Recognizing DNA
Article Abstract:
Current technology may be able to assist in identifying strategic locations in a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) strand that initiate and or interact in the progress of genetic diseases. Interactions between proteins and DNA regulate and orchestrate cellular activity in both healthy and diseased cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and DNA footprinting are two techniques that determine whether a specific protein binds to a selected fragment of DNA. However, EMSA and DNA footprinting do not determine the exact protein binding location on the DNA fragment. Binding-site selection assays in combination with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can determine the exact binding location and sequence the fragment of DNA that binds a specific protein.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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The promise and problems of meta-analysis
Article Abstract:
Meta-analysis should not be regarded as a replacement for large, randomized controlled trials. Meta-analyses pool data from several small studies. A study comparing the conclusions of 12 trials in which participants were randomly assigned to one form or treatment or another with a group of meta-analyses on the same issues found considerable discrepancies. Sound meta-analyses require sophisticated and specialized analytic and statistical techniques. Weeding out poorly done meta-analyses before publication requires rigorous technical reviews. They may also be subject to bias, and meta-analyses using the same trials have come to opposite conclusions.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
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Prometheus's vulture and the stem-cell promise
Article Abstract:
The potential use of stem cells for treating disease is reviewed. Stem cells are embryonic cells that grow into mature tissues, such as bone, muscle, fat, skin and nerves. For this reason, they could be used to regenerate damaged tissues and organs.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
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