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Genes and biologyModern biotechnology includes a range of techniques from DNA technology, molecular and cellular biochemistry through to gene technology. Genetic modification (GM) is just one specific aspect of modern biotechnology. Links
NewsBelow are news headlines. Full articles are available from this site under the 'News, Events, Policy' heading for RSNZ members only. If you'd like to become a member or would like information on member benefits, click here.
2 April 2007: Breakthrough could mean the end of blood shortages - Scientists have developed a simple method of converting blood from group A, B or AB to group O negative that can be given to anyone 12 March 2007: Old age begets old age, study finds - Individuals with parents who reached age 85 are significantly less likely to have cardiovascular risk profiles in middle age than offspring of parents who died earlier 6 February 2006: Stem cells from fat tissue tranplanted into heart - A new treatment using liposuction to treat angina and heart disease has been carried out by cardiologists in Spain 14 January 2006: New gene linked to Alzheimer's disease identified - Abnormalities of the gene SORL1 have been found more often in people with late-onset Alzheimer's disease than in healthy people 10 December 2006: 'Inkjet' printer helps organize stem cells - Scientists hope the system will eventually make stem cells grow into complex tissues 25 October 2006: Rat study shows caffeine can affect the region of the brain associated with memory and spatial navigation - But the Otago University failed to show a biological reason for the association 20 October 2006: Women with toxoplasmosis more likely to have sons - 61 percent of babies born to infected mothers were boys 4 October 2006: Molecule blocks flu infection, US researchers say - The molecule, known as an "entry blocker," is a fragment of a larger human protein that helps things pass through membranes such as those that encapsulate cells 28 September 2006: Finger length linked to female sporting potential - Ring finger length - King's College London Twins Research Unit study 22 September 2006: Stem cells derived from 'dead' human embryo - Scientists create stem cell line using a human embryo that had stopped dividing 17 September 2006: Researchers unveil napkin to test for biohazards - US scientists have developed a paper towel embedded with microscopic fibres containing antibodies that latch on to different bacteria or viruses. 7 September 2006: Genetic map identifies close to 200 cancer genes - The first genetic map of colon and breast cancer shows that nearly 200 mutated genes - most of them previously unknown - help tumours start, grow and spread. 9 August 2006: Maori pan 'warrior' gene research - Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia comments on ESR research. 7 August 2006: Abbott won't rule out stem cell conscience vote - Australia's therapeutic cloning laws continue to divide government. 4 August 2006: Lifespans soon to be decades longer - expert - If rejuvenation therapies applied to laboratory mice can be translated to humans by 2036, a 55-year-old person might be able to expect to live another 60 years or so. 3 August 2006: Beautiful parents 'more likely to have girls' - LSE study supports the evolutionary theory that parents tend to produce children who benefit from their own attributes. 27 July 2006: Direct-to-consumer gene tests ripping off consumers - Direct-to-consumer DNA tests are promising nutrition advice customized to people's genes: but no medical value. 19 July 2006: New research points to "apartheid" in early Britain - A University College London study suggests Anglo-Saxon invaders carried out a system of apartheid by restricting intermarriage with native Britons and outbreeding them, giving rise to an ethnic divide and resulting in the abundance of Anglo-Saxon genes in England today.
11 July 2006: Auckland University neuroscientist, Bronwen Connor, discusses stem cell research. Website: www.neurological.org.nz http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/ntn/stem_cell_research 22 June 2006: Chinese scientists reveal earliest human case of bird flu - other cases attributed to Sars may have actually been H5N1 flu. 21 June 2006: Stem cell cocktail helps repair paralysis in rats - an important first step in finding a treatment for nerve-destroying illnesses, researchers say. 20 June 2006: Giant panda's future looks brighter - number of pandas living in the wild could be double that previously thought, a study of the animal's behaviour suggests. 19 June 2006: New technique could help more couples use genetic screening - preimplantation Genetic Haplotyping analyses chromosomal "markers" in DNA. 19 June 2006: Australian government expected to retain cloning ban, says there has been no scientific breakthroughs to warrant lifting the ban on therapeutic cloning. 16 June 2006: Gene called "nanog" could be key to master cells - scientists fused mouse embryonic stem cells with adult brain cells to form the hybrid cell. 15 June 2006: Farmers will benefit from genetic work on unborn - consortium of AgResearch, Liggins Institute, Southampton University and UK Medical Research Council probing how environmental factors can affect the way genes work in a foetus and the adult it becomes. 6 June 2006: Harvard researchers start stem cell project - controversial research will be privately funded to bypass federal restrictions. 5 June 2006: Older sperm becomes more defective, study shows biological clock ticks for men too. 30 May 2006: Canterbury University plant scientist Professor David Lloyd , acknowledged internationally for his pioneering work on the ecology and evolution of New Zealand flowers, dies in Christchurch after a long illness. 23 May 2006: New construction with the building blocks of life cause worry - Sustainability Council voices concern over self regulation of synthetic biology. 18 May 2006: Submissions on stem cell lining research ongoing- discussion document, released for public consultation late last year, attracted around a hundred submissions. 4 May 2006: Genetics might explain why some people get bird flu. Of the 205 reported cases of human infections since late 2003, there have been many family clusters involving blood relatives. 27 April 2006: Deadly fungus devastating frog populations - called Chytridomycosis, a fungus that causes the skin to thicken. 12 April 2006: Study on species loss bad news for WA - an article in the journal Conservation Biology shows the unique biodiversity in Western Australia's south west to be most vulnerable to global warming. 7 April 2006: A new Harvard study has shown that while ants date back to 168 million years, they did not diversify into different genera and species until flowering plants came onto the scene some 68 million years later. 5 April 2006: University of Texas biology professor, Eric Pianka, says his remarks about advocating death for most of the human population as a means of saving the Earth have been taken out of context. 5 April 2006: Fossil penguins give clues to evolution of birds - Otago researchers say DNA tests on fossilised penguins found in Canterbury in the 80s may have provided new evidence for the theory that modern birds evolved among dinosaurs. 16 March 2006: Happy 150th Birthday - a new era looms for old age - with periodic stem cell repair, gene therapy and other techniques could eventually stop the ageing process entirely, conference hears. 3 April 2006: Debate over Yellowstone-grizzlies split scientists - experts at odds over whether the bear population has recovered enough. 9 February 2006: US launches two studies of genes and disease. The studies aim to find out whether environment or tiny DNA code changes can affect genes enough to make a person more susceptible or resistant to disease 2 February 2006: Warming up to the science of being out cold. Secrets of hibernation could drive dramatic advances in organ transplantation, stroke treatment, injury survival and even weight control 1 February 2006: Pesticides may increase risk of motor neuron disease. A preliminary Australian survey has found some patients with the progressive paralysing disease have differences in a gene known as paraoxynase, involved in breaking down organo-phosphates 31 January 2006: Key bone marrow cells hide at edges, study finds. A new technique has enabled scientists to see blood stem cells alive in marrow for the first time, a finding that may improve how bone marrow harvests are carried out in future 31 January 2006: About 8 million babies born with birth defects each year – report. Most occur in poor countries and could be prevented or repaired, research shows 31 January 2006: New medication hope for endangered Asian vultures. The populations of three species of vulture have plummeted by more than 97 percent over the past 15 years due to the widespread use of diclofenac to treat sick cattle 28 January 2006: Scientists in heart patch breakthrough. Dundee University researchers have succeeded in developing heart tissue patches from rat cells that responded like a normal heart to adrenaline and medicines 27 January 2006: Bird flu viruses carry unique genes, study finds. Has a gene especially destructive to cells not found in human influenza viruses. 26 January 2006: Natives get restless as scientists patent more life forms. Bioprospecting is on the rise as researchers search the corners of the world for alternatives to chemistry-based drugs 26 January 2006: Korean cloning scandal shows system works – expert. US stem cell research director Evan Snyder says government intervention in controversial research could create problems similar to the Hwang scandal 25 January 2006: Miniature Asian fish sets a whale of a record. Paedocypris progenetica, the size of a large mosquito, is a swamp dweller and a distant relative of the carp 25 January 2006: Biotechnology giant Amgen to build major plant in Ireland. Amgen is a market leader in using DNA and molecular biology technology to manufacture drugs that combat cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other illnesses 24 January 2006: Malaysian orangutans on brink of extinction: scientists. The gene pool of Sabah's two species of great ape has declined dramatically over the past century, study shows 24 January 2006: Study shows chimps closer to humans than to apes. Genetic study shows humans and chimpanzees evolved slower than gorillas and orangutans 22 January 2006: Plants behave like humans. New research shows plants can protect themselves, suggesting the use of pesticides may be unnecessary 20 January 2006: Bacteria in dirt may be "born" resistant to drugs. Study shows all 480 strains of Streptomyces bacteria developed resistance to antibiotics, including drugs approved as recently as 2004 17 January 2006: DOC on the hunt for male kakapo to keep species going. Scouring Fiordland National Park in an effort to improve breeding stock 16 January 2006: Iceland study finds important diabetes gene. Finds gene variant associated with younger onset of type-2 diabetes 16 January 2006: Gene linked to type-2 diabetes discovered. The discovery could be a major breakthrough in developing both diagnostic and therapeutic products to better prevent and treat the disease 14 January 2006: US researchers get $10 million grant to study pig genomes. Sequencing project follows comparison study that found similarities between pig and human chromosomes 13 January 2006: Aussie researchers isolate bipolar gene. Black Dog researchers find a variation in the FAT-1 gene doubles the risk of manic depression 13 January 2006: USA company engineering NZ goats to produce blood clotting drug. The transgenic goats will produce antithrombin, an essential part of the control of the coagulation cycle in the bloodstream 13 January 2006: South Korean clone scandal is a tragedy – scientists. Will increase scrutiny of their achievements 12 January 2006: Seoul university apologises for science fraud. Now prosecutors are saying Hwang Woo-suk could be the subject of a criminal probe on suspicion of misusing state funds 12 January 2006: No joke: laughter may well be the best medicine. Geneticist Kazuo Murakami has teamed up on the study with an unlikely research partner: stand-up comedians 11 January 2006: New test could monitor bird flu virus mutations. The Scripps Institute test can tell the difference between a bird virus that prefers bird sialic acids and a virus that prefers the human version 10 January 2006: Gene therapy may help fight sickle cell disease. Mice study using stem cells looks hopeful 8 January 2006: Genetic 'credit card' promises personalised treatment. A team in Israel is looking at how a patient's genome - their entire genetic make-up - could be stored on a card which a doctor can swipe onto a computer to help them choose the appropriate medication at the right dose 6 January 2006: Singapore nets US cancer experts in biomedics drive. Won over by Singapore's scientific freedom, deep pockets and interest in commercial applications 5 January 2006: Soy diet worsens heart disease in male mice – study. Heart conditions became worse in male mice carrying a genetic mutation for heart disease when they were fed a soy diet 5 January 2006: Rare stem cell could be culprit in recurring breast cancer - Mice studies |