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Do it yourself 'biohackers' want to break down institutional barriers and bring science to the people. But good intentions are up against the hard realities of doing science. Joe Alper reports, with additional reporting by Laura DeFrancesco.
Biofuels top the list of products for many biotech companies using advanced biological engineering. Cormac Sheridan examines the diverse commercial paths being taken to reach this goal.
As the first commercial ventures are formed around induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell research, who will have the freedom to operate commercially remains a big unknown. Sarah Webb reports.
Agribusiness is taking another run at transgenic wheat after shelving its programs five years ago because of concerns from farmers, trade organizations and even state governments about market acceptance. Will there be a market this time? Jeffrey Fox investigates.
Are the crop industry's strong-arm tactics and close-fisted attitude to sharing seeds holding back independent research and undermining public acceptance of transgenic crops? Emily Waltz investigates.
Several drug programs aim to restore the balance between regulatory T cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells in autoimmune disease. But as therapies advance in the clinic, new discoveries are challenging the fundamental principle that T-cell lineages, once established, don't change. Ken Garber reports.
Recent commercial success belies conventional wisdom that vaccines are a low-margin, moribund sector. But will the trend continue? Cormac Sheridan investigates.
As the economic downturn chokes spin-outs from academia, a spate of newly minted university-industry partnerships are springing up. Failing to address the financial conflicts in such partnerships could spell trouble for both faculty and drug companies. Jim Kling investigates.
A gout drug has been approved by the FDA, the first in 40 years, with three more in the wings. What accounts for this sudden slew of gout therapies? Jill U. Adams investigates.
Long thought of as passive bystanders, glial cells are coming under increasing scrutiny as mediators of inflammatory disease in the nervous system. Now, some drug makers are hoping they can be targeted pharmacologically. Cormac Sheridan reports.
Algae have long been touted as a rich and ubiquitous source of renewable fuel but thus far have failed to be economically competitive with other sources of energy. Could new advances change that? Emily Waltz investigates.
