defined geographical locations.
This protocol provides a pipeline for increasing and evaluating the efficiency of genome editing by ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR–Cas9 that includes enrichment of nuclease-expressing cells by FACS, followed by Indel Detection by Amplicon Analysis (IDAA).
This protocol describes a simple, metal- and additive-free method to convert haloarenes directly to boronic acids and esters. These can be used to synthesize organic compounds for applications including drug discovery and materials science.
hiCLIP is an NGS-based method for identifying RNA duplexes that interact with an RNA-binding protein of interest. A unique feature is the inclusion of a linker that allows both parts of the duplex to be identified with certainty.