Heritable and Lineage-Specific Gene Knockdown in Zebrafish Embryo
July 3, 2009 – 7:00 am BackgroundReduced expression of developmentally important genes and tumor suppressors due to haploinsufficiency or epigenetic suppression has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of various malignancies. However, methodology that allows spatio-temporally knockdown of gene expression in various model organisms such as zebrafish has not been well established, which largely limits the potential of zebrafish as a vertebrate model of human malignant disorders.
Principal FindingHere, we report that multiple copies of small hairpin RNA (shRNA) are expressed from a single transcript that mimics the natural microRNA-30e precursor (mir-shRNA). The mir-shRNA, when microinjected into zebrafish embryos, induced an efficient knockdown of two developmentally essential genes chordin and ?-catenin in a dose-controllable fashion. Furthermore, we designed a novel cassette vector to simultaneously express an intronic mir-shRNA and a chimeric red fluorescent protein driven by lineage-specific promoter, which efficiently reduced the expression of a chromosomally integrated reporter gene and an endogenously expressed gata-1 gene in the developing erythroid progenitors and hemangioblasts, respectively.
SignificanceThis methodology provides an invaluable tool to knockdown developmental important genes in a tissue-specific manner or to establish animal models, in which the gene dosage is critically important in the pathogenesis of human disorders. The strategy should be also applicable to other model organisms.
Standard Imaging releases new RT software
July 3, 2009 – 7:00 am Radiation calibration and quality assurance company Standard Imaging has released a new workflow management package for radiation therapy (RT).AFP secures investment, restructures debt
July 3, 2009 – 7:00 am Digital x-ray developer AFP Imaging has received a $1.5 million investment in growth capital and debt restructuring from BioWave Innovations and ComVest Capital.The Profit Center: Part 4 — Creating an ‘experience monopoly’
July 3, 2009 – 7:00 am Radiology groups should strive to create an "experience monopoly" of unique services and relationships that will give them the upper hand when negotiating contracts with hospitals, according to the latest installment of the Profit Center by Mark Weiss.Swine Flu-Radiology
July 3, 2009 – 3:33 amChest x-ray and CT features of the disease include rapidly-progressing basal and axial interstitial/alveolar consolidation and diffuse ground-glass opacities.
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House bill would close Stark in-office loophole
July 2, 2009 – 7:09 pm Legislation has been introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives that would close a loophole in federal law that enables physicians to self-refer patients for imaging studies as long as the exams are performed in their own offices.ASCO 2009: Oncology Insights
July 2, 2009 – 6:33 pm In this fascinating exclusive video interview, Dr. Maurie Markman talks with Dr. David Alberts about some of the greatest challenges facing oncologists in the current environment.Medscape Hematology-Oncology