Cultured human keratinocytes provide a model to study a number of medically relevant topics such as metabolism, nutrition, toxicity, differentiation, various epidermal diseases, and the treatment of serious burns.

DNA transfer into human embryonic stem cells (hESC), derived from the inner cell mass of a four day old embryo and able to differentiate into derivatives of all 3 germ layers, is limited by their general resistance to common methods used to introduce exogenous DNA.

Assessment of RNA quality/integrity is key to consistent performance in a variety of uses, including microarrays, RT-PCR, and RTqPCR.

The Nordlund Centre for Biomedical Structural Biology at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has purchased Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Maybridge Ro3 500 fragment library to support the establishment of a fragment screening-based drug discovery platform.

According to uncyclopedia, the periodic table was invented in 1974 by Mendeleev, a science teacher in Wellington, New Zealand. (On a related note, Mendeleev also insists he invented the Occasional Table, but this claim occasionally goes into great dispute.)

Enhanced of the OmniExpress BeadChip with more flexibility, to launch in Q2 2010. [ + ]

Skin bacteria left behind on keyboards and computer mice can be used to identify who was using the object. Human microbiome researchers are testing if such leftovers can be used forensically or by law enforcement agencies.

Tecan Australia to provide Tecan laboratory instruments and support in Oceania through AimLab. [ + ]

Two studies in Nature show the power of RNA sequencing in exploring the genetic mechanisms that underpin gene expression. [ + ]

A research team has found three proteins that dismantle ‘bridges’ within brain cells which may explain memory loss.

Thoughts on selecting and using appropriate humidity measurement equipment for cleanrooms.

Chemists and biologists from the University of Bath have developed a new technique that could be used to diagnose and develop treatments for age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and cancer.

An innovative computational technique that draws on statistics, imaging and other disciplines has the capability to detect errors in sensitive technological systems ranging from satellites to laboratories to weather instruments.

In vitro diagnostics legislation has passed into law although the industry still has reservations about compliance costs. [ + ]

Researchers from University Hospital in Umea, Sweden, have identified several cytokines, cytokine-related factors and chemokines that increase significantly prior to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease onset; confirming earlier studies which suggested that the risk of developing RA can be predicted and disease progression may be prevented.