Reading comic books has taught the importance of funding science. The most epic villians were researchers that were denied funding.#marvelcomics #dccomics

Giant hidden DNA in our mouths. 🧬🦷 Researchers discovered large extrachromosomal DNA elements—"Inocles"—in oral bacteria, likely in 74% of people. These ~350 kb loops carry stress-response and DNA-repair genes, aiding microbial adaptation in the mouth and potentially linked to

New “3D genome organizer” tied to fertility and cancer. 🧬 Kyoto University researchers uncovered a STAG3‑cohesin complex that shapes DNA architecture in sperm‑forming stem cells; without STAG3, these cells fail to mature properly in mice, causing fertility problems. The team

Open-source AI for protein design, simplified. 🤖🧬 EPFL’s BindCraft revolutionizes binder discovery, using AlphaFold2-guided design to create a few high-quality binders for targets like AAVs, CRISPR-Cas9, and allergens, achieving high success rates and rapid, one-shot results.

CRISPR delivery improves threefold. 🧬📦 Northwestern scientists developed DNA-wrapped lipid nanoparticles (LNP-SNAs) that deliver the full CRISPR toolkit—Cas9, guide RNA, and repair template—into cells with up to three times the efficiency of standard LNPs, reducing toxicity

A universal #aptamer that targets the COVID-19 spike protein The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses its spike protein to invade our cells. That’s why the spike is the main target for vaccines, drugs & tests. ➡️ A new aptamer called #MSA52 can bind to the spike of 7 different variants of

Why does this stuff work? Can we just throw out 3D geometric inductive biases for 1000x less data efficient pure Transformers? Wrote my intuitions on when this works/doesn’t work: chaitjo.substack.com/p/transformers…

Alzheimer’s: promising RNA approach. 🧠🧬 Scientists used tiny circular RNA “aptamers” to calm brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s mice, reducing sticky amyloid plaques and improving memory tests. They delivered the therapy with a harmless virus either into the hippocampus or

Virus-inspired aptamers, engineered for precision. 🧬🦠 EPFL scientists developed multimeric DNA aptamers (MEDUSA) matching the 3-slot geometry of viral spike proteins, enhancing binding strength 10–1000x and reducing off-target effects—ideal for precise diagnostics and targeted

Aptamers for bone health are gaining traction. 🦴🧬 A new review highlights how small DNA/RNA aptamers target bone pathways (PTH, BMPs, Wnt/β-catenin) to enhance regeneration, combat osteosarcoma, and slow osteoarthritis, avoiding off-target effects common in drugs. They’re

In Basel for the Festival of Biologics! Ears still haven’t popped.

Cas9 has a built‑in “thermostat” for CRISPR memory. 🧬 When CRISPR guide RNAs are scarce (e.g., in new or reduced arrays), RNA-free Cas9 boosts spacer acquisition to rebuild immune memory. As guides accumulate, Cas9 availability decreases, slowing acquisition to prevent

Microneedles and vesicles target rectal cancer. 🩹🧬 Dissolving microneedle patches deliver oxaliplatin and sodium butyrate-loaded outer-membrane vesicles to rectal tissue, enhancing local uptake, reducing systemic exposure, and enabling gentler, targeted chemotherapy with

Had a good time at the #festivalofbiologics

What it’s like going to #FestivalOfBiologics as an aptamer company when everyone’s focused on antibodies 🧬😅” #Aptamers #Antibodies #Biotech #DrugDiscovery

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their discoveries on peripheral immune tolerance. Sakaguchi identified regulatory T cells in 1995, a crucial cell type that prevents autoimmune diseases.

200 phone calls and 1000s text later he finds out…

Feeling stressed? Have I've got a sensor for you! We developed an aptamer-based fluorescent sensor for cortisol, which is functional in artificial cerebrospinal fluid. This paper was just published in RSC Sensors & Diagnostics. Great work team! pubs.rsc.org/en/content/art…

Earning a PhD is a massive sacrifice, but nothing beats getting called "Dr"... once ... by your family ... sarcastically ... when you mispronounce an easy word

New world record for fastest human whole genome sequencing. Boston Children’s Hospital, Broad Clinical Labs, and Roche Sequencing Solutions set a new record, completing sequencing and variant analysis in under four hours. This breakthrough could transform NICU care. Critically