Archive for January, 2010
31 2010
Scripps researchers win race to synthesize marine natural product Palau’amine
The compound Palau’amine, discovered in 1993, is so chemically complex that finding a way to produce it in the laboratory became the most hotly pursued synthetic chemistry goal in modern history. Groups around the globe dedicated millions to the challenge, but it is a team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute that has finally completed the quest.
31 2010
GRC hosts Marine Natural Products conference in California, Feb 2010
The mission of the 2010 MNP GRC is to bring traditional participants in this area, including natural products chemists, synthetic chemists and marine biologists, together with specialists in newly emerging areas of marine microbiology, molecular biology, genetic engineering and genomics in a highly interactive forum where new avenues of research will be developed.
Applications for this meeting must be submitted by February 7, 2010.
31 2010
Microbial products being developed to combat invasive mussels in open water situations
Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) announces it will join forces with SePRO Corporation (SePRO), to develop MBI’s microbial‐based product, Zequanox, for use in controlling invasive mussel species in open water situations. Invasive mussel populations have been widespread in the Great Lakes and Midwest regions of North America for two decades. More recently, quagga mussels have established themselves in the Colorado River and are rapidly spreading to other water bodies in western states.
31 2010
Collaboraton working with deep sea microorganisms for agriculture solutions
Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc. (MBI), is collaborating with the laboratories of research microbiologist Dr. Paul Jensen and Professor William Fenical at the University of California at San Diego, Scripps Institute, to find deep sea microorganisms with potential applications for pest management. UC’s Industry University Cooperative Research Program (IUCRP) awarded Dr. Jensen’s Lab a Discovery Grant for the joint project.
Dr. Jensen’s lab collaborates with the lab of Dr. William Fenical who is internationally recognized for significant discoveries of new pharmaceutical compounds from naturally occurring marine microorganisms. MBI is also developing a novel marine microorganism discovered by Dupont and Biomar, S.A. for use as a rice herbicide.
28 2010
Federal stimulus dollars go to cooperative group targeting discovery of marine-derived anticancer leads
The overall goal of the National Cooperative Drug Discovery Group (NCDDG) program is to discover marine natural product leads for cancer chemotherapy. There are four laboratory programs operating in a close and synergistic fashion as follows:
- Lab Program #1 led by Prof. Phillip Crews (PI of this NCDDG), University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)
- Lab Program #2 led by Prof. William Gerwick, Oregon State University (OSU)
- Lab Program #3 led by Dr. Amy Wright, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI)
- Lab Program #4 led by Prof. William Fenical, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego (SIO-UCSD).
| Amount of Award: | $273,147 |
| Award Date: | 09/25/2009 |
28 2010
Fish Byproducts used to exterminate rats in Philippines
Fish paste, a fish by-product, has been proven an effective rat exterminator, particularly with its somehow offensive odor that attracts rodents like commercially produced chemicals, agriculture officials in the Philippines say.
28 2010
US West Coast Companies Partner to Produce Biochemicals from Microalgae
Under a new partnership, Seattle-based Blue Marble Energy Corp. will produce its biochemicals using a supply of microalgae from algae producer Bionavitas, Redmond, Washington.
28 2010
Biodiesel catalyst technology company announces new algae project
Biodiesel catalyst technology company Catilin Inc. announced a new three-year, $5.3 million project as part of the $44 million U.S. DOE Investment for Advanced Biofuels Research and Fueling Infrastructure award made to Catilin’s consortium, National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts.
Catilin and its partner, Iowa State University-Center for Catalysis, will provide key extraction, sequestration and conversion technologies. The NAABB consortium is made up of 26 groups from both the private and public sector and is led by the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
24 2010
Australian researchers work with Crab shells to develop odor-repellent fabrics for car seats
RMIT University researchers in Australia are using a natural biopolymer found in crustaceans to create odour-repellent fabrics for use in the automotive industry.
The researchers are studying how specialised fabrics could provide smart solutions for car interiors, resisting odors and staying cleaner for longer.
For the anti-odor research, various fragrance oils were applied to 100 per cent polyester woven automotive fabric – the predominant fabric used in the industry – in combination with chitosan.
Chitosan, a natural biopolymer sourced from the structural element in the exoskeleton of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps, was selected because of its filmforming ability and antimicrobial attributes.
The study found combining chitosan with the fragrance oil produced a durable fragrance finish in the fabric and gave it excellent antimicrobial properties.
14 2010
UK’s marine science sector flourishing
The UK’s marine science sector is flourishing, thanks to a solid infrastructure of marine-focussed research centres, pioneering companies and renowned universities.
Scientists at OceanLab, at the University of Aberdeen, have collaborated on projects with the University of California Scripps Institute and research contracts with the Falkland Islands government and South Georgia government. The University of Hull’s Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies has worked with clients including Fortum O&M UK, the UK subsidiary of Finnish energy company, Fortum.
A new alliance of leading Scottish marine institutions was announced in November which will receive funding of £74.7million over the next seven years from the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council. The Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MASTS) will “provide Scotland with a globally-competitive platform from which to carry out world-class scientific research, training and knowledge exchange.”
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