The naturally-occurring chemicals in plants -called lectins- are of sudden interest to scientists as they have the property to halt a chain reaction that leads to various infections.

Now, the lectins found in bananas - BanLec - has been found in laboratory tests to be as potent as two current anti-HIV drugs. Such were the findings published March 19 in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, thereby suggesting that BanLec may become a less expensive new component of applied vaginal microbicides.

The new research describes the complex actions of lectins and their ability to outsmart HIV. Lectins are sugar-binding proteins. They can identify foreign invaders, like a virus, and attach themselves to the pathogen.

The U-M team discovered BanLec, the lectin in bananas, can inhibit HIV infection by binding to the sugar-rich HIV-1 envelope protein, gp120, and blocking its entry to the body.

We all know that condoms, when properly used regularly, is an effective method of preventing HIV infection. But still, new ways of combating HIV infection is certainly needed. Read the full report on Science Daily.

In the latest issue of the journal Disease Models & Mechanisms, scientists report of ampicillin's potential in the treatment of early-onset torsion dystonia.

Torsion dystonia (also called idiopathic or generalized torsion dystonia) is a movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions, usually producing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It is not fatal, but severely debilitating, eventually necessitating the use of wheelchairs or mobility scooters. There is no cure for torsion dystonia, although physical therapy and medications may help the patient with posture and gain more control with navigating wheelchair ramps, for example.

In the study, researchers discovered that ampicillin, a common antibiotic of the penicillin group, serves to activate torsinA, which, in its normal form, appears to protect cells from stresses, such as protein misfolding - a problem known to impact various movement disorders.

"In human dystonia patient cells, ampicillin was efficacious and restored the patient cells back to the normal function," Kim Caldwell said. "And, the drug restored normal movement to mice that were genetic mimics of dystonia."

The scientists have filed patents filed patents covering the use of antibiotics and other novel chemicals as activators of torsinA for treatment of dystonia and other diseases, including Parkinson's disease.

Source

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a white paper on the growth and jobs potential of green chemicals and briefed Congressional staff on the commercial status of industrial biotechnologies for algae applications, biobased products, and advanced biofuels.

The white paper, Biobased Chemicals and Products: A New Driver of U.S. Economic Development and Green Jobs (pdf file), indicats that the biobased chemicals and plastics industry accounts for over 5,700 direct jobs and is likely responsible for over 40,000 jobs economy wide. A related report commissioned by BIO, U.S. Economic Impact of Advanced Biofuels Production (pdf file), projects that development of advanced biorefineries could create as many as 29,000 jobs over the next few years.

These innovations in industrial biotechnology will definitely impact not only small time cleaning franchise companies, but also help restore U.S. economic competitiveness.

Lately, I've been receiving a number of email requesting to plug their products, papers, and events on this blog. I would like to take this opportunity to inform our readers about the advertising options available on the Biotech Weblog. For advertisers, you may want to know that the Biotech Weblog is open for sponsorship as well. Consider it akin to having print flyers made and distributed worldwide. You don't even need to think about flyer templates.

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In a previous blog entry, we've highlighted a research on a novel process to concentrate the protein in standard field barley for use as an alternative to fish meal as a protein source in commercial fish feeds.

I've received a couple of emails inquiring whether this product is already available in the market. No, I believe they are still far from getting sold off Discount Pet Supplies shops. The researchers have been able to formulate trout feeds with varying levels of barley protein concentrate, and in feeding trials, have replaced both fish meal and soy protein concentrate, and have applied for a patent on the new production method. However, there is no commercial production in place as of yet, and I would expect it to still take quite some time.