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AI researchers ask: What's going on inside the black box?

AI researchers have developed a method to train neural networks to predict the function of DNA sequences, allowing for deciphering larger patterns. This breakthrough enables analysis of complex DNA sequences critical to development and disease, potentially improving understanding of gene regulation and its impact on diseases.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateFeb 8, 2021

Near-infrared probe decodes telomere dynamics

A synthetic probe offers a safe approach for visualizing chromosome tips in living cells. The probe can precisely deliver a fluorescent compound to telomeres on the tips of chromosomes, enabling researchers to understand their relevance to disease and aging. This breakthrough advances research into aging and diseases like cancer.

SourceKyoto University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 20, 2020
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

The first detection of marine fish DNA in sediment sequences going back 300 years

This study uses sedimentary DNA to track the abundance of three major fish species over 300 years, providing a new tool for evaluating evolution and responses to climate changes. The results suggest that sedimentary DNA concentrations can reflect the abundance of aquatic species, enabling long-term monitoring efforts.

SourceEhime University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateNov 16, 2020

Evolution of the Y chromosome in great apes deciphered

Researchers reconstructed the ancestral great ape Y chromosome, showing rapid evolution in bonobo and chimpanzee. The study found accelerated rates of DNA sequence change and gene loss, suggesting mating habits may have driven this evolution.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 6, 2020

DNA damage caused by migrating light energy

A team of researchers at KIT demonstrated that DNA damage can occur up to 30 DNA building blocks away from the entry point of UV radiation. This finding has significant implications for understanding DNA photodamage and its role in skin cancer.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateSep 14, 2020

Through enzyme testing, researchers sharpen CRISPR gene-editing tool

Researchers developed a new tool to guide scientists in choosing the best CRISPR enzyme for their high-stakes gene edits, making the technology safer, cheaper and more efficient. The tool helps identify where mistakes are most likely to occur for each enzyme, saving time and reducing risk.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 8, 2020
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals DNA "grammar"

A Politecnico di Milano study reveals that DNA shape is determined by precise rules governing CTCF protein sequences. This discovery opens doors to engineering DNA structure for pharmaceuticals, treating diseases like cancer.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalGenome Biology·DateAug 27, 2020

Junk DNA might be really, really useful for biocomputing

Researchers propose using repetitive DNA sequences, known as flipons, to create logic circuits and perform calculations. These sequences can form different DNA structures, enabling the creation of genetic programs that can be used to overcome environmental challenges.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalTrends in Genetics·DateJul 22, 2020
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Comparing 13 different CRISPR-Cas9 DNA scissors

A study by IBS researchers compared 13 SpCas9 variants and identified optimal PAM sequences, finding evoCas9 has highest specificity but low activity. A computational tool, DeepSpCas9variants, was developed to predict SpCas9 variant activities, providing a useful guide for researchers.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 25, 2020

All that base

A new machine learning model, BE-Hive, accurately predicts the outcomes of using different base editors to correct genetic mutations. The model discovered new properties and capabilities of base editors, allowing researchers to design novel tools with improved efficiency.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateJun 12, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Genome evolution goes digital

The study focuses on flipons, DNA sequences that act as on-off switches to change genetic information. Flipons enable the compilation of multiple messages from a single genomic sequence, generating more diversity than mutation or DNA rearrangements.

SourceInsideOutBio·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateJun 2, 2020

New CRISPR base-editing technology slows ALS progression in mice

Scientists from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed a new CRISPR gene-editing methodology that inactivated a key gene responsible for ALS, slowing disease progression and improving muscle function. The treatment also increased overall survival in mice with aggressive forms of ALS.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalMolecular Therapy·DateFeb 26, 2020

DNA misfolding in white blood cells increases risk for type 1 diabetes

Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that changes in DNA sequence can trigger chromatin misfolding in white blood cells, increasing the risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. The study found that these misfolded regions occur before the disease onset and may serve as a diagnostic tool.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalImmunity·DateFeb 11, 2020
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Not so selfish after all--Key role of transposable elements in mammalian evolution

A study published in Nucleic Acids Research reveals that transposable elements have been co-opted by hosts to provide useful functions, such as encoding part of a host protein. The research found tens of thousands of potentially co-opted TE sequences, which are more conserved across species and suggest a key role in mammalian evolution.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 20, 2019

GenBank can be trusted

A recent study analyzed over 4.7 million mtDNA sequences from GenBank and found fewer errors than predicted, with less than 1% of sequences mislabeled. The researchers identified potential sources of error, such as human or lab animal contamination, but overall found GenBank to be a reliable tool for environmental DNA identification.

SourceSmithsonian Tropical Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2019

Physics: DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy at speed

Researchers optimized DNA-PAINT for faster image acquisition using orthogonal DNA sequences, achieving sub-10nm spatial resolution and multiplexing capabilities. This improvement allows for biomedically relevant high-throughput studies, such as diagnostic applications.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Methods·DateOct 11, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Gene editing tool gets sharpened by WFIRM team

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine scientists have developed a faster and more efficient gene editing tool using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The new delivery system packages both essential components together, enabling transient Cas9 expression and avoiding unwanted results.

SourceAtrium Health Wake Forest Baptist·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateSep 13, 2019

New method for imaging biological molecules

Researchers have created a new method for imaging biological molecules in cells or tissue samples using DNA snippets, allowing for the study of molecule abundance and distribution. The 'DNA microscopy' approach enables rapid screening and analysis of specific molecules within larger materials.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2019

First hi-res images of active CRISPR enzyme will help improve genome editing

Scientists have captured atomic-level images of active CRISPR enzyme Cas9, providing new structural information on its mechanism. The images show how the enzyme cuts DNA strands and reveals the importance of domain movement during reaction, which could lead to improved genome-editing tools.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 8, 2019
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

When the dinosaurs died, lichens thrived

A new study reveals that lichens, organisms made of fungi and algae, seized the opportunity to evolve and diversify rapidly after the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. The research found that some lichens grew sophisticated structures similar to plant leaves, filling the niches left vacant by extinct plants.

SourceField Museum·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 28, 2019

From function to form

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a new method for determining 3D protein structures from lab-designed DNA sequences. By assessing the effects of genetic mutations on protein functions, they were able to identify functional interactions within DNA sequences and construct 3D structures that closely mimicked those deri...

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Genetics·DateJun 17, 2019

New genes out of nothing

Scientists explore the emergence of novel genes and functional proteins from random DNA sequences, revealing peptides that confer high resistance to aminoglycosides. The study demonstrates how de novo evolution can be studied experimentally in the laboratory.

SourceUppsala University·JournalmBio·DateJun 4, 2019

Sponges collect penguin, seal, and fish DNA from the water they filter

Scientists have found that sponges can collect and filter DNA from fish, seal, and penguin DNA in the water they filter, making them an ideal sampling unit for monitoring biodiversity. This method uses sponge tissue as a natural sampler, reducing processing time and risk of contamination.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 3, 2019
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

A thorough characterization of structural variants in human genomes

Researchers have characterized extensive structural variants in three family trios, uncovering 818,054 small insertions and deletions and 27,622 SVs per genome. Many of these variations are missed by routine sequencing technologies, revealing a vast genetic repertoire that can inform new disease associations and diagnostic methods.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2019

Engineering 'hairpins' increases CRISPR accuracy

Biomedical engineers at Duke University developed a method to improve CRISPR accuracy by adding a short tail to the guide RNA, creating a 'lock' that prevents off-target activity. The approach increases accuracy by an average of 50-fold across five different CRISPR systems.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 15, 2019

Prebiotic chemistry: Stable majorities

Scientists discover a simple mechanism that allows prebiotic information-bearing DNA sequences to outcompete shorter molecules, enabling the survival and transmission of genetic information. Templated ligation promotes cooperation among complementary sequences, creating stable majorities through intermolecular assembly and replication.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review X·DateApr 2, 2019
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Two genes explain variation in color and behavior in the wall lizard

Researchers found that two specific genes, SPR and BCO2, are responsible for yellow and orange/red pigmentation in wall lizards. These genes also affect behavior, size, fighting ability, and reproductive strategies, with different-colored individuals preferring mates of their own color.

SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2019

Study of Arctic fishes reveals the birth of a gene -- from 'junk'

Scientists found that Arctic cod developed their antifreeze gene by assembling tiny fragments of noncoding DNA, which were later duplicated and edited to create a functional protein. The study reveals an unexpected mechanism for the evolution of new genes.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019

FSU researchers unravel mystery of how, when DNA replicates

Researchers have identified specific points along the DNA molecule that control replication, shedding light on a decades-old mystery. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in understanding genetic diseases where replication timing is disrupted.

SourceFlorida State University·JournalCell·DateDec 27, 2018
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Monitoring the environment with artificial intelligence

Researchers from UNIGE developed an AI-based approach combining genomics and machine learning to analyze microbial biodiversity and diagnose ecosystem health on a large scale. The method uses genomic tools to sequence DNA of microorganisms, then builds predictive models to identify species performing key functions.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateDec 13, 2018

Trying to understand cells' interior design

Researchers at IBS discover sequence-dependent information influences liquid-liquid phase separation. Single-stranded DNA forms droplets easily, while double-stranded DNA requires specific conditions due to its rigid structure.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateNov 6, 2018

Molecular biology: Phaser neatly arranges nucleosomes

A team of researchers has discovered a novel protein called Phaser that neatly arranges nucleosomes in the fruit fly genome. This finding sheds new light on how gene regulation is controlled, and could have important implications for our understanding of human disease.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 2, 2018

Study: Microbial dark matter dominates Earth's environments

A new study estimates that up to a quarter of the microbes on Earth could be uncultured and dominate nearly all environments except the human body. The research, led by Karen Lloyd, used computational power to analyze 1.5 million DNA sequences and found that as many as 30 phyla of unseen microbes exist.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·JournalmSystems·DateSep 25, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Epic genetic: the hidden story of wheat

The study reveals geographical patterns in epigenetic changes between 100 landraces of wheat, suggesting that these changes have arisen due to environmental conditions. This discovery provides breeders with a new tool to improve how plants respond to local conditions, enabling farmers to grow the best possible crop for their environment.

SourceEarlham Institute·JournalGenome Research·DateAug 22, 2018

Generating DNA sequence data in the developing world

A recent study demonstrates the feasibility of producing high-quality DNA sequence data at a laboratory in Indonesia. The research shows that molecular techniques like DNA extraction and PCR can be done using relatively simple methods and inexpensive reagents.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateAug 10, 2018

DNA repair after CRISPR cutting not at all what people thought

Researchers discovered that the Fanconi anemia DNA repair pathway plays a crucial role in fixing CRISPR breaks and increasing the efficiency of homology-directed repair. This new understanding could help boost CRISPR-Cas9 editing's success rates, particularly for treating diseases like sickle cell anemia.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 30, 2018
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

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

Rethinking existing method opens new doors for cancer diagnostics

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully developed a new method for cancer diagnostics that uses single-molecule sequencing to investigate fluid dynamics of DNA molecules in solution. This method enables the detection of subtle differences in DNA sequences, allowing for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 27, 2018

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 18, 2018

Biomimetic chemistry: DNA mimic outwits viral enzyme

Researchers at LMU München have developed a synthetic DNA sequence that can inhibit the activities of several DNA-processing enzymes, including HIV integrase. The artificial DNA mimic successfully competes with its natural counterpart, demonstrating potential for new treatments of retroviral diseases.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 2, 2018
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Scientists move closer to treatment for Huntington's disease

Researchers have developed a safer and more specific CRISPR/Cas9 system to treat Huntington's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a defective gene. The new technique successfully inactivates the mutant gene and reduces toxic protein synthesis, offering hope for a potential cure.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience·DateFeb 26, 2018

Building a DNA barcode library for the Canadian flora using herbarium collections

A new study by Dr. Maria Kuzmina provides a vast DNA barcode library for the Canadian flora, covering 98% of vascular plant species, using herbarium specimens. The scale of sampling and quality of curation lend the library taxonomic authority, offering a valuable resource for modern plant sciences.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2018

Mass. General team identifies DNA element that may cause rare movement disorder

A team of MGH researchers has identified a genetic change that may cause the rare neurological disorder XDP, which combines features of dystonia and Parkinson's disease. The discovery reveals that a DNA sequence change, including an insertion of a retrotransposon, is correlated with the age of onset for the disease.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2017
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.

'Cyberbiosecurity' and protecting the life sciences

The evolving nature of biotechnology introduces new cyberbiosecurity risks, including accidental breaches and intentional threats. The authors recommend employee training, systematic analyses, and new policies to prevent and detect security incidents.

SourceColorado State University·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateDec 7, 2017

Which sequences make DNA unwrap and breathe?

Researchers develop a model explaining how DNA sequences affect nucleosome accessibility for gene expression, bridging the gap between mechanical and chemical information in DNA molecules. The study reveals specific base pair sequences that enable packaged DNA to unwind and 'breathe', allowing genes to be read.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateDec 5, 2017

Autonomously growing synthetic DNA strands

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a method to autonomously grow synthetic DNA strands, enabling the creation of programmable molecular devices. The 'Primer Exchange Reaction' (PER) cascades allow for diverse functions such as self-building DNA-origami and sensing environmental signals.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalNature Chemistry·DateNov 6, 2017

How molecular scissors cut in the right place

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered how CRISPR-Cas9 finds its target sequence in the genome, taking around six hours to search a bacterium's four million base pairs. To improve speed and reliability, they found that sacrificing Cas9's flexibility can lead to faster, but still versatile genetic scissors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScience·DateSep 28, 2017
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.