Minimal Genome Project sorts can help in Colonization of Mars

We have read that in 2010, as part of the Minimal Genome Project, a team of the J. Craig Venter Institute synthesized a modified version of the 1,000,000 base pair Mycoplasma mycoides genome and implanted it into a DNA-free bacterial shell of Mycoplasma capricolum; the resulting organism was shown to be self-replicating, known as Mycoplasma ..

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Topics: Artificial gene synthesis • Biology • Branches of biology • Clyde A. Hutchison III • Craig Venter • J. Craig Venter Institute • Minimal genome • Mycoplasma • Mycoplasma laboratorium • Mycoplasma mycoides • Organisms

Microfossils at Strelley Pool hint at life on Mars

In Western Australia, there is a remote large, dry, thinly populated region called Pilbara, which is famous for its vast mineral deposits. In this Pilbara region, there is a site known as Strelley Pool, where in 2007, some of the oldest evidence of life on Earth was found in 3.4 billion-year-old sandstones. These sandstones preserve ..

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Topics: Abiogenesis • Archaea • Archean • Earth • Fossil • Geological history of Earth • Geology • Marble Bar, Western Australia • Pilbara • Ur

Bisin: A Natural Preservative discovered

Researchers at the University of Minnesota discovered a natural preservative: “Bisin. The food-preservative properties of bisin could lead to food products that resist spoilage for years. It could spell the end of rotting food. The preservative can extend the food’s life for several years. Bisin is a naturally occurring lantibiotic (an anti-bacterial peptide) discovered by ..

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Topics: Bacteriocins • Bisin • Branches of biology • Food preservation • Lantibiotics • Microbiology • Molecular biology • Peptides • Peripheral membrane proteins

Origin of El Tor in the Bay of Bengal

El Tor is a particular strain of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera. It is also known as V. cholera biotype eltor, it has been the dominant strain in the seventh global pandemic. A recent study has found that this highly virulent and drug resistant form of cholera strain, originated from a ..

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Topics: Cholera • El Tor • Gram-negative bacteria • Infectious diseases • Intestinal infectious diseases • Medical specialties • Medicine • Pandemic • Vibrio • Vibrio cholerae • Vibrionales • Waterborne diseases

Economy grows 7.7% in Apr-June

The Indian Economy has shown the slowest pace in six quarters. Data released by the Central Statistics Office have showed growth in the April-June quarter of the current financial year stood at 7.7% compared to 8.8% in the same year-ago period. In the January-March quarter, the economy expanded 7.8%. The reasons are:   Rising interest ..

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2011

Topics: Decades • Economic history • Economy of India • Great Recession in Europe • Recessions • Units of time