It’s time to fully embrace the power of digital

Bob Burke is the new EMEA GM at biotech R&D cloud platform Benchling. He explains Europe’s importance as a biotech powerhouse and why the ‘digital first’ approach is key to future success. Tell us about...

AI codebreakers: Dr Doolittle 2.0

Experts believe that decoding the communication systems of whales, crows, bats, and many other animals is within reach, following breath-taking advances in artificial intelligence research. In an article published in Science, led by Professor Christian Rutz...

New paradigm for protein engineering uses AI and synthetic biology

The world-first full stack protein engineering foundry created by Adaptyv Bio paves the way for protein designers to develop new medicines, novel enzymes and sustainable materials. AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionising how the world...

Software untangles genetics linked to common ancestry

Aston University has worked with international partners to develop a software package which helps scientists answer key questions about genetic factors associated with shared characteristics among different species. Called CALANGO (comparative analysis with annotation-based genomic...

Living brain cell networks ‘bioprinted’ in lab

By Prof. John Forsythe Lead Research, The Department of Materials Science & Engineering Australian researchers have successfully used “bioinks” containing living nerve cells (neurons) to print 3D nerve networks that can grow in the laboratory and...

An avatar called Stacey transforms mental health care for new mums

England has become the first country in the world to launch clinical training in perinatal mental health using extended reality (XR) technology. Perinatal mental health conditions affect between 10 and 20% of women giving birth...

World-first generative AI tool designs enzymes for more sustainable industrial processes

ZymCTRL is the world’s first open-source, text-based enzyme generation model and can be used across multiple industries, including therapeutics and sustainability initiatives. The AI model can produce sequences that create functional enzymes with desirable...

Forget sweet dreams – sweet genes could explain why a bad night’s sleep makes...

Parents of newborns might feel like they have aged a few years in those early months of sleepless nights. Now, scientists at the University of Leicester are investigating whether the secret to both a...

Qatar joins genomics ‘Premier League’

Over 95 per cent of available genome data currently comes from Europe and the USA. Dr Said Ismail – ‘father’ of the ground-breaking Qatar Genome Program (QGP) – explains how technology is helping advance...

Virtual reality explores neural network dynamics of autism

An international collaboration has developed a VR imaging system that can measure a wide range of neural activity in the cortices of mice during activity, say researchers at Kobe University. The study helped show the...

Improving morale in cell culture labs

By Geoff Dance Senior Applications Scientist, Automata Cell culture research offers scientists the chance to work in cutting-edge areas like lab-grown meat, and even making leather cultivated from mushroom cells. However, such feats of innovation require...

Improving lab sustainability with green solvents

Paul Vanden Branden, Director at SciMed, discusses how laboratories can update experimental methods and solvent selection to be more sustainable without harming results. Research labs are complicated environments and it is not always clear what...

Bio-Britain: Kicking the UK’s fossil fuel habit with industrial biotechnology

Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean of Business Engagement at The University of Manchester, explains how biotechnology can make the energy, manufacturing, and medical industries more sustainable. Given how inconceivably complex they...

MACHINE LEARNING HELPS DETERMINE SUCCESS OF ADVANCED GENOME EDITING

A new tool can predict the chances of successfully inserting a gene-edited sequence of DNA into the genome of a cell. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute used a technique known as prime editing -...

Tubular tissue advance could pave way for lab-grown blood vessels

Innovative technology that creates ultra-thin layers of human cells in tube-like structures could spur development of lifelike blood vessels and intestines in the lab. The technique, known as RIFLE – rotational internal flow layer engineering...

What’s next for life science R&D experiments?

A new report by Synthace is paving the way for more efficient, impactful experimentation. Lab automation & experimentation in life science R&D 2023-2024 investigates the industry challenges faced by researchers and highlights opportunities for improvement....