News tagged with genetic tools

'Synthetic' chromosome permits repid, on-demand 'evolution' of yeast

In the quest to understand genomes -- how they're built, how they're organized and what makes them work -- a team of Johns Hopkins researchers has engineered from scratch a computer-designed yeast chromosome ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Sep 14, 2011 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 29 | with audio podcast

Engineered molecule changes itself to detect and attack diseased cells

(PhysOrg.com) -- Assistant Professor of Bioengineering Christina Smolke has engineered biological molecules that regulate a cell's behavior by adjusting their own forms and functions in response to the internal conditions ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 30, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Researchers synchronize blinking 'genetic clocks' (w/ Video)

Researchers at UC San Diego who last year genetically engineered bacteria to keep track of time by turning on and off fluorescent proteins within their cells have taken another step toward the construction ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 20, 2010 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Plants use circadian rhythms to prepare for battle with insects

In a study of the molecular underpinnings of plants' pest resistance, Rice University biologists have shown that plants both anticipate daytime raids by hungry insects and make sophisticated preparations to ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Feb 13, 2012 | popularity 4.2 / 5 (5) | comments 4 | with audio podcast

Grass to gas: Researchers' genome map speeds biofuel development

Researchers at the University of Georgia have taken a major step in the ongoing effort to find sources of cleaner, renewable energy by mapping the genomes of two originator cells of Miscanthus x giganteus, a large perenn ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 10, 2012 | popularity 3.8 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Mapping mollusks: Researchers use genetic tools to complete family tree

What do a typical garden snail and an octopus have in common, besides the occasional appearance on the plates of adventurous diners? More than you may realize. Both are mollusks, a group of animals that includes ...

Biology / Evolution

created Nov 02, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Two unsuspected proteins may hold the key to creating artificial chromosomes

Whitehead Institute scientists report that two proteins once thought to have only supporting roles, are the true "stars" of the kinetochore assembly process in human cells.

Biology / Biotechnology

created Apr 28, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1 | with audio podcast

PiggyBac joins armory in fight against cancer

Researchers have developed a genetic tool in mice to speed the discovery of novel genes involved in cancer. The system – called PiggyBac – has already been used by the team to identify novel candidate cancer-causing ...

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Oct 14, 2010 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Study on genetics in fruit flies leads to new method for understanding brain function

A team of University of Oklahoma researchers studying neurobiology in fruit flies (Drosophila) has developed a new method for understanding brain function with potential applications in studies of human neurological diseas ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Sep 10, 2010 | popularity 4 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Decoding of wheat genome will aid global food shortage

Wheat production world-wide is under threat from climate change and an increase in demand from a growing human population. Liverpool scientists, in collaboration with the University of Bristol and the John ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Aug 26, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 10 | with audio podcast

Researchers develop genetic map for cowpea, accelerating development of new varieties

Cowpea, a protein-rich legume crop, is immensely important in many parts of the world, particularly drought-prone regions of Africa and Asia, where it plays a central role in the diet and economy of hundreds ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Oct 13, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Open source DNA

A new mathematical tool from Dr. Eran Halperin of TAU's Blavatnik School of Computer Science aims to protect genetic privacy while giving genomic data to researchers.

Medicine & Health / Genetics

created Aug 31, 2009 | popularity 1 / 5 (1) | comments 1

Vitamin A derivative provides clues to better breast cancer drugs

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, could lead researchers to a new set of drug targets for treating breast cancer, researchers from the University of Chicago report in the June 25, 2009, issue of the ...

Medicine & Health / Medical research

created Jun 25, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Bee-killing parasite genome sequenced

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have sequenced the genome of a parasite that can kill honey bees. Nosema ceranae is one of many pathogens suspected of contributing to the current bee population decline, termed ...

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Jun 05, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 2

Compounds could be new class of cancer drugs

A team of Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators has developed a group of chemical compounds that could represent a new class of drugs for treating cancer.

Chemistry /

created Feb 03, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0