Summary:

In this issue of Cancer Discovery, Li and colleagues provide a blueprint for the identification and functional validation of cancer-associated mutations in noncoding regions of the genome. Integration of whole-genome sequencing and high-throughput epigenome editing screens is starting to reveal the extent to which noncoding genetic lesions contribute to cancer.

See related article by Li et al., p. 724.

Unlike replicative senescence, oncogene-induced senescence caused heterochromatin-body formation.

This protocol is used to determine the concentration of DNase-resistant vector genomes (i.e., packaged in the capsid) in purified recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) preparations. The protocol begins with treatment of the vector stock with DNase I to eliminate unencapsidated AAV DNA or contaminating plasmid DNA. This is followed by a heat treatment to heat-inactivate DNase I, to disrupt the viral capsid, and to release the packaged vector genomes for quantification by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a set of standards (linearized plasmid used for vector production) containing known copy numbers. To accomplish high-throughput titration, the primer and probe sets used in real-time PCR are usually designed to target common elements present in most rAAV genomes, such as promoters and poly(A) signals. This strategy significantly reduces the number of PCRs, controls, and turnaround time. Several important controls should be included in the assay as follows: The first two controls should have a known copy number of the rAAV genome plasmid treated or not treated with DNase I. This control tests the effectiveness of DNase treatment. To control for potential cross-contamination between samples during the preparation process, a blank control containing nuclease-free water only should be processed and tested in parallel. A validation vector sample with a known titer should be included in every assay to monitor interassay variability. Finally, for the PCR run, a no-template control (NTC) is included to indicate cross-contamination during PCR setup.

A huge black hole in a distant galaxy caused the largest explosion we have ever seen, with the energy of 10 billion suns – and it isn't clear why it was so big

An explosion 4.6 billion light years away has released 10 times more energy than the sun will put out in its lifetime, making it the most extreme supernova ever found

The first clinical uses of whole-genome sequencing show just how challenging it can be.

Astronomers using the Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS) on the MPG/ESO 2.2-m telescope at ESO’s La Silla Observatory have found a stellar-mass black hole in HR 6819 (also known as HD 167128), a naked-eye stellar system located 1,119 light-years away in the constellation of Telescopium. The system is made up of an inner binary [...]

Astronomers using the MeerKAT telescope at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory in Cape Town, South Africa, have solved a longstanding mystery of X-shaped radio galaxies. Many galaxies far more active than the Milky Way have enormous twin jets of radio waves extending far into intergalactic space. Normally these go in opposite directions, coming from [...]

Lucianne Walkowicz says the American Girl doll 'Luciana Vega' stole her name and likeness

Experts theorize there are between 100 million to 1 billion black holes in the Milky Way

The newfound 'invisible' object is only 1,000 light years from home

Coronavirus: the symptoms Read our LIVE updates on the coronavirus here

More than a century ago, Einstein predicted how much the star's orbit changes, and now the data collected by scientists exactly matches his theory.

Earth's closest black hole has been discovered by astronomers and it is big enough to swallow the whole of Washington DC.

Just 1,000 light years from Earth, its two companion stars are visible to the naked eye.

Scientists usually find black holes by detecting X-rays they emit as they devour nearby stars. But this one was quietly hidden 1,000 light-years away.

Death of massive star 4.6 billion light years away could aid search for universe's oldest stars

Tracing out the shape of a galaxy may offer clues to the size of its supermassive black hole. And a new study shows citizen scientists are actually better at it than computer algorithms.

This quiet black hole sits just 1,000 light-years from Earth. But the two stars that dance around it are possible to pick out with the naked eye.

Astronomers believe they have found the closest black hole to our solar system, lying just 1,000 light-years away, which in astronomical terms, is right in our neighbourhood.

Thiago Alcantara has suggested Bayern Munich are keen to keep Philippe Coutinho at the Allianz Arena next season.

The closest black hole to Earth has been discovered about 1,000 light-years away, scientists have said.

Weighing in at more than four times the sun’s bulk yet emitting no detectable light, an invisible object is almost certainly a black hole, researchers reported Wednesday in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Most strikingly, it sits just 1,000 light years from our solar system, closer than any other known black hole.

Videos of unidentified flying objects have been officially released by the Department of Defense after unauthorised distribution in 2007 and 2017.

At just 1,000 light-years away, an object in a nearby star system could be our nearest known black hole—but not everyone is convinced

-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

April saw the company add new CEO, receive approval for lead ADC drug, and launch a public offering of stock.

Tiger Global-backed Games24X7 has appointed Rahul Tewari as its first CFO.

The post People Digest: Games24X7 appoints CFO; MedGenome names India CEO appeared first on DealStreetAsia.

Mario Andretti has hailed the new Circuit of the Americas as "phenomenal" after officially opening the track

In theory, the municipal bond insurance should reduce the cost of municipal borrowing by reducing expected default costs, providing due diligence, and improving price stability and market liquidity. However, prior empirical studies document a yield inversion in the secondary market, where insured bonds have higher yields than comparably-rated uninsured bonds during the 2008 financial crisis,…

More than just a typical aurora, researchers have now figured what powers this stunning lightshow and where it comes from.

Pigeons live large in these big artworks that celebrate the remarkable qualities of these overlooked birds.

We just noted the rising popularity of e-books as Amazon announced sales of digital books have consistently surpassed sales of hardcover books. However, don't think libraries will turn to ancient ruins quite yet. Pop

In many part of the world, the 2019-2020 winter was the winter that wasn't.