LC/MS Enabling Advances in Proteomic Analysis
Living things are made of proteins, not DNA. However, while next generation DNA sequencing has enabled the completion of the human genome and ushered in the era of personalized medicine, protein analysis has not had the benefit of a similar high-throughput broad-scale analysis technology. As a recent Nature Genetics Review articles points out, however, advanced mass spectroscopy techniques are changing this situation....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 23, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
From Looking at the Parts of a System to a System of Parts
There's a shift in biomedical research--a change of perspective from looking at parts of biology to trying to understand changes and responses more holistically across the whole living system, at least throughout a whole cell. Technology paved the way for this change with DNA microarrays and high throughput DNA sequencing which enabled researchers to assess genetic changes in many thousands of different molecules in a single experiment....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 23, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
SCOTUS Hears Monsanto Suit against Indiana Farmer that Grew GMO Soybeans
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in a case that could have far reaching impacts on biotechnology patents. Indiana farmer Vernon Bowman fought back against the Monsanto Corporation when it tried to make him pay $84,000 for growing a crop of genetically modified soybeans....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 19, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Incomplete Consent in the NIH Stem Cell Registry
Following president Obama's 2009 Executive Order allowing federal funding of research using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), the NIH issued guidelines defining the ethical standards for research involving these cells. For example, the guidelines specify that embryos created by in vitro fertilization for reproduction, but no longer needed, may be used for research provided the parental donors give informed consent....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Stem Cell Therapy Clinic Flees to Mexico to Avoid FDA
Celltex Therapeutics Corporation, the Houston-based stem cell company where Texas governor Rick Perry received treatments for back pain last year, is moving to Mexico to sidestep pressure from the FDA ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Diabetes Cure for the Dogs
Researchers in Barcelona have cured type I diabetes in dogs using gene therapy. A group at the Center for Animal Biotechnology and Genetic Therapy eliminated diabetes in canines with a single injection of viral vectors carrying two genes. Previously, the same group showed a similar treatment was effective in mice, but this is the first demonstration of a cure in large animals....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Addressing Malnutrition on a Global Scale with GM Rice
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) reviewed the on-going development of several varieties of genetically modified (GM) rice in its quarterly Rice Today magazine. In contrast to many crop modifications that seek to increase harvest yields by introducing pesticide or pest resistant traits, most genetic engineering on rice has been undertaken to address nutritional deficiencies in countries where rice is a diet staple...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - February 1, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Containing Infectious Diseases with DNA Sequencing
DNA sequencing is finally reaching the point where it is fast and cheap enough to make a real impact on routine healthcare. While most of the interest focuses on its potential to personalize medical treatment based on an individual's genetics, the technology offers much broader potential. For example, automated high throughput DNA sequencing techniques appear to be about to revolutionize our ability to track and contain infectious disease outbreaks....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 30, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Did You Get Your Vaccine Tattoo?
A recent Nature Materials paper reports on a surprising and somewhat contradictory-sounding approach for safe and painless vaccinations--microneedles.
Actually, it's an array of very small needles. These can be coated with DNA or proteins, and then used to push the coating into the epidermal layer of the skin to introduce a layer of biologically active molecules where they can remain for days to weeks. This gives the body more time to respond, which can be useful for some drugs, such as vaccines. Basically, you're tattooing a layer of a drug just under the skin....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 26, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Safely Access Your Genetic Profile on Your Smart Phone
Your DNA sequence contains all kinds of information about your risk of developing certain diseases, your reaction to certain types of drugs, genetic diseases you may carry, and a host of other traits that make you, well, you. It's your blueprint, as discussed in The Value of Personal Genomic Analysis....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 22, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Swine Flu Vaccine Link to Narcolepsy Concerns European Authorities
According to Reuters, a soon to be published British study will confirm a link between Pandemrix, a swine flu vaccine produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and the development of narcolepsy. ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 22, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Japan Increases Support for Science Research; US May Pull Back
After two decades of economic lethargy, the government of Japan approved a $116 billion economic stimulus package that included $11 billion for science and technology. Approximately $3 million of this funding is dedicated to upgrade research infrastructure and promote collaborations between university and industrial laboratories. Almost $360 million is also specifically targeted for medical research to develop new drugs and treatments--with two-thirds slated for stem cell and related regenerative technologies....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 22, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Can Companies Own Human Genes?
<p>Biotech companies invest a lot in developing ways to rapidly diagnose diseases, identify people at risk for certain medical conditions, and determine which individuals will respond to particular drugs. This work often results in finding previously unknown variations in specific genes that predict if a person might develop a disease or respond to a treatment. In return for the investment to develop these medical tests, shouldn't companies have a certain right to profit from their discoveries? It is the main incentive for companies to make these sorts of investments.</p>...<p><a href="http://cl...
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 10, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Market Shakeup in Developing Maternal Blood Prenatal Diagnostics
<p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.illumina.com/">Illumina</a>, the leading provider of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://biotech.about.com/od/researchlaboratory/a/The-Need-For-Cheaper-And-Faster-Dna-Sequencing.htm">high throughput gene sequencing</a> technology, announced <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://investor.illumina.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=121127&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1771460&highlight=">Monday</a> that it has agreed to purchase <a href=&q...
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 7, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
Lawsuit to Block Stemcell Funding Is Over
James Sherley and Theresa Deisher lost their lawsuit attempting to block President Obama's 2009 Executive order rescinding federal limitations on funding human embryonic stem (hES) cells research. The ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical)
Source: About.com Biotech Biomedical - January 5, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news
