Microbes transform plastic waste into paracetamol

How traditional chemistry can work with engineering biology to create sustainable chemical-producing living microbial factories

25-Jun-2025 - Paracetamol production could be revolutionised by the discovery that a common bacterium can turn everyday plastic waste into the painkiller, a study reveals. The new method leaves virtually no carbon emissions and is more sustainable than the current production of the medicine, researchers ...

Unlocking the world of bacteria

Researchers introduce novel approach to DNA transformation and genetic mutation of bacteria: The basis for new antibiotics and cell-based therapies

28-Jun-2024 - Bacteria possess unique traits with great potential for benefiting society. However, current genetic engineering methods to harness these advantages are limited to a small fraction of bacterial species. A team led by the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) in Würzburg has ...

The enzyme with the iron heart

Results could lead to new biocatalysts for sustainable biotechnology

11-Dec-2023 - Nitrogenases are the only enzymes capable of reducing atmospheric nitrogen to bioavailable nitrogen (ammonia), a process essential for all life on Earth. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany, have now solved ...

Chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors

Genome editing in farm animals

22-Apr-2021 - Genetically engineered animals provide important insights into the molecular basis of health and disease. Research has focused mainly on genetically modified mice, although other species, such as pigs, are more similar to human physiology. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) ...

Scientists disagree on responsible research

10-Apr-2014 - Responsible research has been put firmly on the political agenda with, for instance, EU's Horizon 2020 programme in which all research projects must show how they contribute responsibly to society. New research from the University of Copenhagen reveals that the scientists themselves place great ...

BIOTECON Diagnostics signs license agreement with Applera Corporation

26-May-2008 - Applera and BIOTECON Diagnostics (BCD) announced a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement relating to PCR technology for Food Testing Applications and Genetically-Modified Organism (GMO) Testing Applications: BIOTECON Diagnostics has acquired important rights with the PCR licence. In the ...

Roche Diagnostics Licenses the Technology used for the LightCycler System to BIOTECON

02-May-2008 - Roche Diagnostics and BIOTECON Diagnostics GmbH have entered into a licensing agreement concerning Roche's LightCycler system technology. Under the terms of the agreement, Roche grants a non-exclusive worldwide license to BIOTECON authorizing them to develop, produce, and sell kits in the food ...

New Biochip as a Test for Non-Approved Genetically Modified Organisms in Food

25-Sep-2006 - During recent weeks consumer protectors discovered non-approved, genetically engineered LL601 rice in German and European supermarkets. This has now also been confirmed by official food control authorities. Only a few weeks ago, similar reports were released by the American health agency FDA who ...