Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines

Plastic proteins: Synthetic material mimics essential characteristics of natural proteins

Researchers hoping to design new materials for energy uses have developed a system to make synthetic polymers with the versatility of nature's own polymers, the ubiquitous proteins. Based on an inexpensive industrial chemical, these synthetic polymers might one day be used to create materials with functions as limitless as proteins, which are involved in every facet of life.

April 7, 2016 Read more

Sunlight can be used to produce chemicals and energy

Researchers have discovered a natural process they describe as reverse photosynthesis.

April 4, 2016 Read more

Growing skin in the lab

Using reprogrammed iPS cells, scientists have successfully grown complex skin tissue - complete with hair follicles and sebaceous glands - in the laboratory.

April 1, 2016 Read more

A programming language for living cells

Biological engineers have created a programming language that allows them to rapidly design complex, DNA-encoded circuits that give new functions to living cells.

March 31, 2016 Read more

Handheld surgical 'pen' prints human stem cells

In a landmark proof-of-concept experiment, researchers have used a handheld 3D printing pen to 'draw' human stem cells in freeform patterns with extremely high survival rates.

March 31, 2016 Read more

Perfecting a viral pack mule

In a new study, researchers report that, based on its structure, a hollowed-out version of CPMV could also be effective in human therapies.

March 29, 2016 Read more

Researchers improves crop performance with new biotechnology

Scientists have discovered a way to enhance a plant's tolerance to stress, which in turn improves how it uses water and nutrients from the soil. These improvements increase plant biomass and yield.

March 24, 2016 Read more

Unraveling the mystery of stem cells

Neuroscientists document some of the first steps in the process by which a stem cell transforms into different cell types.

March 24, 2016 Read more

Unlocking the secrets of gene expression

Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), scientists have made a significant breakthrough in our understanding of how our molecular machinery finds the right DNA to copy, showing with unprecedented detail the role of a powerhouse transcription factor known as TFIID.

March 24, 2016 Read more

Microfluidic devices gently rotate small organisms and cells

A method to rotate single particles, cells or organisms using acoustic waves in a microfluidic device will allow researchers to take three dimensional images with only a cell phone.

March 23, 2016 Read more

Sidling up to natural killers

A technique to generate antibodies that can help strengthen natural immune responses to cancer and leukemia has been developed.

March 23, 2016 Read more

For first time, scientists use CRISPR-Cas9 to target RNA in live cells

Technique may open doors to new treatments for many conditions, from cancer to autism.

March 18, 2016 Read more

A surprising makeover turns an ordinary protein into a magnetic sculptor

By studying an unusual group of magnetic microorganisms, scientists have uncovered a new and unexpected function for a ubiquitous protein family.

March 17, 2016 Read more

Future brain therapies for Parkinson's possible with stem cell bioengineering innovation

Scientists develop novel way to inject healthy human nerve cells into the brain. The technology involves converting adult tissue-derived stem cells into human neurons on 3-D scaffolds, or tiny islands, of fibers.

March 17, 2016 Read more

3-D technology enriches human nerve cells for transplant to brain

Scientists have developed a 3D micro-scaffold technology that promotes reprogramming of stem cells into neurons, and supports growth of neuronal connections capable of transmitting electrical signals. The injection of these networks of functioning human neural cells - compared to injecting individual cells - dramatically improved their survival following transplantation into mouse brains.

March 17, 2016 Read more

New insights into protein synthesis

Researchers show that pausing occurs frequently when proteins are being synthesized.

March 17, 2016 Read more

Spongy material helps repair the spine (w/video)

Remember those colorful 'grow capsules' that blossom into animal-shaped sponges in water? Using a similar idea, scientists have developed biodegradable polymer grafts that, when surgically placed in damaged vertebrae, should grow to be just the right size and shape to fix the spinal column.

March 14, 2016 Read more

Researcher to turn plant virus shells against human cancers

Scientists have been awarded more than $3 million in federal and foundation grants to turn common plant viruses into cancer sleuths and search-and-destroy emissaries.

March 9, 2016 Read more