Lifeboat Foundation

BARDA is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The NTxscribe platform is a cell-free, continuous flow manufacturing system that reportedly delivers scalable RNA (including mRNA and self-amplifying RNA) materials in a tabletop footprint. This enzymatic process is designed to provide a low cost and rapidly deployable, vertically integrated manufacturing system, according to Jamie Coffin, PhD, CEO of NTx. Through this program, the system is being evaluated for its express development of RNA vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases, as well as its capability for distributed biomanufacturing.

“The traditional batch processes for developing vaccines and other biologics are burdensome and cannot be scaled quickly in the event of an emergency,” said Coffin. “Over the course of this project, we will aim to prove that NTxscribe can help BARDA meet its goals toward decentralized and rapidly deployable vaccine manufacturing.”

Artificial intelligence is not the only technology advancing at a rapid pace. Robot surgeons are now the real deal, which will revolutionize surgical procedures and transform patients’ lives.

Gene therapy for longevity and targeted disease treatment.

Gene therapy has the power to extend healthy longevity and treat a litany of organ-specific conditions.

The eye is one outstanding candidate.

Continue reading “A Cure for Glaucoma? 👁️” »

Alarmed by something popping up on your body that’s clearly not supposed to be there? These pictures from WebMD show you a few strange-bu t-true ailments that are scary looking but — for the most part — nothing to worry about.

You could be walking around with an unruptured brain aneurysm. But don’t panic – the Brain Aneurysm Foundation estimates that about 1 in 50 people in the U.S. has an unruptured brain aneurysm. Director of Endovascular Neurosurgery Koji Ebersole, MD, says people are surprised to learn that the majority of aneurysms don’t cause any symptoms.

An aneurysm develops when a vessel in the brain has a thin spot, which then fills with blood, creating a bulge or balloon shape. Most brain aneurysms are small, about the size of a pea. Because the brain itself has no sensory fibers, there is no pain and the brain doesn’t register that the aneurysm is there.

“Most patients find out they have an aneurysm for a completely unrelated reason,” Dr. Ebersole says. “Maybe they’re having trouble with their sinuses and have a CT scan and the doctors find an aneurysm. When you learn you have an aneurysm, it’s important to meet with a physician who’s practiced in neurology to talk about the implications.”

Can stem cells block organ transplant rejection?

Organ transplant patients traditionally go through a grueling journey post operation, which involves a copious amount of medication for life. After years of research, Dr. Jeffrey Veale has performed a first-of-its kind surgery that could entirely change the landscape for patients. Rudabeh Shahbazi reports.

Meta is collecting personal data to train AI.

Join the discussion on this paper page.

June 14 — Bill Maris, Google Ventures chief executive officer, comments on artificial intelligence’s impact on biotech, the prospects for Theranos and the venture capital environment. He speaks with Bloomberg’s Emily Chang from the Bloomberg Technology Conference in San Francisco on “Bloomberg West.”