Lieven Gevaert

Introduction Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the defining structural component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Comprising a lipid A anchor, core oligosaccharide, and O-antigen polysaccharide, it acts as a potent pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) that drives innate immune activation through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)–MD2–CD14 complexes. Among many LPS serotypes, Escherichia coli O55:B5 has become a

Introduction For decades, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) has been used in laboratories worldwide as a housekeeping protein. Because it participates in glycolysis, one of the most fundamental and ubiquitous metabolic pathways, GAPDH was thought to have uniform expression across tissues and experimental conditions. As a result, researchers routinely used it as a loading control in Western

Introduction Among classic enzymes in biochemistry, ribonuclease A (RNase A) from bovine pancreas occupies a unique position. Discovered and purified in the 1930s and later studied intensively by Kunitz, Anfinsen, and others, RNase A became one of the most widely characterized proteins in history. It is a 13.7 kDa endoribonuclease consisting of 124 amino acids,

Introduction In modern syndromic diagnostics, where dozens of pathogens can be tested in a single multiplex PCR panel, the accuracy of results becomes just as critical as the speed of detection. The QIAstat-Dx® system (QIAGEN) is a widely adopted sample-to-answer molecular platform designed to test for pathogens associated with respiratory infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and central

Introduction Feline calicivirus (FCV) is one of the most common causes of infectious upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) in cats. It is highly transmissible in environments where animals live in close quarters—such as shelters, catteries, and multi-cat households. FCV can cause a spectrum of disease presentations, from mild sneezing and nasal discharge to severe oral

Introduction The Natt & Herrick solution is a diluent‐stain mixture used in manual hematology, particularly for species with nucleated erythrocytes (such as birds, reptiles, fish). It lyses or at least renders erythrocytes less interfering by staining them (with their nuclei), while also staining leukocyte nuclei, allowing total leukocyte (WBC) and erythrocyte (RBC) counts using a

Setting the Stage: Why Molecular Tools Are Game-Changers When an outbreak of Vibrio cholerae strikes, time becomes the most precious commodity. Traditional culture-based methods, such as growth on TCBS agar, have served as the backbone of cholera diagnostics for decades. But culture can take days, and in outbreak settings, every hour matters. This is where

Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using hydrolysis probes (TaqMan chemistry) is now a core method for detecting Vibrio cholerae (especially O1/O139, ctxA-positive strains) in clinical and environmental specimens. Robust results require end-to-end standardization: pre-analytical sampling, validated primers/probes, calibrated quantification, fit-for-purpose controls, well-defined acceptance criteria, and compliant reporting. This article consolidates best practices and links directly to

What is molgramostim? Molgramostim is recombinant human granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) produced in E. coli; it is non-glycosylated and typically includes an N-terminal methionine. Functionally, it replaces/augments endogenous GM-CSF (gene CSF2) to tune myeloid lineage survival, proliferation, differentiation, and effector function. See gene overviews for CSF2, CSF2RA, and CSF2RB. Comparative manufacturing notes (molgramostim vs yeast-derived

Precast, gradient protein gels (e.g., 4–20% polyacrylamide) shorten set-up, stabilize electrophoresis conditions, and improve lot-to-lot reproducibility in high-throughput Western blotting. When paired with optimized transfer (wet, semi-dry, or dry), total-protein normalization, and objective densitometry, laboratories can reduce hands-on time without loss of analytical sensitivity. Why precast gels accelerate Western blotting Immediate readiness & consistent polymerization.