Articles

Seychelle M. Vos, PhD, has a passion for science that was ignited at a young age while exploring her parents’ garden and the natural world around her. Now she studies some of the biggest questions in genome biology: how DNA structure and chromatin influence protein transcription. The molecular machines that physically couple transcription and DNA structure by changing the position of nucleosomes, interfacing with chromatin, and compressing DNA into loops, are the focus of Vos’ research.

The therapeutic potential of messenger RNA (mRNA) therapeutics has an unprecedented ability to target previously undruggable diseases. The poly(A) tail drives the therapeutic efficacy of the mRNA molecule. Using Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) technology to analyze poly(A) tail length and integrity yields unrivaled sensitivity, enabling developers to ensure high poly(A) tail integrity and, ultimately, functional therapeutic mRNAs.

Learn about 5 key aspects of a PCR plate that are crucial to your results. These tips provide you with the tools to make an informed decision when purchasing PCR plates.

Lentiviral vectors (LVVs) have become the primary method of gene delivery for cells ex vivo in both academic and clinical applications. Currently, qPCR is the gold standard for functional titering of LVVs, but Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) offers an attractive alternative due to its inherent benefits, such as absolute quantification without the use of a standard curve and enhanced resistance to PCR inhibitors.

Protein expression analysis is essential in cell biology research, as it provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie cellular functions. Traditional methods for protein analysis, such as western blotting and ELISA, are useful for studying protein expression in cell lysates. However, these methods require labor-intensive sample preparation and do not provide information on the spatial distribution of proteins within intact cells. In-Cell Western is a powerful technique that enables quantitative and qualitative in situ protein expression analysis.

In December 2022, a groundbreaking law was passed granting the U.S. FDA the authority to consider data from new alternative methods in the preclinical testing phase for new drug development. Among the new methods are 3D cell cultures that mimic human tissues and organs, known as microphysiological systems (MPS). The new law aims to improve clinical outcomes while decreasing reliance on animal testing. In this article, we discuss MPS and review data showing how they can synergize with Bio-Plex Assays.

Dominique Ingato, PhD, is a faculty member at MiraCosta College’s Department of Biotechnology. As one of only fifteen community colleges in California to offer a bachelor’s degree, MiraCosta College’s bachelor’s program in biomanufacturing is breaking ground. As part of this program, Ingato runs a next-generation chromatography (NGC) teaching lab, where students receive practical, hands-on training using state-of-the-art instruments, such as the NGC Chromatography System.

With the advancement of technology, flow cytometers are now able to detect a much greater range of fluorescent dyes, facilitating the analysis of more extensive and complex multicolor immunophenotyping assays. But this has also introduced more pitfalls to navigate during the design of these experiments. Find out how StarBright Dyes can help circumvent many of these issues, enabling consistent and reliable results.

The realm of druggable targets has expanded significantly with the advent of mRNA therapeutics. Scientists require exceptional accuracy and confidence to adequately characterize these therapeutics and their anticipated effects. To this end, Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) technology has proven invaluable. With unparalleled precision and absolute quantification, Droplet Digital PCR is revolutionizing the field of mRNA therapeutic development and manufacturing.

RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a fundamental discovery technique for determining the expression patterns of encoded genes. RNA-Seq has led to innumerable breakthroughs across disciplines; however, a need remains for new sequencing and library preparation technologies to address gaps in current methods. Read how improved access to RNA-Seq would benefit translational research and how a novel RNA library preparation chemistry can synergize with new sequencing platforms.