Category Archives: Molecular Medicine

A recent paper published in the Journal of Physiology deepened the case for the youthfulness-promoting effects of exercise on ageing organisms, building on previous work done with lab mice nearing the end of their natural lifespan that had access to a weighted exercise wheel.

The densely detailed paper, "A molecular signature defining exercise adaptation with ageing and in vivo partial reprogramming in skeletal muscle," lists a whopping 16 co-authors, six of whom are affiliated with the University of Arkansas. The corresponding author is Kevin Murach, an assistant professor in the University's Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, and the first author is Ronald G. Jones III, a Ph.D. student in Murach's Molecular Muscle Mass Regulation Laboratory.

ALSO READ: From skipping meals to crash diets: Debunking the top weight loss myths

For this paper, the researchers compared aging mice that had access to a weighted exercise wheel with mice that had undergone epigenetic reprogramming via the expression of Yamanaka factors.

The Yamanaka factors are four protein transcription factors (identified as Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc, often abbreviated to OKSM) that can revert highly specified cells (such as a skin cell) back to a stem cell, which is a younger and more adaptable state. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Dr. Shinya Yamanaka for this discovery in 2012. In the correct dosages, inducing the Yamanaka factors throughout the body in rodents can ameliorate the hallmarks of aging by mimicking the adaptability that is common to more youthful cells.

that have been reprogrammed through exercise -- "reprogramming" in the latter case reflecting how an environmental stimulus can alter the accessibility and expression of genes.

The researchers compared the skeletal muscle of mice who had been allowed to exercise late in life to the skeletal muscle of mice that overexpressed OKSM in their muscles, as well as to genetically modified mice limited to the overexpression of just Myc in their muscles.

Ultimately, the team determined that exercise promotes a molecular profile consistent with epigenetic partial programming. That is to say: exercise can mimic aspects of the molecular profile of muscles that have been exposed to Yamanaka factors (thus displaying molecular characteristics of more youthful cells). This beneficial effect of exercise may in part be attributed to the specific actions of Myc in muscle.

While it would be easy to hypothesize that someday we might be able to manipulate Myc in muscle to achieve the effects of exercise, thus sparing us the actual hard work, Murach cautions that would be the wrong conclusion to draw.

First, Myc would never be able to replicate all the downstream effects exercise has throughout the body. It is also the cause of tumors and cancers, so there are inherent dangers to manipulating its expression. Instead, Murach thinks manipulating Myc might best be employed as an experimental strategy to understand how to restore exercise adaptation to old muscles showing declining responsiveness. Possibly it could also be a means of supercharging the exercise response of astronauts in zero gravity or people confined to bed rest who only have a limited capacity for exercise. Myc has many effects, both good and bad, so defining the beneficial ones could lead to a safe therapeutic that could be effective for humans down the road.

Murach sees their research as further validation of exercise as a polypill. "Exercise is the most powerful drug we have," he says, and should be considered a health-enhancing -- and potentially life-extending -- treatment along with medications and a healthy diet.

Murach and Jones' co-authors at the U of A included exercise science professor Nicholas Greene, as well as contributing researchers Francielly Morena Da Silva, Seongkyun Lim and Sabin Khadgi.

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Exercise promotes a molecular profile in muscle: Research

The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory is responsible for the development and performance of molecular diagnostic tests for nucleic acid targets found in a variety of settings in medicine. We offer a wide array of tests at the forefront of molecular diagnostics and precision medicine. The three broad areas of testing we provide are:

Hematopathology is a main focus of our lab with testing performed in genetic analysis of hematologic malignancies for diagnosis and therapeutic decision-making, coagulation genetics, and evaluation of stem-cell transplant patients. We also perform several additional genetic tests including hemochromatosis and cystic fibrosis screens for adults and in conjunction with the prenatal laboratory for newborns.

A listing of our testing can be found here.

Other department laboratories perform molecular testing for microorganisms. The Clinical Virology Laboratory tests for multiple viral pathogens, whereas the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory tests for M. tuberculosis, C. trachomatis, and N. gonorrhoeae. The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory complements these tests by performing in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR to assay for Epstein-Barr virus and supports the 16S ribosomal RNA DNA sequencing test to identify bacteria.

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Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory < Laboratory Medicine

Set of methods inmolecular biology

Molecular cloning is a set of experimental methods in molecular biology that are used to assemble recombinant DNA molecules and to direct their replication within host organisms.[1] The use of the word cloning refers to the fact that the method involves the replication of one molecule to produce a population of cells with identical DNA molecules. Molecular cloning generally uses DNA sequences from two different organisms: the species that is the source of the DNA to be cloned, and the species that will serve as the living host for replication of the recombinant DNA. Molecular cloning methods are central to many contemporary areas of modern biology and medicine.[2]

In a conventional molecular cloning experiment, the DNA to be cloned is obtained from an organism of interest, then treated with enzymes in the test tube to generate smaller DNA fragments. Subsequently, these fragments are then combined with vector DNA to generate recombinant DNA molecules. The recombinant DNA is then introduced into a host organism (typically an easy-to-grow, benign, laboratory strain of E. coli bacteria). This will generate a population of organisms in which recombinant DNA molecules are replicated along with the host DNA. Because they contain foreign DNA fragments, these are transgenic or genetically modified microorganisms (GMO).[3] This process takes advantage of the fact that a single bacterial cell can be induced to take up and replicate a single recombinant DNA molecule. This single cell can then be expanded exponentially to generate a large amount of bacteria, each of which contain copies of the original recombinant molecule. Thus, both the resulting bacterial population, and the recombinant DNA molecule, are commonly referred to as "clones". Strictly speaking, recombinant DNA refers to DNA molecules, while molecular cloning refers to the experimental methods used to assemble them. The idea arose that different DNA sequences could be inserted into a plasmid and that these foreign sequences would be carried into bacteria and digested as part of the plasmid. That is, these plasmids could serve as cloning vectors to carry genes.[4]

Virtually any DNA sequence can be cloned and amplified, but there are some factors that might limit the success of the process. Examples of the DNA sequences that are difficult to clone are inverted repeats, origins of replication, centromeres and telomeres. There is also a lower chance of success when inserting large-sized DNA sequences. Inserts larger than 10kbp have very limited success, but bacteriophages such as bacteriophage can be modified to successfully insert a sequence up to 40 kbp.[5]

Prior to the 1970s, the understanding of genetics and molecular biology was severely hampered by an inability to isolate and study individual genes from complex organisms. This changed dramatically with the advent of molecular cloning methods. Microbiologists, seeking to understand the molecular mechanisms through which bacteria restricted the growth of bacteriophage, isolated restriction endonucleases, enzymes that could cleave DNA molecules only when specific DNA sequences were encountered.[6] They showed that restriction enzymes cleaved chromosome-length DNA molecules at specific locations, and that specific sections of the larger molecule could be purified by size fractionation. Using a second enzyme, DNA ligase, fragments generated by restriction enzymes could be joined in new combinations, termed recombinant DNA. By recombining DNA segments of interest with vector DNA, such as bacteriophage or plasmids, which naturally replicate inside bacteria, large quantities of purified recombinant DNA molecules could be produced in bacterial cultures. The first recombinant DNA molecules were generated and studied in 1972.[7][8]

Molecular cloning takes advantage of the fact that the chemical structure of DNA is fundamentally the same in all living organisms. Therefore, if any segment of DNA from any organism is inserted into a DNA segment containing the molecular sequences required for DNA replication, and the resulting recombinant DNA is introduced into the organism from which the replication sequences were obtained, then the foreign DNA will be replicated along with the host cell's DNA in the transgenic organism.

Molecular cloning is similar to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in that it permits the replication of DNA sequence. The fundamental difference between the two methods is that molecular cloning involves replication of the DNA in a living microorganism, while PCR replicates DNA in an in vitro solution, free of living cells.

Before actual cloning experiments are performed in the lab, most cloning experiments are planned in a computer, using specialized software. Although the detailed planning of the cloning can be done in any text editor, together with online utilities for e.g. PCR primer design, dedicated software exist for the purpose. Software for the purpose include for example ApE [1] (open source), DNAStrider [2] (open source), Serial Cloner [3] (gratis), Collagene [4] (open source), and SnapGene (commercial). These programs allow to simulate PCR reactions, restriction digests, ligations, etc., that is, all the steps described below.

In standard molecular cloning experiments, the cloning of any DNA fragment essentially involves seven steps: (1) Choice of host organism and cloning vector, (2) Preparation of vector DNA, (3) Preparation of DNA to be cloned, (4) Creation of recombinant DNA, (5) Introduction of recombinant DNA into host organism, (6) Selection of organisms containing recombinant DNA, (7) Screening for clones with desired DNA inserts and biological properties.

Notably, the growing capacity and fidelity of DNA synthesis platforms allows for increasingly intricate designs in molecular engineering. These projects may include very long strands of novel DNA sequence and/or test entire libraries simultaneously, as opposed to of individual sequences. These shifts introduce complexity that require design to move away from the flat nucleotide-based representation and towards a higher level of abstraction. Examples of such tools are GenoCAD, Teselagen [5] (free for academia) or GeneticConstructor [6] (free for academics).

Although a very large number of host organisms and molecular cloning vectors are in use, the great majority of molecular cloning experiments begin with a laboratory strain of the bacterium E. coli (Escherichia coli) and a plasmid cloning vector. E. coli and plasmid vectors are in common use because they are technically sophisticated, versatile, widely available, and offer rapid growth of recombinant organisms with minimal equipment.[3] If the DNA to be cloned is exceptionally large (hundreds of thousands to millions of base pairs), then a bacterial artificial chromosome[10] or yeast artificial chromosome vector is often chosen.

Specialized applications may call for specialized host-vector systems. For example, if the experimentalists wish to harvest a particular protein from the recombinant organism, then an expression vector is chosen that contains appropriate signals for transcription and translation in the desired host organism. Alternatively, if replication of the DNA in different species is desired (for example, transfer of DNA from bacteria to plants), then a multiple host range vector (also termed shuttle vector) may be selected. In practice, however, specialized molecular cloning experiments usually begin with cloning into a bacterial plasmid, followed by subcloning into a specialized vector.

Whatever combination of host and vector are used, the vector almost always contains four DNA segments that are critically important to its function and experimental utility:[3]

The cloning vector is treated with a restriction endonuclease to cleave the DNA at the site where foreign DNA will be inserted. The restriction enzyme is chosen to generate a configuration at the cleavage site that is compatible with the ends of the foreign DNA (see DNA end). Typically, this is done by cleaving the vector DNA and foreign DNA with the same restriction enzyme, for example EcoRI. Most modern vectors contain a variety of convenient cleavage sites that are unique within the vector molecule (so that the vector can only be cleaved at a single site) and are located within a gene (frequently beta-galactosidase) whose inactivation can be used to distinguish recombinant from non-recombinant organisms at a later step in the process. To improve the ratio of recombinant to non-recombinant organisms, the cleaved vector may be treated with an enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) that dephosphorylates the vector ends. Vector molecules with dephosphorylated ends are unable to replicate, and replication can only be restored if foreign DNA is integrated into the cleavage site.[11]

For cloning of genomic DNA, the DNA to be cloned is extracted from the organism of interest. Virtually any tissue source can be used (even tissues from extinct animals),[12] as long as the DNA is not extensively degraded. The DNA is then purified using simple methods to remove contaminating proteins (extraction with phenol), RNA (ribonuclease) and smaller molecules (precipitation and/or chromatography). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are often used for amplification of specific DNA or RNA (RT-PCR) sequences prior to molecular cloning.

DNA for cloning experiments may also be obtained from RNA using reverse transcriptase (complementary DNA or cDNA cloning), or in the form of synthetic DNA (artificial gene synthesis). cDNA cloning is usually used to obtain clones representative of the mRNA population of the cells of interest, while synthetic DNA is used to obtain any precise sequence defined by the designer. Such a designed sequence may be required when moving genes across genetic codes (for example, from the mitochrondria to the nucleus)[13] or simply for increasing expression via codon optimization.[14]

The purified DNA is then treated with a restriction enzyme to generate fragments with ends capable of being linked to those of the vector. If necessary, short double-stranded segments of DNA (linkers) containing desired restriction sites may be added to create end structures that are compatible with the vector.[3][11]

The creation of recombinant DNA is in many ways the simplest step of the molecular cloning process. DNA prepared from the vector and foreign source are simply mixed together at appropriate concentrations and exposed to an enzyme (DNA ligase) that covalently links the ends together. This joining reaction is often termed ligation. The resulting DNA mixture containing randomly joined ends is then ready for introduction into the host organism.

DNA ligase only recognizes and acts on the ends of linear DNA molecules, usually resulting in a complex mixture of DNA molecules with randomly joined ends. The desired products (vector DNA covalently linked to foreign DNA) will be present, but other sequences (e.g. foreign DNA linked to itself, vector DNA linked to itself and higher-order combinations of vector and foreign DNA) are also usually present. This complex mixture is sorted out in subsequent steps of the cloning process, after the DNA mixture is introduced into cells.[3][11]

The DNA mixture, previously manipulated in vitro, is moved back into a living cell, referred to as the host organism. The methods used to get DNA into cells are varied, and the name applied to this step in the molecular cloning process will often depend upon the experimental method that is chosen (e.g. transformation, transduction, transfection, electroporation).[3][11]

When microorganisms are able to take up and replicate DNA from their local environment, the process is termed transformation, and cells that are in a physiological state such that they can take up DNA are said to be competent.[15] In mammalian cell culture, the analogous process of introducing DNA into cells is commonly termed transfection. Both transformation and transfection usually require preparation of the cells through a special growth regime and chemical treatment process that will vary with the specific species and cell types that are used.

Electroporation uses high voltage electrical pulses to translocate DNA across the cell membrane (and cell wall, if present).[16] In contrast, transduction involves the packaging of DNA into virus-derived particles, and using these virus-like particles to introduce the encapsulated DNA into the cell through a process resembling viral infection. Although electroporation and transduction are highly specialized methods, they may be the most efficient methods to move DNA into cells.

Whichever method is used, the introduction of recombinant DNA into the chosen host organism is usually a low efficiency process; that is, only a small fraction of the cells will actually take up DNA. Experimental scientists deal with this issue through a step of artificial genetic selection, in which cells that have not taken up DNA are selectively killed, and only those cells that can actively replicate DNA containing the selectable marker gene encoded by the vector are able to survive.[3][11]

When bacterial cells are used as host organisms, the selectable marker is usually a gene that confers resistance to an antibiotic that would otherwise kill the cells, typically ampicillin. Cells harboring the plasmid will survive when exposed to the antibiotic, while those that have failed to take up plasmid sequences will die. When mammalian cells (e.g. human or mouse cells) are used, a similar strategy is used, except that the marker gene (in this case typically encoded as part of the kanMX cassette) confers resistance to the antibiotic Geneticin.

Modern bacterial cloning vectors (e.g. pUC19 and later derivatives including the pGEM vectors) use the blue-white screening system to distinguish colonies (clones) of transgenic cells from those that contain the parental vector (i.e. vector DNA with no recombinant sequence inserted). In these vectors, foreign DNA is inserted into a sequence that encodes an essential part of beta-galactosidase, an enzyme whose activity results in formation of a blue-colored colony on the culture medium that is used for this work. Insertion of the foreign DNA into the beta-galactosidase coding sequence disables the function of the enzyme so that colonies containing transformed DNA remain colorless (white). Therefore, experimentalists are easily able to identify and conduct further studies on transgenic bacterial clones, while ignoring those that do not contain recombinant DNA.

The total population of individual clones obtained in a molecular cloning experiment is often termed a DNA library. Libraries may be highly complex (as when cloning complete genomic DNA from an organism) or relatively simple (as when moving a previously cloned DNA fragment into a different plasmid), but it is almost always necessary to examine a number of different clones to be sure that the desired DNA construct is obtained. This may be accomplished through a very wide range of experimental methods, including the use of nucleic acid hybridizations, antibody probes, polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment analysis and/or DNA sequencing.[3][11]

Molecular cloning provides scientists with an essentially unlimited quantity of any individual DNA segments derived from any genome. This material can be used for a wide range of purposes, including those in both basic and applied biological science. A few of the more important applications are summarized here.

Molecular cloning has led directly to the elucidation of the complete DNA sequence of the genomes of a very large number of species and to an exploration of genetic diversity within individual species, work that has been done mostly by determining the DNA sequence of large numbers of randomly cloned fragments of the genome, and assembling the overlapping sequences. Further, cloning can be used to produce gene therapies for the treatment of serious disease indications, such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, AIDS and others. It is interesting to note that gene cloning can be a potential solution to organ scarcity. It also plays an important role in synthesis of antibiotics, vitamins and hormones.[17]

At the level of individual genes, molecular clones are used to generate probes that are used for examining how genes are expressed, and how that expression is related to other processes in biology, including the metabolic environment, extracellular signals, development, learning, senescence and cell death. Cloned genes can also provide tools to examine the biological function and importance of individual genes, by allowing investigators to inactivate the genes, or make more subtle mutations using regional mutagenesis or site-directed mutagenesis. Genes cloned into expression vectors for functional cloning provide a means to screen for genes on the basis of the expressed protein's function.

Obtaining the molecular clone of a gene can lead to the development of organisms that produce the protein product of the cloned genes, termed a recombinant protein. In practice, it is frequently more difficult to develop an organism that produces an active form of the recombinant protein in desirable quantities than it is to clone the gene. This is because the molecular signals for gene expression are complex and variable, and because protein folding, stability and transport can be very challenging.

Many useful proteins are currently available as recombinant products. These include--(1) medically useful proteins whose administration can correct a defective or poorly expressed gene (e.g. recombinant factor VIII, a blood-clotting factor deficient in some forms of hemophilia,[18] and recombinant insulin, used to treat some forms of diabetes[19]), (2) proteins that can be administered to assist in a life-threatening emergency (e.g. tissue plasminogen activator, used to treat strokes[20]), (3) recombinant subunit vaccines, in which a purified protein can be used to immunize patients against infectious diseases, without exposing them to the infectious agent itself (e.g. hepatitis B vaccine[21]), and (4) recombinant proteins as standard material for diagnostic laboratory tests.

Once characterized and manipulated to provide signals for appropriate expression, cloned genes may be inserted into organisms, generating transgenic organisms, also termed genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Although most GMOs are generated for purposes of basic biological research (see for example, transgenic mouse), a number of GMOs have been developed for commercial use, ranging from animals and plants that produce pharmaceuticals or other compounds (pharming), herbicide-resistant crop plants, and fluorescent tropical fish (GloFish) for home entertainment.[1]

Gene therapy involves supplying a functional gene to cells lacking that function, with the aim of correcting a genetic disorder or acquired disease. Gene therapy can be broadly divided into two categories. The first is alteration of germ cells, that is, sperm or eggs, which results in a permanent genetic change for the whole organism and subsequent generations. This germ line gene therapy is considered by many to be unethical in human beings.[22] The second type of gene therapy, somatic cell gene therapy, is analogous to an organ transplant. In this case, one or more specific tissues are targeted by direct treatment or by removal of the tissue, addition of the therapeutic gene or genes in the laboratory, and return of the treated cells to the patient. Clinical trials of somatic cell gene therapy began in the late 1990s, mostly for the treatment of cancers and blood, liver, and lung disorders.[23]

Despite a great deal of publicity and promises, the history of human gene therapy has been characterized by relatively limited success.[23] The effect of introducing a gene into cells often promotes only partial and/or transient relief from the symptoms of the disease being treated. Some gene therapy trial patients have suffered adverse consequences of the treatment itself, including deaths. In some cases, the adverse effects result from disruption of essential genes within the patient's genome by insertional inactivation. In others, viral vectors used for gene therapy have been contaminated with infectious virus. Nevertheless, gene therapy is still held to be a promising future area of medicine, and is an area where there is a significant level of research and development activity.

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Molecular cloning - Wikipedia

Trends in Molecular Medicine objective is to provide concise and contextualized views on the latest research moving biomedical science closer to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases. As such, TMM is dedicated to research disciplines at the interface between basic biology and clinical research. Articles cover new concepts in mechanisms of human biology and pathology with clear implications for diagnostics and therapy. Bridging bench and bedside, reviews published in TMM have clear implications for human health and disease and discuss not only preclinical studies but also research conducted on patient samples, first-in-man studies, and patient-enrolled trials. The major themes covered in TMM in include:Disease mechanismsTools and technologiesDiagnosticsTherapeutics

We particularly seek articles that are relevant to more than one of these themes. The goal of TMM is to serve as platform for discussion, push the boundaries of traditional clinical or scientific categorization and forge new links between scientists and clinicians. TMM reviews and opinions serve as templates for future explorations in molecular medicine, and to inspire new directions of studies toward improving human health. The journal?s focus is on publishing articles that are provocative and authoritative but also accessible to a broad audience.

Furthermore 'medicine' involves a vital societal element; molecular interventions raise controversial ethical, legal and financial issues. TMM also publishes discussions concerning the clinical trial landscape, science policy and medical ethics.

All these issues are addressed in TMM in a style that builds on 25 years' experience of publishing the Trends journals.

For more information, go to http://www.cell.com/trends/molecular-medicine

Trends in Molecular Medicine objective is to provide concise and contextualized views on the latest research moving biomedical science closer to improved diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases. As such, TMM is dedicated to research disciplines at the interface between basic biology

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Trends in Molecular Medicine | Journal - ScienceDirect

Researchers from Insilico Medicine, University of Copenhagen, and University of Chicago unravel molecular secrets hidden in premature aging diseases and cancer using AI  GlobeNewswire

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Researchers from Insilico Medicine, University of Copenhagen, and University of Chicago unravel molecular secrets hidden in premature aging diseases...

What is Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week?

Each year, the SNMMI and SNMMI-TS join forces with the nuclear medicine and molecular imaging community to gain recognition and support for the field. Celebrated during the first full week of October, Nuclear Medicine Week encourages community members to take pride in their profession recognizing their colleagues for their hard work and promoting nuclear medicine to the entire medical community as well as to the public.

Nuclear Medicine Week allows physicians, technologists, scientists, and others involved in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging to take a proactive role in the advancement of the field. From advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment to recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer's and dementia research, nuclear medicine is improving livesand it is up to us to educate others on these major healthcare innovations.

The theme for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week varies from year to year, but the goal is always the same: pride in what nuclear medicine and molecular imaging have brought to the healthcare environment. This year's theme: Lighting the Way to New Discoveries in Imaging and Therapy.

ViewNuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week Products

More than ever, it is important that we educate others (patients, referring physicians, students, and even politicians) on the utility of nuclear medicine procedures and their benefits over other treatment and imaging modalities.

Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week is also a time to express your appreciation to your colleagues and employees; and to display your support and dedication to the field.

Although the possibilities are virtually endless, here are some ideas to help you educate, celebrate, and recognize those people who help you succeed.

ViewNuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week Products

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Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Week: October 2-8, 2022

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology traces its origins to the Chemistry Department and subsequent Department of Biochemistry; a remarkable history of more than 180 years. Research activities of the faculty serve as a training ground for graduate students, college undergraduates, medical students, high school students, and teachers who are seeking a meaningful experience in laboratory-based studies.

Areas of research strength in the department include Nucleic Acids Biochemistry, Protein and Peptide Biochemistry, the Biochemistry of Protein Modifications, Cancer Mechanisms, Cancer Immunology, Cancer Stem Cells, Cancer Biology, and Drug Discovery. Graduate training in the department draws on the tools of genetics, cell biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, computer science and a number of other disciplines.

Supplementing the interdisciplinary training environment in the department are state-of-the-art instrumentation facilities, a seminar program that invites 15-20 outside speakers per year, including the annual Adrouny Lectureship by an invited distinguished scientist, and a number of collaborative activities involving research groups at Tulane, the University of New Orleans (UNO), Xavier University, the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC) - New Orleans, the Ochsner Cancer Center, and other national or international institutions.

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Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Medicine

The University of Ottawa Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), is a large, dynamic and interdisciplinary department consisting of 52 faculty researchers and teaching staff, as well as approximately 12 Emeritus Professors, and 70 cross-appointed and adjunct members. CMM was formed from the combined resources of three former departments of the University of Ottawa: Physiology, Pharmacology and Anatomy & Neurobiology.

CMM boasts a large number of highly active research laboratories investigating important questions related to human health and disease. Some areas of interest include neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases, stem cell biology and its application to regenerative medicine, the basis for and treatment of various cancers, causes and cures for kidney disease, understanding the contribution of cellular signaling pathways to disease states, and the causes underlying congenital disorders such as neural tube defects.

CMM is part of the Ottawa Health Sciences Centre, a medical complex which also includes the Ottawa Hospital (General Campus), the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) and the Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEORI). In addition, through its cross-appointed and adjunct members, the Department has research affiliations with OHRI, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute at the Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus), the Royal Ottawa Hospital, the Canadian Red Cross, Health Canada and the National Research Council. These relationships greatly facilitate interactions of CMM members with clinicians and researchers involved in diverse aspects of human medicine.

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Cellular and Molecular Medicine | Faculty of Medicine

Tests are typically performed to determine whether or not patients have a gene mutation associated with a specific disease, either as an inherited or an acquired mutation. Inherited diseases can be tested for at the prenatal, newborn and adult stages of life.

For example, a commonly inherited disease iscystic fibrosis(CF). If a newborn is found to have two mutations in the gene associated with CF, the baby is most likely to have the condition. The child can then be treated for the disease, which can prolong his or her life.

Doctors can perform a molecular test of a common inherited hereditary cancer. For example, inbreast cancer, they can investigate forspecific inherited mutations in theBRCA1andBRCA2 genes, which may increase the patient's risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Acquired gene mutations can be tested for in some cases, such as for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).A patient can then start therapy as soon as possible.

Tests can also be done to determine whether a person has become resistant to a specific drug and needs to change course in a treatment regimen. For example, an HIVpatientcan be monitored by a quantitative molecular test to determine whether or not the amount of viral loadhas significantly increased, which is a sign of resistance to the treatment. The patients HIV can then be DNA sequenced to determine if a mutation known to be associated with resistance is found.

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Molecular Diagnostics > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

Editor-in-Chief: Professor Nicola Curtin Editorial Board Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine is an online journal featuring authoritative and timely reviews on all aspects of molecular medicine. Review articles cover current and emerging understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning human health and disease, and molecular aspects of the approaches used to diagnose and treat them. They may critically evaluate laboratory or in silico studies, studies on patient samples and molecular aspects of clinical diagnostics or therapy. The journal's focus is on translation from molecular science to clinical studies and is not constrained to any single system or disease. We particularly welcome articles spanning more than one of the themes below. Overarching Themes: 1. Molecular mechanisms of disease, including hereditary disorders 2. Molecular aspects of infection, immunity and inflammation 3. Diagnostic, prognostic and predictive molecular biomarkers 4. Molecular mechanisms of all classes of therapeutic agents, including novel and repurposed drugs, biologics, immunotherapeutics 5. Novel molecular technologies 6. Bioinformatics. Within these themes topics may be disease-specific. While we welcome papers covering all traditional specialist disease areas, we are also extremely interested in general cross cutting areas, including life-course diseases (in utero to ageing).

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Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine | Cambridge Core