After section of the corticospinal (CS) tract in adult rats, neutralizing Nogo-A with monoclonal antibodies leads to enhancement of axonal re-growth and compensatory sprouting, accompanied by increased motor recovery. The neutralization of Nogo-A represents a promising approach for therapy after lesion if its enhancement of functional recovery can be transposed to primates. - [Read Anti-Nogo-A Treatment Protocol]
This bioassay utilizes cultured Hepa-lclc7 (Hepa-1) mouse hepatoma cells to assess the CYPlA1-inducing potency or cytotoxicity of pure test chemicals or environmental samples. In the Hepa-l induction test , the CYPlA1-inducing potency of the test sample is detected as increased aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities. - [Read CYP1A1-Inducing Potency and Cytotoxicity Test in the HEPA-1 Mouse Hepatoma Cell Line]
Mice fed with the cytohesin inhibitor SecinH3 for two days develop hepatic insulin resistance that can be identified by reduced liver glycogen levels, increased serum insulin and ketone body levels and decreased serum non-esterified fatty acid. To confirm the presence and identity of SecinH3 in mouse liver, we extracted the compound from liver homogenates with chloroform and identified it by LC/MS. - [Read Extraction of the SecinH3 from Mouse Liver Protocol]
Forward genetics is used to identify genes that are involved in particular biological processes. For example, genes required for disease resistance can be found by identifying mutants with reduced or increased disease resistance, genes that control flower development can be identified by searching for mutants with altered flower morphology, and genes encoding enzymes for tryptophan biosynthesis can be identified by searching for mutants that require exogenous tryptophan for growth. - [Read Forward Genetics in Arabidopsis: Finding Mutations that Cause Particular Phenotypes Protocol]
In recent years, the increased sensitivity of electron detectors and the availability of low-vacuum or variable-pressure systems have allowed imaging of fresh tissue samples without the need for fixation, drying, and coating. This obviously saves a lot of time, although the image quality may not be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. However, for most applications that tend to be at a relatively low magnification, the quality can be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. - [Read Imaging of Fresh Arabidopsis Tissues in the Scanning Electron Microscope]
In recent years, the increased sensitivity of electron detectors and the availability of low-vacuum or variable-pressure systems have allowed imaging of fresh tissue samples without the need for fixation, drying, and coating. This obviously saves a lot of time, although the image quality may not be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. However, for most applications that tend to be at a relatively low magnification, the quality can be as good as that obtained from fixed samples. - [Read Imaging of Fresh Arabidopsis Tissues in the Scanning Electron Microscope Protocol]
Human embryonic stem cells are a valuable resource for research and cell replacement therapy but are notoriously cumbersome to culture. Bhatia and colleagues show that an increased dose of basic fibroblast growth factor eliminates the need for feeder laye - [Read Simplifying hESC culture]
The light microscope allows dynamic biological processes to be imaged in their native (i.e., aqueous) environment with relatively high temporal resolution. However, the diffraction-limited resolution is low. When working at or beyond the diffraction-limited resolution of the LM, a disadvantage of fluorescence imaging is the relatively low signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the images. However, this can be increased significantly by video and computer technology. - [Read Watching Molecular Motors at Work by Video-Enhanced Light Microscopy]
A protocol for the selection of Phage Antibodies using Immobilized Antigen. This method describes the selection of antibodies from bacteriophage antibody libraries that recognize a specific antigen. The phage display library of antibody-displaying phage particles is exposed to antigen attached to a solid substrate (Nunc Immuno™ tubes). The phage particles with affinity for antigen bind to the immobilized antigen and are selected from the library of phage expressing antibodies.
This protocol describes the electroporation of the BMH 81-17 mut S strain that is recommended for tranformation of the site directed mutagenesis of dsDNA (See Protocol on Site-Directed Mutagenesis on Double Stranded DNA). BMH 81-17 mut S are a mismatch repair defective (mut S) Escherichia coli strain. The probability that the two mutations will cosegregate during the first round of DNA replication is increased in this strain.