Bio Saga Blog - A Chronicle of Life Sciences & Informatics

NTU Singapore International PhD Program in Computational Biology/ Bioinformatics The scientific landscape of bioinformatics/computational biology continues to change as the field is still evolving. It is anticipated that new scientific insights in computational biology and bioinformatics will impact the continued growth in biomedical science and biotechnology and will have considerable socio-economic impact. Nevertheless, the number of personnel with major specialization in bioinformatics/computational biology hired by academia and industry remains small; yet, the professional requirements remain high and include a thorough education in (i) mathematics and exact natural sciences (physics/chemistry), (ii) computer science including programming and (iii) life sciences (especially molecular level life sciences). Since bioinformatics applications in the real world occur at the cutting edge of the field, professionals in this field need to have strong own research experience. This is exa...

Protein misfolding underlies many neurodegenerative diseases, including the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion diseases). Although cells typically recognize and process misfolded proteins, prion proteins evade protective measures by forming stable, self-replicating aggregates. However, coexpression of dominant-negative prion mutants can overcome aggregate accumulation and disease progression through currently unknown pathways. Here we determine the mechanisms by which two mutants of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sup35 protein cure the [ PSI + ] prion. We show that both mutants incorporate into wild-type aggregates and alter their physical properties in different ways, diminishing either their assembly rate or their thermodynamic stability. Whereas wild-type aggregates are recalcitrant to cellular intervention, mixed aggregates are disassembled by the molecular chaperone Hsp104 . Thus, rather than simply blocking misfolding, dominant-negative prion mutants target multiple...

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing ( C-DAC ) invites online applications from skilled and experienced professionals from the interdisciplinary domain of Information & Communication Technologies for the following areas of operations:  http://www.cdac.in/html/jobs/ pune_may2011.asp Courtesy:  Dr. Jayaraman Valadi POSITIONS: All the positions are on contract for a fixed duration and against approved projects. No of posts advertised may vary as per the project requirements with consolidated pay as per C-DAC norms. AGE: Maximum age limit will vary according to the experience asked for the post. Applicants belonging to the reserved category / Govt. employees would be eligible for relaxations according to the Government of India’s norms. Last date of advertisement is May 30, 2011. (6:00 PM) HOW TO APPLY: Please apply online by clicking the appropriate link above. Applicants working in Central/State Govt/PSU or any Govt Undertaking are required to forward an onli...

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is considering how next-generation genome sequencing (NGS) will be applied in studies of neurological disorders, and is asking researchers in this area for information about how they plan to use the latest sequencing tools and genomic data in their work. To find out how researchers aim to use next-gen whole genome sequencing (WGS), and what the needs are for sequencing, data storage, analysis, and annotation services, NINDS has released a new request for information seeking feedback from the extramural research community. NINDS will use this feedback to inform and complement its efforts to assess the current and future whole genome sequencing needs of researchers studying a wide range of neurologic disease, and conducting basic research into the nervous system, the genetics of the brain, cognition, brain plasticity, neural signaling, learning, memory, motor control, and other areas.

The glycoproteins (GP) of enveloped viruses facilitate entry into the host cell by interacting with specific cellular receptors. Despite extensive study, a cellular receptor for the deadly filoviruses Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus has yet to be identified and characterized. Here, we show that T-cell Ig and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) binds to the receptor binding domain of the Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein, and ectopic TIM-1 expression in poorly permissive cells enhances EBOV infection by 10- to 30-fold. Conversely, reduction of cell-surface expression of TIM-1 by RNAi decreased infection of highly permissive Vero cells. TIM-1 expression within the human body is broader than previously appreciated, with expression on mucosal epithelia from the trachea, cornea, and conjunctiva—tissues believed to be important during in vivo transmission of filoviruses. Recognition t...

A thorough discussion about personal genomics — what it means for the average consumer, the health care system, and the research community often raises more questions than it answers. While the public discourse on genetic privacy can be traced back to the days of the Human Genome Project, only recently has a new era been ushered in thanks to the steady decrease in the cost of DNA sequencing with promises of a tailor-made approach to medical treatment and new discoveries from rich genetic data sets. Depending on whom you ask, personal genetic information should either be protected at all costs as personal property or is merely information fit to published online for the whole world to see and contains nothing more revealing about health than, say, the knowledge that someone smokes. That there is such concern over whether genetic information is more vulnerable to attack or misuse than traditional personal health care records may be an unintended consequence of the hype that touted perso...