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Mechanically coupled enzymes have higher catalytic efficiency

Enzymes can benefit from cooperation and avoid the activation energy required for individual enzymes. This way, two enzymes can work hand-in-hand to achieve an overall faster turnover of a chemical reaction.

Nov 15th, 2021

Building bacteria to keep us well

Researchers have genetically engineered bacteria that can monitor chemical production from inside a person's gut and fix any imbalances.

Nov 12th, 2021

Cheers! Scientists have developed gene-edited barley that could better your beer

Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, scientists develop and study gene-edited barley that resists pre-harvest sprouting.

Nov 12th, 2021

AI helps design the perfect chickpea

A massive international research effort has led to development of a genetic model for the 'ultimate' chickpea, with the potential to lift crop yields by up to 12 per cent.

Nov 12th, 2021

Study encourages cautious approach to CRISPR therapeutics

A comprehensive study has shown that gene editing, specifically gene knockout (KO), with CRISPR-Cas9 can favor cells with mutated forms of genes linked to cancer. The findings highlight the need to monitor patients undergoing CRISPR-Cas9-based gene therapy for cancer-related mutations.

Nov 11th, 2021

Teaching fungi how to write

Spalted wood is a highly sought-after material in the high-end furniture industry. In a newly developed process, scientists have succeeded at controlling the spread of fungi in native wood types to create elaborate marblewood pictures - and even taught the fungi to write some words.

Nov 11th, 2021

Researchers develop CRISPR-based rapid diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2

SENSR, the latest innovation addressing COVID-19, adds to the toolkit of quick-turnaround diagnostics needed for future pandemics.

Nov 8th, 2021

Stem cells from the bioreactor

With the aid of artificial stem cells, it will soon be possible to establish new treatments for previously incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Scientists are developing a process for the mass production of these so called induced pluripotent stem cells.

Nov 3rd, 2021

Organoids: The future of disease modelling?

Organoid technologies have become a powerful emerging tool to model liver diseases, for drug screening, and for personalized treatments. Researchers have generated and characterized the hepatic organoid culture system using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS) as an intermediate.

Nov 1st, 2021

First artificial scaffolds for studying plant cell growth

Atificial scaffolds that can support the growth of individual plants cells will help make it possible to study how mechanical forces, such as gravity, affect the way that plant cells form and grow.

Oct 23rd, 2021

Tissue engineering - a possible cure for diabetes?

Scientists propose tissue engineering to treat type 2 diabetes. Experiments in mice show prolonged normal blood sugar levels after a single one-time treatment.

Oct 22nd, 2021

Lab-grown 'mini brains' hint at treatments for neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers have developed 'mini brains' that allow them to study a fatal and untreatable neurological disorder causing paralysis and dementia - and for the first time have been able to grow these for almost a year.

Oct 22nd, 2021

Scientists design antibodies that destroy old cells; claim to slow down ageing

Scientists have designed an antibody that acts as a 'smart bomb' able to recognize specific proteins on the surface of these aged or senescent cells. It then attaches itself to them and releases a drug that removes them without affecting the rest, thus minimizing any potential side effects.

Oct 20th, 2021

Scientists assemble a biological clock in a test tube to study how it works

A team of scientists has reconstituted the circadian clock of cyanobacteria in a test tube, enabling them to study rhythmic interactions of the clock proteins in real time and understand how these interactions enable the clock to exert control over gene expression.