Plasmid News and Research

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Engineering a phage's DNA by introducing modified CRISPR-Cas machinery genes

Bacteriophages (or phages) are viruses that infect bacteria. They are the most abundant biological entity, and they can be found wherever bacteria live. To propagate themselves, phages inject their DNA into their bacterial hosts.

13 Feb 2023

New hexameric structure of the protein triggering antibiotic resistance discovered

All living organisms require DNA replication to ensure the genetic integrity of the following generation. On the other hand, bacteria have the ability to horizontally transfer genetic information to other bacteria.

6 Feb 2023

Researchers create genetic 'devices' to perform computations like artificial neural circuits

Bringing together concepts from electrical engineering and bioengineering tools, Technion and MIT scientists collaborated to produce cells engineered to compute sophisticated functions – "biocomputers" of sorts.

15 Nov 2022

Using in vivo self-assembled siRNA as part of combination therapy for ulcerative colitis

There is still a large unmet medical need for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, despite recent improvements in the understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of ulcerative colitis.

30 Sep 2022

Research shows the molecular pathways for trichrome formation and cannabis production

Many compounds known as cannabinoids are found in cannabis, a plant that is receiving more and more attention for its extensive medical potential.

27 Jun 2022

Researchers discover a way for detecting resistance-encoding genes in bacteria

Chalmers University of Technology researchers have devised a method for detecting certain bacterial genes that encode resistance using conventional microscopes, which are already used to diagnose TB in low-income countries.

27 Jun 2022

New software device makes genetic information analysis simpler

Researchers from Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Tulane University have created a new software device that makes analyzing genetic data about a host and its microbiome at the very same time simpler, quicker, and less expensive.

10 May 2022

Stem cell-mediated gene therapy technique helps to boost bone regeneration

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have gained a lot of attention due to their “cell-free” treatments.

20 Apr 2022

Microcolonies in the GI tract comprise an important niche for cell-cell signaling and plasmid transfer

Published in Nature Communications, research from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic sought to understand how microbial communities help people resist pathogens.

11 Apr 2022

New method helps distinguish bacterial DNA from human and other non-bacterial cells

For decades, a small group of cutting-edge medical researchers have been studying a biochemical, DNA tagging system, which switches genes on or off. Many have studied it in bacteria and now some have seen signs of it in, plants, flies, and even human brain tumors.

4 Feb 2022

Study findings greatly expand the ability to engineer long-range genome edits

Researchers discovered the potential of CRISPR, a tool used by bacteria to defend themselves against viral intruders, nearly a decade ago.

24 Jan 2022

Scientists discover “resistance gene” in harmful E. coli bacteria

Researchers have discovered a gene that makes E. coli bacteria resistant to antibiotics, effectively leading to better treatment for people across the globe.

20 Jan 2022

Novel delivery system for genome editing in vascular endothelial cells developed

The laboratory of Youyang Zhao developed a novel nanoparticle to deliver genome editing technology, such as CRISPR/Cas9, to endothelial cells, which line blood vessel walls.

7 Jan 2022

New drug-based genetic platform offers a simpler, more efficient way to study gene function

Studying the role genes play on basic biology and disease is now easier, faster and more efficient, say researchers at Baylor College of Medicine.

15 Sep 2021

Drug-resistant Salmonella serovar Enteritidis genome sequenced by experts

Scientists sequenced the genome of a virulent Salmonella Enteritidis strain and discovered that it was both antibiotic-resistant and could affect people.

7 Sep 2021

New transferrable and integrative type I CRISPR-based platform to efficiently edit superbugs

A research team led by Dr Aixin YAN, Associate Professor from the Research Division for Molecular & Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, in collaboration with Honorary Clinical Professor Patrick CY WOO from the Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, reported the development of a transferrable and integrative type I CRISPR-based platform.

23 Jul 2021

First real-time observation of DNA-histone interactions

The genetic material of most organisms is carried by DNA, a complex organic molecule. DNA is very long -- for humans, the molecule is estimated to be about 2 m in length.

2 Jun 2021

“Topologically tunable” DNA-based material has potential applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration

DNA is usually idealized as the “molecule of life,” but it is also a highly advanced polymer that can be used for cutting-edge materials. Apart from storing information, other interesting aspects of DNA are its topological and geometrical properties, like super-coiling and knotting.

31 May 2021

New gene editing tool helps analyze the mysterious quirk of bacteria

While the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system has become the poster child for innovation in synthetic biology, it has some major limitations.

3 May 2021

Bioinformatics approach accurately tracks the origin of synthetic genetic code

Monitoring the origin of the synthetic genetic code has not been easy, but it can be performed via bioinformatics or deep-learning computational techniques.

1 Mar 2021