October 2022- Volume 18, Issue 10
In this Issue
Editor's Focus
Preparing for the inevitable next pandemic
Preparing for the inevitable next pandemic
In the 21st century, viral spillovers will become more and more common. We are not in the dark and can prepare now for new breakouts before they even begin.
Immunology
New monoclonal antibody therapeutics made straight from cancer patients’ blood
New monoclonal antibody therapeutics made straight from cancer patients’ blood
Some scientists use cancer patients as libraries for discovering novel immunotherapies.
Understudied antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 predict patient survival
Understudied antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 predict patient survival
COVID-19 researchers focus their studies on antibodies targeting exposed parts of SARS-CoV-2, but in a new study, a group of researchers showed that antibodies targeting proteins inside the virus are just as important for a robust immune response.
A universal flu vaccine might not look very universal
A universal flu vaccine might not look very universal
New research on vaccines that cover multiple influenza viruses arrives frequently, but biological, evolutionary, and communications challenges remain.
Dermatology
An extra sticky mussel-inspired skin graft heals without scars
An extra sticky mussel-inspired skin graft heals without scars
To avoid the pain, scars, and complications of traditional skin grafts and sutures, scientists take inspiration from mussels, some of the stickiest, most resilient animals on Earth.
Tattoo therapeutics deliver medicine more than skin deep
Tattoo therapeutics deliver medicine more than skin deep
From ancient medicines to equipping humans with new senses, tattoos are more than just permanent marks on the skin. They may boost immune function, and they have the potential to effectively deliver therapeutics through the skin.
CRISPR
CRISPR-edited white adipocytes effectively treat diabetes in mice
CRISPR-edited white adipocytes effectively treat diabetes in mice
Implanting brown fat into mice fed a high fat diet helps them lose weight and become glucose tolerant. Will it do the same for humans?
Milestone: The Creation of CRISPR
Milestone: The Creation of CRISPR
Scientists harnessed the prokaryotic immune system to develop a groundbreaking gene editing technology that improves human health.
Infusing CRISPR therapeutics with safety and soul
Infusing CRISPR therapeutics with safety and soul
Samira Kiani combines her passion for art and design with synthetic biology to create safer CRISPR-based therapeutics for the future.
Drug Manufacturing
A potential therapy for curing HIV comes from the sea
A potential therapy for curing HIV comes from the sea
Small molecule drugs that trigger the death of cells storing latent viruses are a promising approach for treating HIV. Researchers identified a potent compound in a marine sponge — a more likely source than it may seem.
A silk cocoon gives a protective shell to oral drugs in the gut
A silk cocoon gives a protective shell to oral drugs in the gut
Researchers are harnessing the power of silk to develop a shelf- and digestive tract-stable enzyme treatment for phenylketonuria.
For local mRNA delivery, nanoparticles stick to the bone
For local mRNA delivery, nanoparticles stick to the bone
Researchers designed a lipid nanoparticle that sticks to bone minerals, increasing mRNA delivery and therapeutic protein expression in the bone.
