New class of non-protein coding genes
04 February, 2009Researchers have uncovered a vast new class of previously unrecognised mammalian genes that do not encode proteins, but instead function as long RNA molecules, and seem to play critical roles in both health and disease, including cancer, immune signalling and stem cell biology.
Dangerous DNA can cause cell suicide
16 January, 2009The discovery that some cells sacrifice themselves if they are infected with a virus will help improve understanding of how cells normally combat viral infection, and may also be relevant for the disease lupus, where the immune system attacks normal cellular proteins.
Fluorescent probes detect reactive oxygen species
16 December, 2008Reactive oxygen species can be detected and measured in vivo using a new family of fluorescent probes called Hydrocyanines.
Inducing chirality
03 December, 2008Chirality can be introduced by irradiation of molecules while adsorbed on a magnetised substrate.
Novel cell division mechanism discovered
04 November, 2008A research group has identified a completely new cell division machinery which may shed some light on other processes in human cells and evolutionary lineages.
Virgin birth confirmed
03 October, 2008Scientists have confirmed the second-ever case of a 'virgin birth' (scientifically known as parthenogenesis) in a shark, indicating once again that female sharks can reproduce without mating and raising the possibility that many female sharks have this incredible capacity.
Mad cow in the family tree
16 September, 2008Mad cow disease has traditionally been considered a foodborne disease but now researchers have established that it may sometimes be genetic. This means that it may appear in countries free from BSE.
X-ray vision and human sight
01 September, 2008X-ray vision is just one of the advantages of having both eyes pointing in the same direction.
US market forecast for stem cell technology
01 August, 2008Market research indicates that the market for stem cell technologies will grow dramatically in the next four years.
Ancient DNA and the KFC gene
30 July, 2008Researchers at the Universities of Adelaide and Sydney have used the prevelance of the 'KFC' gene to try to establish the migration history of the chicken.
Using MS to identify dinosaur fossils proteins
18 July, 2008Fossilomics research is being facilitated by the sensitivity, mass accuracy and resolution of modern mass spectrometry.
Electrostatic detection technique for DNA and RNA microarrays
03 July, 2008Dispersing a fluid containing thousands of electrically charged microscopic silica beads across the surface of a DNA microarray and then observing the Brownian motion of the spheres provides measurements of the electrical charges of the DNA molecules. These measurements can be observed and recorded with a simple handheld imaging device and used to interrogate millions of DNA sequences at a time.
Three sequencing companies join 1000 Genomes Project
13 June, 2008Three firms that have pioneered development of new sequencing technologies — 454 Life Sciences, Applied Biosystems and Illumina Inc — have joined the 1000 Genomes Project to build the most detailed map to date of human genetic variation.
Nobel winner finds complication for stem cell therapy
11 June, 2008A single organ may contain more than one type of adult stem cell — a discovery that complicates prospects for using stem cells as a treatment for disease, according to a study by Nobel Laureate Prof Mario Capecchi.
Why most cells fail to reprogram
02 June, 2008US researchers have uncovered critical molecular events that undermine the reprogramming of somatic human cells back to a pluripotent state.
