Articles
Automation and parallelisation
Pharmaceutical and biomedical research are evolving to take advantage of the development of bioinformatic research programs, incorporating data from new high-resolution assays and technologies such as microarrays and fluorescent in situ hybridisation.
[ + ]Creating a more precise system for growing cells
When culturing cells, not only is the constitution of the media significant, so is the solid, physical environment. By using different patterned surfaces, researchers have found that they can use the surface itself to instruct the cells, which could be really useful for growing cells on a larger scale and differentiating them under defined conditions.
[ + ]Strewth: first wallaby genome published
It’s a proud day for Australian science: the first complete wallaby genome has been published, revealing insights into unique traits such as its signature hop and antibiotic milk. [ + ]
Invisibility cloak closer to reality
To be useful an invisibility cloak needs to keep the wearer invisible when he moves around and, to date, most cloaks are only effective if the wearer stands still. But now, a device that tampers with the speed of light offers a solution.
[ + ]Tips for practising safe cells - Part 1
Completely avoiding cell culture contamination is very difficult in busy laboratories. However, careful aseptic technique, appropriate caution and training can reduce the risk of contamination.
[ + ]Tips for practising safe cells - Part 2
Part 1 of this article looks at ways to improve aseptic techniques and to preserve the integrity of cell cultures and sterile liquid transfers. Here in Part 2 we look at the lab environment and how it can impact on safety.
[ + ]Feature: Automated genomics
The Arrayed Retroviral Expression Cloning (ARVEC) facility at the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute is pushing the data limits with 'high-content imaging' of cell phenotypes. [ + ]
The deadly E. coli outbreak
The mention of E. coli O157:H7 sends a chill through the spine of every food processor. This deadly pathogen has been implicated in disease outbreaks all over the world and only a small load can cause illness. But in the latest outbreak in Germany and France, a new serotype is proving even more deadly.
[ + ]Mathematics of minority rules
When just 10% of a population holds an unshakable belief, their belief will always be adopted by the majority of the society, according to latest research from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The scientists, who are members of the Social Cognitive Networks Academic Research Center (SCNARC), used computational and analytical methods to discover the tipping point where a minority belief becomes the majority opinion. The finding has implications for the study and influence of societal interactions ranging from the spread of innovations to the movement of political ideals.
[ + ]Combined therapy offers promise for aggressive breast cancers
A combination of a new anti-cancer drug with conventional chemotherapy offers improved results for aggressive ‘triple negative’ breast cancers. [ + ]
Feature: Platypus venom spurs drug discovery
The humble platypus packs a venom containing a veritable witche's brew of peptide toxins, some of which might give insights into new drugs. [ + ]
How you read the gene alters what you get
Multiple varients of a given gene can be made with the same genetic instructions, it just depends on how the cell ‘reads’ the DNA. Alternative versions of mRNA transcripts can be achieved mainly by altering the start and end reading of a gene and this seems to be more common than the traditionally expected alternative, splicing.
[ + ]Gilead is swimming in the Medicines Patent Pool
Gilead is the first company to have entered a licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool in a move aimed towards increasing access in developing countries to drugs that treat HIV and Hepatitis B.
[ + ]Is the genomics bubble sustainable?
In the ten years since the human genetic code was mapped, expectations among scientists, the healthcare industry, policymakers and the public have remained high concerning the promise of genomics research for improving health.
[ + ]Microarray technology speeds up drug development
RNA interference technology, which is used in cell biology, has revolutionised functional research of gene products in the last ten years.
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