Category Biology/Biotechnology

This is a graphical representation of work investigating the mechanism of Suv39h1 using designer chromatin. Credit: Image provided by the Muir lab

Essential DNA packing enzyme relies on 2-step activation to ensure correct genetic organization. For any particular cell, eg skin or brain cell, much of this genetic information is extraneous and must be packed away to allow sufficient space and resources for more important genes. Failure to properly pack DNA jeopardizes the stability of chromosomes and can result in severe diseases. Suv39h1 is one of the main enzymes that chemically mark the irrelevant regions of DNA to be compacted by cellular machinery, but little is known about how it installs its tag.

Scientists at Princeton have used ‘designer chromatin’ templates – highly customized repli...

John Tower and his colleagues found that treating flies with a steroid hormone decreased egg production in females while increasing longevity. Credit: USC Photo/Gus Ruelas

Research in flies, mice supports theory that sexes age differently. What helps her live longer might be harmful to him, according to a new study that may shed light on how and why organisms age. Analyzing years of previous research on dietary and pharmaceutical tests on flies and mice, researchers showed that aging interventions can have opposite effects on mortality rates in males versus females. The findings appear consistent with data gathered on humans as well, says John Tower of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the USC Davis School of Gerontology.

Treating flies with steroid hormone mifespr...

Researchers at Washington State University have identified a potential new approach to combating the joint pain, inflammation and tissue damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

RA is a debilitating autoimmune disorder that mostly affects the small joints of the hands and feet. It causes painful swelling that progresses into cartilage damage, bone erosion and joint deformity. “Existing drugs for rheumatoid arthritis are expensive, immunosuppressive and sometimes unsuitable for long-term use,” said Salah-uddin Ahmed, the lead WSU researcher.

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His team evaluated phytochemical epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with anti-inflammatory properties found in green tea...