Plasmid News and Research

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Faster, cheaper, better: improved gene therapy tool production

The heart of modern therapy is increasingly personalized and targeted at specific cellular or genetic deficits. This requires gene therapy, in many cases. A new study, published on 19 September 2019 in the journal Nature, describes an improved way to produce purified gene carrier viruses called AAVs cheaply and quickly, from the culture medium.

22 Sep 2019

BUSM researchers develop advanced protocol to improve gene therapy tool production

A method to create a faster and lower cost alternative for a gene therapy tool has been developed by Boston University School of Medicine researchers.

19 Sep 2019

Salmonella responsible for bloodstream infections in sub-Saharan Africa exhibits extensive drug resistance

The first extensively drug-resistant strains of Salmonella Typhimurium, a pathogen which is responsible for millions of bloodstream infections per year in sub-Saharan Africa, have been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

19 Sep 2019

Nano-sized bubbles in our body could effectively fight cancer

Healthy cells in our body release nano-sized bubbles that transfer genetic material such as DNA and RNA to other cells. It's your DNA that stores the important information necessary for RNA to produce proteins and make sure they act accordingly.

15 Sep 2019

Superbugs spread in the absence of antibiotics

Scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which antibiotic resistance spreads between superbug species, and say that stopping antibiotics is not enough.

12 Sep 2019

New approach enables the body to produce specific antibodies

Researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium have developed a technique to make sheep produce new antibodies simply by injecting the DNA building blocks.

12 Sep 2019

Quick, cost effective way to homogenize cells and tissue lysates

Porvair Sciences announce the new Chromatrap Homogeniser Spin Column which provides a quick, cost effective way to homogenize cells and tissues lysates in a single step.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 3 Sep 2019

Study shows microRNA can protect the heart from reperfusion injury

Heart muscle can continue to die even after restoring blood following a heart attack, and scientists have new evidence that one way to help it live is by boosting levels of a tiny RNA that helped the heart form.

27 Aug 2019

Study reveals the complexities of viral evolution

Comparing a living cell to a virus is a bit like comparing the Sistine Chapel to a backyard dog house. Lacking the intricate machinery of living cells, viruses represent biology stripped down to an extreme level. They are the true minimalists of the biological world.

31 Jul 2019

New CRISPR tool enhances RNA editing

CRISPR-based tools helped revolutionize the ability to target genetic mutations linked to disease development. Such tools focus on using the enzymes Cas9 and Cas12 to target DNA, and Cas13 to target RNA. Now, scientists used a new CRISPR platform that expands the capabilities of RNA editing.

29 Jul 2019

Wearable sensors show how antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread through hospital wards

More than just strict hand hygiene practices are needed to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, say researchers.

17 Jun 2019

Researchers find salmonella resistant to antibiotics of last resort in the U.S.

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a gene that gives Salmonella resistance to antibiotics of last resort in a sample taken from a human patient in the U.S. The find is the first evidence that the gene mcr-3.1 has made its way into the U.S. from Asia.

13 Jun 2019