Willem 'Pim' Stemmer - p220

Crispin Littlehales

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-220

One of the most pioneering protein engineers of his generation is also a serial entrepreneur with a flair for spotting new business opportunities.

Abstract - | Full Text - Willem 'Pim' Stemmer | PDF (376 KB) - Willem 'Pim' Stemmer

13.3 million farmers cultivate GM crops - p221

Andrew Marshall

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-221

Full Text - 13.3 million farmers cultivate GM crops | PDF (338 KB) - 13.3 million farmers cultivate GM crops

Fresh from the biologic pipeline - pp222 - 225

Randall Osborne

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-222

Randy Osborne reports on the latest product approvals.

Abstract - | Full Text - Fresh from the biologic pipeline | PDF (223 KB) - Fresh from the biologic pipeline

When times get tough - pp226 - 228

Simcha Jong

doi:10.1038/bioe.2009.1

PDF (117 KB) - When times get tough

A survey of South-North health biotech collaboration - pp229 - 232

Christina C. Melon, Monali Ray, Sharon Chakkalackal, Michelle Li, Jan E. Cooper, Jennifer Chadder, Wen Ke, Lexuan Li, Magdy A. Madkour, Sahar Aly, Nefertiti Adly, Sachin Chaturvedi, Victor Konde, Abdallah S. Daar, Peter A. Singer & Halla Thorsteinsdóttir

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-229

Full Text - A survey of South-North health biotech collaboration | PDF (1,204 KB) - A survey of South-North health biotech collaboration | Supplementary information

BIO and the next generation - p232

Jim Greenwood

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-232

Full Text - BIO and the next generation | PDF (387 KB) - BIO and the next generation

Bonsai biotech - p233

William Bains

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-233

Full Text - Bonsai biotech | PDF (446 KB) - Bonsai biotech

Proliferation-resistant biotechnology: an approach to improve biological security - pp234 - 236

Ali Nouri & Christopher F Chyba

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-234

Is there a way to design DNA synthesis technology with safeguards that prevent its cooption for nefarious purposes?

Abstract - | Full Text - Proliferation-resistant biotechnology: an approach to improve biological security | PDF (385 KB) - Proliferation-resistant biotechnology: an approach to improve biological security

Bilski blundering biotech - pp245 - 248

William J Simmons

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-245

Is the Federal Circuit's decision in In re: Bilski yet a further restraint on patenting biotech and pharmaceutical inventions?

Abstract - | Full Text - Bilski blundering biotech | PDF (191 KB) - Bilski blundering biotech

Recent patent applications in RNA interference - p249

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-249

Full Text - Recent patent applications in RNA interference | PDF (61 KB) - Recent patent applications in RNA interference

Maximizing power in association studies - pp255 - 256

Eran Halperin & Dietrich A Stephan

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-255

Only a subset of genetic variants can be examined in genome-wide surveys for genetic risk factors. How can a fixed set of markers account for the entire genome by acting as proxies for neighboring associations?

Abstract - | Full Text - Maximizing power in association studies | PDF (290 KB) - Maximizing power in association studies

Gene silencing by synthetic U1 Adaptors - pp257 - 263

Rafal Goraczniak, Mark A Behlke & Samuel I Gunderson

doi:10.1038/nbt.1525

Goraczniak et al. introduce a gene-silencing method that uses 'U1 adaptors' to block polyadenylation of pre-mRNA in the nucleus. Silencing is stronger when U1 adaptors are combined with siRNAs than when either is used alone.

Abstract - | Full Text - Gene silencing by synthetic U1 Adaptors | PDF (479 KB) - Gene silencing by synthetic U1 Adaptors | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Roca & Krainer

A conditional transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screen for genes associated with mouse hepatocellular carcinoma - pp264 - 274

Vincent W Keng, Augusto Villanueva, Derek Y Chiang, Adam J Dupuy, Barbara J Ryan, Ilze Matise, Kevin A T Silverstein, Aaron Sarver, Timothy K Starr, Keiko Akagi, Lino Tessarollo, Lara S Collier, Scott Powers, Scott W Lowe, Nancy A Jenkins, Neal G Copeland, Josep M Llovet & David A Largaespada

doi:10.1038/nbt.1526

Keng et al. characterize the mouse hepatocellular carcinoma genome by using tissue-specific recombinase expression to restrict mobilization of the Sleeping Beauty transposon to the liver. High throughput sequencing of >100,000 insertions sites in mouse tumor nodules identifies potential therapeutic targets.

Abstract - | Full Text - A conditional transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screen for genes associated with mouse hepatocellular carcinoma | PDF (1,143 KB) - A conditional transposon-based insertional mutagenesis screen for genes associated with mouse hepatocellular carcinoma | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Uren & Berns

Highly efficient neural conversion of human ES and iPS cells by dual inhibition of SMAD signaling - pp275 - 280

Stuart M Chambers, Christopher A Fasano, Eirini P Papapetrou, Mark Tomishima, Michel Sadelain & Lorenz Studer

doi:10.1038/nbt.1529

Chambers et al. present an improved method for neural differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells that avoids the use of stromal feeder cells and embryoid bodies. By combining two inhibitors of SMAD signaling, the protocol generates neural cells with an efficiency of >80%.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Highly efficient neural conversion of human ES and iPS cells by dual inhibition of SMAD signaling | PDF (683 KB) - Highly efficient neural conversion of human ES and iPS cells by dual inhibition of SMAD signaling | Supplementary information

The anti-apoptotic gene survivin contributes to teratoma formation by human embryonic stem cells - pp281 - 287

Barak Blum, Ori Bar-Nur, Tamar Golan-Lev & Nissim Benvenisty

doi:10.1038/nbt.1527

Teratoma formation is a safety concern for any therapeutic strategy involving human embryonic stem cells. Blum et al. characterize teratomas derived from mouse and human embryonic stem cells and uncover a key role for the oncofetal gene survivin.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - The anti-apoptotic gene survivin contributes to teratoma formation by human embryonic stem cells | PDF (671 KB) - The anti-apoptotic gene survivin contributes to teratoma formation by human embryonic stem cells | Supplementary information

Autocatalytic aptazymes enable ligand-dependent exponential amplification of RNA - pp288 - 292

Bianca J Lam & Gerald F Joyce

doi:10.1038/nbt.1528

Lam and Joyce describe a new approach to ligand detection based on two cross-replicating RNA ligases with allosteric ligand-binding domains. The ligases amplify exponentially at a rate dependent on ligand concentration—a system analogous to qPCR for detection of small molecules and proteins.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Autocatalytic aptazymes enable ligand-dependent exponential amplification of RNA | PDF (306 KB) - Autocatalytic aptazymes enable ligand-dependent exponential amplification of RNA | Supplementary information

Biotech scientists bank on big pharma's biologics push - pp293 - 295

Grace Wong

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-293

Biologics represent a new hope for big pharma and new dreams for biotech scientists.

Abstract - | Full Text - Biotech scientists bank on big pharma's biologics push | PDF (789 KB) - Biotech scientists bank on big pharma's biologics push

People - p296

doi:10.1038/nbt0309-296

Full Text - People | PDF (378 KB) - People