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Q&A: Genome Institute of Singapore's Edison Liu on the Future of HUGO, GWAS, and GIS
GenomeWeb Mar 16 2010 9:17PM GMT
Sequenom Earnings: Now There's an SEC Probe Into a Failed Hostile Bid, Too
BNet Mar 16 2010 9:13PM GMT
Testosterone deal a shot in the arm for biotech
TradingMarkets Mar 16 2010 9:10PM GMT
GenomeQuest API
Scientific Computing World Mar 16 2010 9:08PM GMT
Digital Pharma: Merck Serono expands PKU website
Pharmafocus Mar 16 2010 9:08PM GMT
Malvern specialist presents light scattering methods at Peptide Conference 2010
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
Marinomed Granted European Patent for Anti-Viral Active Ingredient - A core component of Marinomed's respiratory technology platform
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
BioInvent and Human Genome Sciences Announce Collaboration to Co-develop and Commercialize Therapeutic Antibodies
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
Veryan closes 3.6m funding round to develop novel BioMimics 3D stent technology and announces the commencement of first-in human studies.
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
Malvern Instruments and Particle Measuring Systems conclude customer support transfer in Nordic region
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
2010 ERBI Annual Conference and Partnering Event
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
Researchers identify a novel source of adult stem cells: Foreign body-induced granulation tissue
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:59PM GMT
NEWS FROM CLINICAL REFERENCE LABORATORY GLOBAL SERVICES - Clients win with CRL Global Services integrated structure
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College Hill Life Sciences appointed by ERBI as media partner
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
Accelerating polymer process development - Malvern rheometers and Compuplast simulation software cut development time
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
RepRegen reports potential advance in the repair and regeneration of hard-tissue, such as bone
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
mtm laboratories announces the European launch of CINtec PLUS - A powerful new biomarker combination for cervical cancer screening
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
Ablynx Intends to Raise up to EUR57.5 Million with Secondary Public Offering - Price Range: EUR7.20 - EUR7.75 per share
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
GE Healthcare Launches Biacore Sensor Chip CM7 For screening and characterization of small molecules and fragments in Biacore SPR systems
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
Forbion Capital Partners leads $12 Million Series C Financing of Promedior Inc. Total Capital of $27 Million Raised by Promedior in the Past Year
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:58PM GMT
Forbion Capital Partners Opens German Office and Expands Team
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:57PM GMT
Introducing the ACI cleaning system: a new cascade impactor automation tool from Copley Scientific
BioPortfolio Mar 16 2010 8:57PM GMT
Sequenom (SQNM) Is One Of Today's Top Losers
Market Intelligence Center Mar 16 2010 8:49PM GMT
Sequenom stock drop leads biotech slide
MarketWatch Mar 16 2010 8:43PM GMT
Sequenom Earnings: And Now There's an SEC Probe Into a Failed Hostile Bid, Too
BNet Mar 16 2010 8:32PM GMT
Genentech Submits Supplemental Biologics License Application for ACTEMRA (tocilizumab) for Prevention of Structural Joint Damage and Improvement of Physical Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis
San Jose Mercury News Mar 16 2010 8:30PM GMT
Sequenom stock leads downward biotech trend
MarketWatch Mar 16 2010 8:29PM GMT
Eureka Genomics High-Throughput Sequencing and Bioinformatics Services Highlighted at Now-Generation Sequencing Conference
San Jose Mercury News Mar 16 2010 8:29PM GMT
Top Companies from India's Biotech Industry to Attend BioPartnering India @ Bangalore India Bio!
TMC Net Mar 16 2010 8:27PM GMT
New biotech advance to add heart healthy omega-3s to US diet
Research & Development Mar 16 2010 8:23PM GMT
Moreover Technologies - Biotech news
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Biotechnology Techniques for Tracing Food Pathogens
Dr. Shu Chen from the University of Guelph (Canada) presented this afternoon at the Annual North American Summit on Food Safety, describing her work on developing molecular methods for food safety and quality monitoring. There are several molecular methods for genotyping food pathogens and tracing them back to their source. These include: Examples of AFLP applications are the PCR-based BAX (Dupont) and Assurance GDS (BioControl) detection platforms. AFLP works much like RFLP, except that, following digestion of the DNA sample with restriction enzymes, the sticky ends of the resulting fragments are ligated (attached) to adapter sequences and specific combinations of adaptor-fragment sequences are then targeted by the PCR primers. The use of the adaptors adds sensitivity to the test. The BAX system detects Listeria spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 with high sensitivity and allows the user to run one test for all species. Assurance GDS is a highly sensitive system with three levels of specificity beginning with an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure, to isolate bacteria from the sample, followed by PCR using highly specific primers and a patented probe. IMS uses antibody-coated magnetic particles that are specific to the target organisms, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. Biotechnology Techniques for Tracing Food Pathogens originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 19:27:39.
E. coli O157:H7 Duped by Built-in Food Safety Mechanism
The North American Summit on Food Safety starts tomorrow and I promised to tell the interesting story of how Dr. Rick Holley's laboratory is using applied food biotechnology to build safety into meat products. In a chain of events somewhat analogous to the activation of suicide genes in GMOs released to the environment during bioremediation, the Holley lab has found a way to set up E. coli O157:H7 to indirectly cause its own demise. Mustard seed contains a natural anti-microbial compound called isothiocyanate, which is produced when the plant is attacked by bacteria or fungi. The precursor compounds to isothiocyanate, called glucosinolates, are stored in different cells of the plant than the enzyme myrosinase, which is required to cleave the glucose molecule and generate the anti-bacterial compound. When cells are damaged in the plant, the enzyme finds the substrate and the infection is stopped. The Holley lab has found that adding powdered mustard to sausages prevents contamination by bacteria. Mustard is a common spice and does not have to undergo regulatory testing as a food additive. The problem is that once the seed is powdered, the enzyme and glucosinolates are in contact and the meat will have a mustard flavor. To avoid this, the powder is heat-treated, inactivating the enzyme. The powder still has antimicrobial activity because the Holley lab has discovered that E. coli O157:H7 cells themselves produce myrosinase, probably because they detect the glucose ligand on the substrate and want to use it as an energy source. Unfortunately for them, the resulting side effect is production of the bactericidal isothiocyanate. E. coli O157:H7 Duped by Built-in Food Safety Mechanism originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 06:30:40.
Summit on Food Safety
Toronto (Canada) plays host next Tuesday and Wednesday to the 6th Annual North American Summit on Food Safety. Topics being covered include some very relevant issues in food biotechnology, such as pathogen management and building safety into food. A presentation on the latter, by Dr. Rick Holley (Dept. of Food Sciences, University of Manitoba), marks the beginning of the summit on Tuesday. I spoke with Dr. Holley today to get a preview of his presentation. Admittedly vocal with respect to government involvement in food safety, the take home message of Dr. Holleys presentation is that "we can't inspect food safety, we have to build it in". Applied biotechnologists should take this as a challenge to find ways to put food products together in such a way as to be "inhospitable to bacteria". Dr. Holley's own work utilizes a unique cascade of events that capitalize on the antimicrobial properties of mustard, in the production of sausages (watch my next blog for the fascinating details). Another noteworthy presentation at the summit is by keynote speaker and USDA representative Dr. James Adams. His talk will outline the key regulations to comply with if you want to do business with the United States, and will forecast some possible future initiatives - something those working with GMOs won't want to miss, since the USDA has regulatory jurisdiction over transgenic crops. Summit on Food Safety originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 00:16:13.
Digital Education in the Sciences
I was recently asked about my thoughts on the ongoing shift to digital education and social media legitimacy as it pertains to science and biotechnology. It seems in the past 2 or so years, it isn't enough for a scientific journal to publish it's papers online, but, nearly each and every one has created an entire network of learning tools. This is a general trend among all facets of media, not just the biotech industry. In the sciences, experts in various fields of research are recruited to write online material. In my experience, the legitimate sites with a history of producing peer-reviewed journals, subject the material to stringent editing and review by other scientists. I have participated in several projects for building online educational resources, most recently one on purifying cytosolic protein complexes and various methods of analysis. I can appreciate the challenges associated with capturing an audience and keeping their attention, preparing material that is appropriately brief for posting on a website, but also detailed enough to be relevant, while also trying to maintain a suitable level of complexity. The work I have done has been limited to papers with various links to other resources, but some websites contain videos, games, puzzles and intellectual challenges that capture the imagination and are invaluable tools for teachers at all levels of the sciences. Sites like these can remind us of what facinates us about science. While I don't believe that classroom learning should be completely eliminated, I think there are countless oppotunities for teachers to enhance the students experiences by directing them to these resources. Tell me what you think - and teachers, please share your experiences and favourite sites. Digital Education in the Sciences originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 22:32:07.
What Fascinates You?
We all have those moments, especially while at work doing the same mundane task day in and day out, where we wonder why we became scientists in the first place. Do you remember what fascinates you about science? MAKE magazine has created a webpage called The Elements of Humanity, that is home to a number of informal interviews with scientists at last summer's SciFoo Conference on Science and Technology. The interviewees, who specialize in all areas of science, tell what first caught their eye and led them to specialize in their field. Among the experts are Lynn Rothschild (Fascinated with Microbes) and Mackenzie Cowell (Fascinated with Synthetic Biology). Interested in biofuels? On this site, you will also find a "weekend project" feature on how to make your own biodiesel, and a video on green technologies. What Fascinates You? originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 14:23:12.
Epigenetic Markers Change with Age
During development of our bodies, when the cells of the blastocyst begin to differentiate into specialized forms to make various tissues, there are a number of epigenetic markers that determine what kind of tissue is formed. One of these markers is DNA methylation. Methylation patterns on our DNA change with age, and as a result of environmental factors such as alcohol or cigarette smoke. The changes can make one more or less susceptible to cancer and other diseases, but are not well characterized. For example, increased methylation in prostate tissues is observed with age, but questions remain as to where the changes occur and whether they are linked to cancer. Recently, an American epigenetic research team reported finding that methylation in 10 different tissue types increased with age in areas of CpG islands, and decreased in the absence of these sequences, putting us one step closer to understanding how transcription factors are regulated and how that impacts the onset of disease. Source: Christensen, B. et al. 2009. Aging and environmental exposures alter tissue-specific DNA methylation dependent upon CpG island context. PLoS Genetics 5(8): e1000602. August 2009. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000602. Epigenetic Markers Change with Age originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 07:38:29.
Cervical Cancer Immunoassay Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
Mtm Laboratories in Germany announced today the publication of research on a biomarker for detecting cervical cancer more accurately than previously possible. Bergeron et al. have published a paper, due for publication in March in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, that describes the technology. The immunoassay is based on the high level of gene expression for a proprietary biomarker, CINtec p16INK4a, overexpressed in cervical cancer cells carrying HPV. The test significantly increases diagnostic accuracy for the disease. The detection system involves combining the ELISA-type antibody-antigen stain, with traditional H&E staining. The form of cancer detected by this staining system, High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, has a high rate of false positive and false negatives but is treatable when detected early, which makes sensitivity an essential improvement to the test. Source: Bergeron et al. 2010. Conjunctive p16INK4a Testing Significantly Increases Accuracy in Diagnosing High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 133:395-406. Cervical Cancer Immunoassay Improves Diagnostic Accuracy originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 20:12:52.
Evolution of Bioprocessing
There are a number of reasons E. coli is the preferred organism for gene cloning, and when biopharmaceuticals first made the market, it was the primary cell system for bioprocessing. Then companies started making use of mammalian cell cultures, because of their ability to glycosylate (add sugars to, post-translation) protein products in a way that is recognizable to our human cells. Currently, bioprocessors seem to be moving in many different directions. E. coli cell lines are being developed that can glycosylate more predictably, the way we want them to, and are more efficient, but still have the advantage of familiarity to regulators. At the same time, fermentations using human cell lines are also beginning to take hold. Changes in the type of biopharmaceuticals being produced (proteins, antibodies, small molecules, etc.) are also driving these choices, since different cell lines are more suitable for making different products. Evolution of Bioprocessing originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 16:33:06.
Engineered Bioplastics Degrade on Demand
Here's a whole new way to handle waste and reduce the volume of garbage in landfills. In 2007, scientists at the former Alberta Bioplastics Network (ABN) in Canada were intent on developing various bioplastics that don't biodegrade while the product is in use (i.e. as the bumper of your car) but, once tossed away, can be exposed to specific bioengineered enzymes that will degrade the polymer. It takes a lot of infrastructure to commercialize something like this, from the production of the plastic, to segregation and collection of the waste for processing, which may be why the program is no longer in operation. Like other recycling and city-wide composting programs, however, I think if the process proves to be effective, for reducing landfill requirements if nothing else, we may see more of this sustainable plastic technology in the future. Dr. Suresh Narine, formally affiliated with the ABN is now at Trent University (Canada) where he continues to research the development of biopolymers from oilseeds. Dr. Narine will be presenting at the Bioplastics and Green Composites 2010 Workshop at the University of Guelph on March 31, 2010. Engineered Bioplastics Degrade on Demand originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 15:18:11.
Compostable Sun Chips Biotech Bag
Watching the Superbowl football game Sunday night was actually an educational biotech experience for me, because I was introduced to the Sun Chips compostable chip bag during a commercial break. After a quick investigation, I've discovered that the bags are a biotech innovation. The chip bags are made from polylactic acid, or polylactide (PLA), a polymer made during the fermentation of dextrose obtained from plant-derived starch. The biopolymer is produced by NatureWorks and trademarked "Ingeo". It is made from 100% renewable resources (in this case, corn) and is compostable, meaning it biodegrades to carbon dioxide, water and biomass, can be used to grow plants and doesn't produce any toxic materials. The Ingeo bioplastics are used to make food and other packaging products and serve as petroleum-based plastic substitutes in other industries. Ingeo fibers can be used to make cotton-like clothing and performance sportswear. According to the Sun Chips product information paper, it took Frito-Lay 4 years of research to perfect the bags that will soon be on shelves across America, and are a testiment to the advancements of the food biotech industry. Compostable Sun Chips Biotech Bag originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 20:48:31.
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Cancer drugs "can have other uses"
Pharmacy Europe Mar 16 2010 8:14PM GMT
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 Financial and Operational Results
EuroInvestor.co.uk Mar 16 2010 8:12PM GMT
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Acceptance of Telaprevir and VX-222 Abstracts for Presentation at EASL Annual Meeting
EuroInvestor.co.uk Mar 16 2010 8:11PM GMT
Senators challenge FDA ban on homosexual men donating blood
World Tribune Mar 16 2010 8:10PM GMT
Molecular Insight Pharma (MIPI) trading halted with news pending
Street Insider Mar 16 2010 8:08PM GMT
China Nuokang Bio-Pharmaceutical Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Financial Results
Stockwatch Mar 16 2010 8:06PM GMT
Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2009 Financial and Operational Results
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Vertex Pharmaceuticals Announces Acceptance of Telaprevir and VX-222 Abstracts for Presentation at EASL Annual Meeting
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Onyx Pharmaceuticals to Present at the Barclays Capital 2010 Global Healthcare Conference
FinanzNachrichten.de Mar 16 2010 8:06PM GMT
Saudi pharmaceutical, healthcare expenditure to reach SAR 13.09 billion by 2013
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AstraZeneca will be picky in emerging markets
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DIAGNOS Signs an Agreement with ORA Consulting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Registration Process
Quote.com Canada Mar 16 2010 8:05PM GMT
DIAGNOS Signs an Agreement with ORA Consulting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Registration Process
DMN Newswire Mar 16 2010 8:03PM GMT
No New Studies Needed From Amylin, Eli Lilly and Alkermes
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OSI Pharmaceuticals Comments on Astellas? Slate of Director
Business Wire via MSN Money Mar 16 2010 7:51PM GMT
ViroPharma To Host Investor Day
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Mylan Announces First-to-File Opportunity Settlement Agreements for Actoplus Met(R) and Actos(R)
Pittsburgh Business Times Mar 16 2010 7:49PM GMT
SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
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Astellas Announces Full Slate of Independent Director Nominees for Election at OSI Pharmaceuticals' 2010 Annual Stockholders Meeting
Nashville Business Journal Mar 16 2010 7:44PM GMT
SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
Austin Business Journal Mar 16 2010 7:42PM GMT
SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
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Pfizer to Evaluate Tekmira Technology for siRNA Delivery
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SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
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SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
Biz Journals Mar 16 2010 7:35PM GMT
SCOLR Pharma Acquires the Rights to Nuprin(R) from CVS
Wichita Business Journal Mar 16 2010 7:35PM GMT
Moreover Technologies - Pharma industry news
Pharma industry news - more than 340 categories of real-time RSS news feeds
Biotechnology Techniques for Tracing Food Pathogens
Dr. Shu Chen from the University of Guelph (Canada) presented this afternoon at the Annual North American Summit on Food Safety, describing her work on developing molecular methods for food safety and quality monitoring. There are several molecular methods for genotyping food pathogens and tracing them back to their source. These include: Examples of AFLP applications are the PCR-based BAX (Dupont) and Assurance GDS (BioControl) detection platforms. AFLP works much like RFLP, except that, following digestion of the DNA sample with restriction enzymes, the sticky ends of the resulting fragments are ligated (attached) to adapter sequences and specific combinations of adaptor-fragment sequences are then targeted by the PCR primers. The use of the adaptors adds sensitivity to the test. The BAX system detects Listeria spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157:H7 with high sensitivity and allows the user to run one test for all species. Assurance GDS is a highly sensitive system with three levels of specificity beginning with an immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure, to isolate bacteria from the sample, followed by PCR using highly specific primers and a patented probe. IMS uses antibody-coated magnetic particles that are specific to the target organisms, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. Biotechnology Techniques for Tracing Food Pathogens originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 19:27:39.
E. coli O157:H7 Duped by Built-in Food Safety Mechanism
The North American Summit on Food Safety starts tomorrow and I promised to tell the interesting story of how Dr. Rick Holley's laboratory is using applied food biotechnology to build safety into meat products. In a chain of events somewhat analogous to the activation of suicide genes in GMOs released to the environment during bioremediation, the Holley lab has found a way to set up E. coli O157:H7 to indirectly cause its own demise. Mustard seed contains a natural anti-microbial compound called isothiocyanate, which is produced when the plant is attacked by bacteria or fungi. The precursor compounds to isothiocyanate, called glucosinolates, are stored in different cells of the plant than the enzyme myrosinase, which is required to cleave the glucose molecule and generate the anti-bacterial compound. When cells are damaged in the plant, the enzyme finds the substrate and the infection is stopped. The Holley lab has found that adding powdered mustard to sausages prevents contamination by bacteria. Mustard is a common spice and does not have to undergo regulatory testing as a food additive. The problem is that once the seed is powdered, the enzyme and glucosinolates are in contact and the meat will have a mustard flavor. To avoid this, the powder is heat-treated, inactivating the enzyme. The powder still has antimicrobial activity because the Holley lab has discovered that E. coli O157:H7 cells themselves produce myrosinase, probably because they detect the glucose ligand on the substrate and want to use it as an energy source. Unfortunately for them, the resulting side effect is production of the bactericidal isothiocyanate. E. coli O157:H7 Duped by Built-in Food Safety Mechanism originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 06:30:40.
Summit on Food Safety
Toronto (Canada) plays host next Tuesday and Wednesday to the 6th Annual North American Summit on Food Safety. Topics being covered include some very relevant issues in food biotechnology, such as pathogen management and building safety into food. A presentation on the latter, by Dr. Rick Holley (Dept. of Food Sciences, University of Manitoba), marks the beginning of the summit on Tuesday. I spoke with Dr. Holley today to get a preview of his presentation. Admittedly vocal with respect to government involvement in food safety, the take home message of Dr. Holleys presentation is that "we can't inspect food safety, we have to build it in". Applied biotechnologists should take this as a challenge to find ways to put food products together in such a way as to be "inhospitable to bacteria". Dr. Holley's own work utilizes a unique cascade of events that capitalize on the antimicrobial properties of mustard, in the production of sausages (watch my next blog for the fascinating details). Another noteworthy presentation at the summit is by keynote speaker and USDA representative Dr. James Adams. His talk will outline the key regulations to comply with if you want to do business with the United States, and will forecast some possible future initiatives - something those working with GMOs won't want to miss, since the USDA has regulatory jurisdiction over transgenic crops. Summit on Food Safety originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 00:16:13.
Digital Education in the Sciences
I was recently asked about my thoughts on the ongoing shift to digital education and social media legitimacy as it pertains to science and biotechnology. It seems in the past 2 or so years, it isn't enough for a scientific journal to publish it's papers online, but, nearly each and every one has created an entire network of learning tools. This is a general trend among all facets of media, not just the biotech industry. In the sciences, experts in various fields of research are recruited to write online material. In my experience, the legitimate sites with a history of producing peer-reviewed journals, subject the material to stringent editing and review by other scientists. I have participated in several projects for building online educational resources, most recently one on purifying cytosolic protein complexes and various methods of analysis. I can appreciate the challenges associated with capturing an audience and keeping their attention, preparing material that is appropriately brief for posting on a website, but also detailed enough to be relevant, while also trying to maintain a suitable level of complexity. The work I have done has been limited to papers with various links to other resources, but some websites contain videos, games, puzzles and intellectual challenges that capture the imagination and are invaluable tools for teachers at all levels of the sciences. Sites like these can remind us of what facinates us about science. While I don't believe that classroom learning should be completely eliminated, I think there are countless oppotunities for teachers to enhance the students experiences by directing them to these resources. Tell me what you think - and teachers, please share your experiences and favourite sites. Digital Education in the Sciences originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 22:32:07.
What Fascinates You?
We all have those moments, especially while at work doing the same mundane task day in and day out, where we wonder why we became scientists in the first place. Do you remember what fascinates you about science? MAKE magazine has created a webpage called The Elements of Humanity, that is home to a number of informal interviews with scientists at last summer's SciFoo Conference on Science and Technology. The interviewees, who specialize in all areas of science, tell what first caught their eye and led them to specialize in their field. Among the experts are Lynn Rothschild (Fascinated with Microbes) and Mackenzie Cowell (Fascinated with Synthetic Biology). Interested in biofuels? On this site, you will also find a "weekend project" feature on how to make your own biodiesel, and a video on green technologies. What Fascinates You? originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 14:23:12.
Epigenetic Markers Change with Age
During development of our bodies, when the cells of the blastocyst begin to differentiate into specialized forms to make various tissues, there are a number of epigenetic markers that determine what kind of tissue is formed. One of these markers is DNA methylation. Methylation patterns on our DNA change with age, and as a result of environmental factors such as alcohol or cigarette smoke. The changes can make one more or less susceptible to cancer and other diseases, but are not well characterized. For example, increased methylation in prostate tissues is observed with age, but questions remain as to where the changes occur and whether they are linked to cancer. Recently, an American epigenetic research team reported finding that methylation in 10 different tissue types increased with age in areas of CpG islands, and decreased in the absence of these sequences, putting us one step closer to understanding how transcription factors are regulated and how that impacts the onset of disease. Source: Christensen, B. et al. 2009. Aging and environmental exposures alter tissue-specific DNA methylation dependent upon CpG island context. PLoS Genetics 5(8): e1000602. August 2009. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000602. Epigenetic Markers Change with Age originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 07:38:29.
Cervical Cancer Immunoassay Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
Mtm Laboratories in Germany announced today the publication of research on a biomarker for detecting cervical cancer more accurately than previously possible. Bergeron et al. have published a paper, due for publication in March in the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, that describes the technology. The immunoassay is based on the high level of gene expression for a proprietary biomarker, CINtec p16INK4a, overexpressed in cervical cancer cells carrying HPV. The test significantly increases diagnostic accuracy for the disease. The detection system involves combining the ELISA-type antibody-antigen stain, with traditional H&E staining. The form of cancer detected by this staining system, High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, has a high rate of false positive and false negatives but is treatable when detected early, which makes sensitivity an essential improvement to the test. Source: Bergeron et al. 2010. Conjunctive p16INK4a Testing Significantly Increases Accuracy in Diagnosing High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia. American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 133:395-406. Cervical Cancer Immunoassay Improves Diagnostic Accuracy originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 20:12:52.
Evolution of Bioprocessing
There are a number of reasons E. coli is the preferred organism for gene cloning, and when biopharmaceuticals first made the market, it was the primary cell system for bioprocessing. Then companies started making use of mammalian cell cultures, because of their ability to glycosylate (add sugars to, post-translation) protein products in a way that is recognizable to our human cells. Currently, bioprocessors seem to be moving in many different directions. E. coli cell lines are being developed that can glycosylate more predictably, the way we want them to, and are more efficient, but still have the advantage of familiarity to regulators. At the same time, fermentations using human cell lines are also beginning to take hold. Changes in the type of biopharmaceuticals being produced (proteins, antibodies, small molecules, etc.) are also driving these choices, since different cell lines are more suitable for making different products. Evolution of Bioprocessing originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 16:33:06.
Engineered Bioplastics Degrade on Demand
Here's a whole new way to handle waste and reduce the volume of garbage in landfills. In 2007, scientists at the former Alberta Bioplastics Network (ABN) in Canada were intent on developing various bioplastics that don't biodegrade while the product is in use (i.e. as the bumper of your car) but, once tossed away, can be exposed to specific bioengineered enzymes that will degrade the polymer. It takes a lot of infrastructure to commercialize something like this, from the production of the plastic, to segregation and collection of the waste for processing, which may be why the program is no longer in operation. Like other recycling and city-wide composting programs, however, I think if the process proves to be effective, for reducing landfill requirements if nothing else, we may see more of this sustainable plastic technology in the future. Dr. Suresh Narine, formally affiliated with the ABN is now at Trent University (Canada) where he continues to research the development of biopolymers from oilseeds. Dr. Narine will be presenting at the Bioplastics and Green Composites 2010 Workshop at the University of Guelph on March 31, 2010. Engineered Bioplastics Degrade on Demand originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 15:18:11.
Compostable Sun Chips Biotech Bag
Watching the Superbowl football game Sunday night was actually an educational biotech experience for me, because I was introduced to the Sun Chips compostable chip bag during a commercial break. After a quick investigation, I've discovered that the bags are a biotech innovation. The chip bags are made from polylactic acid, or polylactide (PLA), a polymer made during the fermentation of dextrose obtained from plant-derived starch. The biopolymer is produced by NatureWorks and trademarked "Ingeo". It is made from 100% renewable resources (in this case, corn) and is compostable, meaning it biodegrades to carbon dioxide, water and biomass, can be used to grow plants and doesn't produce any toxic materials. The Ingeo bioplastics are used to make food and other packaging products and serve as petroleum-based plastic substitutes in other industries. Ingeo fibers can be used to make cotton-like clothing and performance sportswear. According to the Sun Chips product information paper, it took Frito-Lay 4 years of research to perfect the bags that will soon be on shelves across America, and are a testiment to the advancements of the food biotech industry. Compostable Sun Chips Biotech Bag originally appeared on About.com Biotech / Biomedical on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 20:48:31.
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