Mining the TranscriptomeApril 17, 2009As the herculean genome sequencing efforts closed in on a draft of the human genome sequence back in 2000, the estimated numbers of “genes” that comprised our genome dropped quicker than the market cap of the biotech heavy Nasdaq after Clinton/Blair announced the sequences of these little gems would reside in the public domain. Shortly […]
Genome Sequence Affects Heterochromatin SpreadingApril 17, 2009The establishment of heterochromatin is an important way for cells to repress transcription. Yet not much is known about the control of heterochromatin spreading into euchromatic domains. Therefore, researchers at Duke University used the Awesome Power of Yeast (Epi)Genetics to study how specific DNA sequences affect heterochromatin spreading. Their results are published in the April […]
Huh? miR-96 Tied to Hearing LossApril 17, 2009Over the years, mothers around the world have routinely warned their children of the imminent hearing loss resulting from too many Iron Maiden concerts, blasting Winger too loud on car stereos, or the permanently attached iPod earbuds that come standard with adolescents nowadays, but now we have scientific data to suggest our mothers and miR-96 […]
miRNA Promoter Elements Driving Cell-Specific ExpressionApril 10, 2009Whether you’re talking about real estate or miRNA expression, the phrase “location, location, location” expresses the undeniable importance of surroundings. Like protein-coding genes, miRNA genes can be turned on or off depending on the cellular context. However, mechanisms responsible for cell-specific miRNA expression are largely unknown because miRNA promoters are not as well characterized as […]
The Search for Histone Classifiers in ESC and NSC ScreeningApril 10, 2009Stem cell researchers have been pretty amped since last month’s presidential decision to bulldoze funding restrictions on human embryonic stem cells. We know the Scripps Institute’s Center for Regenerative Medicine even threw a “Stem Cell Freedom Party” to celebrate. We weren’t able to attend unfortunately, but we’re sure there was some crazy behavior. After all, […]
