Questions about life can be answered in the context of what sustains it. 1) Answers must explain the diversity of life. 2) The diversity of life may help to explain the purpose of life. 3) Explaining the purpose of life may assist anyone who does not think they will live forever. 4) Answers to questions … Questions about life’s diversity
Luis P. Villarreal has led the way towards discovery of the “origins of life.” He has helped to elucidate what is currently known about how the epigenetic landscape becomes the physical landscape of DNA in the organized genomes of species from microbes to humans. Kudos to Suzan Mazur for admitting that she missed learning about … Luis P. Villarreal tells it like it is
Study details microRNA’s role as a double agent during Hep C infection By coopting miRNA-122, the virus appears to alter gene expression in the liver Excerpt: “What if chronic low levels of miRNA-122 prompt changes that, over years, contribute to liver damage and cancer? This could be a molecular link between the viral infection and … Two types of microRNA are not double agents
Thanks to Joost G. Wouters for the alert to this nonsense: 1) Michael White in Pacific Standard magazine flatly states that “Epigenetics Is Not Revolutionizing Biology.” 2) Adrian Bird points out in the journal Cell that many of the field’s assumptions and promises remain unproven and are perhaps excessive. 1) White’s article sketches the field’s … Epigenetics Skeptism
Single-cell transcriptogenomics reveals transcriptional exclusion of ENU-mutated alleles. Concluding sentence excerpt: “…rather than a rigid deterministic mechanism, transcription is not hardwired and able to select against potentially adverse changes in the DNA template. Such transcription avoidance may be yet another layer of protection against the detrimental consequences of mutations and provide further clues to understanding … Is DNA-directed transcription RNA-mediated?
Of Cells and Limits Leonard Hayflick has been unafraid to speak his mind, whether it is to upend a well-entrenched dogma or to challenge the federal government. At 86, he’s nowhere near retirement. By Anna Azvolinsky | March 1, 2015 Excerpt: The rejection letter came from Francis Peyton Rous who received the Nobel Prize a … Rejecting what is known about viral microRNAs and nutrient-dependent microRNAs
Discoveries in 3-D Genome Make-Up and Genetic Changes: Clarification of differences amidst chromosome pairs and how gene expression is effected by chromosome folding Excerpt: “…offers a useful guide for future studies of the epigenome’s function in our evolution and diseases that beset us.” My comment: The guide is also useful because it shows how the … From 3-D to epigenetically-effected 4-D genome make-up
See: Jumping back: Science or Pseudoscience? European Science’s Great Leap Backward inferred that evolutionary theory is evidence-based science: Excerpt: “… the U.S. can claim no superiority in our approach to evidence-based science, as demonstrated by the fact that nearly half of the country rejects the “theory” of evolution…” This article attests to the need to … Jumping back: Science or Pseudoscience? (2)
“Shown is the location of the conserved regions encoding for the N-terminal chromo domain and the C-terminal MYST functional domain. An arrow denotes the position site of amino acid substitution E431Q.” Microarray Analysis Uncovers a Role for Tip60 in Nervous System Function and General Metabolism My comment: The article links a nutrient-dependent amino acid substitution … Metabolism, fixation, health or neurodegerative disorder
19 December, 2013 – 09:31 april holloway Entire Neanderthal genome finally mapped – with amazing results Excerpt (with my emphasis): “Only 96 genes responsible for making proteins in cells are different between modern humans and Neanderthals. Intriguingly, some of the gene differences involve ones involved in both immune responses and the development of brain cells in people.” “Somewhere within … 96 fixed amino acid substitutions, not 96 genes
