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Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers

Ubiquitin is the most widely recognised post-translation modifier that bonds to proteins, marking them for degradation in the proteasome. However, there are many other proteins that have similar properties and are grouped together as a family, referred to as ubiquitin-like modifiers.

4 Nov 2010

Ubiquitin and Diseases

Ubiquitin, and the biological pathways of this protein, has been associated with the pathogenesis of certain diseases. Additionally, it is also thought to be beneficial in the diagnosis certain conditions, acting as a biological marker.

4 Nov 2010

Ubiquitin Function and Variety

The most widely regarded function of ubiquitin is its ability to mark proteins that need to be degraded by the proteasome. It is for this reason that it is occasionally referred to as the molecular “kiss of death” for proteins.

4 Nov 2010

Ubiquitination (Ubiquitylation)

Ubiquitination, also known as ubiquitylation, is an enzymatic process that involves the bonding of an ubiquitin protein to a substrate protein. This has sometimes been referred to as the molecular “kiss of death” for a protein, as the substrate usually becomes inactivated and is tagged for degradation by the proteasome through the attachment of the ubiquitin molecule.

4 Nov 2010

What is Ubiquitin?

Ubiquitin is a small protein that is found in almost all cellular tissues in humans and other eukaryotic organisms, which helps to regulate the processes of other proteins in the body.

4 Nov 2010

Gene Concepts

The underlying concept of Genes has undergone rapid changes over the last few decades. It was originally thought as the unit of inheritance and simply a DNA based unit that converts to RNA and forms proteins that are essential for life. Genes were thought to form the blue print of an organism.

3 Nov 2010

Gene History

Gregor Mendel the “Father of Genetics”

3 Nov 2010

What are Genes?

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the chemical information database that carries the complete set of instructions for the cell as to the nature of the proteins produced by it, its life span, maturity, function and death. Genes are the working subunits of DNA. Each gene contains a particular set of instructions, usually coding for a particular protein or for a particular function.

3 Nov 2010

Oligonucleotide Synthesis

Oligonucleotides are short chains of base pairs that are used for a variety of applications in research, genetic testing and forensics.

22 Sep 2010

What is an Oligonucleotide?

Oligonucleotides are short nucleic acid polymers used in research, genetic testing and forensics.

22 Sep 2010

Types of Viral Vectors

There are several types of viral vectors that can be used to deliver nucleic acids into the genetic makeup of cells, including retrovirus, lentivirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated virus and herpes simplex virus. Each of these has unique advantages and disadvantages for specific applications, as outlined below.

14 Sep 2010

Viral Vector Applications

Viruses have evolved by borrowing and modifying cellular genes to become extremely efficient at nucleic acid delivery to different cell types, avoiding at the same time immunosurveillance by an infected host. Those are the main properties that make viruses highly attractive gene-delivery vehicles (or vectors).

14 Sep 2010

What are Viral Vectors?

Regardless of their origin and family, viruses have evolved elegant strategies to reach and enter specific target cells where they seize the cellular machinery to express viral genes and assemble progeny particles. In the same way, viral vectors represent the most effective means of gene transfer to modify specific cell type or tissue, and can be manipulated to express therapeutic genes.

14 Sep 2010

Recombinant DNA Applications

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) has many uses in the society of today, from research and biotechnology to the medicine stocked on the shelves of pharmacies. The ability to manipulate the creation of DNA with technology has proven to be useful in various applications, as outlined below.

16 Aug 2010

What is Recombinant DNA?

Recombinant DNA, which is often shortened to rDNA, is an artificially made DNA strand that is formed by the combination of two or more gene sequences. This new combination may or may not occur naturally, but is engineered specifically for a purpose to be used in one of the many applications of recombinant DNA.

16 Aug 2010

Quantum Dots in Biology and Medicine

One of the most exciting forefronts of nanobiotechnology is the use of quantum dots, which are defined as semiconductor nanocrystals with excitons in all three spatial dimensions, as fluorescent dyes in biology and medicine. Initially discovered in 1980 by Alexic Ekimov and Louis E. Brus, the advances of quantum dots synthesis significantly promoted fluorescent imaging for both in vitro and in vivo applications.

19 Jul 2010

Quantum Dot and Computing

Quantum dot technology has the potential to bring computing devices as we know them to a completely new level. The nanocrystal semiconductor particles have the ability to convert light energy and electrical energy and vice versa in an efficient and stable way that could revolutionize the way computers work.

19 Jul 2010

Quantum Dot Optical Properties

The optical properties of quantum dots are known to vary between different types and can be predicted by certain factors.

19 Jul 2010

Quantum Dot Production

Semiconductors can be used to confine electrons and produce quantum dots with several different methods. These will be outlines below in further detail.

19 Jul 2010

What are Quantum Dots?

A quantum dot is a semiconductor nanocrystal with unique properties distinct from bulk semiconductors or discrete molecules. The excitons are confined in all three spatial dimensions, lending to their optical and electrical properties that prove useful in biomedical imaging, as well as the possibility for use in electronic devices and solar energy systems.

19 Jul 2010