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New synthetic biology research manipulates micro-compartments in cells

In a new study, researchers controlled protein assembly and built these micro-compartments into different shapes and sizes, including long tubes and polyhedrons. Because this work illuminates how biological units, such as viruses and organelles, develop, it also could inform new ways to design medicine, synthetic cells and nano-reactors that are essential for nanotechnology.

Apr 28th, 2021

CRISPR discovery paves the way for novel COVID testing method (w/video)

Am I infected with SARS-CoV-2? Is it one of the dangerous variants? Being able to answer these questions with a single diagnostic test can be decisive for gauging the spread of disease and selecting the right therapy. Researchers tackle this challenge with a new CRISPR discovery they translated into a diagnostic platform.

Apr 27th, 2021

With a new synthetic biology tool, researchers have bacteria develop photos

Scientists have developed a new so-called optogenetic tool that simplifies a standard method in biotechnology: Instead of feeding the bacteria with sugar as commonly done, the researchers can now simply shine light on them.

Apr 27th, 2021

In-cell nano-3D printer: Synthesizing stable filaments from in-cell protein crystals

Scientists are working on a promising approach for synthesizing protein assemblies from protein crystals. Their strategy involves introducing mutations into the genetic code of an organism that naturally produces protein crystals.

Apr 26th, 2021

Bypassing broken genes

New approach to gene therapy can correct any disease-causing mutation within a gene.

Apr 21st, 2021

New biomaterial regrows blood vessels and bone

Scientists have developed a new biomaterial that regrows blood vessels and bone, potentially providing a single-stage approach when repairing large bone defects.

Apr 20th, 2021

Stem cells embedded into eyes to cure glaucoma

Researchers present a study that proves stem cells ability to cure glaucoma. It is the world's first successful attempt to grow and transplant retinal ganglion cells in laboratory settings. It establishes a path for further cell therapy development, growing and transplanting other organs and parts of them.

Apr 19th, 2021

New CRISPR technology offers unrivaled control of epigenetic inheritance

Scientists have figured out how to modify CRISPR's basic architecture to extend its reach beyond the genome and into what's known as the epigenome -- proteins and small molecules that latch onto DNA and control when and where genes are switched on or off.

Apr 16th, 2021

Scientists program microalgae's 'oil factory' to produce various oils

By combining the 'chassis' of an oil-producing microalgae with genes from a Cuphea plant, scientists can turn the algae into a microbial cell factory that can produce various oils with different properties.

Apr 15th, 2021

An ion pump to deliver chemotherapy agents to the brain

Researchers have shown in cells in culture that an ion pump can deliver drugs more accurately, which gives less severe adverse effects in chemotherapy.

Apr 15th, 2021

Researchers streamline molecular assembly line to design, test drug compounds

Researchers have found a way to fine-tune the molecular assembly line that creates antibiotics via engineered biosynthesis. The work could allow scientists to improve existing antibiotics as well as design new drug candidates quickly and efficiently.

Apr 13th, 2021

Researchers engineer probiotic yeast to produce beta-carotene

Researchers have genetically engineered a probiotic yeast to produce beta-carotene in the guts of laboratory mice. The advance demonstrates the utility of work the researchers have done to detail how a suite of genetic engineering tools can be used to modify the yeast.

Apr 12th, 2021

Technique allows mapping of epigenetic information in single cells at scale

Scientists have developed a technique that makes it possible to examine how different versions of histones bind to the genome in tens of thousands of individual cells at the same time. The technique was applied to the mouse brain and can be used to study epigenetics at a single-cell level in other complex tissues.