Distillery: Techniques

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay for early detection of prostate cancer recurrence

Published online Oct. 29 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1580

An assay for the immunological detection of PSA could help predict the recurrence of prostate cancer earlier than existing methods.

Summary - Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay for early detection of prostate cancer recurrence | PDF (108 KB) - Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay for early detection of prostate cancer recurrence

Tools

Biosynthetic snapshot

by Michael J. Haas, Senior Writer

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1525

European researchers have developed a microarray technology that, without requiring any up-front genomic information, can aid in the identification and exploration of biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms that produce therapeutically active compounds.

Full text - Biosynthetic snapshot | PDF (162 KB) - Biosynthetic snapshot

Distillery: Techniques

General biosensor for use with various fluid clinical samples

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1542

A biosensor that uses a protein capture and detection technique similar to what is used in a standard ELISA could help detect proteins in blood sera, saliva, urine and buffer.

Summary - General biosensor for use with various fluid clinical samples | PDF (113 KB) - General biosensor for use with various fluid clinical samples

Distillery: Techniques

Droplet-scale, digital microfluidic assay for estrogen

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1543

An automated, digital microfluidic assay to determine estrogen concentrations in 1 μl samples of patient specimens could be useful for frequent testing of estrogen levels in indications such as cancer and infertility.

Summary - Droplet-scale, digital microfluidic assay for estrogen | PDF (113 KB) - Droplet-scale, digital microfluidic assay for estrogen

Distillery: Techniques

Microarray-based identification of metabolic enzymes and their functions

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1544

A microarray-based technology could help identify metabolic enzymes in microorganisms that produce therapeutically active compounds.

Summary - Microarray-based identification of metabolic enzymes and their functions | PDF (114 KB) - Microarray-based identification of metabolic enzymes and their functions

Distillery: Techniques

Multiplexed electronic chip system for hybridization-based microRNA profiling

Published online Oct. 22 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1545

A multiplexed electronic chip system for hybridization-based miRNA profiling could help analyze patient samples at higher speeds and sensitivity and could use smaller sample volumes than some other methods.

Summary - Multiplexed electronic chip system for hybridization-based microRNA profiling | PDF (112 KB) - Multiplexed electronic chip system for hybridization-based microRNA profiling

Cover Story

RNA direct FREE

by Gaspar Taroncher-Oldenburg, Executive Editor

Published online Oct. 8 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1459

Researchers at Helicos BioSciences have developed a protocol for directly sequencing RNA. The company plans to commercialize the approach as a research tool on its HeliScope platform, but direct RNA sequencing for diagnostic and clinical purposes is still far in the future.

Full text - RNA direct | PDF (152 KB) - RNA direct

Distillery: Techniques

Direct RNA sequencing

Published online Oct. 1 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1452

Direct sequencing of small amounts of short RNAs could be useful for single-cell gene expression analysis and RNA-based diagnostics.

Summary - Direct RNA sequencing | PDF (111 KB) - Direct RNA sequencing

Distillery: Techniques

Proteome-based identification of natural products and their biosynthetic pathways

Published online Oct. 1 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1453

A proteome-based method to identify polyketides and their corresponding biosynthetic genes could speed the discovery of new compounds with therapeutic potential.

Summary - Proteome-based identification of natural products and their biosynthetic pathways | PDF (110 KB) - Proteome-based identification of natural products and their biosynthetic pathways