Genetic tools for the stable overexpression of circular RNAs.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs featuring a covalently closed ring structure formed through backsplicing. circRNAs are broadly expressed and contribute to biological processes through a variety of functions. Standard gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches to study gene functions have significant limitations when studying circRNAs.

A Versatile ES Cell-Based Melanoma Mouse Modeling Platform.

The cumbersome and time-consuming process of generating new mouse strains and multiallelic experimental animals often hinders the use of genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) in cancer research. Here, we describe the development and validation of an embryonic stem cell (ESC)-GEMM platform for rapid modeling of melanoma in mice. The platform incorporates 12 clinically relevant genotypes composed of combinations of four driver alleles (LSL-Braf, LSL-Nras, Pten, and Cdkn2a) and regulatory alleles to spatiotemporally control the perturbation of genes of interest.

Utilising the resources of the International Knockout Mouse Consortium: the Australian experience.

Mouse models play a key role in the understanding gene function, human development and disease. In 2007, the Australian Government provided funding to establish the Monash University embryonic stem cell-to-mouse (ES2M) facility. This was part of the broader Australian Phenomics Network, a national infrastructure initiative aimed at maximising access to global resources for understanding gene function in the mouse.

The role of ethnic identity and perceived ethnic norms in the purchase of ethnical food products.

The role of group and individual variables in the purchasing of ethnical food products was tested through an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model. A total of 100 Indian female immigrants, living in Rome, Italy, were administered a self-reported questionnaire measuring the classical TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intentions and self-reported behaviors) plus 3 additional variables: identification with the Indian ethnic group, perceived norms of the Indian ethnic group, and past behavior. Results confirmed that the new variables introduced are distinct from the original TPB components.