Tag Archives: Biochemistry

A new method could spot fentanyl variants no one has cataloged yet

Posted on June 12, 2026 by rberkowitz

Underground labs invent new fentanyls faster than forensic labs can keep up. Continue reading →

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Lab-Made Motors Could Move and Glow in Cells

Posted on December 21, 2022 by rberkowitz

Minuscule motor molecules could emit light as they journey into cells. Continue reading →

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A Tiny Photonic Nose Captures Odor Fingerprints

Posted on August 2, 2022 by rberkowitz

A bio-inspired detector the size of a US penny can identify the unique odor profiles of different gases, something that could help in detecting food freshness and product counterfeits and in designing new cosmetics. Continue reading →

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Ancient lightning may have provided the phosphorus necessary for life

Posted on April 6, 2021 by rberkowitz

On early Earth, lightning strikes created glassy rocks that hosted abundant soluble minerals, which were rich in phosphorus, a vital ingredient in biomolecules. Continue reading →

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Addressing a 700-year-old problem: Reproducibility of results

Posted on July 30, 2019 by rberkowitz

More than 700 years ago, philosopher Roger Bacon argued that reproducible empirical results were essential to scientific progress.  Researchers today are finding new ways to address concerns related to robustness in scientific publications. Continue reading →

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Fluorescent Colloidal Nanomaterial Rapidly Internalized into Living Cells

Posted on January 26, 2016 by rberkowitz

Researchers have successfully incorporated colloidal nanoplatelets, a disc-like variation on spherical quantum dots, in a biological system. The new “lipoprotein nanoplatelets” were found to be rapidly internalized into living cells while retaining their fluorescence, making them uniquely valuable in live-cell imaging and labelling. Continue reading →

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MRS Bulletin: Photonic Crystal Nanolasers

Posted on January 8, 2016 by rberkowitz

‘Photonic-crystal nanolasers shown to be highly sensitive biosensors’ printed in Materials News section of January 2016 MRS Bulletin. Continue reading →

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Photonic Crystal Nanolasers Shown to be Highly Sensitive Biosensors

Posted on December 9, 2015 by rberkowitz

Move over, ELISA. While the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay has long been one of the most popular ways of detecting and quantifying the presence of antibodies or antigens in solution, nanolasers may be poised to share the spotlight on the biosensor stage. Continue reading →

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New cell death mechanism has implications for breast cancer treatments

Posted on February 24, 2011 by rberkowitz

A novel mechanism of cell death that occurs in mammalian organisms has been revealed by researchers at the University of Cambridge. Continue reading →

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Immune interaction optimises foetal nourishment during pregnancy

Posted on February 8, 2011 by rberkowitz

Paternal genes advise maternal immune cells on how to build the best womb for developing foetuses, researchers have found. Continue reading →

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