The Science Behind the Headlines
Wading Deeper Into Biomanufacturing
Last week, we began our exploration of biomanufacturing--defining terms, introducing the different types of cells used in production, and explaining how manufacturers create cell banks to provide raw materials for the medicines some of us know and love. This week, we...
Biomanufacturing: How Biologics Are Made
Putting Nature to Work There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Or make medicine, for that matter. It all depends on the kind—tabby or calico? Small molecule or biologic? One key feature that distinguishes biologic drugs such as monoclonal antibodies from small...
The Molecular Causes Of Obesity
Bacon-wrapped meatloaf, chicken and waffles, cronuts! Mmm…but no wonder some of us are getting a little pudgy. According to the Center for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA), 40 percent of adults and nearly 20 percent of children and adolescents in the U.S. are obese....
Breaking Down Drug Metabolism
When popping a pill, how often do we think about what happens next—to the pill, or to our bodies? Maybe we assume the body welcomes any extra help to soothe our headache or control our blood pressure. This WEEKLY looks into the mystery of what comes after the swallow....
The ABCs Of mRNA Vaccines
News of positive data from Moderna's (Cambridge, MA) Phase I trial of a COVID-19 vaccine has dominated this week's headlines. Their vaccine is an mRNA-based vaccine—an entirely new approach to not only vaccines but also to therapeutics. mRNA-based drugs and vacines...
CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Diagnostic Wins Emergency Authorization
Last week, the FDA granted emergency-use approval for Sherlock Bioscience's (Cambridge, MA) new coronavirus diagnostic. The test uses CRISPR genome editing to detect the presence of Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. With the ability to return results in...
The Mechanics Of Melanoma
Despite restricted access to parks and beaches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people everywhere continue to seek solace in outdoor activities, enjoying a walk through the neighborhood or a cold drink on a hot afternoon in a sunny backyard. Fresh air and sunlight are...
A Bone To Pick With Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the loss of bone density which causes bones to become weak, brittle, and easily broken. In healthy people, bone is constantly being broken down and replaced. When bone is broken down more quickly than it is replaced, osteoporosis occurs. As the disease...
On A Tumor’s Turf
Solid tumors are generally considered more difficult to treat than blood cancers. For example, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has been amazingly effective against blood cancers that failed to respond to other types of treatment, while inroads against...
COVID-19 Antivirals: Part Two
Last week, we began our two-part series on COVID-19 antiviral drugs by reviewing the stages of the Sars-Cov-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) lifecycle that might be prone to attack by these drugs, and explained how hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) works and discussed the...