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CRISPR Technology Could Revolutionize Animal Transgenics
Despite its role in advancing genetics research, transgenic modification of animal models is an aging and costly technique. A new tool that leverages CRISPR technology may make the entire process simpler and more efficient.
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Proteomics and Cancer: A Powerful New Revolution
In the post-genomics era, we look at the powerful new revolution in proteomics. We find out how advances are deepening our understanding of cancer biology and resistance processes, which will lead to new clinical applications such as non-invasive biomarkers and drug development.
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RNA-Seq: Basics, Applications and Protocol
RNA-seq (RNA-sequencing) is a technique that can examine the quantity and sequences of RNA in a sample using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Here, we look at why RNA-seq is useful, how the technique works, a basic protocol that is commonly used today and challenges that remain.
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Is DNA the Future of Digital Data Storage?
At the intersection of electronics and biology, the field of DNA data storage aims to develop tools that might enable us to store vast amounts of data in an incredibly safe way: on genetic code. We discussed the field with Twist Bioscience's CEO and co-founder, Emily Leproust.
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Unease on the High Seas: The Effect of Climate Change on Marine Microbial Ecology
Microbes play an important role in the marine ecosystem, however, the effects of climate change have the potential to upset this fine balance, leading to increasing issues with cyanobacterial blooms. Exciting work seeks to look at the knock on effects on the marine food web and ways to combat these toxic blooms.
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Are Carbon Nanotubes a New Asbestos?
Used in myriad applications and showered with praise by researchers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are hailed as a "wonder material" for materials science. This lofty position may be jeopardized by a new study that shows CNTs can induce the fatal cancer mesothelioma in the same way as asbestos.
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Cancer Stem Cells Redefine How We Think About Cancer
Cancer stem cells (CSC) can be difficult to define, even for biologists. In order to understand CSCs, cancer itself must be thought of as highly organized – comprised of cancer cells that have a cellular hierarchy.
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Making Laser Spectroscopy Portable for On-Site Food Safety Tests
Those involved in the production, processing and distribution of food know that food safety is not an issue to be taken lightly. Of note, mycotoxins in food are subject to strict legislative limits and therefore their detection and quantification are a key area of interest.
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Curing Blindness With Stem Cells – Here’s The Latest Science
In 2010 scientists successfully guided stem cells into becoming retina cells in a laboratory. It is hoped that these cells could later be delivered into the diseased eye to replace or preserve damaged retina cells.
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Making Medicine More Precise Using Metabolomics
The metabolome is exquisitely sensitive to our physiology, sitting at the interface of our genome and environment. Developing handheld devices that enable people to monitor themselves for changes in their metabolites that can predict future disease will empower them to take charge of their own healthcare, transforming medicine.
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