HEADLINES
Neelie Kroes welcomes European Parliament endorsement of eHealth Action Plan
Neelie Kroes today welcomed the support of the European Parliament for the eHealth Action Plan which address barriers to the full use of digital solutions in Europe's healthcare systems. Read more
Promoting cooperation between European and Canadian researchers
An ambitious project to connect European researchers with their counterparts in Canada was recently launched by the Commission. The creation of global research networks enables scientists to work with the very best in their field, make more efficient use of their resources and above all increase the final impact of their projects. Read more
EU rules are stifling a golden age of biotechnology
As the world’s population climbs towards 9 billion we face a perfect storm of geopolitical pressure for the basics of life — food, medicine and energy. Find out how biotechnology is helping to find a solution to these challenges. Read more
South Africa: Nation Moves to Grow Bio-Economy
The government has launched an updated bio-economy strategy that seeks to accelerate the development of bio-based services, products and innovations in South Africa, which are essential to the achievement of the country's industrial and social development goals. Read more
|
|
|
|
Healthcare Biotech
Tricky protein may help HIV vaccine development.
A breakthrough in the search for a vaccine for HIV this week, when scientists at the Duke University discovered the structure of what they describe as ‘the Achilles' heel’ of the virus. The research will help focus HIV vaccine development efforts,a virus that currently infects more than 33 million people and has killed 30 million more.Read more
Gene therapy 'could be used to treat blindness'
Surgeons in Oxford have used a gene therapy technique to improve the vision of six patients who would otherwise have gone blind. Read more
Belgian scientists repair bones with new stem cell technique
Belgian medical researchers have succeeded in repairing bones using stem cells from fatty tissue, with a new technique that could treat a range of bone disorders. Read more
|
|
Agricultural Biotech
Genetically modified crops enter Russia
According to a Russian agronomist, Introducing GM cultures will give farmers the chance to produce more but without spending more. In this context, Russia has introduced a registration system for foods containing genetically modified organisms that could drag the illegal import of genetically modified seeds out of the shadows as well as improving the lives of farmers. Read more
In your hands: Food security
The question now for farmers, policymakers and consumers alike, is how to ensure there is enough safe, nutritious and affordable food for the world? Read more
Hostility to GM putting EU in 'global slow lane' - report
The growing influence of green lobbyists and anti-capitalists on European policymaking is condemning the EU to the ‘global slow lane’ when it comes to biotechnology, an MP has warned. Read more
|
|
Industrial Biotech
Field Trial With Lignin Modified Poplars Shows Potential for Bio-Based Economy
Sugars can serve as the starting material for producing bio-based products like bio-plastics and bio-ethanol. Find out how a group of Brussels scientists have managed to convert the wood of lignin modified poplar trees into sugars. Read more
Turning up the heat on enzyme design
Like Goldilocks, enzymes won’t tolerate conditions that are too hot or too cold. They typically function within a narrow temperature band. Without the help of enzymes, we couldn’t digest food or synthesize DNA: They make the right metabolic reactions happen at the right speed. A team of scientists at Yale University has developed a method for designing temperature-adaptive enzymes to help control these reactions. Read more
|
|
|
EVENTS
-
23-24 January: EU Research and Innovation Proposal Development 2014-2020, Brussels, Belgium. More information
-
11-13 February: Chemical Control Formulation: From vision to product, Berlin, Germany. More information
-
11-13 February: Veterinary Formulation: From vision to product, Berlin, Germany. More information
-
12-13 February: Biocide Formulation: From vision to product, Berlin, Germany. More information
-
12 -13 February: Agrochemical Formulation: From vision to product, Berlin, Germany. More information
-
13 February: BIO-TIC Workshop, Paris, France. More information
-
27-28 February: Annual Conference on EU Law in the Pharmaceutical sector, Brussels, Belgium More information
-
05-06 June: BIOVISION, Lyon, France. More information
- 09-10 July: 3rd European Biorefinery Traning School , Budapest, Hungary. More information
- 13-17 July, 16th European Congress on Biotechnology, Edinburgh, Scotland.More information
|
|
|
|