Bird-brained molecular sexing
A recent study on the evolution of avian sex chromosomes has focused on retroposons as a novel method for reconstructing gametologous gene trees.
A recent study on the evolution of avian sex chromosomes has focused on retroposons as a novel method for reconstructing gametologous gene trees.
Alexander Suh and his team at the University of Münster looked at Z-/W-presence or Z-presence/W-absence regions among 126 sequenced intron pairs for all birds.1 The vast majority of extant birds possess highly differentiated Z and W sex chromosomes. All female birds (ZW) carry two distinct copies of these gametologues, while males (ZZ) have only one.
Suh found four regions in three gametologues: CHD1, NIPBL and ATP5A1. Their data confirmed that the CHD1Z/CHD1W genes differentiated in the ancestor of the neognaths. The NIPBLZ/NIPBLW genes diverged early in the neoavian ancestor and independently within Galloanserae. The divergence of the ATP5A1Z/ATP5A1W genes in galloanserans occurred independently and appears to have diverged fairly recently.
The practical application behind this study allows for three of the investigated loci to be utilized as independent tools for molecular sexing of Neoaves or Neognathae. When any of the four regions are copied a million-fold using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then separated by size using gel electrophoresis, the resulting PCR amplicons provide an explicit method for identifying the sex of birds. This depends upon the region that is amplified.
1. Alexander Suh et al., Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2011, doi: 10.1093/molbev/msr147
This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.
AI and GenAI Applications to Help Optimize Purification and Yield of Antibodies From Plasma
October 31st 2024Deriving antibodies from plasma products involves several steps, typically starting from the collection of plasma and ending with the purification of the desired antibodies. These are: plasma collection; plasma pooling; fractionation; antibody purification; concentration and formulation; quality control; and packaging and storage. This process results in a purified antibody product that can be used for therapeutic purposes, diagnostic tests, or research. Each step is critical to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of the final product. Applications of AI/GenAI in many of these steps can significantly help in the optimization of purification and yield of the desired antibodies. Some specific use-cases are: selecting and optimizing plasma units for optimized plasma pooling; GenAI solution for enterprise search on internal knowledge portal; analysing and optimizing production batch profitability, inventory, yields; monitoring production batch key performance indicators for outlier identification; monitoring production equipment to predict maintenance events; and reducing quality control laboratory testing turnaround time.
2024 EAS Awardees Showcase Innovative Research in Analytical Science
November 20th 2024Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, and other leading institutions took the stage at the Eastern Analytical Symposium to accept awards and share insights into their research.
