Issue 5 2008

Computational prediction of microRNA and targets

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (~21nucleotides), evolutionarily conserved, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression1. In mammalian genomes, conservative predictions suggest that between 500-1500 miRNAs exist. There miRNAs appear to be capable of regulating the expression of multiple genes, with many genes appearing to be regulated by multiple, different, miRNAs2. Less conservative estimates suggest their may be tens of thousands of miRNAs3 in mammalian genomes, that between 20-30% of all human genes may be subject to regulation by miRNAs, and that each miRNA may contribute to the regulation of 200 or more mRNA targets4. Therefore it is easy to see why miRNA and their potential targets have received a lot of interest in recent times, as they offer a previously unknown mechanism of fundamental molecular biology that can subtly attenuate mRNA / protein expression.

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Tagged with: GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, microRNA, Russell Grocock

There is more to qPCR than the PCR reaction

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

The polymerase chain reaction is arguably the most significant technical discovery yet to have been made in the field of molecular biology and genetics, if not all life science. It cannot be overstated how much of an impact this technique has had, resulting in molecular biology becoming an integral part of most biological and medical research fields. PCR is both highly versatile and extremely sensitive, yet with basic training and adherence to key precautions against contamination, it is comparatively simple to perform. However, when conducting PCR, there are a number of additional considerations that are frequently overlooked when investigating the presence or amount of nucleic acid within a sample.

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Tagged with: Jim Huggett, PCR, qPCR, University College London

A unique theme conference and exhibition in the MicroRNomics

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

On 3-4 November GeneExpression Systems, Inc., USA and the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom jointly present the Third International MicroRNA Europe 2008 Meeting on MicroRNAs: Biology to Development and Disease. 30 speakers will present the latest developments in the microRNA field. 20 poster presentations and 20 exhibit booths will also make up this uniquely themed conference and exhibition.

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Tagged with: microRNA, Show Preview

Quest for a new generation of biomarkers using quantitative proteomics

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

Advances in proteomics have constantly altered our understanding of cell biology and biochemistry by providing new approaches and techniques to identify complex proteomes, protein-protein interactions and post-translational modifications. Additionally, proteomic approaches are believed to have enormous potential for discovery of disease biomarkers that can provide diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets and address important problems in clinical and translational research. Unfortunately, to date the development of new assays based on biomarkers discovered by proteomics has been unsuccessful mostly due to low sensitivity and specificity of various candidate biomarkers.

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Tagged with: Biomarkers, Hana Kovarova, Proteomics, Suresh Gadher

Biomarkers Roundtable

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

European Pharmaceutical Review invited three individuals to discuss current ideas and issues surrounding biomarkers and their possibilities. (more…)

Tagged with: Amgen, Biomarkers, Bioporto, Huntingdon Life Sciences, Mark Wing, Otto Uttenthal, Scott Patterson

Applying automation in early drug discovery: lessons learnt and future perspectives

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

An issue that the drug discovery industry has faced over the past several years has been that whilst the number of targets in their portfolios has increased and the level of investment across all Research & Development functions has risen, the likelihood of discovering suitable chemical starting points for medicinal chemistry efforts has remained static1.

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Tagged with: Drug discovery, European ScreeningPort, Philip Gribbon, Sheraz Gul

Europe’s premier event for Drug Discovery

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

This year’s Leading European Event for Drug Discovery – MipTec 2008 – moves from spring to autumn and will be held on the 14-16 October 2008 at the Congress Centre Basel, Switzerland.

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Tagged with: Drug discovery, MipTec, Show Preview

Addressing kinetic applications in High Content Screening

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

Traditional drug discovery screening assays tend to employ simplistic endpoint assays that often monitor the activity of a single target. While these approaches are amenable to high-throughput screening they provide limited information on how candidate drugs influence complex biological systems that exist in vivo. Such limitations are a contributing factor to high attrition rates of drugs as a consequence of poor efficacy in clinical trials.

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Tagged with: AstraZeneca, Edward Ainscow, HCS (High Content Screening), Neil Carragher

Human Embryonic Stem Cells: Progress in culture and maintenance

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

The pharmaceutical industry is at a crossroads: Research and Development costs continue to rise, whilst the pipeline of ‘blockbuster’ drugs is looking decidedly sparse for many of the major pharmaceutical companies. This state of affairs is compounded by the high attrition rates (>80%) of drug candidates, when they get to clinical trials. Thus, the major pharmaceutical companies are keen to apply new technologies that allow faster decision making (proceed with development of a drug candidate, or stop at an earlier point) and ultimately increase the number of new medicines that reach the marketplace.

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Tagged with: Fergus R. McKenzie, ITI Life Sciences, Stem Cells

Europe’s leading biotech industry event

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

7-9 October 2008 · Exhibition Grounds, 30521 Hannover, Germany

BIOTECHNICA in Hannover is the leading event within the European biotech industry. It embraces every segment of biotechnology – from basic biotechnology and equipment, bio-informatics and services to the five major areas of application:

• Pharmaceuticals/medicine
• Industry
• Food
• Agriculture
• Chemical industry and the environment.

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Tagged with: Show Preview

Recent development in Rapid Microbiology Methods

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

Microbiology is the scientific study of micro-organisms and includes many sub disciplines like bacteriology, virology, mycology, and parasitology: all characterized by the study of organisms too small to be seen by the naked eye. This defining aspect has determined the focus of microbial research over the last century: the need to selectively concentrate or amplify micro-organisms or their components to detect their presence. Earlier efforts into microbial detection involved microscopy, where light was transmitted through or reflected from the sample through lenses to magnify the view of the sample and determine the presence of micro-organisms. The limitations of light microscopy at the time prevented the study of living micro-organisms and it wasn’t until Pasteur (1822-1895) developed techniques to disprove the theory of spontaneous generation, and Robert Koch (1843-1910) developed his ‘postulates’ proving that diseases were caused by specific bacteria, was the era of microbial culture born.

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Tagged with: Acolyte Biomedica Ltd, Microbiology, Steve O’Hara

Pharmig 16th Annual Conference: Latest Updates and Hot Topics in Microbiology

Issue 5 2008 / 29 September 2008 /

On 26 – 27 November the Pharmig 16th Annual Conference will take place at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Nottingham. Building upon the success of previous years, this years conference will include keynote presentations, exhibition, open discussion sessions as well as social and networking opportunities for delegates.

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Tagged with: Microbiology, Pharmig, Show Preview