Distillery: Techniques
October 29 2009, Volume 2 / Number 42
Top of pageAssays and screens
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) assay for early detection of prostate cancer recurrence
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
Computational models
Marker interaction–based algorithms to improve genotype-based disease risk assessment
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1581
Including interactions between large groups of markers could be useful for improving disease risk assessment.
Summary - Marker interaction–based algorithms to improve genotype-based disease risk assessment | PDF (106 KB) - Marker interaction–based algorithms to improve genotype-based disease risk assessment
Disease models
Mouse model of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1582
Mice expressing a mutant potassium channel Kv7. (Kcnq1) could help identify therapies to prevent SUDEP.
Summary - Mouse model of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) | PDF (110 KB) - Mouse model of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
Drug delivery
Extending the half-life of mAb therapeutics by blocking proteolytic cleavage
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1583
A study in cell culture, human tissue and mice suggests that blocking proteases could extend the half-life of mAb therapeutics.
Summary - Extending the half-life of mAb therapeutics by blocking proteolytic cleavage | PDF (109 KB) - Extending the half-life of mAb therapeutics by blocking proteolytic cleavage
Drug platforms
Chemical platform for generation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1584
A cocktail of three small molecules may provide a chemical platform for optimizing the production of human iPS cells for cell-replacement therapies.
Summary - Chemical platform for generation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells | PDF (110 KB) - Chemical platform for generation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells
Infectious agent–neutralizing, bifunctional small molecules that recruit naturally occurring dinitrophenol (DNP) antibodies
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1585
Bifunctional small molecules containing an infectious agent–targeting moiety linked to DNP could help treat infectious diseases.
Summary - Infectious agent–neutralizing, bifunctional small molecules that recruit naturally occurring dinitrophenol (DNP) antibodies | PDF (108 KB) - Infectious agent–neutralizing, bifunctional small molecules that recruit naturally occurring dinitrophenol (DNP) antibodies
Markers
Molecular markers of truly pluripotent human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1586
A set of three molecular markers for identifying human iPS cells could help optimize iPS cell applications for research and cell therapies.
Summary - Molecular markers of truly pluripotent human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells | PDF (114 KB) - Molecular markers of truly pluripotent human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells
Myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl-1) dependency as a marker for chemotherapy sensitivity
doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1587
Studies in cell culture suggest that leukemia cells that depend on Mcl-1 for survival could be more sensitive to chemotherapy than BCL2-dependent cells.
Summary - Myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl-1) dependency as a marker for chemotherapy sensitivity | PDF (110 KB) - Myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl-1) dependency as a marker for chemotherapy sensitivity
