Genomics
Potential of gene editing for clinical use highlighted at ASGCT 2021
From base editing to in vivo CRISPR therapeutics and CRISPR-modified bacteriophages, scientists discussed innovations in preclinical research that have allowed them to advance these unique products to the clinic during a scientific symposium at the 2021 American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) virtual meeting. Read More
Nobel Prize winner Doudna shares perspectives on future of CRISPR gene editing
Small science can translate into big discoveries, according to Nobel Prize laureate Jennifer Doudna, PhD. She discussed how her curiosity in understanding CRISPR led to the gene editing revolution in a talk at the 2021 American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy virtual meeting. Read More
Leveraging optofluidics to make therapeutic antibody discovery easier
The need for speed and accuracy in the development of therapeutic antibodies has prompted Berkeley Lights to upgrade its optofluidic tools to help customers improve the quality of their therapeutic antibody products. John Proctor, PhD, senior vice president of antibody therapeutics at Berkeley Lights, spoke with ScienceBoard.net about some technological advancements the company has recently launched. Read More
Preparation is key for postdocs to transition to industry positions
Postdoctoral positions are a natural choice for many scientists who have just received their PhDs. Postdocs allow scientists to gain invaluable research experience and training under guided mentorship -- and potentially transition to industry jobs, explains Natalia Martin, PhD, a program manager at the American Chemical Society. Read More
Hope for next-gen COVID-19 vaccines may rest in an unexpected region of the virus
Researchers further elucidated how antibodies produced in people who effectively fight off SARS-CoV-2 work to neutralize the part of the virus responsible for causing infection. The study, published in Science on May 4, describes how antibodies targeting sections of the virus outside of the receptor-binding domain may be useful in the development of vaccines and therapies. Read More
Single-cell atlas of human teeth exposes root of stem cell behavior
The first comprehensive single-cell atlas of the human tooth reveals how different dental tissues control the activity of stem cells. Published recently in iScience, the study used advanced single-cell sequencing technology to show that changes in the cellular environment may explain differences in the behavior of stem cells. Read More
How the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant evades antibodies
Computer modeling has demonstrated that one of the three mutations of the South African SARS-CoV-2 variant reduces its ability to bind to human cells. The results, published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, also suggest that the mutation may help it escape some therapeutic antibodies. Read More
New method allows for study of genetic changes in individual DNA molecules
An improved sequencing method, called nanorate sequencing, allows for the study of genetic changes in human cells with unprecedented accuracy. The new technique, published in Nature on April 28, challenges the idea that cell division is the main mechanism driving genetic changes. Read More
Cell-free technique could enable on-demand vaccine production
A new cell-free synthetic biology technique that increases the volume of membrane components in the manufacture of conjugate vaccines can significantly improve the efficiency of vaccine production, according to a new method published in Nature Communications on April 22. The technology could enable on-site production of vaccines and therapies, enabling them to be more efficiently distributed in areas where they are most needed. Read More
Scientists map gene expression without microscopes
A new framework called Tomographer, which uses sequencing data from tissues cut into thin strips in a way that allows them to be reconstructed, has been developed to spatially resolve gene expression data without the need for a microscope. The work was published in Nature Biotechnology on April 19. Read More
Conferences
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
June 4-8
Online
European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) Virtual Congress
June 9-12
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BIO Digital
June 10-11
Online
European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) 2021
June 12-15
Online
Pharma R&D Week
June 15-17
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