Scientists track variant of gene-regulating protein in embryonic stem cells
The path to fully developed cells from embryonic stem cells requires that the right genes are turned on and off at the right times. New research from Rockefeller University shows that tiny variations between gene-regulating histone proteins play an important role in determining how and when genes are read. The finding shows that each region of the genome may be even more specialized than previously expected and may open a new avenue of investigation regarding the mysterious causes of the human genetic disease known as ATR-X syndrome. (Source: The Rockefeller University Newswire)...
POSTED 03/10/2010 at 07:00 AM --
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A translational study of circulating cell-free microRNA-1 in acute myocardial infarction
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) precipitate in many diseases including cardiovascular disease. In contrast to our original thought, miRNAs exist in circulating blood and they are relatively stable due to binding with other materials. The current translational study is to establish a method to determine the absolute amount of a miRNA in blood and to determine the potential applications of circulating cell-free microRNA-1 (miR-1) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The results revealed that miR-1 is the most abundant miRNA in the heart and is also a heart and muscle specific miRNA. In a cardiac cell necrosis model induced by Triton-100 in vitro, we found that cardiac miR-1 can be released into cultured medium and is stable at least for 24 h. In a rat model of AMI induced by coronary ligation, we found ......
POSTED 03/09/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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Model Simulates the Complex Signaling Patterns Involved in Stem Cell and Embryonic Development
(Source: NIGMS - Results)...
POSTED 03/09/2010 at 01:48 PM --
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Protein Competition Over an Enzyme Integrates Signals During Early Embryonic Development
(Source: NIGMS - Results)...
POSTED 03/09/2010 at 01:43 PM --
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Research identifies gene that changes the brains response to stress
Brains change. They change throughout life, responding to developmental but also environmental cues, like stress. Scientists know of several important proteins that play a role in what brains do with new experience. Now they have identified one, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which must be present at a certain level to enable the brains adaptive plasticity, particularly in response to stress. (Source: The Rockefeller University Newswire)...
POSTED 03/09/2010 at 10:00 AM --
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Modeling Phase Transitions in the Brain
series:Springer Series in Computational NeuroscienceThe induction of unconsciousness using anesthetic drugs demonstrates that the cerebral cortex can operate in two very different modes: alert and responsive versus unaware and quiescent. But the states of wakefulness and sleep are not single-neuron properties---they emerge as bulk properties of cooperating populations of neurons, with the switchover between states being similar to ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 06:19 PM --
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The Handbook of Biomarkers(Jain)
(Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 06:14 PM --
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Diabetes, Insulin and Alzheimer's Disease
series:Research and Perspectives in Alzheimer's DiseaseNeurons share more similarities with insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells than with any other cell type. The root of this similarity may lie in the islet’s evolution from an ancestral insulin-producing neuron. The islet-neuron connection becomes less surprising as we learn more about insulin’s involvement in functions far from its traditional role in mediating glucose uptake in muscle. The ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 06:05 PM --
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Wall effects in continuous microfluidic magneto-affinity cell separation
We present a theoretical and experimental study that provides a quantitative description of hydrodynamic wall interactions and wall rolling velocity of cells. A transient convection model describes the transport of cells in two-phase microfluidic flow under the influence of an external magnetic field. Transport of cells along the microchannel walls is also considered via an additional equation. Results show the variation of cell flux in the fluid phases and the wall as a function of a dimensionless parameter arising in the equations. Our results suggest that conditions may be optimized to maximize cell separation while minimizing contact with the wall surfaces. Experimentally measured cell rolling velocities on the wall indicate the presence of other near-wall forces in addition to fluid s......
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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Team Coaxes Plants to Reproduce Asexually, Which Could be Applied in Agriculture
(Source: NIGMS - Results)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 02:57 PM --
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Discovery Shows How to Efficiently Turn Carbon Dioxide into Useful Carbon Monoxide With Light
(Source: NIGMS - Results)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 02:54 PM --
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Editorial Board and publication information
(Source: Journal of Biomechanics)...
POSTED 03/08/2010 at 11:32 AM --
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Imperial celebrates International Women’s Day with a look at women in science
Two photography exhibitions highlight the work of women in science at Imperial - News (Source: Imperial College News)...
POSTED 03/07/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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When a predator avoids infected prey: a model-based theoretical study
In this paper we study a predator–prey model with logistic growth in the prey population, where a disease spreads among the prey according to an susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) epidemic model. The predators do not consume infected prey. After a review of the literature we formulate the basic mathematical model. For simplicity, we work initially with a model involving the fractions of prey susceptible and infected and then translate the results back to the model with absolute numbers. Both local and global stability results are examined. For the model working with absolute numbers, we find six possible equilibria and three important threshold values determining the behaviour of the system. There is always a unique locally stable equilibrium. We make conjectures concerning the g......
POSTED 03/05/2010 at 07:45 AM --
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Continuum approximations of individual-based models for epithelial monolayers
This work examines a 1D individual-based model (IBM) for a system of tightly adherent cells, such as an epithelial monolayer. Each cell occupies a bounded region, defined by the location of its endpoints, has both elastic and viscous mechanical properties and is subject to drag generated by adhesion to the substrate. Differential-algebraic equations governing the evolution of the system are obtained from energy considerations. This IBM is then approximated by continuum models (systems of partial differential equations) in the limit of a large number of cells, N, when the cell parameters vary slowly in space or are spatially periodic (and so may be heterogeneous, with substantial variation between adjacent cells). For spatially periodic cell properties with significant cell viscosity, the r......
POSTED 03/05/2010 at 07:45 AM --
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Analytical solution of the Pennes equation for burn-depth determination from infrared thermographs
A serious problem in emergency medicine is the correct evaluation of skin burn depth to make the appropriate choice of treatment. In clinical practice, there is no difficulty in classifying first- and third-degree burns correctly. However, differentiation between the IIa (superficial dermal) and IIb (deep dermal) wounds is problematic even for experienced practitioners. In this work, the use of surface skin temperature for the determination of the depth of second-degree burns is explored. An analytical solution of the 3D Pennes steady-state equation is obtained assuming that the ratio between burn depth and the burn size is small. The inverse problem is posed in a search space consisting of geometrical parameters associated with the burned region. This space is searched to minimize the err......
POSTED 03/05/2010 at 07:45 AM --
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DIA/FDA CDER/CBER Computational Science Annual Meeting
This meeting will review progress on topics such as data standards, best practices-driven analytical tool development, business processes driving information systems development, and user experience/evaluation of current tools. (Source: What's New at CBER)...
POSTED 03/04/2010 at 08:55 PM --
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Imperial paper voted a “must read” of 2009
The Lancet journal’s Paper of the Year Award sees Imperial research voted runner-up – News (Source: Imperial College News)...
POSTED 03/04/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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Asteroid killed off the dinosaurs, says international scientific panel
The Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction was caused by an asteroid colliding with Earth - News Release (Source: Imperial College News)...
POSTED 03/04/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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Analysis of viral clearance unit operations for monoclonal antibodies
We report that the diversity of model viruses tested expands as products transition to late-phase. We also present averages and ranges of viral clearance results by Protein A and ion exchange chromatography steps, low pH chemical inactivation, and virus filtration, focusing on retro- and parvoviruses. For most unit operations, an average log reduction value (LRV, a measure of clearance power) for retrovirus of >4 log10 were measured. Cases where clearance data fell outside of the anticipated range (i.e., outliers) were rationally explained. Lastly, a historical analysis did not find evidence of any improvement trend in viral clearance over time. The data collectively suggest that many unit operations in general can reliably clear viruses. Biotechnol. Bioeng. Published 2010 Wiley Periodical......
POSTED 03/04/2010 at 06:00 PM --
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