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Epigenetic-Based PCR Test Could Detect Difficult-to-Diagnose Breast Tumor

Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (NSW, Australia) have identified new DNA markers based on epigenetics that could provide additional diagnostic information for phyllodes tumors.

Epigenetic changes are alterations in gene activity without changing the DNA sequence itself, and they can be influenced by environmental factors. A common epigenetic process is DNA methylation, where methyl groups attach to segments of DNA, altering gene expression.

American ADLM Criticizes FDA

Während die Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ihren Versuch, laborentwickelte Tests (LDTs) zu regulieren, vorantreibt, stellen die US-amerikanische Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, früher AACC) und viele andere in der Laborgemeinschaft in Frage, ob die Behörde die Befugnis hat, eine solche Aufsicht auszuüben. Die ADLM warnt außerdem davor, dass der Versuch den Zugang der Patienten zu wichtigen Labortests drastisch einschränken und einige Labore sogar lahmlegen könnte.

Die FDA hat am 3. Oktober 2023 einen Regelungsvorschlag veröffentlicht, der es der Behörde ermöglichen würde, LDTs als Medizinprodukte zu regulieren, ähnlich wie die von IVD-Unternehmen hergestellten In-vitro-Diagnostik (IVD)-Testsätze.

3.000 Jahre alte DNA zeigt gewaltige Mobilität im Römischen Reich

Die Daten zeigen etwa, wie vielfältig die Bevölkerung vieler Gebiete des Römischen Reichs waren: Mindestens 8 % der in die Studie einbezogenen Personen stammten ursprünglich nicht aus dem Gebiet Europas, Afrikas oder Asiens, in dem sie begraben wurden. Ron Pinhasi von der Universität Wien war als Co-Leiter an der Studie beteiligt, die kürzlich im renommierten Fachmagazin elife publiziert wurde. In der Studie wurden vorhandene DNA-Daten von Tausenden von Skelettfunden aus dem Römischen Reich sowie aus Mitteleuropa, Osteuropa und Zentralasien, Großbritannien und Nordeuropa sowie Nordafrika analysiert. Zusätzlich sequenzierten die Wissenschafter*innen 204 neue Genome aus 53 archäologischen Stätten in 18 Ländern. Die meisten stammten von Personen, die in der Zeit des kaiserlichen Roms und der Spätantike, vom ersten bis zum siebten Jahrhundert v. u. Z., gestorben sind. Originalpublikation:Stable population structure in Europe since the Iron Age, despite high mobility. Elife. 2024 Jan… 

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PARP1 ermöglicht DNA-Reparatur

Forschenden am Biotechnologischen Zentrum (BIOTEC) der TU Dresden fanden heraus, was die gebrochenen DNA-Enden vor dem Auseinanderfallen bewahrt. Das Team entdeckte, dass das Protein PARP1 eine Art Unterwasser-Kleber bildet, der die DNA-Enden zusammenhält und eine spezielle Reparaturzone schafft. Diese Erkenntnisse sind nicht nur für das Verständnis von DNA-Reparatur wichtig, sondern liefern auch wertvolle Hinweise für die Krebsforschung.

Holotomographische Mikroskopie visualisiert rote Blutkörperchen

Empa researchers observed living red blood cells transforming into "burr cells" when treated with high concentrations of the drug ibuprofen. Using holotomographic microscopy, they were able to measure the red blood cells in real-time as they transformed and represent them in 3D renderings. Talia Bergaglio and Peter Nirmalraj from the "Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces" laboratory in Dübendorf induced the deformation of living red blood cells by adding the drug ibuprofen. Thanks to holotomographic microscopy, they were able to track the transformation from round "donuts" to burr cells in real-time. This innovative technique works similarly to computed tomography (CT), with imaging taking place via laser technology instead of X-rays. Digital holographic microscopy is therefore particularly suitable for biological samples such as blood cells, as it enables high-resolution, non-contact, and marker-free imaging that can subsequently be reconstructed into a three-dimensional representation. Red blood cells are a perfect model system in this regard, as they… 

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Cryo-electron tomogram deciphers architecture of smallpox virus cores

To this end, ISTA researchers used the non-hazardous Vaccinia virus, available in the lab, as a smallpox virus model. They examined whole, mature Vaccinia virus virions, as well as virus cores isolated and purified from them – and this, in the truest sense of the word, from all possible angles. "We combined 'classical' single-particle cryo-EM with cryo-electron tomography, subtomogram averaging, and AlphaFold analysis to get an overall view of the smallpox virus core," say the researchers. Cryo-electron tomography allows scientists to reconstruct 3D volumes of a biological sample up to the size of an entire virus by taking images while progressively tilting the sample. Cryo-electron tomography enabled resolutions in the nanometer range to be achieved for the entire virus, its core, and its interior. Furthermore, the researchers were able to fit the AlphaFold models like a puzzle into the observed shapes and identify molecules that make up the core of the smallpox virus. Among these, the core protein candidate A10 stood out as one of the most important… 

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Direct link between health checks and mortality risk proven

Regular health check-ups are always recommended. A new study from Great Britain now proves that this is also an effective measure. The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, shows that participation in a health examination is associated with significantly lower diagnosis rates for several diseases. Better rates for a wide variety of diseases Researchers [...] Direct link between health checks and risk of death proven

Jellyfish with St. George's Cross: Researchers describe new jellyfish species

Brazilian researchers have discovered a new species of jellyfish at a remote location in Japan at a depth of 812 meters. The animal, named Santjordia pagesi, was sighted only twice in a deep underwater volcanic structure called Sumisu Caldera in the Ogasawara Islands, about 460 km south of Tokyo. The researchers have now described their discovery in the journal [...] Jellyfish with St. George's Cross: Researchers describe new jellyfish species

Rio de Janeiro declares state of emergency due to Dengue fever

Due to the Dengue fever epidemic, a state of emergency has been declared in Rio de Janeiro just a few days before the start of the world-famous Carnival. "In connection with Dengue fever, a state of emergency in public health is being declared in Rio de Janeiro," said the mayor of the Brazilian city, Eduardo Paes, in his decree, which was published in the online bulletin of the Mayor's Office. According to the city administration, the number of people infected with the disease since the beginning of the year is over ten thousand.

Great Britain leads Europe in life sciences investment

Venture capital investment in life sciences and biotechnology in the United Kingdom continues to outpace the rest of Europe, according to the latest report from the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA). In 2023, the UK accounted for 41% of total investment in the region, receiving a total of £1.8 billion in equity investment. However, the latter figure has fallen by 9% compared to 2022 statistics, according to the BIA. Nevertheless, according to Steve Bates, CEO of the association, the overall performance in recent years has been encouraging. "Although 2023 was a tough year for companies across all sectors, including the global biotech industry, the UK sector has shown remarkable resilience and investment, and stock market performance continues to outperform pre-pandemic levels," Bates commented.