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Lentivirus Applications

Lentivirus is a genus in the family of Retroviridae that is very suitable for remodeling into gene transfer vectors due to its stable transgene expression, the ability to reach the nuclei of the important non-dividing cells and its substantially low immunogenic profile. The most important application of lentiviral vectors is gene therapy which includes the transfer of therapeutic genes into the patient's cells.

19 May 2010

Lentivirus Properties

Lentivirus genus represents a diverse, yet exceptionally cohesive group of retroviruses. Their influence on the health and general well-being of animals and humans alike has been enormous. Members of this group are found in primates, ungulates (cattle, sheep, horse and goat) and felids (cat). Vectors derived from these viruses that integrate into cellular DNA are promising tools for targeted gene therapy.

19 May 2010

Lentivirus Genome

Viruses that belong to the genus Lentivirus of the family Retroviridae are exogenous, have specific morphology and contain a relatively complex retroviral genome. Vectors derived from lentiviruses can be used for treatment strategies dependent on both transgene expression and gene correction. Gene vectors are also used extensively in basic biomedical research.

19 May 2010

What is Lentivirus?

Viruses are small obligate intracellular parasites with either a RNA or DNA genome that are surrounded by a protective protein coat and transfer their genetic material to infected cells.

19 May 2010

Morphology of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles possess a variety of shapes and their names are characterized by their different shapes. For example, there are nanospheres that are spherical, nanoreefs, nanoboxes, nanoclusters, nanotubes etc. These shapes or morphologies sometimes arise spontaneously as an effect of a templating or directing agent during synthesis for example during miscellar emulsions or anodized alumina pores, or from the innate crystallographic growth patterns of the materials themselves.

17 May 2010

Safety of Nanoparticles

Current research indicates that exposure via inhalation and skin contact can result in nanoparticles entering the body. Nanoparticles are tiny particles that can be inhaled or ingested and may pose a possible problem both medically and environmentally.

17 May 2010

Nanoparticle Colloids

What are colloids?

17 May 2010

Synthesis of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles may be created using several methods. Some of them may occur in nature as well. The methods of creation include attrition and pyrolysis

17 May 2010

Nanoparticle Uniformity

When nanoparticles are synthesized, high level of purity and uniformity of structure is necessary for putting these particles to use in private, industrial and military sectors. There must be high purity ceramics, polymers, glass-ceramics and material composites in creation of these particles. Nanoparticles are generally classified based on their dimensionality, morphology, composition, uniformity, and agglomeration.

17 May 2010

What are Nanoparticles?

A nanoparticle is a small object that behaves as a whole unit in terms of its transport and properties.

17 May 2010

Flow Cytometry Fluorescent Labels

The principle of flow cytometry is the segregation and analysis of cells which are arranged in a single line as they flow past a detector in a stream.

11 May 2010

Flow Cytometry Measurable Parameters

The fact that flow cytometry enables simultaneous measurement of multiple cellular parameters is one of the most powerful aspects of this technology. The technique has a wide range of applications including the identification of antigens within or on the surface of a cell, DNA and RNA analysis and a number of other potential uses. Some examples of the parameters that can be assessed using flow cytometry are described below.

11 May 2010

Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting

Fluoresence activated cell sorting is a particular form of flow cytometry that enables a mixture of different cells to be sorted one by one into one or more containers. The cells are sorted according to their specific light scattering and fluorescent characteristics.

11 May 2010

Flow Cytometry History

Flow cytometry based on impedance and using the Coulter principle was first made available to Wallace H. Coulter in the U.S. under the patent number 2,656,508 in 1953.

11 May 2010

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

Types of Non-Coding DNA Sequences

There are several types of non-coding DNA or junk DNA. Some of these are described below.

7 May 2010

DNA Fraction of Junk DNA

Only 2% of the DNA sequence in the human genome is used to make proteins, while the rest are noncoding DNA sequences without completely explained function, colloquially also known as junk DNA. Throughout evolution, the non-coding segment of eukaryotic genomes has been expanded by various mechanisms such as deletions or insertions of DNA sequences, as well as by the whole genome duplication process.

7 May 2010

What is Junk DNA?

In genetics, the term junk DNA refers to regions of DNA that are noncoding.

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