Posts Tagged ‘molecular biology’

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The Real-Time PCR iPhone App

 :: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 07-25-2011

An easy-to-use qPCR resource, Bio-Rad’s Real-Time PCR iPhone application includes the Real-Time PCR Applications Guide for researchers who want to learn more about designing, analyzing, and optimizing real-time PCR experiments. Another feature is the qPCR Doctor, an interactive troubleshooting tool for resolving problems relating to real-time PCR assays. The Real-Time PCR iPhone Application also includes a qPCR Assay Design section which provides guidance for designing a qPCR assay, information on validating and optimizing your qPCR assay, and different methods for analyzing qPCR data. This application puts three of Bio-Rad’s best real-time PCR resources at your fingertips.

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No Comments » | Bio-Rad Product Highlight

First mapping of methylation event in embryonic stem cells

 :: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 07-25-2011

Stem cell researchers at UCLA have generated the first genome-wide mapping of a DNA modification called 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in embryonic stem cells, and discovered that it is predominantly found in genes that are turned on, or active.

According to Steven E. Jacobsen, a professor of molecular, cell and developmental biology in the Life Sciences and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator, 5hmC is formed from the DNA base cytosine by adding a methyl group and then a hydroxy group. The molecule is important in epigenetics because the newly formed hydroxymethyl group on the cytosine can potentially switch a gene on and off.

The molecule 5hmC was only recently discovered, and its function has not been clearly understood, Jacobsen said. Until now, researchers didn’t know where 5hmC was located within the genome.

For more read UCLA scientists complete first mapping of molecule found in human embryonic stem cells

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No Comments » | news, stem cell

More Mendel Musings

 :: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 07-20-2011

Google doodle has nothing on Khan Academy doodles!

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No Comments » | just for fun

A Tribute to Gregor Mendel

 :: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 07-20-2011

In honor of Gregor Mendel’s 189th birthday.

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No Comments » | just for fun

Artificial DNA – making life?

 :: Posted by American Biotechnologist on 07-12-2011

DNA is made of four bases – A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine) and G (guanine). Or is it? Researchers at Freie Universität Berlin have created an artificial base and directed the evolution of a bacterium to generate an organism that uses the new base, 5-chlorouracil, instead of thymine. The results were published in Angewandte Chemie – International Edition.
The molecule 5-chlorouracil is normally toxic. The researchers genetically engineered Escherichia coli, making them unable to synthesize thymine, and then cultured them on increasing concentrations of 5-chlorouracil, maintaining selection pressure. After around one thousand generations, the bacteria had randomly mutated and were incorporating around 90% 5-chlorouracil into their DNA.

Following on from the creation of a cell using a synthetic genome, this could make the idea of completely synthetic organosma a step closer. These could be designed to generate high value products such as biofuels, chemicals or pharmaceuticals.

Thanks to Suzanne Elvidge @pharmawrite for this guest blog.

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No Comments » | Interesting Studies
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