Can Batman Save Whole Methylome Analysis?July 25, 2008With all the hype around Batman-The Dark Knight, we missed one of the most recent heroic efforts to facilitate global methylation studies. The unveiling of a Bayesian tool for methylation analysis (Batman) enables researchers to estimate absolute methylation levels across a range of CpG dense regions using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) approaches combined with either […]
Ligation Mediated RNA-RNA AnalysisJuly 21, 2008Last week, researchers from the Karolinska Institute and the University of London released data on an innovative approach for studying RNA-RNA interactions. Data supporting the multitude of RNA functions in our cells continues to pour in, but challenges in analyzing the effecting complexes in cellular processes persist, so we tip our hats to this team […]
miRNA Retention and EnhancementJuly 21, 2008miRNAs, the small but mighty inhibitors of complementary mRNA sequences, might be accused of having a Napoleon complex, but they don’t start out life itty-bitty—they are transcribed as long primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs). Cleavage by the RNase III-like enzyme Drosha in the nucleus releases a ~70-nt stem-loop structure (pre-mRNA), which is further processed by Dicer in […]
Mom, Methylation, and ObesityJuly 15, 2008Let the blame game begin. In addition to our lifestyle habits, our mothers could have something to do with those stubborn pounds that dont seem to shed. An interesting obesity studying involving DNA methylation has provided new evidence suggesting that obese moms give birth to kids who have a propensity to become even more obese. […]
Non-Invasive DNA Methylation Assay for Colorectal Cancer Now Available from LabCorpJuly 14, 2008Not even a month after announcing a reagent supply agreement with OncoMethylome Sciences, LabCorp has announced the commercial availability of the Methylation-Specific PCR Assay for monitoring the methylation status of Vimentin DNA. Marketed as ColoSure(TM) by LabCorp, the MSP Assay is being positioned for assessing any stage colorectal cancer in asymptomatic average risk patients who […]
