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Researchers identify biochemical functions for most of the human genome (w/video)

New map finds genetic regulatory elements account for 80 percent of our DNA.

Sep 5th, 2012

Biomass characterization technology

Biomass recalcitrance - the problem of how to break down complex plant-based cellulosic feedstock into sugars that can be fermented to produce sustainable biofuels and other renewable biobased products - can be overcome through improved methods of biomass characterization.

Aug 29th, 2012

History of agricultural biotechnology: How crop development has evolved

Have you ever wondered where our agricultural crops come from? And what were they like thousands of years ago, or hundreds of years ago? Our food crops today are in fact very different from the original wild plants from which they were derived.

Aug 23rd, 2012

A team of scientists move toward rational design of artificial proteins

Past efforts to predict protein structure have met with limited success, but now a scientific team led by Glenn Butterfoss, and Barney Yoo, research scientists at New York University, in collaboration with investigators from the U.S. Department of Energy?s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), Stony Brook University and Temple University have demonstrated that a computer modeling approach similar to one used to predict protein structures can accurately predict peptoid conformation as well.

Aug 21st, 2012

Our synthetic future

Harvard Medical School professor leads effort to streamline biological engineering.

Aug 20th, 2012

Scientists develop new way to study inner workings of algae cells

Molecular transporter could advance development of algae-based biofuels, pharmaceuticals

Aug 20th, 2012

Teaching a microbe to make fuel

Scientists at MIT have taught a microbe a new trick: They've tinkered with its genes to persuade it to make fuel - specifically, a kind of alcohol called isobutanol that can be directly substituted for, or blended with, gasoline.

Aug 20th, 2012

Viruses with integrated gene switch

Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center have developed 'RNA switches' which allow them to specifically turn on and off genes in viruses. This will help to enhance regulation of gene therapy and viral therapy of cancer.

Aug 20th, 2012

Upgrading synthetic biology's toolkit

A new method could significantly increase the number of genetic components in synthetic biologists? toolkit and, as a result, the size and complexity of the genetic circuits they can build.

Aug 17th, 2012

Writing the book in DNA

Using next-generation sequencing technology and a novel strategy to encode 1,000 times the largest data size previously achieved in DNA, a Harvard geneticist encodes his book in life's language.

Aug 17th, 2012

Synthetic biology article collections published by the Public Library of Science

This collection aims to highlight PLOS ONE's role in the emerging interdisciplinary field of synthetic biology.

Aug 17th, 2012

A GPS in your DNA

While your DNA is unique, it also tells the tale of your family line. It carries the genetic history of your ancestors down through the generations. Now, says a Tel Aviv University researcher, it's also possible to use it as a map to your family's past.

Aug 16th, 2012