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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

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 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

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