UCSD Researchers Synchronize Genetic Clocks in Bacteria

Clipped from: Researchers synchronize blinking 'genetic clocks' -- genetically engineered bacteria that keep track of time

Researchers Synchronize Blinking 'Genetic Clocks' -- Genetically Engineered Bacteria That Keep Track of Time

ScienceDaily (Jan. 24, 2010) — Researchers at UC San Diego who last year genetically engineered bacteria to keep track of time by turning on and off fluorescent proteins within their cells have taken another step toward the construction of a programmable genetic sensor. The scientists recently synchronized these bacterial "genetic clocks" to blink in unison and engineered the bacterial genes to alter their blinking rates when environmental conditions change.

Their latest achievement, detailed in a paper published in the January 21 issue of the journal Nature, is a crucial step in creating genetic sensors that might one day provide humans with advance information about temperature, poisons and other potential hazards in the environment by monitoring changes in the bacterium's blinking rates.

Clipped from: UC San Diego Researchers Synchronize Blinking “Genetic Clocks”

A supernova burst in a colony of coupled genetic clocks show them flashing in synchrony. (Credit: UCSD)





Tal Danino (foreground), Octavio Mondragon (left to right), Lev Tsimring and Jeff Hasty synchronized the genetic clocks in bacteria. (Credit: UCSD)

Clipped from: YouTube - Bacteria make Mexican wave

Bacteria make Mexican waves

By synchronising our clocks, we can coordinate our activities with people around the world. Now, scientists have engineered bacteria to synchronise their molecular timekeepers, creating the stunning fluorescent waves you see in this video. Hear more about synthetic biology on the Nature Podcast (http://www.nature.com/nature/podcast) or read the original research

Clipped from: A synchronized quorum of genetic clocks : Abstract : Nature

Nature 463, 326-330 (21 January 2010) | doi:10.1038/nature08753; Received 20 August 2009; Accepted 4 December 2009

A synchronized quorum of genetic clocks

Tal Danino, Octavio Mondragón-Palomino, Lev Tsimring & Jeff Hasty

Clipped from: Genetic Clock Makers at UC San Diego Publish Their Timepiece in Nature [Jacobs School of Engineering: News & Events]

Hasty has been working on building a robust genetic clock from scratch since his years as a postdoctoral researcher in the early 2000s.

“We finally determined that a crucial aspect is a small time delay in the negative feedback loop of the genetic network,” explained Hasty. “This is an example in which synthetic biology can lead to a better understanding of the importance of specific aspects of gene regulatory networks. Because you can’t model every aspect of a genetic network, you have to figure out what needs to be accounted for in your models and what doesn’t.”

Network diagram of the dual-feedback oscillator. Adding a two minute time delay led to the synthetic biology breakthrough.

Sources:

1. Researchers synchronize blinking 'genetic clocks' -- genetically engineered bacteria that keep track of time
2. UC San Diego Researchers Synchronize Blinking “Genetic Clocks”
3. A synchronized quorum of genetic clocks : Abstract : Nature
4. YouTube - Bacteria make Mexican waves
5. Genetic Clock Makers at UC San Diego Publish Their Timepiece in Nature [Jacobs School of Engineering: News & Events]

Related:

1. UC San Diego Home Page
2. Biodynamics Lab
3. Hasty Lab
4. Video: Bacteria Transformed Into Living, Blinking Clocks Could Provide Precisely Timed Drug Delivery | Popular Science
5. Researchers synchronize blinking 'genetic clocks' (w/ Video)
6. BBC News - Synthetic biology cells produce light show
7. Technology Review: A Synchronous Clock Made of Bacteria
8. Researchers Synchronize Blinking 'Genetic Clocks' - Science News - redOrbit
9. Bacterial clocks chime in unison : Nature News
10. Is There Nothing E. coli Cannot Do? The Borg Edition | The Loom | Discover Magazine

Forensic Molecular Photofitting

clipped from www.redorbit.com DNA Aids Forensic Experts US scientists report that the smallest amount of DNA found at a crime scene could help reveal the face of the criminal. The new process called ‘forensic molecular photofitting' goes far beyond doing an identity-proving genetic fingerprint. clipped from www.irishtimes.com DNA sample may be enough to build an image of your face FORENSIC SCIENCE is about to take a startling new turn – reconstructing facial features and skin tone simply by reading your DNA. This goes far beyond doing an identity-proving genetic fingerprint, it means the person’s actual face will emerge after analysing a collection of genes, according to a scientist from Pennsylvania State University. clipped from www.dailymail.co.uk The process has already been used to help identify and convict serial killer Derek Todd Lee who murdered seven women in Louisiana. Witness statements said the offender was white but genetic testing of DNA at the crime scenes showed he was African American - which helped lead to his arrest. He was convicted in 2004.

clipped from online.wsj.com

Mark Shriver, an anthropologist and geneticist at Pennsylvania State University, has also set himself a daunting challenge: Trying to construct a "picture" of a person's face by analyzing DNA. He calls the technique "forensic molecular photo fitting," and it is supported by a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

His team collected DNA samples and photographs from 243 people, including many from the Penn State campus, and used computer techniques to correlate the genes with his subjects' facial features. They have found six genes that seem to influence such traits. One gene is associated with the height of the face; another is associated with its width. Yet another gene affects the shape of the lips and the nose. By piecing together these elements, Prof. Shriver hopes to create a modern-day version of the police artist sketch.

clipped from www.anthro.psu.edu

Anthropological Genomics Lab

Welcome to the Shriver Laboratory!

clipped from www.anthro.psu.edu

Sources:

1. DNA Aids Forensic Experts - Science News - redOrbit
2. DNA sample may be enough to build an image of your face - The Irish Times - Mon, Feb 16, 2009
3. DNA left at crime scene could be used to create picture of criminal's FACE, say scientists | Mail Online
4. Genes Draw Likeness of Suspects - WSJ.com
5. Department of Anthropology at Penn State

Related:

1. Dna sample could reveal your face - The Inquirer
2. Crime Scene DNA Could Create Image of Suspect's Face - ABC News
3. Forensic Scientists Working on Technology to Render Face Photos Solely from DNA Left At Crime Scene
4. Mixed Population Provides Insights Into Human Genetic Makeup

Selectively Deleting Memories

clipped from www.technologyreview.com Selectively Deleting Memories Research in mice suggests that it might be possible to delete specific painful memories. clipped from www.sciencedaily.com "While memories are great teachers and obviously crucial for survival and adaptation, selectively removing incapacitating memories, such as traumatic war memories or an unwanted fear, could help many people live better lives," says Dr. Joe Z. Tsien, brain scientist and co-director of the Brain & Behavior Discovery Institute at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. (Credit: Image courtesy of Medical College of Georgia) clipped from sbg.ecnu.edu.cn Laboratory of Systems Neurobiology (Joe Z. Tsien) Genetic and Genomic analyses of memory processes

clipped from www.health24.com

Memory is generally separated into four different stages: acquisition, consolidation, storage and retrieval. Earlier research identified specific molecules that appear to play a role in the various phases of the memory process.

But Tsien said his team found a way to quickly manipulate the activity of the "memory molecule," the protein CaMKII (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) that plays a key role in brain cell communication, and so is linked to many aspects of learning and memory.

How the research was done
Researchers developed a "chemical genetic strategy," which made it possible to manipulate the protein in transgenic mice bred to overproduce the molecule.

"Using this technique, we examined the manipulation of transgenic CaMKII activity on the retrieval of short-term and long-term fear memories and novel object recognition memory" in transgenic mice, Tsien said.

clipped from medgadget.com

GMO Mice Shed Light on Learning, Memory

clipped from www.cell.com

Subregion- and Cell TypeRestricted Gene Knockout in Mouse Brain

Related:
Technology Review: Selectively Deleting Memories
Memories Selectively, Safely Erased In Mice
Shanghai Insititute of Brain Functional Genomics
Health 24 - News, Brain/Neurological
http://cms.frontiersin.org/content/10.3389/neuro.01/001.2008/html/fnins-02-001/fnins-02-001.html
GMO Mice Shed Light on Learning, Memory - Medgadget - www.medgadget.com
Cell - Subregion- and Cell Type–Restricted Gene Knockout in Mouse Brain
News: Forget about it: Inducible and selective erasure of memories in mice. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News - Biotechnology from Bench to Business
Scientists Discover Concept Cells for "Nest" in the Mouse Brain

Real Life Jurassic Park

clipped from article.wn.com Jurassic Park technique resurrects extinct DNA Belfast Telegraph In an echo of the film Jurassic Park, DNA from an extinct animal has been re-activated in the laboratory for the first time. Scientists took genetic material from the Tasmanian tiger - officially declared extinct 70 years ago - and inserted it into mouse embryos where it played a role in developing cartilage and future bone. clipped from abcnews.go.com Extinct Australian Tiger Gene Functions in Mouse The scientists extracted DNA from a 100-year-old Tasmanian Tiger or thylacine, which had been preserved in ethanol in a museum, and injected it into a mouse embryo where it was "expressed" or produced in cartilage. clipped from www.youtube.com Tasmanian tiger DNA 'resurrected' This is film of the last Tasmanian tiger. A fragment of DNA from the Tasmanian tiger has been brought back to life. clipped from www.zoology.unimelb.edu.au Faculty of Science Department of Zoology clipped from www.zoology.unimelb.edu.au Andrew Pask CJ Martin Research Fellow clipped from www.aussiecynic.com Should we bring back long dead creatures? A real life Jurassic Park on some Island? Or Mice with Giant Dinosaur wings? Oh happy days!