Embrapa Researcher optimizes production of transgenic

By Leonel Rocha
Revista Época – The Centers Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and Embrapa Coffee patented the technique called “Compositions and methods for modifying the expression of genes of interest” that promises to enhance the development of transgenic plants. The technique is based on a study of the seedling gene responsible for defining where, when and under conditions the desired characteristics will be expressed in the plant. The goal is to isolate the genes called “promoters” and make them available in a catalog to be used in production.
Currently, to develop a transgenic plant scientists typically use constitutive promoters. This means that the gene was inserted into the transgenic will be manifest in all plant parts, in all stages of development, regardless of environmental conditions. With this technique developed by researchers at Embrapa, the copy takes energy to produce a protein excessively unnecessary in the whole plant and all the time.
The new technology allows the gene that was inserted; it is expressed only when and where needed. In the case of coffee berry borer, for example, a gene for resistance to pests can be controlled by a promoter specific for the bulk product, preventing the reproduction of the beetle transmitter. In five years Embrapa expected to provide a database of promoters.

Source: Revista Época, May 18th, 2012
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Labex Korea Colletion

By Gilberto Silber Schmidt
Labex Korea – The new format of Labex Korea Collection provide our readers more facilities to identify and read the titles of interest without having to go through the entire page. The PDF document includes the TOP10′s for each month. This version includes the articles published in January, February and March. Enjoy

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FAPESP joins group on global climate change

By Elton Alisson

Agência FAPESP – On March 28, during Planet Under Pressure, a memorandum of understanding for collaborative action in global climate change research was signed by research financing agencies from the member nations of the Belmont Forum. A call for proposals was launched on April 15, aimed at supporting research in the areas of Coastal Vulnerability and Freshwater Security.

This group, comprising FAPESP and some of the world’s primary global climate change research financing agencies, aims to try to change the direction of international research collaboration on global climate change through joint calls for research. ……….>>Read More<<

Source and Photo: FAPESP, April 25th, 2012
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Status of biogas technologies and policies in South Korea

Yong-Sung Kima, Young-Man Yoonb, Chang-Hyun Kimb, Jens Giersdorfa

Science Direct – To date, there are about 49 biogas plants in South Korea that are generally recognized as economically and technically unsuccessful due to lack of knowhow, deficient technologies and policies. There is a need to analyze the status of biogas technology and policy in South Korea from the point of view of an external biogas expert, since biogas technology in South Korea has not yet been analyzed by foreign biogas experts so far. For analyzing site investigation, literature research and interviews are performed. It was found that there are several lacks of conceptual design of biogas technology, such as plant dimension, energy balance, operation knowhow. Technical and financial support for the development of biogas technology was insufficient so far. There are some policies to support biogas technologies, however financial support from different ministries seemed not to have been used efficiently. Some policies are planned excessively so that they cannot be realized on time. Based on the general policy called “Green Growth”, the Korean government plans to establish a biogas market in South Korea in order to recover energy from organic waste. For this purpose, R&D efforts should be intensified for consulting and education in national and international networks for the transfer of knowhow and technologies. Definition of the existing restrictions on the development of biogas technology is required. By developing a biogas roadmap, the creation of a biogas market could be promoted efficiently in South Korea…. >>Read More<<

Source: Science Direct, April 3rd, 2012
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Dutch Government Ok’s Publication of H5N1 Study

By Martin Enserink
Science – Fouchier had been fiercely opposed to applying for an export license, which he says is an inappropriate tool to control the flow of scientific information. He eventually filed for the permit while disputing the obligation to do so.
Fouchier says he’s “glad but not surprised” by the decision. “It would have been strange” if the government had held up publication after NSABB and an expert panel at the World Health Organization recommended publication, says Fouchier. The Rotterdam lab will not break out the champagne until the paper actually comes out, he says. “Then we’ll throw a party.” …… >>Read More<<

Source: Science, April 27th, 2012.
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UN betting on ‘New Biotechnology Green”

Labex Korea – The report Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future Worth Choosing, the High-Level Panel for Global Sustainability issued 56 recommendations to put into practice sustainable development and highlights it on the agenda of economic policies. The 22-member panel, created by UN Secretary General in August 2010, is co-chaired by the President of Finland Tarja Halonen and President of South Africa Jacob Zuma. “With the possibility that the world is plunging further into recession, policy makers are hungry for ideas that can help them navigate through these perilous times,” said President Zuma. “Our report makes clear that sustainable development is more important than ever given the multiple crises that beset the world today.”
The report emphasizes the importance of science as a guide in decision making on issues of sustainability. The report adds that the ‘new biotechnologies green’ could have a ‘valuable role in enabling farmers to adapt to climate change, improve resistance to pests, restore soil fertility and contributing to the diversification of rural economy’.

Click here to download the report and here to watch the video for the press
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Scientific community makes recommendations for RIO+20

By Heitor Shimizu

Agência FAPESP – The planetary system that allowed civilization to develop in recent centuries is threatened, and the result could be a global humanitarian emergency due to the intensification of social, economic and environmental crises. The multiple and urgent actions necessary to reverse this scenario will only be feasible through a new agreement between science and society that, leads to a greater connection between leadership in all sectors.

This is the main conclusion of the State of the Planet Declaration, released on March 29 after intense debate among scientists specializing in socio-environmental areas during the Planet Under Pressure meeting, which was held in London from March 25-29.
>>Read More<<

Source and Photo: FAPESP, April 25th, 2012
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Does It Compute?

By Valda Vinson, Beverly A. Purnell, Laura M. Zahn and John Travis
Science – A discussion of computational biology has to start with a pioneer of the field, Alan Turing, especially in this centennial year of his birth. He introduced us to the digital computer and proposed that much biology could be described by mathematical equations—the number of spirals in a sunflower is a Fibonacci number and pattern formation in animal skins can be described by a reaction diffusion model. Turing lacked the data and the computing power to substantiate his models. Today, the availability of vast quantities of new data, together with striking advances in computing power, is promising to give us new insights into the mechanisms of life. This special section, together with related content in Science Signaling and Science Careers, highlights recent advances and outstanding challenges…. >>Read More<<

Source: Science,April 13rd, 2012
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New international plant science network will boost collaborative research

A new European Commission-funded network launched at the end of January will coordinate plant science research across Europe and beyond. 26 partners from 23 countries will pool their resources and expertise in order to fund plant science research programmers to help address global challenges such as ensuring food security and providing sustainable Bioenergy.
The network, (ERA-NET for Coordinating Action in Plant Sciences – ERA-CAPS) will be coordinated by the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). It will run until 2014 and is expected to fund two calls for collaborative research projects as well as organizing strategic workshops for identifying common priorities and activities around data sharing and open access…. >>Read More<<

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The New Role of Microbes in Bio-Fuel Production

Alternative Energy – Currently biofuel is produced from plants as well as microbes. The oils, carbohydrates or fats generated by the microbes or plants are refined to produce biofuel. This is a green and renewable energy that helps in conserving fossil-fuel usage. But a new research has led to a new discovery of getting the microbes to produce fuel from the proteins instead of utilizing the protein for its own growth. The research is being done at the premises of University of California in Los Angeles…. >>Read More<<

Source and Photo: Alternative Energy
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