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Agrigenomics: how can NGS contribute to global food security?
“Experience of artificial fertilisation, such as is effected with ornamental plants in order to obtain new variations in colour, has led to the experiments which will here be discussed. The striking regularity with which the same hybrid forms always reappeared whenever fertilization took place between the same species induced further experiments to be undertaken.”1Thus begins Gregor Mendel’s paper, published in 1866, one of the first documented examples of using genetics to develop and enhance varieties of plant crops. He was eventually recognised after his death and is often referred to as “the father of modern genetics”.Fast forward past the discovery of DNA and the genetic code, and we reach the exciting development of next generation sequencing (NGS) which is now a technology of choice used to develop higher yield crop varieties that can better tolerate drought and disease.
Dos & Don’ts of Plasmid Purification
Plasmid purification is a common technique in most molecular biology labs. While the standard alkaline lysis method had been well established, a surprising number of things still can go wrong. This guide lists some of the common Dos and Don’ts of plasmid purification.
QuickSwitch™, a tool for adoptive T cell transfer
Our understanding of how the immune system responds to cancer has increased by leaps and bounds in the past two decades, allowing us to develop a new approach to fight cancer that uses the power of the body’s own immune system to prevent, target, control, and eliminate the disease.
BioXCell Recombinant Antibodies: Tips and Tricks for Success
We delve into the world of BioXCell RecombiMAb™ Antibodies, offering valuable tips, tricks, and expert insights to help you harness their potential effectively. Let’s embark on a journey of discovery and excellence in antibody research together.
EVALUATING QUALITY OF INPUT RNA FOR NGS LIBRARY PREPARATION
RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) has become an increasingly popular technique for transcriptome profiling[1]. The preparation of high-quality RNA-Seq libraries is critical to the reliability of the sequencing data, in which the integrity and purity of the input RNA play a critical role. Therefore, it is a good practice to perform quality control on the input RNA before proceeding to NGS library preparation. Here, we provide some top recommendations to help preserve and verify the quality of input RNA for more robust RNA-Seq libraries.
Macrophages on the Move: Visualization of Patrolling Alveolar Macrophages
More than 10,000 liters of non-sterile air pass through our lungs each day. Although most pathogens are filtered out in the upper respiratory tract, evidence suggests that some bacteria make their way into the alveoli where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the lungs. In their recently published work, a research team led by Paul Kubes at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada developed a method for visualizing alveolar macrophages (AMs) as they clear bacteria from the lungs. Using Bio X Cell’s anti-Mouse IFNγ antibody (Clone: XMG1.2), they discovered that infection with respiratory viruses such as flu or COVID-19 paralyzes macrophages through the type II interferon signaling pathway, paving the way for potentially deadly secondary bacterial infections.