Biotech

Coastal Chemistry Improves Methane Modeling Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are using a new modeling framework in conjunction with data collected from marshes to improve methane modeling. Key Points: - Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new modeling framework to improve methane modeling. - The framework incorporates data collected from marshes at different times and seasons. - The research aims to better understand methane emissions and their impact on climate change. - The improved modeling framework can help policymakers and researchers make more informed decisions about mitigating methane emissions. - The findings highlight the importance of considering coastal chemistry in methane models. What's New in the Research: Scientists at Oak Ridge Nation...

Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology Introduce ProtHyena Summary: Scientists at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have introduced a new protein language model called ProtHyena. ProtHyena is a self-supervised pre-training model that improves protein sequence representation. The model overcomes challenges in handling longer protein sequences and maintaining contextual understanding. ProtHyena achieves state-of-the-art results and demonstrates fast and efficient processing. Author's Take: Researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed ProtHyena, a new protein language model that improves protein sequence representation. This self-supervised pre-training model overcomes challenges in handling longer sequences and maintaining contextual understanding. With fa...

Touching Base Episode 6 (January 26, 2024) Summary: An 11-year-old regains hearing after gene therapy. Kyverna is using a blood draw instead of apheresis for CAR T manufacturing. GSK and Elegen are using DNA production technology. In StockWatch, Nvidia and Recursion are mentioned. An interview with renowned cardiologist, Eric Topol, MD. Restoring Hearing Loss An 11-year-old boy who was born deaf was able to regain his hearing after undergoing gene therapy. The therapy involved injecting a modified virus that carried the correct version of the gene into the patient's ear. The treatment successfully restored the boy's hearing, allowing him to communicate with his family for the first time. Kyverna's Innovative CAR T Manufacturing Kyverna, a company specializing in CAR T-cell therapy, ha...

Novel Colon Cancer Biomarker That May Deactivate Cancer Cells Uncovered Main Ideas: Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) have discovered that a protein in the immune system, called Ku70, can be manipulated to help fight colon cancer. Ku70, in its activated state, acts as a surveillance system, detecting signs of damaged DNA in our cells. The researchers found that the protein can "cool off" cancer cells and clear up damaged DNA. Author's Take: This new finding by researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) sheds light on a potential pathway to developing novel treatments for colon cancer. By manipulating the Ku70 protein in the immune system, scientists may be able to deactivate cancer cells and repair damaged DNA. This discovery opens up exciting possi...

GenEdit Joins Forces with Genentech for Non-Viral Nanoparticle Development Main Ideas: GenEdit has announced a collaboration with Genentech to develop non-viral, non-lipid, hydrophilic nanoparticles (HNPs) using its NanoGalaxy® platform. The NanoGalaxy platform consists of a library of thousands of unique nanoparticles created by combining hydrophilic polymers with small-molecule side chains. Author's Take: GenEdit's collaboration with Genentech to develop non-viral nanoparticles using the NanoGalaxy platform aims to address the delivery challenges in gene editing. The use of hydrophilic polymers and small-molecule side chains in creating targeted nanoparticles has the potential to revolutionize gene therapy. This collaboration showcases the importance of collaboration in advancing the f...

These Four Teams are Building a Better Copper (or Trying to Replace It) to Supercharge the Future of Energy Main Ideas: - Four teams are working on developing alternatives to copper for use in electrical conductors. - Copper is currently the most widely used material due to its high conductivity, but it has limitations. - One team is using carbon nanotubes to create conductive fibers that are stronger and lighter than copper. - Another team is experimenting with superconducting materials that can carry electricity without resistance. - A third team is exploring the use of graphene, a highly conductive material, for electrical applications. - The fourth team is developing a new class of metals called intercalation compounds that have high conductivity and are resistant to corrosion. Auth...

Scientists Develop Statistical Tool to Identify Disease Causing Genes Researchers at the University of Chicago have created a statistical tool that improves the identification of disease causing genes and variants. The tool combines data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and gene expression predictions. By integrating these two types of data, the tool is able to shift the analysis from association to causation, providing a more accurate understanding of the genes and variants that contribute to diseases. Author's Take Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a statistical tool that combines data from GWAS and gene expression predictions, enabling a more accurate identification of disease causing genes. This tool has the potential to significantly advance our unde...

HIV's Capsid Acts as a Molecular Transporter The HIV viral capsid has evolved to be a molecular transporter. Research suggests that it can cross the permeability barrier of nuclear pore complexes. It smuggles the viral genome into the cell's nucleus, keeping it invisible to anti-viral sensors in the cytoplasm. This discovery opens up possibilities for developing better AIDS therapies in the future. Author's Take The HIV viral capsid's newfound role as a molecular transporter, allowing it to successfully transport the viral genome into the cell's nucleus and evade anti-viral sensors, is an intriguing and significant finding. This breakthrough could pave the way for the development of more effective therapies for AIDS, taking advantage of the capsid's unique abilities as a transporter. Fur...

Syzygy Plasmonics Strikes Fear in LNG Industry Main Ideas: Syzygy Plasmonics, a US startup, is causing worry for the LNG industry The startup is among the innovators working on ammonia-to-hydrogen technologies This new technology poses a threat to the traditional LNG industry Article Summary US startup Syzygy Plasmonics is making waves in the LNG industry with its ammonia-to-hydrogen technology. As part of a growing trend among innovators, the company is working on alternative energy sources that are more sustainable than traditional liquefied natural gas (LNG) methods. The advancements in ammonia-to-hydrogen technology are posing a threat to the LNG industry, causing concern among stakeholders. This development highlights the increasing focus on finding greener and more efficient...

Cancer Mutation Spurs Heart Muscle Regeneration Main Ideas: Researchers at Duke University have developed a strategy to regenerate heart muscle cells using a mutation found in melanoma. This mutation, which causes cell division, was used in laboratory models of heart tissue to stimulate heart muscle regeneration. The ability to repair cardiac muscle after a heart attack is a significant area of research in biomedical engineering. The researchers believe that their findings could lead to new therapies for heart repair. Author's Take: Researchers at Duke University have found an innovative way to stimulate heart muscle regeneration by harnessing a mutation found in melanoma. By using this mutation in laboratory models of heart tissue, they were able to encourage heart muscle cells to multi...