Editor’s Selections: Epigenetics of autism, boxing in flu, and have a tea with your prion

November 6th, 2009 Editor's Selections 1 Comment
By Vincent Racaniello

Vincent RacanielloVincent Racaniello selects several notable posts each week from molecular and cellular biology and virology. He blogs at virology blog.

  • An epigenetic mechanism has been suggested to control autism. Increased methylation in promoter regions may silence or reduce the expression of genes that are involved in this disorder.
  • To understand influenza antigenic drift, the virus was passed in immunized mice. Mutants were selected that bind more tightly to cell receptors, suggesting that the virus evolves by adjusting receptor binding avidity.
  • Components of green tea interfere with the physiological role of the prion protein, and its conversion to the pathogenic form.

I’ll be back next Friday with more selections.

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One Response to “Editor’s Selections: Epigenetics of autism, boxing in flu, and have a tea with your prion”

  1. Felix Trinidad Says:
    December 18th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Hi!. Thanks a bunch for the blog. I’ve been digging around looking some info up for shool, but i think i’m getting lost!. Google lead me here – good for you i guess! Keep up the good work. I will be popping back over in a couple of days to see if there is any more info.

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