Tag Biosciences

UW-Madison narrows field of potential WID research themes

February 23, 2009

The research direction of the rising Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID) is coming into sharper focus as UW–Madison this week (Feb. 20) announced the list of successful pre-proposals for the public half of the new public-private institute.

Genetic information personalizes warfarin prescribing

February 18, 2009

Warfarin, one of the world's most widely used drugs, is also one of the trickiest to prescribe. Half of those who take it are at risk of serious problems when given the standard starting dose.

Course builds community of biomedical entrepreneurs

February 16, 2009

A new multidisciplinary course at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is preparing entrepreneurial graduate students to bring biomedical innovations to the patients who need them.

Mouse study reveals genetic component of empathy

February 12, 2009

The ability to empathize with others is partially determined by genes, according to new research on mice from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).

Mathematical models reveal how organisms transcend the sum of their genes

February 6, 2009

Molecular and cellular biologists have made tremendous scientific advances by dissecting apart the functions of individual genes, proteins, and pathways. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering are looking to expand that understanding by putting the pieces back together, mathematically.

UW-Madison to host bash for Darwin’s 200th birthday

February 4, 2009

Feb. 12 marks the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, the founding father of evolution, and scientists, historians and other Wisconsin scholars are planning a daylong celebration in honor of the British biologist and his legacy.

Paper industry executive to lead Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative

February 3, 2009

Troy Runge, research director at Kimberly-Clark Corp., has been named director of the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative (WBI).

Single gene lets bacteria jump from host to host

February 1, 2009

All life - plants, animals, people - depends on peaceful coexistence with a swarm of microbial life that performs vital services from helping to convert food to energy to protection from disease.

New program aims to enhance operations of Wisconsin biotech companies

January 22, 2009

The University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have partnered to launch a biotechnology process improvement program, working with local firms NeoClone in Madison, Catalent in Middleton and Invitrogen in Milwaukee.

Common soil mineral degrades the nearly indestructible prion

January 14, 2009

In the rogues' gallery of microscopic infectious agents, the prion is the toughest hombre in town.

Nations that sow food crops for biofuels may reap less than previously thought

January 13, 2009

Global yields of most biofuels crops, including corn, rapeseed and wheat, have been overestimated by 100 to 150 percent or more, suggesting many countries need to reset their expectations of agricultural biofuels to a more realistic level.

Genetic change extends mouse life, points to possible treatment for ALS

December 9, 2008

There are many ways to die, but amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, must be one of the worst. By the time a patient notices muscle weakness, the neurons that control the muscles have already begun dying, in an untreatable process that brings death within two to five years.

Poll: Boaters and anglers taking steps to prevent spread of invasive species

December 9, 2008

The vast majority of Wisconsin residents say that preventing the spread of VHS fish disease and other aquatic invasive species to new lakes and rivers is very important, a recent statewide poll shows.

Stealth drug idea snags Gates Foundation support

November 12, 2008

A proposal to create a stealth drug, one that remains cloaked inside a cell until activated by a pathogen, has snared a high-profile $100,000 award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Research on human embryonic stem cells marks 10-year milestone

November 6, 2008

Ten years ago today (Nov. 6, 1998), the publication in the journal Science of a short paper entitled "Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Derived from Human Blastocysts" rocked biology - and the world - as the all-purpose stem cell and its possibilities were ushered into the limelight.

Conference to celebrate a decade of stem cell research

November 5, 2008

The Wisconsin Academy, along with UW–Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), will host a free, two-day event to highlight the accomplishments of stem cell research in the state and to examine future stem cell issues.

Wisconsin undergraduate team tackles biofuels challenges

October 30, 2008

Working on a current scientific issue with cutting-edge technology is unusual for an undergraduate. But not for the Wisconsin iGEM team, a group of 11 University of Wisconsin–Madison undergraduates researching biofuels for a synthetic biology competition.

Sea urchin yields a key secret of biomineralization

October 27, 2008

The teeth and bones of mammals, the protective shells of mollusks, and the needle-sharp spines of sea urchins and other marine creatures are made-from-scratch wonders of nature.

President of Environmental Defense Fund to speak at Bioenergy Summit

October 20, 2008

Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, will deliver the keynote address at the Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative's Bioenergy Summit on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in Ebling Symposium Hall of the Microbial Sciences Building, 1550 Linden Drive.

Symposium looks at challenge of producing more food on a smaller carbon footprint

October 7, 2008

On the day before World Food Day, a group of agricultural leaders will gather to discuss how technology can be harnessed to meet the world's need for food, fiber and fuel while reducing their industry's carbon footprint.