https://phys.org/biology-news/biotechnology/ en-us The latest science news on biotechnology For more than a decade, Evan Economo's lab has been using micro-CT machines to scan insect specimens. The resulting X-ray images help researchers study the form and structure of insects—a subfield of entomology known as morphology—but the process is costly and time-consuming. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-3d-imagery-world-ant-diversity.html Ecology Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:00:08 EST news691841822 Protein activity can be precisely regulated via subtle changes in temperature using heat-sensitive switches. Underlying this capability is a novel modular design strategy developed by researchers at the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology of Heidelberg University. The strategy allows the integration of sensory domains in various proteins regardless of function or spatial structure. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-thermogenetics-proteins.html Biotechnology Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:04:12 EST news691898619 By converting plastic waste into a microbe-friendly food source, scientists have built an upcycling pipeline that turns the waste into a variety of useful products. The findings are detailed in the journal Nature Sustainability. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-microbial-line-plastic-upcycling-programmable.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:20:03 EST news691862202 Scientists have discovered that a widely recognized Amazonian antbird is not one, but five distinct species—including two completely new to science. This revelation of hidden biodiversity was achieved by integrating artificial intelligence, vocal analysis, and traditional museum work, demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can transform our understanding of life in Earth's richest ecosystems. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-vocal-analysis-ai-uncover-amazon.html Plants & Animals Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:40:03 EST news691860376 What did the face of our ancestors look like three million years ago? Our international team has answered this question by virtually reconstructing the facial fragments of Little Foot, the most complete Australopithecus skeleton yet discovered. This reconstruction sheds light on the influence of the environment on how our face evolved. Our findings have just been published in the Comptes Rendus Palevol journal, and the new 3D face of Little Foot can be explored online on the MorphoSource platform. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-foot-australopithecus-skeleton-date.html Biotechnology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:50:04 EST news691861202 Stanford researchers have combined two microscopy techniques to create a one-of-a-kind instrument that can show cell structures interacting in real time at an unprecedented 120-nanometer resolution—the highest achieved without the use of fluorescent labels. This new "label-free" technology, called Interferometric Image Scanning Microscopy, or iISM, will allow scientists to observe cellular structures in their wider context, including their responses to intrusions, such as pathogens or drugs. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-kind-microscope-reveals-cells-unprecedented.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:20:03 EST news691851257 Mosquitoes transmit several pathogens of public health importance, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These vector-borne diseases are responsible for millions of cases every year, and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The most effective way to cope with the threat of emerging or re-emerging vector-borne diseases is prevention by a rigorous surveillance system, which can help early detection of risk and the initiation of mitigation efforts (e.g. mosquito control). https://phys.org/news/2026-03-mosquito-implications-ai-species-recognition.html Ecology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:17 EST news691842241 The DNA foundation model Evo 2 has been published in the journal Nature. Trained on the DNA of over 100,000 species across the entire tree of life, Evo 2 can identify patterns in gene sequences across disparate organisms that experimental researchers would need years to uncover. The machine learning model can accurately identify disease-causing mutations in human genes and is capable of designing new genomes that are as long as the genomes of simple bacteria. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-evo-ai-genetic-code-domains.html Biotechnology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:00:01 EST news691755181 People and animals create lots of waste that is usually sent to landfills, incinerated, or stored in engineered ponds such as manure lagoons. Now, researchers report a potential removal method using insects, specifically black soldier fly larvae. In experiments, the larvae ate spoiled food, sewage sludge, or livestock manure, and removed most human-pathogenic viruses. The researchers say this demonstrates a step toward simple, environmentally friendly waste management. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-black-soldier-fly-larvae-safe.html Biotechnology Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:02 EST news691749001 For decades, scientists have relied on tree rings to estimate how long trees can live. But new research suggests that this widely used method may have been underestimating the lifespan of many flowering trees—sometimes by centuries. A new international study published in Radiocarbon shows that radiocarbon dating can dramatically extend the known maximum age of broadleaved trees, revealing that many species live far longer than previously thought. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-radiocarbon-dating-rewrites-angiosperm-trees.html Plants & Animals Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:40:05 EST news691776283 Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), used to treat genetic diseases, can affect how cells repair damage to their DNA. This is shown in a new study from Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Communications. The findings may have implications for the development of future genetic medicines and deepen our understanding of how RNA, natural counterparts to ASOs, participate in DNA repair systems. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-synthetic-gene-medicines-disrupt-dna.html Biotechnology Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:20:06 EST news691750021 In a world where increasing demands for food security and energy strain existing resources, scientists are looking for new ways to maximize both. One potential option, agrivoltaics, integrates solar photovoltaics with crops. A study examines the agricultural and economic trade-offs that come with installing solar arrays on working farms across the Midwest. The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-agrivoltaics-yields-profits-crop-deployed.html Biotechnology Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:30:08 EST news691691941 Scientists have discovered a key biological safeguard that helps one of nature's most impressive regenerators, the planarian flatworm, correctly rebuild its organs. The new research, published in Nature Communications, illuminates how these animals prevent their powerful stem cells from making mistakes during regeneration, a discovery that may eventually help scientists understand how to better control stem cell behavior in other species. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-flatworms-regeneration-powers-track.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:20:04 EST news691684201 Hair regrowth treatment may soon take a major leap forward, as researchers in a recent study have successfully grown complete, fully functional hair follicles outside of the living body, in a dish. This was made possible by the discovery of a previously unknown third cell type, the accessory mesenchymal cell population, which is essential for growing functional hair follicles. These specific supporting cells allow the follicle to grow deep into the skin, a process called downgrowth, to produce a proper hair shaft. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-newfound-cell-enables-fully-functional.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:40:04 EST news691669030 A new bioengineered neuronal circuit board "BioConNet" allows scientists to artificially engineer human brain-like wiring at scale and can be used to engineer any possible circuit. The fully programmable, open-source system allows generation of large-scale circuits, while maintaining the ability to focus on single connections between neurons. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-bioengineered-neuronal-circuit-board-mimics.html Biotechnology Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:00:03 EST news691206203 Scientists have found a way to use common bacteria as tiny, green chemical factories to replace a process that currently relies on fossil fuels. In industrial hydrogenation, the hydrogen added to molecules to create products such as plastics, medicines and food typically comes from coal or natural gas. The process comes with a heavy environmental price tag, releasing between 15 and 20 kilograms of greenhouse gas for every kilogram of hydrogen produced. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-stale-bread-bacteria-power-era.html Cell & Microbiology Sat, 28 Feb 2026 09:00:05 EST news691165483 Researchers at the Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology have uncovered new evidence that two major types of gene-controlling DNA sequences, promoters and enhancers, operate with a shared logic and often perform the same jobs. The finding, made possible through a high-throughput assay they developed called QUASARR-seq, could reshape how scientists design gene therapies, interpret disease-related mutations, and understand cancer genetics. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-tool-gene-dna-sequences-jobs.html Biotechnology Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:40:01 EST news691416961 RIKEN researchers have discovered how an enzyme modifies gene expression by targeting certain stretches of messenger RNA (mRNA) while leaving others alone. This finding could contribute to the rational design of drugs that tweak the enzyme's activity. The paper is published in the journal Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-rna-disordered-regions.html Biotechnology Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:00:01 EST news691330201 Nature does it again! The natural world has a knack for giving us the blueprints for some useful technologies, and the humble sea urchin is the latest contributor. Scientists have designed a new class of smart sensors by mimicking the internal architecture found in their spines. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-sea-urchin-spines-powered-underwater.html Biotechnology Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:40:01 EST news691322175 Scores of sea lions continue to beach themselves along the Southern California coastline, stricken with sickness. Toxic algae blooms are to blame, though a mechanical engineering innovation could shift the tide in favor of the marine mammals. Now, UNLV-led research published in Scientific Reports has successfully developed a synthetic California sea lion pelvic region, mimicking its bone and soft tissue. This allows medical professionals to conduct blood collection training on anatomically authentic models, improving efforts to treat the live animals. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-3d-synthetic-sea-lion-pelvis.html Biotechnology Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:10:01 EST news691258501 Coral reefs are teeming with life: they are home to over a third of all marine animal and plant species on Earth, despite covering less than one percent of the ocean floor. However, this immense diversity is under threat from rising ocean temperatures. Since the 1950s, half of the world's coral population has already disappeared. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-endangered-natural-pharmacy-hidden-coral.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:30:01 EST news691255501 Indoor farms, also known as vertical farms, are popular among agricultural researchers and are expanding across the agricultural industry. Some benefits they have over outdoor farms include the year-round production of food crops, less water and land requirements, and they don't need pesticides. They also reduce food waste and carbon emissions from shipping. Additionally, some studies indicate that indoor farms produce more nutritious food for urban communities. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-robot-pollinator-vision-boost-indoor.html Biotechnology Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:40:02 EST news691242361 A research team led by the University of Waterloo is developing a novel tool to treat cancer by engineering hungry bacteria to literally eat tumors from the inside out. "Bacteria spores enter the tumor, finding an environment where there are lots of nutrients and no oxygen, which this organism prefers, and so it starts eating those nutrients and growing in size," said Dr. Marc Aucoin, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo. "So, we are now colonizing that central space, and the bacterium is essentially ridding the body of the tumor." https://phys.org/news/2026-02-bacteria-consume-tumors.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:20:02 EST news691154582 Artificial intelligence can be used to provide a more precise time of death, which could be crucial in murder investigations. The method was developed by researchers at Linköping University and the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine who have trained an AI model on metabolites in thousands of blood samples from real deaths. "Death is a strong biological signal," says Rasmus Magnusson, postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, IMT, at Linköping University, who led the study published in Nature Communications in which AI is used to determine the time of death. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-ai-precise-death-mortem.html Biotechnology Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:40:01 EST news691144681 For decades, scientists viewed the genome of a newly fertilized egg as a structural "blank slate"—a disordered tangle of DNA waiting for the embryo to wake up and start reading its own genetic instructions. In research published in Nature Genetics, Professor Juanma Vaquerizas and his team have found that a surprising level of structure is already in place. They've developed a breakthrough technology, called Pico-C, which enables scientists to see the 3D structure of the genome in unprecedented detail. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-technology-reveals-hidden-dna-scaffolding.html Biotechnology Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:05 EST news691119487 Plant owners with a so-called green thumb often seem to have a more finely tuned sense of what their plants need than the rest of us. A new "smart lighting" system for indoor vertical farms grants this ability on a facility-wide scale, responsively meeting plants' needs while reducing energy inefficiencies, clearing a path for indoor farms as an energy-efficient food security strategy. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-tuning-fluorescence-farm-smarter-indoor.html Biotechnology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:00:02 EST news691079641 Natural muscle fibers are made up of spring-like proteins that can contract and stretch without losing their original form, dissipate mechanical energy as heat and maintain incredible tensile strength for all sorts of physical functions. Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have replicated these proteins using synthetic biology approaches to create a new category of biomaterials for use in medicine, textiles and agriculture. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-animal-muscles-biomaterial-agriculture-fabrics.html Biotechnology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:50:03 EST news691085701 Sometimes, transporting electrons from one cell to another is a team effort. In electroactive bacteria, that team is a group of proteins that shepherds electrons forward, passing them along like a relay baton, so they can penetrate the thick cell envelope comprising multiple layers of membranes that otherwise are not electroconductive. But how these proteins collaborate to achieve this has not been clear. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-electrochemical-reshape-bacterial-protein-patterns.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:10:01 EST news691082521 A researcher's keen eye and spirit of curiosity led to the discovery of a new method for cell engineering—a finding that opens doors to more sustainable sources for everything from fuel to vitamin supplements. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-algae-biofuel-doors-cheaper-cleaner.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:20:01 EST news691067716 Imagine trying to design a key for a lock that is constantly changing its shape. That is the exact challenge we face in modern drug discovery when dealing with intrinsically disordered proteins. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-quantum-ideas-messy-world-disordered.html Biotechnology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:04 EST news691066246