CONTENTS Jul-Aug 2000
IN THE NEWS
Cancer cell growth related to plump fruits and vegetables Ö Genserve labs for testing of GM plants Ö Biotech research centres band together in Ireland Ö Research agreement for crop-protecting antimicrobials Ö Transgene and IntroGene to develop adenoviral vectors Ö InterLink Biotechnologies invests in new company Ö High-density gene markers Ö Researchers map DNA of rare species Ö Collaboration to create human full-length sequences Ö Shanta Biotech picks up stake in ABL Biotech Ö Edible vaccines Ö Proteomics: the next frontier Ö Plant-gene expression database completed Ö New vaccines for cholera and HIV Ö Antagonist drugs for asthma
INVENTIONS/NEW PRODUCTS
New gene detection system Ö First patent for bacterial vector technology awarded Ö Microarray technology speeds up cancer target discovery Ö Recombinant protein purification technology Ö Novel bioreactor Ö Acne-elimination using biotechnology Ö New test kit for HIV Ö New assay to detect Helicobacter pylori Ö New selectable marker Ö Non-invasive meyhod to overcome blood-brain barrier
R&D IDEAS
Phytochemicals found in applies provide health benefits Ö Researchers unravel RNA polymerase structure Ö Adjuvant maintains immune response of HIV vaccine Ö Glutathione transporter gene cloned from yeast Ö BLADS genes standardized Ö A small success for gene therapy Ö Carotenoid-rich tomato Ö Gene therapy alternative to HAART for HIV Ö Microarrays get into print
MEDICAL BIOTECH
Hyperactive molecular switch causes malignant cell growth Ö Blueprint for tuberculosis vaccine development Ö Gene therapy for Fabry disease patented Ö New clot-dissolver developed using recombinant technology
AGRI BIOTECH
Genetically engineered tobacco plants Ö Super strawberry by genetic engineering Ö New biocontrol for fire ants Ö Promoter for regulating plant gene expression
BIOREMEDIATION
GM rice developed to curb global warming Ö Microbial decomposition of nonylphenols identified
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