Algal Gene Therapy Partially Restores Man’s Sight
Ateam of scientists announced Monday that they had partially restored the sight of a blind man by building light-catching proteins derived from algae in one of his eyes. Their report, which appeared in the journal Nature Medicine, is the first published study to describe the successful use of this treatment. The researchers were using gene therapy to turn ganglion cells into new photoreceptor cells, even though they don’t normally capture light. The scientists were taking advantage of proteins and other microbes that can make any nerve cell sensitive to light.
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Microalgae from Sweden: A New Resource for the Fishing Industry
Researchers in Sweden at the University of Gothenburg and Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) have developed an energy-efficient system of cultivating marine microalgae for the Nordic climate. The research project studied around 160 species of microalgae from different places along the Swedish west coast. The greatest interest is currently for cleaning seawater using microalgae for fish farms and the seafood industry.
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New Study Shows Nutrient Exchanges Between Algae and Bacteria
Research co-led by Newcastle University has shed new light on important microscopic scale interactions between algae and bacteria, predicated on the mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients. The researchers used an advanced high-spatial resolution isotope mapping technique called “SIMS” (secondary ion mass spectrometry) to identify how long it takes for labelled carbon produced by microalgae to be transferred to the bacteria they are growing with.
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Sederma Partners with Alganelle for Sustainable Actives Development
Sederma has partnered with Alganelle, for the development and production of natural molecules. Sederma’s expertise in peptide science for cosmetic applications, combined with Alganelle’s unique understanding of how to engineer microalgae used as photosynthetic cell factories, will create cosmetic ingredients of the future. A patent will be published by the end of August this year.
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Supplementation with Aurantiochytrium Showed Improved Fish Survival
Aurantiochytrium sp. has been used as a fish feed additive and its dietary addition can increase the content of omega-3s, especially DHA, in marine fish according to new research. Published studies report that increasing its content in fish feed reduces fat level in fish livers, and that meat quality and fatty acid accumulation increased. Trial results showed that fish receiving the supplemented diet had improved survival rates, weight gain rate, specific growth, immunity and disease resistance.
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