Journal of Genetics and DNA Research

Regulation of gene expression is a dynamic process orchestrated and maintained by a large variety of chromatin-interacting proteins. Understanding these chromatin-protein complexes and their binding kinetics is crucial for development of the small-molecule drugs. Promega has developed NanoBRET technology, which allows for dynamic measurement of protein:protein interactions (PPIs) in living cells.

LncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs) have recently occurred as new epigenetic regulators contributing to human diseases. We found that the lncRNA HOTAIR is up-regulated in colon cancer and associates with poor patient survival.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a poor prognosis in both adults and children, with a long-term survival of only 25% and 60% respectively. No major development has occurred of the treatment since, the last decades and the majority of treatments for AML consist of cytotoxic drugs with low specificity.

At deCODE genetics in Iceland we have sequenced the whole genomes of 50.000 Icelanders or 12.5% of the nation and genotyped 180.000 or 60% of the nation.

Rationale: The current therapeutic drugs such as, growth hormone (GH), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) and leptin require once daily injections, which are inconvenient and expensive.