Cytology News 
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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 25.
Scientists Find Key To Gene That Promotes Cancer Metastasis
The molecular machinery that switches on a gene known to cause breast cancer to spread and invade other organs has been identified by an international team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The paper was published Sunday in Nature Cell Biology's advanced online publication. The discovery provides a target-rich environment for development of drugs to thwart expression of the RhoA gene, according to Hui-Kuan Lin, Ph.D., the paper's senior author and an assistant professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - April 13, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer / Oncology Source Type: news
Scientists Find Key to Gene that Promotes Cancer Metastasis
The molecular machinery that switches on a gene known to cause breast cancer to spread and invade other organs has been identified by an international team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The paper was published Sunday in Nature Cell Biology's advanced online publication.
Source: M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - News Releases - April 12, 2010 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
Scientists find key to gene that promotes cancer metastasis
(University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center) The molecular machinery that switches on a gene known to cause breast cancer to spread and invade other organs has been identified by an international team led by scientists at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The paper was published Sunday in Nature Cell Biology's advanced online publication.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 12, 2010 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
New model tracks the immune response to a T
Researchers have created novel mouse models of the immune system starting with T cells primed for the infectious disease toxoplasmosis by generating cloned mice from these T cells. This type of model more accurately represents how immune cells respond to infectious diseases, and could be used to more reliably study immune cell biology and the role of immune cells in infectious disease. Earlier immune system models are inherently limited by the laboratory procedure involved.
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - April 10, 2010 Category: Science Source Type: news
Investigators At Institute Of Molecular Oncology Zero In On Ovarian Cancer Cell Biology
Research findings, 'Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules: novel signaling players in epithelial ovarian cancer,' are discussed in a new report. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological pathology.
Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer - April 9, 2010 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
New model tracks the immune response to a T
(Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research) Whitehead researchers have created novel mouse models of the immune system starting with T cells primed for the infectious disease toxoplasmosis by generating cloned mice from these T cells. This type of model more accurately represents how immune cells respond to infectious diseases, and could be used to more reliably study immune cell biology and the role of immune cells in infectious disease. Earlier immune system models are inherently limited by the laboratory procedure involved.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 8, 2010 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Featured at Conference on Antibacterial Development
EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBY), a clinical stage Biotechnology company developing first-in-class, anti-infective compounds for the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced that Dmitri Debabov, Ph.D., Associate Director of Microbiology and Cell Biology, will give a presentation on the company's lead Aganocide(r) compound at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 5th annual "Drug Discovery Chemistry" conference in San Diego. April 27-29.
Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) - April 7, 2010 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
Defective Protein Is A Double Hit For Ataxia
The neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) damages nerve cells in two ways. University of Minnesota researchers now report that the defective protein responsible for the disease cuts the number of synaptic terminals and snarls traffic inside neurons. The study appears in the April 5 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology. SCA5 results from a faulty gene for {beta}-III-spectrin. The disease targets the cerebellum's Purkinje cells, which control coordination...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - April 6, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology / Neuroscience Source Type: news
Cichowski appointed Associate Director of Planning and Evaluation
Karen Cichowski, PhD (BWH) has been appointed DF/HCC's Associate Director of Planning and Evaluation, succeeding Ed Harlow (HMS). Before taking on this role, Cichowski served as co-leader of the Cancer Cell Biology Program with Jeffrey Settleman.
Cichowski received her PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, where she worked with Joan Brugge, PhD (HMS), and performed post-doctoral work at M.I.T. with Tyler Jacks. She joined the HMS faculty in 2000 as a member of the Genetics Division at BWH. Her laboratory utilizes cell biological, biochemical, and mouse modeling approaches to elucidate how deregulate Ras signaling drives ...
Source: DF/HCC: Latest News - April 5, 2010 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news
EUS-FNA of Pancreas Neuroendocrine Tumor
A 33 yo female underwent imaging of the abdomen with a CT scan of the abdomen to evaluate abdominal pain. A mass in the tail of the pancreas with increased uptake on octreotide scan was identified. EUS identified a well circumscribed, 3 cm mass superior to the kidney in the pancreas tail. A central cystic space was seen within the mass along with areas of vascularity. The mass was separate from the splenic vessels.
EUS-FNA cytology was consistent with a neuroendocrine neoplasm.
A laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy was performed.
Surgical pathology revealed a pancreatic endocrine neoplasm. Immunohisto...
Source: The Digital Atlas of Video Education - Gastroenterology - April 5, 2010 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Harry Aslanian, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Yale University Source Type: news
Defective protein is a double hit for ataxia
(Rockefeller University Press) The neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 damages nerve cells in two ways. University of Minnesota researchers now report that the defective protein responsible for the disease cuts the number of synaptic terminals and snarls traffic inside neurons. The study appears in the April 5 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology.
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 5, 2010 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Persistence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the face of multiple antibiotics - Abstract
Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112.
Source: UroToday - April 1, 2010 Category: Urology & Nephrology Tags: Browse Categories - Infections Source Type: news
Novel Mechanism for Control of Gene Expression Revealed
(Boston) – Dr. David Levin, Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and Professor of Microbiology at Boston University School of Medicine discovered recently a novel, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for the regulation of gene expression. The study describing this work titled, “Mpk1 MAPK Association with the Paf1 Complex Blocks Sen1-Mediated Premature Transcription Termination,” appears in the March 4 issue of Cell.
Source: Boston University News Releases - April 1, 2010 Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: Gina M. Digravio Source Type: news
European Hematologist Receives Award To Conduct Research In U.S.
The European Hematology Association (EHA) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) have selected Ingmar Bruns, MD, as the seventh recipient of the EHA-ASH Research Exchange Award, which serves to strengthen ties between North American and European scientific communities. Dr. Ingmar Bruns is a resident physician and research scientist in the Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Clinical Immunology at the University of Düsseldorf in Germany. After graduating from medical school, he became interested in hematopoietic stem cell biology during his residency in hematology...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 31, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Blood / Hematology Source Type: news
Twelve new members join DF/HCC
Twelve individuals have recently joined DF/HCC. See below to learn more about these scientists and their research interests.
Zoltan Arany, MD, PhD (BIDMC) Angiogenesis, Invasion, and Metastasis Research focus: The lab studies gene regulatory pathways underlying cardiovascular disease, with a specific interest in angiogenesis and blood vessel homeostasis. Efforts are underway to test if this pathway is active in angiogenesis associated with neoplastic progression, as well as other pathological processes, and to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this novel pathway. David Breault,...
Source: DF/HCC: Latest News - March 26, 2010 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: News Source Type: news
Gene To Explain Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Immortality Revealed By NIA Researchers
Researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a key to embryonic stem (ES) cell rejuvenation in a gene - Zscan4 - as reported in the March 24, 2010, online issue of Nature. This breakthrough finding could have major implications for aging research, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology...
Source: Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today - March 26, 2010 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Stem Cell Research Source Type: news
Cells That Mend A Broken Heart
Humans have very limited ability to regenerate heart muscle cells, which is a key reason why heart attacks that kill cells and scar heart tissue are so dangerous. But damaged heart muscles in the amazing, highly regenerative zebrafish have given Duke University Medical Center scientists a few ideas that may lead to new directions in clinical research and better therapy after heart attacks. "Our hearts don't seem so complex that they shouldn't have the capacity to regenerate," said Kenneth Poss, Ph.D., senior author of the study in Nature and professor of cell biology at Duke...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 26, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cardiovascular / Cardiology Source Type: news
Gene To Explain Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Immortality Revealed By NIA Researchers
Researchers at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a key to embryonic stem (ES) cell rejuvenation in a gene - Zscan4 - as reported in the March 24, 2010, online issue of Nature. This breakthrough finding could have major implications for aging research, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology. ES cells are unique because, along with the ability to develop into nearly any type of cell in the body, they can produce infinite generations of new, fully operational ES cells (daughter cells)...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 26, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Stem Cell Research Source Type: news
Hot Paper in cell biology
How autophagy can help cell survival
Source: The Scientist - March 24, 2010 Category: Science Authors: Jef Akst Source Type: news
Expression Profiling of Fungal Genes During Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Symbiosis Establishment Using Direct Fluorescent In Situ RT-PCR
Expression profiling of fungal genes in the arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis has been based on studies of RNA extracted from fungal tissue or mycorrhizal roots, giving only a general picture of overall transcript levels in the targeted tissues. Information about the spatial distribution of transcripts within AM fungal structures during different developmental stages is essential to a better understanding of fungal activity in symbiotic interactions with host roots and to determine molecular events involved in establishment and functioning of the AM symbiosis. The obligate biotrophic nature of AM fungi is a challenge fo...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Gene Silencing for Functional Analysis: Assessing RNAi as a Tool for Manipulation of Gene Expression
The availability of a large number of gene-disrupted mutants (either from natural mutants’ collections or from knockout projects) is a great advantage for functional analysis studies. However, disfunction of many fungal genes, involved in key developmental processes, leads to dramatic and pleotropic changes in cell morphology, conferring a major difficulty in studying null mutants. Therefore, obtaining variable levels of reduction in gene expression, especially of essential genes or genes whose impaired expression confers a pleiotropic phenotype, is extremely beneficial for studying their function. Here, we describe ...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Protoplast Transformation of Filamentous Fungi
The protoplast method for the transformation of filamentous fungi is described in detail, as is the Restriction Enzyme-Mediated Integration (REMI) procedure for introducing tagged mutations into the fungal genome. A split marker method for generating PCR fragments for targeted integration and deletion of genes of interest is also detailed.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Identification of Differentially Expressed Fungal Genes In Planta by Suppression Subtraction Hybridization
In host-pathogen interactions, identification of pathogen genes expressed during plant infection poses a challenge, even though these genes may be strongly induced by signals from the host. Here, we describe the application of a PCR-based differential screening method to plant-fungal interactions. Suppression subtraction hybridization (SSH) provides a sensitive method to isolate fungal genes expressed in planta. Total RNA is isolated from infected plants for comparison with the pathogen in axenic culture, or, in the application described here, plants infected with a wild type isolate are compared with plants infected with ...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Quantification of Fungal Infection of Leaves with Digital Images and Scion Image Software
Digital image analysis has been used to distinguish and quantify leaf color changes arising from a variety of factors. Its use to assess the percentage of leaf area with color differences caused by plant disease symptoms, such as necrosis, chlorosis, or sporulation, can provide a rigorous and quantitative means of assessing disease severity. A method is described for measuring symptoms of different fungal foliar infections that involves capturing the image with a standard flatbed scanner or digital camera followed by quantifying the area, where the color has been affected because of fungal infection. The method uses the fr...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Measuring Protein Kinase and Sugar Kinase Activity in Plant Pathogenic Fusarium Species
As ubiquitous metabolic and signaling intermediaries, kinases regulate innumerable aspects of fungal growth and development. At its simplest, the enzymatic function of a kinase is to transfer a phosphate from a donor molecule (such as adenosine triphosphate) to an acceptor molecule, such as a protein, carbohydrate, or lipid. Kinase activity is intricately interwoven into signal transduction, and ultimately modulates gene expression, downstream phosphorylation events, and other mechanisms of posttranslational modification. Therefore, sensitive and reproducible techniques to measure kinase activity are crucial to elucidate c...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Biochemical Methods Used to Study the Gene Expression and Protein Complexes in the Filamentous Fungus Neurospora crassa
Biochemical approaches are powerful tools for investigating mechanisms of biological processes. Here, we describe several biochemical approaches that have been successfully in our laboratory to study the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. These approaches include protein extraction and western blot analysis, protein purification using epitope-tagged fusion protein, protein immunoprecipitation (IP) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. These methods can also be modified for use in other filamentous fungi.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
A Detailed Protocol for Chromatin Immunoprecipitation in the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Critical cellular processes such as DNA replication, DNA damage repair, and transcription are mediated and regulated by DNA-binding proteins. Many efforts have been invested therefore in developing methods that monitor the dynamics of protein-DNA association. As older techniques such as DNA footprinting, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) could be applied mostly in vitro, the development of the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) method, which allows quantitative measurement of protein-bound DNA most accurately in vivo, revolutionized our capabilities of understanding the mechanisms underlying the aforementi...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
A Method to Visualize the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeleton by Indirect Immunofluorescence
The cytoskeleton provides the basic architectural organization and shape of the eukaryotic cell, and plays a key role in segregation of the genetic material. A method to visualize the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton in the fungus Ustilago maydis by indirect immunofluorescence is described here. The method entails growth of cells to early logarithmic phase, fixation with a cross-linking agent or organic solvent, partial digestion of the cell wall and permeabilization of cells with a detergent to allow entry of antibodies, exposure to primary antibody, followed by treatment with secondary antibody conjugated to a fluoroph...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization for Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis in Filamentous Fungi
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful technology for studying eukaryotic chromosomes and genomes from the combined view of cytogenetics and molecular biology, but its use in filamentous fungi has been limited. In this chapter, we describe protocols to perform three basic FISH techniques in filamentous fungi: (a) FISH mapping of unique sequences on the somatic chromosomes and interphase nuclei, (b) chromosome painting to detect a specific chromosome in the genome by fluorescent painting of the whole chromosome, and (c) fiber FISH on the stretched DNA fibers for physical mapping. The ways of preparing targe...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Live-Cell Imaging of Microtubule Dynamics in Hyphae of Neurospora crassa
Due to the large number of microtubules in the wild-type strain, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy was used to study cortical microtubule dynamics in leading hyphae of Neurospora crassa expressing β-tubulin-GFP. Detection of plus-end dynamics of individual microtubule was much improved with this approach compared to the other commonly used methods such as confocal and widefield fluorescence microscopy. In order to address the roles of motor proteins in microtubule dynamics, microtubule-motor mutant strains, ∆nkin and ro-1 were examined. Unlike the wild-type strain, there were fewer microtu...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Methods to Detect Apoptotic-Like Cell Death in Filamentous Fungi
Fungi are capable of undergoing apoptotic-like cell death, and display many of the characteristic features of apoptosis observed in multicellular organisms. These features include nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, translocation of phosphatidylserine from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular side of the plasma membrane, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several assays can be used to detect apoptotic cells, and here we describe adaptations of assays such as TUNEL, Annexin V, and Evan’s Blue for the investigation of apoptotic-like cell death in fungal hyphae. We also present approaches for mo...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Preparation of Fungi for Ultrastructural Investigations and Immunogoldlabelling
Electron microscopic analysis of biological material requires optimal preparation of the samples. This is necessary to prevent degeneration processes and changes of the material during microscopic observation. Both would lead to artefacts. In this chapter, we present methods to prepare fungi or plant tissues infected with fungi for transmission electron microscopy. This includes chemical fixations as well as cryofixation and the subsequent embedding in suitable resins. For cryofixation, the high pressure freeze fixation is described in detail. Further on, protocols for freeze substitution of cryofixed samples and immunogol...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Evaluation of Antifungal Susceptibility Using Flow Cytometry
Flow cytometry has found wide applications in areas like haematology and immunology, but also presents great potential in microbiology. The susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida and Cryptococcus to antifungal compounds can be assayed by flow cytometry using fluorescent probes like FUN-1, propidium iodide and JC-1, with several advantages. Following 1 or 2 h of incubation, depending on the antifungal compound, versus 48 h of the classical methods, it is possible to establish the different susceptibility profiles. Additionally, it provides information regarding the mechanisms of action and might infer about resistance mechanisms.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Split-EGFP Screens for the Detection and Localisation of Protein–Protein Interactions in Living Yeast Cells
Proteomics aims to identify and classify the proteins present in a particular cell or tissue. However, we know that proteins rarely function alone and knowledge of which proteins interact with which other proteins is vital if we wish to understand how cells work. The budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a well-established model for studying protein-protein interactions, and a number of methods have been developed to do this. A method for the in vivo detection and localisation of interacting pairs of proteins in living yeast cells is presented. The method relies on the ability of fragments of enhanced green fluoresce...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Multiplex Gene Expression Analysis by TRAC in Fungal Cultures
For an increasing number of microorganisms of scientific and industrial interest, the genome sequences have become available, which in turn has enabled genome-wide microarray studies. Global level transcriptomic analysis has flooded the research community with gene expression data from diverse biological states. One of the key aspects of this research is that in many cases the analysis of thousands of genes leads to the discovery of significantly smaller sets of genes, from a few to a few hundred, which provide the essential information about biological systems of interest. As a consequence, the requirement for technologie...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Application of Laser Microdissection to Study Plant–Fungal Pathogen Interactions
Laser microdissection (LM) has become an important tool for isolating individual cells or cell types from suitably prepared tissue samples. The technique can be used to isolate both fungal and host plant cells after pathogen infection for molecular studies. Sample preparation is a crucial step in LM and involves fixing samples with appropriate fixatives to preserve the integrity of cell morphology and target metabolites (e.g., RNA), and embedding the fixed tissue in paraffin wax for sectioning onto microscope slides. The sample sections are then deparaffinised, rehydrated, and cells are dissected by a laser focused through...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Amplification of Fungal Genomes Using Multiple Displacement Amplification
The availability of genomic DNA of sufficient quality and quantity is fundamental to molecular genetic analysis. Many filamentous fungi are slow growing or even unculturable and current DNA isolation methods are often unsatisfactory. Multiple displacement amplification (MDA) is a technique that can be employed to reliably amplify whole genomes from such recalcitrant species. Template DNA obtained using traditional DNA extraction methods, glass bead-mediated disruption of fungal spores or alkaline lysis of mycelium can be used to produce DNA of sufficient quality to be used as a substrate in MDA. With the advent of next gen...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Analysis of Fungal Gene Expression by Real Time Quantitative PCR
The Real-Time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method has become central for the quantification of gene expression as well as other applications. The major advantages of qPCR are the utilization of small amount of template, high sensitivity and the ability to detect products during the reaction. After selecting qPCR among other options (northern blot, semi-quantitative PCR), one should consider several factors. The first and critical step in qPCR of fungi is the selection of an appropriate growth medium and RNA extraction method, which will avoid accumulation of inhibitors. In this chapter, we focus on detection of the accumulating...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
DelsGate: A Robust and Rapid Method for Gene Deletion
We describe here the entire process, from the generation of the deletion construct with DelsGate to the analysis of the fungal transformants to test for gene replacement, with the Basidiomycete fungus Ustilago maydis. Application of DelsGate to other fungal species is also underway. Additionally, we describe how this basic approach can be adapted to other genetic manipulations with minor changes. We specifically describe its application to create unmarked deletions in Ralstonia solanacearum, a Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Development of Impala-Based Transposon Systems for Gene Tagging in Filamentous Fungi
Genome sequences of many filamentous fungi are now available and additional genomes are currently being sequenced. One of the next strategic goals is to generate collections of tagged genes in order to establish a link between the several thousands of predicted genes and their function. Transposable elements have been invaluable for the identification and isolation of genes of interest as insertion of a transposon both disrupts and tags a gene. In an effort to exploit active transposons identified in the genome of Fusarium oxysporum as insertional mutagens, a binary system including the tagging element, MITE, and the trans...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
High-Throughput Construction of Gene Deletion Cassettes for Generation of Neurospora crassa Knockout Strains
The availability of complete genome sequences for a number of biologically important fungi has become an important resource for fungal research communities. However, the functions of many open reading frames (ORFs) identified through annotation of whole genome sequences have yet to be determined. The disruption of ORFs is a practical method for loss-of-function gene analyses in fungi that are amenable to transformation. Unfortunately, the construction of knockout cassettes using traditional digestion and ligation techniques can be difficult to implement in a high-throughput fashion. Knockout cassettes for all annotated ORF...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
Electroporation and Agrobacterium-Mediated Spore Transformation
Genetic transformation is a key technology in modern fungal research. Most commonly, protoplasts are transformed using the polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation protocols. Because protoplasts are generated by treatment of mycelia with a crude enzyme preparation, the results tend to be inconsistent. Furthermore, some species cannot be transformed by this method. Electroporation (EP) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AMT) are two alternative methods. These methods allow the transformation of spores or mycelia, they are simple to perform and provide consistent results. In this chapter, we describe E...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Cell Biology - March 24, 2010 Category: Cytology Source Type: news
NIA researchers find gene to explain mouse embryonic stem cell immortality
(NIH/National Institute on Aging) Researchers at the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a key to embryonic stem cell rejuvenation in a gene -- Zscan4 -- as reported in the March 24, 2010, online issue of Nature. This breakthrough finding could have major implications for aging research, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and cancer biology.
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - March 24, 2010 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Atrophy Of Disused Muscle Triggered By TWEAK
A new study in the Journal of Cell Biology (JCB) identifies a cytokine signaling pathway that induces the breakdown of disused skeletal muscle. Blocking this pathway could prevent immobilized patients from losing their muscle tissue. The article appears in the March 22 issue of the JCB. Skeletal muscle wastes away when its activity is reduced by, for example, a spinal cord injury. Although the mechanism by which muscle fibers break down is understood fairly well, how the process is triggered remains unknown...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 23, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Bones / Orthopedics Source Type: news
Bloome Syndrome Protein Is Critical For Meiotic Recombination
Researchers from Cornell University (NY) provide the first analysis of the function of Bloome syndrome protein (BLM) in mammalian meiosis. Bloome syndrome (BS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by stunted growth, cancer predisposition, and sterility that is caused by a mutation in the Blm gene and a deficiency of BLM. The study appears in the March 22 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology...
Source: Fertility News From Medical News Today - March 23, 2010 Category: OBGYN Tags: Genetics Source Type: news
Tumor Resistance To Anti-Cancer Agent TRAIL
The TRAIL ligand is a promising anticancer agent that preferentially kills tumor cells without apparent damage to healthy cells. Many cancers exhibit resistance to TRAIL, however, thus limiting its therapeutic potential. According to a study in the March 22 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, small molecules known to block Mcl-1 (induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein) might represent a suitable means to overcome TRAIL resistance...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 23, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma Source Type: news
Bloome Syndrome Protein Is Critical For Meiotic Recombination
Researchers from Cornell University (NY) provide the first analysis of the function of Bloome syndrome protein (BLM) in mammalian meiosis. Bloome syndrome (BS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by stunted growth, cancer predisposition, and sterility that is caused by a mutation in the Blm gene and a deficiency of BLM. The study appears in the March 22 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology. Although BLM has been shown to play an important role in DNA recombination in somatic cells, there has been no information on the impact of BLM in mammalian meiosis...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 23, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Genetics Source Type: news
UCD Conway Worm Research Sheds Light On Joubert Syndrome Gene
Researchers in University College Dublin (UCD) led by Conway Fellow, Dr Oliver Blacque have revealed new information about a gene implicated in Joubert syndrome and related cerebellar disorders (JSRDs) that are characterised by blindness, bone abnormalities, cystic kidneys, developmental delay and loss of muscle tone and control. The findings from this research, which is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, have been published in a leading science journal, Journal of Cell Biology...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - March 23, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology / Neuroscience Source Type: news
