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PhD & MSC Opportunities in Malaysis

on August 30, 2024

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Traditional PCR vs Real-Time PCR vs Digital PCR: A Review

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is one of the most revolutionary techniques in molecular biology. It enables scientists to amplify specific DNA fragments, allowing them to detect even minute amounts of genetic material. Over the years, PCR technology has evolved significantly, resulting in various versions, including Traditional PCR, Real-Time PCR, and Digital PCR. While all three share the same basic principle, DNA amplification using a thermal cycling process, they differ in sensitivity, accuracy, data analysis, and applications. 1. Traditional PCR Traditional PCR also known as Endpoint PCR or Conventional PCR , developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 , was the original method for DNA amplification. It works by repeatedly heating and cooling DNA with primers, nucleotides, and DNA polymerase to produce millions of copies of a target sequence. Working 1. Denaturation : DNA is heated (~94–98°C) to separate strands. 2. Annealing : Primers bin...

Blood Moon: Myths, Science, and Its Effect on Human Health

What exactly is a blood moon , and why does the Moon turn red during a lunar eclipse? How is a blood moon lunar eclipse different from a regular full moon? Do blood moons have any real effects on human health , or are the concerns just myths? What do scientists and medical experts say about the impact of lunar eclipses on sleep, mood, and well-being? Why have blood moons been surrounded by myths, cultural beliefs, and superstitions for centuries? The Moon has always captured human imagination, guiding calendars, influencing tides, and inspiring myths. Among the many celestial phenomena, the blood moon stands out as one of the most striking and mysterious. When the full moon suddenly turns a deep red or coppery shade during a lunar eclipse , people worldwide pause to watch and wonder. But what causes this fiery transformation? And does it really affect human health, as folklore often suggests? Let’s explore the science, myths, and expert opinions behind the blood moon. What is a Blo...

Metagenomics: Unlocking the Hidden World of Microbial Communities

For much of human history, the microbial world has been a mystery. Even though microorganisms dominate every environment on Earth, from the depths of the oceans to the human gut, their full extent remained invisible until the development of modern molecular biology. Traditional microbiology relied heavily on culturing microbes in the laboratory, but this approach had a major limitation: most microorganisms, estimated to be more than ninety-nine percent, cannot be grown under artificial conditions. As a result, scientists were only seeing a very small fraction of the microbial universe. The emergence of metagenomics, the study of collective genetic material extracted directly from environmental samples, revolutionized this perspective. By allowing researchers to bypass the need for culturing organisms, metagenomics has opened a new window into the hidden diversity and functionality of microbial communities. At its core, metagenomics is the study of the metagenome , which represents th...

Multiomics: A Systems Biology Approach to Precision Medicine

Biomedical research has shifted from reductionist analyses of isolated molecular components to integrative systems biology, driven by advancements in high-throughput omics technologies. Multiomics synthesizes data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, radiomics, and emerging omics disciplines to construct comprehensive models of health and disease. This holistic approach captures interactions across molecular, cellular, and phenotypic layers, enabling precision medicine that tailors diagnostics and therapies to individual profiles. By elucidating complex biological networks, multiomics overcomes the limitations of single omics studies, offering insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Principles of Multiomics Multiomics integrates multiple biological datasets to reveal dynamic interactions that single-omics approaches miss. The central dogma, DNA to RNA to protein, provides a linear framework, but biological systems are influenced by regu...

A Patient's Last Resort: How 'Martha's Rule' is Changing Hospital Care

What if a simple phone call could save a life in a hospital? Could getting a second opinion in the hospital be a matter of life or death? The tragic story behind a new patient safety law. What is Martha's Rule, and how is it changing hospitals forever? In the heart of a hospital, where the air is often thick with the quiet hum of machines and the hushed urgency of medical professionals, there is a silent but powerful shift taking place. It is a change born from a parent's unimaginable grief and a tireless campaign for change. This is the story of Martha's Rule , a new patient safety protocol that is not just a phone number but a lifeline, a way for families to seek an urgent second opinion if they are concerned that their loved ones are deteriorating in the hospital. It's a fundamental change that puts the power of a second opinion directly into the hands of those who know the patient best. The expansion of this rule across all acute hospitals in England is a landmark...

Melatonin: The Science Behind the Prescription

Can a children's health gummy contain a secret ingredient? Is it safe to give my child a supplement that hasn't been officially licensed? What are the potential risks of giving a child an unprescribed sleep-regulating hormone? How did a popular children's gummy end up with a prescription-only drug? Why is it crucial to check for hidden ingredients in supplements, even from seemingly reputable sellers? In a recent and concerning development, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK has issued a severe warning to parents and caregivers: immediately stop using Nutrition Ignition Kids Magnesium Glycinate Gummies . The alert comes after tests revealed the gummies, marketed as a harmless food supplement for children, contained an undeclared and potent ingredient: melatonin , a substance classified as a prescription-only medicine in the UK. This incident highlights the critical dangers of unregulated health products and the importance of vigila...

What is Digital PCR and How Is It Different from Real Time PCR?

Polymerase Chain Reaction or simply PCR has revolutionized molecular biology by enabling the amplification of DNA. Over the years, various PCR technologies have evolved each with its own advantages and use cases. Two of the most commonly compared methods are quantitative PCR or q-PCR and digital PCR (d-PCR) . While they share a foundational principle of amplifying nucleic acids, their approaches to quantification, sensitivity, and applications differ significantly. What is Digital PCR ? Digital PCR (d-PCR) is a highly sensitive technique that enables absolute quantification of nucleic acids without the need for standard curves. Unlike q-PCR, which provides relative quantification based on fluorescence signals during exponential amplification, d-PCR counts each DNA molecule directly by partitioning the sample into thousands of separate reactions. Each partition acts as an individual reaction chamber, and after amplification, the system identifies which partitions ...

Chagas Disease: The Silent Threat Spreading Beyond Latin America

Is a Silent Killer Lurking in Your Backyard? Can a Bug Bite Lead to Heart Failure Decades Later? Why Is Chagas Disease Spreading Beyond Latin America? Are You at Risk of Catching Chagas Without Knowing It? Is the U.S. Ready for a Growing Chagas Disease Threat? Chagas disease, a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi , is a growing public health concern that has long been overshadowed by its "silent" nature. Transmitted primarily by blood-sucking insects known as "kissing bugs" or triatomine bugs, this disease is no longer confined to the rural landscapes of Latin America. With cases now appearing in the United States and other non-endemic regions, experts are sounding the alarm about the need for increased awareness, better diagnostics, and proactive public health measures. Named after Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, who discovered it in 1909, this disease has a complex lifecycle and devastating long-term effects that make it a formidab...

Genetics vs Epigenetics: Two Dimensions of Biological Information

Genetics and epigenetics are two interconnected layers of biological information that explain how traits are inherited and expressed. Genetics focuses on the DNA sequence itself, the stable code that passes from one generation to the next, while epigenetics studies the chemical modifications that regulate whether genes are turned on or off, without altering the underlying sequence. Genetics determines the potential of an organism, but epigenetics shapes how that potential unfolds in response to developmental and environmental influences. Together, they offer a comprehensive understanding of inheritance, health, disease, and future medical advancements. Genetics: The Foundation of Inheritance The story of life has long been explained through the lens of genetics. The discovery that DNA carries the code for heredity revolutionized biology in the twentieth century, providing a concrete explanation for how traits are transmitted from one generation to the next. Genetics, as a discipline,...

Why Are We So Slow? The Hidden Clock of Human Development

Have you ever wondered why it takes us nine months to develop in the womb, while a mouse is ready in just three weeks? Why do the fundamental steps of embryonic development look remarkably similar across species, yet the actual speed at which they unfold varies so dramatically? This isn't just a philosophical question; it's a profound biological mystery with implications for understanding human health and disease. The Unseen Clock: Unraveling the Mystery of Human Development's Slow Pace Why are we so slow? This question has long puzzled scientists, but recent groundbreaking research, involving human embryonic stem cells and advanced gene-editing, has begun to uncover the intricate genetic "brakes" that dictate the leisurely pace of human development. 1. The Riddle of Developmental Timing: A Universal Blueprint, Varied Paces Imagine a symphony orchestra. Every instrument knows its part, and the score is largely the same for a classical piece. Yet, a conductor ca...

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PhD & MSC Opportunities in Malaysis

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