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Workbench for virus design

Researchers have developed a technology platform that allows them to systematically modify and customise bacteriophages. This technology is a step towards making phage therapies a powerful tool for combating dangerous pathogens.

February 6, 2018 Read more

Bacterial superheroes may save the day for crops

Genetic analyses of a desert bacterium show it could help to improve crop production in arid lands.

February 5, 2018 Read more

Edible QR code can be the medicine of the future

Researchers have developed a new method for the production of medicine. They print medical drugs in QR coded patterns onto an edible material. The production can be tailored to fit each patient and has the potential to protect against wrong medication and fake medicine according to the researchers.

February 2, 2018 Read more

Blood vessel-on-a-chips show anti-cancer drug effects in human cells

Researchers report a new organ-on-a-chip technology for the study of blood vessel formation and drugs targeting this event.

January 30, 2018 Read more

Vitamin C in the body can be tracked by fluorescence

Scientists tracked ascorbic acid levels in mice using a complex molecule called R2c. Using some clever chemistry, the team designed this probe to react with ascorbic acid molecules in the body.

January 24, 2018 Read more

Artificial enzyme: Protein designed entirely from scratch functions in cells as a life-sustaining catalyst

These artificial proteins, encoded by synthetic genes, are approximately 100 amino acids long, using an endlessly varying arrangement of 20 amino acids.

January 24, 2018 Read more

Viral probe gives ringside view of cell-to-cell combat

A fascinating blow-by-blow account of the arms struggle between plants and viral pathogens, is revealed in new research.

January 23, 2018 Read more

Scientists emulate the human blood-retinal barrier on a microfluidic chip

The device is composed by several parallel compartments, arranged to emulate the retinal layer structure.

January 23, 2018 Read more

New neuron-like cells allow investigation into synthesis of vital cellular components

Scientists optimized a new method to create the synthetic neurons, which they used to investigate a core enzyme involved in the synthesis of purines - a component of DNA that is involved in many other cellular and metabolic processes - and how the enzyme might change during infection by herpes simplex virus.

January 22, 2018 Read more

Scientists discover 'legos of life'

Deep dive into the 3D structures of proteins reveals key building blocks.

January 22, 2018 Read more

Squirtable surgical glue could transform surgeries and save lives

Sealant could simplify closing incisions in difficult surgeries, stop bleeding, and repair injured lungs in emergencies.

January 16, 2018 Read more

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.

January 16, 2018 Read more

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.

January 15, 2018 Read more

Synthetic biologists create toolkit for tuning genetic circuits

Gene promoter library allows for precise tuning of genetic inputs, outputs.

January 11, 2018 Read more

Promise 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.

January 9, 2018 Read more