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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

An Overview of Angiogenesis Research

The term angiogenesis denotes the growth of blood vessels from the existing vasculature. This process begins in utero and occurs throughout life, so that no metabolically active tissue in human body is further than a few hundred micrometers from blood capillaries, which is necessary for the exchange of nutrients and metabolites.

11 Apr 2016

Magnetic Beads: Life Science Applications

Magnetic nanomaterials have been extensively used for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In biomedical realm, magnetic nanoparticles are most often used in the form of magnetic beads made by embedding magnetic nanoparticles in a suitable matrix, usually tailor-made to meet the requirements for specific applications.

25 Mar 2016

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) Applications in Medicine

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) represents a tomographic imaging method that is used to determine the spatial distribution of magnetic material injected into the bloodstream. Iron-oxide based superparamagnetic nanoparticles are used as a suitable material for the purpose of this quite novel imaging technique.

25 Mar 2016

NMR in Cancer Research: An Overview

Cancer is the over-production of cells in the body which can spread through the organs and lead to health complications and possible eventual death. There are different types such as lung, breast, liver, stomach and throat.

25 Mar 2016

Future of NMR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy represents a technique that is dependent on the magnetic properties of the atomic nucleus. When positioned in a strong magnetic field, certain nuclei resonate at a specific frequency in the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Slight variations in those frequencies provide detailed information about the molecular structure in which the atom resides.

25 Mar 2016

Types of Capillary Electrophoresis

In the evolution of techniques used to separate molecules based on their electrophoretic mobility, capillary electrophoresis has been fine-tuned in order to obtain optimal results for varying experiments. There are six main forms of capillary electrophoresis, branching from two main subsets, one of which is further subdivided into two subdivisions.

24 Mar 2016

Capillary Electrophoresis

Although it may seem intricate at a first glance, capillary electrophoresis is an instrumental technique with very simple principles. Minute capillaries are used for the electro-kinetic separation of analytes in an electrolyte solution under the influence of a given electric field.

24 Mar 2016

Introduction to the Coulter Principle

The Coulter Principle is the reference method for studying particle size and dynamics, which is based on measurable variations in electrical impedance that is produced by non-conductive particles in an electrolyte solution. Today it is also used as limit test for particulate matter in parenteral solutions of large volumes.

9 Mar 2016

Types of RNA Editing

RNA (ribonucleic acid) editing is a post-transcriptional alteration of RNA sequences and structures via modification, deletion or insertion of nucleotides. This process has been detected in eukaryotes ranging from single-celled protozoa to plants and mammals; as a result, functionally distinctive proteins can be processed from a single gene.

9 Mar 2016

Real-Time PCR: An Overview

Real-time PCR or quantitative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is an advancement of the standard PCR technique, which enables continuous monitoring of the reaction and collection of data in real time. Using real-time PCR, reliable quantitative data regarding the amplified nucleic acids can be gathered easily and rapidly.

7 Mar 2016

History of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

The development of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been a major breakthrough in the scientific world. Over time, the technique has evolved beyond the confines of its simple initial design and has opened incredible avenues for researchers.

7 Mar 2016

Digital PCR and Traditional PCR: What’s the Difference?

First described in the 1990s, digital PCR is a novel approach to PCR which allows precise detection and quantification of the amount of nucleic acids formed during PCR.

6 Mar 2016

Polymerase Chain Reaction Applications

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has dramatically transformed scientific research and diagnostic medicine. Over the years, PCR has become an indispensable and integral part of clinical and diagnostic research. The PCR technique and its several advanced variants act as powerful tools which enable a multitude of specialized applications which were once deemed impossible by the scientific world.

6 Mar 2016