Mic Articles

Identifying protective feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) peptides that are evolutionarily conserved with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is useful in identifying protective HIV peptides that are required for successful HIV vaccines in humans.

In this study, a RT-qPCR on the MIC was used to analyse the expression of Acyl-CoA synthetase-4 (ACSL4), an enzyme involved in therapy resistance, and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which detect and eject anti-cancer drugs from cells. It was concluded that ACSL4 can be used as a regulator of ABC transporters and increase the success of drug therapies in breast cancer.

mRNA expression levels of neural stem cells (NSC) with FAD treatment was studied using RT-qPCR performed on the MIC. It was found that FAD suppresses the notch pathway of NSC, allowing excessive proliferation and differentiation.

An HRM assay, developed using the MIC, was successful in detecting mutations present in the para-sodium channel gene that is associated with pyrethroid resistance in southern cattle fever ticks.

The viral RNA loads of wobbly possum disease virus in experimentally infected possums were studied using RT-qPCR on the MIC. The study found high levels of RNA in lymph nodes, spleens and livers as well as moderate levels in serum and saliva of the infected possums.

This study detected Zika virus in all components of the male reproductive tract by quantitative RT-PCR performed on the MIC. All components of the male reproductive tract were capable of sexually transmitting the Zika virus to naïve females.

This study discovered the presence of the dacZ gene in an archaeal species, indicating production of c-di-AMP. The expression of dacZ was observed using qPCR, performed on the MIC, and found it constantly expressed at different growth phases. This provides evidence that the gene is essential in this archaeal species and thus, indicating c-di-AMP is also essential.

A quantitative PCR using the MIC Real-Time Cycler was used to validate an acute Toxoplasma gondii assay. 12.3% of 276 pregnant women in Salmas, North West of Iran, were identified as positive for acute T. gondii.

RNA-sequencing of transcriptome responses in resistant and susceptible sheep flocks reveal 38 genes differentially expressed. The expression of these genes was further confirmed using qRT-PCR, performed on the MIC Real-Time Cycler.