The hottest Biotechnology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics
Niko McCarty β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 25 May 24
  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.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 121 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
  1. Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket, marking a big step for Jeff Bezos in the space race against Elon Musk's SpaceX. This could lead to more competition and innovation in space exploration.
  2. A startup called Colossal is working to bring back extinct animals like woolly mammoths using advanced genetics. They believe this could open up new possibilities in science and conservation.
  3. AI is showing positive results in education, especially in Nigeria, where students using AI tutors outperformed their peers. This suggests that AI can be a helpful tool in learning when combined with good teaching.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 106 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 25
  1. Sana Biotechnology has made a huge step by transplanting insulin-producing cells for diabetes patients without needing drugs to suppress the immune system. This could change diabetes treatment for the better.
  2. Recent research shows that even non-brain cells can have memory-like processes, suggesting that memory might not be exclusive to the brain. This could lead to new ways of treating diseases by training our body's cells.
  3. A new AI model called METAGENE-1 can analyze wastewater to detect pathogens and monitor health risks. This technology could help us better prepare for pandemics in the future.
Rough Diamonds β€’ 72 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 25
  1. Synthetic biology and biomanufacturing can be expensive. It's usually cheaper to make simple chemicals using traditional methods than using living organisms.
  2. Biomanufacturing startups need to focus on products that can only be made with biological processes. If they try to compete on common products, they will struggle.
  3. Successful biomanufacturing requires good teamwork between design and manufacturing. Companies that only focus on one part of the process often face big problems.
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Briefly Bio β€’ 198 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 24
  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.
De Novo β€’ 110 implied HN points β€’ 12 Dec 24
  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.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 111 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 24
  1. Microsoft and Atom Computing are making big moves in quantum computing by using neutral atom processors to create stable computations. This could lead to real breakthroughs in things like medicine and cryptography.
  2. Nabla Bio has created an AI platform that can design new antibodies from scratch, speeding up the process of developing new drugs. This means we could potentially treat more diseases faster and cheaper.
  3. Starting in fall 2025, MIT will offer free tuition to students from families earning under $200,000, making education more accessible. This could help more talented students pursue important scientific and technical careers.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 25
  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.
LatchBio β€’ 268 implied HN points β€’ 07 Mar 24
  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.
Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 01 Nov 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 24
  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.
LatchBio β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 26 Dec 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 25
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 24
  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.
Asimov Press β€’ 174 implied HN points β€’ 03 Mar 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 21 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 24
  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.
The Works in Progress Newsletter β€’ 12 implied HN points β€’ 05 Dec 24
  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.
Everything Is Amazing β€’ 488 implied HN points β€’ 24 Mar 23
  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.
Nucleus Genomics β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 24
  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’s Newsletter β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 23
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 18 Dec 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 07 Nov 24
  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.
Niko McCarty β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 25 May 24
  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 Works in Progress Newsletter β€’ 13 implied HN points β€’ 08 Nov 24
  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.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 24
  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.
The Century of Biology β€’ 390 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 23
  1. The immune system is a major frontier for the future of biotechnology and medicine.
  2. Engineered T cells, like CAR-T therapy, show promise in treating diseases like cancer by programming immune cells.
  3. Immune engineering, especially in combination with the 4-S stack, holds great potential for designing new therapies and advancing genetic engineering technology.
Extropic Thoughts β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jul 23
  1. The essay discusses amending the human constitution to overcome limitations like aging and death.
  2. It proposes expanding human perceptual abilities and enhancing intelligence through biotechnology and neural improvements.
  3. The amendments aim to move humanity towards a posthuman condition, integrating technology into individuals for unprecedented innovation.
Eat Shit and Prosper β€’ 159 implied HN points β€’ 09 Apr 23
  1. Working with bacteria, especially in a lab, can lead to unexpected and funny situations. In this case, a vacuum chamber experiment led to an overwhelming smell due to fermentation gases.
  2. It's important to follow safety protocols, like weighing flasks, when handling materials in a centrifuge to prevent accidents.
  3. Despite the humorous mishap, the science behind using gut bacteria for mental health treatments shows promise and is an exciting field.