News Archive
Latest 50 news articles
Genetic switches could hold clues to a cell`s developmental history
A new study has revealed that genetic switches (or enhancers) and the molecules that activate these switches (transcription factors) can be used to trace a cell's development history. Scientists in the groups of Eileen Furlong at EMBL and Ewan Birney at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), looked at fruit fly embryos to find that enhancers in heart muscle cells are not alone in having transcription factors attached. Enhancers in the gut muscle were also occupied by transcription...
Multiple DNA repair defect in monocytes
Scientists have found that monocytes are extremely sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are aggressive forms of oxygen generated during states of oxidative stress. Scientists at the University Medical Center in Mainz looked to address the undesirable effects of ionizing radiation and drugs used to treat cancer on the impairment of the immune system. The immune system ceases to function properly during treatment, however, which immune system cells respond most sensitively following r...
Quantitative Imaging Mode for the Most Challenging of AFM Samples
JPK Instruments announce exciting new quantitative imaging capabilities for the recently launched NanoWizard®3 AFM system. QI™ is the new quantitative imaging mode from JPK. It has been developed to make AFM imaging easier than ever before. With QI™, a force curve-based imaging mode, the user has the full control over the tipsample force at every pixel of the image. There is no need for setpoint or gain adjustment while scanning. Applying JPK's ForceWatch™ technology, QI™ delivers outstanding re...
Tomato nutrient lycopene could be used for cancer treatment
Lycopene, a nutrient found in cooked tomatoes, has been found to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells, and has even been found to kill it in some cases. The nutrient is widely known for giving tomatoes their red colour, but researchers at the University of Portsmouth have found that it can intercept cancer growth by blocking its ability to make the connections it needs to attach to a healthy blood supply. Director of the research Dr Chopra said: “This simple chemical reaction was shown to oc...
Pannexin1 found to restore tight binding of cells
A novel 'scaffold-free' 3-D system has been used to determine the role of Pannexin1 in binding cells, a process that is lost in cancer. The researchers, from Brown University, found that protein Pannexin1 could have an important biomechanical role in binding tissues together. The protein is already known to have tumour-suppressive properties, and this new research suggest that it could have a decisive role in the progression of the disease. First author and Brown University M.D./Ph.D. student Br...
Bronchoalveolar lavage and lung clearance index detect CF
The lung clearance index (LCI) has been found to be a sensitive and non-invasive marker of early lung disease by researchers studying early cystic fibrosis (CF) in Australia. The findings, published ahead of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, show that LCI could also be useful as an objective outcome measure in future studies of young children with CF. Some 47 pre-symptomatic or minimally symptomatic infants and young children with CF an...
Camera with High Sensitivity, High Resolution and Fast Readout for Every Fluorescence Application
Engineered around a new second-generation sCMOS detector, the ORCA-Flash4.0 is the first camera that challenges the performance of all EM-CCD, CCD and firstgeneration sCMOS cameras for every fluorescence application. Hamamatsu Photonics introduces the new ORCA-Flash4.0 sCMOS camera. In recent years, trying to detect low level or fast fluorescence signals has proved challenging and an EM-CCD camera was commonly used, however, with the arrival of the ORCA-Flash4.0 that situation has now changed. T...
AFM used to Better Characterise Graphenes Properties
JPK Instruments reports on a keynote paper in Nano Letters where Dr Nikolai Severin and his co-workers from the group of Professor Jürgen P. Rabe have applied JPK's NanoWizard®II Ultra system to improve their understanding of the properties of graphene. Within this group is Dr Nikolai Severin, recently the lead author of a paper in Nano Letters, which shows the use of AFM in the study of graphenes. The electronic properties of graphenes depend sensitively on their deformation, and therefore stra...
New research confirms role of flavonoid luteolin in cancer
Flavonoid luteolin has been found to inhibit the activity of cell signalling pathways (Insulin-like growth IGF and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases PI3K) that is known to be a mechanism for the uncontrolled cell division and cancer growth in colon cancer cells. The research, published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Gastroenterology, shows that luteolin, which is commonly found in fruit and vegetables, was able to block the secretion of IGF-II by colon cancer cells and decrease the am...
Association found between phthalates and obesity in young children
A link has been found between exposure to phthalates and obesity in young children, which included increased BMI and waist circumference. The research, conducted by the Children's Environmental Health Center at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, found that the man-made chemicals can mimic hormones in the body. The study of 387 children in New York City found that 97 per cent of the urine tests from the children tested positive for exposure to phthalates, that are typically found in hygi...
AML cancer cell escape mechanism identified
The mechanism acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells use to evade chemotherapy has been identified by researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Centre, who have also detailed how to plug the 'escape route'. New techniques of functional genomic screening of AML cells were used in the study, which was able to define a molecular breaking process that AML curves use to survive 'the curves of chemotherapy'. Using a metaphor of a car that is approaching a corner, Christopher Porter, MD, demonstrate...
Anti-HER2 combined for better pre-op breast cancer treatment
Combining trastuzumab and lapatinib in pre-op has been found to improve the outcome of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. The results, which were detailed by an international research team and published in The Lancet, found that combining the two drugs, which inhibit the growth factor HER2, have better results than treatment with a single agent. It has been found that around 20 to 30 per cent of breast cancers are driven by over-expression of HER2, which are particularly aggressive tum...
DNA sequence that causes severe cases of lupus identified
A team of Italian researchers have identified a 'genetic accelerator' called HS1.2, which enhances the production of the pathological antibodies that attack the patient's body rather than defend it. The researchers, from Sacred Heart Catholic University in Rome, combined the antibodies to the accelerator of the car, colloquially renaming them 'autoantibodies', which describes the effect HS1.2 has on the activity of some critical genes of the immune system involved in the disease. It is hoped the...
Gene identified that tells cells to develop multiple cilia
The gene that tells cells to develop multiple cilia has been identified by researchers in San Diego, which could help scientists effectively replace damaged tissue. The development, made by researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, has increased our understanding of how the vital multiple cilia is developed, which moves fluid through the lungs and the brain. According to Christopher R. Kintner, a professor in Salk's Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, who led the research: "Know...
Major shortcomings found in cancer experimental systems
Cancer cells that are grown on two-dimensional plastic petri dish cultures lack the three-dimensional structures required to successfully replicate the tissue structure seen in human cancer, it has been claimed. New research from Tufts University has found that three-dimensional lab-made tissue can accurately mimic a true cancer environment, rendering previous models redundant for effective studies. This is because the lab-made tissue was found to epigenetically mediate, or temporarily trigger,...
Easy Access Online Ordering on Weighing and pH Products
Anachem has added a comprehensive range of Mettler Toledo laboratory balances, pH and conductivity meters, buffers, reagents and accessories to its online ordering facility at www.anachem.co.uk. With all the product details, prices and discounts immediately accessible, ordering is made quicker and easier for these world leading precision and analytical instruments. For general laboratory weighing needs Anachem offers the Mettler Toledo Classic Level precision balances, which are a great option...
Experience the Clinical Evolution
The new range of Nikon upright clinical microscopes have evolved to meet the demand for ergonomic, eco-friendly and easy-to-use imaging systems. Offering world-class optics, long-life LED illumination, motorisation and simple one-touch operation for microscope control and image capture, the versatile Eclipse Ci and Ni upright microscopes are ideal for all clinical microscopy needs. The Eclipse Ci series comprises the top of the range motorised Ci-E model, perfect for all applications, the ecof...
Fast Scanning for the MultiMode Atomic Force Microscope
Bruker has announced new fast scanning capabilities for the MultiMode® 8 Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The system’s new ScanAsyst-HR feature provides a direct 6X increase in imaging rate for significantly improved research productivity. This remarkable development leverages Bruker’s exclusive ScanAsyst® Imaging Mode, which has established itself as the industry standard for AFM ease of use. With the release of ScanAsyst-HR, Bruker becomes the first and only AFM manufacturer to provide fast scan...
The Latest Platform for AFM and Optics
JPK Instruments continue to expand its family of high performance research systems with the announcement of the availability of the NanoWizard® 3 NanoOptics AFM system. Over the past decade, optical phenomena on the nanoscale have developed into an exciting area of research. To study light on the nanoscale and especially its interaction with matter, researchers look for methods with nanometer spatial resolution. The combination of Light Microscopy-derived techniques and Scanning Probe Microscop...
IPHT Researchers Investigate Usefuleness of TERS Modules as Surface Analysis Tools
Scientists at the Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) in Jena have been utilising JPK's NanoWizard® systems and Tip-Assisted Optics (TERS) modules to develop high spatial resolution molecular spectroscopic methods with the aim of advancing TERS as an accessible and sensitive tool for the analysis of surfaces and boundaries under ambient conditions. Dr Volker Deckert, head of the Nanoscopy department at IPHT has been leading the team investigating selected applications; for example heterogene...
Researchers find 3-dimensional view of 1-dimensional nanostructures
Researchers at Northwestern University in the US have reported that individual gallium nitride nanowires show strong piezoelectricity in three dimensions. Nanowires are often considered one-dimensional, considering that they measure only 100 nanometers in diameter. However recent findings, published in Nano Letters, have shown to the contrary. Nanogenerators based on GaN nanowires have recently been demonstrated to be capable of converting mechanical energy forms such as biomechanical motion to...
New Software Offers Intelligent Automation for Atomic Force Microscopes
Asylum Research provides its full-function MFP-3D™ and Cypher™ Atomic Force Microscopes (AFMs) with superior capabilities, which require no programming to perform advanced imaging and measurements. For more advanced, automated, and out-of-the-box experiments, Asylum also provides a user-driven programming language called IGOR. While programming can be a daunting task for the novice, our new MacroBuilder interface allows users to easily implement IGOR customisation like a pro – without writing a...
Microscopy Open Day Attracts Researchers
The Zeiss Microscopy Labs in Munich opened its doors to visitors during October, where instruments could be tried and tested and staff were on-hand for discussion. Dr Michael Kaschke, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG and Dr Ulrich Simon, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH, had also welcomed British Digital Artist Jo Berry, who exhibited her work alongside the event. Jo has been processing and transforming scientific images captured with the Carl Zeiss LSM 710 confocal microscope...
Major variation found in bladder cancer subtypes
The need for focused research into bladder cancer has been highlighted by a new study that revealed internal and surface tumours have two different disease entities with different causes. Researchers have been urged to differentiate between the two types of bladder cancer, which is the fifth most common cancer in the US, when carrying out detailed studies. The detailed trend analysis performed showed significant differences between the main subtypes of the disease. Bladder cancer was shown in th...
`Living Lab` Will Assist Cancer Cell Studies
FEI and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) are partnering to create a ‘Living Lab for Cell Biology’ that will provide researchers with several electron microscopes including a Titan Krios™ TEM and a Helios NanoLab™ DualBeam™. to advance the understanding and treatment of complex diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The lab will be run by Joe Gray, PhD, a renowned cancer and genomic researcher recently recruited to OHSU from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Gray was one of the primary...
Developments in laboratory controlled sperm growth
Scientists have successfully grown sperm in a laboratory in a development that could lead to a routine procedure for males who suffer from fertility problems. Sperm could be grown in the future by extracting tissue containing germ cells from a man’s testicle and stimulating sperm production in the laboratory. The scientists, led by Professor Stefan Schlatt from Germany’s Muenster University, used just a few cells to reproduce mice sperm. The team have yet to receive positive data from human cell...
New findings on the body's immunological surveillance system
New findings about the prion protein and its interaction with the immune system have been made by veterinary scientist Caroline Piercey Åkesson. Her study has revealed that the prion protein makes use of the normal physiological uptake channel for macromolecules in the intestines and that this may have a significant effect on the body's immunological surveillance system. This means that immuno-tolerance could be stimulated, thus impeding a normal immuno reaction against the prion protein absorbe...
ATM gene may increase hereditary risk for pancreatic cancer
New data, published in Cancer Discovery, has found that mutations in the ATM gene may increase the hereditary risk for pancreatic cancer. Using genome and whole exome analysis, Alison Klein Ph.D., and colleagues were able to identify ATM gene mutations in two kindreds with familial pancreatic cancer. When these initial findings were examined in a large series for patients, ATM mutations were present in four of 166 subjects with pancreatic cancer but were absent in 190 spousal control subsets. Th...
Spinning microparticles can direct the growth of nerve fiber
Researchers in Texas have made significant advances in the treatment of spinal and brain injuries by discovering how spinning microparticles can direct the growth of nerve fiber. The study, based on Samarendra Mohanty's hypothesis that neurons can respond to physical (e.g. fluid flow) cues in addition to chemical cues, could allow for directed growth of neuronal networks on a chip, which would improve certain medical methods. The laser-driven spinning calcite microparticle caused a shearing eff...
New nanotechnology method reveals surprising results
A significant step forward in the mechanics of controlling chemical reactions has been made by UCLA physics professor Giovanni Zocchi and former UCLA physics graduate student Yong Wang, who have discovered an isolated protein molecule is neither a solid nor a liquid. The discovery is being hailed as a nanotechnology feat, as a new method allowed them to apply stresses and probe the mechanics of the protein without destroying it. Zoochi and colleagues have made significant steps towards a new app...
New Low Cost Microscope Stage Incubator
Warner Instruments is pleased to introduce the New Okolab H501-EC CO2 Microscope Stage Incubator that is ideal for long term time-lapse imaging. Highly versatile, use the H501-EC with a single 35mm Petri dish, a glass slide or chambered 57mm cover glass. Operation is a simple, select your plate adapter and set the sample temperature. The HC01-EC will automatically adjust the humidity of the gas stream to minimise evaporative losses in the media. Additionally, easily regulate media pH levels with...
Premium All In One Imaging System for In Vitro Applications
Carestream Molecular Imaging is pleased to introduce the new Gel Logic 6000 PRO – a premium system for imaging gel, blots, and plates using multiple modalities including chemiluminescence, UV and multi-wavelength fluorescence, and radioisotopic labels – all in a single, easy to use platform. These modalities can be captured in sequence, which streamlines workflow and offers significant time savings. Researchers are no longer limited to 2 or 3 fluorescent channels or restricted to the continuous...
Making Scientific Discovery More Accessible
Microscale glassware kits promote safety, economy and convenience for small-scale organic chemistry experiments. Performing chemical experiments in microscale is easier with specialised kits from Kimble Chase, a large manufacturer of laboratory glassware products in the world. Williamson microscale kits offer a selection of specially tooled laboratory glassware with patented thermoplastic connectors to allow quick, easy and secure connections. Other available kits feature components with GCI thr...
Advanced Imaging Systems to Follow Fluorescent RNA Movement in Living Cells
Scientists at the Department of Biochemistry, the University of Oxford, rely on a number of powerful imaging systems, several of which are supplied by Preston based Image Solutions (UK) Ltd. Their efforts are directed to understand how cells become polarised during embryonic development. Defects in this polarisation process are known to cause birth defects, and also are similar to the processes that go wrong in Alzheimer’s disease and Fragile X Syndrome. By studying neurons of the fruit fly Dro...
Gas cloud approaches certain doom
Scientists have found a huge gas cloud accelerating towards the black hole in the centre of the Milky Way. This is the first time astronomers have witnesses the approach of a 'doomed cloud', which in this case is several times the mass of Earth, to a supermassive black hole. Using ESO's Very Large Telescope, the scientists intend to track the new object approaching the black hole. Over the last seven years, the speed of the gas cloud has nearly doubled to 8 million km/h and is expected to app...
Lentiviral Biosensors for Real-Time Visualisation of Proteins in Live Cells
Merck Millipore has launched a suite of LentiBrite™ lentiviral biosensors, pre-packaged lentiviral particles encoding proteins fluorescently tagged with green or red fluorescent protein (GFP or RFP). The initial group of biosensors will encode proteins responsible for cell structure such as actin and tubulin, a central marker of autophagy (degradation of a cell’s own components) – LC3, and proteins that mark the onset of apoptosis (programmed cell death). Future offerings will focus on neuroscie...
Higgs boson 'may have been glimpsed'
Scientists claim that they may have caught a glimpse of the elusive God particle during experiments in Geneva. The team saya that they may have seen hints of the Higgs boson during two separate experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - Atlas and CMS. If the claims turn out to be true, the scientists will have been involved in one of the most exciting developments in particle physics. Higgs boson is a theoretical particle that gives everything in the universe mass and impacts upon how f...
Combining Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics for Single-Cell Research
Fluidigm Corporation has announced a collaboration with BD Biosciences, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), to co-host a public seminar series on the isolation and analysis of single cells. Entitled 'A Powerful Technique for Single-Cell Analysis', the public seminar series will showcase cell isolation using the BD FACSAria™ III Cell Sorter and analysis using the Fluidigm BioMark™ HD System. The combination of the cell surface phenotype obtained from cell sorting and the gene expres...
Atomic Force Microscope for Advanced Automated HB-LED Production Metrology
Bruker launched the Dimension EdgeTM PSS Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a production-environment, automated AFM specifically tailored for patterned sapphire substrate (PSS) metrology in high brightness lightemitting diode (HB-LED) manufacturing. The Dimension Edge PSS is an easy-to-operate AFM that delivers resolution far beyond traditional optical techniques while at the same time providing precise 3D profile information to control the most advanced PSS processes. The system performs automated...
Protein identified as cancer trigger
Scientists have identified a protein that regulates the expression of hundreds of genes and may have a significant effect on cancers and other tumours. A study by researchers Raul Mendez, ICREA Research Professor at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Barcelona, and Pilar Navarro at the Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, have discovered a protein that is responsible for a reprogramming mechanism that turns healthy cells into tumour cells. Published in the Nature Medicine jou...
Crystal Clear Imaging for Optimum Brightness
Nikon has launched the new CFI Plan Apochromat series of objectives, featuring its pioneering ultra-low refractive index Nano Crystal Coat technology. This technology provides unrivalled chromatic aberration and remarkably high transmission values throughout a broad range of wavelengths. Offering bright, sharp, high contrast images, the newly developed CFI Plan Apochromat series objectives are capable of visualising the minute structure and dynamics in living cells or organisms, supporting adva...
High Resolution Microstructural Analysis in the SEM with EBSD
Bruker’s e‑Flash HR electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector offers both high resolution and sensitivity to solve the most difficult cases in microstructural analysis in the SEM. As one of two detector options for the CyrystAlign EBSD analysis system, it offers a native resolution of almost 2 Megapixels (1600 x 1200 pixels) . Its excellent sensitivity makes EBSD measurements possible even at probe currents as low as 0.5 nA. State of the art camera optics allow the acquisition...
Hamamatsu introduces the ORCA-Flash4.0 sCMOS camera with high sensitivity, high resolution and fast readout
Engineered around a new second-generation sCMOS detector, the ORCA-Flash4.0 is the first camera that challenges the performance of all EM-CCD, CCD and first-generation sCMOS cameras for every fluorescence application. Hamamatsu Photonics, a world leading manufacturer of cameras for scientific applications, introduces the new ORCA-Flash4.0 sCMOS camera. In recent years, trying to detect low level or fast fluorescence signals has proved challenging and an EM-CCD camera was commonly used, however,...
Brilliant Gel Visualisation with Visi-Blue Technology
UVP, LLC announces enhanced visualisation and imaging capabilities with new Visi-Blue™ technology. Visi-Blue transillumination is recommended for viewing a wide range of fluorescent stained gels which emit light at 460-470nm, including GelGreen™, SYBR® Green, SYBR Gold, SYBR Safe, GelStar®, SYPRO® Ruby, SYPRO Orange and other fluorescein stains. Visi-Blue technology, including Transilluminators and Converter Plates, does not produce UV light and therefore eliminates UV exposure and minimises dam...
New Gel Documentation System For Quick and Easy Imaging
Syngene recently introduced its new GENi2 gel documentation system, the next generation version of its affordable motorised GENi range. This point and press system is ideal for scientists wanting to produce accurate images of fluorescent DNA gels, as well as fluorescent protein gels in seconds. The versatile GENi2 can be used for many DNA and protein gel imaging applications. The system features a compact darkroom containing a 2 mega pixel resolution camera, motor-driven lens and six position mo...
Carbon nanotubes used for 'space camouflage'
Scientists have used carbon nanotubes as a camouflage for three-dimensional objects. A team from the University of Michigan has used the carbon nanotubes, which are cylindrical sheets of graphene just one atom thick to obscure objects so that they are effectively invisible under white light. The 'invisibility cloak' works because carbon nanotube "forests" have a low index of refraction, very similar to that of air, meaning that there is very little reflection or scattering of light as it moves...
Scientists cast doubt on faster-than-light neutrinos
Scientists have cast doubt on a study published earlier this year which seemed to suggest that certain subatomic particles could travel faster than the speed of light. If true, the findings from a team at the INFN-Gran Sasso laboratory would have undermined the currently accepted laws of physics which were originally established by Albert Einstein more than 100 years ago. However, a different team of scientists from the same laboratory have repeated the experiment and have rejected the claims th...
Scientists create light in a vacuum
Scientists have succeeded in creating light from a vacuum, proving that a vacuum is by no means empty nothingness. A team from Chalmers University of Technology published the results following the success, an effect which was first predicted some 40 years ago when scientists noted that 'virtual particles' exist within a vacuum, so called because of their transitory lifespan. Chalmers scientist Christopher Wilson and his team created the effect by getting photons to leave their virtual state and...
Research Elucidates Individual Steps Controlling Transport Through Nuclear Pore Complex
Nuclear Pore Complexes (NPCs), large protein structures that span the nuclear membrane in eukaryotic cells and mediate the exchange of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm, play a vital role in many aspects of cellular physiology including gene expression. Defects in NPC function are implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases, leukaemias and others cancers. Also, nuclear transport plays a pivotal role in viral infections. However, it has been unclear how the NPC facilitates the selecti...
Invisible metal created
Scientists from the US have discovered the secrets behind invisibility and mirages. Professor Ali Aliev and his research team at the Alan G MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas have used transparent sheets of carbon nanotubes, which are stronger than steel, to make objects disappear. The effect is achieved by using sheets of carbon nanotubes one molecule thick immersed in water which are then heated rapidly with an electrical current, as the sheet transfers heat t...