Tag Archives: DNA
‘Fossil’ DNA – How many observed soil bacteria are actually alive?
In the first half of the 20th century, researchers studying soil bacteria had a problem: the number of organisms they could grow in the lab only accounted for ~1% of the total population that they could see under
Science and religion reconciled by the Information concept
In general, evolution is the process by which complexity arises from relative simplicity, and science sees no need to start the process with complexity, which religious people translate as “God.” However, science is increasingly recognizing an abstract
Time to tweak tremendously tiny trisoligonucleotide-tetrahedrons
DNA is most commonly known as the carrier of genetic information in all living beings on earth. For a chemist DNA is nothing more than a large molecule that can be artificially recreated in the lab on
Silicon based radical, radical ion, diradical and diradicaloid
The chemical behavior of a transition metal is extremely different when compared with that of a characteristic main group element. The former is prone to remain cationic while the latter prefers to attain a closed shell electronic
Escherichia coli K-12 as a model to understand gene regulation
Escherichia coli K-12, a bacterium of the normal flora of humans, represents one of the most important model organisms in biology. This microorganism has been completely sequenced at DNA level, and contains 4319 genes. An important element
Controlling gene expression in bacteria
Gene expression enables cells to implement the instructions encoded within the genes on their DNA. Being able to control gene expression is therefore key to this most fundamental biological process, so determining cell fate and behaviour. Cells
Chromatin remodeling regulates multiple liver functions
Liver is a one of the largest tissues that has the ability to regenerate itself upon stimulation. The liver also performs a variety of complex functions which support body homeostasis including detoxification and providing essential molecules to
Exploiting an ‘Achilles heel’ of DNA replication to arrest viral proliferation
In order to proliferate all organisms need to replicate their genomes. In most, this is achieved by a process named DNA replication by which a parental DNA gives rise to two faithful copies of itself. For this
The combustion of food occurs at cytochrome c oxidase
Cytochrome c oxidase represents the enzyme where cell respiration takes place. The oxygen which we inhale is transported via the blood stream to all cells of the body where it is converted into water by a cold
Identification of a novel factor implicated in the resistance of cancer to the therapy
Therapeutic treatment of cancer involves radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy so to generate a large amount of lesions in the DNA. Because cancer cells have reduced capacity to repair DNA lesions and are unable to slow down proliferation, this
Mitochondrial POLG2 disease mutations impair cellular energy supply
Mitochondrial diseases are devastating disorders for which there is no cure and no proven treatment. About 1 in 2000 individuals are at risk of developing a mitochondrial disease sometime during the course of their life. Half of
A novel hepatitis C DNA vaccine
Since their development, vaccines have reduced the global burden of disease. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes persistent infection and is a leading cause of liver disease. To date, no vaccine is currently available, and treatment is costly
A rare variant in TREM2 increases risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia and affects over 5 million Americans. This neurodegenerative disease results from a combination of genetic and environmental effects and currently has no effective cures, treatments, or
What Saudi women don’t know is killing them
Dozens of types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been identified. While low-risk HPVs cause skin and genital warts, high-risk HPVs can lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, oropharynx, and anus. Recent studies have reprted
Sugars in circulating blood reflect breast cancer biology
In our studies, consisting of measurements and analyses, we have shown that the sugar composition in the serum of breast cancer patients reflects the biology of their breast tumours. Patients with different kinds of breast tumours have
A method for studying mouse mammary tumorigenesis
Metastasis is the last step of primary breast cancer progression in which cells from the primary tumor leave and go to other organs. Breast cancer cells often metastasize to the lung, among other organs. Each step in
Ergothioneine prevent UVA – induced skin damage through its potent antioxidant property
It is well – known that continuous exposure to ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation from sunlight can cause mild to severe skin damage, characterized by wrinkles, inflammation, photoaging, pigmentation, photo – carcinogenesis, photo – dermatoses etc. Most
MicroRNAs and physical activity
Physical activity has a recognised role in the prevention of non-communicable diseases, cancer included. To maintain a satisfying health level, the World Health Organization (WHO) has assumed that everyone have to practice at least 150 minutes of
Which regions of the skull contain the most information about genetic relatedness in monkeys?
The primate fossil record is plagued by issues with assessing phylogeny (genetic relationships among species) due to the fact that fossilized specimens are composed entirely of rock and contain no DNA. Paleontologists studying the primate fossil record
What does a guardian protect genomic DNA from?
Living organisms can achieve their propagation through copying (replicating) the genetic information, coded in DNA sequence, and dividing them to each daughter cell. DNA sequence is a basic element and its conservation is essential for individual life
