Biotechnology Research 
This is an OPML file. It can be used to export all the MedWorm RSS feeds on this topic into your personal RSS reader (usually you have to save this file to your own computer before clicking on an Import OPML command in your own feed reader to upload the file which will then import all the feeds) or it can be used by webmasters to integrate MedWorm feeds with their own website. 
This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. 
Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.
Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.
Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.
Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.
Find the best Christmas presents and January Sales in the UK with this simple shopping directory.
This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 6.
Erratam: Influence of the water activity of a solid substrate on the growth rate and sporogenesis of filamentous fungi
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: P. Gervais, P. Molin, W. Grajek, M. Bensoussan Tags: Errata Source Type: research
Hyaluronan synthesis in cultured tobacco cells (BY‐2) expressing a chlorovirus enzyme: Cytological studies
In this study, we describe the novel production of HA in cultured tobacco cells (BY‐2). The tobacco cells were successfully transformed with the chloroviral hyaluronan synthase (cv‐has) gene with or without a vacuolar targeting signal. The results showed that the sporamin vacuolar targeting signal (vSPO) operated well in BY‐2 cells, targeting the cvHAS protein to the vacuolar membrane where HA was synthesized and transported into the storage vacuole.
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Numfon Rakkhumkaew, Shigeo Shibatani, Takeru Kawasaki, Makoto Fujie, Takashi Yamada Tags: Article Source Type: research
Periplasmic expression of carbonic anhydrase in Escherichia coli: A new biocatalyst for CO2 hydration
Abstract
Carbonic anhydrase is a valuable and efficient catalyst for CO2 hydration. Most often the free enzyme is employed which complicates catalyst recycling, and can increase cost due to the need for protein purification. Immobilization of the enzyme may address these shortcomings. Here we report the development of whole‐cell biocatalysts for CO2 hydration via periplasmic expression of two forms of carbonic anhydrase in Escherichia coli using two different targeting sequences. The enzymatic turnover numbers (kcat) and catalytic efficiencies (kcat/KM) were decreased by an order of magnitude as compared to the free solu...
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tushar N Patel, Ah‐Hyung Alissa Park, Scott Banta Tags: Article Source Type: research
Renewable bio ionic liquids‐water mixtures‐mediated selective removal of lignin from rice straw: Visualization of changes in composition and cell wall structure
Abstract
Pretreatment of rice straw by using renewable cholinium amino acids ionic liquids ([Ch][AA] ILs)‐water mixtures and the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis of the residues were conducted in the present work. Of the eight mixtures composed of ILs and water, most were found to be effective for rice straw pretreatment. After pretreatment with 50% ILs‐water mixtures, the enzymatic digestion of the lignocellulosic biomass was enhanced significantly, thus leading to satisfactory sugar yields of >80% for glucose and approximately 50% for xylose. To better understand the ILs pretreatment mechanism, confocal laser scann...
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Xue‐Dan Hou, Ning Li, Min‐Hua Zong Tags: Article Source Type: research
Introduction of selective intersubunit disulfide bonds into self‐assembly protein scaffold to enhance an artificial multienzyme complex's activity
In this study, disulfide bonds were introduced between the PCNA subunits by Cys substitution at the sites neighboring the interface for heterotrimerization. Selective intersubunit disulfide bond formation between PCNA1 and PCNA3 and between PCNA2 and PCNA3 by a natural oxidizing reagent successfully stabilized an artificial multienzyme complex, which is composed of a bacterial cytochrome P450 and its two redox partner proteins. The covalent stabilization of the multienzyme complex enhanced its cytochrome P450 activity because of the absence of inactive dissociated components. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Hidehiko Hirakawa, Ayano Kakitani, Teruyuki Nagamune Tags: Article Source Type: research
Dynamic compressive loading differentially regulates chondrocyte anabolic and catabolic activity with age
Abstract
Dynamic loading has emerged as an important part of cartilage tissue engineering strategies for enhancing tissue production and producing cartilage with functionally competent mechanical properties. As patients in need of cartilage span a range of age groups, questions arise as to the role of age in a cell's ability to respond to dynamic loading. Therefore, this study's goal was to characterize age‐related anabolic and catabolic responses of chondrocytes to dynamic compressive loading. Bovine chondrocytes isolated from juvenile (3 week old) and adult (2‐3 year old) donors were encapsulated in poly(ethylene gly...
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 12, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Nikki. L. Farnsworth, Lorena R. Antunez, Stephanie J. Bryant Tags: Article Source Type: research
MedeAnalytics names three key execs as part of reorganization
MedeAnalytics Inc., a combination health care software and consulting firm with a tendency to keep a low public profile, announced three key changes in its executive ranks Monday.
Ken Perez, senior vice president of marketing, told the San Francisco Business Times the changes "are part of a reorganization that put greater focus on our payer and provider business."
Steve Lerch, formerly MedeAnalytics' CFO, was named senior vice president and general manager of the Emeryville-based firm's provider…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Chris Rauber Source Type: research
Kaiser union election rerun set for April
A long-awaited election rerun between two health care unions battling to represent more than 43,500 workers at Kaiser Permanente will be held in April.
Ballots will be mailed to workers on April 5. The vote count is scheduled for May 1.
About 4,000 workers in the Sacramento area are among the service, technical and clerical workers voting to: keep Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West as their union, replace it with the National Union for Healthcare Workers, a rival…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Kathy Robertson Source Type: research
Hawaii Advanced Imaging Institute open at Hale Pawaa in Honolulu
The Hale Pawaa medical office building in Honolulu is continuing to grow its roster of tenants, most recently with the opening of the Hawaii Advanced Imaging Institute’s new 7,000-square-foot facility.
The ground-floor facility, which PBN wrote about in its construction phase this fall, started seeing patients in December and offers technology such as the GE 3t Open MRI scanner, which is larger than typical MRI machines, as well as its 3.0 Tesla MRI, which provides clearer images and reduces the…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research
Years of fun in the sun mean big business for local lab
Skin cancer and other skin lesions are on the rise as people live longer and more Americans are moving to sunny climes, and a Dallas dermatologist is positioning to take advantage of those demographic trends.
Dr. Clay Cockerell, a dermatopathologist and dermatologist, recently purchased a 78,000-square-foot medical building in the heart of the Dallas Medical District and plans to build an independent laboratory called Cockerell Dermatopathology. It’s projected for completion this summer. He declined…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Bill Hethcock Source Type: research
UAB to soon begin search for permanent med school dean
The University of Alabama at Birmingham may spend little time without a permanent medical school dean.
In a statement sent to me today, UAB announced that the search for a permanent replacement to Ray Watts, named university president Friday, will start in a few weeks.
Until a permanent choice is made, Anupam Agarwal, a noted physician and academic leader at UAB, will fill the vacancy. UAB also announced last week that Agarwal was not seeking to remain in the medical school dean position permanently.
Watts,…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Yann Ranaivo Source Type: research
Earnings: Brookdale losses deepen in 4Q
Brookdale Senior Living Inc.’s losses deepened in the fourth quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The company (NYSE: BKD) posted a loss of $24.4 million, or 20 cents per share, on revenue of $699 million. Analysts, on average, had estimated a loss of seven cents per share on revenue of $699 million, according to Thomson Reuters.
"We had a strong finish to the year as evidenced by the fourth quarter's occupancy increases across our segments and another good entry fee sales quarter. We…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: E.J. Boyer Source Type: research
UC Davis names interim replacement for Pomeroy
Tom Nesbitt has agreed to serve as interim vice chancellor of human health sciences and interim dean of the School Of Medicine when Dr. Claire Pomeroy steps down June 2, UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi announced Monday.
A board certified family physician, he oversees the telemedicine program at UC Davis as associate vice chancellor for strategic technologies and alliances. Nesbitt will step down from the interim position when a new executive is selected.
Pomeroy recently accepted a new job as…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Kathy Robertson Source Type: research
Suture Health plans to add employees as contracts grow
Suture Health Inc. plans to double its staff of six within the next year as it works with companies with larger patient loads.
The Birmingham-based company, which operates out of Innovation Depot, offers a service that allows physicians to log into a portal and electronically sign medical documents.
Michael Blackstone, the company's founder, said Suture’s portal, known as SutureSign, services roughly 300 health care agencies, most of which average 300 to 500 patients.
But he said Suture is close…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Yann Ranaivo Source Type: research
Victory Pharma set to repay $140,000 to Illinois' Medicaid program
A specialty pharmaceutical company based in California will pay Illinois’ Medicaid program nearly $140,000 for filing false claims, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Monday.
Victory Pharma Inc. allegedly offered kickbacks to physicians who encouraged Medicaid patients to use drugs such as Naprelan, Xodol, Fexmid and Dolgic.
Illinois is not the only beneficiary of the settlement. According to Madigan’s office, Victory Pharma Inc. is set to pay $12 million to Medicaid, Medicare…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Samantha Liss Source Type: research
Best of MSPBJ: Executive of the Year Doug Baker of Ecolab + Largest executive search firm splits in two + Three entrepreneurs share fundraising lessons
When he became CEO of Ecolab, Doug Baker promised big things. He has since delivered as the St. Paul-based manufacturer has nearly tripled revenue, while the number of employees has more than tripled with the company's work force spanning the globe.
His success is why we named him the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Executive of the Year.
Our story of how Baker transformed Ecolab was available only to subscribers until now. Below are links to stories about Baker plus other articles that just…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Ed Stych Source Type: research
Enzyme immobilization on nanomaterials for biofuel production.
PMID: 23410582 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Trends in Biotechnology - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Puri M, Barrow CJ, Verma ML Tags: Trends Biotechnol Source Type: research
Protein kinase A (PKA) pathway is functionally linked to androgen receptor (AR) in the progression of prostate cancer.
CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a novel mechanism to precisely define the functional and clinical interrelationship between the cAMP/PKA pathway and AR signaling in the development of androgen-independent growth of CaPs and metastasis progression.
PMID: 23410945 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Urologic Oncology - February 11, 2013 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Sarwar M, Sandberg S, Abrahamsson PA, Persson JL Tags: Urol Oncol Source Type: research
Assessing eco-toxicological effects of industrial 2,4-D acid iso-octylester herbicide on rat pancreas and liver.
Abstract
We studied the eco-toxic and carcinogenic effects of a commonly used 2,4-D acid iso-octylester herbicide on rat liver and pancreas. The rats in Group 1 were fed a standard feed and the rats in Group 2 were fed with standard feed to which was added 200 mg/kg/day 2,4-D acid iso-octylester for 16 weeks. Azaserine, 30 mg/kg/body weight, was injected into rats of Groups 3 and 4 to investigate the effects of 2,4-D acid iso-octylester on the development of neoplasms. After feeding the rats with neoplasms in Group 4 with food including 200 mg/kg/day 2,4-D acid iso-octylester for 16 weeks, an autopsy was carried ou...
Source: Biotechnic and Histochemistry - February 11, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Kalipci E, Ozdemir C, Oztas H Tags: Biotech Histochem Source Type: research
Polymerization of non-complementary RNA: systematic symmetric nucleotide exchanges mainly involving uracil produce mitochondrial RNA transcripts coding for cryptic overlapping genes.
Abstract
Usual DNA->RNA transcription exchanges T->U. Assuming different systematic symmetric nucleotide exchanges during translation, some GenBank RNAs match exactly human mitochondrial sequences (exchange rules listed in decreasing transcript frequencies): C<->U, A<->U, A<->U+C<->G (two nucleotide pairs exchanged), G<->U, A<->G, C<->G, none for A<->C, A<->G+C<->U, and A<->C+G<->U. Most unusual transcripts involve exchanging uracil. Independent measures of rates of rare replicational enzymatic DNA nucleotide misinsertions predict frequen...
Source: Biosystems - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Seligmann H Tags: Biosystems Source Type: research
Diversity, ecological role and potential biotechnological applications of marine fungi associated to the seagrass Posidonia oceanica.
In this study, for the first time, the qualitative and quantitative composition of the mycoflora associated to leaves, rhizomes, roots and matte of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica was estimated. A total of 88 fungal taxa, mainly belonging to Ascomycota, were identified by morphological and molecular methods. The most represented genera were Penicillium, Cladosporium and Acremonium. Most of the species (70) were selectively associated with one district; only two species (Penicillium chrysogenum var. chrysogenum and P. janczewskii) were isolated from all the districts. Moreover the capability to produce laccases, peroxidases...
Source: New Biotechnology - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Panno L, Bruno M, Voyron S, Anastasi A, Gnavi G, Miserere L, Varese GC Tags: N Biotechnol Source Type: research
Protein sieving characteristics of sub-20-nm pore size filters at varying ionic strength during nanofiltration of Coagulation Factor IX.
Abstract
Nanofiltration assures that protein therapeutics are free of adventitious agents such as viruses. Nanofilter pores must allow passage of protein drugs but be small enough to retain viruses. Five nanofilters have been evaluated to identify those that can be used interchangeably to yield a high purity Coagulation Factor IX product. When product preparations prior to nanofiltration were analyzed using electrophoresis, Western blot, liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry and size exclusion HPLC, factor IX, inter - α - trypsin inhibitor and C4b binding protein (C4BP) were observed. C4BP was removed f...
Source: Biologicals : Journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization - February 11, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Winkler CJ, Jorba N, Shitanishi KT, Herring SW Tags: Biologicals Source Type: research
Biotech firms lobby states to limit generic competition in USA
Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News - February 11, 2013 Category: Health Management Tags: Short communication Source Type: research
Prognostication of prostate cancer based on TOP2A protein and gene assessment: TOP2A in prostate cancer
Conclusions:
This is the first study to perform TOP2A protein and gene digital assessment and fractal analysis in association with BRFS in a large series of PCa. Also, we show that TOP2A gene copy number alterations are not observed in this type of tumor. So, higher protein expression of TOP2A is not related to gene amplification in PCa. Furthermore, TOP2A protein assessment has prognostic importance and, due to its relation with poor outcome, TOP2A IHC evaluation in the biopsy can represent an important tool for selecting the most suitable surgical and clinical approach for patients with PCa.
Source: Journal of Translational Medicine - February 11, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Marina de ResendeSamantha VieiraLudmilla ChinenFrancesco ChiappelliFrancisco da FonsecaGustavo GuimarãesFernando SoaresIvan NevesSimone PagottyPeter PellioniszAndre BarkhordarianXenia BrantRafael Rocha Source Type: research
Screening soy hydrolysates for the production of a recombinant therapeutic protein in commercial cell line by combined approach of near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.
Abstract
Soy hydrolysates are widely used as the major nutrient sources for cell culture processes for industrial manufacturing of therapeutic recombinant proteins. The primary goal of this study was to develop a spectroscopy based chemometric method, a partial least squares (PLS), to screen soy hydrolysates for better yield of protein production (titers) in cell culture medium. Harvest titer values of 29 soy hydrolysate lots with production yield between 490 and 1,350 mg/L were obtained from shake flask models or from manufacture engineering runs. The soy hydrolysate samples were measured by near-infrared (NIR) i...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 10, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Li G, Wen ZQ Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research
Systems metabolic engineering in an industrial setting.
Abstract
Systems metabolic engineering is based on systems biology, synthetic biology, and evolutionary engineering and is now also applied in industry. Industrial use of systems metabolic engineering focuses on strain and process optimization. Since ambitious yields, titers, productivities, and low costs are key in an industrial setting, the use of effective and robust methods in systems metabolic engineering is becoming very important. Major improvements in the field of proteomics and metabolomics have been crucial in the development of genome-wide approaches in strain and process development. This is accompanied...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 10, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sagt CM Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research
Plant regeneration, genetic fidelity, and active ingredient content of encapsulated hairy roots of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth.
Abstract
Among five hairy root lines of Picrorhiza kurrooa that were established through Agrobacterium rhizogenes, one (H7) was selected for encapsulation due to high accumulation of picrotin and picrotoxinin (8.3 and 47.6 μg/g DW, respectively). Re-grown encapsulated roots induced adventitious shoots with 73 % frequency on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 μM 6-benzylaminopurine, following 6 months of storage at 25 °C. Regenerated plantlets had 85 % survival after 2 months. Regenerants were of similar morphotype having increased leaf number and branched root system as compared to non-transformed plants. Th...
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 10, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Rawat JM, Rawat B, Mehrotra S Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research
Molecular characterization of a new synthetic cry2ab gene in Nicotiana tabacum.
Abstract
A newly-synthesized cry2Ab gene was characterized in Nicotiana tabacum, before its further transformation in cotton. Synthetic cry2Ab gene was cloned in pGreen0029 and its expression was transiently analyzed at mRNA level through agroinfiltration in tobacco. The mRNA of cry2Ab was detected after 72 h agroinfiltration through PCR using total plant RNA. This construct was then transformed into N. tabacum through Agrobacterium. Insect bioassays were conducted on detached leaves using first instar Spodoptera exigua larvae; after 96 h significant insect mortality was recorded. This newly synthesized gene was ...
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 10, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Karimi SM, Sohail MN, Amin I, Mansoor S, Mukhtar Z Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research
One dead after explosion at Air Liquide's La Porte plant
Air Liquide confirmed late Saturday that an explosion at its plant in La Porte killed one worker, who had initially been deemed missing.
The explosion occurred close to 7:38 a.m. at 11450 W. Fairmont Parkway, west of Bay Area Boulevard on the city's south side, Heather Browne, a spokesperson for Air Liquide, confirmed. About 20 people had been working at the facility on Saturday.
The city determined there was no need for a shelter-in-place warning, and one person was airlifted for medical care,…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 9, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Deon Daugherty Source Type: research
On the reliability of DNA sequences of Ophiocordyceps sinensis in public databases.
In this study, using the data from authentic materials, we have evaluated the reliability of nucleotide sequences annotated as O. sinensis in the INSD. As of October 15, 2012, the INSD contained 874 records annotated as O. sinensis, including 555 records representing nuclear ribosomal DNA (63.5 %), 197 representing protein-coding genes (22.5 %), 92 representing random markers with unknown functions (10.5 %), and 30 representing microsatellite loci (3.5 %). Our analysis indicated that 39 of the 397 internal transcribed spacer entries, 27 of the 105 small subunit entries, and five of the 53 large subunit entries were inc...
Source: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 9, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zhang S, Zhang YJ, Liu XZ, Zhang H, Liu DS Tags: J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research
Microbial engineering strategies to improve cell viability for biochemical production.
Abstract
Efficient production of biochemicals using engineered microbes as whole-cell biocatalysts requires robust cell viability. Robust viability leads to high productivity and improved bioprocesses by allowing repeated cell recycling. However, cell viability is negatively affected by a plethora of stresses, namely chemical toxicity and metabolic imbalances, primarily resulting from bio-synthesis pathways. Chemical toxicity is caused by substrates, intermediates, products, and/or by-products, and these compounds often interfere with important metabolic processes and damage cellular infrastructures such as cell me...
Source: Biotechnology Advances - February 9, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Lo TM, Suong TW, Ling H, Chen B, Kang A, Chang MW Tags: Biotechnol Adv Source Type: research
Reduced by-product formation and modified oxygen availability improve itaconic acid production in Aspergillus niger.
Abstract
Aspergillus niger has an extraordinary potential to produce organic acids as proven by its application in industrial citric acid production. Previously, it was shown that expression of the cis-aconitate decarboxylase gene (cadA) from Aspergillus terreus converted A. niger into an itaconic acid producer (Li et al., Fungal Genet Bio 48: 602-611, 2011). After some initial steps in production optimization in the previous research (Li et al., BMC biotechnol 12: 57, 2012), this research aims at modifying host strains and fermentation conditions to further improve itaconic acid production. Expression of two previ...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 9, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Li A, Pfelzer N, Zuijderwijk R, Brickwedde A, van Zeijl C, Punt P Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research
Cell aggregations in yeasts and their applications.
Abstract
Yeasts can display four types of cellular aggregation: sexual, flocculation, biofilm formation, and filamentous growth. These cell aggregations arise, in some yeast strains, as a response to environmental or physiological changes. Sexual aggregation is part of the yeast mating process, representing the first step of meiotic recombination. The flocculation phenomenon is a calcium-dependent asexual reversible cellular aggregation that allows the yeast to withstand adverse conditions. Biofilm formation consists of multicellular aggregates that adhere to solid surfaces and are embedded in a protein matrix; thi...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 9, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Vallejo JA, Sánchez-Pérez A, Martínez JP, Villa TG Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research
Spirit-based distillers' grain as a promising raw material for succinic acid production.
Abstract
Spirit-based distillers' grain (SDG) is the main by-product of the Chinese liquor industry, with an annual output of approx. 100 million tons. The economical potential of fermentative production of succinic acid from SDG was investigated using Actinobacillus succinogens. Use of pretreated SDG (PSDG) as the sole source of C and N yielded succinic acid at 35.5 g l(-1) with a yield of 19.7 % (g per 100 g PSDG) after 48 h in a 3 l stirred bioreactor. SDG is thus a promising feedstock for the economical production of succinic acid.
PMID: 23397266 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 9, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Zhou X, Zheng P Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research
Expression of yeast acyl-CoA-∆9 desaturase leads to accumulation of unusual monounsaturated fatty acids in soybean seeds.
Abstract
An acyl-CoA-Δ9 desaturase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was expressed by subcellular-targeting in soybean (Glycine max) seeds with the goal of increasing palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9), a high-valued fatty acid (FA), and simultaneously decreasing saturated FA in oil. The expression resulted in the conversion of palmitic acid (16:0) to 16:1Δ9 in soybean seeds. 16:1Δ9 and its elongation product cis-vaccenic acid (18:1Δ11) were increased to 17 % of the total fatty acids by plastid-targeted expression of the enzyme. Other lipid changes include the decrease of polyunsaturated FA and saturated FA, suggesting th...
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 9, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Xue JA, Mao X, Yang ZR, Wu YM, Jia XY, Zhang L, Yue AQ, Wang JP, Li RZ Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research
Genome-Wide Identification of the Maize Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase Gene Family.
Abstract
In higher plants, calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger in eukaryotic signal transduction cascades. The plant-specific calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) play important roles regulating downstream components of calcium signaling. We conducted a genome-wide analysis of maize (Zea mays) CDPKs and identified 35 CDPK genes. Maize CDPKs were found to be similar to their counterparts in rice in gene structure, GC content and subgroup classification. Divergence time estimation suggested that maize-rice orthologs were largely consistent with the time when these two species diverged from the last common a...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - February 9, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Ma P, Liu J, Yang X, Ma R Tags: Appl Biochem Biotechnol Source Type: research
Repeated Batch Cell-Immobilized System for the Biotechnological Production of Xylitol as a Renewable Green Sweetener.
Abstract
The present paper studies the biotechnological production of xylitol using sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate in a repeated batch fermentation system with immobilized cells of Candida guilliermondii FTI20037. Immobilized cell system is considered as an attractive alternative to reuse the well-grown and adapted yeast cells in a new fresh fermentation media, without the need of the inoculum stage. In this work, seven repeated batches were performed in a fluidized bed bioreactor using immobilized cells in calcium alginate beads. According to the obtained results it was observed that the immobilized cells of C. gui...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - February 9, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sarrouh B, da Silva SS Tags: Appl Biochem Biotechnol Source Type: research
Acetone–butanol–ethanol production with high productivity using Clostridium acetobutylicum BKM19
Abstract
Conventional acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation is severely limited by low solvent titer and productivities. Thus, this study aims at developing an improved Clostridium acetobutylicum strain possessing enhanced ABE production capability followed by process optimization for high ABE productivity. Random mutagenesis of C. acetobutylicum PJC4BK was performed by screening cells on fluoroacetate plates to isolate a mutant strain, BKM19, which exhibited the total solvent production capability 30.5% higher than the parent strain. The BKM19 produced 32.5 g L−1 of ABE (17.6 g L−1 butanol, 10.5 g...
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 9, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Yu‐Sin Jang, Alok Malaviya, Sang Yup Lee Tags: Article Source Type: research
Protein crystallization in stirred systems—scale‐up via the maximum local energy dissipation
In this study, the Fab‐fragment of the therapeutic antibody Canakinumab was successfully crystallized in a stirred‐tank reactor on a 6 mL‐scale. A four times faster onset of crystallization of the Fab‐fragment was observed compared to the non‐agitated 10 µL‐scale. Further studies on a liter‐scale with lysozyme confirmed this effect. A 10 times faster onset of crystallization was observed in this case at an optimum stirrer speed. Commonly suggested scale‐up criteria (i.e., minimum stirrer speed to keep the protein crystals in suspension or constant impeller tip speed) were shown not to be successful. Th...
Source: Biotechnology and Bioengineering - February 9, 2013 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Benjamin Smejkal, Bernhard Helk, Jean‐Michel Rondeau, Sabine Anton, Angelika Wilke, Peter Scheyerer, Jacqueline Fries, Dariusch Hekmat, Dirk Weuster‐Botz Tags: Article Source Type: research
Exelixis execs win bonuses, pay boosts as first cancer drug hits market
Exelixis Inc.'s top five executives will collect more than $1.1 million in bonuses for 2012 — a year in which the 20-year-old company won its first drug approval — and base salary raises for 2013.
The money, to be paid out in March, is on top of $234,000 in bonuses collectively awarded in December to President and CEO Michael Morrissey, CFO Frank Karbe, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gisela Schwab, Chief Commercial Officer J. Scott Garland and general counsel Pamela Simonton. That round of bonus…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Ron Leuty Source Type: research
UAB names interim medical school dean
Ray Watts' selection as new University of Alabama at Birmingham president means his old job as medical school dean will need to be filled.
Until then, Anupam Agarwal, vice chairman of research for UAB's department of medicine, will occupy the role on an interim basis, the university announced today.
Agarwal, who has also received accolades as a physician and academic leader, has no plans to become Watts' permanent replacement but has been tipped to do well in the position, according to a UAB news…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Yann Ranaivo Source Type: research
Proposal seeks to streamline health-insurance paperwork logjam
Mountains of paperwork are annoying and time-consuming, but some doctors and pharmacists argue it can also put some patients in danger by delaying important care.
A new proposal in the state Senate would seek to cut down on the complex paperwork that insurance companies require before approving a treatment or medication.
The proposal would create a standardized process – and one form – for doctors to get prior authorization from insurance companies for specific health-care services and medications.
Right…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Valerie Bauman Source Type: research
Kaiser Permanente profit hits $2.6B
Kaiser Permanente didn’t seem to feel the pinch of health reform uncertainty last year. The Oakland-based health care system saw a 30 percent increase in its net income for 2012, and a 5.6 percent uptick in its operating revenue.
For 2012, net income came in at $2.6 billion, with operating revenue at $50.6 billion for its Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. and subsidiaries.
Kaiser Permanente has full-blown medical centers Santa Clara and San Jose’s Santa Teresa…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Shana Lynch Source Type: research
Sen. David Simmons files bill to forbid sick-time regulations: Exclusive
Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, filed a bill Feb. 8 that would forbid governments from regulating whether employers must offer sick time to employees, but it also contains a set of health-related rights for workers.
The senate bill — SB 726 — doesn’t have a correlating house bill and hasn’t been referred to a committee yet. The bill states that a government “may not require an employer to provide family or medical leave benefits to an employee and may not otherwise regulate such…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Abraham Aboraya Source Type: research
Providence's Van Pelt to retire
Providence Health & Services chief executive Greg Van Pelt will retire after 38 years with the company.
Van Pelt, in a release issued Friday afternoon, plans to formally leave the job in June. He said he’s “been blessed that the hand of Providence led us here, held us and supported us for 38 years, almost the entirety of my professional life.” He and his wife, Joan, plan to stay involved with the organization.
Van Pelt began with Providence as an administrative intern at Providence St. Vincent.…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Andy Giegerich Source Type: research
Four health plans selected for state’s Medicaid expansion
The New Mexico Human Services Department on Friday announced that four health plans have been chosen to provide insurance to 700,000 New Mexicans who receive health care services through the state’s Medicaid program.
The four providers are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, Presbyterian Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico, HSD said in a news release.
The insurers will provide services under the state’s revamped Medicaid program…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Dennis Domrzalski Source Type: research
Judge agrees to WakeMed settlement involving false Medicare billing
As it turns out, WakeMed will pay an $8 million penalty and not immediately face criminal charges in a case in which the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged it committed Medicare fraud.
The order was signed by U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle, but was no rubber stamp.
Twice, Judge Boyle held court with WakeMed and both times he asked pointed questions, making clear he was not happy with the settlement.
In the agreement with the U.S. government, WakeMed agreed to pay an $8 million penalty,…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Jason deBruyn Source Type: research
Report: Employers rethinking their health care role
Are health care and employers inseparable?
Maybe not.
Employer-based health care coverage has been a cornerstone of the U.S. system for almost 70 years, but now rising medical costs are hindering many corporations' ability to compete globally, according to this PwC report.
A recent survey shows that only 23 percent of employers are "very confident" that their company will offer health care benefits 10 years from now, compared to 73 percent in 2007, according to the report.
As for the bigger picture,…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Bill Hethcock Source Type: research
ASU, Mayo Clinic award grants for Alzheimer's, aneurysm research
Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic have awarded two $100,000 grants to collaborative research teams working on precision medicine to treat Alzheimer’s disease and cerebral aneurysms.
This award competition comes at a time when ASU and Mayo continue to deepen their partnership working in conjunction to expand Mayo’s medical school to the Phoenix area.
Mayo and ASU have been collaborating for several years, including a joint nursing education program, collaborative research projects, joint…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Angela Gonzales Source Type: research
Alnylam stock up on smaller than expected quarterly loss
Stock in Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY) was up more than 7 percent Friday after the gene-based drug company beat its earning estimates the last three months of 2012, despite a net loss that was more than four times that of the same period the previous year.
The Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech, which is working on drug candidates aimed at rare genetic diseases that affect the liver, heart and blood, reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2012 after the close…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines - February 8, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Don Seiffert Source Type: research
