July 2024- Volume 20, Issue 4
In this Issue
Editor's Focus
Milestone: The origins of oncolytic viral therapy
Milestone: The origins of oncolytic viral therapy
Since their discovery in the 1890s, viruses have intrigued scientists as potential cancer-killing agents.
Profiling the spatial secrets of the placenta
Profiling the spatial secrets of the placenta
While vital for a healthy pregnancy, the placenta is not well understood. Researchers now take advantage of spatial biology approaches to plumb its secrets.
Editors Insight
Science stands on shaky shoulders with research misconduct
Science stands on shaky shoulders with research misconduct
Research misconduct poisons the well of scientific literature, but finding systemic ways to change the current “publish or perish” culture will help.
Clinical Trials
A new frontier in monoclonal antibody delivery
A new frontier in monoclonal antibody delivery
New research aims to make antibody drug delivery as precise and efficient as the antibodies themselves.
After 70 years, a new class of drugs for schizophrenia
After 70 years, a new class of drugs for schizophrenia
A new type of drug for schizophrenia could finally be approved in September. Others may not be far behind.
Ophthamology
Mini-retinas model human disease in a dish
Mini-retinas model human disease in a dish
Researchers use retinal organoids to screen drugs and hope to transplant them into the eyes of people with blindness in the coming years.
Restoring color vision with gene therapy
Restoring color vision with gene therapy
People with achromatopsia have never seen color. Restorative gene therapies have had mixed success, leaving researchers wondering why.
The optic nerve may help protect the brain from sickness
The optic nerve may help protect the brain from sickness
Researchers discovered an immunological connection between the eye and the brain that could lead to new therapeutics for central nervous system diseases.
Spatial Biology
Bioprinting tumors to fight them
Bioprinting tumors to fight them
3D bioprinted models of the tumor microenvironment could make the preclinical research process more reliable and accelerate translation to the clinic.
Biologics
CAR T cells in a SNAP
CAR T cells in a SNAP
A modular CAR T cell could make cancer therapy safer and more effective.
Decoding the molecular complexity of biologics
Decoding the molecular complexity of biologics
Biologics like monoclonal antibodies and mRNA vaccines are complex drugs. Yongchao Su uses biophysical tools and innovative strategies to understand them better.
Probiotics to alleviate depression
Probiotics to alleviate depression
Researchers target the gut to see if they can treat depression with fewer side effects and less stigma than current drugs.
