|
Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT
|
|
Fast new, one-step genetic engineering technology
|
|
|
A new, streamlined approach to genetic engineering drastically reduces the time and effort needed to insert new genes into bacteria, the workhorses of biotechnology, scientists are reporting. The method paves the way for more rapid development of designer microbes for drug development, environmental cleanup and other activities.
|
|
|
Wed, 22 May 2013 13:10:10 EDT
|
|
Norway spruce genome sequenced: Largest ever to be mapped
|
|
|
Scientists have mapped the gene sequence of Norway spruce (the Christmas tree) -- a species with huge economic and ecological importance -- and that is the largest genome to have ever been mapped. The genome is complex and seven times larger than that of humans.
|
|
|
Wed, 22 May 2013 13:09:09 EDT
|
|
How immune system peacefully co-exists with 'good' bacteria
|
|
|
The human gut is loaded with helpful bacteria microbes, yet the immune system seemingly turns a blind eye. Now, researchers know how this friendly truce is kept intact. Innate lymphoid cells directly limit the response by inflammatory T cells to commensal bacteria in the gut of mice. Loss of this ILC function effectively puts the immune system on an extended war footing against the commensal bacteria a condition observed in multiple chronic inflammatory diseases.
|
|
|
Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT
|
|
Drought makes Borneo's trees flower at the same time
|
|
|
Tropical plants flower at supra-annual irregular intervals. In addition, mass flowering is typical for the tropical forests in Borneo and elsewhere, where hundreds of different plant timber species from the Dipterocarpaceae family flower synchronously. This phenomenon is all the more puzzling because both temperature and day length are relatively constant all year round due to geographical proximity to the equator.
|
|
|
Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT
|
|
DNA damage: The dark side of respiration
|
|
|
Adventitious changes in cellular DNA can endanger the whole organism, as they may lead to life-threatening illnesses like cancer. Researchers now report how byproducts of respiration cause mispairing of subunits in the double helix.
|
|
|
Wed, 22 May 2013 08:52:52 EDT
|
|
Mechanism discovered which aids Legionella to camouflage itself in the organism
|
|
|
The feared Legionella pneumophilabacteria is responsible for legionellosis, an infectious disease that can lead to pneumonia. In order to infect us, this pathogen has developed a complex method enabling it to camouflage itself and go unnoticed in our cells, thus avoiding these acting against the infectious bacteria.
|
|
|
|
|
Tue, 21 May 2013 19:40:40 EDT
|
|
Bacterium uses natural 'thermometer' to trigger diarrheal disease, scientists find
|
|
|
How does the bacterium Shigella -- the cause of a deadly diarrheal disease -- detect that it's in a human host? Scientists have found that a biological "RNA thermometer" monitors whether the environment is right for the bacterium to produce the factors it needs to survive within the body, according to a new study.
|
|
|
|
|
Tue, 21 May 2013 12:14:14 EDT
|
|
Small but speedy: Short plants live in the evolutionary fast lane
|
|
|
Biologists have known for a long time that some creatures evolve more quickly than others. Exactly why isn't well understood, particularly for plants. But it may be that height plays a role. Shorter plants have faster-changing genomes.
|
|