News Around World
Synthetic Viruses Aiming at Cancer Cells

New approaches in molecular biology are providing scientists new ways in targeting cancer cells through the use of synthetic viruses. Viruses invade cells to replicate, by hijacking hosts to produce new viruses, a new technique developed at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, allows the production of synthetic viruses which act with the same efficiency as their natural counterparts in infecting specific cells. The scientists involved has identified a specific mechanism It has been reported that these synthetic vectors recognize a specific receptor which is present in tumour cells, opening up various possibilities in the cancer gene therapy.

African scientists have successfully developed the first all-African genetically modified crop plant which is resistant to maize streak virus. This has been viewed as a significant leap in African agricultural biotechnology, and is expected to help alleviate Africa’s food shortages. The research, headed by scientists from the University of Cape Town and Pannar Seed Ltd., a South African seed company, would begin field trials to ensure the viability and safety of the crop.

A newly developed cocktail by US biotechnology company Geron Corp brings new hope for heart patients as the cocktail has shown the ability to help human embryonic stem cells thrive and repair the damaged heart cells of rats. The experiment has shown the strongest evidence to date that the controversial stem cells are capable of repairing the heart in the event of a heart attack and heart failure.

 
Scientists fight threat to rice
Scientists in an agricultural research station south of Manila is at the forefront of battling meteorological changes as they battle against time to breed new varieties of rice. With more than half the world’s population dependant on the staple crop for nourishment, while the climate in some parts of the world change, methods in rice cultivation should begin changing as rainfall distribution becomes more unpredictable.