The polyketide-type antibiotic synthesized by a marine Actinomyces strain is under development as an immunosuppressive agent. CAS news release, December 31, 2013-12-31
BGI produces over 25 % of the world’s genomic data: New Yorker Magazine
In an article on Beijing Genomics Institute appearing on January 6, 2014, a review about BGI and her projects are provided BGI news release, December 31, 2013
Forbes publishes list of China’s top 30 venture investment companies in 2013
In an inventory published by Forbes on December 18, the most successful venture capital insitutions of China are presented. 28 have a focus on biological, pharmaceutical and health-related companies China Bio news release, December 30, 2013-12-31
CAS Institute of Zoology engineers insect defensins into promising microbial antiinfectives
Using insect defensions such as navidefensin2-2 from Nasonia vitripennis, a peptide was obtained which was reistant to protease digestion and showed significant antimicrobial activity against several Gram-positive and –negative microorganisms. Bin GAO et al., ACS Chem. Biol., DOI: 10.1021/cb400591d
COFCO under scrutiny for importing GMO corn from the USA
After Chinese authorities in December rejected the import of 120.600 tons (5 batches) of GMO maize of the type MIR162, there is a debate about the quality of the 7 million tons of corn which are imported to China every year, and of which COFCO imports about 60 %. China will insist of importing only […]
China expects to profit on generic monoclonal antibodies
Among the $ 160 billion value of drug patents which expire in 2015, antiboides will constitute a significant part. Global monoclonal antibody drug market will reach $ 62.8 billion by 2015, and some of the patents will also expire. Chinese companies such as CITIC Healthcare and Watson Biological Co. are expected to profit most. China […]
China’s 5.700 seed companies on a fast course of concentration
Within just 2 years, the number of companies were reduced by 1/3. At present, the top 50 companies have a market share of over 30 %. Leading companies are Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co., Shandong Denghai Seeds Co., Wilderness Kenfeng Seed Industry Co., China National Seed Group, Beijing Agritech Corporation, Beijing Gold Farming China Seed […]
China claims 19 place names on the moon, approval by International Astronomical Union
Chinese names are given to 12 craters and seven pits. The latest additions were given in 2010 following the Chang’e 2 project with a lunar orbiter. China Science and Technology News, December 23, 2013
Beijing team sequences genome of single oocyte
A team around Peking University 3d Hospital sequenced the triads of the first and second polar bodies (PB1 and PB2) and the oocyte pronuclei from same female egg donors, phased the genomes of these donors with detected SNPs and determined the crossover maps of their oocytes. The research is hoped to promote in-vitro fertilization where […]
CAS Institute of Subtropical Agriculture develops Bacillus-based probiotic for aquaculture
Bacillus subtilis strdain PL83 is claimed to overproduce lysine and provide probiotic effects, susbstituting the use of antibiotics in aquaculture CAS news release, December 21, 2013