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More research needed to address synthetic biology security concerns

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Oct 13, 2014 by Matt Shipman A new paper examines security risks and policy questions related to the growing field of synthetic biology. While the author doesn't think the field is ripe for exploitation by terrorists, it does highlight significant gaps in our understanding of the nuts and bolts of lab work in synthetic biology that can contribute to security risks. "The driving question here is whether terrorists can easily draw on published synthetic biology research to develop new bioweapons," says the paper's author, Kathleen Vogel, a biochemist/social scientist at NC State who focuses on biosecurity issues. "The policy community is engaged in a long-running debate on how and whether synthetic biology should be governed or regulated to protect public well-being without stifling science and innovation." Synthetic biology involves the design of new biological components, devices or systems that don't exist in nature, or the redesign of existing natural biological systems. Synthetic biology aims to make biological systems work more efficiently or to design biological tools for specific applications such as developing more effective antibiotics. To address the security question, Vogel looked at how easily synthetic biology results could be replicated. Specifically, she looked at how technological advances diffuse and … Continue reading →

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Those Pesky House Flies May Actually Improve Our Health

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

TIME Health Research Those Pesky House Flies May Actually Improve Our Health Getty Images According to new research in 'Genome Biology' The house fly is a rarely celebrated insect, but new research published Tuesday finally provides the pest with some positive recognition. The house fly (Musca domestica) has a genome that could actually give scientists insight into pathogen immunity, helping humans live healthier lives, researchers write in the journal Genome Biology. And its all because of their, well, gross-factor. Since the house fly lives on animal and human waste, according to Science Daily, [t]hey are an important species for scientific study because of their roles as waste decomposers and as carriers of over 100 human diseases, including typhoid, tuberculosis and worms. Their immunity system genes can be studied to help humans be healthier in toxic and disease causing environments, the researchers add, and detoxification genes could help scientists find better ways to manage toxic environments. Originally posted here: Those Pesky House Flies May Actually Improve Our Health … Continue reading →

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Bioengineering – University of Washington

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Department Overview N107 William H. Foege Building Bioengineering encompasses a wide range of activities in which the disciplines of engineering and biological or medical science intersect. Such multidisciplinary endeavors are yielding new discoveries and major advances that are revolutionizing the healthcare system. The Department of Bioengineering, housed jointly in the School of Medicine and the College of Engineering, provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program of education and research and is recognized as a leading bioengineering program in the world. Major areas of research and education include biomaterials and regenerative medicine, molecular and cellular engineering, technology for expanding access to healthcare, instrumentation, imaging and image-guided therapy, and systems, synthetic, and quantitative biology. Adviser N107 William H. Foege Building, Box 355061 (206) 685-2000 bioeng@uw.edu depts.washington.edu/bioe/programs/bachelors/bs.html The Bioengineering Program offers the following programs of study: Suggested First- and Second-Year College Courses: CHEM 142, CHEM 152, and CHEM 162 (or CHEM 144, CHEM 154, and CHEM 164); CSE 142, English composition, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, PHYS 121. Admission is competitive. Students may be admitted at three different points. Consult the department's website for more information. Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering Option (NME): Admission to the NME option for bioengineering majors is by self-selection and … Continue reading →

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Scientists identify potential cause for 40 percent of pre-term births

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 13-Oct-2014 Contact: Will Hoyles w.hoyles@qmul.ac.uk 44-777-251-2519 Queen Mary, University of London @QMUL Scientists from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and UCL (University College London) have identified what they believe could be a cause of pre-term premature rupture of the fetal membrane (PPROM), which accounts for 40 per cent of pre-term births, and is the main reason for infant death world-wide. The researchers, whose work was funded by the charity Wellbeing of Women, used bioengineering techniques to test the effect of repetitive stretch on tissues of the amniotic membrane which surrounds and protects the baby prior to birth. They found that stretching of the amniotic membrane leads to the overproduction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which is damaging to both the cells, and mechanical structure, of the tissue. This overproduction activates the stretch-sensitive protein connexin 43 (Cx43) and reduces the mechanical properties of the membrane, potentially leading to rupture and pre-term birth. The research, published today (Monday) by the journal Placenta, is the first study to investigate the role of Cx43 in causing PPROM. The team are now researching possible treatments that would allow the amniotic membrane to be repaired, through successful funding by the Rosetrees Trust. Co-author … Continue reading →

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11. Professor Mark Kendall: Team Brisbane

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Brisbane scientist Professor Mark Kendall and his team invented the Nanopatch. Photo: Jeremy Patten/ University of Queensland It's the Brisbane invention that has the potential to save millions of lives across the globe. But while Professor Mark Kendall of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is the public face of the revolutionary Nanopatch, it has taken a vast team of researchers from a range of disciplines to bring the groundbreaking vaccination technology to fruition. Professor Kendall's invention, which has been a decade in development, has been heralded a vaccine utopia. A microscopic view of the nanopatch. Photo: Jeremy Patten/ University of Queensland Nanopatch is a needle-less strip smaller than a postage stamp that has thousands of microscopic points that can inject a vaccine into the skin. Advertisement The technology eliminates the requirement for needles, as well as the need to refrigerate vaccines, which reduces the implementation cost from $50 to just 50 cents. It also requires a much smaller dosage than needle delivery. The Nanopatch has thousands of microscopic points, which can inject disease-breaking vaccines into the skin. Photo: Jeremy Patten/ University of Queensland View post: 11. Professor Mark Kendall: Team Brisbane … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a Dark Age: Why It Happened History – Video

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Anatomy of a Dark Age: Why It Happened History Why are Dark Ages so hard to shake, check it out here. By: Reality Blog … Continue reading →

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Greys Anatomy season 11, episode 4 stills and synopsis tease secrets from the past

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Check out the still and synopsis for Greys Anatomy season 11, episode 4, Only Mama Knows, to find out what Meredith is obsessing over! This week on Greys Anatomy Meredith and Derek will continue to walk a delicate path in their marriage. Tension will arise when Meredith feels like Derek is waiting for her to fail. She tells him just to go take the job he wants in D.C. and Derek compares her to Ellis. Meredith will also be looking into her mothers past, trying to find out the truth. But Meredith might not like what she finds when digs back into Ellis old journals. Even if she can indeed verify that Maggie is her biological half-sister, does she want that kind of relationship again? Her last close family relative, Lexie, died in a way that scarred Meredith for life. And with Maggie feeling betrayed by Richard, it doesnt seem like she has a whole lot to stay for anymore. Her only two living biological family members have burned bridges with Maggie. Will she leave before things can be fixed? On top of all that, Meredith will be dealing with a very young patient who shows up at the hospital … Continue reading →

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Employers asked to open their eyes to job seekers who are vision impaired

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

Much to offer: Scott Grimley has overcome obstacles to build a successful career at the National Museum of Australia. Photo: Rohan Thomson Scott Grimley is a valued employee of the National Museum of Australia. He is also legally blind. Despite being declared legally blind 16 years ago due to a condition Retinitis Pigmentosa, his vision impairment hasn't stopped the 43-year-old from building a successful career. Since joining the museum 14 years ago, Mr Grimley has held five different roles, earned several promotions and is now the diversity and wellbeing officer. He believes employers have a lot to gain from hiring people who are blind or visually impaired. Advertisement "You may find your staff are a bit more aware of workplace health and safety and you may find that staff are a bit more aware of customer needs," he said. Mr Grimley admits he struggled to find employment in the early days of losing his sight and spent several years unemployed despite applying for a variety of roles he felt capable of doing. With the support of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Mr Grimley accessed mobility training to use a white cane and a Miniguide - a hand-held sonar-driven device that vibrates when … Continue reading →

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'Bionic eye' helps blind man see after 33 years

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

A North Carolina man who's been blind for 33 years recently got his sight back with the help of a groundbreaking "bionic eye." Larry Hester lost the ability to see after being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa -- a disease that slowly wore down his retinas-- in his early 30s, according to the Duke University Eye Center. There's no known cure, so the 66-year-old tire salesman has been in the dark for more than half of his life. In September, an electronic stimulator was surgically implanted in Hester's left eye. The result? Light. And lots of it. "Yes. Oh my goodness. Yes!" Hester exclaims in a video after doctors ask if he can see anything. His ecstatic wife runs over and kisses him. While Hester's vision will never fully return, he hopes it will improve enough that he can distinguish between doors and walls. Watch the video below or by tapping here: Link: 'Bionic eye' helps blind man see after 33 years … Continue reading →

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Stamping down on eye disease

Posted: Published on October 14th, 2014

A WINTERBOURNE couple who act as co-ordinators for a charity fighting blindness have helped launch an appeal for used stamps. Ron and Gina Pritchard work to make more people in South Gloucestershire aware of the disease retinitis pigmentosa, which is known as RP and leads to loss of vision and blindness. The organisation RP Fighting Blindness also raises money for vital research aimed at finding a treatment or cure for the 25,000 people in the UK alone who are affected by the condition. The appeal involves supporters tearing off stamps from letters and sending them to the charity via the Pritchards so they can be sold on to stamp dealers. Anyone who wants to get involved should tear off the corner of envelopes bearing the stamp rather than peeling or steaming them off and send them to 22 Huckford Road, Winterbourne, Bristol, BS36 1EA. The couple also give talks to local groups about RP. Any organisation that would like to hear more about the disease should phone 01454 772927. More: Stamping down on eye disease … Continue reading →

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