WebNewsletter9.2

If you are having trouble viewing this email, click on this link.
To order any of our products, please go to our ORDER FORM or visit one of our distributors:

Marker Gene Monthly Newsletter

September, 2002

Volume 2, Number 9

© Copyright MGT, Inc., 2007. Published by Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., The University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park, 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 USA. All rights reserved. For information on the use or copying of the material contained in this document, please contact us at techservice@markergene.com. Please see below for subscription information and updates. This newsletter is labeled as an ADVERTISEMENT in accordance with the CAN-SPAM act of 2003, S.877 Public Law: 108-187.

FDG Used for Live Tissue Staining.

Fluorescein di-b-D-Galactopyranoside (FDG, M0250) is a popular fluorogenic substrate for detection of cloned b-galactosidase activity (lacZ) in live cells. Enzymatic activity releases the highly fluorescent dye fluorescein (excitation at 488 nm and emission at 512 nm). Most common microscopes or microplate readers are equipped with filter sets for detection of fluorescein activity. Sheila Nirenberg’s group at UCLA have recently introduced methods for sensitive detection of lacZ activity in live cells and tissues, as well as specific ablation of these cells using the mild reducing agent 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole [132-32-1]. Cells or tissues are bathed in a solution of FDG (0.5 to 2 mM concentration) for a period of time, from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Cells or tissues are then washed with buffer or media prior to observation. For more information about the technique, see the references below.

“Photoablation of cells expressing beta-galactosidase.” Nirenberg, S., Methods Mol. Biol. (Methods in molecular biology) (2000) 135: 475-80.

“The light response of retinal ganglion cells is truncated by a displaced amacrine circuit.” Nirenberg, S., Meister, M., Neuron (1997) 18(4): 637-50.

“Targeted ablation of diverse cell classes in the nervous system in vivo.” Nirenberg, S., Cepko, C., J. Neurosci. (The Journal of Neuroscience : The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience.) (1993) 13(8): 3238-51.

Multiple Fluorescence Labeling of DNA Probes.

The Singer group at Albert Einstein College of Medicine recently reported the use of multiple fluorescent probes to monitor the activity of 10 individual genes simultaneously inside a living cell. Four fluorescent probes were used (CY3, CY3.5, CY5 and FITC) as their NHS esters, by labeling amino derivatized thymidine residues on DNA probes, followed by hybridization. By using combinations of one or multiple labels per probe, a “barcode” was established enabling identification of each gene. See the reference below for more information.

J. M. Levsky, S. M. Shenoy, R. C. Pezo, R. H. Singer, “Single-Cell Gene Expression Profiling” Science (2002) 297(5582), 836-840.

Using a Molecular Flashlight for Antiviral Treatment
Susan Carpenter’s lab at Iowa State University has recently described a novel antiviral compound that is directly conjugated to D-luciferin. Hypericin is a naturally occurring compound found in the flowers of St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) that exhibits potent anti-viral and anti-tumor activity, but mostly when activated in the presence of light. In collaboration with researchers in the Department of Chemistry, the mechanism of light-activation and the antiviral properties of hypericin using chemiluminescence from D-luciferin (M0237) for photoactivation, have been studied in vivo. The implications for targeted photodynamic therapy without the use of light sources are very exciting. See the references below for more information:

Wen, J., Chowdhury, P., Wills,N.J., Wannemuehler, Y., Park, J., Kesavan, S., Carpenter, S., Kraus. G.A., Petrich, J.W., “Toward the molecular flashlight: preparation, properties, and photophysics of a hypericin-luciferin tethered molecule.”, Photochem Photobiol (Photochemistry and photobiology.) (2002) 76(2): 153-7.

Carpenter, S., M.J. Fehr, G.A. Kraus, and J.W. Petrich. Chemiluminescent activation of the antiviral activity of hypericin: a molecular flashlight. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci (USA). (1994) 91:12273-12277

Marker Gene Adds Daiichi as our New Distributor in Japan.

Marker Gene has signed an exclusive Distribution Agreement with Daiichi Pure Chemicals, Ltd. to distribute our products in Japan. Daiichi brings a wide area of expertise in labeled antibody and drug assay systems. Please visit the Daiichi Web site at: http://www.shiyaku-daiichi.jp/catalog_pub/index.html for more information.

Daiichi の純粋な化学薬品との排他的な配分の一致に署名したのでマーカーの遺伝子は Daiichi, 株式会社を加える。Daiichi は分類された抗体と薬剤システムの専門知識の広い区域を持って来る。Daiichi のweb サイトをで訪問しなさい: より多くの情報のための http://www.shiyaku-daiichi.jp/catalog_pub/index.html。

New Strategy against AIDS using recombinant Caspase-3

Researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO have introduced a new method of attacking the AIDS virus in patients with this disease. By transfecting cells with a gene for the apoptosis inducing enzyme Caspase-3. The new gene becomes activated whenever the virus tries to replicate, induces programmed cell death in the infected cells, and thus stops further replication. The viral protease acts to chop up the fusion protein at the "Cut here" sites, freeing the two active pieces of the caspase protein. Acting in tandem, these pieces trigger a chain of suicidal events. Within a few hours, cells infected with active HIV had killed themselves. Uninfected cells were spared because they contained no viral protease to activate the caspase. "The beauty of the protein fusion approach is that it is unlikely to be sabotaged by viral mutations. See the references below for more information about this technique. See also our in vivo Caspase 3 substrate M0520, useful for intracellular analysis of Caspase activity.

Vocero-Akbani AM, Heyden NV, Lissy NA, Ratner L, Dowdy SF. Killing HIV-infected cells with an HIV protease-activated caspase-3 protein. Nature Medicine 5(1), pp. 29-33, January 1999.

Nagahara H, Vocero-Akbani AM, Snyder EL, Ho A, Latham DG, Lissy NA, Becker-Hapak M, Ezhevsky SA, Dowdy SF. Transduction of full-length TAT fusion proteins into mammalian cells: TAT-p27^Kip1 induces cell migration. Nature Medicine 4 (12), 1449-1452. December 1998.

Jingmei Biotech Ltd. is Marker Gene’s Distributor in China

Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. signed a new distribution agreement with Jingmei Biotech, Ltd. (Beijing, PRC) to market our products in the Peoples Republic of China. Jingmei is a leader in the development and sale of new molecular biology reagents and product kits in China and also has offices in the US (San Diego, CA). Please visit the Jingmei Web site at http://www.jingmei.com/site/site/index.jsp for more information about their products.

Compare Our Quality.
Marker Gene strives to offer our customers products of the highest quality and at the best possible prices. Our years of experience allow us to provide timely products for less cost to you. See our latest Price Comparison Chart that compares our prices with those from several alternate sources, to see if you can save money by switching to Marker Gene (http://www.markergene.com/crossref.htm). Or visit our website at www.markergene.com and click on the link “COMPARE”. We think you will appreciate our efforts to keep costs low and maintain excellent quality of our products for your research. For more information about any of our products, simply telephone us toll free at 1-888-218-4062 or contact us by e-mail at techservice@markergene.com. We will be happy to send you more about our products and their specifications.

CONTRACT RESEARCH@markergene.com

Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. has the expertise to perform contract research with you on your project. We have worked with many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on successful, proprietary and patented projects.

Contract Research and Development Capabilities in the following areas:

Established in 1993 at the University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park.

Screening Assay Development for HTS and uHTS

Chemical and Cellular Assays – High-Content Screening.

DNA/RNA (genomics) and protein (proteomics) labeling and assay development.

Pharmaceutical Intermediates - design, synthesis, and in vitro testing in mammalian cell culture.

Specializing in Carbohydrate, Lipid, Peptide, and Nucleic Acid Chemistries.

Fully equipped laboratories (Biochemistry, Chemical Synthesis, Tissue Culture, Analytical).

Confidentiality, help in patent preparation and filings.

Contact us by telephone at (888) 218-4062 or (541) 342-3760 or FAX us at (541) 342-1960 or you can write to us at Contract Research, Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 or contact us by e-mail at: techservice@markergene.com

Marker Gene Accepts Major Credit Cards.

Place your orders now, using Master Card or Visa and save time and money! Our Customer Assistance Staff can now accept either Master Card or Visa Credit Card orders, securely by telephone (toll-free) at 1-888-218-4062 (Domestic orders only). We will continue to accept Institutional Purchase Orders for our products, online or by FAX at 1-541-342-1960. International customers should contact us by e-mail, post or telephone for more information about International Distributors and ordering. For information on pricing for individual products, or for a quote on bulk quantities of our products or kits, please contact our technical assistance staff at techservice@markergene.com. We will be happy to assist you.

To add your name to our WebNewsletter mailing list, please use the following link: subscribe@markergene.com.

To unsubscribe from our mailing list, please use the following link: unsubscribe@markergene.com. Your e-mail address will be deleted in 2-3 business days.


	If you are having trouble viewing this email, click on this link. To order any of our products, please go to our ORDER FORM or visit one of our distributors:
	Marker Gene Monthly Newsletter September, 2002 Volume 2, Number 9 © Copyright MGT, Inc., 2007. Published by Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., The University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park, 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 USA. All rights reserved. For information on the use or copying of the material contained in this document, please contact us at techservice@markergene.com. Please see below for subscription information and updates. This newsletter is labeled as an ADVERTISEMENT in accordance with the CAN-SPAM act of 2003, S.877 Public Law: 108-187.
	FDG Used for Live Tissue Staining. Fluorescein di-b-D-Galactopyranoside (FDG, M0250) is a popular fluorogenic substrate for detection of cloned b-galactosidase activity (lacZ) in live cells. Enzymatic activity releases the highly fluorescent dye fluorescein (excitation at 488 nm and emission at 512 nm). Most common microscopes or microplate readers are equipped with filter sets for detection of fluorescein activity. Sheila Nirenberg’s group at UCLA have recently introduced methods for sensitive detection of lacZ activity in live cells and tissues, as well as specific ablation of these cells using the mild reducing agent 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole [132-32-1]. Cells or tissues are bathed in a solution of FDG (0.5 to 2 mM concentration) for a period of time, from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Cells or tissues are then washed with buffer or media prior to observation. For more information about the technique, see the references below. “Photoablation of cells expressing beta-galactosidase.” Nirenberg, S., Methods Mol. Biol. (Methods in molecular biology) (2000) 135: 475-80. “The light response of retinal ganglion cells is truncated by a displaced amacrine circuit.” Nirenberg, S., Meister, M., Neuron (1997) 18(4): 637-50. “Targeted ablation of diverse cell classes in the nervous system in vivo.” Nirenberg, S., Cepko, C., J. Neurosci. (The Journal of Neuroscience : The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience.) (1993) 13(8): 3238-51.
	Multiple Fluorescence Labeling of DNA Probes. The Singer group at Albert Einstein College of Medicine recently reported the use of multiple fluorescent probes to monitor the activity of 10 individual genes simultaneously inside a living cell. Four fluorescent probes were used (CY3, CY3.5, CY5 and FITC) as their NHS esters, by labeling amino derivatized thymidine residues on DNA probes, followed by hybridization. By using combinations of one or multiple labels per probe, a “barcode” was established enabling identification of each gene. See the reference below for more information. J. M. Levsky, S. M. Shenoy, R. C. Pezo, R. H. Singer, “Single-Cell Gene Expression Profiling” Science (2002) 297(5582), 836-840.
	Using a Molecular Flashlight for Antiviral Treatment Susan Carpenter’s lab at Iowa State University has recently described a novel antiviral compound that is directly conjugated to D-luciferin. Hypericin is a naturally occurring compound found in the flowers of St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) that exhibits potent anti-viral and anti-tumor activity, but mostly when activated in the presence of light. In collaboration with researchers in the Department of Chemistry, the mechanism of light-activation and the antiviral properties of hypericin using chemiluminescence from D-luciferin (M0237) for photoactivation, have been studied in vivo. The implications for targeted photodynamic therapy without the use of light sources are very exciting. See the references below for more information: Wen, J., Chowdhury, P., Wills,N.J., Wannemuehler, Y., Park, J., Kesavan, S., Carpenter, S., Kraus. G.A., Petrich, J.W., “Toward the molecular flashlight: preparation, properties, and photophysics of a hypericin-luciferin tethered molecule.”, Photochem Photobiol (Photochemistry and photobiology.) (2002) 76(2): 153-7. Carpenter, S., M.J. Fehr, G.A. Kraus, and J.W. Petrich. Chemiluminescent activation of the antiviral activity of hypericin: a molecular flashlight. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci (USA). (1994) 91:12273-12277
	Marker Gene Adds Daiichi as our New Distributor in Japan. Marker Gene has signed an exclusive Distribution Agreement with Daiichi Pure Chemicals, Ltd. to distribute our products in Japan. Daiichi brings a wide area of expertise in labeled antibody and drug assay systems. Please visit the Daiichi Web site at: http://www.shiyaku-daiichi.jp/catalog_pub/index.html for more information. Daiichi の純粋な化学薬品との排他的な配分の一致に署名したのでマーカーの遺伝子は Daiichi, 株式会社を加える。Daiichi は分類された抗体と薬剤システムの専門知識の広い区域を持って来る。Daiichi のweb サイトをで訪問しなさい: より多くの情報のための http://www.shiyaku-daiichi.jp/catalog_pub/index.html。
	New Strategy against AIDS using recombinant Caspase-3 Researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, MO have introduced a new method of attacking the AIDS virus in patients with this disease. By transfecting cells with a gene for the apoptosis inducing enzyme Caspase-3. The new gene becomes activated whenever the virus tries to replicate, induces programmed cell death in the infected cells, and thus stops further replication. The viral protease acts to chop up the fusion protein at the "Cut here" sites, freeing the two active pieces of the caspase protein. Acting in tandem, these pieces trigger a chain of suicidal events. Within a few hours, cells infected with active HIV had killed themselves. Uninfected cells were spared because they contained no viral protease to activate the caspase. "The beauty of the protein fusion approach is that it is unlikely to be sabotaged by viral mutations. See the references below for more information about this technique. See also our in vivo Caspase 3 substrate M0520, useful for intracellular analysis of Caspase activity. Vocero-Akbani AM, Heyden NV, Lissy NA, Ratner L, Dowdy SF. Killing HIV-infected cells with an HIV protease-activated caspase-3 protein. Nature Medicine 5(1), pp. 29-33, January 1999. Nagahara H, Vocero-Akbani AM, Snyder EL, Ho A, Latham DG, Lissy NA, Becker-Hapak M, Ezhevsky SA, Dowdy SF. Transduction of full-length TAT fusion proteins into mammalian cells: TAT-p27^Kip1 induces cell migration. Nature Medicine 4 (12), 1449-1452. December 1998.
	Jingmei Biotech Ltd. is Marker Gene’s Distributor in China Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. signed a new distribution agreement with Jingmei Biotech, Ltd. (Beijing, PRC) to market our products in the Peoples Republic of China. Jingmei is a leader in the development and sale of new molecular biology reagents and product kits in China and also has offices in the US (San Diego, CA). Please visit the Jingmei Web site at http://www.jingmei.com/site/site/index.jsp for more information about their products.
	Compare Our Quality. Marker Gene strives to offer our customers products of the highest quality and at the best possible prices. Our years of experience allow us to provide timely products for less cost to you. See our latest Price Comparison Chart that compares our prices with those from several alternate sources, to see if you can save money by switching to Marker Gene (http://www.markergene.com/crossref.htm). Or visit our website at www.markergene.com and click on the link “COMPARE”. We think you will appreciate our efforts to keep costs low and maintain excellent quality of our products for your research. For more information about any of our products, simply telephone us toll free at 1-888-218-4062 or contact us by e-mail at techservice@markergene.com. We will be happy to send you more about our products and their specifications.
	CONTRACT RESEARCH@markergene.com Marker Gene Technologies, Inc. has the expertise to perform contract research with you on your project. We have worked with many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on successful, proprietary and patented projects. Contract Research and Development Capabilities in the following areas: Established in 1993 at the University of Oregon Riverfront Research Park. Screening Assay Development for HTS and uHTS Chemical and Cellular Assays – High-Content Screening. DNA/RNA (genomics) and protein (proteomics) labeling and assay development. Pharmaceutical Intermediates - design, synthesis, and in vitro testing in mammalian cell culture. Specializing in Carbohydrate, Lipid, Peptide, and Nucleic Acid Chemistries. Fully equipped laboratories (Biochemistry, Chemical Synthesis, Tissue Culture, Analytical). Confidentiality, help in patent preparation and filings. Contact us by telephone at (888) 218-4062 or (541) 342-3760 or FAX us at (541) 342-1960 or you can write to us at Contract Research, Marker Gene Technologies, Inc., 1850 Millrace Drive, Eugene, Oregon 97403-1992 or contact us by e-mail at: techservice@markergene.com
	Marker Gene Accepts Major Credit Cards. Place your orders now, using Master Card or Visa and save time and money! Our Customer Assistance Staff can now accept either Master Card or Visa Credit Card orders, securely by telephone (toll-free) at 1-888-218-4062 (Domestic orders only). We will continue to accept Institutional Purchase Orders for our products, online or by FAX at 1-541-342-1960. International customers should contact us by e-mail, post or telephone for more information about International Distributors and ordering. For information on pricing for individual products, or for a quote on bulk quantities of our products or kits, please contact our technical assistance staff at techservice@markergene.com. We will be happy to assist you.
	To add your name to our WebNewsletter mailing list, please use the following link: subscribe@markergene.com. To unsubscribe from our mailing list, please use the following link: unsubscribe@markergene.com. Your e-mail address will be deleted in 2-3 business days.