MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Journal of Biological Engineering' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:15:13 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512498&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F17 A modified BioBrickTM assembly method was developed with higher fidelity than current protocols. The method utilizes a PCR reaction with a standard primer set to amplify the inserted part. Background colonies are reduced by a combination of dephosphorylation and digestion with DpnI restriction endonuclease to reduce vector and insert background respectively. The molar ratio of the insert to vector in the ligation was also optimized, with the accuracy of the transformed construct approaching 100%. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512498 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512498 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5483452&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F16 Conclusions: This approach to poliovirus detection and quantification using FTIR spectroscopy and cell culture could potentially be extended to compare biochemical cell responses to infection with different viruses. This virus detection method could feasibly be adapted to an automated scheme for use in areas such as water safety monitoring and medical diagnostics. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5483452 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5483452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5396998&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F15 In this study, we propose a valve design suitable for a wide range rotational speeds which can be applied for mass production (molding). Together with supporting experiments, simulation based on two-phase flow theory is used in this study, and the feasibility of this novel valve design is confirmed. Influencing design factors for the microfluidic channel valves in CD-ELISA are investigated, including various shapes of the arc, distance d, radius r, the location of the centre of the circle, and the contact angle. From both the experimental results and the simulated results, it is evident that the narrowest channel width and the contact angle are the primary factors influencing valve burst frequency. These can be used as the main controlling factors during the design. (Source: Journal of Bio... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5396998 Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5396998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5375752&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F14 On February 15, 2008, the National Academy of Engineering unveiled their list of 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering. Building off of tremendous advancements in the past century, these challenges were selected for their role in assuring a sustainable existence for the rapidly increasing global community. It is no accident that the first five Challenges on the list involve the development of sustainable energy sources and management of environmental resources. While the focus of this review is to address the single Grand Challenge of "develop carbon sequestration methods", is will soon be clear that several other Challenges are intrinsically tied to it through the principles of sustainability. How does the realm of biological engineering play a role in addressing these Grand Challenges? (So... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5375752 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5375752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5310930&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: The present investigation reveals that non-embryogenic callus can be turned into embryos and plantlets if cultured on appropriate medium. Furthermore, callus from leaf explant of C. asiatica can be a good source for production of antimicrobial compounds through bioreactor. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5310930 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5310930 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5246525&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F12 Conclusions: The standardized collection of vectors presented here allows the user to rapidly construct and test the expression of genes with various combinations of promoter strength, inducible expression system, copy number, and antibiotic resistance. The quantitative datasheets created for these vectors will increase the predictability of gene expression, especially when multiple plasmids and inducers are utilized. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5246525 Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5246525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5094381&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F11 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5094381 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5094381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5061548&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F10 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5061548 Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5061548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5048419&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F9 ${item.shortDescription} (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5048419 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5048419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4910483&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: The studied device is suitable for recombinant protein release as 96% of the total amount of the intracellular proteins was successfully released into the medium. Furthermore, it has been shown that the device can be assembled to different input devices to trigger cell lysis in response to a user-defined signal. For this reason, this lysis device can be a useful tool for the rational design and construction of complex synthetic biological systems composed by biological parts with known and well characterized function. Conversely, the onset of mutants makes this device unsuitable for the programmed cell death of a bacterial population. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4910483 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4910483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4870755&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F7 Conclusions: Rational design can optimize a fully heterologous three-component pathway to provide an essential metabolic flux while remaining insulated from the endogenous redox pool. We have delevoped a number of convenient in vivo assays to aid in the engineering of synthetic hydrogen metabolism. Our results also indicate a H2-independent redox activity in three different FeFe hydrogenases, with implications for the future directed evolution of hydrogen-activating catalysts. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4870755 Wed, 25 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4870755 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4861337&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F6 Microfluidics holds great promise to revolutionize various areas of biological engineering, such as single cell analysis, environmental monitoring, regenerative medicine, and point-of-care diagnostics. Despite the fact that intensive efforts have been devoted into the field in the past decades, microfluidics has not yet been adopted widely. It is increasingly realized that an effective system integration strategy that is low cost and broadly applicable to various biological engineering situations is required to fully realize the potential of microfluidics. In this article, we review several promising system integration approaches for microfluidics and discuss their advantages, limitations, and applications. Future advancements of these microfluidic strategies will lead toward translational... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4861337 Tue, 24 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4861337 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4812089&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F4 Two current technologies used in biosensor development are very promising: 1. The sol-gel process of making microporous glass at room temperature, and 2. Using a fluorescent compound that undergoes fluorescence quenching in response to a specific analyte. These technologies have been combined to produce an iron biosensor. To optimize the iron (II or III) specificity of an iron biosensor, pyoverdin (a fluorescent siderophore produced by Pseudomonas spp.) was immobilized in 3 formulations of porous sol-gel glass. The formulations, A, B, and C, varied in the amount of water added, resulting in respective R values (molar ratio of water:silicon) of 5.6, 8.2, and 10.8. Pyoverdin-doped sol-gel pellets were placed in a flow cell in a fluorometer and the fluorescence quenching was measured as pelle... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4812089 Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4812089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4812088&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F5 An investigation of the electrochemical activity of human white blood cells (WBC) for biofuel cell (BFC) applications is described. WBCs isolated from whole human blood were suspended in PBS and introduced into the anode compartment of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The cathode compartment contained a 50 mM potassium ferricyanide solution. Average current densities between 0.9 and 1.6 micro A cm-2 and open circuit potentials (Voc) between 83 and 102 mV were obtained, which were both higher than control values. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the electrochemical activity of the activated WBCs in an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of electron transfer between the cells and electrode. Voltammograms were obtained for the WBCs, including peripheral blood mononuclear c... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4812088 Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4812088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4741814&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: We show that linear system behavior is possible in E. coli. Elucidation of the mechanism underlying the nonlinearity observed in gfp may lead to design rules that ensure linear system behavior, enabling the accurate prediction of the quantitative behavior of a system assembled from individually characterized devices. Our work suggests that biological systems follow principles similar to physical ones, and that concepts borrowed from the latter (such as DTCs) may be of use in the characterization and design of biological systems. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4741814 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4741814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4663327&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F2 The U.S. National Academy of Engineering (NAE) recently published a document presenting "Grand Challenges for Engineering". This list was proposed by leading engineers and scientists from around the world at the request of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). Fourteen topics were selected for these grand challenges, and at least seven can be addressed using the tools and methods of biological engineering. Here we describe how biological engineers can address the challenge of providing access to clean drinking water. This issue must be addressed in part by removing or inactivating microbial and chemical contaminants in order to properly deliver water safe for human consumption. Despite many advances in technologies this challenge is expanding due to increased pressure on fresh water ... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4663327 Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4663327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411117&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F5%2F1%2F1 Conclusion: We conclude that LVs produced under conditions with inhibited mannosidase activity can effectively modify cells displaying the DC-specific marker DC-SIGN. This study offers evidence to support the utilization of DMJ in producing LVs that are enhanced carriers for the development of DC-directed vaccines. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411117 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4411117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4264435&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F16 Conclusions: The proposed estimation method for fan-out not only provides an experimentally efficient way for quantifying the level of modularity in gene regulatory circuits but also helps characterize and design module interfaces, enabling the modular construction of gene circuits. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4264435 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4264435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4212894&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F15 For years, the field of drug delivery has focused on (1) controlling the release of a therapeutic and (2) targeting the therapeutic to a specific cell type. These research endeavors have concentrated mainly on the development of new degradable polymers and molecule-labeled drug delivery vehicles. Recent interest in biomaterials that respond to their environment have opened new methods to trigger the release of drugs and localize the therapeutic within a particular site. These novel biomaterials, usually termed "smart" or "intelligent", are able to deliver a therapeutic agent based on either environmental cues or a remote stimulus. Stimuli-responsive materials could potentially elicit a therapeutically effective dose without adverse side effects. Polymers responding to different stimuli, su... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4212894 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4212894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4158451&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: This study provides new quantitative evidences that the use of independent and well-characterized biological parts and mathematical modelling, what is called a bottom-up approach to the construction of gene networks, can allow the design of new and different devices re-using the same modular parts. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4158451 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4158451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4150053&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: BioCoder represents the first practical programming system for standardizing and automating biology protocols. Our vision is to change the way that experimental methods are communicated: rather than publishing a written account of the protocols used, researchers will simply publish the code. Our experience suggests that this practice is tractable and offers many benefits. We invite other researchers to leverage BioCoder to improve the precision and completeness of their protocols, and also to adapt and extend BioCoder to new domains. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4150053 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4150053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4124418&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F12 Conclusions: A wide variety of loss-of-function mutations are observed in BioBrick-assembled genetic circuits including point mutations, small insertions and deletions, large deletions, and insertion sequence (IS) element insertions that often occur in the scar sequence between parts. Promoter mutations are selected for more than any other biological part. Genetic circuits can be re-engineered to be more evolutionary robust with a few simple design principles: high expression of genetic circuits comes with the cost of low evolutionary stability, avoid repeated sequences, and the use of inducible promoters increases stability. Inclusion of an antibiotic resistance gene within the circuit does not ensure evolutionary stability. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4124418 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4124418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972442&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F11 Molecular rotors are a group of fluorescent molecules that form twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) states upon photoexcitation. When intramolecular twisting occurs, the molecular rotor returns to the ground state either by emission of a red-shifted emission band or by nonradiative relaxation. The emission properties are strongly solvent-dependent, and the solvent viscosity is the primary determinant of the fluorescent quantum yield from the planar (non-twisted) conformation. This viscosity-sensitive behavior gives rise to applications in, for example, fluid mechanics, polymer chemistry, cell physiology, and the food sciences. However, the relationship between bulk viscosity and the molecular-scale interaction of a molecular rotor with its environment are not fully understood. Th... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972442 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3972442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3771652&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F10 Conclusion: We have constructed a general chassis where three promoters from natural genes or components of synthetic networks can be easily inserted and independently monitored on a single construct using optimized fluorescent protein reporters. We have quantitatively characterized the baseline behavior of the chassis so that it can be used to measure dynamic gene regulation and noise. Overall, the system will be useful both for analyzing natural genetic networks and assembling synthetic ones. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3771652 Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3771652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3717999&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F9 Conclusion: The global mRNA turnover and the protein degradation rate can be accelerated and tuned in a biologically relevant range in a cell-free reaction with quantitative procedures easy to implement. These features broaden the capabilities of cell-free systems with a better control of gene expression. This cell-free extract could find some applications in new research areas such as in vitro synthetic biology and systems biology where engineering informational processes requires a quantitative control of mRNA inactivation and protein degradation. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3717999 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3717999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3694931&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: Although it uses the endogenous E. coli transcription machinery, this cell-free system can produce active proteins in quantities comparable to bacteriophage systems. The E. coli transcription provides much more possibilities to engineer informational processes in vitro. Many E. coli promoters/operators specific to sigma factor 70 are available that form a broad library of regulatory parts. In this work, cell-free expression is developed as a toolbox to design and to study synthetic gene circuits in vitro. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3694931 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3694931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3644380&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F7 The following essay was written by Mr. Alex Hatch, a junior undergraduate student majoring in Biological Engineering at Utah State University. Mr. Hatch submitted a 1000-1200 word essay to the 5th Annual Bioethics Contest sponsored by the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE). A group of professionals in Biological Engineering assessed and ranked the essays in a blinded process. Five semi-finalists were invited to present their essays at a session at the annual meeting of IBE in Cambridge, MA on March 6, 2010. Five judges scored all the presentations and selected Mr. Hatch's contribution as the overall winner (first place). (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3644380 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3644380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3595161&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F6 Conclusions: Our proof-of-concept experiments indicate a statistically significant increase in the rate of production of the bd oxidase membrane protein. Synthetic gene networks provide a feasible solution for the problem of membrane protein production. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3595161 Mon, 24 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3595161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475299&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F5 Conclusion: The time average S11+S12 shows a direct proportionality with the enrichment value, indicating that polarized light should be a valuable technique for monitoring foam fractionation columns. Additional knowledge of the nature of dependence between foam properties and S11+S12 combined with models relating the enrichment to the bubble size and liquid hold up is needed to develop an accurate diagnostics tool for monitoring enrichment utilizing S11+S12 measurements. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475299 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3475299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3314393&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F4 Conclusions: The advantage of our design is that the actual feedback mechanism depends only on a single gene and does not require any other modulation. Furthermore, this circuit can amplify any transcriptional signal, not just one encoded within the circuit or tuned by an external inducer. As our design is modular, it can potentially be used as a component in the design of more complex synthetic gene circuits. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3314393 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3314393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306235&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F3 Conclusions: Through the construction and characterization of a synthetic metabolic circuit in vivo, we demonstrate a novel system that allows for predictable engineering of an insulated electron transfer pathway. The development of this system demonstrates working principles for the optimization of engineered pathways for alternative energy production, as well as for understanding how electron transfer between proteins is controlled. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306235 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3306235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3222838&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F2 Conclusions: We evaluated the utility of chitosan nanoparticles with an in-vitro model of acrolein-mediated cell injury using PC-12 cells. The particles effectively, and statistically, reduced damage to membrane integrity, secondary oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that a chitosan nanoparticle-based therapy to interfere with "secondary" injury may be possible. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3222838 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3222838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3188668&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F4%2F1%2F1 Conclusions: The BglBrick standard provides a new, more flexible platform from which to generate standard biological parts and automate DNA assembly. Work on BglBrick assembly reactions, as well as on the development of automation and bioinformatics tools, is currently underway. These tools will provide a foundation from which to transform genetic engineering from a technically intensive art into a purely design-based discipline. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3188668 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3188668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059275&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F20 Conclusions: The optimal concentration of SIC for a broad range of anti-microbial activity and low or negligible cytotoxicity was 0.0035 Ag w/v %. Although the highly controlled releasing characteristics of SIC would prove a substantial improvement over current technologies, further investigation for genotoxicity and other biocompatibility test will be required. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059275 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3059275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943161&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F19 Conclusions: An ideal CAD application for engineering biological systems would provide features such as: building and simulating networks, analyzing robustness of networks, and searching databases for components that meet the design criteria. At the current state of synthetic biology, there are no established methods for measuring robustness or identifying components that fit a design. The same is true for databases of biological parts. TinkerCell's flexible modeling framework allows it to cope with changes in the field. Such changes may involve the way parts are characterized or the way synthetic networks are modeled and analyzed computationally. TinkerCell can readily accept third-party algorithms, allowing it to serve as a platform for testing different methods relevant to synthetic bio... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943161 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2943161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2838694&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: Cnidocysts were found to puncture materials up to 1 MPa in hardness, can be discharged in a dry state using water as a stimulant, and bind homogeneously to lectins, a potential means of immobilization. The information gained from this preliminary work will aid in determining the materials and design of the patch that could be used for drug delivery. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2838694 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2838694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807177&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F15 Conclusions: Our model, methods and materials together constitute a novel system for a eukaryotic host with the potential to convert a dynamic pattern of light input into a predictable gene expression response. This system could be applied for the regulation of genetic networks - both known and synthetic. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807177 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2807177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2772091&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F14 Conclusions: The lipid film signifies a biomimetic artificial biological interface capable of both hydrophobic and specific electrostatic interactions. It captures the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) in the determination of lipophilicity of molecules unlike the pure hydrocarbon film of the prior art. The potentials and performance of the bio-device gives the promise of its utility as a predictive analytic tool for early-stage drug discovery science. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2772091 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2772091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2729726&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: While the simplest model of CRP*-mediated gene expression assumes insensitivity to glucose (or cAMP), our results show that gene expression in the context of CRP* is very different from that of wild-type in the absence of glucose, and is influenced by the presence of glucose. Most of the transcription changes in response to CRP* expression are difficult to interpret in terms of possible systematic effects on metabolism. Elevated NADPH availability resulting from CRP* expression suggests potential biocatalytic applications of crp* strains that extend beyond relief of catabolite repression. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2729726 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2729726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2637494&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F12 In this study, different types of plastic composite support (PCS) were implemented separately within a fermentation medium in order to enhance bacterial cellulose (BC) production by Acetobacter xylinum. The optimal composition of nutritious compounds in PCS was chosen based on the amount of BC produced. The selected PCS was implemented within a bioreactor to examine the effects on BC production in a batch fermentation. The produced BC was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Among thirteen types of PCS, the type SFYR+ was selected as solid support for BC production by A. xylinum in a batch biofilm reactor due to its high nitrogen content, moderate nitrogen leachi... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2637494 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2637494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2633820&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F11 Conclusions: We successfully designed, constructed, and tested a bacterial computer capable of finding a Hamiltonian path in a three node directed graph. This proof-of-concept experiment demonstrates that bacterial computing is a new way to address NP-complete problems using the inherent advantages of genetic systems. The results of our experiments also validate synthetic biology as a valuable approach to biological engineering. We designed and constructed basic parts, devices, and systems using synthetic biology principles of standardization and abstraction. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2633820 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2633820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2583660&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F10 Conclusion: Our system offers a convenient, well-defined model system for fundamental studies on how multiple morphogen gradients can affect cell fate and lead to pattern formation. Our design principles could be applied to eukaryotic cells to develop other models systems for studying development or for enabling the patterning of cells for applications such as tissue engineering and biomaterials. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2583660 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2583660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2527161&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F9 Conclusion: The "as-made" NP of Ag, CuO and ZnO have toxic effects on a beneficial soil microbe, leading to bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects depending on the metal-oxide NP employed. Aggregation of the NP into larger particles by factors present in the environment may reduce their nontarget antimicrobial activity. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2527161 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2527161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2456173&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F8 Conclusions: The fusion domain of Sindbis virus glycoprotein is amenable for engineering and the engineered proteins provide elevated capacity to mediate lentiviral vectors for targeted transduction. Our data suggests that application of such an engineering strategy can optimize the two-molecular targeting method of lentiviral vectors for gene delivery to predetermined cells. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2456173 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2456173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2396980&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F7 The following essay was written by a sophomore undergraduate student majoring in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, Mr. Zachary Russ. Mr. Russ was one of 174 students who submitted a 1000-1200 word essay to the 4th Annual Bioethics Contest sponsored by the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE). A group of professionals in Biological Engineering assessed and ranked the essays in a blinded process. Five semi-finalists were invited to present their essays at a session at the annual meeting of IBE in Santa Clara, CA on March 21, 2009. Five judges scored all the presentation at the annual meeting and selected Mr. Russ's contribution as the overall winner (1st Place). (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2396980 Fri, 08 May 2009 02:41:43 +0100 2396980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2374725&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F3%2F1%2F5 Conclusions: These results demonstrate that inhibitors of Abeta self-assembly have the potential to trap small soluble aggregates resulting in an elevation rather than a reduction of cellular responses. These findings provide further support that small soluble aggregates possess high levels physiological activity and underscore the importance of resolving the effect of Abeta aggregation inhibitors on aggregate size. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2374725 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2374725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2076049&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F17 Conclusions: The enormous bioelectric current, carried in part by free calcium, is the major initiator of secondary injury processes and causes significant damage after breach of the membranes of vulnerable cells adjacent to the injury site. The large intra-cellular voltages, polarized along the length of axons in particular, are believed to be associated with zones of organelle death, distortion, and asymmetry observed in acutely injured nerve fibers. These data enlarge our understanding of secondary mechanisms and provide new ways to consider interfering with this catabolic and progressive loss of tissue. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2076049 Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2076049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2062505&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F16 Book details Guruprasad Madhavan, Barbara Oakley, and Luis Kun (editors) Career Development in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, published by Springer, Series in Biomedical Engineering an official publication of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2008. ISBN 978-0-387-76494-8; DOI 10.1007/978-0-387-76495-5. Web: http://www.springer.com/engineering/biomedical+eng/book/978-0-387-76494-8 (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2062505 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 2062505 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1992710&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F16 Book details Guruprasad Madhavan, Barbara Oakley, and Luis Kun (editors) Career Development in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, published by Springer, Series in Biomedical Engineering an official publication of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering, 2008. ISBN 978-0-387-76494-8; DOI 10.1007/978-0-387-76495-5. Web: http://www.springer.com/engineering/biomedical+eng/book/978-0-387-76494-8 (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1992710 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1992710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1857017&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F13 Conclusions: ATR-FTIR was found to be suitable for the rapid analysis of rhamnolipids in a biotechnological process with a good reproducibility in sample determination and a sufficient accuracy. An improvement of the accuracy by continuous expansion and validation of the reference spectra set seems to be very likely. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1857017 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1857017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1854070&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F12 Conclusion: The qualitative method described here, though subject to some operator bias, identifies a previously unreported in vivo approach to classify fracture toughness of a solid tumor that can be correlated with malignancy, and paves the way for the development of a mechanical device that can accurately quantify the tissue toughness of a human tumor. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1854070 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1854070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1597563&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F10 Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that initial glucagon solutions are predominantly monomeric, but contain small quantities of large aggregates. These results suggest that the initial aggregates are seed nuclei, or intermediates which catalyze the aggregation process, even at low concentrations. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1597563 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1597563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556854&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F7 The following essay was written by a freshman undergraduate student majoring in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, Mr. Zachary Russ. Mr. Russ was one of 94 students who submitted a 1000 to 1200 word essay to the 3rd Annual Bioethics Essay Contest sponsored by the Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE). A group of professionals in Biological Engineering assessed and ranked the essays in a blinded process. Five semi-finalists were invited to present their essays at a session at the annual meeting of IBE in Chapel Hill, NC on March 8, 2008. Five judges scored the presentations at the annual meeting and selected Mr. Russ's contribution as the overall winner (1st Place). Below is his essay. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556854 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1556854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556855&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F6 In this study, we investigated the effects of DEP manipulation on the characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes cells, including the immuno-reactivity to several Listeria-specific antibodies, the cell growth profile in liquid medium, and the cell viability on selective agar plates. It was found that a 1-h DEP treatment increased the cell immuno-reactivity to the commercial Listeria species-specific polyclonal antibodies (from KPL) by ~31.8% and to the C11E9 monoclonal antibodies by ~82.9%, whereas no significant changes were observed with either anti-InlB or anti-ActA antibodies. A 1-h DEP treatment did not cause any change in the growth profile of Listeria in the low conductive growth medium (LCGM); however, prolonged treatments (4 h or greater) caused significant delays in cell growth. T... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556855 Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100 1556855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556857&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F2 Conclusion: It was shown for classes of structural motifs with feed-forward architecture that network topology affects the overall rate of a process in a quantitatively predictable manner. These fundamental results can be used as a basis for simulating larger networks as combinations of smaller network modules with implications on studying synthetic gene circuits, small regulatory systems, and eventually dynamic whole-cell models. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556857 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1556857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556856&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F3 We report a new approach for the simultaneous conversion of xylose and glucose sugar mixtures into products by fermentation. The process simultaneously uses two substrate-selective strains of Escherichia coli, one which is unable to consume glucose and one which is unable to consume xylose. The xylose-selective (glucose deficient) strain E. coli ZSC113 has mutations in the glk, ptsG and manZ genes while the glucose-selective (xylose deficient) strain E. coli ALS1008 has a mutation in the xylA gene. By combining these two strains in a single process, xylose and glucose are consumed more quickly than by a single-organism approach. Moreover, we demonstrate that the process is able to adapt to changing concentrations of these two sugars, and therefore holds promise for the conversion of variab... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556856 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1556856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556858&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F2%2F1%2F1 Conclusion: Seasonality played a significant role in the trophic class and sensitivity of each site to nutrients. Managing rivers and streams for nutrients will require methods for measuring in situ responses and sensitivities to nutrient enrichment. Nutrient enrichment periphytometers show significant potential for use in nutrient gradient studies. (Source: Journal of Biological Engineering) Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556858 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:00:00 +0100 1556858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556859&cid=s_37198_70_f&fid=37198&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbioleng.org%2Fcontent%2F1%2F1%2F9 The objectives of this study were to quantify the amount of rice bran removed at pre-selected milling times and to correlate the amount of rice bran removed at each milling time with the concentration of vitamin E, gamma-oryzanol, rice bran saccharide, and protein obtained. The ultimate goal of this research is to show that rice bran fractionation is a useful method to obtain targeted, nutrient-rich bran samples for value-added processing. Two long grain rice cultivars, Cheniere and Cypress, were milled at discrete times between 3 and 40 seconds using a McGill mill to obtain bran samples for analysis. Results showed that the highest oryzanol and protein concentrations were found in the outer portion of the rice bran layer, while the highest rice bran saccharide concentration was found in t... Journal of Biological Engineering journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556859 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:00:00 +0100 1556859