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.
Jul 7th, 2022
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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.
Jul 4th, 2022
Read moreSpectacular 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.
Jul 4th, 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.
Jul 2nd, 2022
Read moreBacteria 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.
Jul 1st, 2022
Read moreNew 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.
Jun 28th, 2022
Read morePrecision 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.
Jun 28th, 2022
Read moreRepairing 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.
Jun 27th, 2022
Read moreFrom outside to inside: A rapid and precise total assessment method for cells
Researchers show that using four frequencies of applied voltage can improve the measurement of cell size and shape during impedance cytometry, enabling to enhance the speed and accuracy of biological experiments.
Jun 24th, 2022
Read moreArtificial photosynthesis can produce food without sunshine
Scientists are developing artificial photosynthesis to help make food production more energy-efficient here on Earth, and one day possibly on Mars.
Jun 23rd, 2022
Read moreNew artificial intelligence tool to predict protein function
Not only could this new tool help with the difficult job of altering proteins in practically useful ways, but it also works by methods that are fully interpretable - an advantage over the conventional artificial intelligence that has aided with protein engineering in the past.
Jun 23rd, 2022
Read morePICASSO technique drives biological molecules into technicolor
The new imaging approach brings current imaging colors from four to more than 15 for mapping overlapping proteins.
Jun 22nd, 2022
Read moreAnother step towards synthetic cells
Scientists now able to take the next step towards synthetic cells: They introduced functional DNA-based cytoskeletons into cell-sized compartments and showed functionality.
Jun 21st, 2022
Read moreA unique 3D printed system for harvesting stem cells from bioreactors
Researchers have developed a unique 3D printed system for harvesting stem cells from bioreactors, offering the potential for high quality, wide-scale production of stem cells at a lower cost.
Jun 16th, 2022
Read moreNew material paves the way for remote-controlled medication and electronic pills
Researchers have invented a material that uses electrical signals to capture and release biomolecules. The new and efficient method may have a major impact in the development of biomedicines and pave the way for the development of electronic pills and drug implants.
Jun 15th, 2022
Read moreResearchers use CRISPR technology to create map tying every human gene to its function
Scientists used their single-cell sequencing tool Perturb-seq on every expressed gene in the human genome, linking each to its job in the cell and creating a free resource for other researchers.
Jun 9th, 2022
Read moreAre the ethics of synthetic biology fit for purpose?
Synthetic biology promises far reaching solutions to human concerns, from averting climate catastrophes to medical breakthroughs. But are ethics keeping pace with emerging technology? The case study of engineered Artemisinin, used to combat malaria, suggests a more nuanced approach is needed to address the ethical challenges such advances bring.
Jun 6th, 2022
Read moreNovel method for early disease detection using DNA droplets
By combining the technologies of DNA droplets and DNA computing, scientists have developed computational DNA droplets, which can recognize specific patterns in tumor biomarker microRNA sequences.
Jun 3rd, 2022
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