MSU researchers developed a new course 'Integrative Biology: From DNA to Populations' featuring Avida-ED, a digital evolution software program. This approach allows students to engage with biological concepts in a familiar and interesting context, resulting in increased understanding of evolution-influenced topics.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed a new resource for teaching synthetic biology to kindergartners through high school using an affordable, hands-on kit called BioBitTM. The kit enables experiments that circumvent current barriers in science education and fills a gap in STEM education.
A team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory and MIT have developed a novel synthetic biology tool that delivers DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria. The XPORT bacterium enables precise and controlled transfer of DNA to various microorganisms, opening up new possibilities for military applications.
The BioBits kits allow students to learn about key biological concepts through experiments with DNA and produce glowing proteins or scents. The kits contain freeze-dried cellular components, making them inexpensive and accessible.
BioBits kits use freeze-dried cell-free reactions to enable simple, hands-on biological experiments without specialized lab equipment. The kits introduce molecular and synthetic biology concepts, inspiring students to consider STEM careers.
Twelve scientists were recognized with prestigious ASBMB awards, including the ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education, ASBMB-Merck Award, and Earl and Thressa Stadtman Scholar Award. The winners are known for their groundbreaking research in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Researchers identify previously unknown protein targets of plant pathogens in Arabidopsis thaliana using systems biology and network analysis. The study's framework can help analyze other interactions between species to reveal pathogen contact points.
The Southeast Center for Mathematics and Biology aims to connect mathematical theory with biological data, educating a new generation of scientists at the math-biology interface. The center will train graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in interdisciplinary research.
The NSF-Simons Center for Mathematical and Statistical Analysis of Biology at Harvard University will focus on three fundamental questions: molecular networks, sophisticated structures, and organisms' adaptability. The center aims to integrate mathematical, statistical, and engineering approaches with biology.
A Northwestern-led synthetic biology research team has developed a new biotech technique called GlycoSCORES that promises to accelerate research into protein therapies. The technique uses cell-free protein synthesis, protein glycosylation, and mass spectrometry to rapidly screen sequences for making glycoproteins.
A new EU grant of EUR 2.5 million will fund research on the sexual biology of malaria parasites to develop novel intervention targets. The project aims to map the functions of approximately 700 parasite genes involved in sexual reproduction to prevent malaria transmission by mosquitoes.
The American Association of Anatomists has awarded its Young Investigator Awards to Bhart-Anjan Bhullar, Elçin Ünal, Maksim Plikus, and Helen Bateup for their groundbreaking contributions to cell biology, neuroanatomy, and developmental biology. These young scientists have made significant advancements in understanding the structural f...
The Midlands Regional Cryo-Electron Microscope (Cryo-EM) Facility brings cutting-edge research technologies to the region. The £6M facility will enable scientists to study bio-molecules in exquisite detail, leading to a better understanding of disease processes and how to address them.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has announced its annual award lecturers, who will present at the Annual Meeting in San Diego from April 21-25. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology.
Seven OU graduate students earned one-year fellowships to conduct research in aeroecology and environmental sustainability. The program aims to train interdisciplinary STEM leaders with effective research skills.
The European Research Council has awarded a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to TU Darmstadt's Heinz Koeppl for his project 'CONSYN', which aims to improve the design of synthetic genetic circuits. The grant will support computational modelling and computer-aided circuit synthesis to overcome experimental challenges in synthetic biology.
Don Cleveland and Peter Walter are recognized for their pioneering work in cell biology, with focus on protein synthesis and chromosome movement. The Breakthrough Prize acknowledges their contributions to advancing our understanding of cellular mechanisms.
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has announced 67 new Fellows, recognizing their significant and sustained impact on the discipline of cell biology. The honor is bestowed by peers and acknowledges not only outstanding scientific contributions but also service to ASCB and its missions.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a new platform for producing desperately needed antibiotics by combining synthetic biology with biology and chemistry. The team successfully generated a semi-synthetic pleuromutilin derivative with enhanced antibiotic activity, addressing the growing resistance to existing antibiotics.
Researchers have long used preprints to accelerate scientific discovery. A forgotten biology preprint experiment from the 1960s has been unearthed, revealing a long history of resistance to open knowledge sharing among publishers and learned societies.
A new study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology has identified a novel therapeutic target to reduce brain inflammation in diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. Mature monocytes have been found to express CXCR7 receptor on their surface, which may be used to block inflammation and HIV infection in the brain.
Han Bin Jeong, a UNIST doctoral student, has been recognized with the 2017 AMOREPACIFIC Great Global Next Generation Research Award for her groundbreaking research on mass-transfer studies at membrane contact sites in eukaryotic cells. The award acknowledges her contribution to molecular and cellular biology fields.
SimPath has licensed a novel cloning system that enables flexible DNA assembly and increases production efficiency by 50% in synthetic biology. The system, developed at ORNL, will aid in bioengineering new medicines and fuels with reduced operating costs.
The OU research group, led by Ann West, has received a five-year, $10.5 million NIH COBRE grant to support structural biology research and build on Phase I successes with 57 research publications and over $7 million in new grants awarded.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genome of an asexual tiny worm, Diploscapter pachys, which originated 18 million years ago. The study reveals how it maintains genetic variation and overcomes the disadvantages of asexual reproduction by skipping recombination.
The University of Oklahoma offers an NSF Undergraduate Research Program in Structural Biology, providing students with a nine-week research experience. The program helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through presentations and poster sessions.
Scientists used an evolutionary medicine approach to estimate Alzheimer's disease causative genes by focusing on ohnologs, duplicated genes vulnerable to change in number. The study successfully identified a group of genes related to the nervous system and high brain expression levels similar to known AD-causative genes.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced the 2017 class of Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research, five early-career scientists conducting groundbreaking research on finding cures for cancer. The scholars will receive flexible funding to invest in their work and investigate promising avenues to slow or stop cancer development.
Researchers have identified the mouse lemur as an ideal model for studying primate biology and human diseases such as cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. The study, which involved analyzing hundreds of lemurs in Madagascar, has already revealed unique genetic traits including obesity and progressive eye disease.
Scientists at UNC discovered a cascade of molecular signals that program gene activity to drive fruit fly maturation, involving alterations to DNA packaging and chromatin accessibility. This basic biology finding may hold significance for understanding how cancers arise in humans.
Researchers at Cornell University have observed a previously unknown characteristic of water surrounding DNA, revealing a chiral water superstructure that follows the iconic helical structure of DNA. This discovery has significant implications for understanding reactivity and biology in biological systems.
Dr. Michael A Gimbrone, Jr has made significant contributions to the field of vascular biology through his research on endothelial cells and the development of methods for culturing these cells. His work has led to a paradigm shift in our understanding of vascular diseases and has paved the way for countless studies and discoveries.
The National Institute on Aging has awarded $1.3 million to the American Federation for Aging Research as the first Nathan Shock Centers Coordinating Center. This center will coordinate activities among six basic biology of aging centers, enhance external communication with researchers and the public, and facilitate data sharing.
The American Association of Anatomists has awarded three young investigators for groundbreaking research in cell biology, comparative neuroanatomy, and developmental biology. Maria Barna, Gloria Brar, and Shigeki Watanabe have made significant contributions to biomedical science through their research.
The Salk Institute has received a $3 million gift from the Glenn Foundation, enabling continued investigation into aging and age-related diseases. The center aims to advance understanding of biological aging and its effects on various diseases, with a focus on developing interventions to delay or cure age-related conditions.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a photocleavable protein that breaks into two pieces when exposed to light, allowing scientists to study and manipulate activity inside cells in new ways. This tool has vast potential applications in various fields of research, including development biology and gene-editing techno...
A team of UCLA researchers has developed a mathematical equation that relates leaf mass per area to leaf structure, providing insights into how cells drive plant behaviors. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding plant productivity and tolerance to climate change.
The Oxford University Press will publish the Journal of Crustacean Biology, a scientific journal covering crustacean biology and marine arthropods. The journal has undergone a facelift with a new format and style, expanding article types to include Research Notes and comprehensive reviews.
The article discusses the importance of considering genome context (karyotype) in systems biology and molecular cytogenetics. It highlights the need for a new genome-based conceptual framework to integrate these fields, which will mutually benefit both disciplines.
Researchers developed a model to assess emerging synthetic biology products and identify priority information needs for policymakers. The Societal Risk Evaluation Scheme (SRES) evaluates eight categories of information, including human health risks and environmental concerns, to help determine policy actions.
Researchers have discovered that the RAGE receptor plays a key role in regulating inflammation through its binding to the leukotriene B4 receptor 1. This interaction modifies LTB4-BLT1 signaling, which modulates the inflammatory response.
Jörg Vogel, a leading RNA researcher, has been awarded the €2.5m Leibniz Prize for his seminal contribution to understanding regulatory RNA molecules in infection biology. His research could lead to new ways to fight pathogens.
A team of researchers has identified a network of genes in the brain that contribute to epilepsy, and predicts that a known anti-epileptic drug can restore its function. The study's 'network-biology' approach may provide a faster and cheaper way to discover new treatments.
Peter Baumann, a renowned chromosome researcher, joins Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz as Professor of Molecular Biology and Adjunct Director at IMB. His research focuses on telomeres and genetic diversity, aiming to understand the molecular and cellular principles behind chromosome biology.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that a program teaching biology through raising zebrafish from embryos improves students' knowledge of scientific concepts and their attitudes towards science. The program, BioEYES, was shown to be particularly effective in engaging underrepresented minorities.
Researchers link PIP to cell-mediated immunity, suggesting its potential as a new target for immunotherapeutic agents. PIP may help the immune system recognize and destroy foreign cells, including tumor cells, offering a protective effect against breast cancer.
Ferns are inaccurately depicted as extreme inbreeders in most biology textbooks, but research suggests this is not the case. New study co-authored by KU researcher Christopher Haufler reveals that ferns use outbreeding to produce genetic variation, contrary to long-held assumptions.
Advances in biomolecular modeling and understanding life at the molecular level are paving the way for a three-dimensional computer model of a cell. This could provide fundamental insight into how cells work and improve disease diagnosis and drug design.
The sequencing of the tobacco hornworm's genome marks a major milestone in understanding insect biology. The genome provides valuable insights into the insect's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, with potential applications in developing new methods for insect pest management.
Researchers at Yale and Cincinnati Children's Hospital propose that the human female orgasm evolved to stimulate ovulation, a trait shared with many other placental mammals. The study suggests that female orgasm became superfluous for reproduction later in evolution, freeing it for secondary roles.
The CU Training Program in Cancer Biology has earned a prestigious National Cancer Institute T32 grant, funding PhD-level and postdoctoral training positions. This award recognizes the program's excellence in interdisciplinary education of next-generation cancer scientists.
Researchers at UC San Diego and MIT developed a synthetic biology strategy to produce cancer drugs in mice while limiting bacterial population growth. The approach enables controlled release of drugs at tumor sites, reducing tumor size by combining chemotherapy with gene products produced by bacteria.
The ASPB Plant BLOOME Grant supports education and outreach projects that advance youth knowledge and appreciation of plant biology. Two winners received funding for comics and interactive videoconferencing resources to engage students in learning about plant science.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded Brown University a five-year, $11.5 million grant to expand its research in computational biology. The new Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) will support early career faculty members as they tackle genomics underlying diseases such as cancer and preeclampsia. Researchers will...
A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution identifies ultraconserved elements (UCEs) essential for animal development. Researchers found that UCEs act as hubs to allow genome access for multiple proteins, contributing to the extreme DNA sequence conservation observed.
Most Arizona biology instructors prioritize teaching facts over helping students accept evolution, according to a new ASU study. The research found that many professors perceive barriers to discussing the topic and often stick to neutral facts, despite recognizing that science can coexist with religious beliefs.
The primary method used to test compounds for anti-cancer activity in cells is flawed, according to a study by Vanderbilt University researchers. They have developed a new metric to evaluate a compound's effect on cell proliferation called the DIP rate, which overcomes the flawed bias in traditional methods.
A team of researchers, led by IU biologist Armin Moczek, will systematically study proposed extensions to the theory of evolutionary biology. The $1.25 million grant aims to test assumptions and predictions of a new framework that recognizes environmental signals in organism development.
Biologist Anthony Gitter is using a $900,000 NSF CAREER award to develop new methods for analyzing complex biological data. He hopes to create more accurate models of gene and protein interactions by mapping out dynamic processes like the immune response.
Recent studies on red raspberries suggest the fruit's potential in reducing cardiovascular disease risk, maintaining normal blood glucose levels and liver function, while also exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects related to bone health. The research was presented at the 2016 Experimental Biology conference.