Search

The lack of efficient tools to image non-repetitive genes in living cells has limited our ability to explore the functional impact of the spatiotemporal dynamics of such genes. Here, we addressed this issue by developing a CRISPR-Tag system using one to four highly active sgRNAs to specifically label protein-coding genes with a high signal-to-noise ratio for visualization by wide-field fluorescence microscopy. Our approach involves assembling a CRISPR-Tag within the intron region of a fluorescent protein and then integrating this cassette to N- or C-terminus of a specific gene, which enables simultaneous real-time imaging of protein and DNA of human protein-coding genes, such as HIST2H2BE, LMNA and HSPA8 in living cells. This CRISPR-Tag system, with a minimal size of ~250 bp DNA tag, represents an easily and broadly applicable technique to study the spatiotemporal organization of genomic elements in living cells.

Superresolution images reconstructed from single-molecule localizations can reveal cellular structures close to the macromolecular scale and are now being used routinely in many biomedical research applications. However, because of their coordinate-based representation, a widely applicable and unified analysis platform that can extract a quantitative description and biophysical parameters from these images is yet to be established. Here, we propose a conceptual framework for correlation analysis of coordinate-based superresolution images using distance histograms. We demonstrate the application of this concept in multiple scenarios, including image alignment, tracking of diffusing molecules, as well as for quantification of colocalization, showing its superior performance over existing approaches.

The three-dimensional organization of the genome plays important roles in regulating the functional output of the genome and even in the maintenance of epigenetic inheritance and genome stability. Here, we review and compare a number of newly developed methods-especially those that utilize the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)-Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system-that enable the direct visualization of specific, endogenous DNA sequences in living cells. We also discuss the practical considerations in implementing the CRISPR imaging technique to achieve sufficient signal-to-background levels, high specificity, and high labeling efficiency. These DNA labeling methods enable tracking of the copy number, localization, and movement of genomic elements, and we discuss the potential applications of these methods in understanding the searching and targeting mechanism of the Cas9-sgRNA complex, investigating chromosome organization, and visualizing genome instability and rearrangement.

Manganese‐based material is a prospective cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) by virtue of its high theoretical capacity, high operating voltage, and low price. However, the manganese dissolution during the electrochemical reaction causes its electrochemical cycling stability to be undesirable. In this work, heterointerface engineering‐induced oxygen defects are introduced into heterostructure MnO2 (δa‐MnO2) by in situ electrochemical activation to inhibit manganese dissolution for aqueous zinc ion batteries. Meanwhile, the heterointerface between the disordered amorphous and the crystalline MnO2 of δa‐MnO2 is decisive for the formation of oxygen defects. And the experimental results indicate that the manganese dissolution of δa‐MnO2 is considerably inhibited during the charge/discharge cycle. Theoretical analysis indicates that the oxygen defect regulates the electronic and band structure and the Mn‐O bonding state of the electrode material, thereby promoting electron transport kinetics as well as inhibiting Mn dissolution. Consequently, the capacity of δa‐MnO2 does not degrade after 100 cycles at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 and also 91% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1. This study provides a promising insight into the development of high‐performance manganese‐based cathode materials through a facile and low‐cost strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatiotemporal organization and dynamics of chromatin play critical roles in regulating genome function. However, visualizing specific, endogenous genomic loci remains challenging in living cells. Here, we demonstrate such an imaging technique by repurposing the bacterial CRISPR/Cas system. Using an EGFP-tagged endonuclease-deficient Cas9 protein and a structurally optimized small guide (sg) RNA, we show robust imaging of repetitive elements in telomeres and coding genes in living cells. Furthermore, an array of sgRNAs tiling along the target locus enables the visualization of nonrepetitive genomic sequences. Using this method, we have studied telomere dynamics during elongation or disruption, the subnuclear localization of the MUC4 loci, the cohesion of replicated MUC4 loci on sister chromatids, and their dynamic behaviors during mitosis. This CRISPR imaging tool has potential to significantly improve the capacity to study the conformation and dynamics of native chromosomes in living human cells.