Explore the regulation of gene expression and disease links through the optimization of NGS-based miRNA profiling. More ..read more

Mitigating Bias in Microbiome Workflows through the Implementation of Microbiome Standards and Controls The Human Microbiome Project Phase 1 (2007-2012) sparked significant interest in microbiome research, particularly in the realm of the human gut microbiome. Due to the novelty of this field and the incomplete validation of wet-lab and dry-lab protocols, coupled with the intricate and bias-prone nature of Next-Gen Sequencing workflows, researchers grappled with the pervasive issue of data quality in publications. The challenge intensified when comparing data across laboratories, as highlighte ..read more

WHAT IS BACTERIAL TRANSFORMATION? Bacterial transformation is a fundamental technique in molecular biology used to introduce foreign DNA into host cells. This process allows researchers to manipulate the genetic make-up of host bacteria such as Escherichia coli, making it an indispensable tool for applications like genetic engineering, cloning, and the study of gene expression. Transformation typically occurs after restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, during which a gene is inserted into a plasmid or vector. The plasmid is then introduced into host bacteria (most commonly Escherichi ..read more

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING THE BEST E. COLI STRAIN FOR ANY APPLICATION They’re everywhere: our bodies, our environments, and of course, our laboratories. Escherichia coli is the most well-known bacterial species and has become an irreplaceable tool in the molecular biology field. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different E. coli strains used in scientific research, each with their own unique modifications. This can make choosing the correct strain for your research a daunting task. The guidelines below can simplify this process and help you choose the best strain for your application ..read more

ANTIBODY FUNCTIONALITY AGAINST THE MALARIA VACCINE TARGET PLASMODIUM FALCIPARUM Malaria is a life-threatening disease mostly spread by mosquitoes in tropical countries. In 2021, there were approximately 247 million cases of malaria worldwide with an estimated 619,000 deaths. Plasmodium falciparum is the deadliest malaria-causing parasite and is prevalent throughout Africa, necessitating the development of effective antimalarial vaccines.1 However, for years scientists struggled to develop a vaccine with sufficient clinical efficacy, as human antibody responses were not of sufficient ..read more

The cost of next generation sequencing (NGS) has been steadily decreasing with the invention of new technologies and improved chemistry of sequencing devices1. As operational costs for NGS decrease, its relevance is soaring, extending not only to direct-to-consumer applications but also encompassing certified service providers and a growing number of clinicians who are harnessing NGS for disease diagnosis and personalized medicine. Numerous case reports have highlighted the effectiveness of NGS in identifying a wide array of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, through ..read more

An Easy and Practical Protocol for DNA Extraction from Plant Leaves & Seeds Extracting DNA from plant leaves or seeds, while not a new concept, is the key to developing the plant-based technologies of the future. Plant DNA acts as the input for many downstream molecular biology techniques, including PCR and NGS, and nucleic acid extractions are foundational to the workflows of many academic researchers and commercial breeding programs. In modern agrobiotechnology and agrigenomics, generating accurate and actionable data for agricultural research, from finding pain management alternatives f ..read more

Synthetic Chromosome Construction from Natural Components in Yeast Artificial chromosome synthesis is a powerful technique that enables scientists to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cellular life and its diversity. From mapping the genetic basis of trait differences to discerning the structural requirements of genomes, synthesizing chromosomes makes it possible to explore fundamental biological questions that have yet to be answered.1 However, de novo chromosome synthesis is expensive and time-consuming, which hinders its deployment to the wider scientific community. To overcome these chal ..read more

Dear Customers and Colleagues, As we step into this new year, we are filled with gratitude and excitement as Zymo Research marks a significant milestone—our 30th anniversary. From our humble beginnings in a small garage in Orange, CA, to becoming one of the global leaders in life science, our journey has been nothing short of truly exhilarating. At the heart of Zymo Research is our passion for science and innovation. From our first product, the Yeast Transformation Kit, which made the frozen yeast competent cell possible, to the invention of the mini-elution volume spin column for contaminant ..read more

Plant synthetic biology stands at the forefront of innovation, promising breakthroughs from advanced biofuels to resilient crops. This burgeoning field not only holds the potential to revolutionize agriculture but also offers solutions for pressing environmental and economic challenges. Plant synthetic biology can be harnessed to engineer crops with greater nutrition, fewer harmful ingredients, and sustainable agricultural practices.1 On the pharmaceutical side, synthetic biology can exploit unique plant metabolic pathways to synthesize low-cost therapeutic compounds.2 However, the advancement ..read more