Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines

'You are what you eat', and now researchers know exactly what you're eating

Matching blood or stool samples to a reference database of foods reveals how much of our body chemistry is traceable to what we consume.

July 7, 2022 Read more

The human body has 37 trillion cells. If we can work out what they all do, the results could revolutionize healthcare

The average body contains about 37 trillion cells - and we are in the midst of a revolutionary quest to understand what they all do. Unravelling this requires the expertise of scientists from all different backgrounds - computer scientists, biologists, clinicians and mathematicians - as well as new technology and some pretty sophisticated algorithms.

July 7, 2022 Read more

Scientists develop new material inspired by limpets with super strength

An interdisciplinary team of biologists, chemists and engineers have become the first to successfully grow a limpet inspired biomaterial with extreme strength.

July 7, 2022 Read more

A potential danger of CRISPR gene editing - and why base editing may be safer

Experimental study in human cells finds large DNA insertions that could increase cancer risk.

July 7, 2022 Read more

Researchers use X-rays to decode complex piece of cellular machinery, atom by atom

After nearly 20 years of work, researchers have a clearer picture of the ​'gatekeeper' of the nucleus and a better idea of how it works.

July 6, 2022 Read more

Key to platelet production advances understanding of RNA

Thanks to a new understanding of the role RNA regulation plays in the production of platelets, these little lifesavers could one day be manufactured in the lab, reducing the need for blood donations.

July 4, 2022 Read more

Spectacular success of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines just a glimpse of their full potential

The spectacular success of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 is only the beginning, with RNA vaccines potentially be used for HIV, malaria and even to treat cancer.

July 4, 2022 Read more

On the way to cell-type materials

Physicists reveal the dynamic interaction of a class of artificial molecular machines - the so-called molecular shuttles - by using molecular-dynamic simulations.

July 4, 2022 Read more

'Soft' CRISPR may offer a new fix for genetic defects

Targeted repairs with 'nicks' of single DNA strands provide foundation for novel disease therapies.

July 2, 2022 Read more

Bacteria for blastoff: Using microbes to make supercharged new rocket fuel

Scientists have developed a new class of energy-dense biofuels based on one of nature's most unique molecules.

July 1, 2022 Read more

Metal nanoparticles serve as plant growth regulators

New research results indicate that metal nanoparticles can serve as plant growth regulators and provide insights into using them for improving crops in heavy metal-contaminated areas.

June 30, 2022 Read more

Magnetic nanoparticles can release anti-cancer microRNA on command

Study shows thatnanoparticles release an anti-cancer microRNA inside lung cancer cells when stimulated using an alternating magnetic field.

June 30, 2022 Read more

Assigning moving features in high-speed atomic force microscopy

How to optimize high-speed atomic force microscopy experiments on live cell membranes, so that moving objects like molecules can be properly followed from frame to frame.

June 29, 2022 Read more

New method based on smart materials for experimenting with cells

Researchers have developed a new experimental method, based on magneto-active polymers, to study cellular behaviour. These compounds, which consist of a polymeric matrix containing magnetic particles, mechanically react by changing their shape and stiffness.

June 28, 2022 Read more

Precision antibacterials

Similar to the vaccines against the coronavirus, RNA-based antibiotics could significantly improve modern medicine. Scientists investigate the prerequisites that such antibiotics must meet for this strategy to work.

June 28, 2022 Read more

New 'plug-and-play' biobatteries use bacterial interactions to generate power for weeks

Researchers have developed a 'plug-and-play' biobattery that lasts for weeks at a time and can be stacked to improve output voltage and current.

June 28, 2022 Read more

Food-packaging system reduces health risks and saves food

Inspired by battlefield medicine, this antimicrobial food wrap could reduce food waste and foodborne illness.

June 28, 2022 Read more

Repairing nature with DNA tech

The monumental global task to restore degraded ecosystems will need to include sophisticated technologies such as environmental DNA monitoring to understand and support the recovery of complex biospheres. Genomics provides some important 'weapons' in the fight to repair ecosystems - from authenticating seed sources to improving the detection of invasive weeds or animals.

June 27, 2022 Read more