Biogenes signs exclusive licensing agreement with IUKL
Reading Time: < 1 minuteBANGI: Biogenes Technologies Sdn Bhd (Biogenes), a Malaysian-based company in the field of molecular diagnostics and genomics has signed a licensing agreement with Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL) to commercialise Aptamer technology. Aptamer, a synthetic alternative to antibodies acts as molecular probes to detect and measure desired target molecules in a sample. This innovation is […]
ISAAA appoints M’sian as global coordinator
Reading Time: 6 minutesBY JOSEPH MASILAMANY PETALING JAYA: Malaysian science journalist, Dr Mahaletchumy Arujanan was overwhelmed by mixed feelings when informed of her new role as global coordinator for the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). Describing her as a world renowned science communicator, ISAAA’s news portal Crop Biotech Update announced the appointment on May 2. In an immediate reaction to the announcement, Mahaletchumy popularly known as Maha in […]
Squid could provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastics
Reading Time: 3 minutesSelf-healing fabric, abrasion-resistant coatings, precision drug delivery and smart textiles are among the potential applications of squid ‘ring tooth’ protein THE remarkable properties of a recently-discovered squid protein could revolutionise materials in a way that would be unattainable with conventional plastic, finds a review published in Frontiers in Chemistry. Originating in the ringed teeth of […]
IPBES Report is most comprehensive
Reading Time: 4 minutesCompiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries. The IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is the most comprehensive ever completed. It is the first intergovernmental Report of its kind and builds on the landmark Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005, introducing innovative ways of evaluating evidence. Compiled by 145 expert authors from […]
Science carnival to bring parents, children together
Reading Time: < 1 minuteTHE Sunway Nexis Mall at Kota Damansara is all set to come alive with a carnival that aims to raise science awareness and interest among parents and children. It will also provide an opportunity for parents and children to interact and engage themselves in the many fun-filled learning activities. According to the organising committee chairperson […]
Second patient free of HIV after stem-cell therapy
Reading Time: < 1 minuteA SECOND person has experienced sustained remission from HIV-1 after ceasing treatment, reports a paper led by researchers at UCL and Imperial College London. The case report, published in Nature and carried out with partners at the University of Cambridge and the niversity of Oxford, comes ten years after the first such case, known as the ‘Berlin Patient.’ Both patients were treated with stem cell transplants […]
Gene-edited babies, so what’s our take?
Reading Time: 4 minutesDR REENA RAJASURIAR, HIV Scientist, Centre for Excellence for Research in AIDS, University of Malaya “Rogue scientist at work“ THE technology for gene editing is still not 100 per cent safe and there could be “off target” effects which could be detrimental. So, to apply this technique to humans is wrong and these babies have been unnecessarily put at risk. All experiments on […]
Nigeria approves Bt cowpea commercialisation
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCOWPEA, also known as kacang tunggak in Malay may not be a key crop in Malaysia, but the Indians have long been using it in curry and vadai, the Malays add it in ketupat palas, while the Chinese mix it in stew. Like so many other crops, the cowpea faces threats from insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses. In Nigeria, [ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ] Maruca pod-borer infestation […]
Biotech to the rescue of brussels sprouts
Reading Time: 2 minutesAN international team has identified the genes that make these plants resistant to the pathogen that attacks crops belonging to the cabbage family all over the world. “Surnames” aside, cabbages are grown nowadays all over the world. Like them, many other plants from the Brassicaceae family such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and even mustard -yes, […]