Methylation of cytosine in DNA is an epigenetic mark that is important for genome stability, transcriptional regulation of endogenous genes, and permanent silencing of transposable elements and viral sequences. Methylcytosine, sometimes referred to as the 5th base of DNA, constitutes 3%–6% of all cytosines in the human genome and occurs almost exclusively within the context of CpG dinucleotides...

Video microscopy is employed to study the melting behaviors of multilayer colloidal crystals composed of diameter-tunable microgel spheres confined between two walls. We systematically explore film thickness effects on the melting process and on the phase behaviors of single crystal and polycrystalline films. Thick films (>4 layers) are observed to melt heterogeneously, while thin films (≤4 lay...

High resolution melting profiles of four linearised plasmids (pUC9, pGV403, pHP2, and pBR322) were recorded by means of UV absorbance vs. temperature scanning. The set of transitions obtained for each plasmid are compared to each other and to the transitions obtained for their excised particular antibiotica resistance gene. It can be shown that each gene leaves a characteristic mark on the melt...

1. Algeciras-Schimnich A, Bruns DE, Boyd JC, Bryant SC, LaFortune KA, Grebe SKG. Failure of current laboratory protocols to detect lot-to-lot reagent differences: findings and possible solutions. Clin Chem 2013;59:1187–94. 2. Bais R. What information should manufacturers provide on their procedures? Clin Chem 2006; 52:1624–5. 3. Bais R, Armbruster D, Jansen RTP, Klee G, Panteghini M, Passarelli...

Experimental study of the atomic mechanism in melting and freezing processes remains a formidable challenge. We report herein on a unique material system that allows for in situ growth of bismuth nanoparticles from the precursor compound SrBi2Ta2O9 under an electron beam within a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Simultaneously, the melting and freezing processes within ...

A structural transformation induced by optical impulse excitation of only a few mJ/cm fluence affecting the nanoscale surface melt layer of gallium at a ZnSe–gallium interface leads to a fast, substantial and fully reversible change in reflectivity of up to 50%. Recovery occurs within a few ls after excitation is withdrawn and less than 1 ls at temperatures more than 4 K below gallium s melting...

Identifying mutations in the TP53 gene is important for cancer prognosis, predicting response to therapy, and determining genetic risk. We have developed a high-throughput scanning assay with automatic calling to detect TP53 mutations in DNA from fresh frozen (FF) and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. The coding region of the TP53 gene (exons 2-11) was PCR-amplified from breast c...