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By Category: Biotechnology

Scientists produce synthetic yeast chromosome, with help from Hopkins students

(The Sun) With the help of Johns Hopkins biomedical engineering students who spent years stringing bits of DNA together, scientists have built the world’s first synthetic yeast chromosome, which eventually could help in the production of drugs, vaccines, biofuels and even beer. Jef Boeke, a former Hopkins professor, started working on the research with students Read More »

March 28, 2014
| Filed under North America, Biotechnology, and Research
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Synthetic biologists break new ground in medicine, energy

(Phys Org) With such ambitious goals as helping cure cancer and eradicating pervasive disease, some of the most talented scientists in the country from the emerging field of synthetic biology are breaking new ground at Northwestern University. The hot field of synthetic biology uses tools and concepts from physics, engineering and computer science to build Read More »

March 25, 2014
| Filed under Biotechnology and Research
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Faster diagnosis key to finding drug-resistant tuberculosis in the Republic of Moldova

(WHO) As part of key recommendations made by WHO to combat drug-resistant TB, the Republic of Moldova is introducing rapid diagnostic tools for MDR-TB at the point-of-care. Since 2012, Xpert MTB/RIF assay units have been installed in 30 district and municipal TB services across the country. Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a rapid, accurate test that Read More »

March 20, 2014
| Filed under Europe, Biotechnology, International, and Research
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Experts say synthetic biology makes bioterrorism more accessible

(Bio Prep Watch) Biodefense and counter-terrorism experts Patrick Rose and Adam Bernier said on Monday that advancements in synthetic biology could give more options to organizations that want to develop and pursue biological weapons. The pair published a two-part series on CBRNePortal explaining that advancements in synthetic biology and “DIYbio” have made biological weapons more Read More »

March 19, 2014
| Filed under Biological Weapons, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism
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RFI – Identification of Diagnostic Devices for Biological Threats

(Global Biodefense) The Department of Defense is collecting information from companies who are currently in the U.S. domestic healthcare market or are considering a future entry into the market for FDA-cleared diagnostics for human diseases caused by exposure to biological threat agents. The Request for Information (RFI) submission period originally closed in January of this Read More »