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Functions of Junk DNA

In genetics, the term junk DNA refers to regions of DNA that are non-coding. Some of this noncoding DNA is used to produce noncoding RNA components such as transfer RNA, regulatory RNA and ribosomal RNA.

7 May 2010

Drugs Targeting Kinase Inhibitors

Protein kinase inhibitors are drugs that can inhibit the action of protein kinases. Protein kinases add a phosphate group to a protein to switch it on or off in a process known of as phosphorylation. In this way, protein kinases can therefore alter the function and activity of proteins and therefore cells.

6 May 2010

What is a Kinase Inhibitor?

A protein kinase inhibitor is a type of enzyme inhibitor that can block the action of protein kinases. Protein kinases add a phosphate group to a protein in a process called phosphorylation, which can turn a protein on or off and therefore affect its level of activity and function.

6 May 2010

Proteomics Uses

The term proteome, coined in 1995, refers to the protein composition of the genome, while the term proteomics represents a systematic analysis of those proteins. Proteomics is used to detect protein expression patterns at a given time in response to a specific stimulus, but also to determine functional protein networks that exist at the level of the cell, tissue, or whole organism.

5 May 2010

Protein-Protein Interactions

Proteins inside the cell generally exert their function in multiprotein complexes. These complexes are considered to be highly dynamic structures changing their composition over time and cell state, thus the same protein may fulfill different functions depending on its binding partners. Such interactions play a vital role in cellular processes, therefore studying networks of interacting proteins can give fundamental biological insights.

5 May 2010

Proteomics Methods

Proteomics describes the global analysis of proteome, which can be defined has as the protein content of a cell, a tissue or an entire organism in a defined state. Since the inception of this field 30 years ago, the complete characterization of all proteins has been its fundamental goal.

5 May 2010

Molecular Biology Techniques

Molecular biology is an area of biology concerned with the process of gene transcription to yield RNA, the translation of RNA into proteins and the role those proteins play in cellular function. Since around 1960, molecular biologists have developed methods to identify, isolate, and manipulate molecular components in cells including DNA, RNA, and proteins.

7 Apr 2010

What is Molecular Biology?

Molecular biology is a branch of science concerning biological activity at the molecular level.

7 Apr 2010

Macrophage Function

A macrophage is a type of phagocyte, which is a cell responsible for detecting, engulfing and destroying pathogens and apoptotic cells. Macrophages are produced through the differentiation of monocytes, which turn into macrophages when they leave the blood. Macrophages also play a role in alerting the immune system to the presence of invaders.

24 Mar 2010

What is a Macrophage?

Macrophages are large, specialized cells in the immune system that recognize, engulf and destroy infecting or damaged cells.

24 Mar 2010

What are Proto-Oncogenes?

There are trillions of living cells in the body that grow, divide, and die in an orderly fashion. This process is tightly regulated by the genes within a cell’s nucleus. These genes code for proteins that help regulate cell growth. These important genes are called proto-oncogenes. A change in the DNA sequence of the proto-oncogene gives rise to an oncogene, which produces a different protein and interferes with normal cell regulation.

25 Feb 2010

Liposome Research

The scientific research about liposomes and how they can be applied for use has contributed to a breakthrough method for targeted drug delivery systems. Initially discovered in the 1960s, the research following this time has explained more about their properties and how they might be used. Today, they are indicated to help in the targeted administration for a number of highly toxic drugs, as a result of the research in this area.

17 Feb 2010

Liposome Manufacturing

Liposomes can offer a useful method of drug delivery, particularly for the targeted delivery of potentially toxic drugs, and must be manufactured with the appropriate methods to ensure that the liposomes meet the requirements for their intended purpose.

17 Feb 2010

Liposome Uses

Liposomes have useful properties that promote them for the use as a drug delivery system, particularly in the targeted administration for potentially toxic drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.

17 Feb 2010

What is a Liposome?

A liposome is a spherical-shaped vesicle that is composed of one or more phospholipid bilayers, which closely resembles the structure of cell membranes. The ability of liposomes to encapsulate hydrophilic or lipophilic drugs have allowed these vesicles to become useful drug delivery systems.

17 Feb 2010

MicroRNA and Disease

MicroRNAs or miRNAs represent an important class of small regulatory RNAs that are intrinsic to post-transcriptional gene control. They are approximately 22 nucleotides in length and regulate the expression of as much as 30% of all mammalian protein-encoding genes.

3 Feb 2010

MicroRNA Cellular Functions

MicroRNAs (or miRNAs) represent an abundant class of small, conserved, non-coding RNAs (approximately 22 nucleotides in length) that direct post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. In complex organisms, miRNAs regulate a wide range of biological processes, including development, differentiation, proliferation, cell metabolism and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

3 Feb 2010

MicroRNA Biogenesis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an extensive class of small endogenous RNAs which regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by messenger RNA (mRNA) cleavage or translation inhibition. A majority of multi-cellular organisms encode dozens to hundreds of miRNA genes which play important roles in the control of biologic processes.

3 Feb 2010

MicroRNA Nomenclature

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small non-coding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by base-pairing to mRNAs. Recent evidence shows that miRNA-mediated gene regulation is pivotal for normal cellular functions, and as much as one-third of human mRNAs may be miRNA targets.

3 Feb 2010

What is MicroRNA?

Gene expression in cells and tissues of every complex organism is precisely controlled and largely dependent on different conditions (such as development, changes in the environment, diseases or drugs). Various cells and organ systems within such organism (including humans) contain different gene expression profiles, thus proper understanding of regulatory mechanisms involved in such expression represents one of the key issues in genomic medicine.

3 Feb 2010