Gene find turns soldier beetle defence into biotech opportunity
Thursday, November 8, 2012 - 19:00
in Biology & Nature
The Soldier beetle is the first animal found to produce the exotic fatty acid dihydromatriciaria. New antibiotic and anti-cancer chemicals may one day be synthesised using biotechnology, following CSIRO's discovery of the three genes that combine to provide soldier beetles with their potent predator defence system.