Here's a look at what's coming up in the July 2013 issue of JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments.
This month, we take a dip in the zebrafish tank and use this classical laboratory model to study muscle function. Sloboda, et al. measure force generation during trunk muscle contraction in zebrafish larvae. This is done by attaching the larvae to a force transducer and a length controller; the authors then apply an electrical field to stimulate the muscle fibers, and determine the force-generating capacity of the larval muscles. This gives a useful measure of muscle function and overall health.
Leuzinger, et al. combine farming with pharma in demonstrating a transgenic plant-based system for expressing biopharmaceuticals on an agricultural scale. The authors agroinfiltrate plant leaves with viral vectors to induce high-level transient expression of recombinant proteins, which can lead to large-scale pharmaceutical production to meet increasing worldwide demands.
Moving on to JoVE Behavior, we highlight an article on aggression, which is a natural response to intruders in virtually all animals. Koolhaas, et al. demonstrate the resident-intruder paradigm in rats and illustrate various natural behaviors against intruders, including social exploration, lateral threat, chase, and attack.
In JoVE Clinical and Translational Medicine, we focus on psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Gupta, et al. demonstrate the Goeckerman regimen, a psoriasis treatment that applies ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy Followed by crude coal tar (CCT). Developed in 1925 by the American dermatologist William H. Goeckerman, this treatment has an excellent safety profile compared to immune-suppressing drugs, and is extremely effective in treating psoriasis.
Finally, in JoVE Bioengineering, we highlight the incredible versatility of nucleic acids. Besides storing information that directs countless biological processes, nucleic acids can be programmed to self-assemble into two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures. Ben-Ishay, et al. use caDNAno software to design DNA origami nanorobots, which can sense biological cues and exert specific effects. These nanorobots harness the remarkable features of DNA and may advance the field of nanotechnology with a broad range of potential therapeutic and industrial applications.
You’ve just had a sneak peek of a few highlights from the July 2013 issue. Visit the website to see the full-length articles and many more in JoVE: The Journal of Visualized Experiments.