The team behind the discovery found that DNA sequences of the gene 'matK' differ among plant species, but are nearly identical in plants of the same species. This means that the matK gene can provide scientists with an easy way of distinguishing between different plants, even closely related species that may look the same to the human eye.The researchers made this discovery by analyzing the DNA from different plant species. They found that when one plant species was closely related to another, differences were usually detected in the matK DNA.DNA 'Barcode' Identified For Plants
Monday, February 11, 2008
DNA 'Barcode' For Plants
A 'bar code' gene that can be used to distinguish between the majority of plant species on Earth has been identified. This gene, which can be used to identify plants using a small sample, could lead to new ways of easily cataloging different types of plants in species-rich areas like rain forests. It could also lead to accurate methods for identifying plant ingredients in powdered substances, such as in traditional Chinese medicines, and could help to monitor and prevent the illegal transportation of endangered plant species.
Hair Test For Breast Cancer
A NEW detection test for breast cancer using patients' hair could help save the lives of thousands of young women. Mammograms are commonly used for women aged 50-plus to detect changes to the breast that signal possible tumors.
Women under 40 have much denser breast tissue than older women, so it is more difficult for mammograms to pick up the changes in younger breasts that indicate cancer. But mammograms could be a thing of the past with the development of a cancer-detecting hair test by Australian company Fermiscan Holdings Ltd.
Women under 40 have much denser breast tissue than older women, so it is more difficult for mammograms to pick up the changes in younger breasts that indicate cancer. But mammograms could be a thing of the past with the development of a cancer-detecting hair test by Australian company Fermiscan Holdings Ltd.
The test bombards strands of hair with X-rays from a synchrotron particle accelerator. In hair from healthy people, the pattern produced by the X-rays is a series of arcs, while in people with breast cancer a distinctive ring is superimposed on top of the arcs.Hair test cuts breast cancer errors - health - 07 February 2008 - New Scientist
Journal Call - Microbial Biotechnology
Published jointly with the Society for Applied MicrobiologyBlackwell Synergy - Microbial Biotechnology
A new journal for 2008!
All articles in Microbial Biotechnology will be free to download in 2008
Show your scientific and scholarly support for Microbial Biotechnology
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Events : NIH Biotechnology Seminar Series
Speaker: Leo Linbeck IIIEvents Calendar
CEO, Aquinas Corp., AlphaDev LLC, An Aquinas Corporation Business IBB
NIH Biotechnology Seminar Series (co-sponsored with Rice Jones School Biotechnology and Health Care Club)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Contact
Anderson Family Commons Jones School
Rice University
6100 Main StHouston,
Texas, USA
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