A protein known as ALKBH7 plays a key role in controlling the programmed necrosis pathway. To determine the location of ALKBH7 in cells, MIT researchers engineered these cells to express ALKBH7. The cells appear yellow where ALKBH7 is present in the mitochondria. Credit: Jennifer Jordan and Dragony Fu

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Contrary to the traditional view that bacterial populations are clonal, single-cell analysis reveals that phenotypic heterogeneity is common in bacteria. Formation of distinct bacterial lineages appears to be frequent during adaptation to harsh environments, including the colonization of animals by bacterial pathogens. Formation of bacterial subpopulations is often controlled by epigenetic mechanisms that generate inheritable phenotypic diversity without altering the DNA sequence. Such mechanisms are diverse, ranging from relatively simple feedback loops to complex self-perpetuating DNA methylation patterns.

Dipeptidyl peptidases (DP) 8 and 9 are homologous, cytoplasmic N-terminal post-proline-cleaving enzymes that are anti-targets for the development of DP4 (DPPIV/CD26) inhibitors for treating type II diabetes. To date, DP8 and DP9 have been implicated in immune responses and cancer biology, but their pathophysiological functions and substrate repertoire remain unknown. This study utilizes terminal amine isotopic labeling of substrates (TAILS), an N-terminal positional proteomic approach, for the discovery of in vivo DP8 and DP9 substrates. In vivo roles for DP8 and DP9 in cellular metabolism and homeostasis were revealed via the identification of more than 29 candidate natural substrates and pathways affected by DP8/DP9 overexpression. Cleavage of 14 substrates was investigated in vitro; 9/14 substrates for both DP8 and DP9 were confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS, including two of high confidence, calreticulin and adenylate kinase 2. Adenylate kinase 2 plays key roles in cellular energy and nucleotide homeostasis. These results demonstrate remarkable in vivo substrate overlap between DP8/DP9, suggesting compensatory roles for these enzymes. This work provides the first global investigation into DP8 and DP9 substrates, providing a number of leads for future investigations into the biological roles and significance of DP8 and DP9 in human health and disease.

Presenting two seminars and seven poster sessions, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences will have a prominent role when CYTO 2013 convenes at the San Diego Convention Center May 18-22, 2013.

A scientist has discovered an ancient extinct creature with 'scissor hand-like' claws in fossil records and has named it in honour of his favourite movie star.

DNA-tethered nanorods link up like rungs on a ribbonlike ladder—a new mechanism for linear self-assembly that may be unique to the nanoscale. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered that DNA "linker" strands coax nano-sized rods to line up in way unlike any other spontaneous arrangement of rod-shaped objects. The arrangement-with the rods forming "rungs" on ladder-like ribbons linked by multiple DNA strands-results from the collective interactions of the flexible DNA tethers and may be unique to the nanoscale. The research, described in a paper published online in ACS Nano, a journal of the American Chemical Society, could result in the fabrication of new nanostructured materials with desired properties.

This is a colony of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) (upper portion) generated by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Credit: Cell, Tachibana et al.

For the first time, researchers have successfully produced human embryonic stem cells using a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). This process involves removing the nucleus from an egg cell and replacing it with the nucleus of another cell. In the study, human skin cell nuclei were transplanted into unfertilized enucleated (removed genetic material) egg cells. These cells went on to develop and produce embryonic stem cells. The stem cells had no chromosomal abnormalities and normal gene function.

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Global Vision, the industry leader in the development of automated proofreading solutions, recently announced the launch of QCanywhere, the industry’s first SaaS tool for quality control. QCanywhere addresses the need for company-wide access to quality control solutions to help protect brand integrity.

ILC Dover, the designer and manufacturer of NASA’s space suits and a wide range of engineered film and fabric products, announced recently it has received certification for its ISO Class 7 Clean Room.

Global Vision, the industry leader in the development of automated proofreading solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Kerins to its Sales team as Sales Consultant for Ireland.

As the value of processes increase with each step downstream, so too, does the importance of sterility and leak detection. inSITE from ASI applies the confidence of a final integrity test prior to use; at the point of use. The test eliminates the concern for gross and fine leaks that could occur from handling and loading procedures.

Patheon personnel will be available to meet at the CPhI/ICSE Japan conference in Tokyo from April 24-26, 2013 to discuss how Patheon can actively support pharmaceutical and biotech companies achieve their key development and manufacturing goals

Global Vision, the industry leader in the development of automated proofreading solutions, recently announced that it has been selected by Pfizer for worldwide deployment as its proofreading technology solution provider.

Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people, according to new research led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC.By Alison Trinidad

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) announced today Phase III clinical trial results from enzastaurin's PRELUDE study, which explored the molecule as a monotherapy in the prevention of relapse in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Priority Review to the New Drug Application (NDA) for simeprevir (TMC435), an investigational NS3/4A protease inhibitor administered as a 150 mg capsule once daily with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C in adult patients with compensated liver disease.

NanoPass Technologies Ltd. ("NanoPass"), a pioneer in intradermal (into-the-skin or ID) vaccine delivery solutions, is collaborating with the US Center of Disease Control and prevention (CDC) in conducting a large phase 3 trial of polio vaccine in infants inSouth East Asia.

Mammalian and microbial biologics manufacturer Cytovance Biologics announced it is expanding its microbial manufacturing capabilities. Cytovance currently has a 100L fermenter, but recently acquired a second 100L and a 1000L fermenter. To support this larger scale, the company will require additional processing and downstream equipment upgrades. A facility expansion necessary to house these new systems is currently in the planning stages.

Apotex Corp. announced recently that it is conducting, on behalf of the manufacturer Hospira, Inc., a voluntary nationwide recall of 21 lots of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP 40.5 grams, NDC number 60505-0773-00 to the hospital / healthcare provider /user level.

The Compounding Shop, LLC is conducting a voluntary recall of all lots of sterile products compounded by the pharmacy that are not expired.

BioTek Instruments, Inc., continues their expansion in the Asia Pacific region with the opening of BioTek Taiwan, located in the Neihu District of Taipei. Mr. Jack Lu (Lu Wen-Chung), previously with Tseng Hsiang Life Science, was named General Manager of BioTek Taiwan at its inception in mid-April.

PBS Biotech has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with SCRUM to market and sell its Single-Use Bioreactor technology in Japan.

05/15/13Bioresearch Online Newsletter