Non-Coding RNAs and Drug AddictionJuly 31, 2012Although a lot of behavioral studies are out there on drug addiction, no one really knows how addiction develops at the molecular level. A new review by researchers in Miami describes lots of evidence from more than 80 studies suggesting that non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), might have a […]
RTL-P: Pinpoint 2’-O-methylation in RNAsJuly 31, 2012Yeah, it would be crazy to play hide-and-go-seek with a GPS, night-vision goggles, and a heat-sensing camera. But that’s kind of similar to the pricey, sophisticated laboratory gadgets that researchers currently have to use to spot 2’-O-methylation hiding on RNAs. Now, scientists in China have come up with a much simpler, less expensive way (called […]
Pol II Transcription Slows at 5-Formylcytosines (5caC) and 5-Carboxylcytosines (5fC)July 31, 2012It’s summertime—a time when you just want to take things slow. Researchers now report that 5-formylcytosines (5fCs) and 5-carboxylcytosines (5caCs) like to slow things down, no matter what the season. They say that these mods put the brakes on RNA Pol II transcription and make it less specific. Sure, researchers have known about 5fC and […]
Exploring the Genotype-Chromatin Structure-Disease Risk ConnectionJuly 26, 2012Its easy to obsess over little details, and want to understand every nuance of a subject that you’re passionate about, but sometimes it’s helpful to step back and get a broader perspective on what you’re working on. This review article from Richard Meagher and Kristofer Müssar at the University of Georgia does just that by […]
More Epigenomic Differences Found in Twins?July 24, 2012Twins may look alike, and even share identical genomes, but according to new studies, their epigenomes can be surprisingly different. Examination of the DNA methylation patterns in sets of twins revealed that early environmental conditions can alter epigenomes, and have a big impact on individual variability. A research effort headed up by Jeff Craig and […]