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Bioprinting technology offers unprecedented opportunities to construct in vitro tissue models that recapitulate the 3D morphology and functionality of native tissue. Yet, it remains difficult to obtain adequate functional readouts from such models. In particular, it is challenging to position sensors in desired locations within pre‐fabricated 3D bioprinted structures. At the same time, bioprinting tissue directly onto a sensing device is not feasible due to interference with the printer head. As such, a multi‐sensing platform inspired by origami that overcomes these challenges by "folding" around a separately fabricated 3D tissue structure is proposed, allowing for the insertion of electrodes into precise locations, which are custom‐defined using computer‐aided‐design software. The multi‐sensing origami platform (MSOP) can be connected to a commercial multi‐electrode array (MEA) system for data‐acquisition and processing. To demonstrate the platform, how integrated 3D MEA electrodes can record neuronal electrical activity in a 3D model of a neurovascular unit is shown. The MSOP also enables a microvascular endothelial network to be cultured separately and integrated with the 3D tissue structure. Accordingly, how impedance‐based sensors in the platform can measure endothelial barrier function is shown. It is further demonstrated the device's versatility by using it to measure neuronal activity in brain organoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used the human embryonic stem (ES) cell line WA9 (also known as H9) expressing GFP under the HES5 promoter (4) to isolate defined neural progenitor populations of neuroepithelial (NE), [...], Models derived from human pluripotent stem cells that accurately recapitulate neural development in vitro and allow for the generation of specific neuronal subtypes are of major interest to the stem cell and biomedical community. Notch signalling, particularly through the Notch effector HES5, is a major pathway critical for the onset and maintenance of neural progenitor cells in the embryonic and adult nervous system (1-3). Here we report the transcriptional and epigenomic analysis of six consecutive neural progenitor cell stages derived from a HES5::eGFP reporter human embryonic stem cell line (4). Using this system, we aimed to model cell-fate decisions including specification, expansion and patterning during the ontogeny of cortical neural stem and progenitor cells. In order to dissect regulatory mechanisms that orchestrate the stage-specific differentiation process, we developed a computational framework to infer key regulators of each cell-state transition based on the progressive remodelling of the epigenetic landscape and then validated these through a pooled short hairpin RNA screen. We were also able to refine our previous observations on epigenetic priming at transcription factor binding sites and suggest here that they are mediated by combinations of core and stage-specific factors. Taken together, we demonstrate the utility of our system and outline a general framework, not limited to the context of the neural lineage, to dissect regulatory circuits of differentiation.

Dengue virus (DENV)causes dengue fever, a major health concern worldwide. We identified an amphipathic helix (AH) in the N-terminal region of the viral nonstructural protein 4A (NS4A). Disruption of its amphipathic nature using mutagenesis reduced homo-oligomerization and abolished viral replication. These data emphasize the significance of NS4A in the life cycle of the dengue virus and demarcate it as a target for the design of novel antiviral therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandfly-borne Toscana virus (TOSV) is an enveloped tri-segmented negative single-strand RNA Phlebovirus . It is an emerging virus predominantly endemic in southwestern Europe and Northern Africa. Although TOSV infection is typically asymptomatic or results in mild febrile disease, it is neurovirulent and ranks among the three most common causes of summer meningitis in certain regions. Despite this clinical significance, our understanding of the molecular aspects and host factors regulating phlebovirus infection is limited. This study characterized the early steps of TOSV infection. Our findings reveal that two members of the Numb-associated kinases family of Ser/Thr kinases, namely adaptor-associated kinase 1 (AAK1) and cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK), play a role in regulating the early stages of TOSV entry. FDA-approved inhibitors targeting these kinases demonstrated significant inhibition of TOSV infection. This study suggests that AAK1 and GAK represent druggable targets for inhibiting TOSV infection and, potentially, related Phleboviruses .