<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This study identifies the core of Korea’s economic statecraft as (1) diversification of the supply chain of high-tech industries to proactively mitigate vulnerability to economic coercion, (2) the pursuit of technological sovereignty to increase self-sufficiency in advanced technologies, (3) governance reforms to strengthen supply chain resilience, and (4) industrial policies to enhance the competitiveness of advanced industries. The four strategies mentioned above all have in common that they are predicated on the strategic utilization of high technology. Based on these traits, I define Korea’s new economic security strategy as techno-economic statecraft. Korea’s techno-economic statecraft has two features. First, Korea utilizes high technology as a nexus between economy and security. Second, Korea uses high technology as a nexus to link domestic and foreign policies.</jats:p> <<<

tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) have emerged as key players of immunoregulation. Some RNase A superfamily members participate in the shaping of the tRFs population. By comparing wild-type and knockout macrophage cell lines, our previous work revealed that RNase 2 can selectively cleave tRNAs. Here, we confirm the in vitro protein cleavage pattern by screening of synthetic tRNAs, single-mutant variants, and anticodon-loop DNA/RNA hairpins. By sequencing of tRF products, we identified the cleavage selectivity of recombinant RNase 2 with base specificity at B (U/C) and B (A) sites, consistent with a previous cellular study. Lastly, protein-hairpin complexes were predicted by MD simulations. Results reveal the contribution of the α1, loop 3 and loop 4, and β6 RNase 2 regions, where residues Arg36/Asn39/Gln40/Asn65/Arg68/Arg132 provide interactions, spanning from P to P sites that are essential for anticodon loop recognition. Knowledge of RNase 2-specific tRFs generation might guide new therapeutic approaches for infectious and immune-related diseases. <<<

Quantum computers have been proposed to solve a number of important problems such as discovering new drugs, new catalysts for fertilizer production, breaking encryption protocols, optimizing financial portfolios, or implementing new artificial intelligence applications. Yet, to date, a simple task such as multiplying 3 by 5 is beyond existing quantum hardware. This article examines the difficulties that would need to be solved for quantum computers to live up to their promises. I discuss the whole stack of technologies that has been envisioned to build a quantum computer from the top layers (the actual algorithms and associated applications) down to the very bottom ones (the quantum hardware, its control electronics, cryogeny, etc.) while not forgetting the crucial intermediate layer of quantum error correction. <<<

PURPOSE: To investigate the differentially expressed proteins (DEP) between high myopia and moderate myopia on the anterior corneal stroma. METHODS: Tandem mass tag (TMT) quantitative proteomics was utilized to reveal proteins. DEPs were screened by the multiple change of more than 1.2 times or less than 0.83 and the P value < 0.05. The DEPs were functional annotated by Gene Ontology (GO) terms. Proteins and protein interaction (PPI) networks were conducted with String online tool. Parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) data processing was used to verify the TMT proteomics results. RESULTS: There are 36 DEPs between high myopia and moderate myopia on the anterior corneal stroma, of which 11 proteins are upregulated, 25 proteins are downregulated. The GO analysis demonstrated keratinocyte migration and structural constituent of cytoskeleton that are significantly changed with most of the proteins decreased in high myopic corneas. Keratin 16 (KRT16) and erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1-like protein 4B are the only two proteins involved in both functions. The PPI analysis showed keratin type II cytoskeletal 6A (KRT6A) and KRT16 that have strong connections. Immunoglobulin lambda variable 8-61(IGLV8-61) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) have consistent results with the TMT. CONCLUSIONS: The high myopic corneas have 36 DEPs compared to the moderate myopic corneas on the anterior corneal stroma. Keratinocyte migrations and structural constituent of cytoskeleton are weakened in high myopic corneas, which may partly account for the lower corneal biomechanics in high myopic eyes. The lower expressed KRT16 plays important roles in high myopic corneas. <<<

: Cancer therapy have evolved remarkably over the past decade, providing new strategies to inhibit cancer cell growth using immune modulation, with or without gene therapy. Specifically, suicide gene therapies and immunotoxins have been investigated for the treatment of tumors by direct cancer cell cytotoxicity. Recent advances in mRNA delivery also demonstrated the potential of mRNA-based vaccines and immune-modulators for cancer therapeutics by utilizing nanocarriers for mRNA delivery. We designed a bacterial toxin-encoding modified mRNA, delivered by lipid nanoparticles into a B16-melanoma mouse model. : We showed that local administration of LNPs entrapping a modified mRNA that encodes for a bacterial toxin, induced significant anti-tumor effects and improved overall survival of treated mice. We propose mmRNA-loaded LNPs as a new class of anti-tumoral, toxin-based therapy. <<<

Engineering a patient's own T cells to selectively target and eliminate tumour cells has cured patients with untreatable haematologic cancers. These results have energized the field to apply chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T therapy throughout oncology. However, evidence from clinical and preclinical studies underscores the potential of CAR T therapy beyond oncology in treating autoimmunity, chronic infections, cardiac fibrosis, senescence-associated disease and other conditions. Concurrently, the deployment of new technologies and platforms provides further opportunity for the application of CAR T therapy to noncancerous pathologies. Here we review the rationale behind CAR T therapy, current challenges faced in oncology, a synopsis of preliminary reports in noncancerous diseases, and a discussion of relevant emerging technologies. We examine potential applications for this therapy in a wide range of contexts. Last, we highlight concerns regarding specificity and safety and outline the path forward for CAR T therapy beyond cancer. <<<

For cultured meat to succeed at scale, muscle cells from food-relevant species must be expanded in vitro in a rapid and reliable manner to produce millions of metric tons of biomass annually. Toward this goal, genetically immortalized cells offer substantial benefits over primary cells, including rapid growth, escape from cellular senescence, and consistent starting cell populations for production. Here, we develop genetically immortalized bovine satellite cells (iBSCs) via constitutive expression of bovine Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). These cells achieve over 120 doublings at the time of publication and maintain their capacity for myogenic differentiation. They therefore offer a valuable tool to the field, enabling further research and development to advance cultured meat. <<<

For cultured meat to succeed at scale, muscle cells from food-relevant species must be expanded in vitro in a rapid and reliable manner to produce millions of metric tons of biomass annually. Toward this goal, genetically immortalized cells offer substantial benefits over primary cells, including rapid growth, escape from cellular senescence, and consistent starting cell populations for production. Here, we develop genetically immortalized bovine satellite cells (iBSCs) via constitutive expression of bovine Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). These cells achieve over 120 doublings at the time of publication and maintain their capacity for myogenic differentiation. They therefore offer a valuable tool to the field, enabling further research and development to advance cultured meat. <<<

Telomere length in humans is associated with lifespan and severe diseases, yet the genetic determinants of telomere length remain incompletely defined. Here we performed genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 functional telomere length screening and identified thymidine (dT) nucleotide metabolism as a limiting factor in human telomere maintenance. Targeted genetic disruption using CRISPR-Cas9 revealed multiple telomere length control points across the thymidine nucleotide metabolism pathway: decreasing dT nucleotide salvage via deletion of the gene encoding nuclear thymidine kinase (TK1) or de novo production by knockout of the thymidylate synthase gene (TYMS) decreased telomere length, whereas inactivation of the deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase-encoding gene SAMHD1 lengthened telomeres. Remarkably, supplementation with dT alone drove robust telomere elongation by telomerase in cells, and thymidine triphosphate stimulated telomerase activity in a substrate-independent manner in vitro. In induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients with genetic telomere biology disorders, dT supplementation or inhibition of SAMHD1 promoted telomere restoration. Our results demonstrate a critical role of thymidine metabolism in controlling human telomerase and telomere length, which may be therapeutically actionable in patients with fatal degenerative diseases. <<<

Photovoltaic hydrogen production from seawater is of great significance. Challenges of solar-driven seawater electrolysis, for example, competing among chlorine evolution reactions, chloride corrosion, and catalyst poisoning, seriously restrict the development of this technology. In this paper, we report a two-dimensional nanosheet quaternary metal hydroxide catalyst composed of Ni, Fe, Cr, and Mo elements. By in situ electrochemical activation, a partial Mo element was leached and morphologically transformed in the catalyst. The higher metal valence states and many O vacancies were obtained, providing excellent catalytic activity and corrosion resistance in overall alkaline seawater electrolysis operating at an industrial-required current density of 500 mA cm over 1000 h under 1.82 V low voltages at room temperature. The floating solar seawater splitting device shows a 20.61 ± 0.77% efficiency of solar energy to hydrogen (STH). This work demonstrates the development of efficient solar seawater electrolysis devices and potentially promotes research on clean energy conversion. <<<

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in aging but the exact biological causes are still being determined. Here, we show that optogenetically increasing mitochondrial membrane potential during adulthood using a light-activated proton pump improves age-associated phenotypes and extends lifespan in . Our findings provide direct causal evidence that rescuing the age-related decline in mitochondrial membrane potential is sufficient to slow the rate of aging and extend healthspan and lifespan. <<<

Transparency in animals is a complex form of camouflage involving mechanisms that reduce light scattering and absorption throughout the organism. In vertebrates, attaining transparency is difficult because their circulatory system is full of red blood cells (RBCs) that strongly attenuate light. Here, we document how glassfrogs overcome this challenge by concealing these cells from view. Using photoacoustic imaging to track RBCs in vivo, we show that resting glassfrogs increase transparency two- to threefold by removing ~89% of their RBCs from circulation and packing them within their liver. Vertebrate transparency thus requires both see-through tissues and active mechanisms that "clear" respiratory pigments from these tissues. Furthermore, glassfrogs' ability to regulate the location, density, and packing of RBCs without clotting offers insight in metabolic, hemodynamic, and blood-clot research. <<<

: The ability to engineer mammalian genomes in a quick and cost-effective way has led to rapid adaptation of CRISPR technology in biomedical research. CRISPR-based engineering has the potential to accelerate drug discovery, to support the reduction of high attrition rate in drug development and to enhance development of cell and gene-based therapies.: How CRISPR technology is transforming drug discovery is discussed in this review. From target identification to target validation in both and models, CRISPR technology is positively impacting the early stages of drug development by providing a straightforward way to genome engineering. This property also attracted attention for CRISPR application in the cell and gene therapy area.: CRISPR technology is rapidly becoming the preferred tool for genome engineering and nowadays it is hard to imagine the drug discovery pipeline without this technology. With the years to come, CRISPR technology will undoubtedly be further refined and will flourish into a mature technology that will play a key role in supporting genome engineering requirements in the drug discovery pipeline as well as in cell and gene therapy development. <<<

Cancer patients benefit from early tumor detection since treatment outcomes are more favorable for less advanced cancers. Platelets are involved in cancer progression and are considered a promising biosource for cancer detection, as they alter their RNA content upon local and systemic cues. We show that tumor-educated platelet (TEP) RNA-based blood tests enable the detection of 18 cancer types. With 99% specificity in asymptomatic controls, thromboSeq correctly detected the presence of cancer in two-thirds of 1,096 blood samples from stage I-IV cancer patients and in half of 352 stage I-III tumors. Symptomatic controls, including inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, and benign tumors had increased false-positive test results with an average specificity of 78%. Moreover, thromboSeq determined the tumor site of origin in five different tumor types correctly in over 80% of the cancer patients. These results highlight the potential properties of TEP-derived RNA panels to supplement current approaches for blood-based cancer screening. <<<