A new study in Nature Genetics* shows, for the first time, that a loss-of-function mutation may be beneficial in preventing type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study included analyzing the genotype of ~150,000 individuals from diverse ancestry groups and found that carriers with rare protein-truncating variants in SLC30A8, which encodes islet zinc transporter (ZnT8), have a 65% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk.

The implication from this study uncovers a target and a pathway of treating T2D: selective inhibitors of ZnT8 may alleviate glucose intolerance with potentially minimal or no side effects. There are a number of ways to pursue antagonists for ZnT8, and GenScript can provide relevant services to explore them!

? Single domain antibodies (sdAb)
? Peptide library screening followed by peptibody construction to extend half-life in serum
? Cell therapy via genome editing technology such as CRISPR
? Assay development for small-molecule library screening

Common mouse models are unsuitable for in-vivo evaluation of therapeutic leads or candidates, because of the difference in physiology between mouse and human pancreatic tissue. Via collaboration, GenScript is open to collaborations of investigating humanized mouse carrying human pancreas tissue as a potentially efficacy model.

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aritcle source :* Flannick J. et al. Loss-of-function mutations in SLC30A8 protect against type 2 diabetes. Nat. Gen. 2014.

Hi,

I'm trying to find entry-level salaries for QA/QC positions and I am having difficulty.

Does anyone know the typical starting salaries?

Specifically, I am looking in MD and have a M.S.

Thanks!

A recent study on the genetics of obesity found novel variants in the MC4R gene promoter region in a population of obese children. To characterize the functional roles of these naturally-occurring DNA mutations, the researchers used GenScript's mutagenesis service to produce variant constructs for reporter gene assays. They found the mutant promoters have decreased basal transcriptional activity, suggesting that MC4R may be a valuable diagnostic or therapeutic target in future efforts to combat the raging epidemic of obesity-related disease.


With advances in genome sequencing and personalized medicine, it’s more critical than ever to understand how genetic variants actually influence physiology and disease etiology. GenScript is the leading provider of custom molecular biology services to accelerate your findings by delivering the DNA constructs you need, without the limitations and headaches of traditional PCR-based manipulation of pre-existing templates.

my orignal

I'm currently in my 8th semester. I realize that I don't have much time as I'm going to graduate soon. I'm actually wondering on what to work on my thesis for my final year. If you could please advise me, it would be of great help. I pretty much clueless here. My field of interests are medical and industrial biotechnology.

Thank you.

MY question is regarding the lawn culture results. During my last lab class, I performed the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test. To attain results in this experiment I needed to perform Lawn culture. However, after I performed the lawn culture and placed the antibiotic disks, after incubation no growth was observed.

I would like to know, why no growth was observed?

Thank you.

We are now in an era where development of sustainable energy sources and more environmentally friendly biochemical production are priorities. In this context, algae are emerging as potentially useful organisms in applications including production of biochemical and biofuel and for trapping carbon dioxide emissions generated by industry. Cultivation of algae is expensive when compared to, for example, wood and agricultural biomass and is particularly challenging in countries with a cool climate and long hours of darkness in winter. Mindful of these issues, the ALGIDA project has been looking into algae cultivation in Finland. The project is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Their results are encouraging to the view that profitable algae cultivation is possible in countries with cold, dark winters.

Algae are a potentially multi-use biotechnological source. The utility of its components extend beyond biofuels to, for example, pigments and cosmetics and nutritional supplements such as omega-3. Biomass from algae can also be used as biofertiliser. Clearly, they are a resource whose cultivation is worth pursuing. The aviation industry is a prime example of a potential customer for algae-based biofuels. Their use in biofuels depends on establishment of growing conditions whereby they produce a high level of lipids and their economic sustainability requires use of all components of the algae biomass. The ALGIDA project suggests various ways round the issues of lack of heat and light in Finland. Project manager Mona Arnold from VTT suggests that: “The most sensible thing to do in Finland is to integrate cultivation into industrial processes with spill heat and focus development on the production of biofuels and biochemical compounds, and on nutrient removal from effluents. Algae can also be used to recover nutrients, organic impurities and heavy metals from waste and waste water.”

The research of the ALGIDA project examined the plausibility of algae cultivation in Finnish waste waters and ways of improving conditions. The project findings suggested that the algae needed heat to thrive but could manage in the absence of light. In terms of a carbon dioxide source, the project findings suggested use of carbon dioxide in the air during the summer when there was light and from waste sugar in winter. To create warmth, they suggest linking algae cultivation to industrial processes which create residual heat in order to warm up the algae cultivation ponds or reactors.

Currently, VTT are collaborating with the oil and gas company ONGC in India and with CLEEN Ltd. (Cluster for Clean Energy and Environment in Finland). They are planning a pilot project to show the capacity of algae to bind carbon dioxide emissions from a natural gas refinery. This has a three-fold purpose of showing potential of algae in a CO2 capture, the best applications for algal biomass and capacity for algae growth in industrial waste water.

These findings will have relevance for use of algae in other countries where heat and light may an issue and should help advance knowledge on how humble algae may one day be used in activities such as aviation.

Sources:

Research report online: http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/technology/2013/T147.pdf

Press release: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Poor development of so-called ‘love hormone’ oxytocin system could play a major role in susceptibility to addiction. This is the theme of a special edition of the international journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, guest edited by Dr Femke Buisman-Pijlman from the University of Adelaide's School of Medical Sciences, an expert in both addiction and family studies.

Oxytocin is both a hormone released by the pituitary gland and a neurotransmitter. It is termed the ‘love hormone’ as its levels go up when we hug or kiss a loved one and has a major role in pair bonding. Oxytocin levels are stimulated during sex, birth and breast feeding. It causes increased womb contraction during labour and stimulates ejection of milk into the breast ducts. While newborns do have oxytocin, Dr Buisman-Pijlman points out that: “our oxytocin systems aren't fully developed when we're born – they don't finish developing until the age of three, which means our systems are potentially subject to a range of influences both external and internal."

Influences on the oxytocin system would be both genetic and environmental. While we have no control over our genes, the environmental factors impacting on the oxytocin system are significant. Reductions in the development of oxytocin levels can be caused by factors ranging from a difficult birth or abuse in childhood to infections. Interestingly, research suggests that the seeds of risk for drug addiction are already sown by the age of four, just after the time that our oxytocin system has finished developing. The factors linking the oxytocin system and addiction are summarised in the accompanying figure (University of Adelaide).

The special issue of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior examines the impact of poor oxytocin system development and resilience against addiction from a number of angles. In a historical overview, the idea is introduced that oxytocin reduces the type of long-term neural adaptation that underlies drug addiction. Further papers explore the link between oxytocin development and early life, including gestational drug exposure and early childhood experiences. Interactions between dopamine and oxytocin are examined, including the influence of forming early social attachments on subsequent coping mechanisms in terms of stress and addiction. Other papers examine the effect of oxytocin on drug-induced mood, including the tendency of a well-developed oxytocin system to reduce the feeling of pleasure associated with drugs.

In all, these studies provide an important insight into factors linking reduced oxytocin and addiction. Dr Buisman-Pijlman concludes: "Understanding what occurs with the oxytocin system during the first few years of life could help us to unravel this aspect of addictive behaviour and use that knowledge for treatment and prevention."

Sources:

THE ROLE OF OXYTOCIN IN POSITIVE AFFECT AND DRUG-RELATED REWARD. Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (special edition, edited by Femke T.A. Buisman-Pijlman, Jillian H. Broadbear and Zoltán Sarnyai), Volume 119, Pages 1-88 (April 2014), available on http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/jou...913057/119

Press release: University of Adelaide

Although the Central Dogma was first stated by Francis Crick over a half-century ago, we're still learning exactly how transcription and translation are orchestrated in cells. A recent Science paper reports that the presence of AT-rich rare codons in the N-terminal region enhances protein expression by reducing RNA secondary structure in bacteria.

You can harness this finding to increase your protein expression to a new level. By taking advantage of the degeneracy of the genetic code, you can alter your nucleotide sequence to favor efficient protein expression while preserving the amino acid sequence you need – a technique called codon optimization.

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codon optimization.http://www.genscript.com/codon_opt.html?src=backlink

Hello German collegs,
is there an alternativ product available in the market for:
“heat-transfer fluid”
for Osmometer/Cryoscope from Advanced Instruments Inc. USA ?
Greetings from Morocco,
Fred

STAP (Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) cells have made recent science headlines with reports that mouse somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells simply by being subjected to external stress. Unlike, IPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) which require successful transfection with a specific set of pluripotent transcription factors, STAPs are generated without any type of exogenous genetic transfer or manipulation. While the article has raised controversy, it has also brought attention to the importance of stem cell research and the great impact a new method for generating stem cells could have on treating several types of disease. This is why it is critical to use the correct high-quality proteins when maintaining different types of stem cells in culture.


Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, and STAP Research

1. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) - a critical component to maintain stem cell self-renewal through its activation of the STAT3 pathway. Absence of LIF without subsequent genetic manipulation results in stem cell differentiation. LIF is used in all 3 types of Mouse stem cell culture (Embryonic, Induced Pluripotent and newly defined Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency).

Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

2. Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic) - This growth factor is the human equivalent to LIF. High concentrations of FGF-basic are critical for maintaining self-renewal of both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.

3. Noggin - The addition of this glycoprotein with FGF-basic is essential for sustaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Noggin binds to and inhibits Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 (BMP-4) thereby blocking its ability to promote stem cell differentiation. Supplement FGF-basic with Noggin to maintain both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.

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(03-18-2014, 03:45 PM)Genscriptlorraine Wrote: STAP (Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency) cells have made recent science headlines with reports that mouse somatic cells can be reprogrammed into pluripotent cells simply by being subjected to external stress. Unlike, IPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells) which require successful transfection with a specific set of pluripotent transcription factors, STAPs are generated without any type of exogenous genetic transfer or manipulation. While the article has raised controversy, it has also brought attention to the importance of stem cell research and the great impact a new method for generating stem cells could have on treating several types of disease. This is why it is critical to use the correct high-quality proteins when maintaining different types of stem cells in culture.


Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, and STAP Research

1. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) - a critical component to maintain stem cell self-renewal through its activation of the STAT3 pathway. Absence of LIF without subsequent genetic manipulation results in stem cell differentiation. LIF is used in all 3 types of Mouse stem cell culture (Embryonic, Induced Pluripotent and newly defined Stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency).

Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

2. Fibroblast Growth Factor-basic (FGF-basic) - This growth factor is the human equivalent to LIF. High concentrations of FGF-basic are critical for maintaining self-renewal of both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.

3. Noggin - The addition of this glycoprotein with FGF-basic is essential for sustaining pluripotent stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Noggin binds to and inhibits Bone Morphogenic Protein-4 (BMP-4) thereby blocking its ability to promote stem cell differentiation. Supplement FGF-basic with Noggin to maintain both human embryonic and human induced pluripotent stem cells in culture.

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Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF):http://www.genscript.com/protein-list/code--z03077/1.html?src=backlink

A recent publication in Science Translational Medicine describes the use of a humanized monoclonal antibody against activated

FXIIa, identified using phage display, to prevent the formation of blood clots without increasing the risk of bleeding. Preventing

thrombus formation while using a bypass system often leads to unwanted bleeding, sometimes in the brain, making this breakthrough

treatment an attractive alternative to heparin.

GenScript offers Custom mAb production services to develop your specific antibody and Antibody Library and Phage Display services

which can build a library with up to 1010 individual clones.

Membrane protein expression remains a bottleneck in its characterization and structure determination. In a recent study, scientists created a robust strategy to increase the probability of membrane protein overexpression by generating a traceable fusion system at the C-terminus of their target protein, showing that manipulation of transcriptional silencing improved membrane protein overexpression.

For years, Genscript scientists have produced challenging membrane proteins in bacterial insect, mammalian and yeast expression systems. With its world-class expertise and PhD-level technical support, GenScript will be a reliable partner for all your protein production needs.

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With its world-class expertise and PhD-level technical support, GenScript will be a reliable partner for all your protein production needs.

Hyderabad, India and Indianapolis, IN, USA, March 11, 2014: Ocimum Biosolutions announces release of its new software product, Sciantis™, a lab process and data management platform for biologics labs. Sciantis™ helps Labs to manage Biologics development process, automate data capturing and support lab Analytics needs.

Mr. Subash Lingareddy, CFO, President of Ocimum Biosolutions, said, “Sciantis™ is our new software offering to serve Biologics companies in improving their development process and data management. This software also serves the regulatory needs of data capturing and management”.

Mr. Sridhar Reddy, Senior Vice-President, Bio-IT said, “Sciantis™ is a new feather in our cap; we have designed Sciantis™ based on our 12+ years of experience in handling Lab process automation, data Management and Analytics”.

About Sciantis™

Sciantis™ offers rich set of features including Biologics Registration, Clone management, Vector design and Management, Cell line Banking, Location management, Instrument management, Lab consumables management, High-throughput Plate Management, Scheduling Reactors and Sampling, Analytical Method development for upstream, in-process and downstream processes , Analytical Results tracking, Report Engine, notifications, Alerts and etc. Sciantis™ is 21 CFR Part11 compliant for electronic records with full audit trails and role based access. It is fully web based system works well in all popular browsers, support smart devices.

In a recent paper published in Nature Chemical Biology, new crystal structures provide insights into the evolution and activity of the AdoMet radical enzyme family that plays a critical role in purine biosynthesis. By crystallizing QueE in complex with its catalyst and substrates, they discovered that QueE contains a modified core fold unlike any other family member. A close look at the active site before and after substrate binding revealed even more secrets -- Read More.



These crystal structures were obtained using a codon-optimized QueE gene that was synthesized by GenScript.
GenScript has the expertise to rapidly synthesize codon-optimized gene constructs for the efficient expression of proteins you need for crystallography.

Don't let molecular biology slow down your structural studies!

Bioactive milk peptides have potential in the treatment of a number of ailments including cancer and diabetes. In a recent publication, orally administered milk-derived peptides were shown to survive the gastrointestinal tract and exhibit anti-hypertension effects similar to a well-known anti-hypertension drug, captrophil.


Peptides derived from milk can serve as angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). ACE normally hydrolyzes the vasoconstrictor, angiotensin I, to angiotensin II, and hydrolyzes the vasodilator, bradykinin, to an inactive peptide that upregulates blood pressure. In the study, a lactose fermenting yeast, Kluyvermyces marxianus, was used to release the bioactive peptides from bovine lactoferrin (a component of whey milk).

A total of 6 milk peptides with antihypertensive effects were identified. These peptides were custom synthesized by GenScript and orally administered to mice models. The antihypertensive effect of select bioactive milk peptides were found to be as effective as captrophil.

For over a decade, the development of potent protease inhibitors, like the breakthrough drug Bortezomib, have been an important therapuetic strategy of cancer drug development. Now researchers are extending the use of protease inhibitors for the treatment of the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis.<br >
<br>
<a href="http://www.genscript.com/reference_peer-reviewed_literature_9407.html?src=backlink"> Read the publication </a> <br>
<br>


In a study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, scientists used an inhibitor called ONX 0914 to selectively inhibit a special kind of proteasome, called an immunoproteasome. Immunoproteasome synthesis is induced by cellular stimulation with IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor, which causes subunits of conventional proteasomes to have altered structure.<br><br>
The unique structure of the immunoproteasome allows for unique processsing of MHC I peptides which result in stimulation of T cell differentiation and progression of autoimmune diseases.

hey....i am a S.Y.B.Sc.Biotechnology student from Mumbai, India...i want to persue my career in Genetic Engineering...i need help in how to go about it???...which colleges are best??...how to apply abroad???...wat are the Job/Career oportunities??...as well as are there any Summer internship programs???...is any additional course required to support my career??...plzzzz reply ASAP

We are offerring Post-Doc Fellowship in Food Biotechnology with research on Development & Characterization of Food Flavors. The candidates could be PhDs in Food Science & Technology, Biotechnology & related disciplines. The candidates who have recently completed their PhD and possess sound knowledge on Chromatographic techniques (HPLC, GC, MS) would be preferable.

Pl submit your curriculum alongwith references, publications list etc direct to my email:

narendra.narain@gmail.com

Contact: Prof. Dr. Narendra Narain

A discovery of viruses harbouring antibiotic-resistance genes in fossilised faecal samples dating from the 14th century could have implications not only for microbiologists but also for archaeologists, historians and anthropologists. The discovery was made by French researchers who studied samples from latrines from the period uncovered during an urban renewal project in the city of Namur in Belgium. The study is published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

The viruses found in the coprolites (fossilised faecal samples) are phages, i.e. viruses that infect bacteria rather than eukaryotes. These phages were examined by a mixture of “electron microscopy, high-throughput sequencing and suicide PCR approaches” according to corresponding author Christelle Desnues of Aix Marseille Université. The presence of the phages in the coprolites indicates that they would also have been present in the gastrointestinal tract. Many of the phage sequences identified were related to phages known in modern times to infect bacteria commonly identified in stools, including both harmless, helpful and pathogenic bacteria.

The findings revealed that the phages carried genes for antibiotic resistance, long before antibiotics were used therapeutically. The phages also carried toxin-resistance genes. Both antibiotics and toxins are commonly found in nature. The authors believe that these resistance genes would have protected gut bacteria. In this regard, they would have been essential in maintaining gut metabolism and health as the helpful bacteria inhabiting the gut and other body areas are important in human health. The results are consistent with other studies, for example of the human oral microbiome in skeletons of 1000 years old in which antibiotic-resistance genes were also found.

The phages in the coprolites differed taxonomically those within modern human faecal samples. However, Dr Desnues says that functionally their role has conserved. This adds weight to the hypothesis that the viral community in the human gastrointestinal tract play a fundamental role which has been conserved over centuries, despite dramatic changes in human diet and living conditions. The researchers are currently expanding their studies to fungi and parasites in the coprolites.

Sources:

Press release from American Society for Microbiology; available at http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2...022714.php [Accessed 28 February 2014].

APPELT, S., FANCELLO, L., LE BAILLY, M., RAOULT, D., DRANCOURT, M. and DESNUES, C., 2014. Viruses in a 14th-century coprolite. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. published ahead of print 7 February 2014 doi:10.1128/AEM.03242-13

WARINNER, C., RODRIGUES, J.F.M., VYAS, C., TRACHSEL, R., SHVED, N., GROSSMANN, J., RADINI, A., HANCOCK, Y., TITO, R.Y., FIDDYMENT, S., SPELLER, M., HENDY, J., CHARLTON, S., LUDER, H.U., SALAZAR-GARCÍA, D.C., EPPLER, E., SEILER, R., HANSEN, L.H., SAMANIEGO CASTRUITA, J.A., BARKOW-OESTERREICHER, S., TEOH, K.Y., KELSTRUP, C.D., OLSEN, J.V., NANNI, P., KAWAI, T., WILLERSLEV, E., VON MERING, C., LEWIS JR, C.M., COLLINS, M.J., GILBERT, M.T.P., RÜHLI, F. and CAPPELLINI, E., 2014. Pathogens and host immunity in the ancient human oral cavity. Nature Genetics 2014; doi:10.1038/ng.2906 (Advance online publication).

GenScript, the world’s largest provider of synthetic genes, has launched a new GenPlus™ Next-Generation Gene Synthesis service, which offers unmatched capacity and cost-efficiency for custom gene synthesis.
Building upon over a decade of experience as the leading gene synthesis supplier in the US, GenScript has developed a new breakthrough technology: GenPlus™ Next-Generation Gene Synthesis. GenPlusTM combines the powers of parallel synthesis and automation to achieve a production capacity of over 100 million base-pairs per month, while maintaining GenScript’s commitment to providing 100% sequence fidelity and research-ready deliverables.
“We are very excited to launch this new platform of next generation gene synthesis. It catapults the global capacity of gene synthesis into a new level that has never before been reached,” said Frank Zhang, Ph.D., the CEO of GenScript. “We invite the world’s life science and biomedical research community to partner with us to explore the new research opportunities that are opened up with this unprecedented gene synthesis capacity.”
GenPlus™ offers an efficient high-capacity process that brings down the cost for research projects which require high-volume synthesis of hundreds or thousands of unique DNA sequences. As such, GenPlus™ expands researchers’ access to powerful research strategies. Large gene variant libraries enable efforts to engineer enzymes, metabolic circuits, genomes, and entirely new organisms. Rational design or random mutagenesis of DNA sequences can be used to systematically probe structure-function relationships and gene regulatory mechanisms. As a breakthrough in gene synthesis technology, GenPlusTM promises to spur innovation in disease therapeutics, agricultural technology, and energy, and to deepen our understanding the fundamental principles of biological systems.

About GenScript
Founded in 2002, GenScript is a leading biology CRO specializing in customized biology research services including gene and peptide synthesis, protein expression, antibody generation and drug discovery/development. GenScript is headquartered in Piscataway, NJ, with subsidiaries in Europe, Japan, and China all dedicated to providing biology research services to 86 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.genscript.com.

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GenScript Launches GenPlus™ Next-Generation