siRNA / miRNA gene silencing Human OVCAR-3

The RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease system has revolutionized the genome editing practices. For the most part, the Cas9-mediated genome editing is performed either via nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) in mammalian cells, However, designing of specific sgRNAs and minimizing off-target cleavage mediated mutagenesis are the major challenges in CRISPR-Cas based genome editing. To circumvent these issues, we can take advantages of many available tools and approaches for sgRNA construction and delivery.

The RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease system has revolutionized the genome editing practices. For the most part, the Cas9-mediated genome editing is performed either via nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) or homology-directed repair (HDR) in mammalian cells, However, designing of specific sgRNAs and minimizing off-target cleavage mediated mutagenesis are the major challenges in CRISPR-Cas based genome editing. To circumvent these issues, we can take advantages of many available tools and approaches for sgRNA construction and delivery.

Get tips on using PureLink Genomic DNA Mini Kit to perform DNA isolation / purification Cells - Immortalized cell lines 3T3

Get tips on using Wizard® Genomic DNA Purification Kit to perform DNA isolation / purification Cells - Immortalized cell lines 3T3

DNA damage assay is a standard method for determining in-vivo/in-vitro genotoxicity by measuring the breaks in the DNA chain of animal and plant cells. Initial DNA damage leads to cell cycle arrest and, at the final stages, leads to induction of senescence or cell death (apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, or mitotic catastrophe). Detection of DNA damage from mild to moderate to severe is challenging when studying genotoxicity in the pool of cells. It is favorable to use DNA damage assay kits available for prominent identification of the extent of damage in the analysis.

Isolating RNA from tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples can be challenging due to cross-linking of biomolecules and fragmented nucleic acids. The best solution is to slice the tissues into smaller pieces and make a homogenate solution (using tissue homogenizer or grinding liquid nitrogen frozen samples) in presence of RNAse inhibitors. The homogenization process should be carried out on dry ice to maintain the integrity of RNA.

Isolating RNA from tissues and paraffin-embedded tissue samples can be challenging due to cross-linking of biomolecules and fragmented nucleic acids. The best solution is to slice the tissues into smaller pieces and make a homogenate solution (using tissue homogenizer or grinding liquid nitrogen frozen samples) in presence of RNAse inhibitors. The homogenization process should be carried out on dry ice to maintain the integrity of RNA

Plasmid isolation is an important technique in molecular biology or any kind of genetic editing. It involves amplifying plasmids overnight by transforming them into competent bacterial cells. The desired colonies of these bacteria can then be grown in shaker cultures, at appropriate shaking speed, oxygen availability and temperature. These liquid cultures can then be ultracentrifuged to pellet the bacteria, which are then used for plasmid isolation. The bacteria are first resuspended in a buffer, then lysed, neutralized, purified in a column, eluted, precipitated with ethanol and then resuspended. During plasmid isolation, it is important to lyse cells quickly because lysing bacteria for too long may lead to irreversible denaturing of the plasmid. Usually, alkaline lysis is used for isolation because it is a mild treatment. It isolates plasmid DNA and other cell components such as proteins by breaking cells apart with an alkaline solution. Precipitation removes the proteins, and the plasmid DNA recovers with alcohol precipitation. Resuspension and lysis buffers should be mixed thoroughly in order to prevent the DNA from breaking into smaller fragments. This is because broken gDNA can reanneal and remain in the solution, without binding to the column.

A PCR reaction consists of the template DNA, two primers covering the amplification site, an enzyme, and buffers. Multiplexing such a reaction amplifies the design challenges where one target requires 3 primers, which should be exclusively bound nowhere in the template DNA or to each other. Similarly, two targets require 6, three require 9, and so on. Each amplicon needs to be either a different size (for gels) or labeled with a different fluorescent tag that is spectrally distinct from the others in the reaction. Further complicating this, different targets in the reaction can compete with each other for resources and causes more challenges in the detection of amplicons. However, with proper primer designing, their validation, optimize quality and concentration of the enzyme and buffers certainly lead to a successful multiplex PCR reaction.

A PCR reaction consists of the template DNA, two primers covering the amplification site, an enzyme, and buffers. Multiplexing such a reaction amplifies the design challenges where one target requires 3 primers, which should be exclusively bound nowhere in the template DNA or to each other. Similarly, two targets require 6, three require 9, and so on. Each amplicon needs to be either a different size (for gels) or labeled with a different fluorescent tag that is spectrally distinct from the others in the reaction. Further complicating this, different targets in the reaction can compete with each other for resources and causes more challenges in the detection of amplicons. However, with proper primer designing, their validation, optimize quality and concentration of the enzyme and buffers certainly lead to a successful multiplex PCR reaction.