Academic Research Laboratory Research Articles

ORIGINS AND OUTCOMES OF THE 1961 SEPM/AAPG CARBONATE ROCK CLASSIFICATION SYMPOSIUM

ABSTRACT In the spring of 1961 William E. Ham of the Oklahoma Geological Survey organized a symposium at the joint meeting of the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists (SEPM) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) in Denver, Colorado on the topic “Modern Concepts and Classification of Carbonate Rocks”. This meeting brought together some of the most experienced and well-regarded sedimentologists and stratigraphers from academic and industry research laboratories. The symposium was motivated by an expansion of interest in carbonate petrology over the preceding two decades driven primarily by advances in petroleum exploration. The scientific origin of the meeting as well as the status of carbonate rock classification prior to the symposium is reviewed. The evolution of the Folk classification, from his dissertation research in the early 1950s through the Denver meeting and subsequent publication in the 1962 AAPG memoir is reviewed. Comparisons between the Folk and its well-known alternative the Dunham classification are drawn along with a review and summary of other approaches to classification presented at the meeting. The impact of the symposium on advances in carbonate rock classification over the six decades since the Denver meeting is summarized including a brief review of emergent advances in digital rock textural analysis utilizing deep-learning neural network technology.

P2X4 receptor mediates macrophage infiltration leading to endometriotic cyst epithelium proliferation and hyperalgesia in mouse model

To evaluate the effects of a P2X4 receptor (P2X4R)-specific antagonist on murine endometriotic-like lesions and human endometriotic stromal cells. Experimental study using an in vivo mouse endometriosis model and in vitro primary culture of human endometriotic stromal cells. NC-2600, an antagonist of the P2X4 ionotropic ATP receptor (P2X4R), was orally administered to the mice and cells. Gene expression analyses for cytokines were conducted in the endometriotic-like cysts and vaginal portion of mice, and immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the proliferative activity and localization of macrophages in addition to cytokine expression. The sensation of murine vaginal pain was evaluated using visceromotor responses. The study was performed in academic and hospital research laboratories. NC-2600 reduced the proliferation of the cyst epithelium and vaginal pain sensation. In both cysts and vaginas, P2X4R is mainly expressed in macrophages, and NC-2600 reduces the number of tissue macrophages and reverses the elevated expression of InterleukinL-33 and cyclooxygenase-2 in animals with endometriosis. These results indicate unknown pathophysiological roles of P2X4R expressed in local macrophages at the injury site of endometriosis and in the vagina, suggesting the potential therapeutic effects of orally administered P2X4R inhibitors for alleviating the symptoms of endometriosis.

Engineered uterine primary myometrial cells with high-mobility group AT-hook 2 overexpression display a leiomyoma-like transcriptional and epigenomic phenotype

To determine if engineered HMGA2 overexpressing uterine primary myometrial cells recapitulate the transcriptional and epigenomic features of HMGA2-subtype leiomyomas. Isolated primary, "normal" myometrial cells from 3 patients were engineered to overexpress HMGA2 to determine how HMGA2 establishes transcriptomic and epigenomic features of HMGA2-overexpressing leiomyoma. Academic research laboratory PATIENTS: Primary myometrial cells were isolated from normal myometrium obtained from three patients undergoing hysterectomy. Not applicable MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Determined genome-wide transcriptomic and epigenomic features of engineered HMGA2-overexpressing uterine primary myometrial cells. Engineered HMGA2-V5-overexpressing primary myometrial cells approximated the HMGA2 expression level observed in HMGA2-overexpression subtype leiomyoma. HMGA2-V5 expression resulted in differential expression of 1612 genes (FDR < 0.05) which were found to be enriched in pathways associated with leiomyoma formation, including extracellular matrix organization. Comparative gene expression analysis between HMGA2-V5 engineered primary cells and HMGA2-overexpression subtype leiomyoma revealed significant overlap of differentially expressed genes. Mechanistically, HMGA2-V5 overexpression resulted in 41,323 regions with differential H3K27ac deposition (FDR < 0.05) and 205,605 regions of altered chromatin accessibility (FDR < 0.05). Transcription factor binding site analysis implicated the AP-1 family of transcription factors. • What clinical problem is addressed by these studies? About 10-15% of the uterine leiomyoma cases exhibit increased expression of HMGA2; our study addresses the primary role of HMGA2 overexpression in the pathogenesis of leiomyoma. • What are the key findings? Ectopic expression of HMGA2 in primary myometrial cells transforms transcriptional and epigenomic machinery in these cells which to some extent resemble features of leiomyoma. • How do these findings apply to human fertility or the reproductive process? Our study provides a comprehensive analysis into the changes occurring in epigenome of myometrial cells when HMGA2 is overexpressed. Because epigenome can be targeted with drugs, therefore understanding alterations in epigenome provides new avenues for treating leiomyoma which affects reproductive age women.

Sports-Related Concussion in Collegiate Athletes: The Potential Benefits of Using Graded Neuropsychological Tests With High Ceilings.

Sports-related concussion management in collegiate athletes has been focused on return-to-play. However, resuming schoolwork without a gradual stepwise reintroduction contributes to symptom exacerbation, delayed recovery, and adverse academic performance. Return-to-learn guidelines are limited by a lack of sensitivity in methods monitoring cognitive function. This study evaluated 2 neuropsychological tests, the Sternberg test and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), with high ceilings for sensitivity to deficits in speed of information processing, cognitive efficiency, and complex attention. Academic center research laboratory. We recruited 56 male and female collegiate contact and noncontact sports athletes. They were categorized into as follows: (1) nonconcussed ( n = 23; 7F, 16M); (2) chronic ( n = 21; 4F, 17M), at least 1 year from their last concussion; and (3) acute ( n = 12; 1F, 11M), within 2 weeks from concussion. Observational cohort study. The PASAT assesses complex attention. The Sternberg test examines processing speed and cognitive efficiency. Cognitive difficulty increases with progression through the tasks for both the PASAT and the Sternberg test. The mean outcome differences of the 3 groups (nonconcussed, acute, and chronic) across the 3 or 4 conditions (difficulty level) were measured with repeated-measures analysis of variance and subsequent pairwise comparison. For processing speed (Sternberg reaction time), the acute group responded slower than the chronic group on the medium ( P = .021, Bonferroni corrected) and hard difficulty tasks ( P = .030, Bonferroni corrected). For cognitive efficiency (Sternberg reaction time variability), the acute group had increased reaction time variability compared with the chronic group on the medium difficulty task ( P = .04, Bonferroni corrected). For complex attention (PASAT omissions), there was a difference between the acute and nonconcussed groups on the moderate-hard difficulty trial ( P = .023, least significant difference [LSD] corrected) and between the acute and chronic groups for hard difficulty trial ( P = .020, LSD corrected). The acute group performed worse, with progressively shorter interstimulus intervals. Neuropsychological testing without ceiling effects can capture higher-level cognitive dysfunction and and use of such tests can contribute to the understanding of how collegiate athletes are affected by SRC. Future studies can investigate optimal testing batteries that include neuropsychological testing with high ceilings and whether the pattern of performance has implications for the return-to-learn process after SRC in the college setting.

Production of native recombinant proteins using a novel split intein affinity technology

Affinity tags are frequently engineered into recombinant proteins to facilitate purification. Although this technique is powerful, removal of the tag is desired because the tag can interfere with biological activity and can potentially increase the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins. Tag removal is complex, as it requires adding expensive protease enzymes. To overcome this limitation, split intein based affinity purification systems have been developed in which a CC-intein tag is engineered into a protein of interest for binding to a NC-intein peptide ligand fixed to a chromatographic support. Tag removal in these systems is achieved by creating an active intein-complex during protein capture, which triggers a precise self-cleavage reaction. In this work, we show applications of a new split intein system, Cytiva™ ProteinSelect™. One advantage of the new system is that the NC-intein ligand can be robustly produced and conjugated to large volumes of resin for production of gram scale proteins. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and a Bispecific T Cell Engager in this work were successfully captured on the affinity resin and scaled 10-fold. Another advantage of this system is the ability to sanitize the resin with sodium hydroxide without loosing the 10–20 g/L binding capacity. Binding studies with IL-1b and IFNAR-1 ECD showed that the resin can be regenerated and sanitized for up to 50 cycles without loosing binding capacity. Additionally, after several cycles of sanitization, binding capacity was retained for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain and a Bispecific T Cell Engager. As with other split intein systems, optimization was needed to achieve ideal expression and recovery. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the protein of interest required engineering to enable the cleavage reaction. Additionally, ensuring the stability of the CC-intein tag was important to prevent premature cleavage or truncation. Controlling the hold time of the expression product and the prevention of protease activity prior to purification was needed. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the Cytiva™ ProteinSelect™ system to be used in academic and industrial research and development laboratories for the purification of novel proteins expressed in either bacterial or mammalian systems.

Teaching Experimental Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Are we forming professionals, training operators or illuding students (and ourselves)?

Teaching Experimental Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Are we forming professionals, training operators or illuding students (and ourselves)?

Creating Efficient Workflows for Electron Microscopy Laboratories with Automated Specimen Preparation

Abstract Electron microscopy (EM) is essential to the biological and biomedical sciences and clinical diagnostic pathology. Electron microscopy specimen preparation is laborious and time-consuming, with transmission EM (TEM) chemical preparation typically requiring 1–3 days, while volume electron microscopy (vEM) takes 3–5 days of tedious manual reagent exchanges every few minutes or hours. This places a considerable burden on laboratory scientists with the ongoing demand for TEM, and the rapidly growing demand for vEM due to its potential to revolutionize structural biology, connectomics, and related fields. This burden is exacerbated by a shortage of trained electron microscopy scientists as current staff retire, and few enter the workforce. This report provides four case studies to illustrate how automated and faster specimen preparation workflows using mPrep™ Automated Specimen Processors (ASP-1000™ and ASP-2000™, Microscopy Innovations, LLC) free electron microscopy staff in academic and pre-clinical research labs and a clinical pathology laboratory.

Give heart cells a beat: An interactive museum exhibit that synchronizes stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes to visitors’ heartbeat

Science museums play an important role in science education, engaging the public with science concepts and building support for scientific research. Here, we describe Give Heart Cells a Beat, an interactive exhibit that lets museum visitors synchronize the beating of live stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes to their own heart rate in real time. The beat rate of cells accurately matched the beat rate of visitors and responded dynamically to changes such as exercise. Visitor evaluation revealed that engagement with the specimen prompted curiosity in heart biology and stem cells. Give Heart Cells a Beat is the product of a close collaboration between a museum and an academic research laboratory, and to our knowledge, it is the first interactive exhibit to use live human heart cells. We hope this exhibit serves as an example for the implementation of stem cell technology in informal science education and inspires future relationships between academia and public science venues.

Decolonizing bird knowledge: More-than-Western bird–human relations

Abstract Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) or local ecological knowledge (LEK) has only recently gained traction as “legitimate” science in Western academic discourse. Such approaches to inclusivity continue to face institutional, sociocultural, and equity barriers to being fully accepted in academic discourse in comparison to Western-based frameworks. Postcolonial studies have attempted to rectify this Western-domination in characterizing diverse forms of bird–human relationships. However, the integration of multiple cosmologies (worldviews) and ontologies (realities) in research or management creates challenges that we discuss. We elucidate commonalities and antithetical positions between Western-derived bird knowledge and management with that of TEK or LEK in both local and global contexts. We combine ecological/ornithological studies with key terms, theories, and methods from the social sciences to integrate the approaches and facilitate understanding. For example, we follow a “theory synthesis” approach in this conceptual paper to question epistemological and ontological assumptions of bird knowledge and how we acquire it to question, “how do we move from a decolonial approach (discussions and acknowledgement) to decolonization (action)?” This paper is a product of ongoing discourse among global researchers of an academic ethno-ornithology research lab based in the United Kingdom, who partner with global collaborators. The 3 case studies draw from ongoing research in Southeast Asia, South America, and decolonializing policy efforts in New Zealand. We analyzed these case studies using a postcolonial theoretical lens to provide insights into how Western scientists can embrace TEK and LEK and actively work to decolonize ethno-ornithology and ornithology in theory and practice. Further, we discuss perceived core tenets to equity and inclusion in community-based TEK and LEK conservation projects from the Global South. Diversity, equity, inclusivity, and justice in bird–human relations and knowledge were identified as targets for systemic change within the academic institutions of Western scientists. By recognizing, discussing, and embracing non-Western cosmologies and ontologies, non-Indigenous scientists can help influence the decolonization of ethno-ornithology, ornithology, and bird–human relations through respectful, participatory, equitable, culturally considerate, and “non-extractive” community-based initiatives in partnership with local groups.

An experimental approach to determine the gamma radiation interaction mean free path and exposure buildup factor for biomolecules

This experimental approach was designed to understand the gamma interaction parameters for the essential biomolecules, including starch soluble, cholesterol, myristic acid, glucose, oxalic acid, dextrose, salicylic acid, ethyl cellulose and sucrose. The empirical determination of gamma interaction parameters, such as interaction mean-free-path (MFP), buildup factor, and effective atomic number (Zeff) was performed by measuring mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) at energies of 356 keV, 511 keV, 662 keV, 1173 keV, 1275 keV and 1332 keV. This was achieved using weak radioactive sources and a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer with collimated and non-collimated transmission geometry. The experimentally determined values of gamma-ray interaction parameters were obtained non-destructively and precisely agreeing with the expected values from simulations and codes. In addition, the research findings also revealed a novel trend in gamma interaction mean free path as a function of energy and variable buildup factors for the selected biomolecules. These research findings provide valuable insight into the process of gamma radiation interaction. This approach may fulfil the increasing demand of medical, technical and academic research laboratories for a cost-effective and reliable empirical methodology to understand gamma radiation interaction with matter.

Pair-Variational Autoencoders for Linking and Cross-Reconstruction of Characterization Data from Complementary Structural Characterization Techniques.

In materials research, structural characterization often requires multiple complementary techniques to obtain a holistic morphological view of a synthesized material. Depending on the availability and accessibility of the different characterization techniques (e.g., scattering, microscopy, spectroscopy), each research facility or academic research lab may have access to high-throughput capability in one technique but face limitations (sample preparation, resolution, access time) with other technique(s). Furthermore, one type of structural characterization data may be easier to interpret than another (e.g., microscopy images are easier to interpret than small-angle scattering profiles). Thus, it is useful to have machine learning models that can be trained on paired structural characterization data from multiple techniques (easy and difficult to interpret, fast and slow in data collection or sample preparation) so that the model can generate one set of characterization data from the other. In this paper we demonstrate one such machine learning workflow, Pair-Variational Autoencoders (PairVAE), that works with data from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) that present information about bulk morphology and images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that present two-dimensional local structural information on the sample. Using paired SAXS and SEM data of newly observed block copolymer assembled morphologies [open access data from Doerk G. S.; et al. Sci. Adv.2023, 9 ( (2), ), eadd3687], we train our PairVAE. After successful training, we demonstrate that the PairVAE can generate SEM images of the block copolymer morphology when it takes as input that sample's corresponding SAXS 2D pattern and vice versa. This method can be extended to other soft material morphologies as well and serves as a valuable tool for easy interpretation of 2D SAXS patterns as well as an engine for generating ensembles of similar microscopy images to create a database for other downstream calculations of structure-property relationships.

Industry-Scale Orchestrated Federated Learning for Drug Discovery

To apply federated learning to drug discovery we developed a novel platform in the context of European Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) project MELLODDY (grant n°831472), which was comprised of 10 pharmaceutical companies, academic research labs, large industrial companies and startups. The MELLODDY platform was the first industry-scale platform to enable the creation of a global federated model for drug discovery without sharing the confidential data sets of the individual partners. The federated model was trained on the platform by aggregating the gradients of all contributing partners in a cryptographic, secure way following each training iteration. The platform was deployed on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) multi-account architecture running Kubernetes clusters in private subnets. Organisationally, the roles of the different partners were codified as different rights and permissions on the platform and administrated in a decentralized way. The MELLODDY platform generated new scientific discoveries which are described in a companion paper.

Old Drugs and New Challenges: A Narrative Review of Nitazenes.

Nitazenes are a group of compounds developed in the 1950s as opioid analgesics, but they were never approved to market. As such, they are not well known outside of academic research laboratories. A characteristic of nitazenes is their high potency (e.g., hundreds to thousands fold more potent than morphine and other opioids and tenfold more potent than fentanyl). In the past few years, several nitazenes, including "designer analogs," have been detected in the illicit drug supply and have been implicated in overdose mortality, primarily due to their exceptionally high potency. In the street drug supply, nitazenes are often found mixed with fentanyl or other agents but their presence is not always disclosed to drug buyers, who may not even be familiar with nitazenes. These drugs pose a particular challenge since there is little experience in how to reverse a nitazene overdose or potential drug-drug or drug-alcohol interactions. Public health efforts are needed to better inform street drug consumers, first responders, healthcare professionals, and the general public about these "new old drugs" that are infiltrating the recreational drug supply.

Liver-Humanized NSG-PiZ Mice Support the Study of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Antiviral Therapies.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a pathogen of major public health importance that is largely incurable once a chronic infection is established. Only humans and great apes are fully permissive to HBV infection, and this species restriction has impacted HBV research by limiting the utility of small animal models. To combat HBV species restrictions and enable more in vivo studies, liver-humanized mouse models have been developed that are permissive to HBV infection and replication. Unfortunately, these models can be difficult to establish and are expensive commercially, which has limited their academic use. As an alternative mouse model to study HBV, we evaluated liver-humanized NSG-PiZ mice and showed that they are fully permissive to HBV. HBV selectively replicates in human hepatocytes within chimeric livers, and HBV-positive (HBV+) mice secrete infectious virions and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) into blood while also harboring covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA). HBV+ mice develop chronic infections lasting at least 169 days, which should enable the study of new curative therapies targeting chronic HBV, and respond to entecavir therapy. Furthermore, HBV+ human hepatocytes in NSG-PiZ mice can be transduced by AAV3b and AAV.LK03 vectors, which should enable the study of gene therapies that target HBV. In summary, our data demonstrate that liver-humanized NSG-PiZ mice can be used as a robust and cost-effective alternative to existing chronic hepatitis B (CHB) models and may enable more academic research labs to study HBV disease pathogenesis and antiviral therapy. IMPORTANCE Liver-humanized mouse models have become the gold standard for the in vivo study of hepatitis B virus (HBV), yet their complexity and cost have prohibited widespread use of existing models in research. Here, we show that the NSG-PiZ liver-humanized mouse model, which is relatively inexpensive and simple to establish, can support chronic HBV infection. Infected mice are fully permissive to hepatitis B, supporting both active replication and spread, and can be used to study novel antiviral therapies. This model is a viable and cost-effective alternative to other liver-humanized mouse models that are used to study HBV.

Digital mammography: The excitement of creating a new imaging modality.

Beginning around 1972 with the introduction of CT, a steady transition from analog to digital imaging in radiology took place. Here, I offer a personal perspective of the exciting multi-institutional and multidisciplinary team effort of developing digital mammography. That effort required the collaboration of visionary individuals in academic research labs, industry, and the clinical arena, catalyzed by a focused commitment from government (NCI and The Office of Women's Health). This collaboration greatly accelerated the timeline from laboratory prototypes to clinical systems and evaluation, resulting in a new imaging modality and, later, several spinoff applications (CAD, contrast-enhanced mammography, tomosynthesis) that provide improved earlier detection of breast cancer.

Novel Sorptive Sample Preparation Techniques for Separation Science

The primary analytical challenge is to selectively extract the target analytes using a suitable sample preparation technique and introduce them into the downstream analytical instrument. The critical step in the chemical analysis is sample preparation. Sorptive sample preparation techniques are among the new generation of microextraction approaches, and are compliant with green analytical chemistry principles. A recent intercontinental collaboration between two academic research laboratories—the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and the Florida International University, USA—has yielded a significant number of analytical/bioanalytical methods using fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE), magnet integrated fabric phase sorptive extraction (MI-FPSE), and capsule phase microextraction (CPME) for the isolation of various analytes from different complex sample matrices. A brief description of these techniques with regards to principle, synthesis, applications, and advantages and disadvantages along with paradigms is presented.

ExpressInHost: A Codon Tuning Tool for the Expression of Recombinant Proteins in Host Microorganisms

ExpressInHost (<a href="https://gitlab.com/a.raguin/expressinhost" target="_blank">https://gitlab.com/a.raguin/expressinhost</a>) is a GTK/C++ based user friendly graphical interface that allows tuning the codon sequence of an mRNA for recombinant protein expression in a host microorganism. Heterologous gene expression is widely implemented in biotechnology companies and academic research laboratories. However, expression of recombinant proteins can be challenging. On the one hand, maximising translation speed is important, especially in scalable production processes relevant to biotechnology companies, but on the other hand, solubility problems often arise as a consequence, since translation ‘pauses’ might be key to allow the nascent polypeptide chain to fold appropriately. To address this challenge, we have developed a software that offers three distinct modes to tune codon sequences using the genetic code redundancy. The tuning strategies implemented take into account the specific tRNA resources of the host and that of the native organism. They balance rapid translation and native speed mimicking, which might be important to allow proper protein folding, thereby avoiding protein solubility problems.

Data Management of Microscale Reaction Calorimeter Using a Modular Open-Source IoT-Platform

Unifying research data collection methods and capturing data streams in an organized and standardized manner are becoming increasingly important in laboratories as digital processes and automation progressively shape the laboratory workflows. In this context, the Internet of Things (IoT) not only offers the opportunity to minimize time-consuming and repetitive tasks by delegating them to machines, but it also supports scientists in curating data. As a contribution to the establishment of IoT tools in academic research laboratories, a microscale reaction calorimeter is exemplarily connected to a modular open-source IoT-platform. The microcalorimeter’s process data is streamed to the data platform for data repository and analysis. Advantages of the platform from academia’s point of view are presented. Finally, the application of the platform was successfully tested with the hydrolysis of acetic anhydride. The data were accessed and analyzed exclusively via the IoT-platform, which provided important advantages for the operator in terms of standardized evaluation in just a few steps.

Unveiling The Dream: The New Frontiers of Dream Technology and Radical Rest

This article situates the meeting points of dream tech and the radical rest movement, centering on Black creative and community practices to contextualize the emergence of dream tech in academic research labs, tech startups, consumer markets, and artistic incubations. The article describes the rise of the Radical Rest movement, led by Black activists and artists, in response to the need to reclaim sleep and dreams from colonial agendas and capitalist systems of oppression. This movement has developed parallel to the rapid growth of sleep technology, offering new products for sleep-deprived consumers of the global North. The next frontier of this new multibillion-dollar industry is dream neurotech—technology that directly interfaces with the dreaming mind. The article introduces dream tech by unearthing a largely forgotten dream that shaped the trajectory of modern Western science, a trajectory that is contrasted with views about consciousness in sleep espoused by classical Indian philosophers. With this historical and global context for understanding how sleep and dreams are measured and quantified, the article then historicizes racial sleep inequities in the U.S. to frame how systematic oppression continues to have adverse effects on the sleep health of Black Americans. The article examines the aims of commercial dream tech, discerning agendas and assumptions that reverberate with the Cartesian dualism underlying Western scientific views of dreams, selfhood, and consciousness. These views will be complicated by the practices and values of Black activists and artists in the contemporary Radical Rest movement. Their work uplifts physical and emotional rest as a powerful site for healing trauma and resisting the oppressive vectors of white supremacy and capitalism.

Liquid crystal elastomer actuators and sensors: Glimpses of the past, the present and perhaps the future

AbstractLiquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are programmable materialspar excellence. I review the history and state of the art of LCE materials and processing development from the perspective of the important remaining step of moving out of the academic research lab and applying LCEs as soft actuators or strain sensors. After a brief introduction for the non-expert of what LCEs are and which their main advantages and limitations are, I discuss the key breakthroughs that LCE research has undergone over its 50-year history. Building on this and drawing from fresh results from on-going research, I consider possible future development trajectories that would help address the outstanding key obstacles to reach mass production at competitive cost. I end with discussing a selected set of application scenarios with good opportunities for LCEs to perform functions that no other material could deliver. Specifically, I focus on responsive buildings incorporating LCE actuator fibres and sheets/ribbons, structural health monitoring with LCE strain sensors monitoring crack growth and propagation or alerting residents of buildings exposed to dangerous levels of deformation, and kinetic and responsive garments incorporating LCE fibre actuators and/or strain sensors.