Blockchain Press Releases
Kanazawa University research: Researchers define a protocol for narrow cantilever fabrication and high-resolution imaging of living cells using AFM
KANAZAWA, Japan, Aug. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Researchers at Kanazawa University report in STAR Protocols procedural details and tips for nanoendoscopy-AFM, for capturing images of nanoscale structures inside living cells.
Images of nanoscale structures inside living cells are in increasing demand for insights into cellular structure and function they can reveal. So far, the tools for capturing such images have been limited in various ways, but researchers led by Takeshi Fukuma and Takehiko Ichikawa at Kanazawa University have now devised and reported a full protocol for using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to image inside living cells.
AFM was first developed in the 1980s and uses the changes in the forces between a sample surface and a nanoscale tip attached to a cantilever to “feel” surfaces and produce images of the topography with nanoscale resolution. The technique has grown increasingly sophisticated for extracting information about samples and at speeds sufficient for the tool to capture moving images of dynamics at the nanoscale. However, so far, it has been limited to surfaces. Other techniques exist that can provide a view of the inside of a cell but with limitations. For instance, there is electron microscopy, which is capable of resolving details at the nanoscale and smaller, but the required operating conditions are not compatible with living cells. Alternatively, fluorescence microscopy is regularly used on living cells, but while fluorescence techniques exist to increase the resolution, there are practical challenges that inhibit fluorescence imaging at the nanoscale. AFM suffers from neither limitation and by embellishing the tool with a nanoneedle to penetrate cells, Fukuma, Ichikawa and their collaborators have recently demonstrated the capability to image inside cells at the nanoscale, which they describe as nanoendoscopy-AFM.
In their protocol, the researchers break down the method for nanoendoscopy-AFM into 4 stages. The first few steps involve cell preparation and staining with a fluorescent dye and checking the fluorescence, which is used to identify the imaging area quickly. Next is the fabrication of the nanoneedles themselves, for which there are two options – either etching away a nanoneedle structure with a focused ion beam or building one up with electron beam deposition. Then comes the nanoendoscopy stage itself, and in the report, the researchers describe the approach for both 2D and 3D nanoendoscopy. There are even details outlined to describe the best way to clean up after the nanoendoscopy images are captured before finally outlining the data processing needed to visualize the measured data. The method is replete with tips for successfully accomplishing each stage, as well as a guide for troubleshooting when things are not quite working out.
This technique should be suitable for the observation of intact intracellular structures, including mitochondria, focal adhesions, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus, organelle connections, and liquid-liquid phase-separated structures. They conclude, “This protocol can be expected to become a standard tool for studying nanoscale structures.”
Figure: https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/Graphical-abstract_EN.jpg
Caption: Overview of the method for observing actin fibers in living cells using nanoendoscopy-AFM. © 2023 Ichikawa, et al., STAR Protocols
Glossary
Atomic force microscopy
Atomic force microscopy detects the attractive forces between a sample surface and tip from the resulting deflection of a cantilever that bears a nanoscale tip. Because the tip gradually tapers to such a small area, and the attractive forces dwindle so rapidly with distance, the topography of the surface can be obtained with nanoscale resolution. The technique was first reported shortly after the scanning conductance microscope, and although it was not the first to report an imaging resolution potential on the atomic scale, it had the great advantage of operation requirements that are compatible with non-conducting samples and living cells. It has also since provided valuable insights into dynamic insights with the development of a high-speed version of the tool at Kanazawa University. The development of this nanoendoscopy-AFM to penetrate cells extends the scope of the tool even further.
In one variation of AFM, the tip oscillates up and down as it is scanned over a structure, and the effect of changes in the resonance frequency of the oscillating tip gives an indication of the forces it is subject to. Tapping, dynamic, or AC AFM, as this has been described, has been attractive for imaging fragile structures as no contact is made. Here it is used inside the cell for 2D nanoendoscopy. An alternative is 3D nanoendoscopy, where at each point that is raster scanned, the tip is retracted by a specified distance, which may be between 0.1 and 1 micrometres. The measured force until it reaches the set point is then noted at each point.
Reference
Takehiko Ichikawa, Mohammad Shahidul Alam, Marcos Penedo, Kyosuke Matsumoto, Sou Fujita, Keisuke Miyazawa, Hirotoshi Furusho, Kazuki Miyata, Chikashi Nakamura and Takeshi Fukuma
Protocol for live imaging of intracellular nanoscale structures using atomic force microscopy with nanoneedle probes, STAR Protocols September 15, 2023.
DOI：10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102468
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102468
Contact
Hiroe Yoneda
Senior Specialist in Project Planning and Outreach
NanoLSI Administrative Office
WPI Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI)
Kanazawa University
Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +81 (76) 234-4550
About Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI)
https://nanolsi.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/en/
Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI), Kanazawa University is a research center established in 2017 as part of the World Premier International Research Center Initiative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The objective of this initiative is to form world-tier research centers. NanoLSI combines the foremost knowledge of bio-scanning probe microscopy to establish ‘nano-endoscopic techniques’ to directly image, analyze, and manipulate biomolecules for insights into mechanisms governing life phenomena such as diseases.
About Kanazawa University
http://www.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/e/
As the leading comprehensive university on the Sea of Japan coast, Kanazawa University has contributed greatly to higher education and academic research in Japan since it was founded in 1949. The University has three colleges and 17 schools offering courses in subjects that include medicine, computer engineering, and humanities.
The University is located on the coast of the Sea of Japan in Kanazawa – a city rich in history and culture. The city of Kanazawa has a highly respected intellectual profile since the time of the fiefdom (1598-1867). Kanazawa University is divided into two main campuses: Kakuma and Takaramachi for its approximately 10,200 students including 600 from overseas.
Blockchain Press Releases
Bitrue expands Bitcoin Runes Offerings with GPTV Listing and Staking Options
VICTORIA, Seychelles, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Leading digital asset exchange Bitrue continues its community-driven approach with the listing of a new Bitcoin Runes token, GPTV•AI•PEPE•KING (GPTV). This follows the recent addition of several other Bitcoin Runes tokens to the platform, including SATOSHI•NAKAMOTO (SATOSHI), LOBO•THE•WOLF•PUP (LOBO), RSIC•GENESIS•RUNE (RSIC), and DOG•GO•TO•THE•MOON (DOG). Trading for the GPTV/USDT pair commenced on April 30th, 2024.
What is GPTV?
GPTV is the native token of AI PEPE KING, a project claiming to be the “largest AI Meme Community” with a presence on both the Polygon (AIPEPE) and Bitcoin Runes (GPTV) blockchains. Notably, AI PEPE KING secured a $10 million investment to develop AI-powered customer service tools leveraging the ChatGPT technology. Additionally, they are building a “Dream Lottery” system. Revenue generated from these products is earmarked for buybacks and burns of both AIPEPE and GPTV tokens, potentially influencing their long-term value.
Staking Opportunities with Attractive Yields
Bitrue is also offering users staking opportunities for those holding BTR, AIPEPE, RSIC, or DOG tokens. By staking their holdings, users can earn rewards in GPTV, with estimated annual percentage yield (APY) varying on the staked token, with BTR offering 22.15%, AIPEPE at 23.18%, RSIC boasting a higher 31.37%, and DOG coming in at 23.62%. These yields present a potentially lucrative opportunity for users to grow their cryptocurrency holdings, but also come with financial risk and the potential for investment to return much lower yields.
Bitrue’s Focus on Community Engagement
The listing of these Bitcoin Runes tokens is a testament to Bitrue’s commitment to its user base. The decision to add these tokens stemmed from a community poll conducted through an X poll on Bitrue’s X account. This highlights the exchange’s dedication to incorporating community feedback into its decision-making process, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared interest.
With the addition of GPTV and the introduction of staking opportunities, Bitrue continues to expand its offerings for users interested in the burgeoning world of Bitcoin Runes tokens. The exchange’s focus on community engagement further strengthens its position as a platform that prioritizes user input and satisfaction.
About Bitrue
Launched in July 2018, Bitrue is a diversified digital asset exchange that supports trading, loans and investments. Bitrue aims to utilize blockchain technology to bring financial opportunities to everybody regardless of their location or financial position. With offices in Asia and Europe, the business continues to develop new features at a rapid speed to fully service the new wave of the digital economy. More information is available at Bitrue’s website.
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ZettaBlock, a leading provider of blockchain solutions, has recently announced a significant enhancement to its offerings with the addition of blockchain data services. This development marks a strategic move aimed at bolstering ZettaBlock’s capabilities and further solidifying its position in the blockchain industry.
By integrating blockchain data services into its portfolio, ZettaBlock seeks to address the growing demand for comprehensive and reliable data solutions within the blockchain ecosystem. The new offering will enable clients to access a wealth of blockchain data, empowering them to make informed decisions and derive valuable insights from the vast amount of information available on various blockchain networks.
ZettaBlock’s decision to expand its services comes at a time when the importance of blockchain data analytics is increasingly recognized across industries. With blockchain technology continuing to gain traction and adoption worldwide, the ability to effectively harness and analyze blockchain data has become crucial for businesses and organizations seeking to unlock new opportunities and drive innovation.
Through its blockchain data services, ZettaBlock aims to cater to the diverse needs of its clients, providing them with access to real-time and historical data from a wide range of blockchain networks. This includes transaction data, smart contract metrics, network activity, and more, allowing users to gain deeper insights into blockchain transactions and activities.
The addition of blockchain data services represents a significant milestone for ZettaBlock, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of the blockchain industry. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of blockchain data in driving decision-making and enhancing operations, ZettaBlock’s comprehensive data services are poised to play a key role in shaping the future of blockchain analytics.
Source: cryptonewsz.com
The post ZettaBlock announces the addition of blockchain data appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Hong Kong has entered the cryptocurrency ETF market with the debut of its first spot cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on Tuesday, signaling the city’s ambition to compete with the US in the rapidly growing sector.
The launch, led by the Hong Kong units of three mainland Chinese asset managers — Bosera Asset Management, Harvest Global Investments, and China Asset Management — saw the introduction of two ETFs each tracking bitcoin and ether prices. Bosera’s funds were launched in collaboration with HashKey Capital.
On their debut, the three bitcoin ETFs closed between 1.5% and 1.8% higher, while the ether ETFs experienced slight losses of between 0.5% and 0.8%. Despite this, total trading turnover for all six ETFs, which included trading in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, and renminbi, reached approximately HK$99.5 million (US$12.7 million). In comparison, US-based funds saw turnover exceeding $4 billion on their first trading day.
The move marks Hong Kong’s commitment to becoming a significant player in the cryptocurrency space, following its announcement in 2022 amid pandemic restrictions and increased Chinese oversight. Joseph Chan, Hong Kong’s under-secretary for financial services and the treasury, emphasized the city’s leading position in Asia’s crypto asset development during the ETF listing ceremony.
Prior to this, CSOP Asset Management had launched Hong Kong’s first bitcoin and ether futures ETFs in late 2022, following the publication of rules for spot ETFs by the Securities and Futures Commission in December.
In January, the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved the country’s first spot bitcoin ETFs, which have since attracted significant assets under management and net inflows. Robert Zhan, director of risk consulting at KPMG China, remains optimistic about the potential of the Hong Kong funds, despite current market sentiments and relatively flat prices of bitcoin and ether leading up to the launch.
The launch of crypto-linked funds by major Chinese asset managers has generated excitement within the industry, despite China’s strict cryptocurrency regulations. Donald Day, COO of Hong Kong-based digital asset exchange VDX, believes the new funds will cater to active investors unable or unwilling to trade during US hours.
Source: ft.com
The post Hong Kong joins global crypto ETF race appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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