Tag Biosciences
First graduates boon to Wisconsin biotechnology
Two years ago, 10 students working as scientists, business managers and lawyers came together with a single goal: to become leaders in this state's burgeoning biotechnology industry. On Saturday, May 15, they will graduate as the first alumni of the master of science in biotechnology program at UW–Madison.
Chemists find a new chink in TB’s armor
The family of bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy are notoriously sturdy. And although the diseases they cause have been held in check for the past 50 years by antibiotics, some strains are becoming increasingly resistant to existing therapy. Now, however, a new chink has been found in the cellular armor that makes these infectious diseases difficult to treat.
Facility provides researchers powerful tool
Researchers can rapidly test tens of thousands of small, organic chemical compounds for their ability to alter biological processes at the Keck-UW Comprehensive Cancer Center Small Molecule Screening Facility, one of a handful of university facilities of its kind in North America.
Study: Mimicking viruses may provide new way to defeat them
Viruses, often able to outsmart many of the drugs designed to defeat them, may have met their match, according to new research from UW–Madison.
Despite confinement, crop genes can spread fast to wild
With the slim chance that farmers will stop planting crops containing genes from other organisms, researchers have started to develop strategies that trap these foreign genes, reducing the risk that they'll spread to wild relatives. But an investigation by scientists from UW–Madison and the University of Minnesota-St. Paul shows that these containment strategies can quickly fail.
Studies offer new insight into HIV vaccine development
Discovery may help researchers design vaccines that exploit the notorious mutability of HIV by training the immune system to attack the virus where it's most vulnerable.
‘Bat saliva’ drug offers hope for acute stroke treatment
The use of a synthetic drug derived from the saliva of vampire bats appears to extend the time window for treatment of acute ischemic strokes from the current three to nine hours after symptoms first appear, according to the results of a new international study.
Geneticist to share grant to study corn genome
The National Science Foundation has awarded $10 million to a team of researchers headed by geneticist John Doebley to study the molecular and functional diversity of the maize (corn) genome.
Rice centromere, supposedly quiet genetic domain, surprises
Probing the last genomic frontier of higher organisms, an international team of scientists has succeeded in sequencing a little understood - but critical - genetic domain in rice.
Inhibitors explain enzyme involved in gene expression
The identification and characterization of the novel "CBR703" class of inhibitors through combined efforts in biochemistry, genetics and structural modeling with contributions from UW–Madison scientists and biopharmaceutical company Cumbre Inc. are described in a paper published in the Oct. 24 issue of Science.
Potent toxin reveals new antibiotic resistance mechanism
It is the equivalent of the courageous soldier throwing himself on a grenade, says Jon S. Thorson, a professor of pharmacy and the senior author of a paper describing a newly-discovered method of antibiotic resistance published in the Sept. 12 edition of the journal Science.
Researchers to collaborate on biodefense
UW-Madison is part of a collaboration of 11 Midwestern institutions selected as one of the new Centers of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research.
OCR to participate in Midwest-Japan biotechnology summit
More than 35 organizations from 12 Midwestern states are gathering in Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 10, for a summit meeting to showcase Midwestern biotechnology research and entrepreneurial opportunities for Japanese biotech leaders.
Models show gene flow from crops threatens wild plants
Models show that genes from crops rapidly can take over those in related wild plants.
Doyle commits to biotech, stem cell science
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle pledged his support March 5 to helping Wisconsin's biotechnology industry and to blunting legislative attacks on stem cell science.
Governor signs budget
The governor has signed a budget repair bill addressing Wisconsin's $1 billion budget deficit with measures including some cuts to UW System funding.
New program offered in biotechnology
To prepare professionals for the burgeoning field of biotechnology, the university will offer a new part-time graduate degree program beginning fall 2002.
Genomics portends next revolution in agriculture
As science begins to accumulate and explore plant and animal genomes - the entire set of genetic instructions for a particular organism - a new revolution in agriculture is in the offing and, according to university biologist Robert Goodman, promises a long-lasting and favorable impact on agriculture worldwide.
Program lends new precision to ‘gamma knife’
In a promising new research effort, a mathematical program is helping automate and fine-tune the arduous process of radiation surgery.
Genome project finds ‘triggers’ for E. coli illness
The newly completed genomic sequence of E. coli O157:H7 reveals how these potentially deadly bacteria are armed with a surprisingly wide range of genes that may trigger illness.