Stories From Mar 2016
Maggots modified to help heal human wounds
In a proof-of-concept study, NC State University researchers show that genetically engineered green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata) larvae can produce and secrete a human growth factor – a molecule that helps promote cell growth and wound healing.
NC State’s Barrangou Wins Canada Gairdner Award
Rodolphe Barrangou wins prestigious Gairdner Award for pioneering the gene-editing system known as CRISPR.
Study Finds More Social Insects Have Weaker Immune Response, Highlights Role of Hygiene
Research finds that among eusocial insects – like ants, bees and termites – the more individuals there are in a typical species colony, the weaker the species’ immune response. The finding strongly suggests that hygiene behaviors, and not just immune systems, play a key role in keeping eusocial insects healthy.