Tuesday, March 13, 2012

ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News

ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News

Early evolution of life: Study of ribosome evolution challenges 'RNA World' hypothesis

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 04:28 PM PDT

In the beginning -- of the ribosome, the cell's protein-building workbench -- there were ribonucleic acids, the molecules we call RNA that today perform a host of vital functions in cells. And according to a new analysis, even before the ribosome's many working parts were recruited for protein synthesis, proteins also were on the scene and interacting with RNA. This finding challenges a long-held hypothesis about the early evolution of life.

Epstein Barr-like virus infects and may cause cancer in dogs

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 11:02 AM PDT

Best known for causing mononucleosis, or "the kissing disease," the Epstein Barr virus has also been implicated in more serious conditions, including Hodgkin's, non-Hodgkin's and Burkitt's lymphomas. Now a team of researchers has the first evidence that an Epstein Barr-like virus can infect and may also be responsible for causing lymphomas in man's best friend.

Sending out an SOS: How telomeres incriminate cells that can't divide

Posted: 12 Mar 2012 07:14 AM PDT

The well-being of living cells requires specialized squads of proteins that maintain order. Degraders chew up worn-out proteins, recyclers wrap up damaged organelles, and-most importantly-DNA repair crews restitch anything that resembles a broken chromosome. If repair is impossible, the crew foreman calls in executioners to annihilate a cell. As unsavory as this last bunch sounds, failure to summon them is one aspect of what makes a cancer cell a cancer cell.
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