June 2022- Volume 18, Issue 6
In this Issue
Editor's Focus
Competition breeds ingenuity in translational research
Competition breeds ingenuity in translational research
It’s human nature to compare one’s success to others, but thinking that the grass is greener on the other side can be detrimental to one’s health. Recognizing strategies as equal but unique ways to tackle a common problem is a healthier perspective.
An infective spark for Alzheimer's disease
An infective spark for Alzheimer's disease
A once fringe theory that viral and bacterial infections trigger the neuroinflammation and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease is gaining traction. If it proves true, available antimicrobials could be a long sought-after treatment for this neurodegenerative disease.
RNA Therapeutics
Self-amplifying RNA may reduce side effects associated with RNA vaccines
Self-amplifying RNA may reduce side effects associated with RNA vaccines
Anna Blakney, an RNA bioengineer and TikTok science communicator, studies how self-amplifying RNA improves RNA vaccines and therapeutics.
New RNA-editing tools expand therapeutic toolkits
New RNA-editing tools expand therapeutic toolkits
Improved chemistry may make RNA editing therapies more feasible in humans.
Human-mouse hybrids accelerate nanoparticle discovery
Human-mouse hybrids accelerate nanoparticle discovery
Nanoparticles that successfully deliver drugs in mice often fail in humans. To understand how nanoparticles fare across different model species, scientists developed a high-throughput system to screen nanoparticles in mice with humanized livers with the hope of better predicting nanoparticles that work in humans.
Next-generation nanoparticle delivery
Next-generation nanoparticle delivery
Nanoparticles fuse with cells to deliver their gene or RNA therapy cargo, but some are better shuttles than others. Now, scientists have developed a way to find the best nanoparticles for the job.
Microbiome
Gut microbes may predict the effectiveness of anthelminthic drugs
Gut microbes may predict the effectiveness of anthelminthic drugs
Pre-screening of the gut microbiome may lead to a more personalized approach to treating intestinal parasitic worm infections, leading to better treatment outcomes and a decreased risk for drug resistance.
Altered lung microbiomes correlate with poor cell therapy outcomes
Altered lung microbiomes correlate with poor cell therapy outcomes
Researchers face more obstacles studying the lung microbiome than the gut microbiome. One big hurdle is collecting lung samples. In a new study, researchers used an invasive technique to collect fluid from children’s lungs and discovered how the lung’s microbial makeup affects stem cell transplant outcomes.
Stem Cells
Turning up the heat on burn treatments
Turning up the heat on burn treatments
A new product takes on the tricky process of tissue regeneration.
The hitchhiker’s guide to stem cells
The hitchhiker’s guide to stem cells
Amongst a plethora of stem cells, which cell type should scientists choose?
Seminar summary: Delivering drugs to the brain
Seminar summary: Delivering drugs to the brain
Scientists and clinicians discussed their solutions for overcoming the challenge of getting past the blood-brain barrier in DDN’s first seminar.
Stem cell therapy for macular degeneration
Stem cell therapy for macular degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of vision loss in adults over age 50, but there are few treatments available. Researchers are now developing promising stem cell therapies to treat the disease.
