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Just three months after the results of two innovative and potentially cost-effective sequencing technologies were announced, one instrument has been launched on the market. Does this mean the $1,000 genome may be within sight? Jim Kling investigates.
Deep-sea prospecting is unveiling bizarre species of microbes that already are providing new sources of industrial enzymes, and could be a source of novel therapeutics. Will the lack of treaties governing activities in international waters compromise the commercial potential of the ocean's largesse? Cormac Sheridan investigates.
Industry hopes to build on recent successes of monoclonal antibodies in oncology and inflammatory disease. But evidence is mounting that the exquisite selectivity and binding capacity of these therapeutics can have unwanted side effects, particularly in autoimmune disease. Christopher Thomas Scott investigates.
A decade of sound science and aggressive deal making has given Sangamo Biosciences a stranglehold on zinc finger technologies. Now, academic labs that helped build Sangamo's empire want in on the action. Are the ingredients ripe for a revolt that could break the company's monopoly? Christopher Thomas Scott investigates.
Against long odds, conventional wisdom and politics, efforts to commercialize stem cell research are underway and show signs of intelligent life. Stephan Herrera investigates.
Can gene therapy ever live down its setbacks and live up to its initial promise? A chastened but determined group of pioneers believes it can, and they are pointing to a new generation of products to back up that claim.
Surging numbers of therapeutic proteins and small molecules, rationally designed to trigger cell death, are entering the clinic against cancer. In theory, they should provide an entirely new kind of targeted therapy, but troubling questions of basic biology remain.
Biotech animals don't have the market value of biotech drugs and potential controversies loom large, but genetic screening technologies are already finding a market, and both cloned and transgenic animals may soon be on the menu. Alan Dove reports.
With the Kyoto treaty demanding reductions in greenhouse gases and the loss of forests outpacing their renewal by natural means, could it be time to start planting genetically engineered forests? Stephan Herrera investigates.
India and several other WTO-member countries are now compliant with international patent rights. Paroma Basu investigates the potential impact on biotech.
China is a growing biotech player whose main competitive edge lies in low development costs. But will inexperienced money men and a disinterested pharmaceutical industry hold it back? Sabine Louët investigates.
Flavor-enhancing molecules provide a fast track to market and to an IPO, at least for Senomyx, the first 'flavor' biotech out of the block. Will others follow? Cormac Sheridan investigates.
The US NCI is spearheading efforts to create a national network for storing cancer tissue samples as well as an international informatics grid to share data. Aaron Bouchie reports.
Surveillance for biotech performance-enhancing drugs was increased at last month's Olympic Games. Will athletes turn to more stealth enhancements in the future? Laura DeFrancesco investigates.
A promising new horse vaccine may reignite enthusiasm for DNA vaccine technology in designing prophylactics against infectious disease. Kendall Powell reports.
