EPA Sets Plans For Use Of Renewable Fuels
Posted in Bioenergy, Environmental Biotechnology, Sustainability Science on Apr 12th, 2007
Refiners Will Be Required To Use 7.5 Billion Gallons Of Renewable Fuel In Gasoline By 2012
CBS News
Archive for April, 2007
Genes control chemotherapy impact
Posted in Human Genome on Apr 12th, 2007
Scientists have identified key genes which appear to control the impact of chemotherapy on cancer cells.
BBC News
Genetic fidelity of long-term micropropagated shoot cultures of vanilla (Vanilla planifolia Andrews) as assessed by molecular markers
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Apr 12th, 2007
Occurrence of genetic variants during micropropagation is occasionally encountered when the cultures are maintained in vitro for long period. Therefore, the micropropagated multiple shoots of Vanilla planifolia Andrews developed from axillary bud explants established 10 years ago were used to determine somaclonal variation using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and intersimple sequence repeats markers (ISSR). [...]
Chemically defined medium environment for the development of renal stem cells into tubules
Posted in Stem Cells on Apr 12th, 2007
The use of stem cells is a valuable therapeutical option for the regeneration of diseased tissues and organs. However, the involved cellular processes are hardly known. To gain detailed information about their development, a new culture technology was developed. Embryonic renal tissue containing stem/progenitor cells was mounted within a perfusion culture container at the interface [...]
In vivo glyco-engineered antibody with improved lytic potential produced by an innovative non-mammalian expression system
Posted in Molecular Pharming, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology on Apr 12th, 2007
Recent studies have demonstrated that the reduction of the core fucosylation on N-glycans of human IgGs is responsible for a clearly enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). This finding might give access to improved active therapeutic antibodies. Here, the expression of the tumor antigen-specific antibody IGN311 was performed in a glyco-optimized strain of the moss Physcomitrella [...]
Biotechnological production of xylitol in a three-phase fluidized bed bioreactor with immobilized yeast cells in Ca-alginate beads
Posted in Bioprocessing on Apr 12th, 2007
Cells of Candida guilliermondii entrapped in Ca-alginate beads were used for xylitol production, from concentrated hemicellulose hydrolyzate of sugarcane bagasse, in a fluidized bed bioreactor (FBR). The maximum xylitol concentration 28.9 g xylitol/L was obtained at a high aeration rate of 600 mL/min after 70 h of fermentation, indicating that the use of high aeration [...]
Affinity precipitation an option for early capture in bioprocessing
Posted in Bioprocessing on Apr 12th, 2007
Affinity precipitation is a bioseparation technique where the affinity ligand is coupled to a stimuliresponsive polymer. Stimuli-responsive polymers show abrupt, yet reversible, phase transition (precipitation) in response to a small change in an environmental parameter. The corresponding ligand conjugates can be used to co-precipitate and thereby capture and isolate target molecules from complex solutions such [...]
The CDC says the major antibiotics used to the treat gonorrhea are no longer effective. Now there’s only one therapy left.
Posted in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology on Apr 12th, 2007
For sexually active Americans, gonorrhea has always cast a frightening shadow—almost 340,000 cases are reported each year, and at least that many may go unreported or undiagnosed. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the situation just got even scarier. The agency announced Thursday that it will no longer recommend a major class of antibiotics [...]
The Plant Breeder and the Pea
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Apr 12th, 2007
K.B. Saxena has spent his career trying to boost yields of pigeon pea, a crop relied on by hundreds of millions of marginal farmers. At last, he’s succeeded.
Science
Mysterious, Widespread Obesity Gene Found Through Diabetes Study
Posted in Human Genome on Apr 12th, 2007
Researchers have found the first clear-cut evidence for a common gene that helps explain why some people get fat and others stay trim, they report online in Science this week.
Science