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By Category: Research

‘Left-handed iron corkscrews’ point the way to new weapon in battle against superbugs like MRSA

(University of Warwick) Scientists at the University of Warwick have taken inspiration from corkscrew structures found in nature to develop a new weapon in the fight against infections like E-coli and MRSA. Researchers have created a new synthetic class of helix-shaped molecules which they believe could be a key tool in the worldwide battle against Read More »

November 29, 2011
| Filed under North America, Biotechnology, Countermeasures, Public Health, and Research
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The iGEM Competition: Synthetic Biologists and Molecular Animation

(Scientific American) The competition heralds itself as the premiere undergraduate synthetic biology competition. Teams are given a kit of biological parts from the registry of standard biological parts, and they use these precursors along with new parts of their own design …

November 28, 2011
| Filed under North America, Biotechnology, International, and Research
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Scientists Brace for Media Storm Around Controversial Flu Studies

(Science AAAS) “I can’t think of another pathogenic organism that is as scary as this one,” adds Keim, who has worked on anthrax for many years. “I don’t think anthrax is scary at all compared to this.” Some scientists say that’s reason enough not to do such research …

November 28, 2011
| Filed under North America, Agents & Toxins, Biosafety, Policy & Initiatives, and Research
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The 4 Key Parts of a Biosecurity Plan

(Lab Manager Magazine) For labs dealing with infectious substances, a biosecurity plan is just as important as a strong safety program. Biosecurity plans are designed to prevent the misuse, intentional release or theft of infectious agents. Such plans depend on what type of …

November 24, 2011
| Filed under Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, South Asia, Biosafety, and Research
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Debate rages over new bird flu research; some argue it’s not safe to publish

(Winnipeg Free Press) Some biosecurity experts are concerned the research could be used as a blueprint by nefarious forces and are arguing against publication of the work. But others, especially influenza scientists, are countering that the flu world needs to know the …