Biotechnology and bioengineering
The latest chemistry news and research on biotechnology, including industrial biotechnology, biocatalysis, biomedicine and bioengineering, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
-
ResearchUltrapotent thrombin inhibitor combines peptide fragments from a trio of blood-sucking organisms
Hybrid molecule featuring leech, tsetse fly and flea peptide fragments binds thrombin at three sites
-
NewsMedicine Nobel prize recognises discovery of protective ‘security guard’ regulatory T cells
Research explained how body protects itself from the immune system, offering new ways to treat autoimmune disease
-
ResearchNext generation gene editors engineered to significantly reduce error rate
Introducing mutations into DNA-snipping ‘molecular scissors’ can result in 60-fold reduction in errors
-
NewsCan a bowl of tomato soup a day keep the winter blues away?
Human trial to test whether gene-edited tomatoes can boost participants’ vitamin D levels
-
ResearchProtein prediction AI could help reactivate dormant immune system in crops
Precision engineering could be used to return natural immunity to crops that have lost it over time
-
ResearchAI method makes designer binders for ‘undruggable’ proteins
Technique can create molecules that target disordered regions of proteins and peptides
-
NewsWhy is a prehistoric creature still vital for the pharmaceutical industry?
Every year, horseshoe crabs are harvested for their blue blood, but alternatives are now coming through that could help protect these ancient animals
-
NewsWhat’s the point of the Synthetic Human Genome Project?
Why are scientists working to recreate the human genome from scratch?
-
NewsWellcome backing gets project to recreate human genome from scratch off the ground
Effort to synthesise human genome will likely take decades but should provide insight into disease
-
ResearchBacterium engineered to produce paracetamol from plastic bottle waste
Research demonstrates new ways to remediate plastic and upcycle chemicals derived from waste
-
NewsGene-edited crops set to arrive in England, but EU remains divided on them
Crops poised to be grown in England but renegotiation of trade agreement with EU could complicate matters
-
BusinessRNA as a replacement for chemical pesticides
Argentinian start-up Apolo Biotech is teaching plants to fight infections
-
BusinessCrispr Nobel laureates get another chance to claim ownership in long-running patent dispute
Jennifer Doudna and Emmanualle Charpentier could recoup patent rights to the gene-editing technology, thanks to ruling from US appeal court
-
Research3D printing deep in the body using ultrasound could deliver drugs, heal wounds
Biocompatible inks allowed polymers to be printed in animals without harming them
-
ResearchEngineered microbe could clean up persistent oil pollution hotspots
Bacterium can break down five hydrocarbon pollutants into harmless compounds
-
ResearchAmino acid sequences used to predict enzyme stereoselectivity
Team behind tool hope to dramatically reduce the experimental workload of scientists using directed evolution to develop biocatalysts
-
BusinessAcceptable levels of (epi)genetic engineering
Amplifying or silencing genes may be preferable to permanently changing genetic code
-
BusinessEpigenetic editors enter clinical trials
New wave of precision medicines amplify or silence genes, without altering genetic code
-
FeatureMaking genetically engineered food palatable
The next generation of genetically altered food is forging ahead, aiming to be attractive to consumers rather than producers. Katrina Megget finds out whether Crispr means crisper salads
-
ResearchStretching spider silk increases hydrogen bonding, improving mechanical strength
Computational analysis provides new insights into silk’s mechanical properties that was unavailable experimentally