Chromatin profiling assays enable the mapping of protein-DNA interactions that influence chromatin modeling and gene expression.
Over the years, Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation (ChIP) assays became the gold-standard for studying transcription factor–DNA binding interactions, nucleosome dynamics, and epigenetics (ex. histone post-translational modifications (PTMs)). This post aims at introducing the latest evolution of ChIP assays: CUTANA™ CUT&RUN and ChIC assays.

Over the last years, ChIP experts express the need for more sensitivity, faster protocols, and more reproducible results (and ideally starting from less starting cellular material). These expectations led to the emergence of new experimental antibody-based experimental approaches like Chromatin ImmunoCleavage (ChIC) assays, and Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN) methods.

Due to their ability to simulate the characteristics of most soft tissues and natural scaffolds, hydrogels are now an attractive material for developing synthetic Extracellular Matrix (ECM) analogs.

Recently, the VitroGel™ hydrogels have been designed for researchers willing to fully master the characteristics of the synthetic ECM to be used with their 3D / 2D cell cultures. In this post, we will review the main benefits of the recently released VitroGel™ solutions.

Immune checkpoint molecules play an important role in T cell functionality after TCR/MHC signalling. Blockade of two B7/CD28 family checkpoint molecules, CTLA-4 and PD-1, have already demonstrated excellent efficacy in increasing T cell responses to a variety of tumours. Identification of novel target and new checkpoint blockade remains a key element in Drug Discovery (See “Drug discovery: Immunotherapy checkpoint research for new Cancer treatments“). In this post, let’s take a look at the “Quantibody® Human Immune Checkpoint Molecule Array 1” for the detection of 10 Human Immune Checkpoint biomarkers.

Nipah Virus Infection (NiV) is an emerging infectious disease of public health importance in the South-East Asia Region (source: World Health Organization). Along with Hendra virus (HeV), NiV is part of a new genus designated Henipavirus. Fruit bats have been identified as the natural reservoirs. Nevertheless, pigs, horses, goats, sheep, cats and dogs can also be infected and transmit the virus.

Symptoms of NiV infection are similar to influenza and in some cases can lead to encephalitis. The case fatality rate is high (40-70%) and there is no specific treatment. While able to bind with cellular EphrinB2, NiV G Protein (NiV-G) exhibits the antigenic epitopes and conformation necessary for specific antigen–antibody recognition. For this reason, Meridian Life Science have recently developed new Nipah virus glycoprotein (NiV-G) products suitable for the R&D projects of NiV using ELISA tests.