Strange but True: The Largest Organism on Earth Is a Fungus Oct 14, 2007
Next, the microbiologists developed a new way to tell an individual apart from a group of closely related siblings using a battery of molecular genetic techniques. The major test compared fungal genes for telltale signs of inbreeding, where heterozygous strips of DNA become homozygous. (Scientific American)
Capecchi, Smithies and Evans share the Nobel Oct 9, 2007
Researchers are honored for developing genetic techniques for making knockout mice. Published 8th October 2007 05:35 PM GMT. (The Scientist)
Glowing Mice Light The Way To Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Sep 8, 2007
Using biochemical and genetic techniques to change the levels of various molecules in the pathway, including insulin and TORC2, the researchers measured the effect of these changes on the amount of light emitted from the liver. The experiments revealed that the rise in insulin during feeding turned off the CREB/TORC2 switch. (Science Daily)
New study shows greenback cutthroat trout involved in recovery effort misidentified Sep 6, 2007
"Fortunately, the data is becoming more accurate over time as genetic techniques improve and the peer review process is increasingly incorporated into scientific management strategies.". The Colorado Division of Wildlife reached its goal of 20 self-sustaining populations in 2006, positioning the greenback for removal from the list of federally protected species. (EurekAlert!)
Role For Glucose-sensing Neurons In Type 2 Diabetes Identified Aug 31, 2007
"New advances in genetic techniques have allowed us to express green fluorescent proteins [GFP] specifically in one cell type," explains Parton, a member of the Lowell laboratory at BIDMC and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at HMS. "The advantage of expressing a fluorescent marker specifically in one type of neuron is the ability to identify and distinguish these cells from the many hundreds of other cell types that are present in the brain.". As predicted, the electrophysiology experiments... (Science Daily)
Echidna's Sex Life Under Study Aug 29, 2007
"We want to integrate state-of-the-art animal tracking and molecular genetic techniques that we have established in the platypus to give us an in-depth insight into the behaviour and ecology of the echidna. We plan to grow cell lines from individual echidnas so we can develop genetic fingerprints," Dr Gr. tzner says. (Science Daily)
Glia Play An Important Role In Circadian Timing Aug 8, 2007
Jackson and his colleague Joowon Suh, a student in the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences neuroscience program at Tufts, used cellular and molecular genetic techniques to show that Ebony is localized exclusively in glial cells, and that it is involved in one of the commonly studied rhythmic behaviors observed in Drosophila--locomotor activity. "Not only do our studies indicate that Ebony abundance is under clock control," Jackson says, "but they also suggest that Ebony may exert its... (Science Daily)
UAF scientist is North America's top moose biologist Aug 6, 2007
He is also developing genetic techniques for wildlife managers to use to track and manage animal populations in Alaska. "Genetics is kind of a new tool in our toolbox to help managers," he said, noting that genetics can be useful to track population migrations. (Anchorage Daily News)
New molecular switch for genes Jul 27, 2007
Genetic techniques to create "knockouts" are irreversible, making it difficult to study the function of genes at different points in development. Approaches that use such as tetracycline don't completely block expression of the target protein. (The Scientist)
Foxes get frisky in the far north Jul 18, 2007
But molecular genetic techniques are starting to reveal complexities in mammalian mating systems that were not apparent from observational studies of animal social behavior. Using a technique called microsatellite DNA fingerprinting, a team of researchers from the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the University of Quebec at Rimouski collected DNA samples from 49 arctic foxes trapped in dens on Bylot Island, Nunavut. (EurekAlert!)
Ancient Etruscans were immigrants from Anatolia, or what is now Turkey Jun 17, 2007
Now modern genetic techniques have given scientists the tools to answer this puzzle. Professor Piazza and his colleagues set out to study genetic samples from three present-day Italian populations living in Murlo, Volterra, and Casentino in Tuscany, central Italy. (EurekAlert!)
Flying clear of tuberculosis Jun 6, 2007
This is a good time for public health to employ more advanced genetic techniques to detect all drug resistance earlier and then restrict travel on an as-needed basis. It is also a good time for public health officials to learn to communicate risk through facts rather than fear. (Boston Globe)
Egyptians, Not Greeks Were True Fathers Of Medicine May 10, 2007
Fellow researcher Dr Ryan Metcalfe is now developing genetic techniques to investigate the medicinal plants of ancient Egypt. He has designed his research to determine which modern species the ancient botanical samples are most related to. (Science Daily)
Full Story » May 4, 2007
A professor in the molecular, cellular and developmental biology department, Pace pioneered the use of molecular genetic techniques to rapidly detect, identify and classify microbe species using nucleic acid technology. oday's discoveries and advancements in microbiology are directly built upon the foundations established by this influential microbiologist, according to an ASM statement. (Boulder Colorado Daily, CO)
One Small Carnivore Survived The Last Ice Age In Ireland Apr 23, 2007
Using genetic techniques the scientists used a total of 197 tissue and skin samples collected from stoats from 153 localities in Eurasia and Greenland which yielded definite sequences. Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Queen's University Belfast. (Science Daily)
Rare child cancer breakthrough Apr 21, 2007
However, scientists had found it impossible to use normal genetic techniques, which inactivate genes from conception, to investigate how the tumour forms and how the cancer could be treated. The team recently discovered a crucial time during the development of the kidney when loss of the WT1 gene activity causes cells to multiply in an uncontrolled way, as is found in Wilms' tumour. (BBC News -- Health)
Child cancer study research hailed Apr 20, 2007
This meant it was impossible to use normal genetic techniques, which inactivate genes from conception, to investigate how the tumour forms and how it could be treated. In the latest research a team at Edinburgh University developed a new method for inactivating genes at any time of the experimenters' choosing. (Channel 4 News)
New Success In Engineering Plant Oils Mar 7, 2007
"Our group sought to gain a better understanding of the enzymes and metabolic pathways that produce these oils to find ways to manipulate the accumulation of fats using genetic techniques.". The researchers focused on an enzyme known as KASII that normally elongates fatty acid chains by adding two carbon atoms. (Science Daily)
A challenge to the labs Mar 1, 2007
Genetic techniques allow animal strains to be created with human diseases or susceptibilities, making results much more relevant to the human condition, Shine says. Similarly, as medicines evolve to become more specifically targeted to particular molecules or proteins, differences between humans' and animals' overall physiology matter less. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Non-GMO Solution To Seafood Allergies Feb 27, 2007
Samuel Lehrer of Tulane University in New Orleans, USA, is already working on removing allergens from prawns using genetic techniques. But Zhenxing's method could be preferable for people wary of eating genetically modified foods. (Science Daily)
Marker That Identifies Energy-producing Centers In Nerve Cells Can Help Track Metabolic Changes Related To Aging And Diseases Feb 17, 2007
Using advanced genetic techniques, the researchers have produced mice with fluorescent protein markers that identify only the mitochondria in neurons. These structures light up with a greenish-yellow glow when the scientists look at the brains of these mice through a fluorescent microscope. (Science Daily)
World's Largest Flower Finally Finds Home Jan 13, 2007
Even genetic techniques, reliable for spot-on descriptions of organisms, proved troublesome. Scientists usually rely on DNA from light-gathering structures needed for photosynthesis. (FOX News)
Giant, stinky flower finally finds its roots Jan 12, 2007
Even genetic techniques, reliable for spot-on descriptions of organisms, proved troublesome. Scientists usually rely on DNA from chloroplasts light-gathering structures needed for s. Since rafflesia depends solely on a host for nutrients, and not photosynthesis, it lacks chloroplasts. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Shotgun sequencing finds nanoorganisms Dec 22, 2006
But Baker's discovery makes clear that shotgun sequencing can also pick out rare organisms too small to see easily, and too novel to be plucked out by other genetic techniques. "We were essentially looking for new stuff, and we found it in all the samples studied, though at low abundance," said Baker, who is with the campus's Department of Earth and Planetary Science. (EurekAlert!)
Revealed: Wonders of the deep Dec 11, 2006
Researchers also began assembling the best video of protists - mostly microscopic organisms that are neither animals, plants, or fungi - and to pioneer optical and genetic techniques to increase their knowledge. DEEPEST. (Scotsman)
Extreme Life, Marine Style, highlights 2006 Ocean Census Dec 11, 2006
The researchers also began assembling the best-ever video of protists (mostly microscopic organisms that are neither animals, plants, or fungi) and to pioneer optical and genetic techniques to extend the limits of knowledge. (The video is available for media at the embargoed media materials URL. Credit: Jeremy Pickett-Heaps). (EurekAlert!)
'Nanorust' Cleans Arsenic From Drinking Water Nov 11, 2006
Nanorust' Cleans Arsenic From Drinking Water. The discovery of unexpected magnetic interactions between ultrasmall specks of rust is leading scientists at Rice University's Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN) to develop a revolutionary, low-cost technology for cleaning arsenic from drinking water. (Science Daily)
Company's new pet project: $6,000 exotic cats Oct 25, 2006
Brodie said the company, using unspecified genetic techniques and artificial insemination, has combined components of three breeds to create the Ashera ... Brodie said that Allerca, using genetic techniques, intends to transform the cottage industry of cat breeding into a sound business with excellent customer service and guaranteed products. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
38 Million Sharks Killed for Fins Annually, Experts Estimate Oct 13, 2006
Murdoch and his colleagues' new, mathematical estimating method uses trade records from commercial markets and genetic techniques to identify species. In their effort to accurately estimate the number of fins harvested and therefore the number of sharks killed the scientists conducted interviews with traders and studied almost 400 fin samples. (National Geographic)
First tree joins genome club Sep 15, 2006
Researchers are aiming to use genetic techniques to make poplars grow fatter and with a smaller canopy, for example, so that more trees can be grown more quickly in a small space. And they would like to make the plants contain a higher proportion of cellulose to lignin. (Nature News Service)
A Switch Between Life And Death Sep 6, 2006
Using sophisticated genetic techniques, Thompson and Cohen established that a small molecule, a microRNA called bantam, makes this link. Without bantam, tissues grow too slowly and remain smaller than normal. (Science Daily)
Brain's Cannabinoid System 'Mellows' Seizures Aug 18, 2006
Thus, Lutz, Marsicano, and his colleagues used genetic techniques to pinpoint the role of the endocannabinoid system on these neurons and on seizure activity. They used mice as their animal model and induced seizures in these mice with the chemical kainic acid (KA). (Science Daily)
Alleviating the burden of Multiple Sclerosis Aug 7, 2006
"This was quite a challenge because NF-kB is involved in many crucial processes throughout the entire body, and shutting down its activation in all cells kills the mouse before it is born," says Pasparakis, "To observe the effect of NF-kB in MS, we used sophisticated genetic techniques to generate mice that do not express IKK2 and NEMO in brain cells only.". The results were mice that showed much milder MS symptoms than normal, an effect that is very likely to be linked to the lower amount of... (EurekAlert!)
Trees Appear To Respond Slower To Climate Change Than Previously Thought Aug 5, 2006
The study illustrates the power of using genetic techniques to answer paleoecological questions relevant to global change, said co-author Ken N. Paige, professor and head of animal biology who has studied the genetic structure and dynamics of plant and animal populations for more than 20 years. It s likely that more new insights can be gained by studying other plant and animal species with this approach. (Science Daily)
A gentle way to age Aug 4, 2006
He is part of a research team, led by Peter Harrison, that is developing genetic techniques to age humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from their sloughed skin. Currently, the most accurate way to age baleen whales such as humpbacks, which lack the teeth often used to age whales, is to count the lamination rings that form in their ear wax. (Nature News Service)
Bid to curb illegal timber trade Aug 2, 2006
The Development of Genetic Techniques For the Forensic Identification of CITES Listed Timber and Wood Products is being conducted by the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Wildlife DNA Services Limited. Bernama. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- News)
Gene reveals mammoth coat colour Jul 7, 2006
The information was extracted from a 43,000-year-old woolly mammoth bone from Siberia using the latest genetic techniques. Writing in the journal Science, the researchers said a gene called Mc1r was controlling the beasts' coat colours. (BBC News -- Science)
But Biotechnology Bucks the Trend Apr 24, 2006
The century-old drug industry has historically used chemical techniques to discover its products, whereas the 30-year-old biotechnology industry has used genetic techniques. The latter approach is paying off for the leading companies, with a string of spectacular drugs for cancer and other tough diseases coming to market recently. (Yahoo News -- Biological and Chemical Weapons)
Polluted Ground Water Poured Into A Model Apr 20, 2006
(April 11, 2006) -- Researchers at the University of Georgia had used genetic techniques to create "arsenic-eating" plants that could be planted on polluted sites. Now, the research team, led by geneticist Richard. (Science Daily)
Ants evolved with the help of plants, study suggests Apr 10, 2006
Harvard University scientists used genetic techniques to rebuild the ant family tree and found that it arose at least 40 million years earlier than the fossil record shows. The study also shows that the diversity of ants, now found in ecosystems all over the world, took off only about 100 million years ago, around the same time flowering plants, the angiosperms, began to diversify. (CBC News)
Beyond 'Roots' Feb 10, 2006
" But this time, the conversation has a new twist in the form of the double helix.Three of the four episodes follow African-American celebrities -- Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, and Chris Tucker, among others -- as they discover details about their extended kin through the use of conventional means of genealogical recovery, including oral history and painstaking archival research.But in the fourth episode, which aired Wednesday, new genetic techniques only dreamed of 30 years ago are used to... (Boston Globe)
