Feature Channels: Biotech

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With newly awarded funding from the National Science Foundation, researchers at the University of California, Irvine and the Keck School of Medicine of USC will seek to revolutionize the treatment of neurological diseases through intelligent biocomputing. The four-year, $2 million grant is part of NSF’s Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program, which funds cutting-edge science pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.

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The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (NUS) was launched today, marking a major milestone as the first of its kind in Asia to advance research in alternative proteins. With a US$30 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund, the Centre is poised to lead groundbreaking research and commercialisation efforts to develop “ultimate proteins” – advanced hybrid foods that match traditional meat–based products in both taste and price.

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Opeolu Adeoye, MD a professor of emergency medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, led a national clinical trial that found that two anti-coagulant medications are ineffective at improving post-treatment outcomes for stroke patients.

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In humans and fruit flies alike, rna editing prevents autoimmune responses and adjusts protein functions. However, in humans, most editing occurs in non-coding regions, with only a small fraction leading to changes in protein function. In contrast, in flies, the majority of rna editing events occur in sequences that directly produce proteins.

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The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back.

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A multidisciplinary team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has created a first-of-its-kind all-organic plant e-skin for continuous and non-invasive plant monitoring.

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In a notable advancement, scientists have developed an efficient gene functional analysis method for peach seedlings, overcoming longstanding hurdles in genetic transformation. Utilizing a TRV-based vector system, this innovative approach induces high-frequency gene silencing across diverse plant tissues, enabling in-depth analysis of genes essential for growth and development. The streamlined process notably shortens the transformation and analysis timeline to just 1.5 months, accelerating advancements in horticultural research.

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In the U.S. alone, more than 3.5 million babies are born each year. Alongside them, an endlessly fascinating organ that’s essential to a healthy pregnancy: the placenta.The placenta forms early in pregnancy, providing a vital connection between baby and mom. Then, it’s delivered shortly after the baby during childbirth, and its job is complete.

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has funded University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research that aims to connect the dots between quantitative and molecular genetics and improve crop breeding.

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Sustainable agriculture can benefit the environment but only when food safety and human health are taken into account.

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The researchers used magneto-induced electric field (MIEF) technology to explore the structural and rheological properties of citrus pectin under different pH conditions. This technology is not only green and safe, but also easy to operate and low cost, suitable for industrial application.

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Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Kuo-Ching (KC) Mei from Binghamton University, State University of New York and his team have won the $1.9M Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (MIRA) for Early Stage Investigators (ESI) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to tackle gene therapy challenges.

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New research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) uses cryo-electron microscopy to shed new light on the ubiquitin; could help predict the risk of blood clots in cancer patients; reveals why micronuclei burst, accelerating aggressive cancers; and surveys healthcare providers about the benefits and risks of commercial genetic testing.

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FAU has received a five-year NIH grant to further research on designing and applying statistical methods to identify regions of the genome affected by natural selection, which is an important evolutionary force that enables humans to adapt to new environments and fight disease-causing pathogens.

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A new study reveals critical insights into how apple trees respond to Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a severe fungal disease impacting apple yields. Focusing on the regulatory roles of valine–glutamine (VQ) and WRKY proteins in plant defense, the research offers promising pathways for breeding disease-resistant apple varieties.

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Scientists have uncovered a crucial evolutionary mechanism that could revolutionize oil production in crops. The study reveals that whole genome duplications (WGDs) significantly boost oil content in oil crops, offering a strategic pathway to increase vegetable oil yields to meet rising global demand. This discovery promises to transform agricultural practices, ensuring a sustainable supply of this vital resource for both dietary and industrial use.

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Advancing the frontiers of agricultural genetics, a newly developed eight-way tomato Multiparental advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population serves as a rich genetic resource that unlocks diverse traits from wild tomato species.

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A new study has mapped the genetic makeup of mango, revealing its genomic diversity and population structure that influence key agronomic traits. The research identifies genetic differentiation among mango populations and discovers candidate genes linked to flowering, fruit weight, and aroma compounds, essential for advancing mango breeding through genomic-assisted methods.

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Researchers have discovered that miR319a, a microRNA, significantly enhances poplar trees' resilience to salt stress, potentially revolutionizing tree cultivation in saline environments. This discovery sheds light on how trees maintain essential ion balance under salty conditions, paving the way for developing salt-tolerant varieties.