How chromosome ends are replicated?

DNA replication is carried out by DNA polymerase. During the replication, one DNA strand synthesized as leading strand and the other as lagging strand. The leading strand synthesis is continuous, whereas lagging strand synthesis is discontinuous. DNA replication at the DNA ends i.e. telomeres is an altogether different story. If a primer forms at the [...]

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All human homeobox genes: A classification

Homeobox genes are a diverse set of genes controlling the embryonic development of animals. These genes are characterized by having a 180-nucleotide DNA sequence, the homeobox, which encodes a 60-amino acid protein domain, the homeodomain, of the homeodomain protein. Most of the homeodomain proteins function as transcription factors and participate in the developmental biology of [...]

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Two-passenger stackable electric City Car by MIT

The “last mile” problem could be a real annoyance to many a commuter. To overcome this MIT has come up with this innovative and green solution. Known as the City Car, it is an electric vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries. Some of the salient features of the vehicle are:
1) Electric-powered
2) A sharing service. It will [...]

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siRNA for inhibiting HIV-I replication

RNAi is fast emerging as a wonderful tool for inhibiting gene expression in a sequence specific manner. The applications of this technology are two-fold: to study gene function, and use as a therapeutic agent in treating many diseases. As a therapeutic agent it finds applications in antiviral treatments because RNAi has been shown to successfully [...]

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In silico photosynthesis

In a paper published in the journal Plant Physiology, scientists have demonstrated the creation of computer model of photosynthesis. A photosynthesis model developed by Farquhar et al., 1980, holds great significance in photosynthesis research (Farquhar GD, von Caemmerer S, Berry JA (1980) A biochemical model of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in leaves of C3 species. Planta [...]

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Genome sequences of 12 fruit fly genomes: A comparison

Drosophila melanogaster, the fly extensively studied by TH Morgan, and a powerful model organism highly suited for the study of animal biology and evolution, is known from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific Islands. The different fly species range from cosmopolitan (D. melanogaster and D. simulans) to the ones inhabiting a single island only [...]

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Solar Powered Plane

The prototype for a solar-powered aircraft has been unveiled by two Swiss adventurers and they hope it would fly around the globe in 2011. The project has been aptly christened Solar Impulse. The solar cells have been integrated into the wings, which will collect sunlight and it will be converted into energy. This energy will [...]

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RNAi for pest control: Will it replace the Bt gene?

Transgenic plants expressing Bt gene have been widely used for pest control for the past several years. However, due to certain limitations associated with using this technology scientists have been looking for alternatives, and they found one in RNAi. The researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, and at Monsanto and Devgen, a Belgian [...]

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Pig feces to power the kitchen of Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica

If you are planning Costa Rica to be your next tourist destination during your holidays, then make sure you visit this resort. The Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica is an environmentally friendly resort that utilizes, supports and accomplishes many green causes like green construction, local wildlife protection, solar power for generating electricity, [...]

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GFP discovered in Amphioxus

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a naturally occurring fluorescent protein found in jellyfish, Aequorea victoria, and corals mostly. The protein by virtue of its green fluorescence confers the characteristic bioluminescence property upon these organisms. The protein consists of 238 amino acids, and the side chains of critically placed serine, tyrosine and glycine react with one [...]

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