Author Archives: ev1

Genetic Engineering: A New Use for Algae in Biofuel Production

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Lawrence, KS (PRWEB) July 29, 2013

Phycologia In recent years major companies from all over the globe, including Exxon Mobile and Itochu Corporation, have merged with research facilities to research algae as a renewable energy source. However, it has been determined that far more research is needed before movement to the commercial production phase of algae biofuel can truly take place. A recent research study took up this challenge and examined a promising freshwater algal strain for possible genetic engineering applications that could make it a viable biofuel.

An article in the journal Phycologia takes an in-depth look at the genetic structure of a unicellular green alga, Botryococcus braunii, and explores its unique ability to be utilized in the genetic engineering of biofuel development. Botryococcus braunii was initially selected for large-scale biofuel production because of its extraordinary ability to synthesize large amounts of hydrocarbon oils. Several difficulties were encountered in the initial production and harvesting processes, leaving it by the wayside. However, this latest research reintroduces B. braunii as the perfect vehicle for genetic engineering applications when compared with three other species of green algae, five species of land plants, and eight other phyla species, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and mammals.

The research focused on the codon usage, or DNA compatibility, of B. braunii with the other organisms. Codon usage for this particular alga is one of the fundamental genetic markers that had not been explored. Codons are greatly affected by the vast amount of guanines (G) and cytosines (C), two of the four nucleotides that make up a DNA molecule. Many green algal species having high GC content, which causes codon usage bias, or poor compatibility, with other organisms. Surprisingly, B. braunii had comparatively low GC content and its codon usage was similar to that of bacteria, mammals, and land plants.

Although further study is necessary, the ability of B. braunii to synthesize hydrocarbons, combined with the newly discovered codon usage and GC content data, could lead to new genetic engineering techniques that could hasten biofuel development and production.

Full text of the article, Codon usage of Botryococcus braunii (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta): implications for genetic engineering applications, Phycologia, Vol. 52, No. 4, 2013, is available at http://www.phycologia.org/doi/full/10.2216/12-041.1

About Phycologia Phycologia is the official publication of the International Phycological Society and publishes papers on any aspect of algal research. For more information, visit http://www.intphycsoc.org.

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Genetic Engineering: A New Use for Algae in Biofuel Production

iWorx Introduces a New Family of Physiology Teaching Kits for College-Level Labs

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Dover, NH (PRWEB) July 24, 2013

iWorx Systems Inc., a developer of advanced physiology teaching solutions, has introduced its new suite of TA Teaching Kits (http://www.iworx.com/teaching-landing/) that include software, components and courseware for performing hundreds of college-level human, animal and plant physiology lab experiments. At the heart of the new kits is the TA Control Module (http://www.iworx.com/products/data-recorders/ix-ta-teaching-assistant-control-module/), which removes many of the tedious set-up and calibration routines typically required to perform a lab. The TA module also incorporates proprietary iWire serial interface technology that enables plug and play expandability to easily enhance course curriculum.

iWorx TA Kits are configured for teaching human, animal, exercise, and psychological physiology, general biology and neurobiology. The all inclusive kits are complemented by easy-to-use LabScribe software that is synced to more than 350 professionally developed lab exercises. The TA control module is easy to use, providing pre-calibrated, plug and play blood pressure, spirometer, and temperature sensors that speed up lab set-up and ensures more lab teaching time. A spirometer, blood pressure sensor, grip force sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor and software-controlled high and low voltage stimulators are built-in to the module and ensure consistent performance from lab to lab.

Integral iWire serial interface technology enables plug and play expandability of the TA control module. With two iWire inputs, the TA module can simultaneously record from multiple iWire-compatible sensors via a single connection without requiring additional channels. For example, 12 leads of ECG can be recorded through a single iWire input while traditional recorders would require 12 additional recording channels. iWorx offers a number of iWire compatible sensors for recording ECG, EMG, EEG and GSR signals as well as pulse oximetry and plethysmography.

More information on iWorx TA Teaching Kits can be found at http://www.iworx.com. Contact iWorx Systems, Inc., 62 Littleworth Road, Dover, NH 03820 (T) (800) 234-1757, (F) (603) 742-2455.

Download a high resolution image for print at http://www.iworx.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/AHK-TA-2-NR.jpg.

About iWorx

iWorx Systems, Inc. provides a full range of advanced hardware and software tools for physiology teaching and research. iWorx TA Kits include all software, professionally developed courseware, and instrumentation for teaching college level labs in human, animal, exercise and psychological physiology, neurobiology, and plant biology.

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iWorx Introduces a New Family of Physiology Teaching Kits for College-Level Labs

Fred Grimm: Focus on pro baseball ignores real doping crime: Kids on steroids

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In a considerable mischaracterization, the Biogenesis scandal has been painted as an outrage against the integrity of Major League Baseball. Were told to revile the now-defunct anti-aging clinic in Coral Gables because it tempted sports heroes with performance-enhancing drugs and further sullied the reputation of the corporate conglomerate formerly known as Americas pastime.

Biogenesis not only implicated the likes of the Yankees Alex Rodriguez and the Brewers Ryan Braun along with 18 other professional baseball players in its doping racket, but to our collective horror did it after baseball Commissioner Bud Selig had declared doping virtually nonexistent and clearly a thing of the past.

Revelations seeping out of Biogenesis showed Selig to be a fool. And Major League Baseball, in league with the nations sportswriters, went after the players with such a fury that no one much noticed the real crimes perpetrated down at 1390 South Dixie Highway. Not even the Miami-Dade state attorneys office. Not even the local cops.

According to whistleblower Porter Fischer, Biogenesis of America was doping children. Injecting high school kids with illegal and dangerous amalgamations of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones. Along with professional and college athletes, the patient list at the storefront clinic included Miami-Dade high school ball players, come to emulate their pro heroes and cheat their way to stardom.

That should have been cause for outrage. But as Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown reported last week, these felonies were simply shrugged off by local law enforcement. Brown interviewed Fischer, the former employee and investor in Biogenesis turned whistleblower who, armed with incriminating documents filched from the clinic, ignited this latest pro baseball scandal.

But Fischer also offered up evidence of criminal medical procedures involving children. He told Brown that he had notified authorities that young athletes, mostly baseball players, from Gulliver, Columbus, St. Brendan, South Miami and other South Florida high schools had also been juiced at Biogenesis by Anthony Bosch, the clinics counterfeit doctor, who prescribed his pharmaceutical concoctions without the bother of a medical degree.

You want the stuff of outrage? Consider this quote from Fischers lawyer: I dont know why law enforcement hasnt gotten involved, to be honest, Raymond Rafool told Brown. We really cant figure it out. Porter is very upset. Youre talking about high school kids getting this stuff from this clinic. For kids who havent even given their bodies the opportunity to grow to be doing this was really disturbing to him.

Disturbing to him. Not to law enforcement. Not to the Miami-Dade state attorney.

Bosch got off with a $5,000 fine for practicing medicine without a license, levied by the Florida Department of Health pocket change in the highly profitable, ethically bankrupt world of anti-aging clinics.

Why no interest from local cops? Probably because the client list, as Brown reported, also included local cops (along with some lawyers and at least one judge.) It would be like expecting elementary schoolchildren to shut down Cold Stone Creamery.

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Fred Grimm: Focus on pro baseball ignores real doping crime: Kids on steroids

Environmental Testing by Chennai Testing Laboratory Private Limited, Chennai – Video

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Environmental Testing by Chennai Testing Laboratory Private Limited, Chennai
Welcome to Amba Recycler Private Limited, Offer Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Services. Established in 1984 at Chennai, we are an ISO 9001 2008, BI...

By: Abhishek Bhartia

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Environmental Testing by Chennai Testing Laboratory Private Limited, Chennai - Video