http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/genetically_modified/ Genetically modified food, crops and GMO issues. Read current science articles on genetic engineering including mice with glowing hearts, disease-resistant mosquitos, GM bacteria chips and more. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/genetically_modified/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106112119.htm A shot of espresso may rev you up in the morning, but the downside is that it may also ramp up levels of bad cholesterol due to its effects on a unique liver protein called PXR. New research now shows that when chronically activated, the protein rejiggers how cholesterol is broken down in and cleared from the liver, a disturbance that can lead to high levels of the waxy substance or worse, full-blown atherosclerosis. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106112119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030095519.htm Scientist have constructed for the first time a synthetic cellulosome in yeast, which could make the production of bioethanol from biomass more efficient and economical. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091030095519.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152938.htm Genetically modified squash plants that are resistant to a debilitating viral disease become more vulnerable to a fatal bacterial infection, according to biologists. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026152938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026162542.htm When wild boar and deer, traditional menu items in the fall, eat genetically modified corn, do transgenic residues accumulate in their meat? Do they spread GM corn via their feces? The answer in each case is no, according to scientists. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026162542.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019162917.htm Scientists have identified a novel enzyme responsible for the formation of suberin -- the woody, waxy, cell-wall substance found in cork. Adjusting the permeability of plant tissues by genetically manipulating the expression of this enzyme could lead to easier agricultural production of crops used for biofuels. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091019162917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029151437.htm Viruses of soil bacteria (phages) evolve to improve their ability to infect the bacterial hosts that surround them. This is shown in a new study. Phages appear to be better able to infect bacteria from the same small soil sample than bacteria from just a few centimeters away. Evolution can therefore restructure ecosystems on a very small scale. Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029151437.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012230536.htm A new mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis closely resembles humans with the paralyzing disorder, researchers report. "As far as we know, this is the first mouse model that recapitulates "typical" ALS to be produced in more than a decade," says the senior author. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091012230536.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132348.htm Researchers have found that Merkel cells originate in the skin, not the neural crest lineage, as previously speculated. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091002132348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004141142.htm As scientists work toward making genetically altered bacteria create living "circuits" to produce a myriad of useful proteins and chemicals, they have logically assumed that the single-celled organisms would always respond to an external command in the same way. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091004141142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929194207.htm The origin of the "Celtic fringe" of genetically and culturally distinctive people in the Northern and Western British Isles is the source of fierce academic controversy. But new research into the movement of small mammals, such as voles and shrews, at the end of the last Ice Age, could provide important new clues to resolve the debate. Mon, 05 Oct 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929194207.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174457.htm Researchers are looking at a way to genetically modify soybeans to prevent damage from aphids. If successful, soybeans will carry in-plant protection from aphids, similar to the way genetically modified corn now keeps the European Corn Borer from destroying corn yields. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174457.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111305.htm The number and diversity of male partners a queen honeybee has could help to protect her children from disease, say scientists, who are investigating possible causes of the widespread increase in bee deaths seen around the world. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914111305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907013809.htm By adapting a single protein on the surface of the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, researchers have turned it into a protein production factory, making useful proteins that can act as vaccines and drugs. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090907013809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073250.htm Fast growing transgenic fish can revolutionize commercial fish farming and relieve the pressure on overexploited fish stocks. But what happens in the natural environment if transgenic fish escape? Researchers in Sweden have studied transgenic fish on behalf of the European Union and are urging caution. Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827073250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827123218.htm Researchers have succeeded in extracting long DNA fragments from dried, pressed plant material collected in the 1700s by Linnaeus' apprentice Adam Afzelius. It is hoped that the study will shed light on whether plants growing today at Linnaeus' Hammarby estate outside Uppsala reflect the species cultivated by Linnaeus himself. Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090827123218.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152550.htm Researchers have shown definitively that mutations associated with prion diseases are sufficient to cause a transmissible neurodegenerative disease. Until now, two theories about the role mutations play in prion diseases have been at odds. Deciphering the origins of prion diseases could help farmers and policy-makers determine how best to control a prion disease outbreak in livestock and to prevent prion transmission to humans. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826152550.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191849.htm A team of South Korean scientists have succeeded in engineering the bacterium E. coli to produce the industrial chemical putrescine. The research provides a renewable alternative to the production of this important chemical which is traditionally created using fossil fuels. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090826191849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728184833.htm Walter and Eliza Hall Institute scientists have created a weakened strain of the malaria parasite that will be used as a live vaccine against the disease. The vaccine, developed in collaboration with researchers from the US, Japan and Canada, will be trialled in humans from early next year. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728184833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820204456.htm For the first time, scientists have used a genetically engineered "friendly" bacterium to deliver a therapy. The treatment is for bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease for which there is no cure. The bacterium Bacteroides ovatus activates a protein when exposed to a specific sugar, xylan. The therapy has been proven to work in animals with colitis, one of the major forms of inflammatory bowel disease. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090820204456.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812145024.htm Researchers have gained new understanding of the role hyaluronic acid plays in skeletal growth, chondrocyte maturation and joint formation in developing limbs. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812145024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142146.htm A novel technique allows for precise, efficient gene editing into the genomes of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. For years, scientists have easily swapped genes in and out of mouse ESC or iPS cell genomes, but have had a notoriously difficult time disrupting or inserting genes into their human equivalents. This hurdle has hampered efforts to create specific cell types for modeling genetic diseases, like Parkinson's. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804165210.htm African village dogs are not a mixture of modern breeds but have directly descended from an ancestral pool of indigenous dogs, according to a new genetic analysis of hundreds of semi-feral African village dogs. Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090804165210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723194321.htm Researchers have created "bacterial computers" with the potential to solve complicated mathematics problems. Scientists demonstrate that computing in living cells is feasible, opening the door to a number of applications. The second-generation bacterial computers illustrate the feasibility of extending the approach to other computationally challenging math problems. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723194321.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720134514.htm Scientists have developed a process that will make genetic changes in plant genes much more efficient, practical and safe. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720134514.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. Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090723141751.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721090129.htm Scientists have developed rice plants that contain six times more iron in polished rice kernels. To accomplish this, the researchers transferred two plant genes into an existing rice variety. In the future, the high-iron rice could help to combat iron deficiency, especially in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721090129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720102014.htm Two new sister lines of rice are defying rice's reputation as a thirsty crop as they demonstrate their improved productivity in drought-prone regions of India and the Philippines. Tue, 21 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090720102014.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093619.htm The Rosetta Stone of bacterial communication may have been found. Although they have no sensory organs, bacteria can get a good idea about what's going on in their neighborhood and communicate with each other, mainly by secreting and taking in chemicals from their surrounding environment. Even though there are millions of different kinds of bacteria with their own ways of sensing the world around them, bioengineers believe they have found a principle common to all of them. Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707093619.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702080525.htm Viruses can cost winegrowers an entire harvest. If they infest the grapevines, even pesticides are often no use. What’s more, these chemicals are harmful to the environment. Researchers are growing plants that produce antibodies against the viruses and are thus immune. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090702080525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629124957.htm In a first-of-its-kind advance toward the next generation of genetically modified foods — intended to improve consumers' health — researchers in Japan are reporting that a new transgenic rice designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies.  Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629124957.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131314.htm The salamander is a superhero of regeneration, able to replace lost limbs, damaged lungs, sliced spinal cord -- even bits of lopped-off brain. Based on experiments on genetically modified axolotl salamanders, researchers show that cells from the salamander's different tissues retain the "memory" of those tissues when they regenerate, contributing with few exceptions only to the same type of tissue from whence they came. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131314.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131316.htm Because females carry two copies of the X chromosome to males’ one X and one Y, they harbor a potentially toxic double dose of the over 1000 genes that reside on the X chromosome. To compensate for this imbalance, mammals such as mice and humans shut down one entire X-chromosome through a phenomenon known as X-inactivation. For almost two decades, researchers have believed that one particular gene, called Xist, provides the molecular trigger of X-inactivation. A new study disputes current scientific belief by showing that X-inactivation can occur even in the absence of a gene previously thought to be the trigger of the process. Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090701131316.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623091123.htm Nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson's include digestive and sleep problems, loss of sense of smell and depression. A mouse with a mutation in a gene responsible for packaging neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine reproduces the major non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms. The finding sheds light on nonmotor symptoms' causes and their relationship with the neurodegeneration seen in Parkinson's. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623091123.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629200636.htm Avoidance of inbreeding is evident among humans, and has been demonstrated in some shorebirds, mice and sand lizards. Researchers now report that it also occurs in a strictly monogamous species of bird, suggesting that the black-legged kittiwake possesses the ability to choose partners with a very different genetic profile. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629200636.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630132103.htm The potential of forest biotechnology to help address significant social and environmental issues is being "strangled at birth" by the rigid opposition of some groups and regulations that effectively preclude even the testing of genetically modified trees, scientists argue in a new report. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630132103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615093923.htm Scientists have used genetic engineering to tame one of the most deadly food poisoning microbes and turn it into a potential new way of giving patients medicine and vaccines in pills rather than injections.  Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615093923.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608204055.htm Clonal reproduction of crop species took a step closer to being realized with new research. The advantage of clonal reproduction is that it produces an individual exactly like an existing one -- very useful for farmers who could replicate the best of their animals or crops without the lottery of sexual reproduction. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608204055.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608182541.htm Scientists have discovered a new mechanism behind an important process that causes a rapid reduction of DNA in the chromosomes of bacteria. The findings advance our knowledge of how DNA content has been reduced, which is something that has occurred in bacteria that live as parasites inside the cells of other organisms. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608182541.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602192557.htm Scientists have managed to induce cells from pigs to transform into pluripotent stem cells -- cells that, like embryonic stem cells, are capable of developing into any type of cell in the body. It is the first time that this has been achieved using somatic cells (cells that are not sperm or egg cells) from any animal with hooves (known as ungulates). Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090602192557.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120643.htm Mice carrying a "humanized version" of a gene believed to influence speech and language may not actually talk, but they nonetheless do have a lot to say about our evolutionary past, according to a new report. Sun, 31 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120643.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519152446.htm Investigators have cracked one of clinical medicine's enduring mysteries -- what happened to the tuberculosis vaccine. The once-effective vaccine no longer prevents the bacterial lung infection that kills more than 1.7 million people worldwide each year. Their solution could lead to an improved TB vaccine and also may offer a novel platform for vaccines against other pathogens. Sun, 24 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519152446.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514125158.htm A novel species of bacteria with cholesterol-busting properties has been discovered by scientists. They isolated the new bug, called Gordonia cholesterolivorans, from sewage sludge. Sat, 16 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090514125158.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511115003.htm Scientists are reporting use of a first-of-its-kind approach to craft genetically engineered microbes with the much-sought ability to transform switchgrass, corn cobs, and other organic materials into methyl halides -- the raw material for making gasoline and a host of other commercially important products. The new bioprocess could help pave the way for producing biofuels from agricultural waste, easing concerns about stress on the global food supply from using corn and other food crops.  Wed, 13 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511115003.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507094216.htm Obesity and gallstones often go hand in hand. But not in a new line of mice. Even when these mice eat high-fat diets, they don't get fat, but they do develop gallstones. Researchers say the findings offer clues about genetic factors related to gallstones. Wed, 13 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507094216.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427075420.htm Scientists have developed a new mouse model that can be associated with deafness. With this model they succeeded for the first time in showing that microRNA, a new class of genes, influences hearing loss. The respective microRNA seed region influences the production of sensory hair cells in the inner ear, both in the mouse and in humans. This study represents a major step forward in elucidating the common phenomenon of progressive hearing loss, opening up new avenues for treatment. Tue, 05 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427075420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430091059.htm Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial agent of sexually transmitted infections and occurs in 1 million cases a year and is the largest reportable infection in the US. Researchers have designed a unique method for inducing immunity to the infection. The findings could accelerate progress toward developing a vaccine to guard against the infections of Chlamydia trachomatis which frequently lead to reproductive dysfunction and profound local inflammation that requires medical attention. Mon, 04 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430091059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132233.htm Researchers have used a genome engineering tool they developed to make a model crop plant herbicide-resistant without significant changes to its DNA. The new tool could help provide sustainable food, fuel and fiber. Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420182208.htm New research casts the role of a neuronal growth factor receptor -- long suspected to facilitate the toxic effects of beta amyloid in Alzheimer's disease -- in a new light, suggesting the molecule actually protects the neuron in the periphery from beta amyloid-induced damage. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090420182208.htm