Category: biochemistry

Sample library preparation adds adaptor molecules to DNA fragments to make them compatible to the sequencing chemistry of the DNA sequencing instrument used

May 12, 2024

In modern DNA sequencing enabled by a variety of DNA sequencers using different sequencing chemistries, sample library preparation using a commercial kit compatible with the DNA sequencing instrument is a must. Why is this so? The key issue here is the need to modify the DNA fragments in your sample to enable them to ligate … More Sample library preparation adds adaptor molecules to DNA fragments to make them compatible to the sequencing chemistry of the DNA sequencing instrument used

Adaptor molecules replace primers in sample preparation for next-generation sequencing

May 10, 2024

In conventional Sanger sequencing, there is a need for a sequencing primer for the DNA polymerase to latch on, and continue the polymerisation cum sequencing of the DNA molecule. But such sequencing primer is mysteriously absent in many next-generation DNA sequencing applications. Why is that so? This comes about because the adaptor molecules that bind … More Adaptor molecules replace primers in sample preparation for next-generation sequencing

Electrospray ionization is the main gentle ionization technique that interfaces with liquid chromatography

May 9, 2024

Gentle ionization techniques have revolutionized the field of mass spectrometry identification of proteins by providing an intact molecular ion that is facile to downstream analysis. One important gentle ionization technique is electrospray ionization (ESI) that remains the dominant technique that interface liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Specifically, in ESI, the protein analyte is pass through … More Electrospray ionization is the main gentle ionization technique that interfaces with liquid chromatography

Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be more effective in treating tuberculosis than the current narrow spectrum antibiotics

May 7, 2024

Mycobacteria tuberculosis is an intracellular pathogen, and thus, it is difficult to be eradicated based on current antibiotic therapy where there is insufficient dose of the drug that reach the bacterial cell hiding inside a human cell. Therefore, we can treat the active form of tuberculosis (TB) with an aggressive broad spectrum antibiotic regiment that … More Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be more effective in treating tuberculosis than the current narrow spectrum antibiotics

Protein sequencing remains a significant technological barrier in omics research

May 2, 2024

Since the advent of Sanger sequencing in the 1970s, DNA sequencing has revolutionized our understanding of the life sciences, and allowed us to glean new insights into the genetic underpinnings of many diseases and biological phenomena at the cellular level. But, there is relatively little traction in the area of protein sequencing. Currently, we still … More Protein sequencing remains a significant technological barrier in omics research

Glyoxylate cycle is not essential for supporting aerobic growth in bacterial species

April 22, 2024

Aerobic growth brings with it the metabolic byproducts of oxygen mediated reactions. Chief culprit is reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce an oxidative stress response. Research has suggested that glyoxylate cycle in many bacteria could help ameliorate oxidative stress in cells, and help provide a conducive environment for aerobic respiration. This suggests that glyoxylate … More Glyoxylate cycle is not essential for supporting aerobic growth in bacterial species

Recap of my research journey (2004 to present)

April 19, 2024

My research journey started in May 2004 with a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme) project on biosorption of copper using local marine seaweed in Prof. Chen Jiaping’s lab at National University of Singapore. Currently, I am working on developing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay and device for detecting Helicobacter pylori in stomach gastric samples. … More Recap of my research journey (2004 to present)

Gene expression studies inform us of the underlying mechanisms that give rise to an observed phenotype

April 18, 2024

In recent years, gene expression studies have moved into an essential item in many biological studies. Such determination of gene expression pattern could occur at the mRNA or protein level, and helps us understand the molecular underpinnings of certain phenotype at the macroscale. For example, in Escherichia coli cultivated under anaerobic conditions, there is likely … More Gene expression studies inform us of the underlying mechanisms that give rise to an observed phenotype

High fidelity DNA synthesis is now possible with improved technologies and opens up synthetic gene use as positive control in qPCR applications

April 17, 2024

In method development for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), there is a need for a reference template in order to assess the binding efficiency and performance of the primers and probe as well as develop a temperature cycling programme for this gene and assay. With improvement in DNA synthesis technologies, now it is possible to … More High fidelity DNA synthesis is now possible with improved technologies and opens up synthetic gene use as positive control in qPCR applications

Synthetic gene affords a wider dynamic range calibration than genomic DNA in qPCR assay development

April 15, 2024

Calibration is an essential step in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay development. This step of the workflow relates Ct value with the number of copies of template DNA per unit volume. Hence, it gives clinical meaning to a qPCR detection of a pathogen. Typically, genomic DNA of a bacterium can be extracted, diluted, and … More Synthetic gene affords a wider dynamic range calibration than genomic DNA in qPCR assay development