The first molecular tool to visualize genetic mosaics in cells in vivo
It is called Beatrix and will allow to study the genetic mosaicism typical of neurological and oncological diseases. It has been developed by Cnr Nano and Scuola Normale Superiore researchers, its first results are published in Nature Communications.
Several neurodevelopmental diseases are characterized by genetic mosaicsm: in this condition, cells belonging to the same organ expresses two different genes because of mutations during embryonic development. This condition is also present in the early phases of tumor development where a subset of cells expresses oncogenes and are intermingled with cells expressing a normal genome. The study of the physio pathological processes occurring in a genetic mosaic are very difficult because of the absence of a specific technique for the generation and revelation of a genetic mosaic. In a study published on Nature Communications, Gian Michele Ratto and collab. describe the generation and characterization of Beatrix: a fluorescent sensor/effector specifically designed for the generation of genetic mosaics that can be revealed in vivo by the expression of a bi-colour fluorescent tag that univocally identifies the cell genome. Modelling genetic mosaicism of neurodevelopmental disorders in vivo by a Cre-amplifying fluorescent reporter, F. Trovato, R. Parra, E. Pracucci, S. Landi, O. Cozzolino, G. Nardi, F. Cruciani, V. Pillai, L. Mosti, A. W. Cwetsch, L. Cancedda, L. Gritti, C. Sala, C. Verpelli, A. Maset, C. Lodovichi, G. M. Ratto, Nat Commun 11, 6194 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19864-w[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Several neurodevelopmental diseases are characterized by genetic mosaicsm: in this condition, cells belonging to the same organ expresses two different genes because of mutations during embryonic development. This condition is also present in the early phases of tumor development where a subset of cells expresses oncogenes and are intermingled with cells expressing a normal genome. The study of the physio pathological processes occurring in a genetic mosaic are very difficult because of the absence of a specific technique for the generation and revelation of a genetic mosaic. In a study published on Nature Communications, Gian Michele Ratto and collab. describe the generation and characterization of Beatrix: a fluorescent sensor/effector specifically designed for the generation of genetic mosaics that can be revealed in vivo by the expression of a bi-colour fluorescent tag that univocally identifies the cell genome.

Modelling genetic mosaicism of neurodevelopmental disorders in vivo by a Cre-amplifying fluorescent reporter, F. Trovato, R. Parra, E. Pracucci, S. Landi, O. Cozzolino, G. Nardi, F. Cruciani, V. Pillai, L. Mosti, A. W. Cwetsch, L. Cancedda, L. Gritti, C. Sala, C. Verpelli, A. Maset, C. Lodovichi, G. M. Ratto, Nat Commun 11, 6194 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19864-w[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Content

Innovative GFP-based sensor paves the way for rapid virus detection in clinical settings

Innovative GFP-based sensor paves the way for rapid virus detection in clinical settings

Cnr Nano team developed a FRET-based sensor that detects the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein in biological fluids, leveraging GFP fluorescence and…
Flexible and biodegradable nanocellulose piezoelectric arrays for medicine and energy

Flexible and biodegradable nanocellulose piezoelectric arrays for medicine and energy

Researchers at the Cnr Nano have developed flexible, biodegradable piezoelectric devices made from cellulose nanocrystals. These high-performance devices offer innovative…
Innovative micelles for brain drug delivery in REMEDY Project

Innovative micelles for brain drug delivery in REMEDY Project

The REMEDY project, led by Cnr Nano, bridges nanotechnology and medicine to improve drug delivery for central nervous system diseases.