DNA-functionalized colloidal crystals for macromolecular encapsulation.

Novel DNA-based structures with the ability to encapsulate nanoscale molecules, such as proteins, can be applied to a wide range of areas, including reaction fields and micro/nano drug carriers. DNA-functionalized nanoparticle (DNA-NP) colloidal crystals have emerged as a new class of programmable DNA-based structures harboring metal nanoparticles with improved mechanical properties. The encapsulation of guest molecules into empty spaces in lattice structures is theoretically possible.

Improved measurement of absolute mRNA quantity without reverse transcription.

Gene expression studies using microarrays have provided important insights into understanding the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation in a variety of biological and disease phenomena. In a previous study, we developed Photo-DEAN, a universal-microarray-based RNA quantification method that enabled reverse transcription-free multiplex measurement of the absolute amount of RNA. Photo-DEAN promotes high-throughput and bias-less transcriptome analysis without the need for common controls or additional complicated normalization steps.

A multiplex RNA quantification method to determine the absolute amounts of mRNA without reverse transcription.

We have developed a highly sensitive microarray-based method that determines the absolute amounts of mRNA in a total RNA sample in a multiplex manner without reverse transcription. This direct mRNA measurement promotes high-throughput testing and reduces bias in transcriptome analyses. Furthermore, quantification of the absolute amount of mRNA allows transcriptome analysis without common controls or additional, complicated normalization.