All articles by Vemula Pravalika
Vemula Pravalika
Biotech Innovations Surge as Global Cancer Diagnosis Rates Continue to Climb
USA News Group Commentary Issued on behalf of Oncolytics Biotech Inc.
Ecolab and HeiQ introduce synbiotic cleaning products at Interclean
Ecolab and HeiQ Chrisal have teamed up to launch the revolutionary Maxx Synbiotic cleaning range at Interclean in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
MolecuLight’s Innovative Approach Awarded Best Abstract at EWMA 2024
MolecuLight Inc., the global leader in fluorescence imaging technology for real-time detection of harmful bacteria in wound care, is proud to announce that a groundbreaking study led by Dr. Rosemarie Derwin and colleagues, titled “Integrating Point-of-Care Bacterial Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Care with Continued Wound Measurement for Enhanced Wound Area Reduction Monitoring,” has been awarded Best Abstract of the Year at the prestigious European Wound Management Association (EWMA) conference held in London, UK this May 2024.
Biofortuna completes acquisition of biological sample storage experts Cryoniss
Biofortuna Limited, the specialist laboratory services and CDMO, has completed the acquisition of Cryoniss Ltd, underlining its commitment to support life-changing research and development across the global biotech and life sciences sector.
Inside the oxygen paradox
In recent years, a number of studies have found that conservative, normoxic oxygenation strategies could yield certain benefits and can help reduce mortality. Recently, a study conducted by researchers at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital has found similar findings with reduced oxygen levels in critically ill children on mechanical ventilators potentially saving tens of young lives each year. Roughly 20,000 children are admitted to intensive care each year; with three-quarters requiring oxygen through a ventilator, how can reduced oxygen result in improved health outcomes? Monica Karpinski speaks to associate professor of medicine and critical care physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Matthew Semler and Mark Peters professor of paediatric intensive care at University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health to investigate the latest research to fi nd out whether reduced oxygen could help save lives.
The mind’s AI
Brain tumour classification is notoriously tricky. While there are more than 80 different subtypes of brain tumour, each with its own best course of treatment, the diagnosis doesn’t usually become available until a week after surgery. However, surgeons may now be able to alter their strategy in real-time, thanks to a new deep-learning algorithm that classifies tumours in hours, not days. Abi Millar talks to the researchers to find out more.
Protein potential
A team of researchers at QUT in Australia has developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins, which could eventually lead to a modular diagnostic platform with countless applications. Elly Earls sat down with one of the researchers behind the breakthrough, Professor Kirill Alexandrov of the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, to find out how their system works, its potential to scale and why synthetic protein switches for diagnostic applications could just be a precursor to something a lot more exciting.
Breaking barriers
Over the past few decades, hydrogels have received a lot of attention for treating skin wounds. When applied over a lesion, these special gels can promote healing by absorbing exudates and keeping the wound protected, well-hydrated, and oxygenated. While there’s no shortage of products that aim to create the perfect environment for recovery, recent research in the area has led to hydrogels developed using various interesting materials. Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Kris Killian, associate professor, School of Materials Science & Engineering and School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales and Ryota Teshima, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo University of Science to find out about the hydrogels they have developed and what makes them a good candidate for wound care.
Metagenomics: A new era in diagnosis
The identification of microorganisms involved in infection can be a major challenge, with firstline testing often failing to identify the pathogen responsible. With no known cause of infection discovered, treatment can’t be targeted – and is often poor. But with so-called metagenomic next-generation sequencing, these challenges could soon be consigned to history. Andrea Valentino speaks to Dr Anne Jamet of the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris, and Dr Jessica Galloway-Peña from Texas A&M University to learn more.
Healing power
Chronic wounds present a substantial economic burden to healthcare systems worldwide, while significantly reducing the quality of life for those affected. For many patients, the affliction can lead to limb amputations or even premature deaths. We’re sadly unlikely to see a marked reduction in chronic wounds anytime soon – but one treatment pathway that could be promising is the use of electrical stimulation to aid in the wound-healing process. Andrea Valentino speaks to experts across the sector to learn more.