The hottest Biotechnology Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

ONT Suing BGI Again!

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  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.

Clive's Departure from Oxford Confirmed

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Clive has left Oxford Nanopore, and Rosemary Sinclair Dokos and Lakmal Jayasinghe are taking over his roles. They seem like good choices for the company.
  2. Clive's leadership was important to the company's vision and success, and many believe it could have struggled without him.
  3. There have been several senior departures from Oxford in the past year, which might have changed the company's culture, but product and strategy changes are still unclear.

A Guide to Customer Analysis for Sequencing Kit Providers

LatchBio • 6 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Kit providers should create analysis packages that include tools to help customers understand their data better. This makes it easier for scientists to answer their research questions.
  2. Redeemable codes can be embedded in kits to give customers access to these analysis tools. This lets providers track which customers are using the tools and how.
  3. It's crucial for kit providers to monitor their customers' progress with the analysis tools. If customers can't get the insights they need, they are less likely to buy more kits.

Ultima Unpatterned Flowcells

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Ultima has transitioned to using unpatterned flowcells, which are cheaper and possibly work well with minor drawbacks.
  2. Ultima's manufacturing using unpatterned flowcells involves surface treatment and spin coating to attach and shrink beads for better identification and access.
  3. The occupancy and loading efficiency of Ultima's unpatterned flowcells suggest a potential capacity for 8 billion reads per run, showing advancements since their 2022 preprints.
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Bringing Up An Old EBay MiSeq

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Bought an old MiSeq on eBay, faced issues like getting reagents from Illumina and shipping to Japan but managed to resolve them
  2. Had to reset the password for the MiSeq, managed it by using a Linux system to reset and configure passwords
  3. Prepped PhiX control, ran a sequencing run with over-clustered results, but was able to get 20+ bases aligned to PhiX

Genus Plc And Sex Selection

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Genus Plc focuses on agricultural biotech products, particularly in pig and bovine semen.
  2. They offer Intelligen sexing technologies for selecting the sex of offspring in animals.
  3. The use of similar sex selection technologies in humans raises ethical concerns and has varying levels of effectiveness.

Still Time to Register: Takara Bio x LatchBio Spatial Webinar

LatchBio • 1 implied HN point • 28 Jul 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. There's a webinar on July 29, 2025, where Takara Bio and LatchBio will show a new tool for analyzing spatial data from specific kits.
  2. Participants will learn practical ways to filter data, compare samples, and explore gene expression in different tissue areas.
  3. This session is great for anyone using Seeker™ kits or those interested in spatial biology, providing a hands-on look at the new analysis tool.

GPCRs in kidney disease

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Kidney disease, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), has been underinvested compared to other conditions like oncology and diabetes.
  2. The development of drugs targeting GPCRs PC-1 and PC-2 in PKD could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by reducing cyst size.
  3. Business models in drug development are shifting towards rare disease candidates like PC-1/2, emphasizing treatments that exceed the current standard of care.

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Biotechnology
  1. MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is developing a tri-specific nanobody therapy called Sonelokimab (SLK) that has shown significant efficacy in treating inflammatory diseases like HS, PsA, and PsO.
  2. SLK offers unique benefits like blocking all IL-17 pro-inflammatory dimers, enabling tissue penetration, and maintaining high response rates in patients with moderate-to-severe conditions.
  3. MoonLake's SLK has the potential to become a best-in-class IL-17 inhibitor in a multibillion-dollar market, with its innovative structure, clinical success, and competitive advantages over existing treatments.

Setting the Scene for Genetic Breakthroughs

Superfluid • 13 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Gene therapy has the potential to treat and cure genetic diseases, but it is a complex process requiring expertise in biology and manufacturing.
  2. The gene therapy value chain involves steps like target identification, payload design, delivery vehicle design, translation development, manufacturing, and clinical trials.
  3. Companies are working on breakthroughs in gene therapy technology, such as improving AAV vectors and refining CRISPR-Cas9 systems, but face challenges in experimental processes and data availability.

VSRF LIVE Tonight: Episode 149 - Self-Amplifying MRNA with Dr. Jessica Rose, PhD.

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 2 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Biotechnology
  1. Self-amplifying mRNA vaccines can create more copies of mRNA, which might increase immune responses and protection duration even with smaller doses.
  2. Some people are worried that these new vaccines could be very dangerous and lead to unexpected health issues, calling them 'doomsday machines.'
  3. There are concerns that self-amplifying mRNA could pose risks not just to vaccinated individuals, but also to people who are unvaccinated.

McKinsey Employees More Likely To Raise VC Funds In Healthcare Than Stanford PhDs

Golden Pineapple • 4 HN points • 03 Jul 23
💼 Business Biotechnology
  1. Ex-McKinsey employees are founding more venture-backed businesses compared to Google and Microsoft alumni across various sectors.
  2. In the Healthcare sector, ex-McKinsey employees topped the list with 106 companies founded by them.
  3. Ex-McKinsey employees are excelling in founding venture-funded companies in sectors like Biotechnology, Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence.

🌿 Algae domestication program wins Seaweed Ideathon

paxtier • 2 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. An algae domestication program won a Seaweed Ideathon, focusing on sustainable agriculture practices and biostimulant production.
  2. Investors are showing interest in aquaculture technology, with significant funding rounds announced for seaweed-derived products and sustainability initiatives.
  3. Job opportunities in the seaweed and microalgae industry are on the rise, with companies like PhycoWorks and GreenWave actively recruiting for various positions.

Coding Cells - Computational tools for Protein Design

Kesav’s Lab • 1 HN point • 20 May 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Artificial intelligence and synthetic biology are changing how we interact with biology. They can help us design new food, medicine, and materials more effectively.
  2. AlphaFold is a powerful tool that predicts protein structures, which is crucial for understanding how proteins work. This insight can lead to breakthroughs in drug discovery and other medical applications.
  3. The author is building a user-friendly tool for protein design using AlphaFold on Google Cloud to help protein engineers. The goal is to create a platform where they can easily make predictions and visualize protein structures.

🌊 200% increase in blue economy investments

paxtier • 1 implied HN point • 18 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. There has been a 200% increase in investments in the blue economy between 2018 and 2022, signifying a growing interest and momentum.
  2. Challenges in the sector include a massive global unmet financing gap, concentration of investments at market launch phase, and investor hesitancy.
  3. Recent developments highlight collaborations in seaweed cultivation, funding raises for startups like KAS, and advancements in sustainable aquafeeds.

TechBio Adventures

Kesav’s Lab • 1 HN point • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. TechBio combines biology and technology to make advancements in healthcare. This approach allows for faster and more efficient drug development.
  2. Understanding DNA and using software tools are key parts of TechBio. This lets us design new biological systems to solve complex problems.
  3. There are two main areas in TechBio: industrial and clinical applications. Both aim to improve health outcomes and automate biological processes.

Navigating Shifting Tides: Portfolio Strategy for an Anticipated Interest Rate Decline in 2024

Modern Value Investing • 0 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
💰 Finance Biotechnology
  1. The author predicts a significant decrease in interest rates by the Fed in 2024.
  2. The author has made changes to their portfolio, re-entering growth stocks, adding new positions in biotechnology, and exploiting opportunities in payment stocks and US real estate.
  3. The author also diversified their portfolio with deep value stocks, exiting German residential real estate stocks and long term US treasuries.

Links #2

Splitting Infinity • 0 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Proximity to friends can enhance happiness; a startup is aiding in buying houses near friends for this reason.
  2. People tend to use tools to act more rationally, shown by the study on people's behavior and commitment systems.
  3. Generosity exists even with high financial stakes; many spend significant amounts on others and charities when given money.

ONT Not Suing MGI?

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. ONT has decided not to sue MGI after all. This means there won't be legal issues between these companies right now.
  2. The decision was reported by GenomeWeb, highlighting a significant change in ONT's approach.
  3. This could impact the business relationship between ONT and BGI, since they are linked in some way.

All Aboard The NanoTrain! Chu Chu!

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Universal Sequencing Technology is gaining attention again after being quiet for a while. People are curious about their progress and what they are focusing on now.
  2. They seem to have shifted their focus from single molecule sequencing to developing various sample preparation kits. This shows they are adapting to changes in the field.
  3. This update may be particularly interesting for those who follow advancements in sequencing technology and want to know about new tools or methods in the industry.

The Hidden Heroes of the Genome

Nano Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were once thought to be useless 'junk DNA,' but they actually play important roles in regulating our genes and maintaining cellular stability.
  2. Recent advancements in lncRNA research are leading to better cancer diagnostics and new treatments, showing their potential as key players in medicine.
  3. The study of lncRNAs challenges our old views of genetics and shows that biological systems are much more complex and interconnected than we previously thought.

Element@JPM

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
💼 Business Biotechnology
  1. Element Biosciences is focused on partnerships aimed at diagnostics and proteomics. This shows they are expanding their technology for better healthcare solutions.
  2. The company's presentation at the JPM conference was notable, even if the details are not easily found online. It hints that their innovations are gaining attention.
  3. The updates are specifically for paid subscribers, indicating that there's exclusive information available for those who support the publication.

Roche Nanopore: Instrument Cost

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Roche is working on new nanopore sequencing technology, focusing on how much the instruments will cost to produce. Understanding these costs is important for the technology's success.
  2. The nanopore sequencing process involves collecting a large amount of data quickly, which means the data rates are extremely high. This could lead to challenges in storing and processing such vast amounts of information.
  3. Since the raw data volume is so large, it's unlikely that most users will store it all. Instead, they will probably need to focus on analyzing only the most crucial information collected.

Roche Nanopore: First Thoughts (pt2)

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Roche is developing a new duplex approach that improves sequencing accuracy significantly, moving from Q20+ to around Q39. This is a big upgrade for DNA sequencing.
  2. The company aims to launch their product in 2026, but early access is expected in 2025. There's a chance they could face challenges during execution.
  3. While Roche's reads are shorter and competitive with other platforms, they will need to handle pricing and compete with long-read technologies from companies like Oxford and PacBio.

Nanopore Sequencing Companies: Geneus

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Geneus is a nanopore sequencing company claiming 99% accuracy in their technology. They use special features that allow many sequencing units to fit on a tiny chip.
  2. Their sequencing method seems to be different from others, focusing on synthesizing a complementary strand with unique tags. This method helps identify the sequence of DNA more effectively.
  3. The advancements in size and technology from Geneus might be huge, but details on how they achieved this remain unclear.

Embodied AI for Us, the Living

Nano Thoughts • 0 implied HN points • 27 May 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. John's story shows how people can use advanced AI to live on while they wait for medical breakthroughs. His AI surrogate kept his life going, keeping relationships and adapting to new technologies.
  2. There's a push for AI rights as these intelligent beings gain more awareness and needs. Society is starting to see them as more than just tools, leading to important discussions about their rights.
  3. Backup plans are essential during uncertain times in life extension. Combining biological research with AI and consciousness transfer technology can help ensure that human experiences and identities are preserved.

PromethION 84Gb/Flowcell

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. The PromethION flowcell has an average output of about 84Gb per run. This is important for understanding how much data you can expect.
  2. In comparison, the PacBio flowcell seems to produce higher quality data with around 120-150Gb. This could make it a better option for some users.
  3. Cost per gigabyte is lower for PacBio, making it potentially more affordable when analyzing large amounts of data.

More Money For Oxford

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Oxford Nanopore is receiving increased funding. This suggests that there is a growing confidence in its potential.
  2. More money flowing to Oxford indicates a belief in innovation and growth. It's a positive sign for their future developments.
  3. Investors are likely seeing value in what Oxford Nanopore can offer. This could lead to exciting advancements in their technology.

Leo Elia Jung & Jae August: The Living Diamonds of Yakutia

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Geo-engineering is considered a solution to climate change by some, involving large-scale technological interventions in the earth's ecosystem for capital growth.
  2. Pleistocene Park in Siberia operates to restore pre-human ecosystems, countering climate change by reintroducing large animals like mammoths to reduce permafrost thawing.
  3. The collaboration between COLOSSAL, ALROSA, and GAZPROM has led to innovative ways of creating artificial diamonds using carbon from mammoth carcasses, addressing resource depletion and environmental concerns.

More interesting things in robotics this week

Robots & Startups • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jul 21
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. Flock Ltd. secured $17m in Series A funding for providing intelligent insurance to drone operators and commercial motor fleets.
  2. Strateos, a biotechnology company, raised an undisclosed amount in Series B funding to offer robotic solutions for biology labs.
  3. Cyberdontics, a San Francisco developer, received $4m in seed funding for its work in...

Unfolding AlphaFold 3 🧬✨

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 0 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. AlphaFold 3 is an advanced AI model that improves protein and molecule interaction predictions by 50%.
  2. This technology goes beyond just analyzing protein structures to help design drug compounds that can bind to proteins.
  3. The goal of this AI is to enhance drug discovery, making it easier to create effective treatments.

Divergence in the Drug Businesses: Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 15
💼 Business Biotechnology
  1. The healthcare business has changed significantly over the past 25 years, especially with pharmaceuticals losing pricing power due to factors like more insurance consolidation and government negotiations.
  2. Biotechnology companies are growing rapidly and driving much of the revenue in the drug industry, while traditional pharmaceutical companies are facing stagnation.
  3. Investors are now more cautious about R&D spending in pharmaceuticals, focusing on results rather than just the amount spent, leading to a shift in how drug companies strategize for growth.

Biotech Needs Its Hydrogen Atom

Niko McCarty • 0 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology
  1. Biotechnology needs a common foundation, much like how hydrogen is essential to physics. This foundation would help scientists work together more effectively and share their findings.
  2. If scientists could collaborate and understand life better, they could design solutions for diseases and other challenges. This could lead to a future where we have more control over creating living organisms for our needs.
  3. Focusing on studying a simple organism like Mycoplasma genitalium could be key to building this foundation. By deeply understanding it, we could create models that help us predict how other cells function.

The PacBio Vega Chips

ASeq Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Biotechnology
  1. The PacBio Vega Chips are similar to the Revio chips, but they provide much less data. This means they might not be as powerful for certain tasks.
  2. The data from the Vega chips is available for analysis, and people can check it out for deeper understanding.
  3. This information is part of a subscription service, which means you can get more insights if you become a paid member.