Tag Archives: DNA
NEIL2 repairs DNA damage within active genes, maintains chromosome end integrity, prevents inflammation
Mammalian cells are subjected to a plethora of exogenous and endogenous agents that cause damage to the cellular DNA. One of the major sources of such damage is oxygen-derived molecules and free radicals, collectively termed “Reactive Oxygen
A variant RNA polymerase controls bacterial pathogenicity and stress responses
In order for cells to carry out normal functions, the genetic information stored in DNA needs to be first converted to RNA. This conversion – known as transcription – is carried out by a class of enzymes
Using genome-scale models to predict biological capabilities
Rapid advances in DNA sequencing and synthesis technologies have revolutionized the study of life sciences. With these new technologies come new challenges. The massive amount of new data generated using these technologies must be curated, managed, and
Making it easier to study personalized genomic biomarkers of lung disease
In the past few years, there has been significant progress in understanding how lung disease develops and predict who will respond to certain targeted therapies by obtaining lung tissue from research participants and studying changes in mechanistic
Helpful tool for the characterization of cancer
Follicular lymphoma is a sort of blood cancer and among the most frequent subtypes of indolent (painless) lymphomas. Most patients are diagnosed very late, when the illness is in an advanced stage. The origins of the tumor
A novel method of stool DNA analysis for colorectal cancer diagnosis
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignant diseases worldwide, with a high rate of mortality. The detection of precancerous and early-stage CRC is central to improve prognosis and the survival rate of patients. Currently,
Geology’s latest gift to molecular biology?
Only a few hardy bacteria and archaea make their home in geothermal springs, but the enzymes of these thermophiles have for decades benefitted biological research. While the value of the bacterial DNA polymerase “Taq” in amplifying DNA
Fluorescent micro-RNA for cancer diagnostics
Biomarkers are indicators of biological states or conditions and can therefore provide important information about diseases such as cancer. In clinical diagnostics biomarkers are most often proteins or nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA. Biomarkers that
A better understanding of cell division by combining mathematical modeling and experimentation
The cell division cycle is the process by which a growing cell replicates its genome and partitions the two copies of each chromosome to two daughter cells at division. It is of utmost importance to the perpetuation
The TMPRSS2-ERG fusion gene radiosensitizes to PARP inhibition by blocking DNA repair
Radiotherapy, which is used widely in the clinic, produces DNA damage that leads to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The effectiveness of radiotherapy is augmented when the DNA repair is impaired. TMPRSS2-ERG is a unique fusion gene that
Producing recombinant proteins for human use
Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines are the most frequently used cell lines in the biopharmaceutical industry for the production of therapeutic recombinant proteins, because they can be easily genetically manipulated, grow quickly, can be easily adapted
Using nanotechnology to outsmart pancreatic cancer
Cancer is a versatile disease and makes use of complex cellular signaling networks to defend itself against a host of treatments. Pancreatic cancer in particular has proven challenging with tenacious resistance to DNA-damaging chemoradiation. Malignant cells disobey
An intracellular membrane system helps cells to divide
Cell duplication is the fundamental requirement for the development of multi-cellular organisms, a process that relies on two basic events: replication of the genetic information and the consequent separation of this information into two daughter cells. The
The fossil viruses from within that shape evolution
Our genome contains a colossal amount of virus-related sequences. Over 4 million fragments of our DNA derive from mobile genetic elements, some of which once were viruses that infected the germ line (egg or sperm cells) of
Getting time to decide about dying
Cells experience numerous challenges that jeopardize normal functions; many are routine physiologic fluctuations that require minor adaptations. However, some assaults disrupt cell metabolism so significantly that cell survival is at risk if major adjustments are not made
A novel approach for the treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and possibly other autoimmune diseases.
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a leading chronic autoimmune disease in children that can result in severe disability, pain, and loss of quality of life. Similarly to what is found in other autoimmune diseases, the immune-balance in
Gene sequencing as a novel tool for diagnosing Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Vascular disease is very common and usually follows well known patterns that physicians are thoroughly familiar with. However, from time to time doctors are confronted with »difficult cases« that do not follow usual patterns. A 35-year old
Repair of damaged genetic material in humans
Living organisms across the evolutionary scale protect their genetic material (DNA) by repairing the constant threat of damage posed by environmental radiations, toxic chemicals, and byproducts of cellular metabolism. In the early 60s, Setlow and Howard-Flanders at
A new dimension in the study of life?
One of the key remaining questions in biology is how different cell types originate from single cells such a fertilized eggs or cells from early embryos. What factors drive cells to adopt one cell fate over another?
