http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/cloning/ Cloning articles. Uncover cloned animal abnormalities, discover cloned pigs with benefits such as omega-3 fatty acids and much more in our current research news on cloning. en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:05:02 EST Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/cloning/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123163412.htm A new gene therapy has the potential to treat a common form of blindness that strikes both youngsters and adults. The technique works by replacing a malfunctioning gene in the eye with a normal working copy that supplies a protein necessary for light-sensitive cells in the eye to function. Several complex steps remain before the gene therapy technique can be used in humans, but once at that stage, it has great potential to change lives. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:34:34 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123163412.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123094758.htm The survival of the endangered snow leopard is looking promising thanks to scientists who have, for the first time, produced embryonic stem-like cells from the tissue of an adult leopard. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123094758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207152310.htm The vast majority of genetic disorders (schizophrenia or breast cancer, for example) have different effects in different people. Moreover, an individual carrying certain mutations can develop a disease, whereas another one with the same mutations may not. This holds true even when comparing two identical twins who have identical genomes. But why does the same mutation have different effects in different individuals? Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:23:23 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111207152310.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123536.htm Two distinct populations of rainbow trout -- one in Alaska, the other in Idaho -- share a genetic trait that could have huge implications for fisheries conservation and management, an eight-member research team reports. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:35:35 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103143515.htm During fertilization, the entire spermatozoon enters the oocyte. However, most of its organelles, including mitochondria, are not transmitted to the offspring. A new study demonstrates for the first time how the spermatozoon organelles are digested by the oocyte shortly after fertilization. These findings could improve cloning and medically-assisted reproductive technology and help to better understand the evolutionary origin of the elimination of paternal mitochondria. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:35:35 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103143515.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026113646.htm Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are essential to support the normal growth of a developing embryo and the placenta. An insufficient supply of amino acids in the mother’s uterus caused by abnormal maternal-embryo interactions may explain the developmental abnormalities and complications of pregnancy that result in the death of cloned bovine embryos, according to a new article. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026113646.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013113818.htm Scientists have established that a barley plant recognizes an invader and begins to marshal its defenses within five minutes of an attack. The discovery, along with the scientists' successful cloning of disease-fighting genes and the pathogen signal recognized by the plant, could help to revolutionize the battle against cereal crop enemies, such as stem rust. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:38:38 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013113818.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823130027.htm Scientist have created a new weapon in the war being waged against the potato cyst nematode -- a diagnostic test that identifies the type of nematode infesting a grower's field. Tue, 23 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110823130027.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110816133115.htm Scientists have developed the first software package for automating DNA construction that not only makes the process faster and more efficient but -- with an eye on the economics of scientific discovery -- also identifies which construction strategy would be the most cost-effective. Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110816133115.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110804212931.htm A new study of plants that are reproduced by 'cloning' has shown why cloned plants are not identical. Scientists have known for some time that 'clonal' (regenerant) organisms are not always identical. Now researchers believe they have found out why this is the case in plants: the genomes of regenerant plants carry relatively high frequencies of new DNA sequence mutations that were not present in the genome of the donor plant. Thu, 04 Aug 2011 21:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110804212931.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110710132819.htm An international consortium has successfully sequenced and analyzed the potato genome. The consortium's work turned up more than 39,000 genes and is expected to speed potato research and breeding projects around the globe. Sun, 10 Jul 2011 13:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110710132819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627183929.htm A student's undergraduate research is challenging a widely held assumption on the best way to analyze old DNA in anthropological and forensic investigations. At issue is the best way to sequence "ancient" DNA, bits of genetic code pulled from remains up to 800,000 years old. Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:39:39 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110627183929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621114151.htm Not all consumers share the same attitudes toward animal cloning, but the latest research shows that Americans may be more accepting of consuming cloned animal products than Europeans. Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621114151.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419082650.htm Animals that reproduce asexually by somatic cloning have special mechanisms that delay aging provide exceptionally good health. Scientists in Sweden have shown how colony-forming ascidians (or sea squirts) can activate the enzyme telomerase, which protects DNA. This enzyme is more active also in humans who attain an advanced age. Tue, 19 Apr 2011 08:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110419082650.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110415083336.htm Vanilla is one of the world's best-loved flavors, and demand for it is increasing all the time. But now its future in the global food industry could be more secure, thanks to new research in Malaysia. Fri, 15 Apr 2011 08:33:33 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110415083336.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110411152639.htm A new discovery promises to help physicians identify patients most likely to benefit from breast cancer drug therapies. If the compound, called "Nanobody," proves effective in clinical trials, it would represent a significant advance for breast cancer drug therapy. Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110411152639.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110324181734.htm Researchers have found a highly significant connection between the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic and environmental sex determination. The scientists report the identification of a gene responsible for the production of males during environmental sex determination in the crustacean Daphnia. Thu, 24 Mar 2011 18:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110324181734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110307125001.htm It's a corn plant only a geneticist could love. Its ears -- if it makes them at all -- resemble small, chubby, lime-green caterpillars, not exactly something you want to dig your teeth into. To top it off, the corn plant stands only about three feet tall, at full maturity, and has few leaves. By using a positional cloning technique and molecular markers, scientists were able to pinpoint the absent gene in this plant, which they named vanishing tassel2 or vt2. The gene encodes an enzyme, called tryptophan aminotransferase, important for making auxin, an important growth hormone in plants. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110307125001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217141315.htm Plants have for the first time been cloned as seeds. The research is a major step towards making hybrid crop plants that can retain favorable traits from generation to generation. Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110217141315.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110105121129.htm A new, simplified method for producing large amounts of viral vector cassettes capable of shuttling genes into host cells will help advance the promising field of gene therapy as applications move into large animal studies and human clinical trials. The novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) production method is described in a new article. Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110105121129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101215082939.htm Why does a cloned cat look different from the original? Using computer simulations and theoretical calculations researchers discovered a new statistical law that explains it. It explains the simplest and therefore probably the most widespread mechanism, by which a growing population of genetically identical cells forms groups performing different functions. Wed, 15 Dec 2010 08:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101215082939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100913111127.htm Scientists have successfully cloned a human virus, offering new hope for the treatment of potentially life-threatening diseases. Human cytomegalovirus is a major infectious cause of congenital malformations worldwide. The virus is also known to cause life-threatening disease in transplant patients and people with HIV/AIDS. Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100913111127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908160345.htm Researchers are examining how iris discrimination performs in twins to confirm prior claims that biometrics is capable of differentiating between twins. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:03:03 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908160345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100805142957.htm Human embryonic stem cells and adult cells reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state -- so-called induced pluripotent stem or iPS cells -- exhibit very few differences in their gene expression signatures and are nearly indistinguishable in their chromatin state, according to researchers. Contrary to some recent research, the current findings rekindling hopes that, under the proper circumstances, iPS cells may hold the clinical promise ascribed to them earlier. Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100805142957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713101414.htm Using molecular techniques, scientists have shown how the subversion of a single gene in wheat by two fungal foes triggers a kind of cellular suicide in the grain crop's leaves. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 10:14:14 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713101414.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100629193127.htm Scientists have uncovered a new piece in the puzzle about why some plants flower in spring/autumn and some in summer. They have isolated a gene responsible for regulating the expression of CONSTANS, an important inducer of flowering, in Arabidopsis. This knowledge will enable more predictable flowering, better scheduling and reduced wastage of crops. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100629193127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100611204152.htm Researchers have achieved another cloning first with the successful delivery of a foal using oocytes from a live mare, the first such clone in the world. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:41:41 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100611204152.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100531082905.htm For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been cultured under chemically controlled conditions without the use of animal substances, which is essential for future clinical uses. The method has been developed by researchers in Sweden. Mon, 31 May 2010 08:29:29 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100531082905.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100402110131.htm New information about early Native Americans' horticultural practices comes not from hieroglyphs or other artifacts, but from a suite of four gene duplicates found in wild and domesticated sunflowers. Scientists learned duplications of the gene flowering locus T, or FT, could have evolved and interacted to prolong a flower's time to grow. A longer flower growth period means a bigger sunflower -- presumably an attribute of value to the plant's first breeders. Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:01:01 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100402110131.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145254.htm Plasmids, which are DNA molecules capable of independent replication in cells, have played an important role in gene technology. Researchers have now demonstrated that plasmid-based methods, which had been limited to single-cell organisms such as bacteria and yeasts, can be extended to mosses, opening the door to applications of a number of powerful techniques in plant research. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106145254.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141601.htm Applying a small mechanical force to embryonic stem cells could be a new way of coaxing them into a specific direction of differentiation, researchers report. Applications for force-directed cell differentiation include therapeutic cloning and regenerative medicine. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141601.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830192034.htm Researchers have developed a new, more efficient way of cloning zebra fish, a breakthrough that could have implications for human health research. Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090830192034.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821205730.htm Scientists have developed new methods in which an entire bacterial genome was cloned in a yeast cell by adding yeast centromeric plasmid sequence to the bacterial chromosome and modified it in yeast using yeast genetic systems. This modified bacterial chromosome was then isolated from yeast and transplanted into a related species of bacteria to create a new type of cell. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:57:57 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090821205730.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728223020.htm Hungry, sexual organisms replaced well-fed, clonal organisms in the Caribbean Sea as the Isthmus of Panama arose, separating the Caribbean from the Pacific, report researchers. The fossil record shows that if a species could shift from clonal to sexual reproduction it survived. Otherwise it was destined for extinction, millions of years later. Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728223020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090726150835.htm Using a novel cell programming method that retools evolution to generate genetic diversity at an unprecedented rate, a research team turned self-serving bacteria into efficient factories for making a variety of compounds, accomplishing in just three days a feat that would take biotech companies many months -- or years. The transformed bacteria produced five times more lycopene (an anticancer antioxidant) than the original bacteria. Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:08:08 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090726150835.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723141751.htm Scientists have announced the creation of the first genetically modified mammals developed using zinc finger nuclease technology. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:17:17 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723141751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720163721.htm Researchers have found that intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which results in low birth weight and long-term deleterious health effects in cloned swine, is linked to a type of gene -- known as an imprinted gene -- found only in placental mammals. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720163721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141508.htm Scientists have developed the ability to take regular cells from a pig's connective tissues, known as fibroblasts, and transform them into stem cells, eliminating several of the hurdles associated with stem cell research. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141508.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141500.htm A protein called STAT3 has been found to play a fundamental role in converting normal cells to cancerous cells, according to a new study. The study found that STAT3, in addition to its role in the cell nucleus regulating gene expression, is also present in mitochondria, and regulates the activity of the electron transport chain in tumors cells. Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:15:15 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625141500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115427.htm Researchers in Spain have cloned mice. Cloe, Cleo and Clona are three female brown-colored mice and were born respectively on May 12, June 3 and June 10. The cloning of mice is part of a research being carried out to study new ways to improve the efficiency of the cloning process. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:54:54 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090612115427.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409142250.htm For years, one microbiologist has tried to get the disease-causing parasite Leishmania in the mood for love. In a new study, he and colleagues report that they may have finally found the answer: cram enough Leishmania into the gut of an insect known as the sand fly, and the parasite will have sex. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:22:22 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409142250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324081617.htm The world’s most famous cooking apple celebrates its 200th birthday this year, and the unique flavour of the original Bramley Apple is thriving, thanks to scientists. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:16:16 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324081617.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202175055.htm Since the cloning of Dolly the Sheep over a decade ago, somatic cell nuclear transfer has been considered a promising way to generate human, patient-specific stem cells for therapeutic applications. The shortage of human donor eggs has led to efforts to substitute animal oocytes. However, a new study demonstrates that animal oocytes lack the capacity to fully reprogram adult human cells. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 17:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090202175055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081214190945.htm The first demonstration that a single adult stem cell can self renew in a mammal was reported by scientists. The transplanted adult stem cell and its differentiated descendants restored lost function to mice with hind limb muscle tissue damage. Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:09:09 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081214190945.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081111211446.htm A teaspoon of dirt contains an estimated 10,000 species of bacteria, but it's only one percent of these microbial bugs -- the ones that can be grown easily in a lab -- that have brought us antibiotics, anticancer agents and other useful drugs. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081111211446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081103192316.htm As the saying goes -- blondes have more fun, but in the world of insects it may actually be the rare "redheads" that have the last laugh ... at least in terms of evolution. A new study has discovered that genetic variation in an asexual insect -- insects that reproduce by cloning themselves -- is maintained by rare clones being chosen for the next generation, a phenomenon known as frequency-dependent selection. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:23:23 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081103192316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013132625.htm A genetic malfunction found in marine crustaceans called copepods likely explains why populations of animals that diverge and eventually reconnect produce weak "hybrid" offspring. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:26:26 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081013132625.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827002717.htm Taking 1000 mg of a specific olive leaf extract (EFLA 943) can lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension (high blood pressure). These findings came from a "Twins" trial, in which different treatments were given to identical twins. By doing this, researchers could increase the power of their data by eliminating some of the uncertainties caused by genetic variations between individual people. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827002717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808104916.htm Long a problem in the western US, the New Zealand mud snail currently inhabits four of the five Great Lakes and is spreading into rivers and tributaries, according to researchers. These tiny creatures out-compete native snails and insects, but are not good fish food replacements for the native species. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:49:49 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080808104916.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080628065632.htm In general, domesticated food plants have larger fruits, heads of grain, tubers, etc, because this is one of the characteristics that early hunter-gatherers chose when foraging for food. In addition to size, tomatoes have been bred for shape, texture, flavor, shelf-life, and nutrient composition, but it has been difficult to study these traits in tomatoes, because many of them are the result of many genes acting together. Sat, 28 Jun 2008 06:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080628065632.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313143100.htm Biologists find that sand dollar larvae created clones of themselves within 24 hours of being exposed to fish mucous, a cue that predators are near. The cloning process resulted in small new larvae and original larvae that were substantially smaller. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313143100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313143057.htm Crop scientists have cloned a gene that controls the shape of tomatoes, a discovery that could help unravel the mystery behind the huge morphological differences among edible fruits and vegetables, as well as provide new insight into mechanisms of plant development. The gene, dubbed SUN, is only the second ever found to play a significant role in the elongated shape of various tomato varieties. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313143057.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211172631.htm Stem cell scientists have reprogrammed human skin cells into cells with the same unlimited properties as embryonic stem cells without using embryos or eggs. The implications for disease treatment could be significant. Reprogramming adult stem cells into embryonic stem cells could generate a potentially limitless source of immune-compatible cells for tissue engineering and transplantation medicine. A patient's skin cells, for example, could be reprogrammed into embryonic stem cells. Those embryonic stem cells could then be prodded into becoming various cells types -- beta islet cells to treat diabetes, hematopoetic cells to create a new blood supply for a leukemia patient, motor neuron cells to treat Parkinson's disease. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211172631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131082224.htm Gene therapy has been used successfully to breed large animals capable of producing therapeutic proteins in their milk, such as insulin or those that fight cancer. This represents a significant milestone, as previous methods involved cloning, which takes more time and generally costs more. This new research should reduce the cost and increase the availability of several drugs. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:22:22 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131082224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080118102223.htm Two research groups in the United Kingdom have been given permission to use hybrid human-animal embryos in research which aims to lead to the development of new therapies for debilitating human conditions such as Parkinson's disease and stroke. Fri, 18 Jan 2008 10:22:22 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080118102223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219202946.htm Venoms from different snake families may have many deadly ingredients in common, more than was previously thought. A new study has unexpectedly discovered three-finger toxins in a subspecies of the Massasauga Rattlesnake, as well as evidence for a novel toxin genes resulting from gene fusion. Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219202946.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129183731.htm A noninvasive, polarized light microscope invented at the Marine Biological Laboratory played a crucial role in a recent breakthrough in embryonic stem-cell research aimed at developing medical therapies. Oregon Health & Science University recently reported the successful derivation of stem cells from cloned monkey embryos. While embryonic stem cells have been made from cloned embryos in a mouse, this is the first time they have been produced in a primate. Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129183731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920145350.htm A new strategy for genetic modification of large animals by employing a virus that transfers genetic modifications to male reproductive cells, which passes naturally to offspring has been developed. Scientists introduced adeno-associated virus to germline stem cells in goats and mice. AAV stably transduced male germ line stem cells and led to transgene transmission through the male germ line. Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920145350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827163025.htm Aluminum toxicity in acidic soils limits crop production in as much as half the world's arable land. Now, researchers have cloned a novel aluminum-tolerant gene in sorghum and expect to have genetically engineered aluminum-tolerant sorghum lines by next year. Sorghum is an important food crop in Africa, Central America and South Asia and is the world's fifth most important cereal crop. Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:30:30 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070827163025.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070813173128.htm "Don't ever change" isn't just a romantic platitude. It's a solid evolutionary strategy. Creatures that produce scads of genetically identical offspring -- like microbes, plants or water fleas -- offer answers about the clones raised in near-identical environments that turn out differently than their kin. How is the greater good of a genetic pool of identical organisms affected when a few individuals break from the developmental pack? Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070813173128.htm