Demand for viral vectors seen outpacing capacity growth despite investment surge
September 19, 2022 -- The growth in demand for viral vectors is outpacing a push to add capacity, leading to predictions that the current supply shortage will continue despite investment in the space. Read More
Federal funding of $2B to support biotechnology and biomanufacturing
September 14, 2022 -- The White House announced on Wednesday federal funding of more than $2 billion to advance President Joe Biden’s executive order intended to enable the U.S. to harness the full potential of biotechnology and biomanufacturing. Read More
CZI and Harvard University leaders celebrate launch of Kemper Institute
September 23, 2022 -- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and Harvard University leaders celebrated the launch of the new Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence with a symposium held at Harvard's campus on September 22. Read More
Swiss researchers awaken dormant cells to fight melanoma
September 23, 2022 -- Researchers from the University of Geneva and the University Hospitals of Geneva have identified a drug-targetable mechanism whose blockage reduces metastatic melanoma cells’ resistance to treatment. Read More
New type of CAR T cells provide on-off switch to improve cell therapy safety, efficiency
September 12, 2022 -- Researchers at Boston University have created on and off switches for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, enabling them to control the activity of therapies using an approved drug. Read More
Penn State-led team develops more efficient system for delivering CRISPR to stem cells
September 9, 2022 -- Modified mRNA (modRNA)-based CRISPR systems improve on the transfection and knockout efficiency of plasmid-based systems in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), a Penn State-led team of interdisciplinary researchers has found. Read More
UVA discovery could increase platelet production, alleviate blood shortages
September 23, 2022 -- A new discovery from the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine could let doctors increase the production of blood-clotting platelets on demand. Read More
NIH announces $600M in awards to launch next phase of BRAIN Initiative
September 23, 2022 -- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced more than $600 million in additional funding for its Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which is aimed at revolutionizing the understanding of the human brain. Read More
SARS-CoV-2 mimics could make COVID-19 vaccine research safer, quicker
September 21, 2022 -- Viruslike particles, molecular mimics that look and act like SARS-CoV-2 without being infectious, are providing new tools against COVID-19 -- the disease caused by the virus. Read More
Mount Sinai scientists unlock secrets of key SARS-CoV-2 enzyme
September 12, 2022 -- Mount Sinai researchers have produced a high-resolution crystal structure of an enzyme that is essential to the survival of SARS-CoV-2. The finding could lead to more antivirals to combat current and future coronaviruses, they added. Read More
Heart medication spironolactone may also treat alcohol use disorder
September 21, 2022 -- Spironolactone, a diuretic medication used for heart problems and high blood pressure, may also effectively treat alcohol use disorder by reducing consumption, according to a new study published September 20 in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Read More
Machine learning may accelerate solutions to address protein design challenges
September 16, 2022 -- Machine learning can be used to create protein molecules much more accurately and quickly than previously possible, with the potential for developing new treatments and vaccines, according to biologists at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Read More
Epigenetic treatment improves spinal cord regeneration in mice after severe injury
September 20, 2022 -- Weekly treatments with an epigenetic activator resulted in the regrowth of sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord when given to mice 12 weeks after severe injury, according to a study published September 20 in the journal PLOS Biology. Read More
Enzyme from endangered bird linked to promising new therapies
September 19, 2022 -- Rice University researchers have discovered a rare enzyme that can be used to metabolically engineer cells to produce drugs, including thrombin inhibitors that break up blood clots. A bioinformatic survey found the key in the endangered crested ibis, a large white-plumaged wading bird. Read More
Zebrafish help scientists understand organ regeneration
September 20, 2022 -- Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research are using zebrafish to investigate how their immune systems repair and regenerate organs. The findings could potentially help alleviate human conditions that might otherwise require organ transplants and lifelong immunosuppressants. Read More
Cow mucus-derived lubricant stops HIV, herpes in lab tests
September 19, 2022 -- A synthetic prophylactic gel based on cow mucus is 70% effective against HIV and 80% effective against herpes in lab tests, a new study reveals. Read More
Scientists pinpoint why alveolar macrophages don’t develop properly
September 19, 2022 -- Researchers in Germany have solved the mystery of what prevents alveolar macrophages from developing properly: the transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ). Read More
New mRNA therapy shows promise for ovarian cancer, cachexia: mouse model
September 14, 2022 -- Researchers have developed what they contend is a first-of-its-kind messenger RNA (mRNA) therapy for combating ovarian cancer and cachexia, an associated muscle-wasting condition, with promising results from a study of mice. Read More
Researchers identify transcription factors that restore hearing in zebrafish
September 15, 2022 -- Certain transcription factors were able to restore hearing in zebrafish through cell regeneration and could inform treatments for hearing loss in humans, according to National Institutes of Health researchers. Read More
Single-cell sequencing reveals spatial map of immune cells in early-stage lung cancer
September 14, 2022 -- Using single-cell sequencing, researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have revealed a spatial map of tumor-infiltrating B cells and plasma cells that are prevalent in early-stage lung cancers, providing a basis for finding new immunotherapy targets. Read More
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