How much a single cell breathes
How active a living cell is can be seen by its oxygen consumption. The method for determining this consumption has now been significantly improved by chemists in Bochum.
May 13th, 2013
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ERASynBio first call: Building Synthetic Biology capacity through innovative transnational projects
The Synthetic Biology ERA-NET (ERASynBio) has announced its 1st joint call for transnational research projects in Synthetic Biology. The call will be open until 26 August 2013 and represents a unique opportunity for Europe and the USA to build Synthetic Biology capacity through innovative transnational projects.
May 13th, 2013
Read moreResearch on cilia heats up: Implications for hearing, vision loss and kidney disease
Experiments at Johns Hopkins have unearthed clues about which protein signaling molecules are allowed into hollow, hair-like 'antennae', called cilia, that alert cells to critical changes in their environments.
May 13th, 2013
Read moreBiomaterial shows promise for Type 1 diabetes treatment
Researchers have made a significant first step with newly engineered biomaterials for cell transplantation that could help lead to a possible cure for Type 1 diabetes, which affects about 3 million Americans.
May 9th, 2013
Read moreA trick to fold proteins more quickly
A team of researchers of the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) of Trieste and of University of Cambridge have devised a method to reduce the time used to simulate how proteins take on their signature three-dimensional shape. Such important information to comprehend their function is usually obtained using often very costly experimental techniques.
May 8th, 2013
Read moreSilk and cellulose biologically effective for use in stem cell cartilage repair
Over 20 million people in Europe suffer from osteoarthritis which can lead to extensive damage to the knee and hip cartilage. Stem cells offer a promising way forward but a key challenge has been to design a 'smart material' that is biologically effective for cartilage tissue regeneration. Now researchers have identified a blend of naturally occurring fibers such as cellulose and silk that makes progress towards affordable and effective cell-based therapy for cartilage repair a step closer.
May 7th, 2013
Read moreBiomedical engineers build a living patch for damaged hearts
Duke University biomedical engineers have grown three-dimensional human heart muscle that acts just like natural tissue. This advancement could be important in treating heart attack patients or in serving as a platform for testing new heart disease medicines.
May 6th, 2013
Read moreNew device can extract human DNA with full genetic data in minutes
Take a swab of saliva from your mouth and within minutes your DNA could be ready for analysis and genome sequencing with the help of a new device.
May 6th, 2013
Read moreAssembly of a protein degradation machine could lead to treatments in cancer, neurological diseases
Kansas State University scientists helped discover new details about an intricate process in cells. Their finding may advance treatments for cancer and neurological diseases.
May 6th, 2013
Read more3D printed human body parts not far away
Australian scientists are at the forefront of a medical revolution using 3D printing to reproduce human body parts.
May 6th, 2013
Read moreA new cost-effective genome assembly process
A collaboration between the DOE JGI, Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) and the University of Washington has resulted in an improved workflow for genome assembly that the team describes as a fully automated process from DNA sample preparation to the determination of the finished genome.
May 5th, 2013
Read moreAdult cells transformed into early-stage nerve cells, bypassing the pluripotent stem cell stage
A UW-Madison research group has converted skin cells from people and monkeys into a cell that can form a wide variety of nervous-system cells - without passing through the do-it-all stage called the induced pluripotent stem cell, or iPSC.
May 2nd, 2013
Read moreNew plant protein discoveries could ease global food and fuel demands
New discoveries of the way plants transport important substances across their biological membranes to resist toxic metals and pests, increase salt and drought tolerance, control water loss and store sugar can have profound implications for increasing the supply of food and energy for our rapidly growing global population.
May 1st, 2013
Read more'Traffic' in our cells works both for and against us
A mechanism that permits essential substances to enter our cells while at the same time removing from them harmful components also has a 'down side'. This negative aspect prevents vital drugs, such as anti-cancer drugs, from achieving their designed functions, while also enabling bacterial cells to develop resistance to penetration of antibiotics.
May 1st, 2013
Read moreChanging cellulose-forming process may tap plants' biofuel potential
Changing the way a plant forms cellulose may lead to more efficient, less expensive biofuel production, according to Penn State engineers.
May 1st, 2013
Read moreSynthetic biology research community grows significantly
The number of private and public entities conducting research in synthetic biology worldwide grew significantly between 2009 and 2013, according to the latest version of an interactive map produced by the Synthetic Biology Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Apr 30th, 2013
Read morePatterned hearts
Bioengineers create rubber-like material bearing micropatterns for stronger, more elastic hearts.
Apr 29th, 2013
Read moreMapping of cancer cell fuel pumps paves the way for new drugs
For the first time, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have managed to obtain detailed images of the way in which the transport protein GLUT transports sugars into cells. Since tumours are highly dependent on the transportation of nutrients in order to be able to grow rapidly, the researchers are hoping that the study will form the basis for new strategies to fight cancer cells.
Apr 29th, 2013
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