MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'gene expression'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:59:38 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718107&cid=t_100983_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fplant-viral-vectors.html%23unique-entry-id-152 for Protein Expressionfrom Yuri Y. Gleba and Anatoli Giritch writing in Recent Advances in Plant VirologyPlant-virus-driven transient expression of heterologous proteins is the basis of several mature manufacturing processes that are currently being used for the production of multiple proteins including vaccine antigens and antibodies. Viral vectors have also become useful tools for research. In recent years, advances have been made both in the development of first-generation vectors (those that employ the 'full virus' strategy) as well as second-generation vectors designed using the 'deconstructed virus' approach. This second strategy relies on Agrobacterium as a vector to deliver DNA copies of one or more viral RNA replicons. Among the most often used viral backbones are those of Tobacc... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718107 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3718107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515071&cid=t_100983_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsensory-mechanisms-bacteria.html%23unique-entry-id-58 from Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal RecognitionBacteria have evolved extraordinary abilities to detect physical and chemical signals, both within their own cells and in the extracellular environment. The interaction of a signal with its receptor (usually a protein or RNA molecule) triggers a series of events that lead to reprogramming of cellular physiology, typically as a consequence of altered patterns of gene expression. In this way, the bacterial cell is able to mount appropriate and effective responses to changing physical and/or chemical environments. The versatility with which many bacteria adapt to environmental change underlies many important aspects of microbiology. For example, pathogens encounter multiple environments as they invade a host from the ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515071 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515070&cid=t_100983_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fthiol-based-sensory-factors%2520.html%23unique-entry-id-59 from Haike Antelmann and Peter Zuber in Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition Bacteria regularly encounter Reactive Oxygen, Nitrogen and Electrophilic Species (ROS, RNS, RES) that are generated inside the cells by incomplete reduction of molecular oxygen, imbalanced metabolic processes or applied externally by toxic or antimicrobial compounds. The response to such reactive agents is mediated by redox-sensitive transcription factors that exploit the unique chemistry of cysteine thiol groups. Redox-sensitive regulatory proteins bear cysteine residues that can undergo post-translational modification, leading to either activation or inactivation of the transcription factors. This in turn results in responses that are aimed to detoxify the reactive species or a... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515070 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460323&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.discovermagazine.com%2Fgnxp%2F2010%2F04%2Fwhen-a-trait-isnt-a-trait-isnt-a-trait%2F One of the great things about evolutionary theory is that it is a formal abstraction of specific concrete aspects of reality and dynamics. It allows us to squeeze inferential juice from incomplete prior knowledge of the state of nature. In other words, you can make predictions and models instead of having to observe every last detail of the natural world. But abstractions, models and formalisms often leave out extraneous details. Sometimes those details turn out not to be so extraneous. Charles Darwin’s original theory of evolution had no coherent or plausible mechanism of inheritance. R. A. Fisher and others imported the empirical reality of Mendelism into the logic of evolutionary theory, to produce the framework of 20th century population genetics. Though accepting the genetic inh... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460323 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:15:19 +0100 3460323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092892&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fprinceton-scientists-find-way-to-catalog-all-that-goes-wrong-in-a-cancer-cell%2F A team of Princeton University scientists has produced a systematic listing of the ways a particular cancerous cell has “gone wrong,” giving researchers a powerful tool that eventually could make possible new, more targeted therapies for patients. A team of Princeton University scientists has produced a systematic listing of the ways a particular cancerous cell has [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092892 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:53:24 +0100 3092892 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071433&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F08%2Fmagp2-gene-expression-signature-a-potential-ovarian-cancer-personalized-treatment-target%2F A multi-institutional study has identified a potential personalized treatment target for the most common form of ovarian cancer. In the December 8 issue of Cancer Cell, the research team describes finding that a gene called MAGP2 – not previously associated with any type of cancer – was overexpressed in papillary serous ovarian tumors of patients [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071433 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:17:59 +0100 3071433 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2962859&cid=t_100983_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fgene-expression-in-entamoeba.html Our knowledge of the functions of different structural proteins and virulence factors in the cellular organization and pathogenesis of Entamoeba histolytica has significantly increased following the introduction of various molecular techniques that enable the manipulation of gene expression. Unfortunately, to date, all the attempts to integrate exogenous DNA into the parasite's genome have failed and most methods for up- and down-regulation of gene expression have been based on the transfection of stably maintained plasmids. Down-regulation has been achieved by plasmids encoding: (i) antisense RNA, (ii) truncated or mutated genes that exert dominant-negative effects, and (iii) inverted loops that generate double stranded RNA molecules. Small interfering RNA oligonucleotides incorporated di... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2962859 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:30:00 +0100 2962859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851968&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fd0tjpkB_Oss%2F Music and cancer do not go together, and I mean that in the context of this new technology: A project at Harvard Medical School created a program to translate the signals from cells into musical notes. Normal signals will sound harmonious, abnormal signals like those coming from cancer cells will sound awful. Listen to this –     Using date from a pre-existing colon cancer study, bioinformatician Gil Alterovitz and his team created a program that transforms complex genomic information into musical notes, so that abnormal data will sound discordant. “When things go awry, such as in the case of p53-null mutant colon cancer cells under inflammatory stress conditions, gene expression varies slightly, and inharmonious chord progressions result. Listening to the result... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851968 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:20 +0100 2851968 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688866&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F10%2Fnovel-targeted-gene-therapies-use-diphtheria-toxin-to-fight-ovarian-cancer-future-clinical-trials-anticipated%2F Two separate research teams reported promising results last week based upon preclinical studies involving the use of diphtheria toxin to fight ovarian cancer. … A targeted gene therapy was utilized in both studies, wherein a gene fragment capable of producing diptheria toxin was combined with a nanoparticle which was [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688866 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:16:33 +0100 2688866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2682082&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F08%2Fgenome-more-than-coding.php Evolutionary Processes Acting on Candidate cis-Regulatory Regions in Humans Inferred from Patterns of Polymorphism and Divergence. Let me just jump to the final paragraph since that's probably what most readers are curious about:Our analysis of human polymorphism and divergence in conserved non-coding sites suggests that the evolution of candidate cis-regulatory regions is often driven by both positive and negative selection. Our findings reinforce the idea that the non-coding portion of our genome has an important functional and evolutionary role, and suggest that patterns of natural selection in non-coding DNA are often distinct from that of protein-coding regions. Many of the adaptive changes in candidate cis-regulatory regions might have occurred near genes expressed in the fetal brain... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2682082 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 01:12:00 +0100 2682082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649203&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FJq8P_-8o38w%2F Do you remember that TV ad for a weed-killer where two men face each other at their front lawns (ala-fastest draw in the west)? Well, that scene was brought to mind when I read this report on atrazine, a popular weed-killer in the U.S.. As one of the most widely used herbicides in the U.S., atrazine easily runs off into surrounding fields and groundwater. It is banned in Europe because the concentrations of the herbicide in underground water supply systems can not be contained at safe levels. Recently, a study reported that atrazine lowers the production of the male hormone androgen by changing the genes that make them. The study was done on male rats which were fed with higher doses of atrazine. The herbicide also lowered testosterone levels and decreased the size of the prostate in rat... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649203 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 09:16:12 +0100 2649203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2365323&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FrgTtU-dDDJs%2F Often, finding the gene(s) that cause a disease is like the proverbial needle in a haystack. And in very rare cases, it’s Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare childhood lung cancer where cysts and/or solid tumors grow in the lungs of children anytime from birth to about 7-8 years of age. Malignant cancer cells. Image: Newscom Only about 50% of patients with PPB are successfully cured of the cancer, and the prognosis becomes better with early diagnosis. One fourth of children with PPB have other types of cancers in their bodies (personal history) or in other family members, so there is a clear genetic factor involved. A recent study found very interesting results that could help scientists understand how cancers develop. Results from a molecular study found that that a master controll... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2365323 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:10:00 +0100 2365323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2326620&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F04%2Fjohns-hopkins-discovers-a-protein-that-contributes-to-ovarian-cancer-recurrence-by-causing-chemoresistance%2F ” … Ground-breaking work on an ovarian cancer-related protein in the lab of Ie-Ming Shih at the [Johns Hopkins] School of Medicine is leading to new insights into cancer biology. … They have revealed a novel protein that creates cancer cells that are resistant to traditional cancer chemotherapies and partially revealed its mechanism of action. [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2326620 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:57:57 +0100 2326620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2299064&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F24%2Fovarian-cancers-detected-early-may-be-less-aggressive%2F “The biology of ovarian cancers discovered at an early stage may render them slower growing and less likely to spread than more aggressive cancers, which typically are discovered in an advanced stage, according to a study led by investigators in the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.  This finding has implications for the question of whether screening [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2299064 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:27:59 +0100 2299064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222636&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2Fepigenetics-and-gene-structures.php Following up on this previous post on epigentics, I thought I'd point to a couple nice examples of using epigenetic information to obtain insight into basic biology. The first is, I think it's fair to say, a landmark paper identifying a set of over a thousand likely functional non-coding RNAs in mouse cell lines. The approach used here was epigenetic: the authors generated genome-wide maps of chromatin modifications known to mark promoters and transcribed regions, and screened out all the regions of the genome already known to be transcriptionally active. This left them with a set of putatively functional transcripts, which tended to be highly evolutionarily conserved (indicating function), and many of which they confirmed via other means to be novel long non-coding RNAs. The second is a n... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222636 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:40:00 +0100 2222636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056101&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F12%2Ftranscription-around-promoters.php A number of papers out this week (summarized here) notice, using various technologies, the presence of extensive transcription off both DNA strands around active promoters. A figure from one of the papers is above--note the peak in transcription from the sense strand just downstream of the transcription start site (TSS), and the peak in anti-sense transcription just upstream of the TSS. This is an interesting observation, and an example of the unexpected things you can see with new technologies, but no one is exactly sure what to make of it--it could just be the transcriptional machinery being a bit sloppy. (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056101 Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:38:00 +0100 2056101 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1964598&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2FBQ-_S2aYqZQ%2F Conclusion Well, what do you think? Have you made a decision? We’ve moved through each of the different attributes: needs, preferences, values and emotions. Did you find the articles interesting? Did you learn anything new? Was this a successful edition of Encephalon? I really enjoyed reading through each of the articles and learned quite a lot. My thanks to everyone that contributed articles — it’s been great hosting this edition of Encephalon. Be sure to take a moment and let your fellow bloggers know this issue is available so that everyone’s hard work can be appreciated and enjoyed by all. You can find both the hosting schedule and past editions at the Encephalon Archives & Calendar. The next edition of Encephalon will be at Ionian Enchantment on November 24th.... Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1964598 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:20:10 +0100 1964598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939181&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FwnOW4GD6YfQ%2F Early-onset type 1 diabetes may have less to do with certain genes causing inborn genetic errors, and more to do with normal genes behaving differently for those with the disease. To find out how certain twins get diabetes while the other does not, Stanford University scientists studied two types of mice models: Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with the gene variants that closely resembles a predisposing gene complex in humans (MHC), and another group of non-diabetic mice without the predisposing genes. The group found that clusters of genes were consistently expressed in the NOD mice in specific tissues at certain times. What is even more interesting is the gene expression "signatures" occurred before certain signs of diabetes were noticed, such as hyperglycemia. So if these pre-... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939181 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:00:35 +0100 1939181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1816188&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F399892651%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. Other Articles You May LikeNovel Gene Suppresses Tumor Growth in Multiple CancersTumor Suppressors and OncogenesThe Promise of Stem Cells to Repair the HeartMapping Connections in the Human BrainIncreased Coffee Consumption Associated with Lower Risk of Liver Cancer (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1816188 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:46:49 +0100 1816188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750136&cid=t_100983_132_f&fid=35028&url=http%3A%2F%2Flurena.vox.com%2Flibrary%2Fpost%2Fmolecular-characterization-of-clonal-interference-during-adaptive-evolution-in-asexual-populations.html%3F_c%3Dfeed-rss ..of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Gavin Sherlock Afternoon Session, 1 September (11th MGED Meeting, 1-4 September, 2008) The population structure in the presence of clonal interference is markedly different from that in a classic model. They needed a... Read and post comments | Send to a friend (Source: Systems Biology & Bioinformatics) Systems Biology & Bioinformatics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750136 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:20:42 +0100 1750136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1627065&cid=t_100983_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F07%2Frna-book-review.html Writing in the journal Microbiology Today (Society for General Microbiology, UK), John McCarthy of the University of Manchester, UK, reviews a new book on RNA and the Regulation of Gene Expression published by Caister Academic Press: "the contributions in this book do provide informative and well-structured overviews of current understanding of the roles of non-coding RNAs, short interfering RNAs, microRNAs and retrotransposons in eukaryotic organisms ... cutting edge studies on the potential role of RNA species in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and on the existence of previously unidentified classes of intergenic and intronic short regulatory RNAs (pyknons) ... a useful purchase for specialist workers in the field as well as for many institutional libraries."For full details... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1627065 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:44:00 +0100 1627065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1488322&cid=t_100983_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F303052211%2F Mutations in the MeCP2 gene are known to cause Rett Syndrome, which causes impairments in language and cognitive and fine motor skills; according to the International Rett’s Syndrome Foundation, Rett Syndrome is often misdiagnosed as autism. Scientists have previously thought that the MeCP2 gene repressed other genes—switching them “off”; a study published in the June 1st Science shows that it also activates—-turns “on”—-a number of other genes. While Rett Syndrome occurs almost exclusively in girls, duplications of the MeCP2 gene cause Rett-like symptoms in boys along with (in some cases) severe mental retardation. The lead author of the study is Huda Zoghbi, M.D., a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and an investigator of t... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1488322 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:44:46 +0100 1488322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1467131&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHEALTH%2F%7E3%2F297549151%2F Conclusion That concludes the 32nd edition of Gene Genie. My thanks to everyone who submitted an article. You can find more information about the carnival as well as the hosting schedule and past editions at the Gene Genie Website. The next edition will be hosted at Neurophilosophy on June 8th. References Google Backs Harvard Scientist’s 100,000-Genome Quest (Update2). Bloomberg.com 2008 Feb 29. Pearson H. Genetics: what is a gene? Nature. 2006 May 25;441(7092):398-401. View abstract Gotlib et al. HPA axis reactivity: a mechanism underlying the associations among 5-HTTLPR, stress, and depression. Biol Psychiatry. 2008 May 1;63(9):847-51. Epub 2007 Nov 19. View abstract McGowan et al. Promoter-wide hypermethylation of the ribosomal RNA gene promoter in the suicide brain. PLoS ... Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1467131 Sun, 25 May 2008 04:01:35 +0100 1467131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1429356&cid=t_100983_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F285937094%2F A product of Pathwork Diagnostics, The Pathwork® Tissue of Origin Test is designed to increase diagnostic certainty for hard-to-identify tumors. The Pathwork® Tissue of Origin Test measures the expression of more than 1500 genes present in a tissue sample and generates the tumor’s gene expression profile. This profile is then compared to those of 15 known tissues, representing more than 60 morphologies. An objective, probability-based Similarity Score is provided for each of the 15 potential tissue types, enabling each tissue type to be ruled in or ruled out. What do patients need to know about The Pathwork® Tissue of Origin Test? If a patient has hard to identify cancer, the doctor may recommend this test in order to fully determine the best treatment plan for the patient. The P... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1429356 Thu, 08 May 2008 08:20:56 +0100 1429356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1015035&cid=t_100983_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2F181939294%2F Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don’t just make you feel good — they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers. That good ol’ “runner’s high” is caused by natural opioids that are released during exercise and they are super duper (that is a word from my kids) good! If we can harness exactly how these altered gene expression patterns work, we can reveal specific cardio-protective pathways and viola… we can mimic these same properties of exercise into treatments for heart disease. And that is that. Read more here Share This (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1015035 Fri, 09 Nov 2007 01:39:46 +0100 1015035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=966607&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=36585&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FHighlightHealth%2F%7E3%2F160625653%2F This article was published on Highlight HEALTH. (Source: Highlight HEALTH) Highlight HEALTH blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=966607 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:23:18 +0100 966607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809997&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=36045&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbayblab.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F08%2Fhiding-from-noise-essential-genes.html We've previously discussed on the bayblab how the same transgene can provoke different murine phenotypes depending on which genomic locus it is expressed from. We've also discussed work demonstrating how noisy gene expression seems to be caused by stochastic bursts of mRNA transcription. A new paper in Nature Genetics ties together these ideas with the observation that essential genes tend to physically cluster within specific regions of genomes.Based on the reasoning that transcriptional noise arises from the stochastic relaxation of otherwise closed chromatin, Batada and Hurst argue that essential eukaryotic genes tend to cluster within regions of open chromatin because these regions are relatively free from transcriptional noise. This would minimize the possibility of random fluctuation... Bayblab blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809997 Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:11:00 +0100 809997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=514727&cid=t_100983_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F105766658%2F Organ transplants save lives but even after the difficult task of finding a donor match, there’s still the possibility of the recipient’s body rejecting the organ. Dutch researchers have developed a technique of coating organs with DNA to improve the chances of a transplant’s success. The coating of DNA is applied by layers and has thus far proven successful in cell cultures and animal experiments. Coating organs with DNA helps to: Reduce the immune response leading to organ rejection Specific to bone implants, phosphate groups found in DNA can speed up the attachment to bone tissue. DNA can be enriched with biologically active factors such as those that promote the formation of bone tissue and blood vessels. In related news, a gene expression profiling (GEP) test, Allo... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=514727 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 10:12:27 +0100 514727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486278&cid=t_100983_107_f&fid=35025&url=http%3A%2F%2Frrresearch.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fpolishing-sxy-manuscript.html We're fixing the final details on the Sxy manuscript; I'm hoping to have it submitted in the next 24 hours. Below I'll try to summarize what it says, in less technical terms than the Abstract uses.We already know that the Sxy protein regulates expression of competence genes; here we're examining how Sxy itself is regulated. Our most powerful tools are regulatory mutations that turn Sxy on when it would otherwise be off. The paper starts by describing new mutations that, taken all together, strongly suggest that expression is controlled by changes in RNA folding. We conclude this because all of the mutations change how RNA can fold, but only one of them changes the Sxy protein sequence (and that in a trivial way).The paper then presents data showing that the RNA folding changes don't affect... RRResearch blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486278 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 20:38:00 +0100 486278 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=471539&cid=t_100983_122_f&fid=34757&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbraintechsci.blogspot.com%2F2006%2F10%2Fpaul-allen-brain-atlas-misconceptions.html I had noticed last Tuesday a blip on the visitor activity site statistics for this blog, and when I looked into it further, saw that increasing numbers of people were coming to this blog by searching for the Allen Brain Atlas. Apparently, this visitor activity 'blip' corresponded to a publicity campaign launched by the Paul Allen marketing department on that same day to publicize that all the genes in the mouse brain had been mapped. I have posted some things that were critical of the Allen Brain Project, but not unrightly so. I want to see the project succeed and not merely create illusions and spread disinformation through the media. With this in mind, I would like to correct some the media hype and falsehoods about the Allen Brain Project that have been widely circulated.Common Allen Br... BrainTechSci blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=471539 Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:12:00 +0100 471539