Crispr and the Editing of Genes: To Help Revolutionize Biomedical Science

Scientists from MIT and Harvard University are placing their faith in a gene editing tool that may revolutionize the treatment of deadly diseases. CRISPR, which stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, has the potential to unlock the next generation of treatments for conditions like cancer, ALS, or Alzheimer's. Learn how CRISPR is poised to change genome editing and biomedicine over the next few decades.

How Does CRISPR Work? 

Bacteria within the body have their own innate intelligence -- the fascination with the microbiome being one example of this scientific principle.

Scientists observed that bacteria was able to fight infections by retaining a slice of DNA from invading viruses, so they could recognize if the virus returned and mount a faster defense. If the intruder returns, the body's natural CRISPR goes after it. Scientists were able to create their own CRISPR, which they can use to edit genes.

You may remember all genes contain chemical basis, referred to by the letters C, G, A, or T. A genetic typo creates markers for disease. Scientists can search for specific bad combinations using CRISPR -- for instance, the gene that would cause ALS -- and then slice out the faulty gene and replace it with something innocuous. By doing this before someone gets sick, the theory goes, CRISPR can save lives. 

Already, scientists are using CRISPR to breed mosquitos that cannot transmit malaria, an application that would save thousands of lives. Others are working to create a stronger rice plant that can withstand floods and drought caused by climate change.

There are a few examples that illustrate the power of CRISPR.

Scientists are still figuring out the true potential of this genome editing tool, however, there is great promise and great enthusiasm for CRISPR's potential from scientists across the globe. In the meantime, laboratory workers must preserve genes and tissue samples for vitality using a nitrogen freezer.

Keeping Tissue Safe in the Laboratory Setting

Nitrogen freezers maintain ultralow temperatures of -150 to -200 Celsius. When genetic material is frozen at such a low temperature, it goes to sleep. The material can be thawed and reanimated for use in the lab setting. Along with low temperatures, the key to maintaining the vitality of the tissue is a slow freeze and thaw. If cells were to freeze too quickly, their cell membranes would burst. The same holds true for thawing frozen tissue. Thus, nitrogen freezers are a mainstay of the lab setting because they provide a reliable, efficient way to keep genomic materials chilled until use.

Any time nitrogen is used, there is a risk of accident if the nitrogen leaks or spills. Nitrogen does not have a color, scent, or odor, which means lab workers wouldn't notice a leak -- although they might notice if, say, the freezer door did not fully close.

Like other inert gases, nitrogen displaces oxygen. If the nitrogen freezer were to leak, the laboratory could lose so much oxygen that workers would experience respiratory distress. To safeguard against a leak, laboratories must use an oxygen deficiency monitor.

An oxygen deficiency monitor tracks the level of oxygen in the lab through constant monitoring. Since nitrogen displaces oxygen, this monitor can detect a gas leak by noting falling levels of oxygen. A digital display indicates the current amount of oxygen in the room, providing assurance for lab staff that everything is working as it should. If oxygen falls to the critical threshold as defined by OSHA, an alarm goes off. Lab workers can exit the premises and wait for emergency personnel to respond.

PureAire creates robust oxygen monitors trusted within the scientific and biomedical communities. PureAire's oxygen deficiency monitors work in freezing temperatures and confined spaces, remain accurate despite barometric pressure shifts, and last 10 or more years without calibration. 

To learn more about PureAire's products, visit www.pureairemonitoring.com

sited sources:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crispr-the-gene-editing-tool-revolutionizing-biomedical-research/

https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/references/gibco-cell-culture-basics/cell-culture-protocols/freezing-cells.html

NASA's Uses the Largest Airborne Telescope Observatory in the World

NASA's latest project, a joint collaboration with the German Aerospace Center, breaks new ground for scientific discoveries. The new Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (or SOFIA, as it's known) makes use of a modified Boeing aircraft and a reflecting telescope to enable spatial observations far more detailed than anything a land-based telescope could see. Get a sneak peak inside SOFIA and learn how an O₂ monitor plays a pivotal role in keeping SOFIA safe. 

SOFIA's Mission 

The airplane that powers SOFIA is a short-body 747, which is capable of burning through 3,600 gallons of jet fuel per hour. The plane has been extensively modified to support its new mission, which is to observe the universe using the infrared spectrum of light. This is light that is invisible to the human eye. Interestingly, many objects within space emit only infrared light, meaning that astronomers cannot perceive them with the naked eye. 

SOFIA uses a lot of specialized equipment to make these infrared emissions visible. The telescope on board has a 100-inch diameter. The instrument panel contains cameras, spectrometers, and photometers which operate along near, mid, and far infrared wavelengths to study different scientific phenomena. 

The telescope must be kept clean and properly chilled to see the infrared light. Bathing the telescope in liquid nitrogen keeps it properly chilled, so the telescope can detect midrange and far-out light sources. Nitrogen is used for both of these purposes because it is cost-effective, readily available, and will not damage the sensitive equipment. 

SOFIA will allow astronomers to observe star birth, star death, black holes, and nebulae. It's difficult to forecast what other findings SOFIA may facilitate. 

In some cases, distant objects are blocked by clouds of space dust, much like the sun can become blocked by clouds.  While the space dust prevents these far-off objects from being seem, their infrared energy still reaches SOFIA's powerful telescope. By studying the infrared light captured on SOFIA's instruments, astronomers can learn about new phenomena and come to a better understanding of complex spatial molecules, new solar systems, planets, and more. 

Why SOFIA Needs an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor 

One small but mighty piece of equipment onboard the special aircraft is an oxygen deficiency monitor. SOFIA's powerful telescope must be cooled with liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen storage tank is located inside the crew department. 

Nitrogen gas is heavier than oxygen. In the event of a leak, the nitrogen would actually displace oxygen molecules, causing the cabin air to become deficient of oxygen.

Oxygen-deficient air causes respiratory and cognitive problems within minutes, leading to death via asphyxiation. Since this gas has no color or odor, there is no way the crew can tell there is a leak onboard. This is where the O₂ monitor comes in: By taking continuous readouts of cabin oxygen, the oxygen monitor allows staff to check ambient oxygen levels at a glance. Staff receive peace of mind that everything is operating smoothly as well as a fast alert if oxygen approaches hazardous levels due to a leak of nitrogen gas. 

If a nitrogen leak does occur, the plane must make an emergency landing—aborting the mission to save the life of the personnel onboard. If something goes wrong while SOFIA is in flight, and the aircraft has to land before the mission is complete, the cost of wasted fuel is (pardon the pun) astronomical. 

Since there is so much riding on the oxygen monitor, NASA needed a reliable product, one that would not drift from changes in barometric pressure. While there are many oxygen deficiency monitors, several products on the market are sensitive to barometric pressure shifts. PureAire offers hardy O₂ monitors that are capable of maintaining reliable performance despite barometric changes. 

Our O₂ monitor lasts for 10 or more years after installation with no maintenance required, thanks to a robust zirconium sensor that outperforms the competition. After installation, our oxygen deficiency monitor needs no calibration to continue working accurately. If there is a nitrogen leak, the oxygen deficiency monitor provides two built-in alarms, which operate at 90 decibels. These alarms—which correlate to 19.5 percent and 18.0 percent oxygen—provide the SOFIA crew with sufficient notification of any problems, so they can return to safety. 

It's thrilling to have our products be a part of such a vital mission, and we cannot wait to see what new discoveries SOFIA facilitates. Closer to home, PureAire supports clients in a range of industries with high-value, long-lasting oxygen monitors suitable for use anywhere they are needed. Learn more about PureAire's products at pureairemonitoring.com.

Source

https://space.stackexchange.com/questions/12295/why-do-some-space-telescopes-require-cooling-sometimes-down-to-3k

Nitro Coffee: A New Trend in Cold Brew

In cold brew coffee, grinds are infused into cold water to make a strong brew that reduces acidity and bitterness. Some coffee roasters have started using nitrogen gas to amp up their cold brew coffee's silky texture and add a creaminess to the basic black brew. The resulting nitro coffee has creamy, sweet, and smooth flavors without added milk or sugar -- although these can be added to taste. While nitrogen coffee offers a cool factor that's rapidly gaining converts, it isn't without risk. 

How Nitro Brew is Made

It all starts with the cold brew, where coffee grinds soak in distilled water to create a rich coffee concentrate. The mixture is then diluted with water. Coffee lovers claim cold brew coffee tastes better than hot coffee, because it captures the flavors of the brew without the acidic notes. The underlying fruity, floral, or spices notes within the coffee are allowed to shine for a deeper coffee drinking experience. 

In a nitro coffee process, nitrogen gas is added to the cold brew coffee. This can happen during canning or bottling, which creates a shelf stable product, or coffee shops can use a tap system to infuse cold brew with nitrogen. In either case, when nitrogen meets the water content in coffee, it doesn't dissolve readily, as another gas might. This gives the nitro coffee a rich mouthfeel and a creamy head, mimicking the creamy flavor of coffee with cream without the dairy. Tiny bubbles of nitrogen gas make the drink thicker for a better mouthfeel. It's almost like a dessert version of iced coffee, especially when the nitro coffee is served with sugar syrup and cream -- or as the base for an ice cream soda. 

While nitrogen gas enhances the flavor of coffee, there are risks associated with using this gas to infuse coffee. Nitrogen gas displaces oxygen from the environment -- part of the reason it makes that coffee taste so good -- and this can cause health hazards if the gas leaks into the air. 

Coffee shops that serve nitrogen coffee on tap or bottle the beverage for consumption must worry about the potential for a nitrogen gas leak. If a nitrogen dewar or supply line were to develop a leak, the leaking gas would reduce oxygen levels in the room. Since nitrogen has no color or odor, there is no way for employees or customers to know there is a leak. 

If the oxygen levels fall so low that the air is unsafe to breathe, employees and customers can experience respiratory distress, cognitive confusion or -- in a worst case scenario -- death via asphyxiation. One simple safety device can monitor oxygen levels to ensure there's enough breathable air in the room and provide sufficient warning of a nitrogen leak. 

How an Oxygen Monitor Protects Public Health 

By installing an oxygen monitor anywhere that nitrogen gas is stored or used, coffee shops can protect against the risks of a nitrogen leak. Oxygen monitors continually sample the air to determine oxygen levels. As long as the air has enough oxygen, the monitor remains silent. If levels of oxygen in the air fall to OSHA's critical threshold, which would suggest that nitrogen gas is displacing oxygen, the monitor will flash lights and sound a 90-decibel alarm to warn people of the imminent health threat. Staff and customers can then leave the cafe until emergency personnel arrive to contain the nitrogen leak.

PureAire's alarm has a digital display, which shows a constant readout of oxygen levels in the room. This can provide peace of mind that everything's working properly. Since these oxygen monitors resist drift from thunderstorms, barometric shifts or other incidents, they are reliable all year round. 

PureAire's line of oxygen monitors feature robust zirconium sensors, which last for 10+ years. PureAire products require no maintenance or calibration once set up, and offer a low-maintenance and long-lasting alternative to other oxygen monitors. To learn more about PureAire's products, please visit www.pureairemonitoring.com. 

The Path to Safety for Pharmaceutical and Laboratories: Why O2 Deficiency Monitors May be Required?

To safeguard against gas leaks in pharmaceutical industries and laboratories, businesses are turning to oxygen deficiency monitors. Learn when, where, and why an oxygen monitor or O₂ monitor may be required.

Oxygen Monitors in Medical and Pharmaceutical Settings

In the hospital setting, nitrogen gas is widely used. During surgeries, nitrogen powers equipment and preserves blood and tissues. Nitrogen gas is also used to freeze and destroy tissue. 

Hospitals work with other gases, such as carbon monoxide, for lung diffusion testing and culturing. Laboratories growing cultures for analysis, testing, and research require that the tissue samples be grown under strict environmental conditions. Medical gases can control the environment to ensure that tissue samples are not contaminated by any sort of bad bacteria. 

Magnetic resonance imaging machines use nitrogen gas to cool the magnet and keep the machine working properly. As such, it is critical to have an oxygen monitor in an MRI room to protect the safety of patients in the MRI machine and technicians performing the MRI. In 2000, a technician was killed and several others were injured when nitrogen escaped from the closed chamber and into the room. 

Pharmaceutical facilities also rely on nitrogen gas for multiple uses. Since the gas can keeps oxygen out of an environment, it can ensure the purity of a chemical compound or preserve the longevity of a packaged medical product. Nitrogen is also kept on hand as a natural fire suppressant and purifier. Nitrogen gas generators allow pharma plants to access nitrogen gas on demand for a low cost. 

How an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor Protects Workers in Laboratories, Hospitals, and Pharma

Staff and patients in hospitals, pharma, and laboratories need to stay safe. By installing an O₂ monitor in any rooms where potentially harmful gases are used, employers can safeguard their workers' and their patients' air quality. 

The wall-mounted monitors continually check the levels of oxygen in the air. As long as oxygen levels are above the minimum amount, the alarm remains silent. If a gas like nitrogen were to leak in MRI rooms or lab storage facilities, the amount of oxygen in the air would begin to drop. Once oxygen fell to the minimum safe level, the alarm would go off, warning staff of the problem. Staff could then leave the room and evacuate patients. 

While these devices are important to protect public safety, they also keep the facility in compliance with the law. Hospitals, medical, and pharma facilities are required to install oxygen monitors where potentially hazardous gases are used. 

Since medical and pharma settings may store and use gases in many locations, multiple oxygen monitors may be needed. PureAire's oxygen sensors can last for 10 years with no maintenance. Our quality oxygen deficiency monitors are of the highest quality, to provide peace of mind and total protection in medical and pharmaceutical settings. Learn more about the line of oxygen monitors offered by PureAire at www.pureairemonitoring.com.