A rainbow of methods promises insights into biological processes and diseasesMay 02, 2007Physical alterations of DNA in chromosomes can cause serious diseases such as Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, or cancer. Likewise, changes to the physiological environment of cells—with drugs or toxins, for example—can alter their metabolic output. To track these processes, scientists need ways to mark genes and their protein products. This month's release of Cold Spring Harbor Protocols (www.cshprotocols.org) features freely available methods for marking molecules to identify gene alterations and metabolic shifts. The first method (http://www.cshprotocols.org/cgi/content/full/2007/10/pdb.prot4743) describes how to grow cells from bacteria, yeast, insects, or mammals in media containing the stable isotope nitrogen-15. As the cells grow, they produce nascent proteins that include nitrogen-15, a marker that distinguishes newly formed metabolic products from pre-existing ones. The differences between these cells and "normal" cells (grown in media without nitrogen-15) can then be quantified using a technique called mass spectrometry. To identify structural features and abnormalities in chromosomes, scientists need to tag DNA probes with visual markers. The second freely available method (http://www.cshprotocols.org/cgi/content/full/2007/10/pdb.prot4730) describes how to label DNA probes with fluorescent markers of six different colors, which span the visible spectrum. These labeled DNA probes can be used simultaneously in FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) experiments, during which the probes bind to specific chromosomal regions of interest. The colorful chromosomes can then be viewed under a microscope. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory |
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| Related Chromosomes Current Events and Chromosomes News Articles Possible Link Studied Between Childhood Abuse and Early Cellular Aging Children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults, according to new research from Butler Hospital and Brown University. Scientists at UA, collaborating institutions decode maize genome Scientists from the University of Arizona led by Arizona Genomics Institute director Rod A. Wing and from collaborating institutions have deciphered the complete genetic code of the maize plant for the first time. New map of variation in maize genetics holds promise for developing new varieties A new study of maize has identified thousands of diverse genes in genetically inaccessible portions of the genome. New techniques may allow breeders and researchers to use this genetic variation to identify desirable traits and create new varieties that were not easily possible before. New Maize Map to Aid Plant Breeding Efforts In a massive survey of genetic diversity in maize, also known as corn, researchers across the United States, have developed a gene map that should pave the way to significant improvements in a plant that is a major source of food, fuel, animal feed and fiber around the world. Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Largest gene study of childhood IBD identifies 5 new genes In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease. NIH-funded researchers transform embryonic stem cells into human germ cells Researchers funded in part by the National Institutes of Health have discovered how to transform human embryonic stem cells into germ cells, the embryonic cells that ultimately give rise to sperm and eggs. A solution to Darwin's 'mystery of the mysteries' emerges from the dark matter of the genome Biological species are often defined on the basis of reproductive isolation. Ever since Darwin pointed out his difficulty in explaining why crosses between two species often yield sterile or inviable progeny (for instance, mules emerging from a cross between a horse and a donkey), biologists have struggled with this question. Common weed could provide clues on aging and cancer A common weed and human cancer cells could provide some very uncommon details about DNA structure and its relationship with telomeres and how they affect cellular aging and cancer, according to a team led by scientists from Texas A&M University and the University of Cincinnati (UC). CSHL-led team discovers rare mutation dramatically increasing schizophrenia risk An international team of researchers led by geneticist Jonathan Sebat, Ph.D., of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), has identified a mutation on human chromosome 16 that substantially increases risk for schizophrenia. More Chromosomes Current Events and Chromosomes News Articles |
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