ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News

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• Improved method for capturing proteins holds promise for biomedical research
• Scientists expand knowledge of cell process involved in many diseases
• DNA construction software saves time, resources and money
• Realistic simulation of ion flux through membrane sheds light on antibiotic resistance
• Mimicking biological complexity, in a tiny particle
• Key mechanism that regulates shape and growth of plants discovered

Improved method for capturing proteins holds promise for biomedical research Posted: 16 Aug 2011 12:22 PM PDT Scientists have developed a new way of producing antibody-like binding agents and rapidly optimizing their affinity for their target proteins. Such capture reagents are vital for revealing the subtleties of protein function, and may pave the way for improved methods of detecting and treating a broad range of diseases.

Scientists expand knowledge of cell process involved in many diseases Posted: 16 Aug 2011 11:40 AM PDT Scientists have for the first time defined the structure of one of the cell's most basic engines, which is required for cell growth, as it assembles from its components.

DNA construction software saves time, resources and money Posted: 16 Aug 2011 10:31 AM PDT Scientists have developed the first software package for automating DNA construction that not only makes the process faster and more efficient but -- with an eye on the economics of scientific discovery -- also identifies which construction strategy would be the most cost-effective.

Realistic simulation of ion flux through membrane sheds light on antibiotic resistance Posted: 16 Aug 2011 09:14 AM PDT A new study describes an innovative new computational model that realistically simulates the complex conditions found in biological systems and allows for a more accurate look at ion channel function at the level of individual atoms. The research provides a remarkably detailed look at the function of a bacterial channel that kills brain cells in people with bacterial meningitis and provides insight into mechanisms that underlie deadly antibiotic resistance.

Mimicking biological complexity, in a tiny particle Posted: 16 Aug 2011 08:26 AM PDT Tiny particles made of polymers hold great promise for targeted delivery of drugs and as structural scaffolds for building artificial tissues. However, current production methods for such microparticles yield a limited array of shapes and can only be made with certain materials, restricting their usefulness. New technology could lead to better drug delivery and artificial tissues that imitate natural tissue.

Key mechanism that regulates shape and growth of plants discovered Posted: 16 Aug 2011 08:26 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a key mechanism that -- much like a construction site foreperson -- controls the direction of plant growth as well as the physical properties of the biopolymers that plants produce.

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