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New approach uses light to transform lignin into sustainable plastics

Lignin is arguably the most abundant component of biomass that most people have never heard of. That may be about to change.

22 Feb 2023

Researchers discover target enzyme for blast disease

A fungus that plagues rice crops worldwide gains entry to plant cells in a way that leaves it vulnerable to simple chemical blockers, a discovery that could lead to new fungicides to reduce the substantial annual losses of rice and other valuable cereals.

14 Feb 2023

Researchers decipher how common environmental bacterium can digest complex waste

A common environmental bacterium, Comamonas testosteroni, could someday become nature's plastic recycling center.

7 Feb 2023

Researchers develop a sustainable two-step process to upcycle organic carbon waste

When nature designed lignin -; the fibrous, woody material that gives plants their rigid structure -; it didn't cut any corners. Incredibly slow to break down, lignin is so sturdy and long lasting that it is resistant to bacteria and rot.

1 Feb 2023

Structure of the complete virion of S. epidermidis–infecting phage revealed

Scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the structure of a bacterial virus in extraordinary detail.

20 Dec 2022

Right solvent pretreatment needed to make valuable bioproducts

Lignin and cellulose are polymers-;large molecules made up of repeating modules-;that are situated in a tangled braid, along with some other polymers, within the plant cell wall.

15 Dec 2022

Sustainable seaweed-based wrapper could solve fast-food packaging problem

Flinders University materials researchers and pioneering German biomaterials developer one • fıve are using seaweed extracts to develop next-generation biopolymer coating materials that could solve packaging waste dilemmas for the fast-food industry.

14 Oct 2022

A strong enzyme that functions similar to a Swiss army knife

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, have a superpower that likely contributes to their extreme success as waterway invaders. They have a remarkable capacity to store nitrogen and energy in their cells for use when necessary.

3 Oct 2022

Radical theory examines how charged macromolecules self-assemble

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that uniformly charged macromolecules, or molecules like proteins or DNA, which contain a large number of atoms all with the same electrical charge, can self-assemble into very large structures.

27 Sep 2022

Microbiomes can help cure food allergies in mice

Many people with dietary allergies may have minor symptoms when they consume foods that trigger them, but for some, the consequences could be lethal. In lab experiments, a bacterial chemical called butyrate produced by healthy microbiomes has shown promise in preventing allergy reactions, but it is unpleasant to consume.

23 Aug 2022

New type of chip could lead to earlier and more targeted treatment for cancer

Cancer spreads via circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that travel through the blood to other organs, and they are nearly impossible to track.

17 Aug 2022

Researchers use synthetic polymers as alternatives to nucleate the formation of biofilms

A report from Birmingham researchers that was published in Materials Horizons describes a novel technique for improving biocatalysis efficiency.

3 Aug 2022

Researchers develop first biohybrid model of human ventricles with helically aligned beating cardiac cells

Heart disease -; the leading cause of death in the U.S. -; is so deadly in part because the heart, unlike other organs, cannot repair itself after injury.

11 Jul 2022

New polymer material may pave the way for development of electronic pills and drug implants

Biomedicines are produced by living cells and are used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases among other things.

17 Jun 2022

Researchers use new technique to examine the composition of cell walls from young poplar trees

To optimize biomaterials for reliable, cost-effective paper production, building construction, and biofuel development, researchers often study the structure of plant cells using techniques such as freezing plant samples or placing them in a vacuum.

8 Jun 2022

Study shows polymersome can effectively deliver PARP1 siRNA to treat breast cancer

Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, have the potential to cure tumors by targeting knocking down oncogenes that drive tumor development while avoiding the damage associated with chemotherapy.

25 May 2022

Rapidly growing nanotechnology firm launches new identity as MIP Discovery

MIP Diagnostics, a leading UK nanotechnology firm has today rebranded to MIP Discovery as the business continues its expansion within the healthcare sector.

From MIP Discovery 19 May 2022

Are Sustainable Biopesticides the Future for Agriculture?

In this interview, we speak to Sean Smith, CEO of Eden Research, about their sustainable biopesticides and how they are helping to combat plastic pollution.

From Eden Research plc 13 Apr 2022

Scientists discover how bacteria swim through complex fluids and environments

For years, science fiction authors have written about the idea of using microswimmers that could perform surgeries or deliver medicines to humans.

31 Mar 2022

Researchers find a new way to penetrate the cell using boron clusters’ superchaotropic properties

The recent research by scientists from the Centre for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS, USC), together with Jacobs University (Bremen, Germany), presents a new membrane carriers’ class that leaves behind the amphiphilic paradigm.

24 Mar 2022