GreenBio News - Last 20 News Articles with full text

Quest for Edible Malarial Vaccine Leads to Other Potential Medical Uses for Algae

2013-05-17T15:46:53+02:00 GMT

Can scientists rid malaria from the Third World by simply feeding algae genetically engineered with a vaccine?

That's the question biologists at UC San Diego sought to answer after they demonstrated last May that algae can be engineered to produce a vaccine that blocks malaria transmission. In a follow up study, published online today in the scientific journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, they got their answer: Not yet, although the same method may work as a vaccine against a wide variety of viral and bacterial infections.

New grass hybrid could help reduce the likelihood of flooding

2013-05-17T15:44:26+02:00 GMT

The BBSRC-funded scientists, from Rothamsted Research, the James Hutton Institute, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University, Lancaster University and the University of Nottingham, used a hybridised species of grass called perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) with a closely related species called meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis).

They hoped to integrate the rapid establishment and growth rate of the ryegrass with the large, well developed root systems and efficient water capture of the meadow fescue.

Global research team decodes genome sequence of 90 chickpea lines

2013-05-17T15:41:20+02:00 GMT

Hyderabad, India, and Shenzhen, In a scientific breakthrough that promises improved grain yields and quality, greater drought tolerance and disease resistance, and enhanced genetic diversity, a global research team has completed high-quality sequencing of not one but ninety genomes of chickpea.

Genetically modified tobacco plants produce antibodies to treat rabies

2013-05-17T15:37:48+02:00 GMT

Bethesda, MD - Smoking tobacco might be bad for your health, but a genetically altered version of the plant might provide a relatively inexpensive cure for the deadly rabies virus.

In a new research report appearing in The FASEB Journal, scientists produced a monoclonal antibody in transgenic tobacco plants that was shown to neutralize the rabies virus. This new antibody works by preventing the virus from attaching to nerve endings around the bite site and keeps the virus from traveling to the brain.

Food science expert: Genetically modified crops are overregulated

2013-05-16T14:23:01+02:00 GMT

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - It has been almost 20 years since the first genetically modified foods showed up in produce aisles throughout the United States and the rest of the world, but controversy continues to surround the products and their regulation.

Bruce Chassy, a professor emeritus of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, believes that after thousands of research studies and worldwide planting, "genetically modified foods pose no special risks to consumers or the environment" and are overregulated.

"Growing" medicines in plants requires new regulations

2013-05-16T14:21:15+02:00 GMT

Scientists say amending an EU directive on GMOs could help stimulate innovation in making vaccines, cheaper pharmaceuticals and organic plastics using plants.

In a paper to be published in Current Pharmaceutical Design, six scientists from the US and Europe compare risk assessment and regulation between the two continents. They will run a web chat on the subject with Sense About Science from 12-1 on Wednesday 20th February.

IBio Collaborates with Caliber on Plant-Based Production Technology

2013-05-16T14:19:00+02:00 GMT

iBio signed a license and collaboration agreement with Caliber Biotherapeutics for the development and production of recombinant plant-based biopharmaceuticals using iBioLaunch technology and Caliber’s plant-based manufacturing capabilities.

Fighting GM crop vandalism with a government-protected research site

2013-05-16T14:16:46+02:00 GMT

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been a source of great controversy - particularly in Europe - but acts of vandalism and associated security costs have made scientific evidence about the health and ecological impacts of those crops hard to come by.

A Swiss government-protected field site dedicated for use in GM crop studies could serve as an example to other European countries interested in pursuing crop biotechnology, according to an article published in Trends in Biotechnology, a Cell Press publication, on February 28.

University of Toronto-led study provides new insight into photosynthesis

2013-05-16T14:14:47+02:00 GMT

TORONTO, ON - Pigments found in plants and purple bacteria employed to provide protection from sun damage do more than just that.

Researchers from the University of Toronto and University of Glasgow have found that they also help to harvest light energy during photosynthesis.

Advance in re-engineering photosynthesis to make drugs, compounds or ingredients

2013-04-05T12:25:06+02:00 GMT

Scientists are reporting an advance in re-engineering photosynthesis to transform plants into bio-factories that manufacture high-value ingredients for medicines, fabrics, fuels and other products.

They report on the research in the journal ACS Synthetic Biology.

Poul Erik Jensen and colleagues explain that photosynthesis does more than transform carbon dioxide and water into sugar and oxygen and generate energy.

Monsanto Acquires Plant Trait Developer Rosetta Green

2013-04-05T12:21:52+02:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Monsanto Company today announced it has completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets, and assumption of certain liabilities, of Rosetta Green Ltd.

DEKALB Root System Delivers Deeper Roots To Help Plants Withstand Drought Stress This Planting Season

2013-04-05T12:20:19+02:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - With the effects of last season's drought still being felt in many states, farmers are looking for ways to help mitigate risk as they head into planting season.

Farmers across the Corn-Growing Area have selected DEKALB drought-tolerant corn plants with deep, strong root structures to help withstand drought conditions and reduce yield loss.

Scientists Improve Transgenic 'Enviropigs'

2013-04-05T12:16:51+02:00 GMT

A research team at the University of Guelph has developed a new line of transgenic "Enviropigs."

The new line of pigs is called the Cassie line, and it is known for passing genes on more reliably. The results of this project were published ahead of print in the Journal of Animal Science.

Indirect Side-Effects of the Cultivation of Genetically Modified Plants

2013-04-05T12:14:39+02:00 GMT

Genetically modified Bt cotton plants contain a poison that protects them from their most significant enemies.

As a result, these plants rely less on their own defence system. This benefits other pests, such as aphids. These insights stem from a study supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

Multi-Toxin Biotech Crops Not Silver Bullets, Scientists Warn

2013-04-04T17:01:34+02:00 GMT

The popular new strategy of planting genetically engineered crops that make two or more toxins to fend off insect pests rests on assumptions that don't always apply, UA researchers have discovered.

Their study helps explain why one major pest is evolving resistance much faster than predicted and offers ideas for more sustainable pest control.

Monsanto Company's Global Business Performance Drives Increased Full-Year Earnings Outlook

2013-04-04T16:56:10+02:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - With half of its fiscal year complete, Monsanto Company announced that the continued strength of its growing global business delivered another strong quarter for its fiscal year 2013 and translated to a second consecutive quarterly increase in full-year ongoing and as-reported earnings per share guidance.

Biosecurity standards launched for sheep, goat farms

2013-04-04T16:49:45+02:00 GMT

Voluntary made-in-Canada standards, compiling best-management practices needed for farm-level biosecurity, have been rolled out for use on Canadian sheep and goat operations, with the stated aim of sharpening a competitive edge.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency launched the new national standards for goat and sheep farms respectively, laying out specific practices each sector can follow to set up or improve existing farm-level biosecurity and prevent or cut the risk of on-farm disease transmission.

Monsanto Ground Breakers Program Participants Gather To Receive Training On New Crop Technology

2013-04-04T16:46:33+02:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Farmers and seed dealers from major U.S. crop production regions recently gathered in St. Louis and Peoria, Ill. for "Monsanto Ground Breakers Week.

" The nearly 250 farmers in attendance are part of Monsanto's on-farm trial program, Ground Breakers, experiencing two new innovations from Monsanto: Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, and FieldScripts.

A Long-Sought Goal: Crystallizing an Elusive Protein

2013-04-04T16:34:46+02:00 GMT

A U.S. Department of Agriculture scientist and his colleagues have opened the door to development of more heat-tolerant crops by crystallizing a plant protein that plays a key role in photosynthesis.

Hybrid selection anything but simple with all the new traits

2013-01-28T17:36:27+01:00 GMT

In today’s transgenic era, there’s nothing simple about picking corn hybrids.

UW-Madison corn agronomist Joe Lauer provided some insights at UW Agronomy Update Meetings held across the state earlier this month. He shared an “honor roll” of last year’s top performers and reminded producers to only “buy the traits you need.”