30 Mar 2005
When Science Switches Shores

Here's a wager, if you're interested: I'll bet that biotech offshores even faster than IT. Between politicians stumbling all over themselves to ban stem cell research, and forcing a race for the cheapest health care possible, I wouldn't give this vital American industry more than 10 more years with operations primarily in the United States or Europe.

Since the New York City life science technology-consulting firm Intrasphere Technologies opened an office in India, Samuel Goldman, cofounder and chief technology officer, says he works fairly bizarre hours, scheduling 6:00 A.M. meetings on a "regular basis." From the looks of it, more and more scientists should brace themselves for strange commutes, middle-of-the-night E-mails, and videoconferences with coworkers. That's right: It appears that offshoring has arrived.

(link) [The Scientist]

via My AppleMenu Reader

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

Bacteria-based production method patented

Note to the attorneys that filed this idiotic patent: it's called "fermentation", guys, and I suspect that there may be some prior art, some of it in cuniform on clay tablets that are about 4500 years old ...

Look on a package of gum and you'll probably notice the word mannitol. Scientifically described as a sugar alcohol, mannitol is a minty-tasting ingredient found in many foods and boasts fewer calories than table sugar. Though made by some plants and algae, mannitol is commercially produced by chemical means. In February, however, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) obtained a patent on a method that weds nature with modern technology. ARS chemist Badal Saha calls his method "biobased" because it involves feeding high-fructose corn syrup to the bacterial species Lactobacillus intermedius in a deep-tank fermentor. There, over several hours' time, the bacteria convert 72 percent of the syrup into mannitol.

(link) [Science Blog]

00:00 /Copywrongs | 0 comments | permanent link