BOL: Related items

What is the hologenome concept of evolution?

Jit — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:23:54 -0600

All multicellular organisms are colonized by microbes, but a gestalt study of the composition of microbiome communities and their influence on the ecology and evolution of their macroscopic hosts has only recently become possible. One approach to thinking about the topic is to view the host–microbiome ecosystem as a “holobiont”.

Address of the bookmark: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6198262/

You and your friend have similar DNA !!!

Jit — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 20:44:05 -0500

New research out of Massachusetts claims that people often choose friends that are similar to them in genetics and they are more accurate than you might suppose. A study published on PNAS http://www.pnas.org/content/111/Supplement_3/10796.full found that people are apt to pick friends who are genetically similar to themselves - so much so that friends tend to be as alike at the genetic level as a person's fourth cousin.

Scientists with a long-running Framingham Heart Study looked at 1,932 people (examination of about 1.5 million markers of genetic variations), comparing unrelated friends to unrelated strangers. They found that friends shared about 1% of their genes — a percentage much higher than those shared with strangers.This new findings made it clear that people have more DNA in common with those who are selected as friends than with strangers in the same population.

The genes that lined up the most were olfactory genes, which deal with smell. The ones that lined up the least were immune system genes. The researchers weren't sure why that happened :/. Olfactory genes might be a straightforward explanation: People who like the same smells tend to be drawn to similar environments, where they meet others with the same tendencies.

Reference:

http://www.pnas.org/content/111/Supplement_3/10796.full

Image : http://i.kinja-img.com

Chromosome breakpoint - a breakup to remember

BioStar — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:31:54 -0600

Chromosome breakpoint refers to the physical location where a chromosome is broken and rearranged. Chromosome breakage can occur spontaneously or be induced by environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, or viruses. The rearrangement of genetic material resulting from a chromosome breakpoint can have important consequences, including the development of genetic diseases, chromosomal abnormalities, or cancer.

Chromosome breakpoints can occur in two ways: interstitial or terminal. Interstitial breakpoints occur within the chromosome, while terminal breakpoints occur at the end of the chromosome. Terminal breakpoints can lead to the loss of genetic material, whereas interstitial breakpoints can result in the duplication or deletion of genetic material.

Chromosome breakpoints can be detected using a variety of techniques, including cytogenetic analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and next-generation sequencing (NGS). These techniques can also help identify the exact location of the breakpoint and the nature of the rearrangement, such as translocations, inversions, deletions, or duplications.

Translocations are one of the most common types of chromosome rearrangements caused by breakpoints. In a translocation, genetic material is exchanged between two different chromosomes, resulting in a balanced or unbalanced distribution of genetic material. Unbalanced translocations can cause genetic diseases or developmental abnormalities, while balanced translocations can be inherited without any apparent phenotypic effects.

Inversions occur when a chromosome segment is inverted, resulting in a change in the order of genetic material. Inversions can be pericentric, involving the centromere, or paracentric, not involving the centromere. Inversions can cause genetic diseases or phenotypic effects if they disrupt the function of essential genes or regulatory elements.

Deletions and duplications are caused by interstitial breakpoints that result in the loss or gain of genetic material. Deletions can cause genetic diseases or developmental abnormalities if they involve essential genes or regulatory elements. Duplications can also have phenotypic effects, depending on the location and size of the duplicated segment.

Chromosome breakpoints can also be involved in the formation of complex chromosomal rearrangements, such as ring chromosomes or dicentric chromosomes. These complex rearrangements can have important clinical implications, as they can cause genetic diseases or cancer.

In conclusion, chromosome breakpoints are important genetic events that can lead to the rearrangement of genetic material and have important clinical implications. The detection and characterization of chromosome breakpoints using cytogenetic, molecular, and genomic methods are essential for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of genetic diseases and cancer. Further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome breakage and to develop new therapies targeting these events.

Swabs to Genomes: A Comprehensive Workflow

Rahul Nayak — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 03:01:21 -0500

The sequencing, assembly, and basic analysis of microbial genomes, once a painstaking and expensive undertaking, has become almost trivial for research labs with access to standard molecular biology and computational tools. However, there are a wide variety of options available for DNA library preparation and sequencing, and inexperience with bioinformatics can pose a significant barrier to entry for many who may be interested in microbial genomics. The objective of the present study was to design, test, troubleshoot, and publish a simple, comprehensive workflow from the collection of an environmental sample (a swab) to a published microbial genome; empowering even a lab or classroom with limited resources and bioinformatics experience to perform it.

Address of the bookmark: https://peerj.com/preprints/453.pdf

Bioinformatics PhD studentship available in New Zealand

Sun, 14 Jul 2013 13:36:30 -0500

Bioinformatics PhD studentship available in New Zealand

The importance of transcriptional control has been explored in a burgeoning line of research over several decades; nevertheless, we are still far from having a complete picture of the regulatory mechanisms of genes and non-coding RNAs, and their influences on different phenotypes and disease states of a cell. Recent shifts towards large-scale analyses of transcriptional regulation on a sequence and epigenetic level are at the forefront of research, mainly due to sequencing technology advancements and a deeper understanding of the fundamental regulatory processes involved.

Arriving at a better understanding of the influence of specific parts of the overall regulatory machinery on disease states is a high priority of the group’s research agenda.

We are seeking an enthusiastic student to join the group as a PhD student. Applicants must have a BSc(Hons) or MSc degree in a relevant discipline and a willingness to learn and apply new techniques and work in a team. Both local and international students are encouraged to apply.

The studentship covers all university fees and an annual tax-exempt stipend of NZ$22,000 for three years.

Sebastian Schmeier recently joined Massey University and started his own research group in Auckland, New Zealand, a city regularly ranked one of the most livable in the world. This is your chance to experience the amazing Auckland lifestyle and the excitement of joining a young new science team, while staying connected to world class scientific networks.

To apply for the post, please send a cover letter stating your interest in the position and why you think you would be a good candidate, a Curriculum Vitae, a copy of your academic transcript, a sample of your written scientific work, and the names of three referees. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Enquiries and applications to Sebastian Schmeier (s.schmeier@massey.ac.nz).

India's own first drug - from Biocon.

Jitendra Narayan — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 16:05:39 -0500

Psoriasis is immune-mediated disease that effects the skin. the Disease on an average affects about 10-20 million Indians and it attacks the immune system of human beings. In generally occurs, when the immune system mistakes a normal skin cell for a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that cause overproduction of new skin cells. More at >>

Biocon, India's largest publicly-held biotechnology firm, launched its second novel 'lab-to-market' molecule, Alzumab, to treat chronic plaque psoriasis at a cost 50 per cent lower than the existing one.

Biocon is bringing Alzumab (a biologic) in the form of a vial after working on it for nearly a decade. The work had initially started in a joint effort with the Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, but Biocon took control of the programme soon after and also bought out its partner a few years ago. Biocon tell to the media that genotypic played a critical role in functional studies and clinical trial Genomics.

The Biocon drug, at around ₹ 7,500 a vial, will cost half as much as the currently available drugs - from Pfizer and J&J - to treat psoriasis, a skin disease that causes rough red areas where the skin comes off in small pieces. A patient is usually prescribed to consume more than 40 vials in a 24-week course.

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Level B/C) in Bioinformatics

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:45:52 -0500

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Level B/C) in Synthetic Biology, Research Fellow (Level B) in Synthetic Biology & Lecturer/Senior Lecturer (Level B/C) in Bioinformatics

Apply now Job no: 494553
Work type: Continuing full time
Vacancy type: External Vacancy, Internal Vacancy
Categories: Academic - Teaching and Research

The Faculty of Science is launching a new and innovative branch of biological science at Macquarie University – Synthetic Biology. Synthetic biology combines engineering principles with molecular biological approaches to design and construct biological devices and systems. Recent highlights in this field include the design and synthesis of a functional bacterial genome and a yeast chromosome, and generation of synthetic bacterial cells. The rational synthesis of "designer" organisms yield important insights into how organisms work and has the potential to revolutionise biotechnological applications in areas such as bioenergy and biomanufacturing.

Find more at http://jobs.mq.edu.au/cw/en/job/494553/lecturersenior-lecturer-level-bc-in-synthetic-biology-research-fellow-level-b-in-synthetic-biology-lecturersenior-lecturer-level-bc-in-bioinformatics

Spotlight on Genomics: Understanding Our Genes - A Step to Personalized Medicine

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:07:44 -0500

(Visit: http://www.uctv.tv/) Learn about the essential role of genomics in the development of stem cell based therapies. Craig Venter, president and founder of the J. Craig Venter Institute and Catriona Jamieson, director for stem cell research at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center, speak about the future of personalized medicine in which genomics, the study of genes and their function, is applied to pinpoint specific treatments for patients. Sandra Dillon, a clinical trial participant, gives a patient's perspective. [7/2013] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 24530]

PhD opportunity at Université de Liège - Belgium

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:16:22 -0500

The Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Unit of Université de Liège (Belgium) is looking for a highly motivated master student with programming skills for a PhD thesis project (4 years, fully funded) with the goal of designing computational tools that use literature, genomic and structural data in order to infer regulatory and metabolic networks.

Applicants are invited to send their resume and a recommendation letter to Prof. Patrick Meyer (more details at www.biosys.ulg.ac.be )

The Future of Personalized Medicine

Thu, 06 Feb 2014 00:21:26 -0600

Howard Jacob speaking on Personalize Medicine at the Illumina Meeting in Feb. of 2013.