Category Archives: Cell Culture Models

Epigenetic regulation is accomplished by a series of interdependent systems. It’s overall effect on gene expression is often compared to a musical composition. Today I’m thinking of opera in particular…since I’m proud to say that my uncle Robert Aldridge just won a Grammy for best contemporary classical composition. Bravo Uncle Bob! So you probably know the silly old saying, “It’s not over till the fat lady sings”, right? There are numerous well studied roles in the epigenetic opera….modifications of DNA, chromatin and histones, enzymes activities like DNA and protein methyltransferase, etc….but today let’s think of RNA expression as the grand finale. Once a gene has been physically exposed through modifications to chromatin and histone structural proteins, and expression takes place…those … Continue reading

Posted in Bioinformatics, Cell Culture Models, Cellular Biology, Gene Regulation, Gene Silencing, Histone Modification Assay, Non-coding RNA, chIP, siRNA | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Recently, I visited the Chihuly glass art exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Seeing Dale Chihuly’s work for the first time, is like the first time you see the Grand Canyon. It’s breathtaking!  You have to see one of his towers in person, made up of hundreds of boldly colored glass spikes, to fully appreciate them. Interestingly, the tower I saw was reassembled for the new exhibit location, without instructions for identical structure. Each glass spike is NOT numbered for placement. Rather, the assemblers work to approximate the intended shape, gaging the spikes for size, color and direction, ultimately creating the intended overall pattern, albeit uniquely expressed. The process reminded me a bit of how stem cells can … Continue reading

Posted in Animal Models, Cell Culture Models, Cellular Biology, Immunology, Stem Cells | Tagged , , | Leave a comment