Protein folding via charge zippers
Researchers report a novel charge zipper principle used by proteins to form functional units.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read more
Biotechnology News – Latest Headlines
Subscribe to our Biotechnology News feed
Researchers use luminescent mice to track cancer and aging in real-time
Scientists have developed a new method to visualize aging and tumor growth in mice using a gene closely linked to these processes.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreA molecular assembly line brings muscles into shape
Scientists at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria and at the University of Cologne, Germany have discovered the molecular basis underlying the patterned folding and assembly of muscle proteins.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreThe cell that isn't (w/video)
New technique captures division of membrane-less cells.
Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreScientists shed light on the "dark matter" of DNA
Genes make up only a minority of the entire genome sequence - roughly two percent in humans. The remainder was once dismissed as "junk", mostly because its function remained elusive. "Dark matter" might be more appropriate, but gradually light is being shed on this part of the genome, too.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreFraunhofer shows bio-tiles and heat-resistant biopolymers
Fraunhofer researchers are exhibiting how renewable, biodegradable and biostable raw materials can be used in architecture, interior design and the packaging industry at this year's International Green Week in Berlin.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreHoney, I'm just trying to loss weight - Viagra converts fat cells
Researchers from the University of Bonn treated mice with Viagra and made an amazing discovery: The drug converts undesirable white fat cells and could thus potentially melt the unwelcome 'spare tire' around the midriff.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreElectrogenic bioreactor harnesses BactoBots that clean wastewater, generate electricity, and produce hydrogen
United States patent for wastewater-to-value technology awarded to Bacterial Robotics.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreLipid vesicles to replace mouse experiments
Researchers from ETH Zurich have filed a patent application for a method to test the biological activity of one of the strongest toxins known, the botulinum neurotoxin. If the procedure is adopted by the pharmaceutical industry, it could save the lives of more than half a million mice per year.
Jan 17th, 2013
Read more3D mapping of lipid orientation in biological tissues such as skin
A non-invasive method that makes it possible to observe in situ how assemblies of lipids are oriented in biological tissues, and which does not require any labeling or preparation, has been developed by physicists.
Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreDesigner bacteria may lead to better vaccines
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a menu of 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that may improve the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as flu, pertussis, cholera and HPV.
Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreResearchers see surprising twist to protein misfolding
An effort to develop software that unravels the complexities of how proteins fold is paying dividends in new findings on how they misfold, according to researchers at Rice University.
Jan 14th, 2013
Read moreTissue engineers report knee cartilage repair success with new biomaterial
Proof-of-concept clinical trial in 18 patients shows improved tissue growth.
Jan 14th, 2013
Read moreNew insights into cell division - Researchers develop minimal system
All living organisms consist of cells that have arisen from other living cells by the process of cell division. However, it is not yet fully understood just how this important process takes place. Scientists at the MPI of Biochemistry have now developed a minimal biological system, which brings together key components of the cell division apparatus.
Jan 14th, 2013
Read moreWhat consumers really think about GM food labelling
The Food Standards Agency has published the findings of research looking at consumer attitudes to the labelling of genetically modified (GM) food and the use of 'GM-free' labelling.
Jan 14th, 2013
Read moreNew path discovered for future generation of glucose-measuring biosensors
Researchers have opened a new pathway for the future development of biosensors that enable measuring the glucose in the blood, but which are also believed to be more reliable with other fluids, such as urine. To this end, a complex scientific process has been developed which has called into question a dominant paradigm amongst the scientific community with respect to the mechanisms of binding and communication between proteins.
Jan 14th, 2013
Read moreProtein recognition and disorder: a debate
Two articles published today in F1000 Biology Reports debate whether protein recognition can occur in the absence of stable structure.
Jan 11th, 2013
Read moreMapping genes onto brain structures
A new technique comprehensively generates three-dimensional maps of gene expression in the brain.
Jan 11th, 2013
Read more