Publications by authors named "F Boellmann"

Article Synopsis
  • Modern sequencing methods struggle to resolve gaps in the human genome, particularly in repetitive regions, affecting genes like MUC5AC, which is crucial for airway function.
  • The MUC5AC region has a gap in the human genome reference due to its complex, repetitive structure, necessitating high-fidelity long PCR and SMRT sequencing for complete assembly.
  • Using SMRT sequencing, researchers identified genetic variations, including duplications and single nucleotide changes within the MUC5AC gene, paving the way for further studies on its genetic functions and implications.
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Background: The heat shock response is widely used as a surrogate of the general protein quality control system within the cell. This system plays a significant role in aging and many protein folding diseases as well as the responses to other physical and chemical stressors.

Methods/principal Findings: In this study, a broad-based functional genomics approach was taken to identify potential regulators of the mammalian heat shock response.

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Alterations in DNA methylation have been proposed as a mechanism for the complex toxicological effects of arsenic. In this study, whole-genome DNA methylation and gene expression changes were evaluated in lungs from female mice exposed for 90 days to 50 ppm arsenate (As) in drinking water. DNA methylation changes were measured using reduced representation bisulfite deep sequencing.

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Many chemicals in commerce today have undergone limited or no safety testing. To reduce the number of untested chemicals and prioritize limited testing resources, several governmental programs are using high-throughput in vitro screens for assessing chemical effects across multiple cellular pathways. In this study, metabolic clearance and plasma protein binding were experimentally measured for 35 ToxCast phase I chemicals.

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The heat shock protein response appears to be triggered primarily by nonnative proteins accumulating in a stressed cell and results in increased expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs). Many heat shock proteins prevent protein aggregation and participate in refolding or elimination of misfolded proteins in their capacity as chaperones. Even though several mechanisms exist to regulate the abundance of cytosolic and nuclear chaperones, activation of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) is an essential aspect of the heat shock protein response.

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