University of Northern Iowa
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 19th, 2007
An Affibody® (Affibody) ligand with specific binding to human transferrin was selected by phage display technology from a combinatorial protein library based on the staphylococcal protein A (SpA)-derived Z domain. Strong and selective binding of the selected Affibody ligand to transferrin was demonstrated using biosensor technology and dot blot analysis. Impressive [...]
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 19th, 2007
Reverse micelles are formed in apolar solvents by spontaneous aggregation of surfactants. Surfactant sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) is most often used for the reverse micellar extraction of enzymes. However, the inactivation of enzyme due to strong interaction with AOT molecules is a severe problem. To overcome this problem, the AOT/water/isooctane [...]
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 19th, 2007
The very term ‘Biotechnology’ elicits a range of emotions, from wonder and awe to downright fear and hostility. This is especially true among non-scientists, particularly in respect of agricultural and food biotechnology. These emotions indicate just how poorly understood agricultural biotechnology is and the need for accurate, dispassionate information in the [...]
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 19th, 2007
Five Kunitz protease inhibitor group B genes were isolated from the genome of the diploid non-tuber-forming potato species Solanum palustre. Three of five new genes share 99% identity to the published KPI-B genes from various cultivated potato accessions, while others exhibit 96% identity. Spls-KPI-B2 and Spls-KPI-B4 proteins contain unique substitutions of [...]
Posted in Human Genome on Jul 18th, 2007
A U.S. company has begun to trickle out information on a unique DNA study it calls “Project Jim”, a crash effort to sequence the entire genome of a single individual: James D. Watson, co-discoverer of DNA’s structure.
Sciene
Posted in Bionics on Jul 18th, 2007
A highly functional bionic hand which was invented by a Scottish NHS worker has gone on the market.
BBC News
Posted in Uncategorized on Jul 18th, 2007
Scientists have engineered viruses to attack and destroy mega-colonies of potentially harmful bacteria called biofilms.
MSNBC.com
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 18th, 2007
Ketocarotenoids and especially astaxanthin are high-valued pigments used as feed additives. Conventionally, they are provided by chemical synthesis. Their biological production is a promising alternative. For the development of a plant production system, Nicotiana glauca, a species with carotenoid-containing yellow pigmented flower petals, was transformed with a cyanobacterial ketolase gene. [...]
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 18th, 2007
An in vivo system was developed for the biotransformation of D-fructose into D-mannitol by the expression of the gene mdh encoding mannitol dehydrogenase (MDH) from Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides ATCC12291 in Bacillus megaterium. The NADH reduction equivalents necessary for MDH activity were regenerated via the oxidation of formate to carbon dioxide by coexpression [...]
Posted in Plant Biotechnology on Jul 18th, 2007
Cultured plant cells of Eucalyptus perriniana can convert phenol and phenylalkyl alcohols [C6H5(CH2)nOH, n=0-3] into the corresponding [bgr]-D-glucopyranosides in a good yield. The cells preferentially glucosylated phenylmethanol (n=1, 59% yield) rather than phenol (n=0, 49%), 2-phenylethanol (n=2, 38%), and 3-phenylpropan-1-ol (n=3, 20%). On the other hand, 2-, 3-, and 4-hydroxyphenylmethanols [...]