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Faster, cheaper, better: A new way to synthesize DNA

Researchers have developed a new way to synthesize DNA sequences using enzymes, promising to accelerate the pace of science. The innovative approach uses TdT enzyme to add nucleotides in a controlled manner, eliminating drawbacks of existing methods and enabling faster, cheaper and more accurate synthesis.

Labeling and detecting RNA modifications

Biochemists and molecular biologists use a new method to label m6A modifications in mRNA, allowing for precise detection using Next Generation Sequencing. The approach enables researchers to analyze the role of m6A modifications in physiological and pathological processes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Befriending oneself has benefits, but backup plan recommended

Research on the mangrove killifish found a remarkable amount of genetic diversity across different lineages, contradicting expectations. The fish's ability to fertilize itself and its eggs suggests a complex behavior that allows it to adapt to changing environments.

The world's smallest Mona Lisa

Researchers at Caltech developed a method to assemble large DNA structures with customizable patterns, creating a 'canvas' that can display any image. They used fractal assembly to recreate the world's smallest Mona Lisa using DNA origami.

CRISPR gene editing can cause hundreds of unintended mutations

A new study found that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can cause hundreds of unintended mutations, including single nucleotide changes and deletions in non-coding regions. The researchers emphasize the importance of using whole genome sequencing to detect off-target effects and encourage others to use this method for safer editing.

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How RNA formed at the origins of life

Researchers from UCL, Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital suggest a single chemical mechanism for forming both purine and pyrimidine nucleotides. They demonstrate that these molecules can be assembled on the same sugar scaffold to form RNA, providing a solution to a long-standing challenge in understanding the origins of life.

DNA misspelling correction method is very accurate

Researchers at IBS prove the accuracy of a gene editing method that substitutes one nucleotide in the genome, finding it more accurate than CRISPR-Cas9. The technique caused fewer off-target changes, indicating its potential for widespread use.

Mechanism for hMTH1's broad substrate specificity revealed

Researchers at Kumamoto University have discovered the key to hMTH1's ability to hydrolyze multiple oxidized dNTPs with high efficiency. The protonation state of specific aspartate residues plays a crucial role in this process, allowing for targeted inhibition of cancer cells.

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Researchers store computer operating system and short movie on DNA

A team of researchers at Columbia University has developed an algorithm that unlocks DNA's full storage potential, storing up to 215 petabytes of data in a single gram. They demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of their DNA Fountain technique, which packs more information into DNA molecules than previously published methods.

First CRISPR single-nucleotide edited transgenic mice

Researchers successfully produced the first transgenic mice with a single nucleotide difference in the dystrophin and tyrosinase genes, demonstrating a new gene editing technique that can substitute one nucleotide into another without DNA deletion. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the correction of genetic defects in humans.

Nanotechnology and nanopore sequencing

Nanopore sequencing is a modern and promising technique that benefits from the potential advantages of label-free sequencing and long reads. This method analyzes DNA directly taken from cells, enhancing sequencing accuracy. Recent advances in solid-state nanopore sequencing are investigated in a review published in Recent Patents on Na...

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Was the secret spice in primal gene soup a thickener?

Scientists found that adding a viscous solvent, or thickener, to a primordial mixture could facilitate the self-duplication of RNA and DNA strands. This discovery provides evidence for the origins of life on Earth, suggesting that gene replication may have occurred in environments with varying concentrations.

Mechanism for herbicide resistance in Palmer amaranth identified

A new study by the University of Illinois reveals that Palmer amaranth populations are resistant to PPO-inhibiting herbicides due to a genetic mutation involving the deletion of three nucleotides. This mutation is expected to spread rapidly, making it essential for farmers to switch to alternative herbicides.

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Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Effect of the Van-der-Waals and intramolecular forces

Researchers investigate the interaction of nucleotide chains with metallic nanoparticles in carbon nanotubes using hybrid molecular dynamics simulation methods. The study highlights the potential of these systems for designing electronic diagnostic tools and drug delivery systems.

Missing links brewed in primordial puddles?

Scientists have produced proto-nucleotides resembling RNA's nucleobases through simple laboratory reactions, advancing understanding of life's origins. The discovery has implications for the probability of life existing elsewhere in the universe.

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Columbia Engineering-led team advances single molecule electronic DNA sequencing

Researchers have developed a complete system to sequence DNA in nanopores electronically at single molecule level with single-base resolution. The system uses a protein nanopore array and polymer-tagged nucleotides to perform single molecule electronic DNA sequencing, enabling real-time and parallel sequencing of multiple DNA molecules.

RNA in stop-motion

Researchers from SISSA have developed a novel technique to visualize RNA dynamics using stop-motion animation, based on a huge international database of crystallographic images. This approach allows for the creation of coherent sequences of conformations, providing valuable insights into molecular transitions and dynamics.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

DNA sequencing improved by slowing down

EPFL scientists have developed a method that improves the accuracy of DNA sequencing up to a thousand times by slowing down the process using nanopores and viscous liquids. This breakthrough paves the way for better and cheaper DNA sequencing, enabling scientists to detect mutations and identify different organisms with greater precision.

Atomic view of microtubules

Researchers visualize the atomic view of microtubules, revealing the crucial role of end-binding proteins in regulating their dynamic instability. This understanding could lead to improved potency and selectivity of anticancer drugs targeting microtubule dynamics.

Modified DNA building blocks are cancer's Achilles heel

Researchers discovered that cancer cells incorporate chemically modified nucleosides into their DNA, which is toxic to them. The study found that modifying these nucleosides could be used as a specific anti-cancer agent, exploiting epigenetic changes in cancer cells.

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RNA springs

Researchers developed an RNA dynamics model using beads and springs, achieving accurate predictions comparable to Molecular Dynamics simulations. The model's simplicity allows for near real-time processing and may be a viable alternative to expensive computer simulation methods.

Penn Vet team shows a protein modification determines enzyme's fate

Researchers from Penn Vet show how arginylation, a protein modification, regulates an enzyme called PRPS2, critical for human life and involved in cancer. The study suggests that arginylation could be a target for intervention to prevent uncontrolled cellular expansion in cancer.

Expanding the code of life with new 'letters'

Two new nucleotides, 'Z' and 'P', have been found to form double helix structures similar to those made by the four natural bases C-G-A-T, opening up possibilities for creating new proteins with medical applications.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

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The geometry of RNA

A team of SISSA scientists developed a new geometrical model to analyze RNA structure, which is simpler and faster than traditional methods. The method has been effective and robust in tests, performing well in some cases even better than conventional methods.

Charged graphene gives DNA a stage to perform molecular gymnastics

University of Illinois researchers use charged graphene to control the movement of DNA through a nanopore, allowing for faster and more accurate DNA sequencing. The study reveals that changing the graphene's charge can stop or speed up DNA movement, and even force it into specific conformations.

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Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

How sweet it is

Researchers have developed a powerful new tool to identify and characterize nucleotide sugar transporters, critical components in the biosynthesis of plant cell walls. The assay enabled the characterization of six novel transporters in Arabidopsis, revealing their bispecific nature and regulation by substrate availability.

One gene, many tissues

The FANTOM project has published an exhaustive map of specificities in gene expression, revealing the first nucleotides of messenger RNA to identify where genes start synthesizing proteins. This study provides insights into how genes are regulated in different tissues, with implications for understanding diseases such as Parkinson's

Developing platforms for more accurate DNA sequence reading

A UMass Amherst polymer scientist is working on a four-year, $1.08M grant to develop new ways to control the process of reading precise nucleotide order in DNA chains as they pass through a nanopore. The goal is to create cheaper, faster and more accurate gene sequencing for medical research and healthcare.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New tool enhances the search for genetic mutations

A new software tool, DeNovoGear, uses statistical probabilities to identify and validate genetic mutations. This improves the diagnosis and treatment of mutation-related diseases, including pediatric diseases and cancer research.

Fly study finds 2 new drivers of RNA editing

Researchers found two new mechanisms governing RNA editing in a key neurodevelopmental gene in living fruit flies. The mechanisms involve newly discovered sequences and structures far away from the editing sites, which can be controlled like a tuning knob to increase or decrease editing.

Sequence it…and they will come!

Recent advances in nanopore sequencing, developed by Stuart Lindsay, demonstrate improved DNA reads and can pinpoint individual bases with greater than 90% accuracy. This technology has the potential to become ubiquitous at a cost below $1000 per genome.

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CSHL study uncovers a new exception to a decades-old rule about RNA splicing

A Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory study reveals a new way in which the cell's splicing machinery recognizes splice sites, impacting current ideas on how missteps triggered by mutations can lead to diseases. The discovery affects up to 5% of all splice sites and has implications for pinpointing splicing defects underlying certain diseases.

Tiny reader makes fast, cheap DNA sequencing feasible

Researchers have developed a nanoscale sensor that can electronically read the sequence of a single DNA molecule, leading to potential breakthroughs in personalized medicine. The technique is fast and inexpensive, making it possible to reveal predispositions for afflictions like cancer, diabetes, or addiction.

Important gene-regulation proteins pinpointed by new method

A novel method has precisely pinpointed the location of proteins that read and regulate chromosomes, providing a high-resolution view into gene regulation. This breakthrough could lead to a deeper understanding of normal human development and disease mechanisms.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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Secrets of a precision protein machine

A Berkeley Lab-led team has solved the structure of human FEN1, a key player in DNA replication and repair. The study reveals how FEN1 binds to DNA, opens it by severely bending the template strand, and prepares flaps for joining to new fragments.

New DNA nanoforms take shape

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to construct arbitrary, two and three-dimensional shapes using DNA origami. The new technique allows for the creation of complex curvature in 3D nanostructures, enabling potential applications in ultra-tiny computing components and nanomedical devices.

Titan's haze may hold ingredients for life

AUA-led team finds complex organic molecules, including amino acids and nucleotide bases, in Titan's atmosphere. These findings suggest that Titan's atmosphere could be a reservoir of prebiotic molecules that serve as the springboard to life.

Nanoscale DNA sequencing could spur revolution in personal health care

A team of researchers at the University of Washington has developed a method for rapid and cost-effective DNA sequencing using nanotechnology, paving the way for personalized medicine. The new technique has the potential to provide detailed genetic information for specific conditions and diseases.

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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Just like old times: Generating RNA molecules in water

Scientists have successfully generated long chains of RNA molecules in water, shedding light on the earliest evolutionary steps in biological molecule formation. The study found that cyclic nucleotides can merge together to form polymers over 100 nucleotides long at temperatures similar to ancient Earth.

Scientists are first to observe the global motions of an enzyme copying DNA

Researchers at Ohio State University observed real-time behavior of an enzyme called Dpo4, a model Y-family enzyme. They defined critical steps in the process and identified unexpected movement that could lead to DNA mistakes. The findings set the stage for studies on DNA copying errors and potential cancer and disease causes.

We are all mutants

A team of scientists has measured the general rate of genetic mutation at individual DNA letters in humans for the first time. The study found that most mutations are harmless and have no apparent effect on health or appearance, with an average of 100-200 new mutations per person.

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New nucleotide could revolutionize epigenetics

A new nucleotide, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, has been discovered in the mouse brain, opening a new front in epigenetic research. This discovery may challenge existing approaches to investigating DNA methylation and could have significant implications for understanding gene regulation.