DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are critical lesions that, if not properly repaired, can result in chromosomal rearrangements and genomic instability, underlining the importance of efficient repair systems in maintaining cellular and genetic health. The cell’s response involves a range of complex repair mechanisms such as homologous recombination and non-homologous end ..read more

Dr. David Barford's study unveils kinetochore dynamics using LUMICKS C-Trap, shedding light on chromosome segregation mechanisms The post Unveiling Key Mechanisms in Kinetochore-Mediated Chromosome Segregation with the C-Trap appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

What is an immune synapse?  An immunological (or immune) synapse is the interface between a cancer and an immune cell , which is formed in a highly stable, organized manner. The immunological synapse is composed of all intercellular interactions taking place at the interface between the interacting pair, including TCR clustering, co-receptor binding, cell-cell adhesion... The post From Handshakes to Hugs: Embracing the Dynamics of Immunological Synapse Strength and Avidity  appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

CRISPR-Cas9 represents one of the most impactful discoveries in the field of genetic engineering and medicine of recent times. Its discovery catalyzed a paradigm shift in the treatment approach to many genetic diseases, paving the way to simple and effective gene therapy for a large class of diseases.   Despite its... The post Towards safe and precise gene therapies: revealing the impact of DNA Supercoiling on CRISPR-Cas9 specificity appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

Surprising insights into the roles of membranes and the actin cytoskeleton in cellular tension propagation – congratulations to all authors for successfully implementing a new and elegant assay with the C-Trap!   There was a long-standing dispute in the scientific community about whether the actin cortex facilitates or impedes tension propagation... The post Cell mechanics with the C-Trap – cellular tension propagation revisited appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

​​​PICH (Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase) belongs to the SNF2 family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. However, what makes PICH unique is that it lacks a nucleotide-binding domain despite having a great affinity for bare DNA. Because of this molecular structure, it has been hypothesized that the binding of PICH to chromatinized bridges... The post The C-Trap uncovers new insights into the mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

​​​PICH (Plk1-interacting checkpoint helicase) belongs to the SNF2 family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers. However, what makes PICH unique is that it lacks a nucleotide-binding domain despite having a great affinity for bare DNA. Because of this molecular structure, it has been hypothesized that the binding of PICH to chromatinized bridges... The post The C-Trap uncovers new insights into the mechanisms for ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

We are excited to announce that LUMICKS is donating laboratory equipment for a summer course in Yobe, Nigeria, organized by the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) and Trend In Africa. We added various tools from our LUMICKS C-Trap® head quarters to the donation. Nigeria has a huge shortage... The post Putting our unused lab equipment to better use appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

New insights into the regulation of transcription termination have been revealed by researchers from the lab of Shixin Liu at The Rockefeller University, New York, in a recent publication in Molecular Cell. Using the powerful LUMICKS C-Trap® technology that allows the direct observation of molecular mechanisms, they were able to... The post C-Trap^® experiments reveal novel mechanism for transcription termination in bacteria  appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more

A recent study published in Nature Communications led by Shixin Liu from The Rockefeller University, New York, demonstrates how the C-Trap® can be used to directly visualize and observe molecular mechanisms in action, leading to better and faster insights into critical molecular processes. This study marks an important milestone for LUMICKS,... The post 100th study using the C-Trap^® provides crucial insights into how the Smc5/6 complex stabilizes certain DNA structures   appeared first on LUMICKS ..read more