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Classical biological control: Nature-based solutions to reduce pesticide usage

Professor Martin Hill from the Centre for Biological Control at Rhodes University discusses the benefits of classical biological control and highlights the necessary considerations for this approach.
cornflower blue meadow

Appreciating biodiversity science: Why biodiversity should be a big science

Professor F. Guillaume Blanchet from Université de Sherbrooke posits the importance of treating biodiversity science as a big science to reach the goals set during the COP15 on biodiversity.

Reducing climate change and global warming

Professor Ken Naitoh from Waseda University in Japan charts a particular interdisciplinary carbon-neutral approach for reducing climate change and global warming that he believes will lead to a more peaceful world.

MAGL inhibition: A novel treatment option for combating inflammatory disease?

Pharma researchers Uwe Grether and Julie Blaising from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. highlight the vast therapeutic potential of MAGL inhibition for central and peripheral diseases.

Youths’ solutions to local invasive species

Educating students about real-world, issues such as local invasive species aims to encourage wider engagement with STEM.
ripening in the sun but still green

Global challenges and unilateral trade measures

Dr Wibke Meyer from CropLife International, argues that unilateral agricultural trade measures are a misguided approach to addressing the global challenges of climate change, biodiversity, and food security.
Cellular therapy. 3d illustration

Engineered endosymbionts for cellular control

Christopher H. Contag from the Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering (IQ) at Michigan State University discusses the potential of engineered endosymbionts as biologically encoded remote controls for regenerative medicine.

Photodynamic therapy and immune response in solid tumours

Photodynamic therapy can stimulate a person’s own immune system to better recognise – and fight – cancer tumours, say Mary Potasek, PhD and Karl Beeson, PhD of Simphotek and Theresa M Busch, PhD of the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania.

CH-Bioforce strives for a cleaner world with unique bioforsense technology

In this interview, Petri Tolonen, CEO of CH-Bioforce, sheds light on the environmental benefits of Bioforsense technology.
Image: © Benoit Queguineur, Algaia

Algae4IBD Project: Are algae the solution for inflammatory bowel disease

The Algae4IBD project seeks effective treatments for a chronic disease affecting 6.8 million people. Juan F. Samaniego explores whether algae are the definitive solution for inflammatory bowel diseases.
Antibody binding to human cell receptors is a crucial aspect of the immune response and plays a fundamental role in various physiological processes, including immune defense, signaling, and regulation of cellular functions. Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are proteins produced by the immune system in response to the presence of foreign substances, such as pathogens or abnormal cells.

High-resolution snapshots of antibody repertoires as potential correlates of protection

Klaus Eyer from ETH Zurich describes high-resolution snapshots of antibody repertoires as potential correlates of protection.

Microfluidic microbial bioreactors: How studying microbes at the microscale can help empower microbiology

Long before the existence of microbes was known, humans were unknowingly harnessing their power through practices such as brewing, bread leavening, or cheesemaking. These processes extended the shelf life of food, enhanced its nutritional value, and significantly contributed to the advancement of industry and civilization.
Figure 1. Elements of the operational RNA code in the tRNA acceptor stem. A. Bases in the tRNA acceptor stem encode two aspects of amino acid physical chemistry—size and polarity—that determine protein folding. B. Acceptor stem bases preceded the anticodon stem-loop and code other properties. C. The oldest parts of Class I and II AARS could already discriminate between both amino acid and RNA substrates (6) .

tRNA: The operational RNA code and protein folding

Charles W. Carter, Jr., from the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, relates molecular recognition used in genetic coding to structures of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and their cognate tRNAs.

Digital Life Norway (DLN) Initiative to foster and boost transdisciplinary biotechnology research and innovation

Meeting the rapid developments in biotechnology by fostering transdisciplinarity, including digitalisation and big data, to create convergence for innovation in a virtual centre.

Removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

The agricultural sector plays a decisive role in tackling climate change. GERICS explores what actors of the agricultural sector think of removing carbon dioxide and what support they need from science.
Figure 2. A pair of personalized 3D-printed shoe soles. Source: AITIIP

Bio-based solutions for a circular economy

Principal Scientist Ulla Forsström from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd tells us about the INN-PRESSME Open Innovation Test Bed project, which aims to develop novel, sustainable and recyclable bio-based solutions to replace fossil-based plastic.
Group of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori or salmonella 3D rendering illustration on blue background. Microbiology, medical, bacteriology, biology, science, healthcare, medicine, infection concepts.

Microbe development for the biomanufacturing age

Joe Price, Dr Kang Lan Tee & Prof Tuck Seng Wong, explore adopting a holistic approach to microbe development for the age of biomanufacturing.
circular economy, economy, linear economy, economy

Purple non-sulfur bacteria and the circular economy

Arpita Bose, Associate Professor at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses the potential of microbial solutions in supporting sustainable and environmentally responsible alternatives to the traditional linear economy.
A scientist using a pipette with a microtiter plate and a petri dish

AI and modern experimental biology: A historical perspective

Ute Deichmann, Director of the Jacques Loeb Centre for the History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, discusses the adoption and limitations of Artificial Intelligence within modern experimental biology.
Fig 1: The Abernathy-Utterback curve represents the innovation pipeline in this case as it transitions through the production of two consecutive stable products. It has three phases: 1) the Fluid Phase, where flexibility is needed because of uncertainty in the product idea, the technology and the market and in this case, the needs of the research community; 2) the Transitional Phase, when the technology, the application and the customer’s needs are better understood until a ‘dominant design’ emerges; 3,) the Specific Phase the ‘dominant design’ shifts from being different to having good performance

FFEA software: Repeated early innovation

Dr Joanna Leng, Senior Research Software Engineering Fellow at the University of Leeds, discusses software with repeated early innovation using the example of the FFEA software.

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