Biophysicists have developed a hypothesis to explain the function of a light-driven protein which pumps sodium ions across a cell membrane, and they have revealed the key structural feature of these pumps. The scientists see these sodium pumps as being highly promising tools in using light signals to control nerve cells - which is exactly what is involved in the new scientific field of optogenetics.
Dec 14th, 2015
Read more
Synthetic biology technique could make it safer to put engineered microbes to work outside of the lab.
Dec 11th, 2015
Read more
Thanks to a new method for making interspecies yeast hybrids in the lab, the makers of beer, wine, biofuels and other products that depend on yeasts may soon have many more strains of the microorganism to work with.
Dec 4th, 2015
Read more
Nonprofit provides hands-on experiments to students and teachers worldwide.
Dec 4th, 2015
Read more
Chemical engineers and neuroscientists have developed a new way to classify neurons by labeling and imaging the proteins found in each cell. This type of imaging offers clues to each neuron's function and should help in mapping the human brain, the researchers say.
Dec 3rd, 2015
Read more
A team of 19 partner institutions from 13 countries will create innovative, high quality, protein-rich food crops, to sustain human health, the environment, and biodiversity.
Dec 1st, 2015
Read more
Researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, the type of nerve cells located within the retina that transmit visual signals from the eye to the brain. Death and dysfunction of these cells cause vision loss in conditions like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.
Dec 1st, 2015
Read more
Synthetic glycopolymers in the membrane hold up programmed cell death.
Nov 26th, 2015
Read more
Researchers have identified a potentially significant new application for a well-known human enzyme, which may have implications for treating respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Nov 26th, 2015
Read more
Scientists describe a new technique for growing human hepatocytes in the laboratory. This groundbreaking development could help advance a variety of liver-related research and applications, from studying drug toxicity to creating bio-artificial liver support for patients awaiting transplantations.
Nov 26th, 2015
Read more
Using bioinformatics methods, an international team of scientists has come one step closer to unveiling the mystery that surrounds the dark proteome.
Nov 25th, 2015
Read more
Against voracious beetles or caterpillars plants protect themselves with cyanide. Certain enzymes release the toxic substance when the plant is chewed. These HNL-called enzymes are also important for industry. Researchers found a new biocatalyst in a fern which outshines all other HNL-type enzymes on the market.
Nov 24th, 2015
Read more
Researchers have discovered a new way to create designer proteins that have the potential to transform biotechnology and personalized medicines.
Nov 24th, 2015
Read more
Bioart ranges from bacterial manipulation to glowing rabbits, cellular sculptures. In the pursuit of creating art, practitioners have generated tools and techniques that have aided researchers, while sometimes crossing into controversy, such as by releasing invasive species into the environment, blurring the lines between art and biology, and challenging scientific thinking.
Nov 23rd, 2015
Read more
Scientists have sequenced the complete genetic makeup of a species of ecologically important algae, which may aid in biofuel production.
Nov 19th, 2015
Read more
Scientists shown for the first time how artificially grown mini-intestines can be used in nutritional and diabetic research.
Nov 19th, 2015
Read more
A new injectable biogel is effective in delivering anti-cancer agents directly into cancerous tumours and killing them.
Nov 19th, 2015
Read more
The simulation method allows the study of structural changes in DNA and of the interaction of DNA with proteins and drugs.
Nov 17th, 2015
Read more
Subscribe to our Biotechnology News feed