Molecular Biology News and Research

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Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as learning how these interactions are regulated.

Japanese scientists identify long-elusive enzyme necessary for proper regulation of cilia

It's safe to say that cilia, the hairlike appendages jutting out from the smooth surfaces of most mammalian cells, have long been misunderstood - underestimated, even.

8 Jul 2010

SeqWright becomes first CSP for Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System

Agilent Technologies Inc. and SeqWright DNA Technology Services today announced that SeqWright is the first Certified Service Provider for the Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System for use with the next-generation AB SOLiD sequencing platform.

8 Jul 2010

Researchers develop computer program to accurately simulate protein folding

All proteins self-assemble in a fraction of the blink of an eye, but it can take a long time to mimic the process. And there has been no guarantee of success, even with the most powerful computers - until now.

8 Jul 2010

Map of herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" provides new target for antiviral drugs

The mechanism by which a herpes virus invades cells has remained a mystery to scientists seeking to thwart this family of viruses. New research funded by the National Institutes of Health and published online in advance of print in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals the unusual structure of the protein complex that allows a herpes virus to invade cells. This detailed map of a key piece of the herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" gives scientists a new target for antiviral drugs.

7 Jul 2010

EMBL scientists develop Fly Digital Embryo to film development of fruit fly, zebrafish's eyes and brain

The scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, who 'fathered' the Digital Embryo have now given it wings, creating the Fly Digital Embryo. In work published today in Nature Methods, they were able to capture fruit fly development on film, and were the first to clearly record how a zebrafish's eyes and midbrain are formed.

5 Jul 2010

Histone H1 phosphorylation involved in control of ribosomal RNA gene transcription

A protein that helps pack DNA into the cell nucleus has an important role in regulating gene activity, scientists report. The researchers found that the protein, histone H1, also takes part in the formation of ribosomes, the cellular workbenches on which all proteins are made.

2 Jul 2010

Two laboratory methods for Drosophila Neurobiology featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols journal

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Neurobiology of Drosophila course (http://meetings.cshl.edu/courses/c-dros10.shtml) has served as the training ground for a generation of scientists tackling these complex problems. A new laboratory manual based on the protocols and background information taught in the course promises to spread these techniques to a wider audience. Two of the methods from the manual are featured in the July issue of the journal Cold Spring Harbor Protocols.

2 Jul 2010

Scientists explain mechanism behind acute myeloid leukemia

New research by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has illuminated in fine detail one of the genetic paths that leads to a particularly aggressive form of leukemia.

2 Jul 2010

AMP comments on array-based cytogenetic tests at FDA's public meeting

Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology presented comments at the US Food & Drug Administration's public meeting on array-based cytogenetic tests. The FDA convened the meeting to seek answers to more than a dozen questions they had on how to evaluate the performance, interpret results and report findings of array-based cytogenetic tests for copy number variation.

1 Jul 2010

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the symptoms of anxiety and depression that occur in some patients taking the popular statin family of anti-cholesterol drugs, and reported by some individuals on low-cholesterol diets. These symptoms could result from long-term, low levels of cholesterol in the brain, the report suggests. It appears in ACS' weekly journal Biochemistry.

1 Jul 2010

Bortezomib may offer hope for treating inflammatory diseases: New research

Those looking for a new treatment for a range of inflammatory diseases like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus may need to look no further than a drug already available for treating cancer. In a research report published in the July 2010 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, Japanese scientists use mice to show that bortezomib, currently used to treat cancers that affect white blood cells, induces cell death only in harmful (active and proliferating) T cells, leaving the rest unharmed.

1 Jul 2010

SeqWright, RainDance Technologies partner to offer RainStorm microdroplet-based PCR technology

SeqWright Inc., a world-wide leader in custom genomic and molecular biology services, announced today the expansion of its service portfolio by partnering with RainDance Technologies to offer the company's innovative RainStorm™ microdroplet-based PCR technology. SeqWright recognizes the growing demand from life science researchers for more efficient and cost-effective processes that allow for automated workflows providing greater confidence in results to meet the needs of large-scale resequencing studies.

30 Jun 2010

AMP commends Advisory Committee for addressing genetic education, training needs

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) commends the Secretary's Advisory Committee for recognizing the importance of professional and public education and training in genetics and addressing the needs in this area. AMP offers a number of continuing education programs for health professionals in genetics and genomics, including the AMP annual scientific meeting, outreach courses to health professionals, a review course in molecular genetic pathology, and online webinars geared to health professionals.

30 Jun 2010

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Because of its intricate organization, figuring out the wiring diagram that explains how the billions of neurons in the brain are connected, and determining how they work together, remains a formidable task.

29 Jun 2010

AMP comments on barriers to market for molecular diagnostic tests at FDA CDRH meeting

Yesterday, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) gave public comments at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Council meeting on Medical Device Innovation: Barriers to Market for Molecular Diagnostic Tests.

28 Jun 2010

UCSB, Sansum achieve milestone in JDRF funded Artificial Pancreas Project

The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Sansum Diabetes Research Institute (Sansum) announced today the achievement of a milestone in the Artificial Pancreas Project funded by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

28 Jun 2010

TRL commences operations at San Diego facility with focus on biological drugs for autoimmune diseases

Tanabe Research Labs USA, Inc. (TRL) today announced commencement of its new operations at the TRL facility in San Diego with a focus on biological drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. TRL began its new activities in May with the appointment of three new senior executives: Masaki Yamada, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer; Toshihiro Hosaka, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, and Roland Newman, Ph.D., VP and Chief Scientific Officer.

28 Jun 2010

Researchers identify novel protein complex that regulates genes in fruit flies and mammals

Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, and the Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology Freiburg have identified a novel protein complex that regulates around 4000 genes in the fruit fly Drosophila and likely plays an important role in mammals, too. Published today in Molecular Cell, their findings explain how another regulatory protein can lead a double life.

28 Jun 2010

National Intrepid Center of Excellence to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury

The U.S. Department of Defense and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund on June 24 officially dedicated the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, a new 72,000-square-foot medical facility in Bethesda, Md., dedicated to researching, diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury in U.S. military personnel.

28 Jun 2010

New research suggests resveratrol may inhibit pathogenic blood vessel formation

Current research suggests that resveratrol, a naturally occurring compound found in red wine, grapes, blueberries, peanuts, and other plants, inhibits pathogenic new blood vessel growth.

25 Jun 2010

Molecular Biology News and Research

Further Reading

Japanese scientists identify long-elusive enzyme necessary for proper regulation of cilia

SeqWright becomes first CSP for Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System

Researchers develop computer program to accurately simulate protein folding

Map of herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" provides new target for antiviral drugs

EMBL scientists develop Fly Digital Embryo to film development of fruit fly, zebrafish's eyes and brain

Histone H1 phosphorylation involved in control of ribosomal RNA gene transcription

Two laboratory methods for Drosophila Neurobiology featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols journal

Scientists explain mechanism behind acute myeloid leukemia

AMP comments on array-based cytogenetic tests at FDA's public meeting

Studies link anti-cholesterol statin drugs to increased risk of anxiety and depression

Bortezomib may offer hope for treating inflammatory diseases: New research

SeqWright, RainDance Technologies partner to offer RainStorm microdroplet-based PCR technology

AMP commends Advisory Committee for addressing genetic education, training needs

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

AMP comments on barriers to market for molecular diagnostic tests at FDA CDRH meeting

UCSB, Sansum achieve milestone in JDRF funded Artificial Pancreas Project

TRL commences operations at San Diego facility with focus on biological drugs for autoimmune diseases

Researchers identify novel protein complex that regulates genes in fruit flies and mammals

National Intrepid Center of Excellence to treat veterans with traumatic brain injury

New research suggests resveratrol may inhibit pathogenic blood vessel formation

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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