Trends in pancreatic cancer literature – findings from Elsevier
In a new report, Elsevier describes how it used text mining to reveal the top trends in pancreatic cancer research – this article outlines the findings.
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Articles
Combining deep computational learning and synthetic biology
Dr Diogo Camacho from the Wyss Institute at Harvard discusses new research into using machine learning algorithms to analyse RNA sequences and reveal potential drug targets.
Advancing CHO cell line engineering with CRISPR
Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines are a firm favourite with biologics companies because of the extensive developmental work undertaken in recent decades. In this article, Junrui Li divulges how CRISPR technology is now being employed to further enhance productivity.
Tracking SARS-CoV-2 with genome sequencing
Researchers have been tracking SARS-CoV-2 by sequencing the genomes of virus samples collected from diagnostic testing. They hope that using next-generation sequencing (NGS) on SARS-CoV-2 will help to accurately diagnose the novel coronavirus, identify mutations and track its history. This article explores the findings of their latest study and what…
A label-free imaging technique for drug evaluation at single‑cell level
This article provides a brief overview of the technical and conceptual advantages of Raman spectroscopy, a label-free imaging technique that is being increasingly used for the purpose of drug evaluation.
Biosynthetic polysaccharide-based drugs and nutraceuticals from non-animal sources
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a class of naturally occurring polysaccharides that play vital roles in cellular functions. GAGs (eg, hyaluronic acid, heparosan, chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, heparan sulfate and heparin) have also been utilised in biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Animal-sourced GAGs can contain process impurities and contaminants, which may result in adverse…
Genetic screening to predict the risk of future diseases
The use of genetic testing has had a positive impact on patient care, bringing abundant opportunities for diagnosis or predictions of future diagnoses. Pushpanathan Muthuirulan explains how the application of genetic screening can help to customise healthcare for individuals based on their unique genetic makeup.
Predicting COVID-19 susceptibility and severity
Recent reports suggest that both clinical and genetic risk factors may contribute to COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Catherine Ball, Chief Scientific Officer of Ancestry®, discusses results of the company’s COVID-19 Research Study, designed to explore non-genetic and genetic associations with disease outcomes.
Antimicrobial resistance – a public health emergency on the horizon
Researchers at Ingenza and the University of Plymouth are using a machine learning and high‑throughput screening approach to discover novel antimicrobial therapies. In this article, Nikki Withers spoke to one of the researchers, Jack Kay, to hear about the current threat posed by antimicrobial resistance and how he hopes their…
A rational approach to discover and precision-engineer new biologic drugs
When it comes to developing antibody drugs, Dr Jerome Boyd-Kirkup and his team are not sticking to the classical playbook. Here, he explains how they use systems biology and immuno-engineering to remove the element of luck from biologic drug discovery and development.
Precision medicine beyond oncology
The field of oncology has successfully applied precision medicine approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Success has been driven by a growing understanding of the underlying biology of cancer; the emergence of innovative tools and technologies for biomarker identification and detection; and considerable advocacy by patients, physicians and policymakers that has…
A novel blood-brain barrier model for cerebral malaria research
In this article Maria Bernabeu, Group Leader at EMBL, Barcelona, discusses why it is important to research and develop novel therapeutics for cerebral malaria and how her research group intends to develop a 3D blood-brain barrier model for this purpose.
Tweaking synonymous sites for gene therapy and vaccines
Professor Laurence D Hurst explains why understanding the nucleotide mutations in viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, can have significant implications for vaccine design.
Neuropilin-1: a key receptor in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Results of a recent study by researchers at the University of Bristol indicate neuropilin-1 is an important host factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The team suggests that blocking neuropilin-1 may be a valuable therapeutic intervention in the treatment of COVID-19. Nikki Withers spoke to one of the study’s lead investigators, Dr…
Development of a physiologically relevant lung model for understanding SARS-CoV-2 infection
COVID-19 is known to infect the lungs; however, the dynamics of viral infection and replication are poorly understood. Alongside the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Professor Lyle Armstrong and colleagues have been working to develop a human lung epithelium model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. In this article, he describes…