Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Bare bones: Making bones transparent

Transparent bones enable researchers to observe the stem cells inside.

April 26, 2017 Read more

Skin stem cells used to generate new brain cells

Using human skin cells, neurobiologists have created a method to generate one of the principle cell types of the brain called microglia, which play a key role in preserving the function of neural networks and responding to injury and disease.

April 25, 2017 Read more

Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting biodegradable solution to plastic pollution

A common insect larva that eats beeswax has been found to break down chemical bonds in the plastic used for packaging and shopping bags at uniquely high speeds. Scientists say the discovery could lead to a biotechnological approach to the polyethylene waste that chokes oceans and landfills.

April 24, 2017 Read more

Atomic-level motion may drive bacteria's ability to evade immune system defenses

A new study has found evidence that extremely small changes in how atoms move in bacterial proteins can play a big role in how these microorganisms function and evolve.

April 21, 2017 Read more

Fungi have enormous potential for new antibiotics

Fungi are a potential goldmine for the production of pharmaceuticals. This is shown by researchers, who have developed a method for finding new antibiotics from nature's own resources.

April 20, 2017 Read more

Growing blood in the lab

Red blood cells derived from stem cells could offer a limitless supply for transfusions.

April 19, 2017 Read more

Skin model replaces experiments on humans

Researchers have developed an artificial gelatine-based skin model that simulates human skin almost perfectly.

April 19, 2017 Read more

High-resolution imaging with conventional microscopes

Tissue-expansion technique could allow scientists to map brain circuits.

April 18, 2017 Read more

From moo to goo: Cooperating microbes convert methane to alternative fuel source (w/video)

Scientists have developed a new system to convert methane into a deep green, energy-rich, gelatin-like substance that can be used as the basis for biofuels and other bioproducts, specialty chemicals - and even feed for cows that create the gas in the first place.

April 13, 2017 Read more

Synthetic biologists engineer inflammation-sensing gut bacteria

Bioengineers demo new class of minimally invasive biosensors.

April 7, 2017 Read more

Homing system delivers drugs to specific neurons (w/video)

New technique reveals synaptic contributions to Parkinson's Disease.

April 7, 2017 Read more

Scientists expand ability of stem cells to regrow any tissue type

Scientists are reporting their discovery of a chemical cocktail that enables cultured mouse and human stem cells to generate both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues.

April 7, 2017 Read more

Making spines from sea water

How do creatures like sea urchins take up the calcium they need to build hard structures?

April 7, 2017 Read more

Unexpected protein structure findings could lead to new therapies

Scientists reveal surprising features on an enigmatic protein. The findings uncover potential new paths to drugs for numerous chronic illnesses.

April 6, 2017 Read more

No sugar coating, but sweet nonetheless

A research team was able to create a microprobe that grows into the neural tissue without inflammation and with the help of a medicinal coating. Even after twelve weeks it is still able to deliver strong signals.

April 5, 2017 Read more

How to hack a cell

A new study outlines a new simplified platform to target and program mammalian cells as genetic circuits, even complex ones, more quickly and efficiently.

April 5, 2017 Read more

Taking the sting out of bone repair

Spherical biodegradable carriers support scalable and cost-effective stem cell expansion and bone formation for tissue engineering.

April 5, 2017 Read more

Choosing the right substrate for the right function

Scientists have discovered a unique molecular mechanism responsible for the substrate preference of ubiquitin-specific proteases.

April 4, 2017 Read more