An Orphan CpG Island Drives Expression of a let-7 miRNA Precursor with an Important Role in Mouse Development.

Most human genes are associated with promoters embedded in non-methylated, G + C-rich CpG islands (CGIs). Not all CGIs are found at annotated promoters, however, raising the possibility that many serve as promoters for transcripts that do not code for proteins. To test this hypothesis, we searched for novel transcripts in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that originate within orphan CGIs. Among several candidates, we detected a transcript that included three members of the let-7 micro-RNA family: Let-7a-1, let-7f-1, and let-7d. Deletion of the CGI prevented expression of the precursor RNA and depleted the included miRNAs. Mice homozygous for this mutation were sub-viable and showed growth and other defects. The results suggest that despite the identity of their seed sequences, members of the let-7 miRNA family exert distinct functions that cannot be complemented by other members

2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology

The 2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology (ICAB 2012) was held in Tianjin, China on October 18-19, 2012. It provides not only a platform for domestic and foreign researchers to exchange their ideas and experiences with the application-oriented research of biotechnology, but also an opportunity to promote the development and prosperity of the biotechnology industry. The proceedings of ICAB 2012 mainly focus on the world's latest scientific research and techniques in applied biotechnology, including Industrial Microbial Technology, Food Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Biological Materials and Bio-energy Technology, Advances in Biotechnology, and Future Trends in Biotechnology. These proceedings are intended for scientists and researchers engaging in applied biotechnology. Professor Pingkai Ouyang is the President of the Nanjing University of Technology, China. Professor Tongcun Zhang is the Director of the Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education at the College of Bioengineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, China. Dr. Samuel Kaplan is a Professor at the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA. Dr. Bill Skarnes is a Professor at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, United Kingdom.The 2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology (ICAB 2012) was held in Tianjin, China on October 18-19, 2012. It provides not only a platform for domestic and foreign researchers to exchange their ideas and experiences with the application-oriented research of biotechnology, but also an opportunity to promote the development and prosperity of the biotechnology industry. The proceedings of ICAB 2012 mainly focus on the world's latest scientific research and techniques in applied biotechnology, including Industrial Microbial Technology, Food Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Environmental Biotechnology, Marine Biotechnology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Biological Materials and Bio-energy Technology, Advances in Biotechnology, and Future Trends in Biotechnology. These proceedings are intended for scientists and researchers engaging in applied biotechnology. Professor Pingkai Ouyang is the President of the Nanjing University of Technology, China. Professor Tongcun Zhang is the Director of the Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology of the Ministry of Education at the College of Bioengineering, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, China. Dr. Samuel Kaplan is a Professor at the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA. Dr. Bill Skarnes is a Professor at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, United Kingdom

Proceedings of the 2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology (ICAB 2012)Volume 1 /

XVIII, 645 p. 259 illus.online resource

Proceedings of the 2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology (ICAB 2012)Volume 2 /

XVIII, 1276 p. 222 illus.online resource

Proceedings of the 2012 International Conference on Applied Biotechnology (ICAB 2012)Volume 3 /

XVIII, 604 p. 231 illus.online resource

The European dimension for the mouse genome mutagenesis program.

The European Mouse Mutagenesis Consortium is the European initiative contributing to the international effort on functional annotation of the mouse genome. Its objectives are to establish and integrate mutagenesis platforms, gene expression resources, phenotyping units, storage and distribution centers and bioinformatics resources. The combined efforts will accelerate our understanding of gene function and of human health and disease