Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Let there be tissue

Researchers develop a more precise and controlled method of engineering tissues from stem cells.

May 15, 2017 Read more

Researchers develop a 'molecular needle' using a simplified biological system

Synthetic biologist have d iscovered that a minimalist approach can be applied to complex biological systems, such as the type III secretion system.

May 15, 2017 Read more

New lung 'organoids' in a dish mimic features of full-size lung (w/video)

'Mini organs' may aid in understanding, treating respiratory diseases.

May 12, 2017 Read more

New gelatin devices that imitate the activity of the body in bone regeneration

Researchers are developing structures that can be used as scaffolding in the regeneration of bone defects and which also release growth factors.

May 12, 2017 Read more

'Molecular prosthetics' can replace missing proteins to treat disease

Researchers have demonstrated that a small molecule can transport iron in human cells and live animals when proteins that normally do the same job are missing, a condition that often causes severe anemia in patients.

May 11, 2017 Read more

Why one eye-targeting virus could make for a useful gene-delivery tool

New understanding of structural details could be key to using viruses for gene therapies.

May 11, 2017 Read more

'Heart-on-chip' technology could ensure potentially lifesaving new drugs

Through 'heart-on-a-chip' technology - modeling a human heart on an engineered chip and measuring the effects of compound exposure using microelectrodes - researchers hope to ensure potentially lifesaving new drugs are safe and effective while reducing the need for human and animal testing.

May 11, 2017 Read more

Engineering human stem cells to model the kidney's filtration barrier on a chip

A glomerulus-on-a-chip lined by human stem cell-derived kidney cells could help model patient-specific kidney diseases and guide therapeutic discovery.

May 10, 2017 Read more

Closing the gate to mitochondria

A team of researchers develops a new method that enables the identification of proteins imported into mitochondria.

May 9, 2017 Read more

With stem cells to new intervertebral discs

Researchers hope that the stem cells will possibly form new disc cartilage once injected into a damaged disc. A new study on three sick German shepherds demonstrates that a treatment with the body's own stem cells are well tolerated - an important first step.

May 9, 2017 Read more

Engineered bone marrow could make transplants safer

Engineers have developed biomimetic bone tissues that could one day provide new bone marrow for patients needing transplants.

May 8, 2017 Read more

A dual-channel biological function generator

Tool brings mathematical predictability to multicircuit optogenetic tests.

May 8, 2017 Read more

Novel tool confers targeted, stable editing of epigenome in human stem cells

New technology adds methyl groups at specific positions on DNA, allowing targeted gene correction of aberrant epigenetic disorders.

May 5, 2017 Read more

First EPA-approved outdoor field trial for genetically engineered algae

Experiment pushes toward the promise of algae as a clean, renewable food and fuel source.

May 4, 2017 Read more

Scientists engineer baker's yeast to produce penicillin molecules

Scientists have inserted fungus genes into a yeast cell to make it produce penicillin molecules.

May 4, 2017 Read more

Making the numbers work: Researchers use math to develop personalized chemo treatments

Researchers have developed statistical models that rank chemotherapy treatment options for patients based on the gene expression profile of the tumor.

May 4, 2017 Read more

Discovery could lead to design of next-generation antibiotics

Scientists present in atomic detail how specific bacterial enzymes, known as kinases, confer resistance to macrolide antibiotics, a widely used class of antibiotics and an alternative medication for patients with penicillin allergies. The study shows for the first time how these kinases recognize and chemically destroy macrolide antibiotics.

May 4, 2017 Read more

Imaging mRNA right where it is made - at the site of translation

Using fluorescence probes, researchers designed a technique that shows mRNA when it comes in contact with ribosomes. They used this method to record the synthesis of proteins and to measure cellular responses to iron.

May 3, 2017 Read more