• Title/Summary/Keyword: systems biology.

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A Novel Feeder-Free Culture System for Expansion of Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells

  • Choi, Na Young;Park, Yo Seph;Ryu, Jae-Sung;Lee, Hye Jeong;Arauzo-Bravo, Marcos J.;Ko, Kisung;Han, Dong Wook;Scholer, Hans R.;Ko, Kinarm
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.37 no.6
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    • pp.473-479
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    • 2014
  • Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs, also called germline stem cells) are self-renewing unipotent stem cells that produce differentiating germ cells in the testis. SSCs can be isolated from the testis and cultured in vitro for long-term periods in the presence of feeder cells (often mouse embryonic fibroblasts). However, the maintenance of SSC feeder culture systems is tedious because preparation of feeder cells is needed at each subculture. In this study, we developed a Matrigel-based feeder-free culture system for long-term propagation of SSCs. Although several in vitro SSC culture systems without feeder cells have been previously described, our Matrigel-based feeder-free culture system is time- and cost-effective, and preserves self-renewability of SSCs. In addition, the growth rate of SSCs cultured using our newly developed system is equivalent to that in feeder cultures. We confirmed that the feeder-free cultured SSCs expressed germ cell markers both at the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the functionality of feeder-free cultured SSCs was confirmed by their transplantation into germ cell-depleted mice. These results suggest that our newly developed feeder-free culture system provides a simple approach to maintaining SSCs in vitro and studying the basic biology of SSCs, including determination of their fate.

Bioinformatics : Latest Application and Interdisciplinary Field of Computer Science (전산학의 최신 응용 및 학제 분야인 생명정보학)

  • Kim, Ki-Bong
    • Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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    • v.11 no.3
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    • pp.971-977
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    • 2010
  • A flood of biological data has caused many challenges in computing. Bioinformatics, the application of computational techniques to analyze the information associated with biomolecules on a large-scale, has now firmly established itself as an interdisciplinary subject in molecular biology, and encompasses a wide range of subject areas from structural biology, genomics, proteomics, systems biology, biostatistics to computer science. In this review, I provide an introduction and overview of the current state of bioinformatics. Looking at the types of biological information and databases that are commonly used, I also deals with some of bioinformatics application domains which are closely related to areas of computer science.

Analysis for Regulatory Elements in Yeast MGMT Gene Transcription

  • Joo, Jae-Hoon;Kim, Woo-Jae;Rho, Jae-Kyun;Choe, Jae-Hyun;Choe, Soo-Young;Sang-Dai
    • Animal cells and systems
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.287-295
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    • 1998
  • The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MGMT gene encodes a O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase that protects cells from mutation or death by DNA alkylating agents. Using an in vitro transcription system, we analyzed its promoter region to find regulatory elements for transcription initiation. DNase I footprinting and a transcription assay showed that a functional TATA box, 5'-TGATATAGCA-3', is located in the region spanning from -25 to -34. We also found one upstream repressing sequence (URS), -333 to -213, by promoter deletion and competition analysis. Gel mobility shift assays and Southwestern blot analysis using URS region indicate specific complex formations. These results indicate that several cis-acting and trans-acting elements might be involved in the transcriptional regulation of the S. cerevisiae MGMT gene.

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Combinatorial Approach Using Caenorhabditis elegans and Mammalian Systems for Aging Research

  • Lee, Gee-Yoon;Sohn, Jooyeon;Lee, Seung-Jae V.
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.44 no.7
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    • pp.425-432
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    • 2021
  • Aging is associated with functional and structural declines in organisms over time. Organisms as diverse as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and mammals share signaling pathways that regulate aging and lifespan. In this review, we discuss recent combinatorial approach to aging research employing C. elegans and mammalian systems that have contributed to our understanding of evolutionarily conserved aging-regulating pathways. The topics covered here include insulin/IGF-1, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and sirtuin signaling pathways; dietary restriction; autophagy; mitochondria; and the nervous system. A combinatorial approach employing high-throughput, rapid C. elegans systems, and human model mammalian systems is likely to continue providing mechanistic insights into aging biology and will help develop therapeutics against age-associated disorders.