Thursday, January 28, 2010

“Researchers Make Neurons from Skin Cells - Softpedia” plus 3 more

“Researchers Make Neurons from Skin Cells - Softpedia” plus 3 more

Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Researchers Make Neurons from Skin Cells - Softpedia

Posted: 28 Jan 2010 03:35 AM PST

In a finding that seems to suggest differentiated, adult cells are actually a lot more flexible than originally thought, researchers have recently been able to demonstrate a simple conversion method that turns skin cells called fibroblasts into fully functioning nerve cells. The process involved in this type of transformation turned out to be a lot simpler than anyone imagined, biologists at the Stanford University Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine write in the latest issue of the esteemed scientific journal Nature.

But the greatest news about this is that it turns out that adult cells don't necessarily have to be reverted to their embryonic state, in order for the conversion to become possible. This is an incredible finding, because some of the most complex processes associated with changing the function of a set of cells were related to reverting the differentiated cells to a pluripotent state. The new accomplishment was made using just minor genetic tweaks to the original fibroblasts, and the team is currently looking at ways of replicating the findings on cells harvested from humans as well.

If the results of this investigation can be transferred to human patients as well, then a host of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, could get new courses of treatment in the near future, experts believe. One major advantage that this approach could have would be the fact that the nerve cells, obtained from each individual's own skin graft, would be genetically identical to the ones already inside their brains, which would remove the risk of incompatibility, and reduce the incidence of cases in which the immune system attacks the transplant, endangering that person's life.

"It's almost scary to see how flexible these cell fates are. You just need a few factors, and within four to five days you see signs of neuronal properties in these cells," ISCBRM biologist Marius Wernig, who has also been the leader of the research team behind the findings, explains. The work was conducted on a batch of only 20 genetic transcription factors, which are basically genes that dictate the expression or suppression of other genes, upon binding to DNA. Three of these factors proved to have the ability to convert fibroblasts into neurons, the team concludes, quoted by Technology Review. 

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Communication problems in the brain - Science Centric

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 10:10 AM PST

For brain cells to communicate, the contacts to each other must function. The protein molecule neuroligin-1 plays an important role in this as it stimulates the necessary maturation processes at the contact sites (synapses) of the nerves. A synaptic maturation disorder is possibly involved in the development of autism. Dr Thomas Dresbach and his team from the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Heidelberg, in cooperation with the study group led by Professor Dr Thomas Kuner at the same institute and Professor Dr Nils Brose, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine in Goettingen, have published their results in the prestigious international journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

One hundred billion nerve cells make our brain a thinking machine. Each of these nerve fibres produces a long extension, the axon, which terminates in numerous small knobs. Transmitters are released here that transfer information to the next nerve cell. The contact site between nerve ending and adjacent nerve cell is called a synapse. The number and location of active synapses determine which areas of the brain are especially active at a given time.

The synapses of young nerve cells must mature before they can release their neurotransmitters to the full extent. Researchers were able to show using genetically modified nerve cells from mice that the postsynaptic nerve cell, the receptor, must form a sufficient amount of a certain protein molecule, neuroligin-1, to allow this maturation process to take place. In addition, the nerve endings from where information is sent must release slight amounts of neurotransmitters to stimulate the neuroligin in the postsynaptic nerve cell.

'A fully functioning contact can develop only if both sides, transmitter and receptor of information, are involved in the maturation process,' explained Dr Dresbach. If no neuroligin-1 is formed, the nerve endings remain at an immature stage and release fewer neurotransmitters; the flow of information is interrupted. The nerve endings can only whisper, so to speak.

'The results are significant for actual concepts about how autism develops,' says Professor Dr Joachim Kirsch, director of the Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology. Symptoms of autism are first noticed in early childhood as an information processing disorder. The symptoms may be more or less pronounced, but all patients display weaknesses in social contacts and communication. 'There are many indications that malfunctions of synaptic molecules are involved in the development of this illness. It has thus far been unclear exactly what these malfunctions are, but we now know what to look for,' says Professor Kirsch. The study was funded by the FRONTIER program of the excellence initiative at the University of Heidelberg.

Source: University Hospital Heidelberg

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Domestication of rice 'behind Asians' alcohol flush reaction' - Newstrack India

Posted: 19 Jan 2010 11:34 PM PST

Washington, Jan 20 (ANI): Chinese researchers hold rice responsible for the alcohol flush reaction, an unpleasant response to alcohol that is relatively common in people of Asian descent.

 

Writing in the open access journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, the researchers believe that the mutation responsible for the alcohol flush reaction may have occurred following the domestication of rice.

 

 

To reach the conclusion, boffins traced the history of the version of the gene responsible, finding that the ADH1B*47His allele appeared around the same time that rice was first cultivated in southern China.

 

Bing Su, from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, worked with a team of researchers to study 38 populations including Han Chinese, Tibetan and other ethnic populations across China.

 

He said, "Our molecular dating suggests that the emergence of the ADH1B*47His allele occurred about 10,000-7,000 years ago. The geographic distribution of the allele in East Asia is also consistent with the unearthed culture relic sites of rice domestication in China, suggesting that distribution of the alcohol flush mutation can be explained by the origin and expansion of the Neolithic rice culture. This is one of the few cases reported demonstrating the genetic adaptation of human populations to the dramatic changes in agriculture and diet during Neolithic times".

 

Rice was fermented to gain the benefits of ethanol's combined analgesic, disinfectant and profound mind-altering effects. In addition, fermentation can help to preserve and enhance the nutritional value of food and drink. Su and his colleagues believe that the flushing response may be an adaptation to counter the negative effects of alcohol consumption.

 

They write, "Individuals carrying ADH1B*47His have a lower risk for alcoholism, as the unpleasant reaction they experience can influence drinking behavior and so protect them from overconsumption. The allele can also protect their organs from the damage caused by alcohol consumption". (ANI)

 

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Yonder Biology Launches "Me", a Personalized DNA Art Portrait - TMCnet

Posted: 28 Jan 2010 04:18 AM PST

TMCNet: Yonder Biology Launches "Me", a Personalized DNA Art Portrait

(PR Web Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Personal DNA Art Is Now More Customized.

(PRWEB) January 28, 2010 -- Yonder Biology, a genomic DNA art company, unveils the 'Me' style of DNA Art Portraits. The first of its kind DNA Art Portraits combine any individual's unique DNA profile with a photograph submitted by the individual. Each Yonder Biology DNA Art Portrait displays a person's pattern of DNA that is completely unique to the individual. With the combination of the personal photograph, the dimensions of the DNA self portrait are expanded. This is something you can hang on the wall, point to and say 'That's Me'.


Yonder Biology has created unique DNA art for Tony Hawk's Stand Up for Skateparks and has been featured in the LA Times Art Section.

Yonder Biology is also launching Duet and Quad DNA art portraits that combine two or four individual's DNAs in one portrait. The Duet and Quad DNA art portraits can be used to see similarities in family DNA. These are interesting ways to display your DNA with a spouse, child and/or significant other.

The 'Me' DNA art images can be viewed at Yonder Biology's website.

How to purchase DNA Art: The process begins with a visit to 'www.yonderbiology.com' to choose the color design and size of the DNA portrait. DNA Art from Yonder can also be purchased as a unique gift. After checkout, Yonder Biology mails a DNA collection kit that consists of a sterile cheek swab and a self addressed stamped envelope. The swab is gently rubbed on the inside of the cheek and returned in the provided envelope.

The DNA from the swab is then isolated (purified) using standard molecular biology techniques. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Gel Electrophoresis are then employed to image the DNA profile on a gel matrix. A photograph is taken using a custom gel imaging system that includes a high-powered digital camera. The digital images are transferred to a computer where the final touches (color, photo overlay) are completed.

About Yonder Biology Yonder Biology blends pop culture and science to create custom art from DNA.  Each custom DNA portrait displays a unique banding pattern to reveal a new form of individual expression.  Yonder has whole genome sequencing capabilities and is also developing consumer products with current chip based SNP assays.    Yonder Biology offers custom DNA portraits in a spectrum of colors on canvas or archival quality photo paper in four sizes: 13" by 19", 18" by 24", 24" by 36" and "36 by 54". Custom sizes, colors, and photograph incorporation are also available.

Yonder Biology's DNA Art is made in the USA. DNA samples are processed in Yonder Biology's secure, state-of-the-art laboratory and images are printed using the highest quality materials and inks. Yonder Biology's capabilities enable complete control over every DNA sample to ensure privacy, data consistency, and 100% customer satisfaction.

### Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/yonder-biology/dna-art/prweb3272774.htm.

(c) 2010 PRWEB.COM Newswire

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