Monthly Archives: July 2014

Celebrating a record year for Biotechnology for Biofuels

With the publication of the 2013 Journal Citation Reports (Thomson Reuters), we are delighted to announce Biotechnology for Biofuels’ rise in Impact Factor to 6.22. We proudly maintain our position as the highest impact journal that fully focuses upon biofuels research. Biotechnology for Biofuels now ranks 5/82 in the ‘Energy & Fuel’ category and 14/165 in… Read more »

Biology

Overcoming tumour resistance to treatments with epi-based approaches

Cancercell

Written by Professor Lucia Altucci, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli   A main strategy of the drug discovery field is to define novel therapeutic approaches against human disease – including cancer. Clearly, an emerging problem is the potential acquisition of resistance to treatment, even when, a so-called ‘targeted-treatment’ is defined. Very recently, Yujie Tang… Read more »

Biology

Small microbes, big microbiome

Microbiome logo

Our own bodies are teeming with microorganisms, not to mention those present in the environment we live in. Every time we touch something we transfer microbial life from one place to another. Understanding the genetic make-up of these microbes and how they interact with one another is crucial to increase our knowledge of all life… Read more »

Biology

Beyond ENCODE – let’s continue the conversation

As the human genome sequence was completed, so the deep analysis of it began in earnest with the ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project – intended to identify all functional elements in the human genome. The project involved a worldwide consortium of research groups and the data emerging can be accessed through public databases. BioMed… Read more »

Biology

Cancer and diet – how to ask the right questions

Apple&cells_2014_all green_small

In the panel discussion at the end of the first BioMed Central conference on Metabolism, diet and disease, the panellists confronted the overwhelming evidence for a link between obesity and cancer. The panel discussion at the second picked up where the first left off – Can cancer be prevented by diet? The only categorical answer… Read more »

Biology
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The Breakthrough Prizes

Our current technological era, submerged by continuous discoveries and breakthroughs, has developed an appropriately new award: The Breakthrough Prize. The motivation of such new award is well described at its webpage Knowledge is humanity’s greatest asset. It defines our nature, and it will shape our future. …… The disciplines that ask the biggest questions and… Read more »

Biology

Tackling ischemia to treat DMD

In a recent publication Nelson et al proposed to use PDE5 inhibitors to treat DMD. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal progressive disease that affects about one in 3500 boys. DMD is caused by mutations in dystrophin that yield to protein loss. As a result, DMD myofibers are more susceptible to contraction-induced injury, leading… Read more »

Biology