DNA Methylation is a Plus for Many Transcription FactorsJune 6, 2017When it comes to transcription factor binding, DNA methylation has a reputation as a trouble maker. When most people think of DNA methylation, they think of it blocking proteins from being able to bind. But does it deserve the bad rap? Though there are some examples of DNA methylation promoting binding of certain transcription factors […]
Optogenetics and Smartphone Technology Combine to Provide Personalized Diabetes TreatmentMay 2, 2017They help organize our schedules, they keep us in touch with good (and bad) friends, and they barely leave our sides throughout the day. But can we exploit the ubiquitous nature of smartphones to facilitate personalized treatment of human disease? This is the hope of researchers from the laboratory of Haifeng Ye (East China Normal […]
Cyborg Sperm Target CancerApril 19, 2017Yes, you read that correctly, researchers from the lab of Oliver G. Schmidt (IFW Dresden, Germany) have developed a half-biological, half-mechanical cancer-killing cyborg based on the humble spermatozoa. Specifically, the extremely virile research team loaded sperm with a cargo of chemotherapeutic drugs and provided each wriggler with a specially designed metallic harness to allow magnetic […]
Drive the LINE: H4K20me3 Beats DNA Methylation at LINE-1 Chimeric Transcripts in Colorectal CancerApril 10, 2017The drivers of gene expression maintain a fragile balance that tends to cross the LINE in cancer. LINE-1s are transposable elements full of both mystery and regulatory potential. Within their 5’ untranslated region (UTR) lies a bidirectional promoter (L1-5’UTR) that consists of a sense promoter (L1-SP), which transcribes the element, and an antisense promoter (L1-ASP), which […]
Rapid m6A RNA Methylation Soothes Your Molecular SunburnsApril 10, 2017Now that has spring has sprung, many of us are quickly remembering not only how much we missed the sunshine, but also that we forgot to stock up on aloe vera to soothe that fresh sunburn. Attesting to the utility of a good spot treatment, the lab of Yang Shi at Harvard Medical School reveals […]