This week was a bit stalled in life science research. But still many interesting things happened other than hot steaming over Chinese embryonic stem cell manipulation controversy. Resetting molecular clock and silencing a whole chromosome through small RNA molecules are main pick from research this time. One more genome is added to "decoded genomes" list. Finally, bird flu hits again and this time in Iowa state, USA.
27-April-2015 to 03-May-2015
Pollinating Bumblebee Genome Sequenced
With spring around the corner, the friendly bumblebee caught the attention of scientists who sequenced and published genomes of two bumblebee species. These fascinating findings will create a vested interest in identifying essential biological factors of their unique behavior in the ecosystem. Find source
Bird flu hits again
Bird flu hits again and this time in Iowa state, USA. This is a huge blow to poultry industry and food security as Minnesota and Wisconsin have already announced state of emergency in April. This will take 21m chickens and turkeys out of the food system. Find source
Santiago Ramón y Cajal
From barber to Noble Laureate, Santiago Ramón y Cajal was an eminent scientist of the 19th century recognized for his work on the fine structure of vertebrate nervous system especially the brain and spinal cord. Find source
Mechanism to Reset the Body’s Molecular Clock
Researchers have described a unique mechanism of phosphorylation that affects the functioning of our circadian clock in the presence of light. Their study can find a solution of treating cognitive, behavioral and metabolic disorders caused by the disturbance in the body’s molecular clock. Find source
How IncRNA “Turns Off” an Entire Chromosome?
Also known as Long non coding or Link RNA, the IncRNA mechanism of regulating gene silencing of extra X chromosome in female embryos have been discovered. But what’s more fascinating is that they can be used as therapeutic agents to treat abnormalities caused by extra chromosomal elements. Find source
