Real-Time Observation Of The DNA-Repair Mechanism

FLORA AND FAUNA

illustration only

by Staff Writers
Delft, Netherlands (SPX) May 28, 2008
For the first time, researchers at Delft University of Technology have witnessed the spontaneous repair of damage to DNA molecules in real time. They observed this at the level of a single DNA molecule. Insight into this type of repair mechanism is essential as errors in this process can lead to the development of cancerous cells.

Researchers from the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft are to publish an article on this in the leading scientific journal Molecular Cell.

Cells have mechanisms for repairing the continuous accidental damage occurring in DNA. These damages can vary from a change to a single part of the DNA to a total break in the DNA structure. These breaks can, for instance, be caused by ultraviolet light or X-rays, but also occur during cell division, when DNA molecules split and form two new DNA molecules.

If this type of break is not properly repaired it can be highly dangerous to the functioning of the cell and lead to the creation of a cancerous cell.

One major DNA-repair mechanism involved in repairing these breaks is known as homologous recombination. This mechanism has been observed for the first time by Delft University of Technology researchers in real time and at the level of a single DNA molecule.

To observe this, a DNA molecule is stretched between a magnetic bead and a glass surface. A force is exerted on the magnetic bead using a magnetic field, enabling researchers to pull and rotate a single DNA molecule in a controlled fashion.

As the position of the bead changes when the DNA molecule is repaired, researchers are able to observe the repair process in detail.

Memory Foam Mattress Review

SPACE MEDIA NETWORK PROMOTIONS
Solar Energy Solutions
Tempur-Pedic Mattress Comparison ...

Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News

FLORA AND FAUNA

Scientists Reveal The Lifestyle Evolution Of Wild Marine Bacteria

Boston MA (SPX) May 28, 2008
Marine bacteria in the wild organize into professions or lifestyle groups that partition many resources rather than competing for them, so that microbes with one lifestyle, such as free-floating cells, flourish in proximity with closely related microbes that may spend life attached to zooplankton or algae.

AEROSPACE China's new jumbo-jet firm no threat to Airbus, Boeing: state media China unveils new jumbo jet company: report NASA And JAXA To Conduct Joint Research On Sonic Boom Modeling Analysis: Can airplanes go green?	CAR TECH 'Eco-driving' can cut petrol bills: EU commission AT And T Introduces Green Fleet Of More Than 100 Alternative-Fuel Vehicles EU eyes hi-tech systems to cut road deaths, fuel use Lithium Technology Powers Hybrid Electric Supercar
MILITARY COMMUNICATIONS Raytheon Tests Distributed Common Ground System Block 10.2 System SAIC Awarded Contract To Support Space And Naval Warfare Systems Command Raytheon Awarded Contract For Key Command And Control Solution ATCi Introduces New Features To Its Warrior Satellite Surveillance System	MISSILE DEFENSE US seeking to overcome China, Russia missile defense objections Medvedev warns over US missile defence plans White House sees Russia 'open' to talks on US missile plan Russian ABM Plans Part Two
FARM NEWS Oregano Oil Works As Well As Synthetic Insecticides To Tackle Common Beetle Pest A Foamy Drink, And The Future Of Food Over 80 percent of fisheries overfished: report Burkina Faso distributes seeds to combat drought, price spiral	DISASTER MANAGEMENT Thunderstorms may add to woes of China's quake survivors WFP chief urges swift distribution of aid in Myanmar International aid reaches one million people in Myanmar: UN 420,000 houses collapse in China aftershocks: state media
TECH SPACE Study finds best times for radio signals Self-Repairing Aircraft Could Revolutionize Aviation Safety US, China Space Debris Still Orbiting Earth Northrop Grumman Resonating Gyro Achieves 10 Million Operating Hours In Space	ROBO SPACE A Biomimetic Jumping Microrobot Robot conducts Detroit orchestra Canada rejects sale of space firm to US defense firm The Future Of Robotic Warfare Part Two

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement