Life Science Articles

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Spectroscopy Applications

Spectroscopy represents a scientific measurement technique for the studying of matter through its interaction with different components of the electromagnetic spectrum. It can measure light by breaking it down into its component colors with the help of a prism in order to study the resulting spectrum.

13 Jun 2016

Mass Spectrometry Applications

Mass spectrometry represents a powerful technique with a myriad of different applications in biology, chemistry, and physics, but also in clinical medicine and even space exploration.

13 Jun 2016

Primary and Secondary Antibodies: What's the Difference?

An antibody (or immunoglobulin) is a glycoprotein produced by the immune system in response to a ‘foreign’ substance i.e. antigens present on microorganisms.

9 Jun 2016

What is Mass Spectrometry?

Mass spectrometry is an analytical method used to identify different compounds based on the atomic sample constitution of the molecules and their charge state, which enables “blind” analysis of an unknown sample without any prior knowledge of its composition.

7 Jun 2016

Structure and Function of the Cell Nucleus

The cell nucleus is an important organelle found in eukaryotic cells. Its roles include regulating all activity such as cellular metabolism and growth in addition to storing and maintaining the cell’s DNA for transcription and replication.

2 Jun 2016

What are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria are organelles found in the cytoplasm of most cells. They are essential to healthy living as they play an important role in the way cells function in the body. Mitochondria generate energy for cells to carry out activities. This energy is in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They also take part in cell signalling and help cells sense and adapt to their environment.

2 Jun 2016

What Are Organelles?

Organelles are small, specialized structures in cells which operate like organs by carrying out specific tasks.

2 Jun 2016

Mitosis vs Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes by which cells reproduce, but there are distinct differences between the two. While new cells are generated during mitosis, meiosis is a special type of cell division that produces sex cells for reproduction. The two processes were discovered by different scientists. Meiosis was discovered by German biologist Oscar Hertwig while German physician Walther Flemming is credited with the discovery of mitosis.

1 Jun 2016

Meiosis Process

Multicellular eukaryotes and single-celled sex cells reproduce by a process called meiosis. In this process, the number of chromosomes in a mother cell is halved to produce gametes, cells that fuse with other cells. This happens in plants, animals, and fungi. German biologist, Oscar Hertwig first discovered meiosis in sea urchin eggs in 1876.

1 Jun 2016

What is a Cytoskeleton?

The cytoskeleton of a cell helps provide shape, strength, and an organised structure to the cell. The cytoskeleton can be compared to a transport network facilitating various types of movement in the cell. It helps with cell reproduction, the movement of organelles, the functions of muscles and intracellular transport between the organelles. It also enables the separation of daughter chromosomes to opposite poles during cell division.

1 Jun 2016

Southern Blot - Lab Technique Used to Detect Specific Biomolecules

Blotting is a powerful technique used in modern molecular biology. This technique is used to identify specific biomolecules present in a sample. There are several types of blotting techniques based on the target molecule that each of the technique is used to detect.

16 May 2016

Western Blot - Lab Technique Used to Detect Proteins

Western blot is an invaluable lab technique used to detect proteins in a tissue or blood sample. It helps researchers identify specific protein molecules in a complex mixture of proteins. Since antibodies are used in this technique to mark the target protein, this technique is also known as an immunoblot.

16 May 2016

What is Transcription?

Transcription is the first step in the synthesis of proteins from specific gene sequences. In this process, the genetic information in the DNA is copied to an mRNA with the help of an enzyme called RNA polymerase and several transcription factors.

12 May 2016

What Does Gel Electrophoresis Involve?

Gel electrophoresis is a widely used technique in life science laboratories to separate macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. In this technique, molecules are separated based on their size and electric charge. Gel electrophoresis is usually performed in labs to analyze DNA, RNA, or protein samples from various sources.

26 Apr 2016

Northern Blot / RNA Blot

The first blotting technique developed by Dr. Edwin Southern is called the Southern blot. This technique was subsequently modified so as to detect other target molecules. These techniques being variations of Southern blot were named northern blot, western blot, and eastern blot. Northern blot is used to detect specific RNA sequences in a sample. Therefore it is also called the RNA blot.

25 Apr 2016

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are produced from a single B cell clone and can bind to a single type of antigen binding site. MAbs are homogenous antibodies that cannot form lattices with monomeric proteins as they can bind to only a single epitope on the antigen. Developed in the 1970s, MAbs can be produced against any given substance. Thus they can be used to detect and purify any substance of interest. This has made MAbs a powerful tool of molecular biology, biochemistry, and medicine.

25 Apr 2016

Tube Formation Inhibitors and Promoters

Angiogenesis assays represent an indispensable tool for obtaining insights into the mechanisms of angiogenesis, but also open the door for the development of various treatment strategies to modulate formation of new blood vessels. In vitro angiogenesis assays are based on the principle that endothelial cells have the ability to form three-dimensional tube structures when cultured on a suitable matrix.

13 Apr 2016

Tube Formation Assay: an Introduction

Angiogenesis, which denotes the process of developing new blood vessels from preexisting ones, is a vital event for embryonic development, organ growth and wound healing. Newly created blood vessels are responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to different tissues, removing waste products and promoting immune surveillance.

13 Apr 2016

In Vivo Angiogenesis Assays

Angiogenesis, a process of blood vessel formation from preexisting ones, has become a significant area of scientific enquiry due to its role in various physiological and pathological processes. Therefore methods that can stimulate fundamental steps of this process and provide a tool for testing potential therapeutic agents have been developed in the form of in vitro and in vivo assays.

11 Apr 2016

In Vitro Angiogenesis Assays

Angiogenesis represents the formation of new blood vessels (either via sprouting or branching) from existing ones. This process is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, thus its inhibition is often a critical point of intervention in the treatment of malignancies.

11 Apr 2016