Site Directed Mutagenesis (SDM) Human Point mutation Caco-2

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - immortalized NTERA-2

Get tips on using RNeasy Mini Kit to perform RNA isolation / purification Cells - immortalized EM-2

Get tips on using CometAssay Electrophoresis System II to perform DNA Damage Assay U-2 OS

Get tips on using DeadEnd™ Colorimetric TUNEL System to perform DNA Damage Assay Saos-2

Get tips on using MMP2 Monoclonal Antibody (F14 P4 D3) to perform Western blotting MMP-2

Get tips on using Recombinant Anti-MMP2 antibody [EPR1184] (ab92536) to perform Western blotting MMP-2

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been greatly used for studies on embryonic development and cell differentiation.iPSCs provide a stable source for either self-renewal or differentiation into suitable cells when cultured in a particular environment. Pluripotent cell culture was originally started by deriving cells from inner cell mass (ICM) from pre-implanted blastocysts, these were called embryonic stem cells. These cells after isolation can be grown on traditional extracellular matrices (like mouse embryonic fibroblasts, MEFs) or feeder-free culture systems. DMEM/F12 has been the most commonly used basal media in the culture of pluripotent cells. These cells are cultured at normal atmospheric oxygen levels, 21%, however, some studies have proposed that 4% oxygen tension may be better for hESC growth. Higher D-glucose concentration (4.2g/l) and osmolarity (320mOsm) that mimics the natural environment of embryonic tissue are optimal for the growth of hESCs. Supplements like N2 and/or B-27, in the presence of growth factors like bFGF, have been shown to increase pluripotency of these cells. bFGF, FGF2 and other ligands of receptor tyrosine kinases like IGF are also required or maintain self-renewal ability of these cells. TGF𝛃1, by its activation of SMAD2/3 signalling, also represses differentiation of iPSCs. Other compounds like ROCK inhibitors reduce blebbing and apoptosis in these cells to maintain their clonogenicity. However, an inhibitor for LIF (leukaemia inhibitory factor, which is one of the pluripotent genes) has an opposing effect. Therefore, it is important to understand the culture conditions and media composition that affect downstream signalling in hESCs or iPSCs that may lead to their differentiation.

A PCR reaction consists of the template DNA, two primers covering the amplification site, an enzyme, and buffers. The resulting amplicons are generally detected by gel electrophoresis and for some further applications like cloning, sequencing, amplicon product needs to be recovered from the gel and subsequently purified. However, non-specific product amplification and primer-dimer formation during set-up make gel extraction difficult. Nevertheless, high-quality DNA polymerase and optimize reaction buffers will certainly lead to a successful PCR reaction.

A PCR reaction consists of the template DNA, two primers covering the amplification site, an enzyme, and buffers. The resulting amplicons are generally detected by gel electrophoresis and for some further applications like cloning, sequencing, amplicon product needs to be recovered from the gel and subsequently purified. However, non-specific product amplification and primer-dimer formation during set-up make gel extraction difficult. Nevertheless, high-quality DNA polymerase and optimize reaction buffers will certainly lead to a successful PCR reaction.

The RNA interference (RNAi) is used to inhibit gene expression or translation, by neutralizing targeted mRNA molecules. Two types of RNA molecules such as microRNA (miRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) play a central role in RNAi. Few points have to considered to increase the transfection efficiency of siRNA. Always use healthy, actively dividing cells to maximize transfection efficiency. The confluency of cells should be between 50-70%. Always use the most appropriate siRNA concentration to avoid off-target effects and unwanted toxic side effects. Positive and negative controls should be used for each and every experiment to determine transfection efficiency.