The Lifesciences Magazine

With its intricate network of specialised blood arteries forming an almost impenetrable barrier, the brain is the most protected organ in the body. This special anatomical configuration shields it from external attackers, but it also makes it challenging for researchers to investigate the expression of individual genes and how variations in gene expression can result in disease. According to a paper published in Nature Biotechnology, researchers at Rice University have now created a noninvasive method of tracking the dynamics of gene expression in the brain , which will facilitate future research into neurological disorders, cognitive function, and brain development. Released markers of activity (RMAs) are a novel class of molecules that have been created by Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski and colleagues. These molecules can be used as a simple blood test to detect gene expression in the brain. “Typically, if you wanted to look at gene expression in the brain, you would have to wait ...