US market forecast for stem cell technology

Market research indicates that the market for stem cell technologies will grow dramatically in the next four years.

Ancient DNA and the KFC gene

Researchers at the Universities of Adelaide and Sydney have used the prevelance of the 'KFC' gene to try to establish the migration history of the chicken.

Using MS to identify dinosaur fossils proteins

Fossilomics research is being facilitated by the sensitivity, mass accuracy and resolution of modern mass spectrometry.

Electrostatic detection technique for DNA and RNA microarrays

Dispersing a fluid containing thousands of electrically charged microscopic silica beads across the surface of a DNA microarray and then observing the Brownian motion of the spheres provides measurements of the electrical charges of the DNA molecules. These measurements can be observed and recorded with a simple handheld imaging device and used to interrogate millions of DNA sequences at a time.

Three sequencing companies join 1000 Genomes Project

Three firms that have pioneered development of new sequencing technologies — 454 Life Sciences, Applied Biosystems and Illumina Inc — have joined the 1000 Genomes Project to build the most detailed map to date of human genetic variation.

Nobel winner finds complication for stem cell therapy

A single organ may contain more than one type of adult stem cell — a discovery that complicates prospects for using stem cells as a treatment for disease, according to a study by Nobel Laureate Prof Mario Capecchi.

Why most cells fail to reprogram

US researchers have uncovered critical molecular events that undermine the reprogramming of somatic human cells back to a pluripotent state.

One step closer to synthetic life

Researchers at the UK’s University of Nottingham have taken some important first steps to creating a synthetic version of a living cell.

International guidelines for genome databases

The Genomic Standards Consortium (GSC), an international organisation including representatives from a range of major sequencing and bioinformatics centres, has created a new guideline for describing genomes and metagenomes.

Platypus genome sequenced

UK-based researchers have revealed the genetic make-up of one of the world’s strangest mammals: the Australian platypus.

Turning off rice genes

Researchers have found a new type of molecule - kind of 'micro-switch' - that can turn off genes in rice, which is the primary source of food for more than half the world's population.

Antibiotic resistance proteins identified

Scientists have identified two proteins that significantly increase the ability of disease-causing bacteria to resist some classes of antibiotics.

Mathematical model offers smarter way to understand how information travels In cells

Centralised database for human protein data

Scientists now have access to a centralised knowledge base for international protein data, with the launch of the Human Proteinpedia (www.humanproteinpedia.org) website this month.

Biotechnology appears to be dead

Biotechnology seems to have taken a back seat this year at Pittcon, the huge annual laboratory conference and exposition held in the US.