Monthly Archives: November 2016

An epigenetic mechanism might be the reason why aerobic glycolysis encourages effector T cell differentiation ??

Posted on November 15, 2016 by DWN

In oncology, the Warburg effect is the observation that most cancer cells predominantly produce energy by a high rate of glycolysis [process by which glucose is converted to pyruvate plus a proton (H+); the free energy released is used to form the high-energy molecules … Continue reading →

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Inducible long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) amplifies DNA damage signaling (via TP53 protein stabilization)

Posted on November 15, 2016 by DWN

First we learned that DNA is transribed into RNA (via a process called transcription) and that RNA is translated into protein (via a process called translation). Then we discovered that RNA transcribed from the DNA (gene) comprises both coding regions … Continue reading →

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An example of “ecological opportunity” … that does not reflect adaptive radiation or “hybrid swarm”

Posted on November 15, 2016 by DWN

Here is another example of gene-environment (G x E) interactions. How does a new species expand into any new ecological environment? “Ecological opportunity” is frequently proposed as the sole ingredient for adaptive radiation into novel niches. An additional trigger may … Continue reading →

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Marijuana usage appears to weaken heart muscle Nebert, Daniel (nebertdw)

Posted on November 15, 2016 by DWN

This was reported yesterday on CNN News. Immediate thoughts that any scientist should consider include: ––– How important are genetic differences in THC response, between people? ––– Epidemiologically, this is a retrospective study, having various caveats. ––– “One swallow does … Continue reading →

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New findings about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — taken by ‘so many, worldwide’

Posted on November 15, 2016 by DWN

“Gene-environment (G x E) interactions” of course include gene-drug interactions/ Obviously, there will always be interindividual differences in response to NSAIDs. This is another intriguing report of a paper just reported last week at the Annual Meeting of the American … Continue reading →

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Another major factor that must be considered in genotype-phenotype association studies: The Gut Microbiome

Posted on November 12, 2016 by DWN

“Genetic architecture” is a broad term defined as everything in the chromosomes of an individual organism that underlies and contributes to the genetic basis of a phenotypic trait and all variational properties. The “trait being studied” might include obesity, type-2 diabetes, schizophrenia, height … Continue reading →

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Further studies into our understanding as to why snakes have no legs

Posted on November 10, 2016 by DWN

Decrease in size or length of the arm/leg (animal’s limb), or complete loss of limbs, has been a great fascination to some of us in developmental biology. The best experimental model for studying limb reduction and loss is to examine … Continue reading →

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Evolution is usually DIVERGENT, but it sometimes can be CONVERGENT (example of hemoglobin molecule is given here)

Posted on November 10, 2016 by DWN

Evolution generally occurs by “divergence“; in other words, gene duplication or chromosomal rearrangement events, or DNA slippage during transcription resulting in mRNA that no longer corresponds to the DNA from which it was derived, in the original species … result … Continue reading →

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A personal experience with a predatory journal and its conference

Posted on November 5, 2016 by DWN

One of my colleagues on our GEITP E-Mailing List has asked me to share this recent important experience. And it’s a warning to us all. I am writing to tell you about my recent experience with these predatory pseudoscientific companies. … Continue reading →

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FW: The Interplay Between Environmental Exposures and Infectious Agents: Session III on 11/7 at 1 pm EST

Posted on November 1, 2016 by DWN

See how things have changed …!! In my first CEG proposal (1991) most faculty at Univ Cinci thought this idea of “environmental genetics”,  gene-environment interactions, … was too heretical. Including Eula Bingham and Roy Albert.  Now, today: NIEHS has even … Continue reading →

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