Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines

3D mapping of lipid orientation in biological tissues such as skin

A non-invasive method that makes it possible to observe in situ how assemblies of lipids are oriented in biological tissues, and which does not require any labeling or preparation, has been developed by physicists.

January 15, 2013 Read more

Designer bacteria may lead to better vaccines

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a menu of 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that may improve the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as flu, pertussis, cholera and HPV.

January 15, 2013 Read more

Researchers see surprising twist to protein misfolding

An effort to develop software that unravels the complexities of how proteins fold is paying dividends in new findings on how they misfold, according to researchers at Rice University.

January 14, 2013 Read more

Tissue engineers report knee cartilage repair success with new biomaterial

Proof-of-concept clinical trial in 18 patients shows improved tissue growth.

January 14, 2013 Read more

New insights into cell division - Researchers develop minimal system

All living organisms consist of cells that have arisen from other living cells by the process of cell division. However, it is not yet fully understood just how this important process takes place. Scientists at the MPI of Biochemistry have now developed a minimal biological system, which brings together key components of the cell division apparatus.

January 14, 2013 Read more

What consumers really think about GM food labelling

The Food Standards Agency has published the findings of research looking at consumer attitudes to the labelling of genetically modified (GM) food and the use of 'GM-free' labelling.

January 14, 2013 Read more

New path discovered for future generation of glucose-measuring biosensors

Researchers have opened a new pathway for the future development of biosensors that enable measuring the glucose in the blood, but which are also believed to be more reliable with other fluids, such as urine. To this end, a complex scientific process has been developed which has called into question a dominant paradigm amongst the scientific community with respect to the mechanisms of binding and communication between proteins.

January 14, 2013 Read more

Protein recognition and disorder: a debate

Two articles published today in F1000 Biology Reports debate whether protein recognition can occur in the absence of stable structure.

January 11, 2013 Read more

Mapping genes onto brain structures

A new technique comprehensively generates three-dimensional maps of gene expression in the brain.

January 11, 2013 Read more

First cost-benefit analysis of DNA profiling vindicates 'CSI' fans

The first rigorous analysis of the crime-fighting power of DNA profiling finds substantial evidence of its effectiveness.

January 10, 2013 Read more

Stem cells found to heal damaged artery in lab study

Scientists at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute have for the first time demonstrated that baboon embryonic stem cells can be programmed to completely restore a severely damaged artery. These early results show promise for eventually developing stem cell therapies to restore human tissues or organs damaged by age or disease.

January 10, 2013 Read more

Regulating single protein prompts fibroblasts to become neurons

Repression of a single protein in ordinary fibroblasts is sufficient to directly convert the cells - abundantly found in connective tissues - into functional neurons. The findings could have far-reaching implications for the development of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

January 10, 2013 Read more

Giant tobacco plants that stay young forever

Tobacco plants bloom when they are just a few months old - and then they die. Now, researchers have located a genetic switch which can keep the plants young for years and which permits unbounded growth. In short, an ideal source of biomass.

January 10, 2013 Read more

Mussels inspire innovative new adhesive for surgery

Mussels can be a mouthwatering meal, but the chemistry that lets mussels stick to underwater surfaces may also provide a highly adhesive wound closure and more effective healing from surgery.

January 9, 2013 Read more

Oscillating gel gives synthetic materials the ability to 'speak'

Researchers uncover a synthetic material that rebuilds itself through chemical communication.

January 9, 2013 Read more

Raising awareness of the bioeconomy

The bioeconomy sector is an industry which is rapidly growing in importance on a global scale. As we continue to consume the Earth's resources, many of which are not renewable, alternatives to fossil fuels for energy and industrial raw materials are a primary focus.

January 8, 2013 Read more

Cheap and easy technique to snip DNA could revolutionize gene therapy

Bacterial enzyme binds with RNA to home in on genes and cut double-stranded DNA.

January 8, 2013 Read more

China to boost biotechnology industry

The Chinese government will give a boost to the biotechnology industry in order to tackle problems related to population growth, food safety, energy conservation and environmental protection, the State Council said Sunday.

January 8, 2013 Read more