Biomedical subjects

Weirong Jiang

Publications and source records attributed to Weirong Jiang.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Optics-free spatial genomics for mapping mammalian brain aging by IRISeq.

Spatial transcriptomics has emerged as a transformative approach for in situ mapping of cellular heterogeneity and interactions, yet existing methods often compromise throughput, cost and tissue coverage. Here we introduce Imaging Reconstruction using Indexed Sequencing (IRISeq): an optics-free, cost-effective platform that leverages spatial interaction mapping by indexed sequencing to profile tissues at adjustable sizes and resolutions (5-50 µm). We applied IRISeq to map gene expression across more than 70 coronal sections from both adult and aged mouse brains, including wild-type and two lymphocyte-deficient models (Rag1 and Prkdc mutants) and generated more than 460,000 spatial transcriptome profiles. Our integrated analysis with 783,264 single-cell transcriptomes revealed region-specific aging signatures that are lymphocyte dependent, notably a downregulation of interferon signaling and inflammation in ventricular regions upon lymphocyte depletion, alongside mutant-specific upregulation of senescence pathways. Furthermore, lymphocyte deficiency was linked to preserved abundance of ependymal cells that line the brain's ventricles and to distinct microglial state dynamics, highlighting a key role for lymphocytes in driving inflammatory processes during brain aging. Overall, IRISeq provides a high-throughput and cost-effective solution for spatially resolved transcriptomic profiling, opening new avenues for elucidating region-specific cellular mechanisms underlying aging and identifying potential therapeutic targets to preserve brain homeostasis.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Transcript-guided targeted cell enrichment for scalable single-nucleus RNA sequencing.

Large-scale single-cell atlases have revealed many aging- and disease-associated cell types, yet these populations are often underrepresented in heterogeneous tissues, limiting detailed molecular analyses. To address this, we developed EnrichSci-a scalable, microfluidics-free platform that combines hybridization chain reaction RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with combinatorial indexing to profile single-nucleus transcriptomes of target cell types with full gene-body coverage. Applied to oligodendrocytes in the aging mouse brain, EnrichSci uncovered aging-associated molecular dynamics across distinct oligodendrocyte subtypes, revealing both shared and subtype-specific gene expression changes. Additionally, we identified aging-associated exon-level signatures missed by conventional gene-level analyses, highlighting post-transcriptional regulation as a critical dimension of cell-state dynamics in aging. By coupling transcript-guided enrichment with a scalable sequencing workflow, EnrichSci provides a versatile approach to decode dynamic regulatory landscapes in diverse cell types from complex tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Structure and bonding issues at the interface between gold and self-assembled conjugated dithiol monolayers.

Organic thiols have received extensive attention recently because of their relative stability and ease of examination compared to other potential molecular electronic materials. In this work, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is used to study (i) the structural properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing conjugated dithiols and (ii) the formation of the upper molecule-metal interface on dithiol SAMs. The top gold film is deposited either by thermal evaporation or by nano-transfer printing (nTP). Generally, the utility of thermal evaporation is limited because of Au diffusion through the SAMs. However, several dithiol SAMs are identified in this work that bond well to Au overlayers and act as satisfactory diffusion barriers. Coassembly of conjugated dithiols and alkanemonothiols is suggested as a route to obtain dithiols that are denser packed and more vertical (than is obtained from pure dithiol routes). High-yield nTP is demonstrated on coassembled SAMs. Advantages and limitations of different Au deposition and transfer techniques are compared on a variety of length scales.

Gold↗

PubMed2004

Synthesis of polymer dielectric layers for organic thin film transistors via surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization.

The use of surface-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (SI-ROMP) for producing polymer dielectric layers is reported. Surface tethering of the catalyst to Au or Si/SiO2 surfaces is accomplished via self-assembled monolayers of thiols or silanes containing reactive olefins. Subsequent SI-ROMP of norbornene can be conducted under mild conditions. Pentacene semiconducting layers and gold drain/source electrodes are deposited over these polymer dielectric films. The resulting field effect transistors display promising device characteristics, demonstrating for the first time that SI-ROMP can be used in the construction of organic thin-film electronic devices.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Metallic contact formation for molecular electronics: interactions between vapor-deposited metals and self-assembled monolayers of conjugated mono- and dithiols.

We present grazing-incidence Fourier transform infrared and AFM data of Au, Al, and Ti vapor-deposited onto self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of conjugated mono- and dithiols. SAMs of 4,4'''-dimercapto-p-quaterphenyl, 4,4"-dimercapto-p-terphenyl, and 4,4'-dimercapto-p-biphenyl have reactive thiols at the SAM/vacuum interface that interact with vapor-deposited Au or Al atoms, preventing metal penetration. Conjugated monothiols lack such metal blocking groups, and metals (Au, Al) can penetrate into their SAMs. Vapor deposition of Ti onto conjugated mono- and dithiol SAMs and onto hexadecanethiol SAMs destroys the monolayers.

Letter↗