Let's Talk Biotechnology

We are coming of age in the world of biotechnology. With so much new information to process, it can be quite overwhelming. It is easy for some to develop a xenophobia when it comes to genetically modified organisms. To help expose the beauty and creativity of this rapidly advancing field, let’s talk about some positives!

The oceans have seen better days; fishmeal cannot keep up to feed the fish demanded by consumers, the oceans are littered with garbage. Luckily, two undergraduate students have developed a foundation called BioCollection. They aim to genetically engineer microorganisms to digest plastic and styrofoam, and excrete a substance fish can feed on!

Researchers are one step closer to developing an effective vaccine against hypervirulent strains of Klebsiella. Klebsiella pneumoniae excel in finding new ways to become resistant to antibiotics. So far, the bioconjugate vaccine has been effective on mice! This experiment, at the University of Washington School of Medicine, utilized ELISA technology to measure the antibodies in mice.

Commercially produced white paint is high in harmful titanium dioxide. The answer for an alternative may have been found in the scales of cyphochilus beetles. These beetles are one of the brightest natural white colours found in nature. Scientists can mimic the nanostructure of the beetle scales using plastic, which would normally be sent to the landfill or burnt.

Let us help supply your biotechnology needs! We are excited to see what you can come up with when you combine your intelligence with creativity.