The hottest Biotechnology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

Synthetic integrin antibodies discovered by yeast display reveal αV subunit pairing preferences with β subunits

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Medical Research Pharmacology Cell Biology
  1. New antibodies were created that can specifically block integrins, which are important for cell functions like attachment and signaling. This may lead to better treatments for diseases.
  2. Researchers found that different β subunits bind preferentially to the αV subunit in integrins. Understanding these pairings helps explain how integrins work in the body.
  3. The antibodies developed through this study can directly compete with small molecules that normally bind to integrins. This opens the door for more precise therapies in the future.

Illumina@JPM - More Clinical!

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Healthcare Technology Genomics Innovation
  1. Illumina's revenue has been flat but they are focusing on clinical applications, now making up 56% of their market. This indicates a shift in strategy towards health-related services.
  2. The company continues to reduce its cost per gigabyte of sequencing, although it remains higher than some competitors. They're positioning themselves to provide more value and insights rather than just cheaper sequencing.
  3. Despite the competitive pressure on pricing, Illumina aims to deliver high-quality insights at a lower overall cost instead of racing to the bottom with pricing like some other vendors.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #118

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 119 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Innovation Health Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Engineering
  1. Osmo Labs has made a breakthrough in scent teleportation. They can now predict how smells will be based on chemical structures, which could change how we experience scents online.
  2. Semaglutide, a diabetes drug, might help lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. A study shows it significantly reduces the chances of first-time diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  3. A company called Physical Intelligence is developing robots that can fold laundry like humans. This could save us from doing tedious chores and allow us to focus on more enjoyable tasks.

Karuna Therapeutics, a drug repurposing effort, sold for about $14 billion. This is their story.

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 1119 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Drug Development Pharmaceuticals Clinical Trials Innovation
  1. Karuna Therapeutics achieved a $14 billion sale through drug repurposing.
  2. Drug repurposing can be a highly lucrative business without requiring excessive brilliance or luck.
  3. VCs often prioritize hype and platform-based drug development over drug repurposing success stories.

Monday Links

Niko McCarty • 159 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Neuroscience Environmental Science Cell Biology Genetics
  1. Scientists can now deliver single molecules into living cells using special tools called nanopipettes. This could help in studying cell functions more precisely.
  2. Neuralink is facing problems with its brain chip as most of the threads inserted in the first human are not working. They plan to implant another chip in another person soon.
  3. Greenpeace is blocking the planting of Golden Rice, which is modified to help prevent vitamin A deficiency. This decision may change as the Philippine government intends to challenge it.
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Can You Resell An Illumina Sequencer?

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Legal issues Market Dynamics Consumer Rights Intellectual Property
  1. Illumina has faced accusations of anti-competitive behavior, especially towards companies reselling their sequencers. They reportedly pressured customers with high fees to avoid sales from third parties.
  2. The lawsuit between International Equipment Trading and Illumina ended in a settlement, leaving questions about legality unanswered. However, it appears Illumina has softened some of their policies regarding support for secondhand equipment.
  3. There's an increasing number of used Illumina machines for sale online, often with their software removed. Users wanting to reinstall the software might need to contact Illumina for assistance and potentially pay for a service contract.

Thursday Links

Niko McCarty • 119 implied HN points • 30 May 24
🕹 Technology AI Biotechnology Engineering Research Innovation
  1. A company has set a new record by placing over 4,000 electrodes on a living human brain. This is a big step in brain-computer interface technology.
  2. There are some significant papers about CRISPR technology that are worth checking out. These studies could impact how we use gene editing in the future.
  3. A certain microbe can significantly reduce harmful gas emissions in soil. This is important because it's a natural solution that doesn't involve genetic engineering.

Underrated Problems in Biotechnology

Niko McCarty • 99 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Agriculture Environmental Genetics Health
  1. Chick culling is a big issue where billions of male chicks are killed each year because they can't lay eggs. New technology can help determine an egg's sex earlier to prevent this cruelty.
  2. Synthetic apomixis could change farming for the better by allowing farmers to grow hybrid crops indefinitely without buying new seeds each year. This would help increase their profits and food supply.
  3. Tree engineering is important for combating climate change, but not enough researchers are focusing on it. Creating trees that grow faster and capture more carbon could help protect our forests.

A Pain in the Plate Maps

Briefly Bio • 198 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Data science Software Development Research Methodology
  1. Creating 96-well plate maps is important for organizing samples and tracking metadata during scientific experiments. This helps scientists during pipetting and later data analysis.
  2. Current methods for making plate maps, like using spreadsheets, can be clunky and error-prone as they often require managing multiple tables that are not linked.
  3. A new visual plate mapper allows for easy creation and editing of plate maps. It synchronizes the visual layout with a data table, making it simpler to manage and analyze experiment data.

Green Goo (Republished)

De Novo • 110 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Ecology Synthetic Biology Genetics Environmental Science
  1. Synthetic biology can create engineered organisms, which may outcompete natural organisms and harm ecosystems. We need to be careful about the kinds of organisms we create and the possible consequences.
  2. Creating mirror-image organisms could lead to unexpected environmental problems. If these organisms take over, they could cause damage far beyond what we're prepared for.
  3. We should invest in ways to contain engineered organisms and be aware of the risks of releasing them into nature. It's important to proceed cautiously when considering big changes to global ecosystems.

PacBio@JPM - Tech Stuff

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Tech development Biotechnology Data Analysis Innovation Research
  1. PacBio is working on high-density chips that can hold more information than before. This means they can process data faster and more efficiently.
  2. The focus on ongoing technical development indicates that PacBio is trying to stay ahead in the biotech field. They are continuously improving their technology to meet market needs.
  3. The information presented is part of a broader update at the JPM conference, showing that PacBio is committed to advancing their technology and sharing their progress with subscribers.

Drug the Undruggable: Learn how Elsie Biotechnologies is advancing oligonucleotide therapeutics

LatchBio • 268 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Drug Discovery Webinar
  1. Elsie Biotechnologies uses computational design tools and high-throughput experimental approaches to develop drugs.
  2. Partnerships with large pharmaceutical companies like GSK can significantly impact the progress of smaller biotech companies.
  3. Oligonucleotide therapies represent the future of drug development, promising safer and more effective treatments.

Year In Review - Everything Else!

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genomics Sequencing Biotechnology
  1. Clinical sequencing is becoming a major part of the medical field, especially in areas like oncology and genetic disease testing. However, many clinicians still find it challenging to use these new testing methods.
  2. Protein sequencing is an emerging area with potential advancements on the horizon, particularly with new technologies like Nanopore. It's an exciting field that many are watching closely.
  3. Single cell analysis remains a hot topic, but companies like 10X Genomics are facing challenges with growth and patent issues. There are still many experiments and innovations happening in this space.

You can now run single-cell experiments in a tube with 4.5 hours of hands-on time

LatchBio • 12 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Genomics Data Analysis
  1. A new single-cell sequencing technology makes experiments easier and faster, only needing about 4.5 hours of hands-on work. This means more scientists can do these experiments without needing a big budget or lots of extra equipment.
  2. The new method allows for better scalability, letting researchers run from 1 to 96 samples easily. This flexibility can lead to more data and insights in various experiments, such as drug development or studying disease.
  3. The SimpleCell technology also includes user-friendly analysis tools, making it easier for scientists to understand and visualize their results. This helps them feel more in control of their research and get valuable insights quickly.

Something Up At Oxford Nanopore?

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Innovation Investments Corporate News
  1. There are rumors that Clive Brown might have left Oxford Nanopore, but it's not confirmed. It's important to check and verify such news before spreading it.
  2. Investment opportunities for Oxford Nanopore were discussed earlier, suggesting potential growth for the company. Keeping an eye on funding can indicate how the company might progress.
  3. The information shared is meant for paid subscribers, highlighting the value of the insights provided. Paid content often offers deeper analysis and exclusive news.

Genopore - Nanopore Protein Detection

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Health Innovation Diagnostics
  1. Genopore is an Israeli company focused on a new way to detect proteins. They are more interested in detection methods rather than just fingerprinting or sequencing proteins.
  2. The technology they are developing is considered novel, suggesting it could bring new advancements to protein detection.
  3. Their patents and website indicate they have a clear direction towards enhancing protein detection capabilities.

Biomemory - Enzymatic Data Storage

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Data Storage Startups Investments Biotechnology
  1. A French startup called Biomemory has raised $18 million for its new enzymatic data storage technology. This is surprising because other companies in the same field are struggling.
  2. Biomemory's first product includes a card that can encode data into DNA, specifically a message of 'Hello World!' using a unique encoding method. This method has some inefficiencies, as it uses more bases than necessary.
  3. The startup faces challenges with encoding data, particularly with homopolymers, which might complicate their technology. Future developments could look into improving these encoding issues.

Stories We’d Like to Publish

Asimov Press • 174 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Microbiology Predictive Models Animal Welfare
  1. Asimov Press is publicly sharing ideas for essays they'd like to publish and inviting writers to contribute by emailing them at [email protected].
  2. Topics in biotechnology range from synthetic blood development to artificial wombs and synthetic nitrogen fixation, showcasing the broad spectrum of innovative research being undertaken.
  3. Biotechnology advancements aim to address a variety of issues, such as animal welfare, predictive growth models for microbes, and challenges in protein structure prediction, highlighting the diverse applications and potential impact of biotechnological research.

The PacBio Vega - More Tech Details

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Engineering Biotechnology Research Instruments Computing
  1. The PacBio Vega is designed for small labs and minimizes downtime between runs. Users can load new samples while a run is ongoing, making it efficient.
  2. The technology in the Vega seems to be similar to the Revio but aims to reduce costs, likely making high-quality sequencing more accessible to small research centers.
  3. There's curiosity about how PacBio has managed to incorporate advanced computing power into a compact design, which is crucial for producing quality data without needing expensive equipment.

Issue 17: No great stagnation in cruise ships

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Engineering Urbanism Biotechnology Data science Chemistry
  1. Cruise ships show that new ideas and growth are still possible in design and urban living, even as some land technologies seem to stall.
  2. Madrid has successfully built its metro system much faster and cheaper than cities like London and New York by using smart planning and incentives for local leaders.
  3. Many animals, like horses and crabs, are essential for creating life-saving chemicals, reminding us that we still rely on nature, even as technology advances.

What If We Could Change The Colour Of *Everything*?

Everything Is Amazing • 488 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🔬 Science Color Theory Materials science Biotechnology Fashion
  1. The way chameleons change color can inspire future color-changing technology for surfaces and fabrics.
  2. Current advancements in color-changing materials like Fabrican and PhotoChromeleon show promise for future fashion and architectural applications.
  3. The deep meanings and social implications of colors in fashion and pigmentation mean that changing color technology may have complex impacts on society.

Humanity’s new frontier is complete genomic knowledge. The barriers are ideological.

Nucleus Genomics • 39 implied HN points • 18 Apr 24
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Public Health Bioethics Human Rights
  1. Understanding our DNA can help us learn more about our health and traits. It's important for everyone to have access to this information.
  2. There are ideological debates that prevent people from getting the genetic insights they deserve. These discussions often limit how much we can learn about ourselves.
  3. The goal is to communicate scientific knowledge clearly and truthfully. This will help us all understand genetics better and use it to improve our lives.

Erika Update #5: DNA detective

Erika’s Newsletter • 137 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Research Engineering Biotechnology
  1. It's important to keep good track of custom DNA programs in biology for engineering purposes.
  2. Current DNA management lacks clear nomenclature and annotation, making it challenging to work with DNA sequences.
  3. Challenges in DNA management highlight the complexity of biological functions and the importance of handling sequences carefully and thoughtfully.

DNA foundation modeling

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genetics Biotechnology Synthetic Biology Drug Discovery
  1. DNA foundation models are helping scientists analyze and understand the complex patterns in genetic data. They can lead to important discoveries in medicine and biology.
  2. Building these models is tough because DNA sequences are long and complicated. Special techniques are needed to process them efficiently and recognize important details.
  3. While these models have great potential, they need to be tested carefully to avoid mistakes. We also need to think about the ethical implications of using them in research and medicine.

Year In Review - Long Reads

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Genomics Sequencing Biotechnology Medical Research Health tech
  1. PacBio faced challenges in the stock market but still aims to provide high-quality clinical genomic sequencing. They are seen as a strong competitor in the long-read space despite financial struggles.
  2. Oxford Nanopore has been active in raising funds but has dealt with internal issues and departures of significant team members. Profitability remains an elusive goal for both them and PacBio.
  3. New competitors are emerging in the long-read sequencing market, including Roche and BGI, who are exploring nanopore sequencing technology. This could shake up the landscape for current players.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #85

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 106 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Space Exploration Artificial Intelligence Renewable Energy Blockchain Biotechnology
  1. SpaceX successfully launched Starship into orbit, showcasing the power of moonshots to make people feel part of something bigger and optimistic about the future.
  2. Cognition AI, built by gold-medalist coders, can code based on requests, marking a significant advancement in AI technology.
  3. Extropic AI's thermodynamic chips could revolutionize computing by leveraging nature's randomness for energy efficiency, potentially accelerating the next era of computing.

The PacBio Benchtop - The Vega

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Genomics Instrumentation Data Analysis Healthcare
  1. The new PacBio Vega is a benchtop DNA sequencer that provides 60Gb of data in just 24 hours and costs $169,000. There's also a lower cost option for labs that need less capacity.
  2. When compared to Oxford Nanopore's PromethION, the Vega appears to deliver better accuracy and more consistent results, making it a suitable choice for smaller labs needing reliable output.
  3. The launch of the Vega could help PacBio increase revenue and broaden its market presence, as it appeals to labs that want access to high-quality sequencing without breaking the bank.

C57BL/6 (Beta)

Niko McCarty • 19 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Research Ethics Pharmaceuticals Computing
  1. In 2032, scientists created computer emulations of mice, including their entire anatomy and brain. This was only possible for a few organizations with strong computing power.
  2. The military used these emulators to test how drugs could enhance mouse performance, but some results were secretly tested on prisoners, raising ethical concerns.
  3. The NIH gave access to emulators mainly to select academic institutions, leading to a flood of biomedical papers. This made their findings influential in clinical trials, affecting millions of people.

The ultra-selfish gene

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 13 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🔬 Science Genetics Malaria Gene-editing Ecology Biotechnology
  1. Gene editing technology, especially CRISPR/Cas9, offers powerful ways to potentially eliminate malaria by modifying the mosquitoes that spread it. This could save millions of lives.
  2. Selfish genetic elements can alter inheritance patterns within populations, which may allow a single gene edit to spread rapidly through an entire species, potentially causing significant ecological changes.
  3. While gene drives could provide solutions to public health issues, their release carries risks. There’s a need for careful monitoring and potential reversal strategies to prevent unintended consequences.

ONT Suing BGI Again!

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology Intellectual Property Legal issues Product Development
  1. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) is taking legal action against BGI in the UK. This follows their earlier decision to pause a lawsuit in the US.
  2. Users of Oxford Nanopore products might face limitations due to user agreements, which could affect their ability to develop competing technologies.
  3. Currently, there isn't concrete evidence proving that BGI has violated ONT's patents, suggesting that the situation could require more careful consideration and evidence before further legal actions.