Project description:We use Illumina sequencing to monitor mutations in the bacteriophage T7 genome in the presence of T7 DNA polymerase that has an altered exonuclease active site. These alterations include mutation of key residues in the exonuclease active site.
Project description:The phi X 174 bacteriophage was first sequenced in 1977, and has since become the most widely used standard in molecular biology and next-generation sequencing. However, with the advent of affordable DNA synthesis and de novo gene design, we considered whether we could engineer a synthetic genome, termed SynX, specifically tailored for use as a universal molecular standard. The SynX genome encodes 21 synthetic genes that can be in vitro transcribed to generate matched mRNA controls, and in vitro translated to generate matched protein controls. This enables the use of SynX as a matched control to compare across genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic experiments. The synthetic genes provide qualitative controls that measure sequencing accuracy across k-mers, GC-rich and repeat sequences, as well as act as quantitative controls that measure sensitivity and quantitative accuracy. We show how the SynX genome can measure DNA sequencing, evaluate gene expression in RNA sequencing experiments, or quantify proteins in mass spectrometry. Unlike previous spike-in controls, the SynX DNA, RNA and protein controls can be independently and sustainably prepared by recipient laboratories using common molecular biology techniques, and widely shared as a universal molecular standard.
Project description:Primary objectives: The primary objective is to investigate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Primary endpoints: circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) via deep sequencing for mutation detection and by whole genome sequencing for copy number analyses before start (baseline) with regorafenib and at defined time points during administration of regorafenib for treatment efficacy in colorectal cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS).
Project description:Bacteriophages are promising antibacterial agents. Although they have been recognized as bacterial viruses and are considered to be non-interacting with eukaryotic cells, there is growing evidence that phages may have a significant impact on the immune system via interactions with macrophages, neutrophils, and T-cell polarization. In this study, the influence of phages of podovirus, siphovirus, and myovirus morphotypes on humoral immunity of CD-1 mice was investigated. In addition, tissue distribution of the phages was tested in these mice. No common patterns were found either in the distribution of phages in mice or in changes in the levels of cytokines in the sera of mice once injected with phages. Importantly, pre-existing IgM-class antibodies directed against capsid proteins of phages with myovirus and siphovirus morphotypes were identified in mice before immunization. After triple immunization of CD1-mice with phages without any adjuvant, levels of anti-phage serum polyclonal IgG antibodies increased. Immunogenic phage proteins recognized by IgM and/or IgG antibodies were identified using Western blot analysis and mass spectrometry. In addition, mice serum collected after immunization demonstrated neutralizing properties, leading to a substantial decrease in infectivity of investigated phages with myovirus and siphovirus morphotypes. Moreover, serum samples collected before administration of these phages exhibited some ability to reduce the phage infectivity. Furthermore, Proteus phage PM16 with podovirus morphotype did not elicit IgM or IgG antibodies in immunized mice, and no neutralizing activities against PM16 were revealed in mouse serum samples before and after immunization.