Bay Area Takes Lead
In Sustainable Energy

This commentary written by Lab Director Steve Chu and UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau ran in yesterday's Examiner

Among America's most serious concerns today are national security, long-term economic competitiveness, and the dangers of global warming. At the center of all of these concerns is energy. The single most important problem that science and technology must solve in the coming decades is finding abundant, sustainable and environmentally and socially friendly alternatives to fossil fuels. With the establishment of the Energy Biosciences Institute, our state and the Bay Area, in particular, will be poised to blaze a trail toward a sustainable energy future that the rest of the world will follow. Full commentary.

Can Green Technology
Help Save the Planet?
By John Doerr and Bill Joy

Artemisinin

Seven years ago our venture capital partnership began investing in green technology startup companies. To quickly scale up our green investing we built a network of experts — called the Greentech Innovation Network (GIN) — to help identify and prosecute the most pressing problems and opportunities. We designed GIN as a forum for open exchange leading to action. Look at the positive effects that networks and overlapping disciplines are having on Amyris Biotechnologies, a company founded by Berkeley Lab Physical Biosciences Division Director Jay Keasling. Its breakthrough process to make antimalarial drug artemisinin more affordable has led to a radical new way to make better biofuels out of sugar feedstocks. Full story (registration required).

Science Jobs Urged
To Ease Pay Disparity

Although women have made significant gains in education and income, the pay gap between college-educated men and women persists, experts say. The gap will remain until more women pursue careers in science and engineering, women become tougher negotiators, and employers do more to accommodate the needs of mothers, says a recent report. Full story.

Facilities Customers
To Get E-Mail Updates

The Facilities Division will replace its outdated fax system and begin updating customers on their work requests via e-mail, starting on Monday. The move is an effort to improve business efficiencies and communication. Customers will receive an e-mail when their work request has been received and assigned to a craft area. Another e-mail will be sent when the work has been completed, with a request for feedback on the services provided. Only work orders opened on or after Monday will be affected. Comments on the new process, or Facilities in general, can be sent here.

Hybrid magnets

Bio-Rad Licenses
Lab’s Hybrid Magnet

The Lab's Technology Transfer Department recently executed an exclusive license with Bio-Rad Laboratories for a protein and DNA separation technology to be used in life sciences research, food safety testing, and human clinical diagnostics.  The technology was developed by David Humphries and Martin Pollard from the Engineering Division and colleagues at the Joint Genome Institute.  It is a novel hybrid of permanent magnet and ferromagnetic materials, producing magnetic fields 70 precent higher than the best commercial magnet plates on the market. It also reduces labor costs by up to 30 percent and improves sequencing process reliability. Go here for more information on the hybrid magnet technology.

Use Caution Outdoors
To Avoid Tick Bites

Now that warmer weather is here and outdoor activity is increasing, ticks can become problems for both humans and pets. In the U.S., ticks cause Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. To prevent tick bites, wear light-colored clothing (allowing you to see the ticks easily), avoid tick-infested areas, and use chemical repellent with DEET or permethrin.  More information can be found here.