Advancing Medical Research
Foundations of Science
Taking a New Tack for Next-Generation IBD Treatments
When biologics to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were first released over two decades ago, they greatly improved quality of life for many patients. But these first-generation therapies have their shortcomings. Fewer than half of patients treated with these inflammation-blocking drugs will be in remission after one year of treatment. These treatments can also suppress the immune system, making patients…
The Rise of RNA: The Cellular Workhorse Behind a New Class of Next-Gen Therapies
The Table of Everything: A Scientist’s Quest to Make Human Genetic Data More User-Friendly
Since the human genome was first sequenced in 2003, scientists have collected a wealth of genetic information that could potentially be used to help create new medicines. Remarkably, as sequencing technology gets faster and cheaper, the amount of human genetic data now doubles every seven…
How RNA Technology Could Revolutionize Vaccine Production
Every year, millions of people get the flu shot. Although the vaccine provides protection for many people, some people still get the flu, in part, because the influenza vaccine production cycle starts at least six months in advance of the flu season. And while the World Health Organization’s selection is based on surveillance data collected from around the world, the strains in the vaccine do not always match those…
Partnering to Turn the 'Undruggable' into Promising Targets
From Nĭ Hăo to Better Potential Medicines: How Language Translation Technology Is Being Applied to Drug Design
Meet the Team: Homegrown Therapies Get Ready to Fight NASH
One of the biggest public health problems of our time is likely soon to face off with a new wave of cutting-edge medicines. As non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, continues to be a growing public health threat, scientists are racing to develop treatments. There is…
How Next-Generation Sequencing Is Helping to Build Better Vaccines
If you’ve ever tried an at-home genetic testing kit, you’re familiar with whole-genome sequencing, the technology that allows people to quickly and easily map their DNA. This same technology is now being used to track the genomes of potentially deadly microbes.
During global disease outbreaks, scientists…
Capturing the Itch: Using Digital Wearable Devices to Help Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
For people who have atopic dermatitis (AD) — an autoimmune condition that causes painful, itchy, and inflamed skin — symptoms often flare up at night, leading to disrupted sleep. Until recently, there hasn’t been a way to truly capture how much a person’s quality of life is impacted by these nighttime symptoms. Patients enrolled in studies are asked to complete…