Kinases & Phophatases

The list associated with the DRSC Kinases & Phosphatases library has been updated.

The downloadable spreadsheet now indicates which genes encode known or predicted kinases, and which encode known or predicted phosphatases. The new list also shows the updated FlyBase IDs (FBgn Numbers) and gene symbols, along with the IDs and symbols that appeared on the older version of the list. The library has close to 3 unique reagents per gene.

On the assay plates themselves, the two categories are mixed up together so it's not possible to screen just kinases or just phosphatases (we get asked that fairly often).

Breaking Report: Addressing Off-Target Effects

On my desk to read today? A new paper looking at off-target effects.

Seinen et al. (2011) RNAi-induced off-target effects in Drosophila melanogaster: frequencies and solutions. Briefings in Functional Genomics. PMID: 21596801.

Just for Fun

Got lightning fast cells? Enter them in the World Cell Race!

Breaking News: RNAi Uptake

On my desk to read today? Usually we try hard to keep bacteria out of our cell cultures. But this group used E. coli that express dsRNAs to address possible routes for RNAi uptake.

Rocha et al. (2011) A Phagocytic Route for Uptake of Double-Stranded RNA in RNAi. Open Access at PLoS ONE. PMID: 21559499.

Breaking Report: Stem Cells

Also on my desk today, a new report on self-renewal.

Neumüller et al. (2011) Genome-Wide Analysis of Self-Renewal in Drosophila Neural Stem Cells by Transgenic RNAi. Cell Stem Cell. 8(5):580-93. PMID: 21549331

Breaking Report: Exploring False Discovery

On my desk to read today? A study that uses multiple high-throughput data sources to look at false discovery.

Guest et al. (2011) A protein network-guided screen for cell cycle regulators in Drosophila. BMC Systems Biology. 5(1):65. PMID: 21548953

Breaking Report: ER Proteins

Also on my desk?

Kondylis et al. (2011) Identification of ER proteins involved in the functional organisation of the early secretory pathway in Drosophila cells by a targeted RNAi screen. Open Access at PLoS One.

Breaking Report: Parkinson's Disease Screen

On my desk today?

Fernandes & Rao (2011) Genome-wide screen for modifiers of Parkinson's disease genes in Drosophila. Mol. Brain. PMID: 21504582

Answers Online!

The DRSC has just added a FAQs page based on real actual questions we have received over the past few years (and a few made up ones as well, of course!). Feedback welcome!