Molecular Biology Blog: The blog for research scientists and advanced students

RT-PCR book review

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:26:00 +0000

"This volume should be of utmost interest to all investigators interested and involved in using RT-PCR ... the RT-PCR protocols covered in this book will be of interest to most, if not all, investigators engaged in research that uses this important technique ... a well balanced book covering the many potential uses of real-time PCR ... valuable for all those interested in RT-PCR." ... read more

from Doodys reviews 2009

Further reading: Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications

DNA microarrays

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:06:00 +0000

DNA microarray is a multiplex technology used in molecular biology, medicine and bioscience. A microarray an arrayed series of thousands of microscopic spots of DNA on a small piece of glass or silicon. These are commonly known as gene chips, biochips or "lab on a chip".

A new two-volume book "Lab-on-a-Chip Technology" was published recently. The book describes the recent innovations in the microarray field and the applications in the fields of medicine, molecular biology, biotechnology and bioscience.

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9
Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics ISBN: 978-1-904455-46-2

CURRENT BOOKS OF INTEREST
Metagenomics: Theory, Methods and Applications
Aspergillus: Molecular Biology and Genomics
Environmental Molecular Microbiology
Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis
Frontiers in Dengue Virus Research
ABC Transporters in Microorganisms
Pili and Flagella
Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis
Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
Bacterial Polysaccharides
Microbial Toxins
Acanthamoeba
Bacterial Secreted Proteins
Lactobacillus
Mycobacterium
Real-Time PCR
Clostridia
Plant Pathogenic Bacteria
Biopolymers
Plasmids
Pasteurellaceae
Vibrio cholerae
Pathogenic Fungi
Helicobacter pylori
Corynebacteria
Staphylococcus
Leishmania
Archaea
Legionella
RNA and the Regulation of Gene Expression
Molecular Oral Microbiology

Potential of LOC

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:07:00 +0000

It is a challenge to fully describe the fast-moving field of LOC. However, in a recent publication Herold and Rasooly (Eds) present descriptions of some of the many types of LOC, including fabrication and application details, and give the reader a sense of the range of LOC technologies and the enormous potential that these devices possess.

The main types and the critical elements of LOC systems are discussed from both theoretical and experimental points of view, with special emphasis on technical and experimental detailed that may enable the reader to reproduce the LOC system described and conduct similar experiments. The huge range of applications in molecular biology and molecular diagnostics and testing are explored in depth.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology

Further reading:

LOC fabrication technologies

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:04:00 +0000

In general LOC systems can be divided into three main categories based on materials and the fabrication technologies used for those materials: polymer systems, glass systems, and silicon systems. Silicon based LOC systems utilize fabrication techniques that grew out of integrated circuit (IC) fabrication technologies. Notable properties of silicon include its electrical conductivity and the wealth of techniques that have been developed for fabrication, surface treatment, and bonding.

Polymer based LOC systems are a more recent development and there exist many fabrication methods, depending on the polymer used. PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) is sold as a twocomponent liquid that hardens into a rubbery solid when mixed together. PDMS can be used with a surface patterned master to create half of an LOC device which is then completed by sealing the PDMS to a cover (e.g. to a glass slide). The surface patterned master can be micromanufactured from silicon or via soft lithography using a light sensitive mould material (e.g. SU-8). Many other manufacturing methods exist for polymers including embossing, lamination, injection moulding, laser machining, as well as all of the tradition direct machining methods (e.g. drilling or milling).

Glass-based LOC system have the advantage that more is known about biochemical interactions with glass than with any other material. Many surface treatments exist for glass, and it has excellent thermal and optical properties. However, glass is more difficult to machine and designs based on glass need to adapt to the limited machining methods available.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology (Vol. 2)

Further reading:

Liquid flow in LOC Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:02:00 +0000

Liquid flow is an essential element of most LOC systems. Liquid flow can be single-phase flow through microchannels or multi-phase flow of droplets on a surface. For single phase flow, the flow can be pressure driven, in which the pressure driving force is supplied by an external pump, or the fluid can be pumped by electroosmotic means where the motion of liquid is induced by an applied axial potential along a capillary tube or microchannel. Electroosmotic pumping depends on the electric double layer that forms in an electrolyte adjacent to a charged surface.

Alternately, individual droplets can be moved and manipulated on a surface (e.g. combined, separated or transported) by electric fields. Droplets form on a surface because the geometry of a droplet minimizes the energy of the system (including the energy of the liquid surface, exposed to the vapour phase, and the energy of the attraction between the liquid and the solid surface). Droplets can be manipulated on a surface in two different ways: 1) electrowetting, and 2) dielectrophoresis. Both of these techniques are actuated by manipulating electric fields around the droplets.

Electrowetting is based on the attractive forces between a solid surface and a liquid. When the attraction between the liquid and the solid surface is weak (hydrophobic for an aqueous system), then the droplet tends toward a spherical shape due to the dominance of surface tension energy. The surface force interaction with the fluid (i.e. the hydrophobicity) can be controlled by electric fields (electrowetting).

Dielectrophoresis requires alternating (AC) fields which induce a dipole in a discrete droplet. The droplet then experiences a net force due to the induced dipole when the frequency of the AC field is selected appropriately. Dielectrophoresis can be used to manipulate droplets on a surface using an array of surface electrodes, similar to that required for electrowetting.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology (Vol. 2)

Further reading:

Miniaturization of LOC Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:59:00 +0000

LOC systems can be miniaturized so that they can be integrated into various pieces of equipment in the medical, industrial, military and public safety fields. Miniaturization can enhance utility in many ways including allowing portability for field applications, providing multiple assays in one instrument (e.g. blood analyser for medical offices), and minimizing expensive reagents.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology (Vol. 2)

Further reading:

LOC-based diagnostics

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:57:00 +0000

LOC-based diagnostics can be used for point of care testing where state-of-the-art molecular analysis is required without requiring a state-of-the-art laboratory. Diverse biomedical applications and biohazard detection can be carried out in the field. Biomedical applications include medical screening, testing and diagnostics at point of care by primary care providers. Biohazard detection, including pathogens and toxins, encompasses applications in food testing, public health, and biosecurity.

LOC systems can be used for a variety of analytical applications including DNA amplification and analysis, quantitative immunoassays, enzymatic activity assays and other analytical approaches which are done today mainly in centralized, dedicated laboratories with complex and expensive equipment by highly trained personnel. Rapid LOC analysis can provide immediate interactive information to health care providers that can be incorporated into the planning of patient care. LOC-based diagnostics have the potential to improve the rates of earlier detection of cancer and other diseases with attendant improved prognosis. LOC technologies are projected to be extremely useful for enhancing health care delivery in the community setting and to underserved populations especially in remote areas.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology (Vol. 2)

Further reading:

LOC Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:49:00 +0000

LOC systems have several potential advantages over other analytical approaches, especially the ability to perform complex analytical chemistry operations without a laboratory. This has the potential to allow samples to be analysed at the point of need rather than at a centralized laboratory.

Inherent advantages of LOC systems The laminar flow behaviour of liquids in typical miniaturized LOC systems allows better control of concentrations and other reaction conditions. Thus, it can reduce the time taken to synthesize and analyse samples, and improve the quality of the product. Miniaturized LOC systems typically require small reagent volumes which can reduce costs of testing and reduce the amount of chemical waste. Small sample sizes can also be a disadvantage because they may not always represent the average condition of a larger reservoir from which they are taken.

from Herold and Rasooly (Eds) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology (Vol. 2)

Further reading:

Improved TA Cloning

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:42:00 +0000

"TA cloning" is a popular method of cloning without the use of restriction enzymes; instead, PCR products are amplified with only Taq DNA polymerase and other polymerases. These polymerases lack 5'-3' proofreading activity and add an adenosine triphosphate residue to the 3' ends of the double-stranded PCR products. Such PCR amplified products can thus be cloned in a linearized vector that has complementary 3' thymidine triphosphate overhangs.

The major problem is that the gene has a 50% chance of getting cloned in the reverse direction. The method also needs DNA ligase.

A recently described Quick Assemble technique has been used to improve TA cloning. The new 2-day PCR-based method can be used to generate both circularized and linear final assembled products. The method makes the synthesis and assembly of large molecules in a quick and efficient way, while circumventing the use of DNA ligases. The new PCR-based protocol used a TA cloning vector as the template for the linear vector backbone demonstrating the ability to improve this technique.

from Zuo and Rabie in Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 12: 11-16

Further reading: assembly of DNA fragments into circular constructs

A history of lab-on-a-chip technology

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:27:00 +0000

In the early 1960s, several research groups started working on miniaturized silicon sensors. An early integrated lab on a chip (LOC) device was a complete gas chromatograph on a single 'chip' developed at Stanford University and published in 1979. This new tool was 'expected to find application in the areas of portable ambient air quality monitors, implanted biological experiments, and planetary probes'. The expectations for LOC have been realized repeatedly in the laboratory and commercial applications are beginning to be realized (Herold and Rasooly 2009. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. Caister Academic Press ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9).

In the 1980s and 1990s the LOC field moved rapidly and in the last decade approximately 3500 LOC related publications are indexed in Pubmed describing numerous fabrication methods and new applications using a broad array of technologies. The trend is towards more complex integrated multi-analyte LOC systems capable of more comprehensive analyses, utilizing advances in electronics and microfabrication that enable miniaturization and broader capabilities. The newest generation of LOC systems includes a miniaturized chip for isolation of rare circulating tumour cells in cancer patients and complex LOC devices utilizing valving technologies that provide dense fabrication and parallel pneumatic actuation of hundreds of valves.

Bibliography:

What is Lab on a Chip?

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:24:00 +0000

The term 'laboratory' can be defined as a facility which provides controlled conditions for scientific research, experiments or measurements. In recent years, many lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices, which provide controlled conditions for scientific measurements without a formal laboratory, have been developed and used in a wide array of biomedical and other analytical settings. LOC devices integrate and scale down laboratory functions and processes to a miniaturized chip format. In this context the term 'chip' is used loosely, unlike the 'traditional' silicon chip from electronics. LOC devices, or chips, can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers (e.g. acrylic, polyester, and polycarbonate), glass, or silicon, as well as combinations of these materials (Herold and Rasooly 2009. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. Caister Academic Press ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9).

In this context the term 'chip' is used loosely, unlike the 'traditional' silicon chip from electronics. LOC devices, or chips, can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers (e.g. acrylic, polyester, and polycarbonate), glass, or silicon, as well as combinations of these materials. Unlike the 'traditional' silicon integrated circuit (IC) fabrication technologies, a broad variety of fabrication technologies are used for LOC device fabrication.

Bibliography:

Bioethanol

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:45:00 +0000

Biofuel is a potential alternative energy source to petroleum based fuel. The bacterium Zymomonas mobilis is an efficient ethanol producer and is better than yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with respect to ethanol productivity and tolerance.

Z. mobilis possesses nearly 100% theoretical ethanol conversion rate on glucose-based media, while it has only about 70% theoretical yield from sucrose. The reduced ethanol yield has been attributed to the formation of by-products such as polysaccharides. The efficiency of ethanol production by Z. mobilis from sucrose-based substrates can be improved by limiting the formation of polysaccharides by optimizing the fermentation conditions or by genetic improvements of Z. mobilis.

from Geetha et al in Bacterial Polysaccharides: Current Innovations and Future Trends

qPCR machines: A comparison of features

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:13:00 +0000

Now available on the web: A comparison of the following PCR machines lists various features to help you decide which qPCR instrument is most suitable for your needs.

Applied Biosystems: ABI 7300, ABI 7500, ABI 7500 Fast, ABI 7900 Fast HT with automation accessory, ABI StepOne
Roche: LightCycler 480, LightCycler 1.5, LightCycler 2.0
Stratagene: Mx4000, Mx3000P, Mx3005P
Cepheid: SmartCycler
Corbett: Rotor-Gene 6000
Eppendorf: Mastercycler ep realplex
BioRad: MiniOpticon, MyiQ, Opticon2, Chromo4, iQ5

Comparison of qPCR Machines

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:50:00 +0000

In weighing up the pros and cons of the different real-time PCR machines for your laboratory, factors to consider include: supported chemistries; multiplex capability for that chemistry; throughput; flexibility; format; easy-of-use and robust software package; reproducibility; speed; size; technical support; customer support and not least the cost, not only of the initial equipment outlay and servicing but also the associated cost of consumables and reagents. It is also possible to 'try before you buy', most companies will provide a loan machine. It is wise to test a few of these once you have narrowed down your choice. User experiences should not be overlooked and there are now a number of useful websites and news groups where you can address you questions and queries regarding PCR machines read more ...

ABC Transporters in Bacteria and Cancer Cells

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:42:00 +0000

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) genes constitute one of the largest super-families in living organisms. The majority of ABC proteins encode membrane proteins that utilize the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to transport a diverse set of compounds. ABC systems are critical to the cellular physiology of prokaryotes, facilitating the import of nutrients, the extrusion of toxins and for DNA repair.

In eukaryotes, ABC proteins function primarily as efflux pumps (or as import pumps in intracellular organelles) playing important roles in protecting organisms from xenobiotics, antigen presentation, cholesterol and lipid transport. As ABC transporters extrude an unusually large set of chemically diverse compounds, they impede the treatment of microbial infections and human cancers and are implicated in multidrug resistance (MDR).

Among prokaryotes, ABC proteins segregate into 29 families belonging to three main classes approximating the functional divisions of the ABC system (importers, exporters and "other").

from Zuben E. Sauna and Suresh V. Ambudkar (2009) in ABC Transporters in Microorganisms Edited by Alicia Ponte-Sucre, Caister Academic Press. ISBN: 978-1-904455-49-3

Further reading: ABC Transporters as Targets against Drug Resistance

Conference alert: qPCR

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0000

November 16 - 18, 2009 qPCR Congress
London, UK Further information
The advancement of real-time or quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) extends the usefulness of PCR technology. This conference explores effective strategies, technologies and applications of qPCR in accelerating drug discovery and development of clinical diagnostics.
Suggested reading: qPCR Books

Further reading: Real-Time PCR in Microbiology: From Diagnosis to Characterization

Two-Dimensional Electrophoresis in a Chip

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Electrophoresis is a method that is extensively used in chemical and biological laboratories. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DGE) is often exploited for protein analysis. The first dimension is isoelectric focusing (IEF) and the second dimension is polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The key advantage of 2DGE is its enormous separation resolution. Thousands of protein spots can be detected in a single 2D gel image called 2D map. The major limitations of 2DGE are twofold: (1) reproducibility is poor due to gel warping and diffusion resulting from Joule heating; (2) the processes, which include manual gel polymerization, hours of separation, and staining/destaining, are time-consuming and labor-intensive.

To address the limitations, efforts have been made in applying microfluidics to two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis. Microfluidics technology has been used to construct miniaturized analytical instruments called "Lab-on-a-chip" devices. The principles of microfabrication and microfluidics, as well as their current and potential applications, have been reviewed recently in Fabrication and Microfluidics.

Common analytical assays, including polymerase chain reaction, protein analysis, DNA separations, and cell manipulations, have been reduced in size and fabricated in a centimeter-scale chip. The size reduction of an analytical instrument has many advantages including high speed of analysis, minimization of required sample and reagents, and ability to operate in a high-throughput format.

from Fan et al (2009) in Biomolecular Separation and Analysis

Bibliography:

ABC Transporters: A Smart Example of Molecular Machineries

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:50:00 +0000

ABC transporters are fascinating molecular machines that use the energy of ATP to catalyze the transport of a tremendous variety of substrates across biological membranes in a vectorial fashion. All ABC transporters analyzed so far are composed of two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD) and two transmembrane domains (TMD) that can be arranged in any possible combination. However, additional transmembrane segments or extended NBDs, raise the possibility that these extensions act as platforms to interact with additional proteins with functional or regulatory consequences.

Recent crystal structures of isolated NBDs in different functional states and the structures of intact ABC transporters have elucidated the three-dimensional architecture, domain-domain interactions and putative signaling pathways in these membrane proteins that guarantee efficient substrate recognition and translocation in an ATP-dependent manner.

from Thorsten Jumpertz, I. Barry Holland and Lutz Schmitt (2009) in ABC Transporters in Microorganisms Edited by Alicia Ponte-Sucre, Caister Academic Press. ISBN: 978-1-904455-49-3

Further reading: ABC Transporters as Targets against Drug Resistance

Microfabrication Technology for LOC

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 08:38:00 +0000

The basic tool of most microfabrication technology is photolithography. Initially, most photolithographic processes were conducted in silicon and these well-developed technologies were directly derived from the semiconductor industry. Recently, diverse non-silicon-based LOC fabrication methods have been developed. The biggest change in microfabrication has occurred in the materials used. In silicon technology, the main materials were silicon wafer, glass, photoresistor and metal which are excellent materials for mass production of integrated circuits. However for biomedical applications these materials and the fabrication processes have some limits due to: (1) the biocompatibility is not fully proven, (2) the cost of material is high, and (3) the fabrication process requires complicated facilities.

To address these limits, diverse microtechnologies employing several materials have been developed. As representative non-silicon materials, several polymers, such as poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and cyclo-olefin copolymer (COC), have been used to construct a microstructure. In addition, biological material such as proteins, cells, and antigens can be used as micropatterning material to create biologically relevant patterns on the surfaces of substrates and this technology provides new capabilities for cell biology, the production of biosensors, and tissue engineering.

Recently, the assembly of biohybrid materials from engineered tissues and synthetic polymer thin films was done to perform biomimetic tasks (e.g. tissue based robot) by varying tissue architecture, thin-film shape, and the electrical-pacing protocol. In addition, diverse fabrication methods (e.g. softlithography, stereolithography, in situ polymerization, etc.) and devices (e.g. scanning tunneling microscope, deep reactive ion etching, etc.) have been developed for use in microfabrication technology.

Experimental techniques and associated technology in biology laboratories are evolving to handle small quantities of samples more efficiently and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) devices are becoming more widespread. It is becoming increasingly important for all biologists to gain a basic understanding of the technology of the microfabrication process.

from Sang-Hoon Lee (2009) in Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics

Bibliography:

ABC Transporters

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:15:00 +0000

ABC transporters are one of the largest membrane protein families discovered so far (Jumpertz et al., 2009). ABC transporters use the energy of ATP to catalyze the transport of a tremendous variety of substrates across biological membranes in a vectorial fashion. All ABC transporters analyzed so far are composed of two nucleotide-binding domains (NBD) and two transmembrane domains (TMD) that can be arranged in any possible combination. However, additional transmembrane segments or extended NBDs, raise the possibility that these extensions act as platforms to interact with additional proteins with functional or regulatory consequences.

ABC proteins are divided into three major classes corresponding to their overall quaternary structure organization. Class 1 contains ABC transporters whose transmembrane components and ABC domains are fused in a single polypeptide chain. Class 2 is comprised of ABC proteins lacking an integral membrane component or transport function. Class 3 identifies ABC transport systems where the ABC and membrane components are encoded on separate polypeptide chains and where an additional component essential for import processes can be present.

ABC transporters have been ascribed an important role in the development of multi drug resistance.

Jumpertz et al (2009) ABC Transporters: A Smart Example of Molecular Machineries. In: ABC Transporters in Microorganisms. Ponte-Sucre, A (Ed.). Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK

Further reading: ABC Transporters in Microorganisms

Biofuel Production by Zymomonas

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:09:00 +0000

Bio-ethanol is considered as a potential alternative energy source to the conventional petroleum based fuels. Zymomonas mobilis is an efficient ethanol-producing bacterium and it is advantageous over Saccharomyces cerevisiae with respect to ethanol productivity and tolerance. Z. mobilis possesses nearly 100% theoretical ethanol conversion rate on glucose-based media, and about 70% theoretical yield from sucrose.

The reduced ethanol yield has been attributed to the formation of by-products such as levan, fructooligosaccharides and sorbitol. The efficiency of ethanol production by Z. mobilis from sucrose-based substrates can be improved by limiting the formation of by-products either by optimizing the fermentation conditions or genetic improvements of Z. mobilis. Recent strategies have been developed for the improved production of ethanol, while limiting the formation of levan.

from Geetha et al (2009) in Synthesis of Bacterial Polysaccharides as a Limiting Factor for Biofuel Production

Further reading: Bacterial Polysaccharides

Lab-on-a-chip

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:26:00 +0000

Lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices integrate and scale down laboratory functions and processes to a miniaturized chip format. Many LOC devices are used in a wide array of biomedical and other analytical applications including rapid pathogen detection, clinical diagnosis, forensic science, electrophoresis, flow cytometry, blood chemistry analysis, protein and DNA analysis. LOC devices can be fabricated from many types of material including various polymers, glass, or silicon, or combinations of these materials. A broad variety of fabrication technologies are used for LOC device fabrication. LOC systems have several common features including microfluidics and sensing capabilities. Microfluidics deals with fluid flow in tiny channels using flow control devices (e.g. channels, pumps, mixers and valves). Sensing capabilities, usually optical or electrochemical sensors, can also be integrated into the chip (Herold and Rasooly 2009. Lab-on-a-Chip Technology. Caister Academic Press ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9).

Lab-on-a-chip technology is a rapidly expanding area of science. It has applications in biotechnology, medicine, clinical diagnostics, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutics. As the lab-on-a-chip systems increase in importance and complexity it is important for scientists to become familiar not only with the technology but also with the potential applications.

Bibliography:

Biotechnology Books

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Recommended books on biotechnology:

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-46-2
"An essential book for biologists and clinicians using LOC technology"

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9
"A skillful selection of topics of exceptional importance to current science"

Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Julie Logan, Kirstin Edwards and Nick Saunders
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-39-4
"a comprehensive guide to the most up-to-date technologies and applications"

Bacterial Polysaccharides: Current Innovations and Future Trends
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Matthias Ullrich
Publication date: June 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-45-5
"the most important innovations in polysaccharide research and biotechnological applications"

Bacterial Secreted Proteins: Secretory Mechanisms and Role in Pathogenesis
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Karl Wooldridge
Publication date: April 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-42-4
"the role of secreted proteins in pathogenesis, drug design and vaccine development"

Microbial Production of Biopolymers and Polymer Precursors: Applications and Perspectives
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Bernd H. A. Rehm
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-36-3
"the applications and potential applications of biopolymers in biotechnology"

Plasmids: Current Research and Future Trends
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Georg Lipps
Publication date: July 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-35-6
"... a clear and concise text which will be considered an important reference to plasmid researchers at the graduate level and beyond ..." from Expert Review of Vaccines (2009) January Issue

RNA and the Regulation of Gene Expression: A Hidden Layer of Complexity
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Edited by: Kevin V. Morris
Publication date: March 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-25-7
"This book is a well-selected compilation of 14 mostly review-style articles, written by experts in the field ... a well-written, successful endeavour" from ChemBioChem (2008) 9: 2005-2007

Epigenetics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Jorg Tost
Publication date: March 2008
ISBN: 978-1-904455-23-3
"... a significant collection of articles, relating to various aspects of epigenetics" from Microbiology Today (2008)

Other books of interest:

Epigenetics and RNA

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:23:00 +0000

Epigenetics is the study of meiotically and mitotically heritable changes in gene expression which are not coded for in the DNA. Exactly how these epigenetic modifications are directed to the particular gene and the local chromatin has remained enigmatic. Three distinct mechanisms appear to be intricately related and implicated in initiating and/or sustaining epigenetic modifications; DNA methylation, RNA-associated silencing, and histone modifications.

In human cells RNA can specifically direct epigenetic modifications to targeted loci (the promoter regions) and modulate silencing. This regulatory effect is through RNA-associated silencing, can be transcriptional in nature, and is operable through an RNA interference based mechanism (RNAi) that is specifically mediated by the antisense strand of small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These recent observations represent a paradigm shift in which a hidden layer of complexity is involved in gene regualtion and is operative via the action RNA essentially epigenetically regulating DNA.

from Kevin V. Morris (2008). RNA Mediated Transcriptional Gene Silencing. In: Morris, K.V. (Ed.) RNA and the Regulation of Gene Expression: A Hidden Layer of Complexity. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK.

Further reading:

Molecular Biology Books for 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Blog owner) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Biomolecular Separation and Analysis
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-47-9
A skillful selection of topics of exceptional importance to current science ensures that this book will be of major value to a wide range of molecular biologists, clinical scientists, microbiologists, biochemists and anyone interested in LOC technology or developing applications for LOC devices.
further information

Lab-on-a-Chip Technology: Fabrication and Microfluidics
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Keith E. Herold and Avraham Rasooly
Publication date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-46-2
This comprehensive volume presents the current technologies in the field and includes theoretical and technical information to enable both the understanding of the technology and the reproduction of experiments. The book aims to help the reader to understand current LOC technologies, to perform similar experiments, to design new LOC systems and to develop new methodologies and applications.
further information

Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Julie Logan, Kirstin Edwards and Nick Saunders
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-39-4
This essential manual presents a comprehensive guide to the most up-to-date technologies and applications as well as providing an overview of the theory of this increasingly important technique.
further information

Microbial Production of Biopolymers and Polymer Precursors: Applications and Perspectives
Publisher: Caister Academic Press
Editor: Bernd H. A. Rehm
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 978-1-904455-36-3
Topics include the biochemistry and genetics of biosynthesis of xanthan, alginate, cellulose, cyanophycin, poly(gamma-glutamic acid), levan, hyaluronic acid, organic acids, oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, and polyhydroxyalkanoates. A recommended book for all biotechnology and microbiology laboratories.
further information