Kit Competition Reveals Hacks to Help Bisulfite ConversionApril 16, 2014At first pass it may seem like all bisulfite conversion kits are essentially the same – and for the most part, that’s true. But according to a recently published evaluation, the conversion is all in the details, and if those are overlooked it can have a big impact on the results. Fortunately, researchers from the […]
SIF-seq Sifts Out Stem Cell Enhancer GoldApril 10, 2014Searching for functional enhancers is sort of like panning for gold; there is enormous potential for riches, but the task is akin to finding a needle in a stack of needles. A team from the Berkeley National Laboratory decided to apply their own gold rush-style, enhancer mining techniques to develop a new method for the discovery of functional enhancers aided […]
Mood Killer: DNA Methylation Linked to Depressive DisorderApril 10, 2014There aren’t a lot of laughs to be had when discussing the very real and increasing problem of depression, but some new research supported by the brain initiative on sets of twins may help to lighten the mood a bit. Studies have begun popping up showing that epigenetic marks can be used to show if someone has […]
CRISPR/Cas9 Caught Causing A CureApril 9, 2014The CRISPR/Cas9 genetic editing system has soaked up the media spotlight faster than anything not named Kardashian. But unlike that famous clan, recent research indicates that there may be good reason that the science paparazzi just can’t seem to get enough of CRISPR/Cas9. After making the leap from basic discovery to zebrafish to monkeys, a […]
Zymo Research Converts Sequencers into Epigenetic AnalyzersApril 7, 2014Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized scientific research, but when it comes to epigenetic exploration, scientists have had to make do with sequencing library prep methods from other non-epigenetic applications. The crew at Zymo Research has found a way to adapt sequencers for epigenetic research, without having to completely retrofit the instrument. With the introduction of […]
