Research technologies news: 2012

December

Automated design for drug discovery - Press release - 13 December
A system of `automated design’ for new drugs could help develop the complex therapies needed for many medical conditions while also improving drug safety…
Biologists and physicists collaborate to investigate ‘quantum biology’ - Feature - 3 December
The bizarre world of quantum mechanics might not seem a likely place from which to find answers to biological questions, but increasing numbers of…

£5.2M to improve understanding of ageing immune system - Press release - 30 November
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester, working with the University of Warwick, have been awarded £5.2M to investigate our immune…
New projects helping lay the foundations for biology breakthroughs - Press release - 16 November
Ten new projects, announced today by BBSRC, will help researchers develop and maintain the infrastructure and resources that are vital for modern bioscience…
£20M investment for UK synthetic biology research - Press release - 9 November
In a move that could potentially revolutionise major UK industries and help us to meet serious social and environmental challenges, BBSRC has announced…
Industry highlights benefits of synthetic biology investment - News - 9 November
Earlier today, the Chancellor announced £20M funding awarded by BBSRC through the Strategic Longer and Larger Awards Scheme…
Call for Innovation and Knowledge Centre in Synthetic Biology - News - 2 November
BBSRC, EPSRC, and TSB are jointly inviting expressions of interest to establish an Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) in Synthetic Biology…
Biology by design part three – how synthetic biology could revolutionise everything from medicines to energy - Feature - 2 November
In a series of articles we are highlighting the work of some of the leading synthetic biology researchers in the UK…

Chris Packham helps scientists unearth soil’s secret ‘DNA’ to mark Biology Week - Press release - 24 September
Chris Packham is helping scientists to unlock the secrets of soil by unravelling its genetic fingerprint…
Socialising – while the crow flies - Press release - 18 September
The social networking of wild birds has been mapped in unprecedented detail, using cutting-edge technology…

Addressing the need for microscopic speed - Press release - 24 August
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed a new form of digital microscope which can create an image 100 times faster than regular equipment – without losing image quality…
Biology by design part two – how synthetic biology could revolutionise everything from medicines to energy - Feature - 8 August
In a series of articles we will be highlighting the work of some of the leading synthetic biology researchers in the UK…

Record amount awarded for research to reduce animal experiments and improve animal welfare - Press release - 26 July
The NC3Rs has today announced 21 new grants totalling £5.1M for research to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in science…
Biology by design – how synthetic biology could revolutionise everything from medicines to energy - Feature - 13 July
In a series of articles we will be highlighting the work of some of the leading synthetic biology researchers in the UK…
Roadmap marks milestone for UK synthetic biology - News - 13 July
BBSRC has welcomed the publication of the Synthetic Biology Roadmap. The roadmap provides the vision and direction for supporting a world-leading…
BBSRC consults community on predictive biology - News - 9 July
BBSRC is inviting the UK bioscience community to help guide the development of a new 'digital organisms' strategy…

Work begins on groundbreaking big-data facility - News - 14 June
Handling, storing and interpreting large volumes of data is a big priority when translating science out of the lab and into the wider world…

PBL and Alnylam sign RNAi licensing agreement - News - 23 May
Plant Bioscience Limited (PBL), the UK technology management company part owned by BBSRC…
Big advances from tiny technology - Feature - 15 May
Is a game-changing device in DNA sequencing about to revolutionise the business of decoding genes?
High-powered microscopes reveal workings of yeast cells - News - 1 May
Using high-powered microscopes, scientists have made a stunning observation of the architecture within a cell – and identified for the first time how…

Scientists demonstrate new technique to help understand how cells develop and function - News - 27 April
Scientists have demonstrated a new technique that will significantly improve scientists’ ability to perform epigenetics research and help unlock…

New technology pinpoints root growth mechanism - Press release - 8 March
The University of Nottingham used newly developed technology…
First model of how buds grow into leaves - Press release - 2 March
Scientists discover simple rules that control leaf shape during growth…

Using microscopy to understand wound healing - Feature - 17 February
Improving our understanding of how the human body heals itself…
New guidance on bioinformatics funding published - News - 15 February
Statement helps researchers identify right council to apply to…
Minister launches next generation of supercomputers for UK researchers - Press release - 13 February
Funded by four RCUK Councils at The University of Edinburgh…
Study asks whether the equine industry needs a biobank - Press release - 1 February
To make the most of advancing genomic technologies…

New international standards to aid data sharing - Press release - 30 January
Collaborative effort provides way for scientists to co-ordinate…
PBL issued with pioneering patent - News - 24 January
Patent describes inducing gene silencing in plants and animals…
From flies to fetal viability - Feature - 11 January
BBSRC-funded research on insect flight leads to better fertility…
New pathogen resource launched - Press release - 10 January
PhytoPath, a collaboration between EMBL-EBI and Rothamsted…
Hidden genetic variants revealed by new computational technique - Press release - 10 January
Problem of sheer scale of genome sequencing solved…