Showing posts with label genetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label genetics. Show all posts

2013-03-29

A Biological Transistor

Biological transistor enables computing within living cells | Engineering

A team of Stanford University bioengineers has taken computing beyond mechanics and electronics into the living realm of biology. They have developed a biological transistor made from genetic material — DNA and RNA. The team calls its invention the “transcriptor.”



Scientists create transistor-like biological device | Science | The Guardian

The biological device behaves like a transistor, one of the tiny switches that are etched on to microchips in the billions to perform computer calculations.

The researchers demonstrated the device inside E coli bacteria, one of the most common bugs used in genetic engineering. The work marks one of the latest advances in the growing field of synthetic biology, which recasts biology as a toolset for engineers.

2012-09-18

Face-Shaping Genes Identified

Five genes found to determine face shape | TG Daily



DNA evidence could soon be enough to help law enforcement draw up photofits of criminal suspects, thanks to a new genetic discovery.

Five genes have been found to determine human facial shapes, says an international team.

"These are exciting first results that mark the beginning of the genetic understanding of human facial morphology," says professor Manfred Kayser from the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands.

BBC News - Genes for face shape identified

MRI images were used to quantify the metrics of face shape ahead of the genetic study
Lead author Manfred Kayser from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, said: "These are exciting first results that mark the beginning of the genetic understanding of human facial morphology.
"Perhaps some time it will be possible to draw a phantom portrait of a person solely from his or her DNA left behind, which provides interesting applications such as in forensics."

Facial Shapes Outlined With Five Genes - Science News - redOrbit

In the study, published in the Public Library of Science’s journal PLoS Genetics, Kayser and colleagues studied nearly 10,000 individuals, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their heads together with portrait photographs to map facial features, from which facial distances were estimated. They then conducted a genome-wide association (GWA) study designed to search for small genetic variances that occur more frequently in people with particular facial types.

Using these methods, the team was able to discern five separate genes associated with facial shapes: PRDM16, PAX3, TP63, C5orf50, and COL17A1.

PLOS Genetics: A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Five Loci Influencing Facial Morphology in Europeans


Figure 1. Nine facial landmarks extracted via image registration tools from 3D MRIs.


Figure 2. Facial landmarks from 3D MRI in all 5,388 individuals from the discovery cohorts RS1, RS2, QTIMS, SHIP, and SHIP-TREND.
Figure 5. Facial landmarks from 2D portrait photos.




2011-02-01

Mammoth Cloning


Mammoth 'could be reborn in four years'

The woolly mammoth, extinct for thousands of years, could be brought back to life in as little as four years thanks to a breakthrough in cloning technology.









This is not the first time scientists have dreamed Jurassic Park-esque fantasies--previous attempts to clone the woolly mammoth failed in the 1990's, mainly because soft tissue extracted from the ice had been, well, frozen for over 5,000 years (and so the DNA was damaged).

However, in 2008 Dr. Teruhiko Wakayama of Kobe's Riken Center for Developmental Biology, pioneered a technique for cloning mammals from frozen soft tissue. Wakayama's technique was successfully implemented in cloning a mouse from the cells of a mouse that had been frozen for 16 years.

Iritani plans to use Wakayama's technique to first identify viable mammoth cells, and then extract the nuclei of the estimated 2 to 3 percent that will be in good condition. Iritani plans to obtain the mammoth tissue from a mammoth preserved in a Russian research laboratory, the Yomiuri Shinbun reports.

The extracted nuclei will then be injected into the (we assume fertilized) egg cells of a female African elephant, to create an embryo with mammoth DNA.

Center for Developmental Biology


Genomic Reprogramming 
 
Teruhiko Wakayama
A limitless number of clones of animal can be generated from its somatic cells. Only a few years ago, such a statement would have belonged to the realm of science fiction, but now thanks to advances in the tehnology known as micromanipulation, which allows researchers to work with individual cells and their nuclei, that fiction has become reality. 



Transfer of a somatic nucleus into an enucleated egg

Somatic cell nuclear transfer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In genetics and developmental biology, somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a laboratory technique for creating a clonal embryo, using an ovum with a donor nucleus (see process below). It can be used in embryonic stem cell research, or, potentially, in regenerative medicine where it is sometimes referred to as "therapeutic cloning". It can also be used as the first step in the process of reproductive cloning.



2010-09-25

The Science of Chocolate -- Preliminary Cacao Genome Sequence Unveiled

Can science make chocolate taste (even) better? - The Week

Scientists have cracked the DNA code of the cacao plant. Will our future selves be tempted by yet yummier sweets?



Chocolate isn't an obvious candidate for a food that needs improving. But that hasn't deterred scientists at the candy conglomerate Mars, which recently announced they had nearly completed sequencing the cacao tree's genome. This could mean stronger, more resilient cocoa crops, and — perhaps down the road — better-tasting chocolate.


First rice, then wheat – now cocoa genome unravelled - Science, News - The Independent



Scientists have sequenced the genetic code of the cocoa tree, which they say could triple the yield of the disease-prone crop and transform the lives of millions of poor farmers in Africa and around the developing world who rely on it for their livelihood.


The Science of Chocolate: Studying a Cacao Tree’s Genome - TIME NewsFeed


As the CBC notes, approximately 2.7 million tons of cocoa is produced annually across the world. But farmers subsequently lose $700 to $800 million from the aftereffects of damages to cacao trees. By studying the genetic backbone of the plants, researchers believe they can produce trees with a higher immunity to disease, thereby improving the cacao pods' overall yield.

A Taste Of The Chocolate Genome - Science News


Competing teams announce impending completion of cacao DNA sequence

Two independent teams have completed drafts of the DNA sequence of the cacao tree, the source of chocolate, scientists announced September 15. Both efforts will eventually help breed plants that resist disease yet still bear superior beans, the researchers claim.
[...]
A team led by candy maker Mars, Inc., the U.S. Department of Agriculture and IBM announced the unveiling of a preliminary genome of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, that’s available to the research community at www.cacaogenomedb.org.
[...]
The second team has a very detailed draft, says plant molecular biologist Mark Guiltinan of Pennsylvania State University in University Park. He and his collaborators have discovered hundreds of genes associated with disease resistance and with high-quality pods.

Penn State Live - Analysis of the chocolate genome could lead to improvement

University Park, Pa. -- The sequencing and analysis of the genome for the Criollo variety of the cacao tree, generally considered to produce the world's finest chocolate, was completed by an international team led by Claire Lanaud of CIRAD, France, with Mark Guiltinan of Penn State, and included scientists from 18 other institutions.

"The large amount of information generated by this project dramatically changes the status of this tropical plant and its potential interest for the scientific community," said Guiltinan, professor of plant molecular biology, Penn State.

Mars.com -MARS, USDA-ARS, And IBM Unveil Preliminary Cacao Genome Sequence Three Years Ahead Of Schedule

Landmark Research Effort Will Make Findings Publicly Available for Common Good 

Results to Benefit 6.5 Million Farmers Worldwide and Sustain World’s Cocoa Supply 
McLean, VA –Today, Mars, Incorporated, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), and IBM released the preliminary findings of their breakthrough cacao genome sequence and made it available in the public domain.  This is the result of a joint research endeavor to improve the cocoa growing process and represents a successful private/public partnership for the benefit of the world’s cocoa farmers, and a more sustainable world cocoa supply.

The preliminary sequencing of the cacao genome is a promising first step in advancing farmers’ ability to plant more robust, higher yielding and drought and disease-resistant trees. The results of the research will be made available to the public with permanent access via the Cacao Genome Database (www.cacaogenomedb.org) to ensure that the data remains perpetually open without patent, as well as to allow scientists to begin applying the findings immediately to crop cultivation efforts.  

2009-10-06

Personalized Genetic Analysis with IBM DNA Transistor

clipped from www.youtube.com

IBM DNA Transistor

A team of IBM Researchers is exploring new and innovative ways to quickly read human DNA at a low cost -- an advancement that can lead to important breakthroughs in health condition diagnosis and treatment.
clipped from www-03.ibm.com

IBM Research Aims to Build Nanoscale DNA Sequencer to Help Drive Down Cost of Personalized Genetic Analysis


IBM scientists advance genome sequencing project

This advanced research effort to demonstrate a silicon-based “DNA Transistor” could help pave the way to read human DNA easily and quickly, generating advancements in health condition diagnosis and treatment. The challenge in the effort is to slow and control the motion of the DNA through the hole so the reader can accurately decode what is in the DNA.
clipped from www-03.ibm.com
Schematics of the DNA transistor operation for the control of the translocation of a DNA through a nanopore
http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/ibmdna1.jpg
clipped from www-03.ibm.com
A cross section of IBM's DNA Transistor
http://i.zdnet.com/blogs/ibmdna2.jpg
clipped from www.youtube.com

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Sources:
  1. YouTube - IBM DNA Transistor
  2. IBM Press room - 2009-10-06 IBM Research Aims to Build Nanoscale DNA Sequencer to Help Drive Down Cost of Personalized Genetic Analysis - United States
  3. YouTube - IBM DNA Transistor
Related:
  1. Can IBM's DNA transistor someday take genetic sequencing mainstream? | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com
  2. BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | DNA sequencing in a holey new way
  3. IBM Builds 'Bar Code Reader' for DNA - Inventions | Patents | New Inventions | Innovation - FOXNews.com
  4. DNA Analyzer on a Chip Promises Personalized Genetic Analysis | Gadget Lab | Wired.com
  5. IBM Research

2008-09-24

NEXTgencode A Fake Biotech Firm

About NEXTgencode, a biotech company promoting genetic engineering as a tool in life enhancement, which actually is part of the promotion of Michael Crichton’s book "Next".

The "company"


Clipped from: Believe It or Not, Fake Biotech Firm Is Key Marketing Ploy for Crichton Novel - WSJ.com

Believe It or Not, Fake Biotech Firm Is Key Marketing Ploy for Crichton Novel

A puppy that never ages. A cactus that grows human hair. Giant cockroaches presented as pets.
Genes run amok at Nextgencode, which is as it should be. The "company" is the creation of News Corp.'s HarperCollins Publishers, and its sole purpose is to gin up interest in "Next," Michael Crichton's coming thriller about genetic research. The publisher plans to post videos on YouTube and other popular Web sites touting the accomplishments and products of Nextgencode.



To the Net surfer, the Web site of Nextgencode on first examination appears to be about a real biotech company.

The site


Clipped from: NEXTgencode - Your Destiny is No Longer in Question




Videos


Clipped from: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

PermaPuppy
Did you ever wish your puppy would never grow up? PermaPuppy remains young while YOU grow.



Bug DNA 4000
NEW BUG DNA Farm. Play with DNA of real insects.



Losing Blondes
The last natural blondes will die within 200 years, scientists believe.

Related:

Believe It or Not, Fake Biotech Firm Is Key Marketing Ploy for Crichton Novel - WSJ.com
Next by Michael Crichton
NEXTgencode - Your Destiny is No Longer in Question
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
The Tree of Life: What is that NEXTgencode Advertising on My Site
CTV.ca | Crichton steps online with NEXTgencode.com
Have You Heard the News? It's in a Novel - TIME

2007-12-20

Scientists Identify Genes Responsible for Fat Storage

clipped from www.aecom.yu.edu
Fundamental Discovery by Einstein Researchers Reveals How Fat is Stored in Cells

Photomicrograph, above, shows numerous lipid droplets in mouse fat cells (adipocytes).


Scientists had previously identified the genes responsible for synthesizing fat within cells. But the genes governing the next step--packaging the fat inside a layer of phospholipids and proteins to form lipid droplets—have long been sought, and for good reason.

“These lines of evidence supported our conclusion that FIT genes are necessary for the accumulation of lipid droplets in cells,” says Dr. Silver. “Now that we’ve identified the genes and the proteins they code for, it should be possible to develop drugs that can regulate their expression or activity. Such drugs could prove extremely valuable, not only for treating the main result of excess lipid droplet accumulation—obesity--but for alleviating the serious disorders that arise from obesity including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”

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Related:
Scientists Identify Hundreds of Worm Genes that Regulate Fat Storage - MGH, January 2003
News: Researchers Identify Two Genes Associated with Fat Storage. Genetic Engineering News - Biotechnology from Bench to Business
Research Reveals How Cells Store Fat - (Newly discovered genes and their proteins could be targets for weight-loss therapies, scientists sa
Jeffrey M. Friedman

2007-11-23

deCODEme - Personal Genetic Scan

The company that has led in the discovery of genes that confer risk of common diseases is empowering individuals to explore their own genome
clipped from www.decodeme.com
decodeMe

What is deCODEme?
deCODEme is a living website which will be continuously updated with information by deCODE genetics' team of experts. Now you can study your genome profile in an easy manner guided by the scientists who discovered the genes.


  • For only $985 we scan over one million variants in your genome
  • Calculate genetic risk for 17 diseases based on the current literature
  • Find out where your ancestors came from
  • Invite friends and family, compare your genomes
  • Get regular updates on future discoveries and a growing list of diseases and traits

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Related:
deCODE Launches deCODEme(TM)
DNA Direct Talk » Blog Archive » deCODEme: First "Genetic Scan" Launches
News
LifeSciencesWorld : deCODE Launches deCODEme(TM)