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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 5.

Merging Multiple Omics Datasets In Silico: Statistical Analyses and Data Interpretation
By the combinations of high-throughput analytical technologies in the fields of transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, we are now able to gain comprehensive and quantitative snapshots of the intracellular processes. Dynamic intracellular activities and their regulations can be elucidated by systematic observation of these multi-omics data. On the other hand, careful statistical analysis is necessary for such integration, since each of the omics layers as well as the specific analytical methodologies harbor different levels of noise and variations. Moreover, interpretation of such multitude of data requires an intui...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Resolving Cell Composition Through Simple Measurements, Genome-Scale Modeling, and a Genetic Algorithm
The biochemical composition of a cell is very complex and dynamic. It varies greatly among different organisms and environmental conditions. Inclusion of proper cell composition data is critical for accurate genome-scale metabolic flux modeling using flux balance analysis (FBA). However, determining cell composition experimentally is currently time-consuming and resource intensive. In this chapter, a method for predicting cell composition using a genome-scale model and “easy to measure” culture data (e.g., glucose uptake rate, and specific growth rate) is presented. The method makes use of a genetic algorithm f...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Linking Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling and Genome Annotation
Genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions, assembled from annotated genomes, serve as a platform for integrating data from heterogeneous sources and generating hypotheses for further experimental validation. Implementing constraint-based modeling techniques such as flux balance analysis (FBA) on network reconstructions allows for interrogating metabolism at a systems level, which aids in identifying and rectifying gaps in knowledge. With genome sequences for various organisms from prokaryotes to eukaryotes becoming increasingly available, a significant bottleneck lies in the structural and functional annotation of the...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Metabolic Model Refinement Using Phenotypic Microarray Data
Phenotypic microarray (PM) is a standardized, high-throughput technology for profiling phenotypes of microorganisms, which allows for characterization on around 2,000 different media conditions. The data generated using PM can be incorporated into genome-scale metabolic models to improve their predictive capability. In addition, a comparison of phenotypic profiles of wild-type and gene knockout mutants can give essential information about gene functions of unknown genes. In this chapter, we present a protocol to refine preconstructed metabolic models using the PM data. Both manual refinement and algorithmic approaches for ...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Automated Genome Annotation and Metabolic Model Reconstruction in the SEED and Model SEED
Over the past decade, genome-scale metabolic models have proven to be a crucial resource for predicting organism phenotypes from genotypes. These models provide a means of rapidly translating detailed knowledge of thousands of enzymatic processes into quantitative predictions of whole-cell behavior. Until recently, the pace of new metabolic model development was eclipsed by the pace at which new genomes were being sequenced. To address this problem, the RAST and the Model SEED framework were developed as a means of automatically producing annotations and draft genome-scale metabolic models. In this chapter, we describe the...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Genome-Scale Model Management and Comparison
Spurred by recent innovations in genome sequencing, the reconstruction of genome-scale models has increased in recent years. Genome-scale models are now available for a wide range of organisms, and models have been successfully applied to a number of research topics including metabolic engineering, genome annotation, biofuel production, and interpretation of omics data sets. The challenge is how to manage the large amount of data in genome-scale models and perform comparative analysis to gain new biological insights. In this chapter, important standards for genome-scale modeling are outlined. Furthermore, management strate...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Computational Tools for Guided Discovery and Engineering of Metabolic Pathways
With a high demand for increasingly diverse chemicals, as well as sustainable synthesis for many existing chemicals, the chemical industry is increasingly looking to biosynthesis. The majority of biosynthesis examples of useful chemicals are either native metabolites made by an organism or the heterologous expression of known metabolic pathways into a more amenable host. For chemicals that no known biosynthetic route exists, engineers are increasingly relying on automated computational algorithms, as described here, to identify potential metabolic pathways. In this chapter, we review a broad range of approaches to predict ...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Kinetic Modeling of Metabolic Pathways: Application to Serine Biosynthesis
In this chapter, we describe the steps needed to create a kinetic model of a metabolic pathway using kinetic data from both experimental measurements and literature review. Our methodology is presented by using the example of serine biosynthesis in E. coli.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Customized Optimization of Metabolic Pathways by Combinatorial Transcriptional Engineering
Introduction of a heterologous metabolic pathway into a platform microorganism for applications in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology is often technically straightforward. However, the major challenge is to balance the flux in the pathway to obtain high yield and productivity in a target microorganism. To address this limitation, we recently developed a simple, efficient, and programmable approach named “customized optimization of metabolic pathways by combinatorial transcriptional engineering” (COMPACTER) for balancing the flux in a pathway under distinct metabolic backgrounds. Here we use two example...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Adaptive Laboratory Evolution for Strain Engineering
Complex phenotypes, such as tolerance to growth inhibitors, are difficult to rationally engineer into industrial model organisms due our poor understanding of their underlying molecular mechanisms. Adaptive evolution circumvents this issue by exploiting the linkage between growth rate and inhibitor resistance to select for mutants with enhanced tolerance. In order to aid experimentalists in the design and execution of adaptive laboratory evolution, we present detailed protocols for batch, continuous, and visualizing evolution in real-time (VERT) approaches to this technique.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

A Guide to Integrating Transcriptional Regulatory and Metabolic Networks Using PROM (Probabilistic Regulation of Metabolism)
The integration of transcriptional regulatory and metabolic networks is a crucial step in the process of predicting metabolic behaviors that emerge from either genetic or environmental changes. Here, we present a guide to PROM (probabilistic regulation of metabolism), an automated method for the construction and simulation of integrated metabolic and transcriptional regulatory networks that enables large-scale phenotypic predictions for a wide range of model organisms.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Trackable Multiplex Recombineering for Gene-Trait Mapping in E. coli
Recent advances in homologous recombination in Escherichia coli have enabled improved genome engineering by multiplex recombineering. In this chapter, we present trackable multiplex recombineering (TRMR), a method for gene-trait mapping which creates simulated knockdown and overexpression mutants for virtually all genes in the E. coli genome. The method combines oligonucleotide synthesis with multiplex recombineering to create two libraries comprising of over 8,000 E. coli strains in total that can be selected for traits of interest via high-throughput screening or selection. DNA barcodes included in the recombineering cas...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Discovery of Posttranscriptional Regulatory RNAs Using Next Generation Sequencing Technologies
Next generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the way by which we engineer metabolism by radically altering the path to genome-wide inquiries. This is due to the fact that NGS approaches offer several powerful advantages over traditional methods that include the ability to fully sequence hundreds to thousands of genes in a single experiment and simultaneously detect homozygous and heterozygous deletions, alterations in gene copy number, insertions, translocations, and exome-wide substitutions that include “hot-spot mutations.” This chapter describes the use of these technologies as a sequencing technique ...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

Identification of Mutations in Evolved Bacterial Genomes
Directed laboratory evolution is a common technique to obtain an evolved bacteria strain with a desired phenotype. This technique is especially useful as a supplement to rational engineering for complex phenotypes such as increased biocatalyst tolerance to toxic compounds. However, reverse engineering efforts are required in order to identify the mutations that occurred, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions/deletions (indels), duplications, and rearrangements. In this protocol, we describe the steps to (1) obtain and sequence the genomic DNA, (2) process and analyze the genomic DNA sequence data, an...
Source: Springer protocols feed by Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: news

UnitedHealthcare to add 500 jobs in Greensboro
UnitedHealthcare is expected to announce Tuesday that it will add 500 jobs to its Greensboro operations, according to story posted in the Winston-Salem Journal website Monday evening. The company has called a 10 a.m. press conference on Tuesday, expected to be attended by Triad government officials, including U.S. Sen. Robert Burr. UnitedHealthcare currently employs about 3,000 workers in Greensboro. The new jobs being added will mainly be workers who will answer calls and handle claims, the story…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research

Express Scripts profit rises 4 percent in 2012
Express Scripts reported net income of $1.33 billion for 2012, up 4 percent from $1.28 billion in 2011 on the inclusion of results from its Medco acquisition, which was completed in April. Express Scripts reported revenue of $93.86 billion in 2012, more than double its 2011 revenue of $46.13 billion. The company attributed the boost to the $29.1 billion Medco deal, which created the nation's largest pharmacy benefits manager. With the inclusion of Medco's business, Express Scripts saw total adjusted…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Matthew Hibbard Source Type: research

Phytopharm’s Parkinson’s drug flops
Biotech company’s drug, Cogane, showed no effect in a mid-stage clinical trial in more than 400 patients, sending shares down more than 80 per cent
Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare - February 18, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Ex-Medtronic exec named CTO to Mayo Clinic, U-M joint venture on diabetes
A former Medtronic executive has been named the chief technology officer for a joint effort to defeat diabetes formed about two years ago by the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic. Maura Donovan, who was vice president of therapy research and development at Fridley-based Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), was named CTO for Decade of Discovery. Decade of Discovery was formed in Oct. 2010 by the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics, which is a 10-year-old collaborative venture…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Hospitals headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Hospital Management Authors: Ed Stych Source Type: research

Maura Donovan named Chief Technology Officer for Minnesota Partnership's Decade of Discovery
Maura Donovan, Ph.D., has been named Chief Technology Officer for the Decade of Discovery (the Decade), the collaboration created and led by the Minnesota Partnership for Biotechnology and Medical Genomics, dedicated to preventing, optimally treating and ultimately curing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Source: News from Mayo Clinic - February 18, 2013 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: Mayo Clinic Source Type: news

Intergraph: Intergraph(R) Announces Call for Presentations for Hexagon Global Network (HxGN Live) Due March 11th
HOUSTON, TX (MARKET WIRE) Intergraph has announced a Call for Presentations deadline of March 11, 2013 for users to submit proposed topics on workflow, application, and project implementation experiences for presentation at CADWorx & Analysis University 2013, now part of Hexagon Global Network (CAU2013@HxGN Live), the company's international user conference scheduled for June 3-6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Presenting at CAU2013@HxGN Live provides users the opportunity to inform and influence their industry colleagues and fellow Intergraph users, and the primary presenter will receive a complimentary
Source: Market Wire - Pharmaceuticals and Biotech - February 18, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Tags: Pharmaceuticals and Biotech Computers and Software Chemicals Transportation and Logistics Professional Services Energy and Utilities Environment Manufacturing and Production Source Type: news

GRU launches "area's first" cancer genetics clinic
About five to 10 percent of all cancers can be traced to a hereditary link—but patients with those genes may be five times more likely to develop cancer. Georgia Regents University Cancer Center has launched, what it says is, the area’s first dedicated cancer genetics clinic, so patients can find out if they are at greater risk and work proactively with their physicians to try to reduce that risk. Families who may benefit from genetic testing and counseling include those who are diagnosed with…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Urvaksh Karkaria Source Type: research

Snapshot: NASA: Russian meteorite blast bigger than thought + Study: Young women who eat more berries reduce risk of heart attack + Danica Patrick wins pole for Daytona 500 + Chipper coaches at Spring Training
Atlanta Weather *The forecast for Atlanta on Monday calls for warmer temperatures and mostly sunny skies. Highs: up to 58. National Weather Item *Significant snowfall, rain and thunderstorms are all expected in various parts of the country this week as an active jet stream propels two storm systems across the country, reports the Weather Channel. Today’s Talkers *NASA scientists say the meteor that exploded over Russia on Friday was larger and more powerful than previously thought. *A new…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Carla Caldwell Source Type: research

E-mails: Lakeland Regional Medical Center to increase ties to Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group
Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Clark & Daughtrey Medical Group are negotiating a closer affiliation that could include LRMC buying Clark & Daughtrey. The Lakeland Ledger discovered the negotiations by requesting emails dating back to 2011. Clark & Daughtrey is a Lakeland-based medical group that first opened in 1949. It has 65 providers, offers more than 20 specialties and has offices in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Sebring, the Ledger said. The change occurs as LRMC’s parent company, Lakeland…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Source Type: research

Phytopharm hit by failure of Parkinson's drug
LONDON (Reuters) - Phytopharm said its major drug hope for treating Parkinson's disease had failed in a clinical trial, the latest British biotech company to disappoint after showing early promise.
Source: Reuters: Health - February 18, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Washington University hires UNC Chancellor Thorp as provost
Washington University named Holden Thorp, currently chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as provost, effective July 1. Thorp will succeed Edward Macias, who announced in September that he would step down from his position as provost and executive vice chancellor June 30, the end of the academic year. Macias has served as Washington U’s chief academic officer for the past 25 years. Thorp, 48, had announced in September that he planned to step down as UNC’s chancellor.…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Diana Barr Source Type: research

Parametric inference of neuronal response latency in presence of a background signal.
Abstract Neurons are commonly characterized by spontaneous generation of action potentials (spikes), which appear without any apparent or controlled stimulation. When a stimulus is applied, the spontaneous firing may prevail and hamper identification of the effect of the stimulus. Therefore, for any rigorous analysis of evoked neuronal activity, the presence of spontaneous firing has to be taken into account. If the background signal is ignored, however small it is compared to the response activity, and however large is the delay, estimation of the response latency will be wrong, and the error will persist even whe...
Source: Biosystems - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tamborrino M, Ditlevsen S, Lansky P Tags: Biosystems Source Type: research

Convergent mechanisms in pluripotent stem cells and cancer: Implications for stem cell engineering.
Abstract Stem cells and cancer cells share certain characteristics, including the capacity to self-renew, differentiatie, and undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis retain similarities with processes in normal stem cell development. Comprehensive analysis and comparison of cancer cell and stem cell development will advance the study of cancer progression, enabling development of effective strategies for cancer treatment. In this review article, we first examine the convergence of outcome, cellular communication, and signaling pathways active in pluripotent stem c...
Source: Biotechnology Journal - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Mooney BM, Raof NA, Li Y, Xie Y Tags: Biotechnol J Source Type: research

Beyond sequencing: optical mapping of DNA in the age of nanotechnology and nanoscopy.
Abstract Next generation sequencing (NGS) is revolutionizing all fields of biological research but it fails to extract the full range of information associated with genetic material. Optical mapping of DNA grants access to genetic and epigenetic information on individual DNA molecules up to ∼1Mbp in length. Fluorescent labeling of specific sequence motifs, epigenetic marks and other genomic information on individual DNA molecules generates a high content optical barcode along the DNA. By stretching the DNA to a linear configuration this barcode may be directly visualized by fluorescence microscopy. We discuss the...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Levy-Sakin M, Ebenstein Y Tags: Curr Opin Biotechnol Source Type: research

Biomass sustainability and certification.
Abstract The major challenges for humanity include energy security, food security, climate change, and a growing world population. They are all linked together by an instinctive, and yet increasingly complex and evolving concept, that of sustainability. Industrial biotechnology is seen as part of the overall solution, principally to combat climate change and strengthen energy security. At its beating heart is a huge policy challenge - the sustainability of biomass. PMID: 23427899 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Trends in Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Pavanan KC, Bosch RA, Cornelissen R, Philp JC Tags: Trends Biotechnol Source Type: research

Bioremediation, an environmental remediation technology for the bioeconomy.
Abstract Bioremediation differs from other industrial biotechnologies in that, although bioremediation contractors must profit from the activity, the primary driver is regulatory compliance rather than manufacturing profit. It is an attractive technology in the context of a bioeconomy but currently has limitations at the field scale. Ecogenomics techniques may address some of these limitations, but a further challenge would be acceptance of these techniques by regulators. PMID: 23427900 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Trends in Biotechnology - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Gillespie IM, Philp JC Tags: Trends Biotechnol Source Type: research

Graphene Quantum Dots Combined with Europium Ions as Photoluminescent Probes for Phosphate Sensing.
Abstract The sense of it: A new type of rapid, sensitive, and specific photoluminescence (PL)-based assay has been proposed for the detection of phosphate (Pi) based on the competition of oxygen-donor atoms from Pi with those from the carboxylate groups on a graphene quantum dot (GQD) surface for Eu(3+) ions. The graphene-like structures combined with QD-like optical properties suggest the promising nature of the GQDs as versatile tools in the fields of analytical determination and biotechnology. PMID: 23420738 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Chemistry - February 18, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Bai JM, Zhang L, Liang RP, Qiu JD Tags: Chemistry Source Type: research

Settlement and cell division of diatom Navicula can be influenced by light of various qualities and intensities
This study demonstrated that the settlement and cell division of the marine unicellular diatom Navicula sp. can be influenced by light‐emitting diodes of various light qualities and intensities. Except for blue light, the settlement of diatoms was reduced by weak (approx. 0.14–6 µE m−2 s−1) green, yellow or red light. When the irradiance intensity, however, was higher than 8–9 µE m−2 s−1, the settlement was stimulated. This phenomenon could be explained by the hypothesis of spatial interference between a chloroplast and a holdfast‐like structure. Densely packed lawn of diatoms with uniform distrib...
Source: Journal of Basic Microbiology - February 18, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Shan Cao, Jiadao Wang, Darong Chen Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Favored isolation and rapid identification of the astaxanthin‐producing yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous(Phaffia rhodozyma) from environmental samples
Abstract Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous (Phaffia rhodozyma) yeasts are biotechnologically exploited as a natural source of astaxanthin for aquaculture. Based on results of recent studies, it has become clear that this species possesses a greater genetic variability generating the necessity to uncover it and assess its potential for the astaxanthin industry. However, difficulties for the isolation of the X. dendrorhous hinder extensive environmental surveys which need to be carried out to better understand the habitat, distribution and genetic diversity of this species. We extensively searched for distinctive physiological t...
Source: Journal of Basic Microbiology - February 18, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Celia Tognetti, Martín Moliné, María van Broock, Diego Libkind Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research

Engineering of a target site-specific recombinase by a combined evolution- and structure-guided approach
Site-specific recombinases (SSRs) can perform DNA rearrangements, including deletions, inversions and translocations when their naive target sequences are placed strategically into the genome of an organism. Hence, in order to employ SSRs in heterologous hosts, their target sites have to be introduced into the genome of an organism before the enzyme can be practically employed. Engineered SSRs hold great promise for biotechnology and advanced biomedical applications, as they promise to extend the usefulness of SSRs to allow efficient and specific recombination of pre-existing, natural genomic sequences. However, the genera...
Source: Nucleic Acids Research - February 18, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Abi-Ghanem, J., Chusainow, J., Karimova, M., Spiegel, C., Hofmann-Sieber, H., Hauber, J., Buchholz, F., Pisabarro, M. T. Tags: Nucleic Acid Enzymes Source Type: research

Discovery and characterization of a highly efficient enantioselective mandelonitrile hydrolase from Burkholderia cenocepacia J2315 by phylogeny-based enzymatic substrate specificity prediction
Conclusions: PESSP is an efficient method for discovering an ideal mandelonitrile hydrolase. BCJ2315 has high affinity and catalytic efficiency toward mandelonitrile. This nitrilase has great advantages in the production of optically pure (R)-(-)-mandelic acid because of its high activity and enantioselectivity, strong substrate tolerance, and having no unwanted byproduct. Thus, BCJ2315 has great potential in the practical production of optically pure (R)-(-)-mandelic acid in the industry.
Source: BMC Biotechnology - Latest articles - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Hualei WangHuihui SunDongzhi Wei Source Type: research

Feather keratin hydrolysates obtained from microbial keratinases: effect on hair fiber
Conclusions: These results show that the enzymatic method to produce keratin peptides for hair care products is an attractive and eco- friendly method with a great potential in the cosmetic industry.
Source: BMC Biotechnology - Latest articles - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Ana VillaMárcia AragãoElisabete dos SantosAna MazottoRussolina ZingaliEdilma de SouzaAlane Vermelho Source Type: research

Expression of a secretory alpha-glucosidase II from Apis cerana indica in Pichia pastoris and its characterization
Conclusions: Like in A. mellifera, there are three isoforms of AciHBGase (I, II and III) that differ in their transcript expression pattern, nucleotide sequences and optimal enzyme conditions and kinetics.
Source: BMC Biotechnology - Latest articles - February 18, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Jirattikarn KaewmuangmoonManlika KilasoUbolsree LeartsakulpanichKiyoshi KimuraAtsuo KimuraChanpen Chanchao Source Type: research

Departing chairman of Alcon parent to get $78M severance
Daniel Vasella could receive a severance package worth as much as $78 million when he leaves the chairmanship of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis this month. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vasella's severance package likely will encourage those who support a so-called say-on-pay proposal that will go before Swiss voter next month. Vasella's payment is contingent on his strict adherence to a non-compete agreement preventing him from working for any of Novartis' rivals. Novartis is…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 17, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Lance Murray Source Type: research

Discovery of novel secreted fungal sulfhydryl oxidases with a plate test screen.
Abstract Sulfhydryl oxidases (SOX) are FAD-dependent enzymes capable of oxidising free thiol groups and forming disulphide bonds. Although the quantity of scientific papers and suggested applications for SOX is constantly increasing, only a limited number of microbial SOX have been reported and are commercially available. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop a fast and reliable qualitative plate test for screening novel secreted fungal SOX. The screening was based on the Ellman's reagent, i.e. 5,5'-dithiobis[2-nitrobenzoic acid]. Altogether, 32 fungal strains from an in-house culture collection were screened...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 17, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nivala O, Mattinen ML, Faccio G, Buchert J, Kruus K Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Assessment of Activities and Conformation of Lipases Treated with Sub- and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.
Abstract In order to illustrate the underlining mechanism of the effect of high pressure on lipases from different resources, the influence of compressed carbon dioxide treatment on the esterification activities and conformation of the three lipases Candida rugosa lipase (CRL), Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase, and Rhizopus oryzae lipase was investigated in the present work. The results showed that the lipases activities were significantly enhanced in most of high-pressure treatments, except the pressure had a negative effect on CRL activity in supercritical condition. Mild depressurization rate could remain the lipa...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - February 17, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chen D, Peng C, Zhang H, Yan Y Tags: Appl Biochem Biotechnol Source Type: research

The race to create 'insect cyborgs'
Why make tiny flying drones when you can fly real insects by remote-control? It could lead to a neuroscience revolution, explains Emily Anthes in an excerpt from her new book Frankenstein's CatIn 2006 the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) asked America's scientists to submit "innovative proposals to develop technology to create insect-cyborgs" .It was not your everyday government request, but it was an utterly serious one. For years, the US military has been hoping to develop "micro air vehicles" – ultra-small flying robots capable of performing surveillance in dangerous territory. Building these machi...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 16, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Drones Biology Neuroscience Extracts Features Animals Surveillance Insects The Observer Environment Wildlife Source Type: news

TriWest Healthcare Alliance’s Hawaii clinics switching to UnitedHealth Group
TriWest Healthcare Alliance's Tricare West medical clinics in Hawaii will transition to UnitedHealth Group after TriWest lost a $17 billion contract renewal with the Department of Defense last year. “Beginning today, we switched over operations of our various locations on the Islands and also across the Western United States and we will operate on a dual-operations period from now until April 1, at which point UnitedHealth will take over,” TriWest spokesman Scott Celley said. “There are…
Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines - February 16, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Jenna Blakely Source Type: research

Global Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Outlook 2013: Rising Stars
This new research report, announced by Research and Markets, provides an in-depth analysis of biotech companies and their drug pipeline amidst competition and dynamic regulatory environment(PRWeb February 15, 2013)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/2/prweb10436837.htm
Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals - February 16, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Cephalosporin C acylase: dream and(/or) reality.
Abstract Cephalosporins currently constitute the most widely prescribed class of antibiotics and are used to treat diseases caused by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Cephalosporins contain a 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) nucleus which is derived from cephalosporin C (CephC). The 7-ACA nucleus is not sufficiently potent for clinical use; however, a series of highly effective antibiotic agents could be produced by modifying the side chains linked to the 7-ACA nucleus. The industrial production of higher-generation semi-synthetic cephalosporins starts from 7-ACA, which is obtained by deacylation o...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Pollegioni L, Rosini E, Molla G Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Illustration of the development of bacterial cellulose bundles/ribbons by Gluconacetobacter xylinus via atomic force microscopy.
Abstract The development of bacterial cellulose (BC) fibrils biosynthesized by Gluconacetobacter xylinus was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). After various incubation times at 30 °C, both the length of BC fibrils and their average diameters increased significantly. After the first 2-h incubation, not only single BC microfibrils with an average diameter of 5.8 ± 0.7 nm were biosynthesized but single microfibrils also began to bind with each other forming bundles. After longer incubation times of 6 h, 16 h, and 48 h, only BC bundles and ribbons or even only ribbons were detectable. The dev...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zhang K Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Nanoparticle-tethered NAD(+) with in situ cofactor regeneration.
Abstract A new and simple route for the preparation of immobilized NAD(+) on carboxyl-activated silica nanoparticles activated by γ-aminpropyltriethoxysilane and glutaric anhydride was developed. In addition, formate dehydrogenase, keto-reductase and the silica nanoparticle-attached NAD(+) were applied to catalyze the coupled reactions for production of L-lactate with the cofactor regenerated within the reaction cycle. As indicated by thermogravimetric analysis and FT-IR, the silica nanoparticles were successfully activated and the loading of carboxyl groups was 0.53 mmol g(-1) particle. The amount of immobilize...
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 16, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Li Y, Liang H, Sun L, Wu J, Yuan Q Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research

A universal fixation method based on quaternary ammonium salts (RNAlater) for omics-technologies: Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a case study.
Abstract Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and fluxomics are powerful omics-technologies that play a major role in today's research. For each of these techniques good sample quality is crucial. Major factors contributing to the quality of a sample is the actual sampling procedure itself and the way the sample is stored directly after sampling. It has already been described that RNAlater can be used to store tissues and cells in a way that the RNA quality and quantity are preserved. In this paper, we demonstrate that quaternary ammonium salts (RNAlater) are also suitable to preserve and store samples from Saccha...
Source: Biotechnology Letters - February 16, 2013 Category: Biotechnology Authors: van Eijsden RG, Stassen C, Daenen L, Van Mulders SE, Bapat PM, Siewers V, Goossens KV, Nielsen J, Delvaux FR, Van Hummelen P, Devreese B, Willaert RG Tags: Biotechnol Lett Source Type: research

Biotechnological Production of Phenyllactic Acid and Biosurfactants from Trimming Vine Shoot Hydrolyzates by Microbial Coculture Fermentation.
Abstract Coculture fermentations show advantages for producing food additives from agroindustrial wastes, considering that different specified microbial strains are combined to improve the consumption of mixed sugars obtained by hydrolysis. This technology dovetails with both the growing interest of consumers towards the use of natural food additives and with stricter legislations and concern in developed countries towards the management of wastes. The use of this technology allows valorization of both cellulosic and hemicellulosic fractions of trimming vine shoots for the production of lactic acid (LA), phenyllact...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - February 16, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Rodríguez-Pazo N, Salgado JM, Cortés-Diéguez S, Domínguez JM Tags: Appl Biochem Biotechnol Source Type: research