Scientists from the University of Illinois have created a new type of optical biosensors that can detect protein DNA interactions. The biosensors work for the identification of inhibitors of protein-nucleic acid and protein-protein interactions. These interactions are important for transcription, DNA damage repair, and apoptosis. These biosensors have a low refractive index polymer grating coated with a film of high refractive index titanium oxide. By examining light reflected from the photonic crystal, the scientists can tell when molecules are added to or removed from the crystal surface. The scientists have also expressed the possible ability to do experiments with protein-RNA interactions. The scientists also said that they have the ability to grow cancer cells on the photonic crystal surface.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080923121954.htm
7 comments:
I think in terms of explaining this current event article scientfically you did it well but there were alot of terms that were hard to understand. It was a little hard to follow, in reference to what the article was about. You said in the last sentence that this new process means that scientists may be able to grow cancer cells on these photon crystals but your review doesn't explain what that means. I think that If you tried to explain this article in words that students would understand it could be very interesting.
I felt your current event was rather short but interesting nonetheless. It jumped around a little and was somewhat hard to follow but it is apparent that they can now potentially do wonders with the ability to grow and test cancer cells.
This was a very interesting post.I agree with Greg that some of the words were a little difficult to understand. Maybe you should have done some more research and defined them within your summary. I find it very interesting that scientists can use DNA and RNA to help indenitify criminals and suspects. I aslo find it very interesting that scientists can tell whether molecules have been added or taken away from it.
I think that over all, Oliver did a good job, specifically with providing an interesting advancement in science that may contribute to forensics, explaining the science of the topic in a sensible tone, and a good analysis pinpointing key importances of the article. Two things that I would suggest to better the review would be explaining what complex terms mean and some better grammar.
It was a very well described article, but i am no specialist on any of these terms so it was difficult to understand what did what and what exactly this new study would be used for. Otherwise, it was interesting to find out about the growing and testing of cancer cells which could greatly benefit us in the future.
This was a very interesting post, but I agree that it was a little bit difficult to follow. It may have been easier to understand if you had explained some of the terms. I thought it was very interesting that they could detect the interactions between the proteins, and used the reflected light to tell if molecules were added or taken away.
This is a well written review on the current event. Even though somewhat short it still was packed with an significant amount of information. the only thing i would change is explaining more on the cancer cell part but other than that good job.
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