The Rep78 protein of adeno-associated virus (AAV) contains amino acid sequence motifs common to rolling-circle replication (RCR) initiator proteins. In this report, we describe RCR initiator-like activities of Rep78. We demonstrate that a maltose-binding protein (MBP)-Rep78 fusion protein can catalyze the cleavage and ligation of single-stranded DNA substrates derived from the AAV origin of rep...

Retroviruses are enveloped RNA viruses that possess the ability to integrate into the host cell genome by transcribing DNA from their RNA template via viral reverse transcriptase. The transcribed viral DNA is then integrated into the host cell genome nonspecifically. There is relative specificity for tumors because, except for lentiviruses, retroviral DNA preferentially integrates into the geno...

Plant litter decomposition is an essential ecosystem function that contributes to carbon and nutrient cycling in streams. Aquatic shredders, mainly macroinvertebrates, can affect this process in various ways; they consume leaf litter, breaking it down into fragments and creating suitable habitats or resources for other organisms through the production of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM). ...

Thomas Edison is often credited with creating the first research laboratory. a Legend has it that when a new hire asked about the rules of the lab, Edison responded with a wisecrack: " We don't have rules. We're trying to accomplish something. " What do we try to accomplish in research? Research has an exciting objective, for in it we are trying to ask and answer the most difficult questions kn...

Given the vast scale of the modern scientific enterprise, it can be difficult for scientists to make judgments about the work of others through careful analysis of the entirety of the relevant literature. This has led to a reliance on metrics that are mathematically flawed and insufficiently diverse to account for the variety of ways in which investigators contribute to scientific progress. An ...

Although case reports have always had a place at the foundation of medical knowledge, established radiology journals have increasingly focused their efforts on major research studies. This de-emphasis of case reports has resulted in a dearth of opportunities to publish them. Case reports continue to mark the frontiers of what we know as physicians, and have long provided an attainable way for f...

P eriodically the media is fi lled with articles about scientifi c misconduct—fabricated data, misrepresented protocols, and questionable authorship. Are these incidents anomalies or indicators of inadequate attention being paid to creating a climate of integrity? We do not know. However, it is clear to us that there is much we can do to improve the climate in which we do our science. In this r...