Recent advances in chemistry and biotechnology of starch derivatives

The review focuses on the most important studies performed during the last eight years on the physical and chemical modifications of starch, starch graft copolymers, and starch ethers; on the development of biodegradable starch-based materials; and on various applications of numerous starch derivatives. An analysis of the recent publications allows the conclusion that considerable advances have been made in the chemistry and technology of starch derivatives as biodegradable “green” reagents and products, which are becoming increasingly important for technological applications due to the wide occurrence of starch, the ease of its processing, and its nature as a renewable resource.     

Protein crosslinking: Uses in chemistry,biology and biotechnology

Abstract

Protein crosslinking is a part of many biological processes and is also carried out in vitro under several controllable conditions with the help of any of the commercially available bifunctional reagents. Many biotechnological applications utilize stable and/or reusable crosslinked enzymes such as soluble intramolecularly crosslinked enzymes; soluble bioconjugates of enzymes with other enzymes/proteins or polymers; chemically aggregated enzymes, chemically crosslinked enzyme aggregates and crosslinked enzyme crystals. The review after indicating how protein crosslinking is at the heart of such diverse processes/technology concludes with discussion of few applications which are currently drawing considerable attention.     

The unique chemistry of benzoxaboroles: Current and emerging applications in biotechnology and therapeutic treatments

Benzoxaboroles have garnered much attention in recent years due to their diverse applications in bio-sensing technology, material science, and therapeutic intervention. Part of the reason arises from the benzoxaboroles’ unique chemical properties, especially in comparison to their acyclic boronic acid counterparts. Furthermore, the low bio-toxicity combined with the high target specificity associated with benzoxaboroles make them very attractive as therapeutic agents. Herein, we provide an updated summary on the current knowledge of the fundamental chemical reactivity of benzoxaboroles, followed by highlighting their major applications reported to date.     

Chemical biotechnology pharmaceutical biotechnology. Web alert

A selection of World Wide Web sites relevant to papers published in this issue of Current Opinion in Biotechnology.     

Pharmaceutical biotechnology: Chemical biotechnology: Web alert

A selection of World Wide Web sites relevant to papers published in this issue of Current Opinion in Biotechnology.     

Pharmaceutical biotechnology, Chemical biotechnology: Web alert

A selection of World Wide Web sites relevant to papers published in this issue of Current Opinion in Biotechnology.     

Animal biotechnology

Biotechnology has taken two directions in efforts to speed up animal production above the rates achievable by selective breeding. Recombinant DNA methods have been used to engineer protein gene products for direct administration to livestock, as in recombinant growth hormone to stimulate lactation in dairy cows or yield faster-growing, leaner carcasses in meat animals. Cloned cellulolytic genes have been inserted into ruminal microorganisms with a view to improving ruminant nutrition. The other direction is to use advanced breeding technologies to enhance performance. These include laboratory culture of large numbers of viable embryos for non-surgical transfer to surrogate mothers, development of methods for sexing sperm and embryos, cloning embryos by nuclear transplantation and gene transfer to create livestock with superior performance traits. In all cases material progress will depend upon a deeper understanding of the underlying physiological and developmental control mechanisms and public confidence that due regard is being paid to animal welfare, and to social and environmental implications.