Research and Advances in Synthetic Biology
Posted 28th November 2016 by Jane Williams
Synthetic biology is one of the most promising areas of modern science. Predicted to be worth $37.21bn globally by 2022, there is a wealth of potential for developments in the healthcare and plant industries. Interviews with leading experts in the field reveal not only the scope of this exciting field of research, but what first drew them to synthetic biology.
In vitro Modelling of the Human Upper Digestive Tract
Posted 25th November 2016 by Jane Williams
Artificial digestive systems are increasingly used as a relevant alternative to in vivo studies for ethical, technical, regulatory and cost reasons. For more than 20 years, CIDAM, from the University of Auvergne in France, has been developing platforms such as the artificial digestion associating dissolution apparatus, mastication simulator, gastric and small intestinal models, large intestinal systems and intestinal cells in culture.
Enabling Simultaneous Label-Free Sensing in Microfluidics
Posted 23rd November 2016 by Jane Williams
Microfluidics is a rapidly developing area of research and scientists are continually discovering the wide range of possibilities the technology can provide. Carolyn Ren is one such scientist. We spoke to Carolyn about her research around droplet microfluidics and how it enables high throughput screening analysis by utilising nanolitre-sized drops as mobilised test tubes.
Agricultural Science: Reaching Out to the Curious Consumer
Posted 21st November 2016 by Jane Williams
The public overwhelmingly trusts farmers and scientists; they just don’t trust farming or science. This seemingly paradoxical statement stems from an appreciation of the raw potential and critical roles of the professions, but a mistrust of the products they generate.
Exploring the microbiome in the agricultural industry
Posted 18th November 2016 by Jane Williams
‘Microbiome’ has become somewhat of a buzzword within science. There have always been ‘live and active cultures’ in your yogurt, then they were in your dog food and recently doctors started to prescribe probiotics to improve human health and cure some diseases. Now they are helping plants.
Synthetic Biology and Cancer Treatment: Bottlenecks to Translation
Posted 16th November 2016 by Jane Williams
Karmella Haynes, at the Arizona State University, is one of the first synthetic biologists to engineer chromatin. It is a development that could ultimately treat diseases like cancer, through enabling large-scale changes in gene expression.
How to get Funding for Your Human Microbiome Startup
Posted 14th November 2016 by Jane Williams
The vast amount of research into the human microbiome is attracting new companies to the field and the race to translate scientific data into viable products has begun. Financial interest in the microbiome is at an all-time high, giving many scientists the opportunity to start their own business as product development or service companies.
Development of ecosystems for precision medicine
Posted 11th November 2016 by Jane Williams
The genomic and post-genomic age promises much for clinical medicine, largely because we can now comprehensively sequence genomic DNA to identify polymorphisms, patterns and mutations. We can also measure gene expression routinely and systematically and with high sensitivity measure the amounts of proteins produced.