Creative Biomart Blog

Mon, 2015/10/26

British Can “Smell” out Parkinson's Disease?

A male patient of Parkinson’s Disease led to a new study-his widow found herself could “smell” the disease. This 65-year-old Joy Milne tole the researchers that she noticed changes in the smell of her deceased husband and a few years ago he has begun to have Parkinson’s symptoms. He died because of this disease earlier this year at the age of 65. The disease is a kind of neurological disease with the symptoms of slow movement and constantly shaking. “I always had a knee sense of smell, and I have long found a very subtle change in smell.” said Milne from Perth, Scotland. “It’s hard to descr

Fri, 2015/10/23

How Much Do Biologists Earn Annually in USA?

GenomeWeb recently released the results of an annual salary survey. According to this year’s report, researchers, technical staff in bio-industry earn more than five years ago but less than last year. The survey has shown that the median salary for this industry is $75,000, while last year was $83,000. In last year’s survey, median salary for senior scientists, senior researchers, senior technical staff was $97,200 and this year the group has shrunk to $90,100. Similarly, the median salary for project manager last year was $94,000, while only $80,500 this year. Only a few respondents (4.7%

Wed, 2015/10/21

Cell Reports: Why Can We Feel Thirsty?

Recently, a breakthrough progress achieved by the RI-MUHC and Duke University might help us to understand how our brains perceive and prevent dehydration. They have identified the structure of a key protein located in the brain, that is involved in the body’s hydration and it can control the temperature. Published on Cell Reports on October 6, 2015, this study might have important clinical significance. For the protein might be a target for the treatment and the development of a diagnostic test method of a lot of body fluid imbalance related health problems (common in the emergency room). Dr

Mon, 2015/10/19

New mechanism of pRb Found

A recent study has found new mechanism of pRb-a well know tumor suppressor. The research completed by scientists at University of Illinois in the United States and Spain Pompeu Fabra University, was published in International academic journals Gene & Development. Tumor suppressor is a kind of protein that acts as natural “brake” for cellular proliferation, having the ability to prevent the formation of malignant tumors. Depth understanding of how these proteins play a protective role may be the key factor for the development of targeted cancer therapies. Rb is a tumor inhibitory factor w

Fri, 2015/10/16

Novel Fluorescent DNA Dye Designed

To reveal the intricacies of how cells function, many assays work. However, nothing can compare to watching those process live in the cell. Then, numerous dyes and labels have been designed for live-cell imaging. But, even with this numerous choices, such studies are often complicated by toxic by toxic dyes, difficult labeling protocols, dye specificities and above all, phototoxicity following extended light exposure. In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers have described that they have designed a new DNA specific fluorescent dye, SiR-Hoescht, which can ov

Wed, 2015/10/14

How Does Protein Accomplish “Dressing Up”?

It’s widely known that numerous of physiological and biochemical processes within cells are accomplished by protein. A tiny cell can contain millions of proteins which are translated and synthesized by ribosome. However, after synthesis, these protein molecules often have to undergo post-translational modification, which has important biological significance. Ubiquitinylation is one type of post-translational modification. In other words, after “dressing up” by some “junior partners”, proteins were sent for “mission”. Its partners include: phosphate groups, ubiquitin molecule, acetyl, methyl

Mon, 2015/10/12

Nobel Prize to Women in Physiology or Medicine (Part Two)

In last post, we have give a brief introduction about the latest 5 woman Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine. This post is to cover the rest 7 excellent women. The 7th : Linda B. Buck Linda B. Buck (1947-), an American biologist best known for her work on the olfactory system. For their work on olfactory receptors, she along with Richard Axel, were awarded the 2004 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The 6th : Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard (1942-), is a German biologist. She won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1995, together with Eric Wieschaus

Fri, 2015/10/09

Nobel Prize to Women in Physiology or Medicine (Part One)

October 5th, The Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded one half jointly to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for their discoveries concerning a novel therapy against infections caused by roundworm parasites and the other half to Youyou Tu for her discoveries relating to a novel therapy against Malaria. Since the invention of the Nobel Prize, only 11 women were awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Youyou Tu became the 12th. Let’s have a look at those 12 excellent women! This post is to introduce the latest 5 Laureates and the next post will cover the rest 7 ones. T