03 2010
Research about Brazilian marine biodiversity brings researchers from 5 countries together
The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) presents the Marine Biodiversity Workshop: Recent Improvements in Bioprospection, Biogeography and Phylogeography to be held on September 9 and 10. This scientific meeting is intended to stimulate the formation of research groups involving both Brazilian and foreign scientists towards the development of research on bioprospection, geographic distribution of sea organisms in the Brazilian Coast as well as the search for natural bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical production.
The Marine Biodiversity Workshop also proposes research incentives for the production of data to support the making of laws about the use and protection of diverse marine biomes such as the ones that have already been created in the State of São Paulo with data produced since 1999 by the Biota-FAPESP Program for terrestrial biomes.
02 2010
Why fish oils work against diabetes
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
The discovery could lead to development of a simple dietary remedy for many of the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes and other conditions.
Writing in the advance online edition of the September 3 issue of the journal Cell, Jerrold Olefsky, MD, and colleagues identified a key receptor on macrophages abundantly found in obese body fat. Obesity and diabetes are closely correlated. The scientists say omega-3 fatty acids activate this macrophage receptor, resulting in broad anti-inflammatory effects and improved systemic insulin sensitivity.
02 2010
Shellfish make great plastic; Research out of Australia
Biodegradable plastic bags are still a rarity and a long way from replacing the tough conventional plastic variety manufactured from non-renewable resources.
It is this toughness, or durability, that still makes conventional bags the norm and a worsening environmental headache. Plastic packaging accounts for up to 25 per cent of Australia’s municipal landfill.
Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology believe science might offer a solution. The university is supporting two research projects investigating bioplastics: one into the use of ingredients from renewable sources, and another into the properties of biopolymers that determine their ‘compostability’.
The two projects have brought together Swinburne PhD students Suchetana Chattopadhyay and Cameron Way, who are examining the properties of bioplastics as part of their respective PhD studies. The Director of Swinburne’s Environment and Biotechnology Centre, Associate Professor Palombo, is co-supervisor for both students and describes their work as among the most exciting applied projects he has encountered during his 20-year research career.
Chitin is the world’s second-most abundant natural polymer and is mostly derived from shellfish waste, but also includes the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects and spiders.
In collaboration with an industry partner, Ms Chattopadhyay has provided the first direct evidence of true biodegradability in novel, chitin-based polymers.
02 2010
Microalgae Industry Internet Directory Launched
Through genetic engineering many companies and scientists are trying to develop transgenic micro algae for the commercial use. Thus the content of oil or the yield of carotenoids and dyes should be enhanced as well as the production of proteins through micro algae should be facilitated
Furthermore, the biotechnology of micro algae is developing a solution to use micro algae for the commercial production of biodiesel in an industrial scale. At this point, it exists an interface between genetic modifications of micro algae, because the directed production of suitable long-chain hydrocarbons in micro algae could lead to higher yields for the production of bio diesel.
Based on a recent internet search, Prof. Dr. Gerd Kloeck / Professor of Bioprocess Engineering / Hochschule Bremen – Bremen, Germany, presents a list of algae producers and companies currently developing production technology. This list doesn’t claim to be complete yet. It is, however, the most comprehensive web directory of this industry publicly available.
02 2010
Maryland Aquarium Unveils New Conservation Center, Expanding Research
The National Aquarium is set Thursday to unveil its new Conservation Center, established to focus the institution’s work in marine conservation and research, and to expand its scope to a national and global stage.
In cooperation with scientists at aquariums and universities here and across the country, the center’s researchers are already at work tracking contaminants from the BP oil well blowout, and studying threatened eagle rays. The center will also dedicate itself to the study and protection of dolphins and other small marine mammals, and advocate for an end to the collection of these species from the wild for display.
The Conservation Center has begun to provide funding for research in cooperation with scientists at institutions such as the New England Aquarium in Boston, the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla., and the University of Maryland Center of Marine Biotechnology.
01 2010
Algenics Signs With Roquette For The Development Of An Innovative Microalgae Strain For High Value Industrial Uses
ALGENICS SAS has announced that it has signed a new cooperation contract with the ROQUETTE Group for the development of an innovative microalgae strain capable of producing high levels of a metabolite for high value industrial uses. The two-year programme is based on the use of ALGENICS’ genetic engineering platform, AlgebiosysTM, and is coupled with the signature of a licensing agreement for use of the technology. The financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed.
01 2010
US DOE to Host Series of Biomass Program Webinars: Algae Webinar Sept. 8
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Biomass Program is hosting a Webinar on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, from 2:00–4:30 p.m. EDT entitled “The Promise and Challenge of Algae as a Renewable Source of Biofuels.” This Web conference marks the first in the Biomass Program’s Webinar series, which will cover many of the program’s activities and feature “Hot Topics” discussions relevant to the development of renewable fuels, power, and products from biomass resources.
This Webinar will focus on the program’s approach to algal biofuels research and development and will include presentations from four of its recently funded consortia, comprised of more than 65 partners across the United States. This session will also discuss highlights from the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, which was released by DOE in June 2010.
The Biomass Program welcomes interested stakeholders from industry, academia, research institutions, government, non-profits, other organizations, and the general public. Presenters include Joanne Morello of DOE’s Biomass Program and representatives from the National Alliance For Advanced Biofuels and Bio-Products (NAABB), the Center for Algae Biotechnology Commercialization (CAB-Comm), the Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium (SABC), and Cellana, LLC.
25 2010
New Jersey Uses Former Landfill Site for Algae Project
A multimillion-dollar ethanol plant is planned for a former landfill site, but members of the community can get a sneak peak of the technology in action next week. Garden State Ethanol will demonstrate extracting the fuel from algae at a prototype site located on Washington Avenue at the old Gentilini Ford building.
The USDA is scheduled to visit Woodbine next Thursday to present a check for $98,000 to begin to transform the landfill into a production facility that could employ as many as 50 people.
The facility is still more than a year away, which is why the prototype is being used to demonstrate the technology next week. “It’s going to take about a year to get permits for the site approved, and we’ll just move from there,” Mayor William Pikolycky said. When the final facility reaches full production, it’s expected that 25 million gallons of ethanol and 10 million gallons of biodiesel will be produced at the site annually.
17 2010
Chitosan-based, nanoparticle gene-silencing system blocks production of protein involved in formation of ovarian cancer cell tumor
A protein associated with cancer progression when abundant inside of tumors also unexpectedly regulates the creation of new blood vessels that feed the tumor outside, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in the August edition of Cancer Cell.
Using a chitosan-based, nanoparticle gene-silencing system to block production of the protein, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center inhibited formation of new blood vessel (angiogenesis) to the tumor and caused a steep reduction in tumor burden in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.
Study senior author Anil Sood, M.D., professor in UT MD Anderson’s departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology and co-author Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, M.D., professor in UT MD Anderson’s Department of Experimental Therapeutics, have developed delivery systems that package siRNA with a fatty ball called a liposome to silence specific genes in cancer cells.
“Those systems are quite effective for delivery to tumors and tumor cells but not as effective for delivery to tumor vasculature,” Sood said. They jointly developed a new delivery system that packages siRNA into chitosan nanoparticles. Chitosan is derived from a chitin, a structural component in the shells of crustaceans.
Chitosan nanoparticles carry a slight positive electrical charge, making them attractive to the mostly negatively charged endothelial cells. The nanoparticles penetrate the tumor by way of its vasculature, so the new system hits both targets.
The nanoparticles accumulate in the cancer cell and vasculature passively as they circulate in the blood stream. Chitosan nanoparticles are so small that they can flow through tiny holes in the tumor vasculature. They also accumulate in other organs, so the researchers are working to add a targeting molecule that will limit nanoparticle uptake to tumors and their vasculature.
17 2010
International Seafood & Health Conference & Exhibition – Australia, November 6 – 10, 2010
It is important to understand that this is not a fisheries conference, it is a health conference, but one where the participants all share a common interest and will communicate information about the very latest medical research into all health aspects of the benefits of seafood. New discoveries and a deeper understanding of the health benefits of seafood are occurring at a rapid rate and this conference will highlight the very latest information available.
It is anticipated to attract up to 1,000 participants made up of the world’s leading health researchers, environmental researchers, medical practitioners, nutrition educators and policy-makers, probably some 50 or more countries will be represented, from the Americas and Europe to Asia and the South Pacific.
The conference will be supported by a Trade display of industry, scientific and health/environment exhibitors to ensure the attendees leave with the very latest knowledge in all these important areas. The conference program will embrace the public health and wellbeing by seeking presenters to deliver the latest development of these types of subjects: Obesity, Child Nutrition, Brain Nutrition, Health Benefits of Fish Consumption, Nutrition and Public Health, The role of fish and seafood in human cognitive development, Diabetes, Heart Health, education issues in nutrition and public health, and importantly Sustainability of Fisheries Resources and the future of aquaculture.
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- New Aker JV to acquire EPAX in €70 million deal
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- Research about Brazilian marine biodiversity brings researchers from 5 countries together
- Why fish oils work against diabetes
- Shellfish make great plastic; Research out of Australia
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