Has DD Gone full circle?

Drug Design On The Fast Track

by Stu Borman

Drug Discovery: Computer modeling approach zeroes in on compounds that can hit multiple targets and avoid side effects

First Genetically evolved semiconductor

Scientists synthesize first genetically evolved semiconductor material

In the not-too-distant future, scientists may be able to use DNA to grow their own specialized materials, thanks to the concept of directed evolution. University of California, Santa Barbara scientists have, for the first time, used genetic engineering and molecular evolution to develop the enzymatic synthesis of a semiconductor. ( The R&D Daily edition) Read/Comment

The age of telekinesis??

Thoughts apparently CAN control the actions of robots. This has recently been shown with a tiny implant in work that has been recently published.

Antifogging Nanostructured coating for glass

A new way of creating surface textures on glass, developed by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), virtually eliminates reflections, producing glass that is almost unrecognizable because of its absence of glare—and whose surface causes water droplets to bounce right off. From R&D News Thursday Apr 26,2012

Composite self-assembling nanowires

Researchers from CNRS and the Université de Strasbourg, headed by Nicolas Giuseppone and Bernard Doudin, have succeeded in making highly conductive plastic fibers that are only several nanometers thick. These nanowires, for which CNRS has filed a patent, “self-assemble” when triggered by a flash of light. R&D Daily Apr.23,2012

Business Ettiquette Guidelines

Some interesting and timeless guideposts for those of us in business.

Merck’s New Model For Collaboration

Merck’s New Model For Collaboration: Drug Discovery: Pact with Scripps researcher will draw ideas from academia

Opioid Receptors Revealed

Opioid Receptors Revealed: Structural Biology: Teams unveil structures of membrane proteins involved in pain, pleasure signaling
 

Coated Glass Fibers Make Power From Heat

Coated Glass Fibers Make Power From Heat: Energy Conversion: Flexible fibers coated with thermoelectric lead telluride nanocrystals could convert waste heat into electricity

It's Not a Job Search, It's a Permanent Campaign

It's Not a Job Search, It's a Permanent Campaign:

Unfortunately, it's not enough just to worry about it at "election time" — i.e., when you're seeking a promotion or looking for a new job. The permanent campaign truly is ongoing, and all successful candidates (of the job or political variety) need to recognize a few new truths:
Your reputation precedes you.
If you're invisible, you're probably a fraud.
You progress or you stagnate.

Putting forward your personal brand requires ongoing vigilance. What are your campaign strategies?

This post is part of the special series The New Rules for Getting a Job.

Biological Nanopore Sequencer. The future is here.

March 27, 2012, 06:21 AM EST GEN Highlights March 23–29, 2012
Biological Nanopore Sequencing Platform Reads DNA at Single-Nucleotide Resolution

System combines MspA nanopore with bacteriophage DNA polymerase to control translocation of nucleotides.

Nano Pore based Sensors are here.

March 19, 2012, 08:20 AM EST
Preamplified Nanopore Senses Briefest Signals Generated by High-Speed DNA

Researchers integrated CMOS amplifier into solid-stage sensor platform.

March 16, 2012, 09:30 AM EST 

Solid-State Nanopore Platform Created for Sensitive, Selective Single Molecule Protein Detection

Studies demonstrate technology can be modified to detect just about any protein ligand.

Cheek Progenitor Cells Found to Be Vastly More Potent at Immunosuppression than Bone Marrow MSCs

GEN News Highlights: Mar 22, 2012: Scientists claim clonally derived OMLP-PCs could have wide-reaching applications for cell therapy and could be better than Bone Marrow derived Stem Cells for Host-vs-Graft.

Windows can be solar electricity generators

Thanks to some great research at Flinders University R&D Newsletter reports a new carbon nanotube-based relatively transparent solar cell that can be sandwiched between clear glass plates and made into a window pane economically.Highrises that generate their own power cannot be far off.

Ionic Membranes could help fuel cells

From the March Issue of Chemical and Engineering News comes a report that new ruthenium containing polymeric membranes could significantly increase the functional capabilities of membranes in fuel cells.

Arctic Flounder Antifreeze proten watch out!

Xylomannan was first reported in 2009, and has been shown to be amongst the most active insect antifreezes found to date. Antifreeze compounds, which are also known as thermal hysteresis factors (THFs), protect the insects' cells from damage as temperatures fall and ice crystals begin to form. THFs seem to work by sticking to the surface of nascent ice crystals and somehow stopping them from growing, protecting nearby cell membranes from being punctured by needles of ice. (R&D New March 2 2012 Issue)

"New" approach to HIV vaccine?

Ralph Pantophlet, a Faculty of Health Sciences assistant professor, and Kate Auyeung, his senior research assistant and lab manager at (Simon Fraser University) SFU, and scientists in Italy have made a breakthrough discovery about Rhizobium radiobacter.
Pantophlet and his colleagues believe the sugar molecules on Rhizobium radiobacter could be used to trigger our immune system to immediately recognize those on HIV, prompting more immediate awareness of the virus’ invasion. (from Infection Control Today )

Biofuel Investments.

Biofuel Digest reportsed that advanced biofuels and biomaterials companies raised $1.374 B in equity financing in the past 12 months. Overall, the Digest reported 33 transactions, including five successful IPOs, in eight categories. (thanks to Checkmate Public Affairs for this alert)

Fungal sources of biofuel Starting Materials ( from the AUTM Newsletter)

Fungus research at Montana State could help biofuels production
Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Yellowstone's hot springs are a haven for researchers interested in the prevalence of life in some of the world's harshest environments. An acid-tolerant fungus living in the hot springs has researchers at Montana State University excited. The oil the fungus produces contains a ratio of oleic and steric acids that's nearly ideal for biofuels. FULL ARTICLE

Ethanol from Pines

UGA researchers develop 'super' yeast that turns pine into ethanol

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a "super strain" of yeast that can efficiently ferment ethanol from pretreated pine-one of the most common species of trees in Georgia and the U.S.  (thanks to Jeff Chatterton at www.checkmatebio.com.

The balance between IP rights and Access. (from AUTM Newsletter Jan 12, 2012.)

US competitiveness report shows struggle with balance of IP and access
Intellectual Property Watch
A new report from the United States Department of Commerce on competitiveness and innovation details the U.S. needs to boost innovation in order to compete globally and grow the economy. But while it stresses the need for strong intellectual property rights enforcement to create high-priced monopolies as an incentive for innovation, it also acknowledges that access to inexpensive technology and ideas is key to innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, it shows that the rise in IP rights in recent years has been accompanied by a drop in innovation.

BAL launches seaweed biofuels pilot plant in Chile: next phase in chase for low-carbon fuels

BAL launches seaweed biofuels pilot plant in Chile: next phase in chase for low-carbon fuels 

 In Chile, Bio Architecture Lab broke ground on an experimental pilot facility producing ethanol from Macrocystis pyrifera (brown seaweed); to date, it is believed that only BAL’s technology can metabolize all the sugars in the feedstock, which contains up to 60 percent fermentable carbohydrates, has no lignin, does not require arable land use or freshwater to grow. (from www.checkmatebio.com )

Research Funding Cuts in Ontario

Ontario announced today that it would cut funding for research in universities and hospitals. Is this a sign of things to come in other provinces?

TED: Paddy Ashdown: The global power shift - Paddy Ashdown (2011)

TED: Paddy Ashdown: The global power shift - Paddy Ashdown (2011): Paddy Ashdown claims that we are living in a moment in history where power is changing in ways it never has before. In a spellbinding talk at TEDxBrussels he outlines the three major global shifts that he sees coming.

Executive Named New Head of Five-Member Canadian Wheat Board

A Regina business executive has been named chairman of the new, five-member Canadian Wheat Board.

Merck Plans R&D Center in China

Merck Plans R&D Center in China: Pharmaceuticals: Beijing will be U.S. firm’s R&D headquarters in Asia

Anode Material Could Help Lithium-ion Batteries Last Longer

Anode Material Could Help Lithium-ion Batteries Last Longer: Battery Materials: Tiny porous germanium particles hold promise for high-energy batteries

When Viruses Invade the Brain

When Viruses Invade the Brain:

Neurodegenerative diseases were once considered disorders of the mind, rooted in psychology. Now viruses rank among the environmental factors thought to trigger brain-ravaging diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), in particular, has been linked to MS in past studies. Neuroscientist Steven Jacobson and his colleagues at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke have determined that the virus makes its entry to the human brain through the olfactory pathway, right along with the odors wafting into our nose.

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Solar Paint Converts Light to Electricity

Solar Paint Converts Light to Electricity:

Instead of installing solar panels on your roof--how about just giving your house a new paint job? Of course you’d have to be sure to use solar paint. That’s what a group of Notre Dame researchers has created, detailing the recipe in the journal ACS Nano . [Matthew P. Genovese, Ian V. Lightcap, and Prashant V. Kamat, " Sun-Believable Solar Paint. a Transformative One-Step Approach for Designing Nanocrystalline Solar Cells "]

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Charges Brought In UCLA lab Death

Charges Brought In UCLA lab Death: Lab Safety: UC system, professor face felony counts in death of Sheri Sangji

This is quite a serious event. It may well redefine the Prof/student relationship for everyone.

Carbon Layer Lubricates All-Metal Hips

Carbon Layer Lubricates All-Metal Hips: Discovery could lead to longer-lasting hip implants