Scientists at John Innes Centre have discovered that plants cluster the required genes to produce defence chemicals. These findings may lead to new natural products, such as drugs, herbicides or crop protectants. The researchers, led by Anne Osbourn, earlier found that oats produce avenacin to protect roots against fungal diseases.

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New tests of HepaLife Technologies Inc.’s bioartificial liver device demonstrated that the company’s bioreactor system and patented PICM-19 cells inside the device remain functional over prolonged periods time, far exceeding the number of treatment hours referenced in published research studies of human liver failure patients undergoing conventional liver support therapies. During the tests, HepaLife’s bioartificial liver device system was able to successfully retain the highest levels of liver-specific metabolic activity, mimicking the most important functions of the human liver, for 14 days. With these test results, the company has progressively moved towards the commercialization of the technology.