Creative Biomart Blog

Mon, 2015/10/19

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

Thu, 2015/10/08

What Makes Cancer So Fatal?

There exists, in some cancers, some abnormal cells similar to stem cells. These cells are as factories that are working overtime. They quickly produce a copy of their own and from time to time generate some variations. What’s worse, those cells can spread to other tissues of the body, and eventually leading to cancer metastasis. Researchers in Salk institution found that, Sox10 can determine whether cells will transform into this horrible factory. The new understanding of Sox10 will help people develop more effective cancer treatments and overcome the resistance of cancer cells. “Cancer is

Wed, 2015/10/07

Pesticides Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk

Previously, it has been revealed that the use of certain pesticides at home might increase the risk of childhood cancer. However, a recent study claimed that pesticides are also linked to increased risk of diabetes. The report said that long-term exposure to pesticides can significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (60 percent). “Our study suggests that pesticides can significantly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even though at present we can not determine whether there is a causal relationship.” said Dr. Kavvoura, “ However, we found that exposure to any pesticide w

Tue, 2015/09/29

Month-end Check: Biotech study topics in Nature-September

Giant study poses DNA data-sharing dilemma A commonly discussed issue: should the information about disease risk, especially genetic data be shared with participants. Some say participants should at least have the right to know their personal data to investigate their own health, but some specialists say showing participants their data is irresponsible for the information can’t be interpreted by every person. The significance is always uncertain. People who get know of their health data might worry excessively or seek unnecessary medical tests. “Unless you give people the tools and the skills