Snapshot of DNA repair
Scientists describe the crystal structure of RNF168 bound to ubiquitin chains, a crucial interaction for DNA repair, to find a unique interaction.
Jan 16th, 2018
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Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines
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Biomaterials with 'logic gates' release therapeutics in response to environmental triggers
Scientists have built and tested a new hydrogel that will encase a desired cargo and dissolve to release its freight only when specific physiological conditions are met.
Jan 15th, 2018
Read moreSynthetic biologists create toolkit for tuning genetic circuits
Gene promoter library allows for precise tuning of genetic inputs, outputs.
Jan 11th, 2018
Read morePromise of new antibiotics lies with shackling tiny toxic tetherballs to bacteria
Biologists have developed a method for rapidly screening hundreds of thousands of potential drugs for fighting infections, an innovation that holds promise for combating the growing scourge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The method involves engineering bacteria to produce and test molecules that are potentially toxic to themselves.
Jan 9th, 2018
Read moreEngineers grow functioning human muscle from skin cells
First functioning human muscle grown from induced pluripotent stem cells holds promise for cellular therapies, drug discovery and studying rare diseases.
Jan 9th, 2018
Read moreDiscovering the structure of RNA
A new study develops an innovative simulation model able to efficiently predict the conformation of ribonucleic acid molecules opening up interesting opportunities for application and research.
Jan 4th, 2018
Read moreCellular barcoding helps scientists understand the behavior of stem cells
Use of labeling technology in mice leads to discoveries in process of natural blood formation.
Jan 3rd, 2018
Read moreGrowing organs a few ink drops at a time
Researchers refine method of making bio-ink droplets stick to each other, enabling 3D printing of highly complex biological structures with a wide variety of cell types using inkjet printers.
Dec 27th, 2017
Read moreFewer laboratory animals thanks to secondary nanobodies
Scientists have developed so-called secondary nanobodies that can replace the most-used antibodies and may drastically reduce the number of animals in antibody production. This is possible because the secondary nanobodies can be produced in large scale by bacteria.
Dec 21st, 2017
Read moreSilky secrets to make bones
Some secrets to repair our skeletons might be found in the silky webs of spiders, according to recent experiments guided by supercomputers.
Dec 19th, 2017
Read moreScientists make research 'jelly' grow more like biological tissues
Opens up new possibilities in tissue engineering and soft robotics.
Dec 19th, 2017
Read moreFirst-of-its-kind chemical oscillator offers new level of molecular control (w/video)
Researchers successfully constructed a first-of-its-kind chemical oscillator that uses DNA components. DNA molecules that follow specific instructions could offer more precise molecular control of synthetic chemical systems, a discovery that opens the door for engineers to create molecular machines with new and complex behaviors.
Dec 14th, 2017
Read moreRevealing the best-kept secrets of proteins
Scientists develop new approach to identify important undiscovered functions of proteins.
Dec 14th, 2017
Read moreSynthetic protein packages its own genetic material and evolves
Computationally designed protein assemblies are advancing research in synthetic life and in targeted drug delivery.
Dec 14th, 2017
Read moreSearching for the CRISPR Swiss-army knife
Researchers have visualized the atomic structures of the Cpf1 and Cas9 proteins to analyse each of their properties and peculiarities that make them ideal for different applications in gene modification.
Dec 11th, 2017
Read moreThe future of crop engineering
Scientists aim to boost photosynthesis to meet the increasing global demand for food by engineering its key enzyme Rubisco. Now, researchers have succeeded in producing functional plant Rubisco in a bacterium. This allows genetic engineering of the enzyme.
Dec 8th, 2017
Read moreDNA has gone digital - what could possibly go wrong?
Biology is becoming increasingly digitized. Researchers like us use computers to analyze DNA, operate lab equipment and store genetic information. But new capabilities also mean new risks - and biologists remain largely unaware of the potential vulnerabilities that come with digitizing biotechnology.
Dec 7th, 2017
Read moreAlgae could feed and fuel planet with aid of new high-tech tool
Vast quantities of medicines and renewable fuels could be produced by algae using a new gene-editing technique, a study suggests.
Dec 7th, 2017
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