  | Today's Top Story |  |  | | - Researchers develop nanoparticles that can clean bloodstream
Swiss researchers are developing magnetized nanoparticles coated with carbon and covered with antibodies for use in removing harmful compounds from blood. Earlier studies showed that the nanoparticles can filter harmful levels of the heart drug digoxin from blood and that they did not lead to damaged cells or blood clots. The researchers are now studying the use of the nanoparticles in rats with sepsis. MIT Technology Review online (11/28)        | Earn 2X rewards points on shipping costs with The New Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN. Designed to earn Membership Rewards® points faster:
• 3X points on airfare
• 2X points on advertising, gas, and shipping
• 1X points on everything else
LEARN MORE AND APPLY |
  - Researchers report successful bioartificial tracheal transplant
Swedish researchers reported they have succeeded in transplanting a tracheobronchial airway made from a stem-cell-seeded bioartificial nanocomposite into a 36-year-old man. The patient was asymptomatic five months after the procedure, according to the study published in The Lancet. The successful outcome "provides ongoing proof of the viability of this approach, in which a cell-seeded synthetic graft is fabricated to patient-specific anatomical requirements and incubated to maturity within the environment of a bioreactor," the researchers wrote. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News (11/24) - Study explores link between gene shortage and short stature
DNA analysis of over 11,000 children and adults showed that short people are more likely to have rare deletions or missing copies of certain genes, according to a study in the American Journal of Human Genetics. The international team of researchers, however, said the validity of the results might have been affected by the fact that young participants had already undergone analysis for reasons including birth defects. USA TODAY/HealthDay News (11/27) - International study identifies growth-driving DNA in human stem cells
The gene variant BCL2L1 found in chromosome 20 of human embryonic stem cell cultures appears to prevent cell death and promote its growth, researchers reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology. The International Stem Cell Initiative study looked at 125 independent human embryonic stem cell lines and 11 induced pluripotent stem cell lines. "They have found one gene variant that is very common, which while it isn't new, does provide more information into how embryonic cells and cancer cells proliferate," said Philippa Brice of London's Foundation for Genomics and Public Health, who was not part of the study. Cosmos Online (11/28) - Experts ID gene that may aid in weight maintenance
The melanocortin-3 receptor gene, which responds to nutrient intake signals, also appeared to play a key role in maintaining a steady balance between food intake and energy expenditure, researchers at Scripps Research Institute in Florida found. The findings could help in the development of drugs that target metabolism without side effects. The study appears in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Yahoo!/Asian News International (11/24) - Vaginal gel falls short in major HIV study in Africa
Testing of a vaginal gel to prevent the spread of HIV in a three-part African trial was canceled after researchers found the formulation to be ineffective against infection. In September, researchers halted part of the study involving oral tenofovir. Research continues on a combination of tenofovir and a booster. Google/Agence France-Presse (11/27)  | Download the latest Spotlight On… Melanoma report
This quarter’s Spotlight On… report focuses on Melanoma, which is currently experiencing an innovation breakthrough. The Spotlight On... report draws on the expert insight and strategic data from Thomson Reuters Pharma – the world's leading competitive intelligence solution. Download today. |
 - EU high court interprets patent rule for multidisease therapies
The EU Court of Justice clarified that policy on extended patent protection for multidisease drugs or vaccines was designed to "ensure sufficient protection to encourage pharmaceutical research, which plays a decisive role in the continuing improvement in public health." A London judge sought interpretation after a Medeva Holdings unit was refused a supplementary protection certificate for multidisease vaccines with patented and nonpatented main ingredients. Bloomberg Businessweek (11/25) - NICE declines to recommend Novartis' Lucentis for wider use
In preliminary guidance, the U.K. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence rejected Novartis' Lucentis for improving the vision of patients with macular edema caused by retinal vein occlusion. The agency said "evidence presented for Lucentis did not support a positive recommendation for this condition." InPharm.com (11/24) - Senator questions government's smallpox-vaccine deal
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asked HHS' inspector general to investigate a $433 million award to Siga Technologies to supply the Strategic National Stockpile with 1.7 million doses of smallpox vaccine over five years. Siga said a review would find the contract was "negotiated and executed in good faith in accordance with all applicable law to address an important national security need." ABC News/Political Punch blog (11/25)  | VoIP phone systems deliver impressive benefits for businesses large and small. From advanced features like unified communications to significant cost savings, there's a compelling case to switch to VoIP. Read through these free guides for the very latest information on the phone system market. |
 | | | Most Popular Headlines from Last Week Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers. |
 | LET’S GO DESIGN: Episode #6
This time, we go inside the tracks and review the shocks and suspension system. Also, Jeremy hears the expert opinion of a mom on the baby buggy and unveils the chosen cockpit design. Watch the new episode now at LetsGoDesign.tv |
 | Hot Topics | | | | Top five news stories selected by BIO SmartBrief readers in the past week. - Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.
| Industrial & Environmental | | | | - Yeast strain may bolster pine-based ethanol production
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new strain of yeast that may help produce and ferment ethanol from treated pine with as much as 17.5% solid biomass. The new yeast strain is capable of withstanding toxic compounds and producing ethanol from higher concentrations of treated wood, experts reported in the Biotechnology for Biofuels journal. BiofuelsDigest.com (11/24)  | |  | | The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
| |  | |  |
| News from BIO | | | | - Are you taking full advantage of your membership?
BIO's cost-savings program, BIO Business Solutions, is saving 2,700 companies nationwide on the cost of essential products and services. Members of BIO and 43 state and regional biotech associations are eligible to receive preferential pricing and other benefits at no additional cost beyond their membership dues. VWR International, FedEx, Office Depot, Business Wire are just a few of the industry leading providers that offer special pricing through this members only program. Learn more or enroll here.
| SmartQuote | | | |  | Any idiot can face a crisis -- it's the day-to-day living that wears you out."
--Anton Chekhov,
Russian author and playwright  |
| | This SmartBrief was created for jmabs1@gmail.com
| | | Read more at SmartBrief.com | | A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including: | | | | | | | | | | Recent BIO SmartBrief Issues: - Wednesday, November 23, 2011
- Tuesday, November 22, 2011
- Monday, November 21, 2011
- Friday, November 18, 2011
- Thursday, November 17, 2011
| | | Lead Editor: Tom Parks
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 | | | | | | © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment