Bacterial evolution can be accelerated with the MAGE technique to produce large numbers of  favorable mutations (micrograph image of E. coli bacteria magnified 10, 000 times)

Bacteria are prolific replicators, and some species can replicate into the millions in just a few hours. Bacteria, in the functioning of their cellular and biochemical machinery, also just happen to manufacture some very useful chemicals and bio-active molecules. The microbe populations also exhibit high rates of random mutation, which can confer adaptive traits, over time, onto the newer, variant population.

These attributes of bacterial life forms have been exploited in the biology lab (and in other industries) for some time, but generating genomic diversity in the lab has been challenging; inserting genes or entire genetic sequences into a cell’s nucleus (and DNA) can be done readily, but controlling or directing how exactly these hybrids mutate, is quite another thing. Further, new phenotypes (the main physical traits or properties) don’t usually happen fast or frequently enough for practical uses. But with a new technique called MAGE (Multiplex Automated Genome Engineering), bacteria are now being engineered (and “directed”) to perform these functions much faster and much more efficiently.

Read more of this story »

Nothing heralds summertime to me quite like watermelon. Reminiscent of childhood picnics and parties, this sweet, pink, fleshy fruit always cools me down on hot days. Did you know that watermelon:

• helps with inflammation?
• may help prevent asthma when eaten?
• is concentrated with amazing antioxidants?
• prevents colon cancer, diabetes and arthritis from developing?
• happens to be a a great internal cleanser as it’s more than 90% water?
• is a great source of vitamins A & C? 
• contains beta carotine?
• has a high lycopene content? 
• aids in free radical elimination and may prevent cancer formation?

Read more of this story »