Category Biology/Biotechnology

New Genetic Copycatchers Detect Efficient and precise CRISPR Editing in a Living Organism

Red fluorescent detector proteins in fruit flies reveal detection from an actual copying experiment (left) and how perfect copying would appear (right). Fluorescent cells in the left panel also lack the function of a pigmentation gene called “pale” due to copying of the CopyCatcher element, which eliminates function of both copies of the pale gene. Control flies in the right panel, which have only one copy of the pale gene disrupted by insertion of the CopyCatcher (one functional copy of the gene), have bright red cells and normal bristle pigmentation throughout the body. Credit: Zhiqian Li

Proof-of-principle research shows that genes can be accurately edited in cells throughout the body...

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Lighting up Biology from Within

A biochemical reaction between an enzyme called luciferase and oxygen causes fireflies to glow and is considered one of the most well-known examples of bioluminescence in nature. Source: Shutterstock

Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a low-cost, portable device that can apply non-invasive bioluminescent imaging technology to many uses in animals, humans.

A biochemical reaction between an enzyme called luciferase and oxygen causes fireflies to glow and is considered one of the most well-known examples of bioluminescence in nature...

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Microneedle Patch delivers Antibiotics Locally in the Skin

Fingers holding the microneedle patch
The microneedles are so small that they do not reach the pain receptors, making the treatment relatively painless. Photo: Jill Ziesmer

MRSA skin infections are often treated with intravenous injection of antibiotics, which can cause significant side effects and promote the development of resistant bacterial strains. To solve these problems, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden are developing a microneedle patch that delivers antibiotics directly into the affected skin area. New results published in Advanced Materials Technologies show that the microneedle patch effectively reduces MRSA bacteria in the skin.

MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) skin infections are potentially lethal, especially in patients with compromised immune systems...

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In fight against COVID Variants some firms Target Tcell Jabs

covid-19
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Getting COVID vaccines into the arms of the world’s population is an international priority—but will today’s jabs stay effective against virus variants that are spreading across the globe?

It is one of the big questions about the pandemic, with Pfizer chief Albert Bourla recently acknowledging that it is likely a booster will be needed to help extend the protection conferred by its vaccine and ward off new variants.

A recent study presented a mixed picture. It found that the antibody response of current vaccines could fail against variants. However, a second immune response in the form of killer T cells—which attack already infected cells and not the virus itself—remained largely intact.

Several startups are working on developing shots ...

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