News & Views in 2003

Tissue engineers have developed a synthetic matrix that interacts with host cells to deliver bone-inductive proteins for bone regeneration.

A recent Keystone meeting highlighted the progress in developing antibody-based therapeutics for cancer.

A new mass spectrometry–based approach identifies and characterizes membrane proteins on a large scale.

Numerous endogenous antisense RNAs suggest antisense regulation of the human genome is more widespread than first thought.

An immunotoxin is made safer by the introduction of a point mutation.

A recent study on the transfer of foreign genes from chloroplasts to the nucleus raises technical issues that require resolution.

Two complementary proteomics approaches promise to move us closer to definition of the complete complement of proteins that make up a mitochondrion.

Demonstration of dioxin dehalogenation by an anaerobic bacterium highlights potential for bioremediation of recalcitrant anthropogenic pollutants.

Large-scale genomic screening of secreted proteins for therapeutic potential in diabetes reveals a surprise—bone morphogenetic protein-9.

Two new approaches promise to facilitate the identification of zinc fingers that function optimally in vivo.

Metabolic engineering on a grand scale has produced yeast that can synthesize hydrocortisone.

Identification and manipulation of a new enzyme from strawberry demonstrates the feasibility of engineering vitamin C synthesis in plants.

Genomic analysis of Pseudomonas putida sheds light on metabolic pathways that may be exploited for a variety of biotechnological applications.

Biotechnology gets a step closer in the pre-harvest production of “new milks” by generating cows that overexpress casein proteins in their milk.

Availability of the mouse draft genome sequence will facilitate experimental manipulation of novel drug targets and accelerate drug discovery.

Potatoes expressing single-domain antibodies in their plastids inhibit a starch-branching enzyme and produce high-amylose starch.

The display of a random peptide library on the surface of phage has been applied to the discovery of antigens specific to prostate cancer.

Two reports demonstrate the specific labeling of cellular constituents with fluorescent quantum dot probes conjugated covalently or electrostatically to antibodies and streptavidin.

An age-old technology holds promise for recombinant protein production.