Daily Archives: March 22, 2013

Continuing the trial on Thursday, Cassandra Campbell, a forensic scientist at theMichigan State Police forensics lab in Lansing, told the jury that a DNA sample taken from the Budweiser beer can found at the scene matched a DNA sample obtained from the inside of Hollman's cheek.

When examining a breadknifefound near Nelson's body, Campbell said the lab determined the DNA in Nelson's blood was the main source of DNA, so the lab used a DNA test that allows them to isolate and examine male DNA only.

Using the test onskin cells on the handle of the knife, Campbell said the lab identified three different sources of male DNA. Hollman's DNA profile matched that of the "largest donor" of the three male profiles found.

She said the test is useful for examining a small amount of male DNA in the presence of much more female DNA, but noted that males on a person's paternal side would have the same DNA profile. For example, DNA from Hollman's father would be indistinguishable from Hollman's own DNA, she said.

She testified that fingernail clippings of Cassandra Nelson contained only Nelson's own DNA.

Detective Sgt. Kenneth Binder of the MSP Bridgeport Crime Lab testified that no fingerprints were found on several items found at the scene, including a television found on Nelson's body, a blue plastic mug, a cardboard kitchen knife sheath and a steak knife, along with the blood-covered bread knife and the Budweiser beer can.

Amanda Sanchez, 20, identified herself as Hollman's girlfriend and told the jury she spent time with him on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012, when the couple went to Isabella County, paying Hollman's fines at the court house before gambling for several hours at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant.

Upon request by the prosecution, Sanchez pointed out Hollman, wearing a white shirt and hat, and herself walking around the casino and playing slot machines and said they were there for most of the day before returning to the Saginaw area to stay at a hotel for the next two nights.

The couple went to Fashion Square Mall Friday, Sanchez said, where she bought Hollman a pair of Nike shoes.

Grigg testified that the witness did not board the train as instructed and agreed upon, and told Grigg during a phone call that he received online messages from Hollman's mother asking him not to come to Saginaw to testify. On another phone call, Grigg said a woman who identified herself as the man's girlfriend said he has received threats online from others about coming to Saginaw to testify.

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DNA on bloody knife, beer can at homicide scene matches Saginaw man, expert testifies

Mar. 21, 2013 The discovery of the Rosetta Stone resolved a longstanding puzzle, permitting the translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs into Ancient Greek.

John Chaput, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute has been hunting for a biological Rosetta Stone -- an enzyme allowing DNA's 4-letter language to be written into a simpler (and potentially more ancient) molecule that may have existed as a genetic pathway to DNA and RNA in the prebiotic world.

Research results, which recently appeared in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, demonstrate that DNA sequences can be transcribed into a molecule known as TNA and reverse transcribed back into DNA, with the aid of commercially available enzymes.

The significance of the research is three-fold:

In the case of biomedical applications, XNAs may be developed into aptamers -- molecular structures that can mimic the properties of naturally occurring polymers, folding into a variety of 3-dimensional forms and binding with selected targets. Aptamers are useful for a range of clinical applications including the development of macromolecular drugs.

"TNA is resistant to nuclease degradation, making it an ideal molecule for many therapeutic and diagnostic applications," Chaput says.

The structural plans for organisms ranging from bacteria to primates (including humans) are encrypted in DNA using an alphabetic code consisting of just A, C, T & G, which represent the 4 nucleic acids. In addition to their information-carrying role, DNA and RNA possess two defining properties: heredity, (which allows them to propagate their genetic sequences to subsequent generations) and evolution, (which allows successive sequences to be modified over time and to respond to selective pressure).

The chemical complexity of DNA has convinced most biologists that it almost certainly did not arise spontaneously from the prebiotic soup existing early in earth's history. According to one hypothesis, the simpler RNA molecule may at one time have held dominion as the sole transmitter of the genetic code. RNA is also capable of acting as an enzyme and may have catalyzed important chemical reactions leading eventually to the first cellular life.

But RNA is still a complex molecule and the search for a simpler precursor that may have acted as a stepping-stone to the RNA, DNA and protein system that exists today has been intense.

A variety of xenonucleic acids are being explored as candidates for the role of transitional molecule. In the current study, threose nucleic acid or TNA is investigated. Chaput says that establishing TNA as a progenitor of RNA would require demonstrating that TNA can perform functions that would help support a pre-RNA world. Of particular importance, would have been the ability replicate itself in the absence of protein enzymes.

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Enzymes allow DNA to swap information with exotic molecules

LAS VEGAS, March 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --NANOTECH ENTERTAINMENT (NTEK) today announced from the DNA association as a founder member. Amusement Expo 2013 that it has accepted an invitation to join. The DNA is a young, rapidly-growing association of individuals and companies developing social and networked out-of-home entertainment applications, found in amusement and theme parks, retail centers, educational institutions and sports, fitness and leisure facilities.

Kevin Williams, Founding Chairman of the DNA stated, "We are very excited for NanoTech to join the association. The NanoTech team brings a wealth of industry experience and cutting edge innovation to the changing landscape of out-of-home entertainment." The focus of the DNA Association is to define the amorphous groups that comprise a vibrant industry and illustrate how they all interact but also to show what technology actually brings to those that operate them with statistical data for members and exclusive information circulation through membership. All this supported by special conferences to be held internationally. "NanoTech is always looking beyond the cutting edge of technology and is a welcome member to join our association and share their ideas and concepts that will help shape the future of this industry."

David R. Foley, founder of NanoTech stated, "Kevin has always had a keen eye on the industry and a more in depth understanding than many of the people in the industry. The DNA association represents a democratic concept of trying to better the market and share valuable ideas and information amongst its members. NanoTech will benefit greatly from this association."

For all details on the DNA Association contact Kevin Williams (KWP / DNA Association), kwp@thestingerreport.com, +44 7785 254 729, http://www.dna-association.com.

The NanoTech Entertainment logo is a trademark of NanoTech Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. "The Future of Television" is a service mark of NanoTech Entertainment, Inc., All Rights Reserved

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NanoTech Entertainment (NTEK) Joins DNA as Founder Member

King Wu of Zhou the Fifth and Empress Li Lihuana, now living in Philadelphia, Pa., were recently joined together at a joyous celebration that was followed by much speculation as to when they might start a family. Their adopted relatives at least were assured the pair had a good chance of siring healthy offspring. You see, this was a coupling of Himalayan cats and not royal humans, and their relationship had already received a veterinary thumbs up, thanks to new breakthroughs in feline DNA research.

Perhaps the biggest boost in this scientific field was the recent announcement that the domestic cat genome was sequenced. But what exactly does that mean, and how could it affect you and your cat now and in the future?

DNA is like a somewhat secretive code made up of words that consist of only four letters: G, C, A and T. Like lottery numbers, the letters combine in all sorts of different ways in the genome, which is an individuals full set of DNA. Each word contains instructions that help to make and run each and every cell in the living creatures body. The individual could be a human or all other species on the planet, including your cat.

Cats are the greatest predators that ever lived, says Stephen OBrien, PhD, who led the Cat Genome Project. Dr. OBrien, a scientist at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and a feline fancier himself was thrilled when he and his team recently announced that the domestic cat genome had at last been sequenced. He explains that he and his team identified the order of the DNA words, or building blocks, which was like decoding the secret genetic recipe for what makes up a cat. The arduous process entailed the identification of a whopping 20, 285 genes in the feline genome, proving that cats are indeed complex critters.

As exemplified by the planned, guilt-free joining of the two Himalayan cats from Philly, pet owners like you can already benefit from the DNA secret code unravelings. Randall Smith, spokesman for DDC Veterinary, a division of DNA Diagnostics Center in Fairfield, Ohio, oversaw King Wu of Zhous DNA paternity testing. Breeders like his owners, who wish to remain anonymous, are really fueling advances in this field, Smith says. If an animal is a purebred, we can help to confirm and trace back its family lineage, but there are big health benefits too.

Smith explains that his laboratory also tested the royal, handsome feline for a deadly disorder among Himalayan, Persian and other exotic cats called polycystic kidney disease, or PKD. This inherited disease causes cysts to form on a cats kidneys. Eventually PKD may lead to a painful death. King Wus tests came back completely negative, meaning that neither his father nor his mother carried the PKD gene, so hes now good to go for breeding umpteen litters of PKD-free kittens, so long as his mates also test negative.

PKD is the primary DNA health-related test for felines now, but Smith predicts that others will soon be possible. Cats have been slow to come on to DNA testing, perhaps because more dogs are purebreds and are easier to study for genetically inherited disorders, he says. But advances likely will come very quickly, since many hereditary disorders in felines mirror similar ones in people.

Cats May Benefit Human Health

One amazing realization made possible through the recent advances in genetics is how similar cats are to humans on the DNA level. In fact, all mammals that have had their genomes decipheredcows, dogs, mice, chimpanzees, rats and moreshare similar chromosomes, which are the specialized structures that hold genes in each cell. For researchers, such comparisons are like analyzing the primary ingredients of a bunch of different cookies. One may be peanut butter and another chocolate chip, but the basic formula remains the same, so theyre all cookies. In this case, a comparable formula encodes for all mammals.

This story was published on Gadzoo.com via The Daily Cat.

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DNA findings will revolutionize cat health

More than three years after a 67-year-old man went missing when he was released from the Montgomery County Jail, DNA testing confirmed that his skeletal remains were found in a thick wooded area across the street from the jail.

Layron Carey was booked into the jail on May 9, 2009, and released 13 days later. He was serving time for making a false report to a police officer. A few days passed, and family members reported that he had not been seen or heard from since that day.

His remains were discovered Aug. 8, 2012, behind a bail bond company's office at 101 Criminal Justice Drive, just a few hundred yards from the jail.

It's unclear how his body was overlooked by searchers, considering how close he was to where he was last seen.

Investigators believe Carey died of natural causes while attempting to take a shortcut through the wooded area. His last known address was an apartment in the 1900 block of Willowbend, less than two miles from the Montgomery County Jail.

Sgt. Dorcy Riddle with the Conroe Police Department said when a relative reported Carey missing, investigators began interviewing people in town about his whereabouts. Some made vague, unconfirmed reports that they had seen him since he was released.

At the same time, other reports indicated that he had gone to stay with a relative in Beaumont.

Riddle said there was never an active search with helicopters and dogs because there was no firm indication that Carey was "suspiciously missing."

Looking back, Riddle said, the reports from those who had claimed to have spotted him were unreliable.

"We didn't have leads as to where he was," she said. "Nobody we talked to positively saw him after he was released from jail."

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DNA testing confirms missing man's remains found near jail

Dongran Han

Scientists have coaxed DNA into self-assembled shapes such as spheres and corkscrews.

By Tia GhoseLiveScience

Scientists have bent DNA into bizarre, basket-woven shapes, from spheres to corkscrews.

The new DNA origami, described Thursdayin the journal Science, is one of the first steps in designing tiny nano-robots that could carry medicines or repair cells in the body.

"These are just the basic elements for device construction," study co-author Dongran Han, a chemistry doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, told LiveScience. "For future applications, we need a much bigger toolbox."

Mini-machinesIn the past, scientists have used DNA to write out words, made spaceships from tiny DNA bricks and even stored all of Shakespeare's sonnetsin the genetic code. Many of these methods are essentially proofs-of-concept to demonstrate that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) can be used to make microscopic machines for the body.

The new technique relies on DNA's unique ability to self-assemble. The molecule is usually bound into a double helix made of two strands with complementary base pairs, or letters representing nucleotides: A's bind to T's, and G's bind to C's. By manipulating the DNA sequence, the team can create single strands of DNA that will bind to each other in specific ways, forming unique shapes.

DNA's base pairs "recognize each other automatically," Han said. "If you design the things right, they will grow into the right things."

From single strands of DNA, Han and his colleagues created a wireframe structure that could then fold into several other shapes, such as corkscrews, spheres and scissors.

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DNA origami: The shape of things to come

Scientists have bent DNA into bizarre, basket-woven shapes, from spheres to corkscrews.

The new DNA origami, described today (March 21) in the journal Science, is one of the first steps in designing tiny nano-robots that could carry medicines or repair cells in the body.

"These are just the basic elements for device construction," study co-author Dongran Han, a chemistry doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, told LiveScience. "For future applications, we need a much bigger toolbox."

Mini-machines

In the past, scientists have used DNA to write out words, made spaceships from tiny DNA bricks and even stored all of Shakespeare's sonnets in the genetic code. Many of these methods are essentially proofs-of-concept to demonstrate that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) can be used to make microscopic machines for the body.

The new technique relies on DNA's unique ability to self-assemble. The molecule is usually bound into a double helix made of two strands with complementary base pairs, or letters representing nucleotides: A's bind to T's, and G's bind to C's. By manipulating the DNA sequence, the team can create single strands of DNA that will bind to each other in specific ways, forming unique shapes.

DNA's base pairs "recognize each other automatically," Han said. "If you design the things right, they will grow into the right things."

From single strands of DNA, Han and his colleagues created a wireframe structure that could then fold into several other shapes, such as corkscrews, spheres and scissors.

The DNA-folding methods could one day help engineers create self-assembling robots that work inside the body, tiny chemical factories or molecular electronics.

But before that can become a reality, researchers need to develop standard ways of building any shape they can conceive of, Han said.

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Genetic Origami: DNA Bent Into Strange Shapes