<![CDATA[Biotechnology Forums - Companies and Latest Innovations]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/ Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:50:59 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[What is scenario of biotechnology entrepreneurship in India?]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8337.html Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:59:08 +0000 Chaitanya Gadekar]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8337.html <![CDATA[Gene Editing Just Became More Precise And Powerful Than Ever Before]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8265.html Sat, 28 Oct 2017 04:54:15 +0000 Lavkeshsharma]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8265.html


The new adaptations to CRISPR-Cas9 enable single-letter changes in DNA base pairs and also provide the ability to edit single RNA base pairs in human cells – powerful refinements that some are heralding as the arrival of ' CRISPR 2.0 '.

They developed a new base editor – a molecular machine – that in a programmable, irreversible, efficient, and clean manner can correct [mutations] in the genome of living cells.

"When targeted to certain sites in human genomic DNA, this conversion reverses the mutation that is associated with a particular disease."

About half of human disease-associated ' point mutations ' come down to mix-ups in the nucleobase pairs between the chemicals adenine (A), cytosine ©, guanine (G), and thymine (T), which make up our DNA.

Thanks to CRISPR-Cas9 , however, scientists can alter genome structures with a technique that effectively cuts, copies, and pastes molecular arrangements of these base pairs – but up until now, the technique wasn't able to switch single DNA base pairs and instead removed entire sections.

A new system developed by the team called Adenine Base Editor (ABE) changes this, making much neater edits possible, by rearranging the atoms of adenine to resemble guanine (G), prompting A-T base pairs to becomes G-C instead.

That might not sound like much, but of the 32,000 point mutations that we know are tied to disease, about half could be solved via that single swap.

When combined with other base-editing systems called BE3 and BE4 – which were also devised by Liu's team – the discovery could help us fix almost two-thirds of all disease-causing mutations.

The greater precision of the technique should enable finer genetic manipulations than ever before, introducing fewer random errors carried over from adjacent nucleobases that are inevitably copied over with the targeted DNA.


In a separate but related study published in Science , another team from the Broad Institute details its development of what's called Cas13 – a CRISPR protein that makes editing of RNA possible.

Unlike DNA editing, which makes permanent changes to a genome structure by rearranging nucleobases, RNA editing is a lighter, non-permanent technique, in this case made possible by another precise swap: changing adenosine to inosine, which is interpreted in cells as guanine.

In cells, RNA acts as a kind of messenger that helps to regulate how our genes produce proteins.

Because it doesn't actually mess with the genes themselves like DNA editing, the method wouldn't result in lasting, significant changes to how our bodies function, but could still create temporary ways of addressing mutations.

So far, we've gotten very good at inactivating genes, but actually recovering lost protein function is much more challenging

"This new ability to edit RNA opens up more potential opportunities to recover that function and treat many diseases, in almost any kind of cell."

Of course, it will be some time before either of these new systems find their way into helping patients in clinical situations, as while the technology now exists, we won't ultimately know how reliable, safe, and effective these methods are until more research on them is conducted.

But they're both incredibly promising developments in health science, and ones that may one day be used to treat conditions including genetic blindness, metabolic disorders, Parkinson's disease, and many more.

Creating a machine that makes the genetic change you need to treat a disease is an important step forward, but it's only one part of what's needed to treat a patient.

"We still have to deliver that machine, we have to test its safety, we have to assess its beneficial effects… But having the machine is a good start."

The findings are reported in Nature and Science]]>


The new adaptations to CRISPR-Cas9 enable single-letter changes in DNA base pairs and also provide the ability to edit single RNA base pairs in human cells – powerful refinements that some are heralding as the arrival of ' CRISPR 2.0 '.

They developed a new base editor – a molecular machine – that in a programmable, irreversible, efficient, and clean manner can correct [mutations] in the genome of living cells.

"When targeted to certain sites in human genomic DNA, this conversion reverses the mutation that is associated with a particular disease."

About half of human disease-associated ' point mutations ' come down to mix-ups in the nucleobase pairs between the chemicals adenine (A), cytosine ©, guanine (G), and thymine (T), which make up our DNA.

Thanks to CRISPR-Cas9 , however, scientists can alter genome structures with a technique that effectively cuts, copies, and pastes molecular arrangements of these base pairs – but up until now, the technique wasn't able to switch single DNA base pairs and instead removed entire sections.

A new system developed by the team called Adenine Base Editor (ABE) changes this, making much neater edits possible, by rearranging the atoms of adenine to resemble guanine (G), prompting A-T base pairs to becomes G-C instead.

That might not sound like much, but of the 32,000 point mutations that we know are tied to disease, about half could be solved via that single swap.

When combined with other base-editing systems called BE3 and BE4 – which were also devised by Liu's team – the discovery could help us fix almost two-thirds of all disease-causing mutations.

The greater precision of the technique should enable finer genetic manipulations than ever before, introducing fewer random errors carried over from adjacent nucleobases that are inevitably copied over with the targeted DNA.


In a separate but related study published in Science , another team from the Broad Institute details its development of what's called Cas13 – a CRISPR protein that makes editing of RNA possible.

Unlike DNA editing, which makes permanent changes to a genome structure by rearranging nucleobases, RNA editing is a lighter, non-permanent technique, in this case made possible by another precise swap: changing adenosine to inosine, which is interpreted in cells as guanine.

In cells, RNA acts as a kind of messenger that helps to regulate how our genes produce proteins.

Because it doesn't actually mess with the genes themselves like DNA editing, the method wouldn't result in lasting, significant changes to how our bodies function, but could still create temporary ways of addressing mutations.

So far, we've gotten very good at inactivating genes, but actually recovering lost protein function is much more challenging

"This new ability to edit RNA opens up more potential opportunities to recover that function and treat many diseases, in almost any kind of cell."

Of course, it will be some time before either of these new systems find their way into helping patients in clinical situations, as while the technology now exists, we won't ultimately know how reliable, safe, and effective these methods are until more research on them is conducted.

But they're both incredibly promising developments in health science, and ones that may one day be used to treat conditions including genetic blindness, metabolic disorders, Parkinson's disease, and many more.

Creating a machine that makes the genetic change you need to treat a disease is an important step forward, but it's only one part of what's needed to treat a patient.

"We still have to deliver that machine, we have to test its safety, we have to assess its beneficial effects… But having the machine is a good start."

The findings are reported in Nature and Science]]> <![CDATA[A Strange New DNA Edit Has Been Discovered in Animals Under Stress]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8264.html Sat, 28 Oct 2017 04:39:30 +0000 Lavkeshsharma]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8264.html Rough times leave a mark on the brain.



A new kind of epigenetic edit recently discovered in the brain cells of mammals has been found to occur when the individual has been stressed, hinting at underlying neurological functions.

Researchers still aren't entirely sure how this particular type of epigenetic modification works, but its elevated presence in mice that suffer through rough times suggests it could play a central role in a number of neuropsychiatric problems.

Broadly speaking, epigenetics describes the variety of changes that alter how a genetic code is read.

One common type of epigenetic edit involves the addition or removal of a methyl group onto a base , made up of a carbon holding onto three hydrogens.

Added to a base making up a nucleic acid sequence, this group can effectively render a gene unreadable. It's a convenient way of switching off a gene without mutating its code.

In most cases, especially among mammals, it's the base cytosine © that's methylated.

Methylation of another base, adenosine (A) , was mostly found in simple organisms such as bacteria.

That all changed in recent years with the discovery of 6-methyl A in the embryos of mice.

While this kind of methylation seems to play an important role in regulating the development of brain cells, it's still early days for investigating the biochemical differences surrounding the two different approaches to epigenetics.

In an effort to better understand the adenosine-based style of genetic tweaking, an international team of scientists led by researchers from the Emory University School of Medicine in the US studied the brains of mice put under stressful conditions.

Environmental factors have long been known to play a significant role in causing cells to methylate their DNA. This often means that events happening during development can have life-long genetic consequences.

These 'switches' can even be inherited, meaning a time of stress for one organism can echo down the generations .

To give the young mice some grief without causing too much anguish, the researchers forced them to go for a swim and picked them up by the tail – the rodent equivalent of a hard day at the office.

Later, they analysed the pre-frontal cortex section of their brain, finding the levels of methylated adenosine had jumped four-fold compared with the less-stressed mice.

They found that 6-methyl A is dynamic, which could suggest a functional role. The enzymes that recognise, add and erase this type of DNA methylation are still mysterious.

They also found the modified base appeared in areas between genes more than in genes that coded for proteins.

In other words, something was removing the methyl groups from the adenosine inside particular genes that were needed to deal with their stress.

Many of the genes that remained methylated appeared to match those that have been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as those on the autism and schizophrenia spectrum.

More research is needed to connect the dots between stress, adenosine methylation, and these kinds of neurological conditions.

But detailing the subtle differences in how genes deal with changes in the environment on the fly is the first step for us to find out where it might go wrong.

This research was published in Nature Communications .]]> Rough times leave a mark on the brain.



A new kind of epigenetic edit recently discovered in the brain cells of mammals has been found to occur when the individual has been stressed, hinting at underlying neurological functions.

Researchers still aren't entirely sure how this particular type of epigenetic modification works, but its elevated presence in mice that suffer through rough times suggests it could play a central role in a number of neuropsychiatric problems.

Broadly speaking, epigenetics describes the variety of changes that alter how a genetic code is read.

One common type of epigenetic edit involves the addition or removal of a methyl group onto a base , made up of a carbon holding onto three hydrogens.

Added to a base making up a nucleic acid sequence, this group can effectively render a gene unreadable. It's a convenient way of switching off a gene without mutating its code.

In most cases, especially among mammals, it's the base cytosine © that's methylated.

Methylation of another base, adenosine (A) , was mostly found in simple organisms such as bacteria.

That all changed in recent years with the discovery of 6-methyl A in the embryos of mice.

While this kind of methylation seems to play an important role in regulating the development of brain cells, it's still early days for investigating the biochemical differences surrounding the two different approaches to epigenetics.

In an effort to better understand the adenosine-based style of genetic tweaking, an international team of scientists led by researchers from the Emory University School of Medicine in the US studied the brains of mice put under stressful conditions.

Environmental factors have long been known to play a significant role in causing cells to methylate their DNA. This often means that events happening during development can have life-long genetic consequences.

These 'switches' can even be inherited, meaning a time of stress for one organism can echo down the generations .

To give the young mice some grief without causing too much anguish, the researchers forced them to go for a swim and picked them up by the tail – the rodent equivalent of a hard day at the office.

Later, they analysed the pre-frontal cortex section of their brain, finding the levels of methylated adenosine had jumped four-fold compared with the less-stressed mice.

They found that 6-methyl A is dynamic, which could suggest a functional role. The enzymes that recognise, add and erase this type of DNA methylation are still mysterious.

They also found the modified base appeared in areas between genes more than in genes that coded for proteins.

In other words, something was removing the methyl groups from the adenosine inside particular genes that were needed to deal with their stress.

Many of the genes that remained methylated appeared to match those that have been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders such as those on the autism and schizophrenia spectrum.

More research is needed to connect the dots between stress, adenosine methylation, and these kinds of neurological conditions.

But detailing the subtle differences in how genes deal with changes in the environment on the fly is the first step for us to find out where it might go wrong.

This research was published in Nature Communications .]]> <![CDATA[Bacteria have a sense of touch]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8263.html Fri, 27 Oct 2017 18:36:47 +0000 Lavkeshsharma]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8263.html Although bacteria have no sensory organs in the classical sense, they are still masters in perceiving their environment. A research group at the University of Basel's Biozentrum has now discovered that bacteria not only respond to chemical signals, but also possess a sense of touch. In their recent publication in Science, the researchers demonstrate how bacteria recognize surfaces and respond to this mechanical stimulus within seconds. This mechanism is also used by pathogens to colonize and attack their host cells.


Sense of touch: Swimming bacteria can sense surfaces with the flagellum.


Be it through mucosa or the intestinal lining, different tissues and surfaces of our body are entry gates for bacterial pathogens. The first few seconds -- the moment of touch -- are often critical for successful infections. Some pathogens use mechanical stimulation as a trigger to induce their virulence and to acquire the ability to damage host tissue. The research group led by Prof. Urs Jenal, at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, has recently discovered how bacteria sense that they are on a surface and what exactly happens in these crucial first few seconds.

Research focused only on chemical signals

In recent decades, research has made enormous progress in exploring how bacteria perceive and process chemical signals.However, a little knowledge is available regarding how bacteria read out mechanical stimuli and how they change their behavior in response to these cues. Using the non-pathogenic Caulobacter as a model, group was able to show for the first time that bacteria have a 'sense of touch'. This mechanism helps them to recognize surfaces and to induce the production of the cell's own instant adhesive.

How bacteria recognize surfaces and adhere to them

Swimming Caulobacter bacteria have a rotating motor in their cell envelope with a long protrusion, the flagellum. The rotation of the flagellum enables the bacteria to move in liquids. Much to the surprise of the researchers, the rotor is also used as a mechano-sensing organ. Motor rotation is powered by proton flow into the cell via ion channels. When swimming cells touch surfaces, the motor is disturbed and the proton flux interrupted.

The researchers assume that this is the signal that sparks off the response: The bacterial cell now boosts the synthesis of a second messenger, which in turn stimulates the production of an adhesin that firmly anchors the bacteria on the surface within a few seconds.It is an impressive example of how rapidly and specifically bacteria can change their behavior when they encounter surfaces.

Better understanding of infectious diseases

Even though Caulobacter is a harmless environmental bacterium, the findings are highly relevant for the understanding of infectious diseases. What they discovered in Caulobacter also applies to important human pathogens. In order to better control and treat infections, it is mandatory to better understand processes that occur during these very first few seconds after surface contact.]]> Although bacteria have no sensory organs in the classical sense, they are still masters in perceiving their environment. A research group at the University of Basel's Biozentrum has now discovered that bacteria not only respond to chemical signals, but also possess a sense of touch. In their recent publication in Science, the researchers demonstrate how bacteria recognize surfaces and respond to this mechanical stimulus within seconds. This mechanism is also used by pathogens to colonize and attack their host cells.


Sense of touch: Swimming bacteria can sense surfaces with the flagellum.


Be it through mucosa or the intestinal lining, different tissues and surfaces of our body are entry gates for bacterial pathogens. The first few seconds -- the moment of touch -- are often critical for successful infections. Some pathogens use mechanical stimulation as a trigger to induce their virulence and to acquire the ability to damage host tissue. The research group led by Prof. Urs Jenal, at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, has recently discovered how bacteria sense that they are on a surface and what exactly happens in these crucial first few seconds.

Research focused only on chemical signals

In recent decades, research has made enormous progress in exploring how bacteria perceive and process chemical signals.However, a little knowledge is available regarding how bacteria read out mechanical stimuli and how they change their behavior in response to these cues. Using the non-pathogenic Caulobacter as a model, group was able to show for the first time that bacteria have a 'sense of touch'. This mechanism helps them to recognize surfaces and to induce the production of the cell's own instant adhesive.

How bacteria recognize surfaces and adhere to them

Swimming Caulobacter bacteria have a rotating motor in their cell envelope with a long protrusion, the flagellum. The rotation of the flagellum enables the bacteria to move in liquids. Much to the surprise of the researchers, the rotor is also used as a mechano-sensing organ. Motor rotation is powered by proton flow into the cell via ion channels. When swimming cells touch surfaces, the motor is disturbed and the proton flux interrupted.

The researchers assume that this is the signal that sparks off the response: The bacterial cell now boosts the synthesis of a second messenger, which in turn stimulates the production of an adhesin that firmly anchors the bacteria on the surface within a few seconds.It is an impressive example of how rapidly and specifically bacteria can change their behavior when they encounter surfaces.

Better understanding of infectious diseases

Even though Caulobacter is a harmless environmental bacterium, the findings are highly relevant for the understanding of infectious diseases. What they discovered in Caulobacter also applies to important human pathogens. In order to better control and treat infections, it is mandatory to better understand processes that occur during these very first few seconds after surface contact.]]> <![CDATA[Genetically boosting the nutritional value of corn could benefit millions]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8237.html Tue, 10 Oct 2017 18:19:05 +0000 Lavkeshsharma]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8237.html Scientists discover way to reduce animal feed and food production costs by increasing a key nutrient in corn

Source:Rutgers University

Summary:Scientists have found an efficient way to enhance the nutritional value of corn -- the world's largest commodity crop -- by inserting a bacterial gene that causes it to produce a key nutrient called methionine, according to a new study.




Rutgers scientists have found an efficient way to enhance the nutritional value of corn -- the world's largest commodity crop -- by inserting a bacterial gene that causes it to produce a key nutrient called methionine, according to a new study.

The Rutgers University-New Brunswick discovery could benefit millions of people in developing countries, such as in South America and Africa, who depend on corn as a staple. It could also significantly reduce worldwide animal feed costs.

"We improved the nutritional value of corn, the largest commodity crop grown on Earth," said Thomas Leustek, study co-author and professor in the Department of Plant Biology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. "Most corn is used for animal feed, but it lacks methionine -- a key amino acid -- and we found an effective way to add it."

The study, led by Jose Planta, a doctoral student at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology, was published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Methionine, found in meat, is one of the nine essential amino acids that humans get from food, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. It is needed for growth and tissue repair, improves the tone and flexibility of skin and hair, and strengthens nails. The sulfur in methionine protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging and is essential for absorbing selenium and zinc.

Every year, synthetic methionine worth several billion dollars is added to field corn seed, which lacks the substance in nature, said study senior author Joachim Messing, a professor who directs the Waksman Institute of Microbiology. The other co-author is Xiaoli Xiang of the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China.

"It is a costly, energy-consuming process," said Messing, whose lab collaborated with Leustek's lab for this study. "Methionine is added because animals won't grow without it. In many developing countries where corn is a staple, methionine is also important for people, especially children. It's vital nutrition, like a vitamin."

Chicken feed is usually prepared as a corn-soybean mixture, and methionine is the sole essential sulfur-containing amino acid that's missing, the study says.

The Rutgers scientists inserted an E. coli bacterial gene into the corn plant's genome and grew several generations of corn. The E. coli enzyme -- 3?-phosphoadenosine-5?-phosphosulfate reductase (EcPAPR) -- spurred methionine production in just the plant's leaves instead of the entire plant to avoid the accumulation of toxic byproducts, Leustek said. As a result, methionine in corn kernels increased by 57 percent, the study says.

Then the scientists conducted a chicken feeding trial at Rutgers and showed that the genetically engineered corn was nutritious for them, Messing said.

Surprise, one important outcome was that corn plant growth was not affected

In the developed world, including the U.S., meat proteins generally have lots of methionine, Leustek said. But in the developing world, subsistence farmers grow corn for their family's consumption.

study shows that they wouldn't have to purchase methionine supplements or expensive foods that have higher methionine

Journal Reference:

Jose Planta, Xiaoli Xiang, Thomas Leustek, Joachim Messing. Engineering sulfur storage in maize seed proteins without apparent yield loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017; 201714805 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1714805114]]> Scientists discover way to reduce animal feed and food production costs by increasing a key nutrient in corn

Source:Rutgers University

Summary:Scientists have found an efficient way to enhance the nutritional value of corn -- the world's largest commodity crop -- by inserting a bacterial gene that causes it to produce a key nutrient called methionine, according to a new study.




Rutgers scientists have found an efficient way to enhance the nutritional value of corn -- the world's largest commodity crop -- by inserting a bacterial gene that causes it to produce a key nutrient called methionine, according to a new study.

The Rutgers University-New Brunswick discovery could benefit millions of people in developing countries, such as in South America and Africa, who depend on corn as a staple. It could also significantly reduce worldwide animal feed costs.

"We improved the nutritional value of corn, the largest commodity crop grown on Earth," said Thomas Leustek, study co-author and professor in the Department of Plant Biology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. "Most corn is used for animal feed, but it lacks methionine -- a key amino acid -- and we found an effective way to add it."

The study, led by Jose Planta, a doctoral student at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology, was published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Methionine, found in meat, is one of the nine essential amino acids that humans get from food, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. It is needed for growth and tissue repair, improves the tone and flexibility of skin and hair, and strengthens nails. The sulfur in methionine protects cells from pollutants, slows cell aging and is essential for absorbing selenium and zinc.

Every year, synthetic methionine worth several billion dollars is added to field corn seed, which lacks the substance in nature, said study senior author Joachim Messing, a professor who directs the Waksman Institute of Microbiology. The other co-author is Xiaoli Xiang of the Rutgers Department of Plant Biology and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China.

"It is a costly, energy-consuming process," said Messing, whose lab collaborated with Leustek's lab for this study. "Methionine is added because animals won't grow without it. In many developing countries where corn is a staple, methionine is also important for people, especially children. It's vital nutrition, like a vitamin."

Chicken feed is usually prepared as a corn-soybean mixture, and methionine is the sole essential sulfur-containing amino acid that's missing, the study says.

The Rutgers scientists inserted an E. coli bacterial gene into the corn plant's genome and grew several generations of corn. The E. coli enzyme -- 3?-phosphoadenosine-5?-phosphosulfate reductase (EcPAPR) -- spurred methionine production in just the plant's leaves instead of the entire plant to avoid the accumulation of toxic byproducts, Leustek said. As a result, methionine in corn kernels increased by 57 percent, the study says.

Then the scientists conducted a chicken feeding trial at Rutgers and showed that the genetically engineered corn was nutritious for them, Messing said.

Surprise, one important outcome was that corn plant growth was not affected

In the developed world, including the U.S., meat proteins generally have lots of methionine, Leustek said. But in the developing world, subsistence farmers grow corn for their family's consumption.

study shows that they wouldn't have to purchase methionine supplements or expensive foods that have higher methionine

Journal Reference:

Jose Planta, Xiaoli Xiang, Thomas Leustek, Joachim Messing. Engineering sulfur storage in maize seed proteins without apparent yield loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2017; 201714805 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1714805114]]> <![CDATA[What is cryo-electron microscopy, the Nobel prize-winning technique?]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8223.html Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:36:19 +0000 Lavkeshsharma]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-8223.html The 2017 chemistry laureates were recognised for developing cryo-electron microscopy. But what is it, why is it exciting and where will it take us next?

A trio of scientists share this year’s Nobel prize for chemistry: Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson.

Their win is for work on a technique known as cryo-electron microscopy that has allowed scientists to study biological molecules in unprecedented sharpness, not least the Zika virus and proteins thought to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Being able to capture images of these biological molecules at atomic resolution not only helps scientists to understand their structures, but has opened up the possibility of exploring biological processes by stitching together images taken at different points in time. 

Cryo-electron microscopy has proved valuable in helping scientists to develop drugs.It has been used in visualising the way in which antibodies can work to stop viruses being dangerous, leading to new ideas for medicines as just one example.



Why do we need cryo-electron microscopy?

Microscopes allow scientists to look at structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye – but when these structures are very tiny, it is no longer possible to use rays of light to do the job because their wavelengths are not short enough. Instead, beams of electrons can be used – with a technique known as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) – or scientists can employ a method known as x-ray crystallography in which x-rays are scattered as they pass through samples, creating patterns that can be analysed to reveal the structure of molecules.

The trouble is, x-ray crystallography relies on biological molecules forming ordered structures, which many fail to do, and the technique does not allow researchers to probe how molecules move.

Historically, TEM also presented difficulties. The beam itself fried the biological molecules being studied, while the technique involved the use of a vacuum which resulted in biological molecules drying out and collapsing, throwing a spanner in the works when it came to probing their structure.

This year’s chemistry laureates tackled these conundrums, enabling scientists to use TEM to image biological molecules in incredible resolution.

What did they do?
Henderson and his team, using a glucose solution to prevent molecules drying out, combined a weaker beam of electrons with images taken from many angles and mathematical approaches to build up a 3D image of a protein neatly organised within a biological membrane. It was a breakthrough moment. Henderson later succeeded in unveiling its 3D structure at atomic resolution – a first for a protein.

Meanwhile Frank developed ingenious image processing techniques to unpick TEM data and build up images of biological molecules as they are in solution, where they point in many different directions.

Dubochet came up with a sophisticated approach to prevent molecules from drying out. Henderson’s technique did not work for water-soluble biological molecules, while freezing samples resulted in the formation of ice crystals which caused damage and made the resulting images challenging to interpret.

Dubochet’s solution was to rapidly cool samples at such speed that the water molecules did not have time to adopt a regular structure. Rather, they were left pointing every which way, resulting in a glass within which biological molecules were frozen in time – in their natural shape.

What’s next?

The trio’s work, and subsequent efforts to perfect these approaches, has already led to astonishing developments.The technique of cryo-TEM has really opened up the molecular world of the cell to direct observation.

Among the processes it has made clearer is the mechanism by which DNA is copied into the single-stranded molecule RNA. 

But the future is also exciting, with scientists using the technique to probe the structure of drug targets, as well as components within cells involved in sensing pain, temperature and pressure. Further improvements in resolution are also afoot.

Cryo-electron microscopy is one of those techniques so basic and important that its use spans all of biology – including understanding the human body and human disease and in designing new medicines. ]]> The 2017 chemistry laureates were recognised for developing cryo-electron microscopy. But what is it, why is it exciting and where will it take us next?

A trio of scientists share this year’s Nobel prize for chemistry: Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and Richard Henderson.

Their win is for work on a technique known as cryo-electron microscopy that has allowed scientists to study biological molecules in unprecedented sharpness, not least the Zika virus and proteins thought to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease.

Being able to capture images of these biological molecules at atomic resolution not only helps scientists to understand their structures, but has opened up the possibility of exploring biological processes by stitching together images taken at different points in time. 

Cryo-electron microscopy has proved valuable in helping scientists to develop drugs.It has been used in visualising the way in which antibodies can work to stop viruses being dangerous, leading to new ideas for medicines as just one example.



Why do we need cryo-electron microscopy?

Microscopes allow scientists to look at structures that cannot be seen with the naked eye – but when these structures are very tiny, it is no longer possible to use rays of light to do the job because their wavelengths are not short enough. Instead, beams of electrons can be used – with a technique known as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) – or scientists can employ a method known as x-ray crystallography in which x-rays are scattered as they pass through samples, creating patterns that can be analysed to reveal the structure of molecules.

The trouble is, x-ray crystallography relies on biological molecules forming ordered structures, which many fail to do, and the technique does not allow researchers to probe how molecules move.

Historically, TEM also presented difficulties. The beam itself fried the biological molecules being studied, while the technique involved the use of a vacuum which resulted in biological molecules drying out and collapsing, throwing a spanner in the works when it came to probing their structure.

This year’s chemistry laureates tackled these conundrums, enabling scientists to use TEM to image biological molecules in incredible resolution.

What did they do?
Henderson and his team, using a glucose solution to prevent molecules drying out, combined a weaker beam of electrons with images taken from many angles and mathematical approaches to build up a 3D image of a protein neatly organised within a biological membrane. It was a breakthrough moment. Henderson later succeeded in unveiling its 3D structure at atomic resolution – a first for a protein.

Meanwhile Frank developed ingenious image processing techniques to unpick TEM data and build up images of biological molecules as they are in solution, where they point in many different directions.

Dubochet came up with a sophisticated approach to prevent molecules from drying out. Henderson’s technique did not work for water-soluble biological molecules, while freezing samples resulted in the formation of ice crystals which caused damage and made the resulting images challenging to interpret.

Dubochet’s solution was to rapidly cool samples at such speed that the water molecules did not have time to adopt a regular structure. Rather, they were left pointing every which way, resulting in a glass within which biological molecules were frozen in time – in their natural shape.

What’s next?

The trio’s work, and subsequent efforts to perfect these approaches, has already led to astonishing developments.The technique of cryo-TEM has really opened up the molecular world of the cell to direct observation.

Among the processes it has made clearer is the mechanism by which DNA is copied into the single-stranded molecule RNA. 

But the future is also exciting, with scientists using the technique to probe the structure of drug targets, as well as components within cells involved in sensing pain, temperature and pressure. Further improvements in resolution are also afoot.

Cryo-electron microscopy is one of those techniques so basic and important that its use spans all of biology – including understanding the human body and human disease and in designing new medicines. ]]> <![CDATA[opportunities regarding Msc biotechnology]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7904.html Sun, 23 Apr 2017 08:42:23 +0000 Ammu]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7904.html ]]> ]]> <![CDATA[Clinical Research]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7421.html Thu, 08 Sep 2016 14:08:10 +0000 meeram]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7421.html <![CDATA[Latest innovations In Miniature Bioreactor]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7286.html Thu, 31 Mar 2016 11:06:51 +0000 HEL Group]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7286.html
http://www.helgroup.com/news/innovations...ioreactor/

I look forward to hearing your feedback/opinion on the product and what changes can be made to improve.]]>
http://www.helgroup.com/news/innovations...ioreactor/

I look forward to hearing your feedback/opinion on the product and what changes can be made to improve.]]> <![CDATA[Aspira Scientific- Latest News & Products]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7081.html Fri, 24 Jul 2015 18:16:29 +0000 gmshim]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7081.html
About Aspira Scientific

Aspira Scientific empowers scientists to achieve their aspirations in chemical and biological research and development by reducing the costs of basic and applied research. The company leverages a global innovation ecosystem to offer a wide array of next-generation enabling research tools. For organizations with developmental programs and commercial intent, Aspira Scientific provides user-driven services via "Collaborate Locally. Commercialize Globally." model to afford exceptional value in terms of innovation, quality and IP assurance, and cost-efficiency.]]>
About Aspira Scientific

Aspira Scientific empowers scientists to achieve their aspirations in chemical and biological research and development by reducing the costs of basic and applied research. The company leverages a global innovation ecosystem to offer a wide array of next-generation enabling research tools. For organizations with developmental programs and commercial intent, Aspira Scientific provides user-driven services via "Collaborate Locally. Commercialize Globally." model to afford exceptional value in terms of innovation, quality and IP assurance, and cost-efficiency.]]> <![CDATA[Manpower for BIOTECH]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7073.html Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:32:13 +0000 vinmadsam]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-7073.html
 We are interested in starting up a manpower consultancy for Bio-tech stream. Please any one here in forum could provide me some inputs.

Regards,
Vinay Kumar C.
+91-9035191109
]]>
 We are interested in starting up a manpower consultancy for Bio-tech stream. Please any one here in forum could provide me some inputs.

Regards,
Vinay Kumar C.
+91-9035191109
]]> <![CDATA[GenScript Licenses CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology from the Broad Institute]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6821.html Sat, 28 Feb 2015 09:09:10 +0000 lorrainegenscript]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6821.html GenScript USA Inc, a leading biology CRO and its affiliates announced today that they have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to strengthen their existing GenCRISPR™ services portfolio with the set of extensive intellectual properties and technologies related to CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems from the Broad Institute. 
GenScript is a leading provider of CRISPR genome editing products and services. Since June 2013, GenScript began developing GenCRISPR™ genome editing services, including gRNA design and constructs and CRISPR/Cas9-based cell line engineering, producing case studies of validated knock-out and knock-in cell lines, and building a bioinformatics tool to aid in the design of gRNAs. The aim is to bring GenScript clients the best quality service and access to the latest advances in CRISPR/Cas9 related technologies. The Broad Institute’s vast CRISPR/Cas9 IP portfolio will be fully utilized to launch new CRISPR-related products and services to satisfy the research and drug discovery needs of GenScript clients.
Dr. Chuan-Chu Chou, Senior Vice President of GenScript comments “CRISPR/Cas9 has great potential to impact research and medicine. Our goal is to provide researchers with a one stop solution for all their CRISPR needs, from gRNA design to cell line engineering. We are very excited to enter this licensing agreement with the Broad. We share Dr. Feng Zhang and the Broad Institute’s vision to make CRISPR accessible to all researchers in order to help make research easy.”
 
About the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard was launched in 2004 to empower this generation of creative scientists to transform medicine. The Broad Institute seeks to describe all the molecular components of life and their connections; discover the molecular basis of major human diseases; develop effective new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutics; and disseminate discoveries, tools, methods, and data openly to the entire scientific community.
Founded by MIT, Harvard, and its affiliated hospitals, and the visionary Los Angeles philanthropists Eli and Edythe L. Broad, the Broad Institute includes faculty, professional staff and students from throughout the MIT and Harvard biomedical research communities and beyond, with collaborations spanning over a hundred private and public institutions in more than 40 countries worldwide. For further information about the Broad Institute, go to http://broadinstitute.org.
About GenScript
Based in Piscataway, New Jersey, GenScript is a leading gene, peptide, protein and antibody research partner for fundamental life science research, translational biomedical research, and early stage pharmaceutical development. Since its establishment in 2002, GenScript has grown into a global Contract Research Organization that provides services and products to scientists in 86 countries worldwide. The company has built a best-in-class capacity and capability for biological research services encompassing gene synthesis and molecular biology, peptide synthesis, custom antibodies, protein expression, antibody and protein engineering, and in vitro and in vivo pharmacology. For more information, visit http://www.genscript.com.
]]> GenScript USA Inc, a leading biology CRO and its affiliates announced today that they have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to strengthen their existing GenCRISPR™ services portfolio with the set of extensive intellectual properties and technologies related to CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing systems from the Broad Institute. 
GenScript is a leading provider of CRISPR genome editing products and services. Since June 2013, GenScript began developing GenCRISPR™ genome editing services, including gRNA design and constructs and CRISPR/Cas9-based cell line engineering, producing case studies of validated knock-out and knock-in cell lines, and building a bioinformatics tool to aid in the design of gRNAs. The aim is to bring GenScript clients the best quality service and access to the latest advances in CRISPR/Cas9 related technologies. The Broad Institute’s vast CRISPR/Cas9 IP portfolio will be fully utilized to launch new CRISPR-related products and services to satisfy the research and drug discovery needs of GenScript clients.
Dr. Chuan-Chu Chou, Senior Vice President of GenScript comments “CRISPR/Cas9 has great potential to impact research and medicine. Our goal is to provide researchers with a one stop solution for all their CRISPR needs, from gRNA design to cell line engineering. We are very excited to enter this licensing agreement with the Broad. We share Dr. Feng Zhang and the Broad Institute’s vision to make CRISPR accessible to all researchers in order to help make research easy.”
 
About the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
The Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard was launched in 2004 to empower this generation of creative scientists to transform medicine. The Broad Institute seeks to describe all the molecular components of life and their connections; discover the molecular basis of major human diseases; develop effective new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutics; and disseminate discoveries, tools, methods, and data openly to the entire scientific community.
Founded by MIT, Harvard, and its affiliated hospitals, and the visionary Los Angeles philanthropists Eli and Edythe L. Broad, the Broad Institute includes faculty, professional staff and students from throughout the MIT and Harvard biomedical research communities and beyond, with collaborations spanning over a hundred private and public institutions in more than 40 countries worldwide. For further information about the Broad Institute, go to http://broadinstitute.org.
About GenScript
Based in Piscataway, New Jersey, GenScript is a leading gene, peptide, protein and antibody research partner for fundamental life science research, translational biomedical research, and early stage pharmaceutical development. Since its establishment in 2002, GenScript has grown into a global Contract Research Organization that provides services and products to scientists in 86 countries worldwide. The company has built a best-in-class capacity and capability for biological research services encompassing gene synthesis and molecular biology, peptide synthesis, custom antibodies, protein expression, antibody and protein engineering, and in vitro and in vivo pharmacology. For more information, visit http://www.genscript.com.
]]> <![CDATA[Athens Research and Technology]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6814.html Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:35:01 +0000 athensresearch]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6814.html Athens Research and Technology is a biotechnology company based in Athens, GA, USA that specializes in the production of purified human proteins. We provide our self-manufactured products including custom protein solutions to major biopharmaceutical companies and research laboratories all over the world. ART produces purified lipoproteins, enzymes, transferrin, antibodies, etc. from a variety of different sources, but mainly working with human plasma. Athens Research is a small local company that operates on a global scale, so utmost customer satisfaction is delivered for every single order. As a primary manufacturer, our prices are lower than any other prices for the same product than any other vendor in the biotech market place.

To find more information and contact info, please visit www.athensresearch.com

To find more information regarding the products and services we provide, please visit www.athensresearch.com/produts/all.]]> Athens Research and Technology is a biotechnology company based in Athens, GA, USA that specializes in the production of purified human proteins. We provide our self-manufactured products including custom protein solutions to major biopharmaceutical companies and research laboratories all over the world. ART produces purified lipoproteins, enzymes, transferrin, antibodies, etc. from a variety of different sources, but mainly working with human plasma. Athens Research is a small local company that operates on a global scale, so utmost customer satisfaction is delivered for every single order. As a primary manufacturer, our prices are lower than any other prices for the same product than any other vendor in the biotech market place.

To find more information and contact info, please visit www.athensresearch.com

To find more information regarding the products and services we provide, please visit www.athensresearch.com/produts/all.]]> <![CDATA[about MS course in electronics engineering]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6811.html Sun, 08 Feb 2015 15:06:53 +0000 phanikumar464]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6811.html I am going to complete b-tech in ECE (Electronics & Communication Engineering) stream in 2015 with aggregate of 74(approximated)...
I wrote GATE exam and i will get a score of 35 out of 100 marks.......

Will i eligible to get MS seat in NUS/NTU in singapore in electronics engineering...?
what are websites useful to get information about MS course through GATE...?
wHAT ARE THE JOB OPPOTUNITIES GOING TO GET IN SINGAPORE BASED ON ELECTRONICS ENGINNERING?
wHEN/where TO APPLY FOR MS in singapore universites?


Regards
phanikumar paruchuri]]> I am going to complete b-tech in ECE (Electronics & Communication Engineering) stream in 2015 with aggregate of 74(approximated)...
I wrote GATE exam and i will get a score of 35 out of 100 marks.......

Will i eligible to get MS seat in NUS/NTU in singapore in electronics engineering...?
what are websites useful to get information about MS course through GATE...?
wHAT ARE THE JOB OPPOTUNITIES GOING TO GET IN SINGAPORE BASED ON ELECTRONICS ENGINNERING?
wHEN/where TO APPLY FOR MS in singapore universites?


Regards
phanikumar paruchuri]]> <![CDATA[Top UK Biotech Companies - Career opportunities]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6766.html Thu, 15 Jan 2015 13:08:42 +0000 mtwalsh01]]> https://www.biotechnologyforums.com/thread-6766.html Best Biotech/Life Science Companies to work for (UK)

There are many large and smaller Biotech/Life Science companies based in the UK who offer opportunities to develop a rewarding career. According to the University of Oxford career service: “There are over 900 pharmaceutically related biotech companies in the UK which employ nearly 26,000 people, although the majority of them have fewer than 50 employees. Many of the UK’s biotech companies originate from universities as ‘spin-outs’ and are located around Oxford, Cambridge and in Scotland.” Below I summarise a few of the available options. I include useful links for those who would like to seek more detailed information. In all cases, qualifications and application processes will vary depending on the company and the specific position. Full instructions and information can be found on the company websites.

Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK)
GSK, whose focus is on small Molecules, vaccines and biologics, have a range of opportunities from internships, graduate positions or next career moves for experienced professionals. Their headquarters are in London, but have other UK bases for example in Hounslow and Irvine, and they employ over 99,000 people in 150 countries. Detailed information about all aspects on GSK operations and products can be found on their website: http://www.gsk.com/en-gb/home/. They run programmes including the Future Leaders Programme for graduates which requires for you to be on track for a 2.1 degree or have achieved this already. Recruitment takes place annually from September onwards.
To find out about current career opportunities with GSK in the UK follow this link: http://uk.gsk.com/en-gb/careers/
 
Astra Zeneca
Astra Zeneca, whose focus is on small molecules and biologics, have their main campus in the UK in Cambridge but they also have operations in, for example, London, Edinburgh and Macclesfield. According to their website http://www.astrazeneca.com/Home they currently have 73 positions available in the UK, including for example Senior Principle Scientist in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Cambridge), Team Manager (CPUT team) in Chemical Development (Macclesfield) or VP Regulatory RIA (Cambridge). Qualifications needed vary depending on the position being applied for.
To find out about current career opportunities with Astra Zeneca in the UK follow this link:
http://www.astrazeneca.com/Careers
Astra Zeneca is only one of many options in Cambridge. The city is also home to many smaller “spin-out” Biotech/Life sciences companies, as well as larger multinationals and is at the centre of the Cambridge Biotechnology Cluster. An example of a smaller Cambridge-based company is F-Star, which focuses on novel bispecific antibodies and was named a by FierceBiotech as one of the Fierce 15 winners in 2011 (http://www.f-star.com/about.php).
For more information on the Cambridge Biotechnology Cluster and the opportunities it offers, as well as other clusters centred on London, Oxford and Stevenage, visit the Lifestream website: http://www.liftstream.com/
 
SAFC (Sigma Aldrich)
SAFC, whose focus is on chemicals, services and APIs, is the custom manufacturing and services business unit of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. It is a top 10 global specialty chemicals and biologics supplier. Full details of their UK operations can be found here: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-kingdom.html.  They have various operations including in Irvine and Manchester. They claim to offer “challenging and rewarding positions across the life science and high technology industry”. To begin the process of applying for opportunities in this company follow this link to the online expression of interest/application forms: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/site-level/career-opportunites/apply.html Some examples of the types of positions available in the UK can be viewed by following this link: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-kingdom/Careers_and_Culture.html
 
Abbvie
Abbvie, whose focus is on diagnostics and devices, is a global biopharmaceutical company with a UK operation in Maidenhead. Full details of their UK operations can be found at: http://www.abbvie.co.uk/?trackingSelection=Yes
To find out about current career opportunities with Abbvie in the UK follow this link:
http://www.abbvie.co.uk/careers/home.html?trackingSelection=Yes

Axis Shield
Axis Shield, whose focus is on in vitro diagnostic tests, is located in Dundee in Scotland. They are an expanding company and recommend contacting their HR department for further information on career opportunities; email shield@axis-shield.com. A full description of their operations and products can be found on their website: http://www.axis-shield.com/
Axis Shield are one of a range of companies with career opportunities based in Dundee, that also include for example CXR Biosciences http://www.cxrbiosciences.com/jobs/ and Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals http://www.cyclacel.com/careers.shtml

Prosonix
Prosonix is based in Oxford and is an innovative speciality pharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of inhaled respiratory medicines by design. Full details of their operations and products can be found at: http://www.prosonix.co.uk/about-prosonix/
To find out more about a career at Prosonix, follow this link and you will find relevant contact details: http://www.prosonix.co.uk/careers/
 
Useful links
The UK Biotech database is a portal that provides information and statistics about Biotech, Pharma and Medtech companies in the UK. It can be accessed by following this link: http://www.ukbiotech.com/uk/db/index.php
The Lifestream website life sciences recruitment website gives details on the Biotechology Clusters in the UK and details on available opportunities: http://www.liftstream.com/
The following link gives a very comprehensive list of many Biotech/Life Sciences companies throughout the UK, with summaries of the areas of main interest and links to their websites: http://biopharmguy.com/links/country-unitedkingdom.php
The career advice sections of UK university websites are also very useful sources of information, for example the University of Oxford Careers Service has a useful section on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology that can be found here: http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/options-and-occupations/sectors-and-occupations/pharmaceuticals-biotechnology/
 
 
 ]]> Best Biotech/Life Science Companies to work for (UK)

There are many large and smaller Biotech/Life Science companies based in the UK who offer opportunities to develop a rewarding career. According to the University of Oxford career service: “There are over 900 pharmaceutically related biotech companies in the UK which employ nearly 26,000 people, although the majority of them have fewer than 50 employees. Many of the UK’s biotech companies originate from universities as ‘spin-outs’ and are located around Oxford, Cambridge and in Scotland.” Below I summarise a few of the available options. I include useful links for those who would like to seek more detailed information. In all cases, qualifications and application processes will vary depending on the company and the specific position. Full instructions and information can be found on the company websites.

Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK)
GSK, whose focus is on small Molecules, vaccines and biologics, have a range of opportunities from internships, graduate positions or next career moves for experienced professionals. Their headquarters are in London, but have other UK bases for example in Hounslow and Irvine, and they employ over 99,000 people in 150 countries. Detailed information about all aspects on GSK operations and products can be found on their website: http://www.gsk.com/en-gb/home/. They run programmes including the Future Leaders Programme for graduates which requires for you to be on track for a 2.1 degree or have achieved this already. Recruitment takes place annually from September onwards.
To find out about current career opportunities with GSK in the UK follow this link: http://uk.gsk.com/en-gb/careers/
 
Astra Zeneca
Astra Zeneca, whose focus is on small molecules and biologics, have their main campus in the UK in Cambridge but they also have operations in, for example, London, Edinburgh and Macclesfield. According to their website http://www.astrazeneca.com/Home they currently have 73 positions available in the UK, including for example Senior Principle Scientist in Molecular and Cellular Biology (Cambridge), Team Manager (CPUT team) in Chemical Development (Macclesfield) or VP Regulatory RIA (Cambridge). Qualifications needed vary depending on the position being applied for.
To find out about current career opportunities with Astra Zeneca in the UK follow this link:
http://www.astrazeneca.com/Careers
Astra Zeneca is only one of many options in Cambridge. The city is also home to many smaller “spin-out” Biotech/Life sciences companies, as well as larger multinationals and is at the centre of the Cambridge Biotechnology Cluster. An example of a smaller Cambridge-based company is F-Star, which focuses on novel bispecific antibodies and was named a by FierceBiotech as one of the Fierce 15 winners in 2011 (http://www.f-star.com/about.php).
For more information on the Cambridge Biotechnology Cluster and the opportunities it offers, as well as other clusters centred on London, Oxford and Stevenage, visit the Lifestream website: http://www.liftstream.com/
 
SAFC (Sigma Aldrich)
SAFC, whose focus is on chemicals, services and APIs, is the custom manufacturing and services business unit of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. It is a top 10 global specialty chemicals and biologics supplier. Full details of their UK operations can be found here: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-kingdom.html.  They have various operations including in Irvine and Manchester. They claim to offer “challenging and rewarding positions across the life science and high technology industry”. To begin the process of applying for opportunities in this company follow this link to the online expression of interest/application forms: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/site-level/career-opportunites/apply.html Some examples of the types of positions available in the UK can be viewed by following this link: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-kingdom/Careers_and_Culture.html
 
Abbvie
Abbvie, whose focus is on diagnostics and devices, is a global biopharmaceutical company with a UK operation in Maidenhead. Full details of their UK operations can be found at: http://www.abbvie.co.uk/?trackingSelection=Yes
To find out about current career opportunities with Abbvie in the UK follow this link:
http://www.abbvie.co.uk/careers/home.html?trackingSelection=Yes

Axis Shield
Axis Shield, whose focus is on in vitro diagnostic tests, is located in Dundee in Scotland. They are an expanding company and recommend contacting their HR department for further information on career opportunities; email shield@axis-shield.com. A full description of their operations and products can be found on their website: http://www.axis-shield.com/
Axis Shield are one of a range of companies with career opportunities based in Dundee, that also include for example CXR Biosciences http://www.cxrbiosciences.com/jobs/ and Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals http://www.cyclacel.com/careers.shtml

Prosonix
Prosonix is based in Oxford and is an innovative speciality pharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of inhaled respiratory medicines by design. Full details of their operations and products can be found at: http://www.prosonix.co.uk/about-prosonix/
To find out more about a career at Prosonix, follow this link and you will find relevant contact details: http://www.prosonix.co.uk/careers/
 
Useful links
The UK Biotech database is a portal that provides information and statistics about Biotech, Pharma and Medtech companies in the UK. It can be accessed by following this link: http://www.ukbiotech.com/uk/db/index.php
The Lifestream website life sciences recruitment website gives details on the Biotechology Clusters in the UK and details on available opportunities: http://www.liftstream.com/
The following link gives a very comprehensive list of many Biotech/Life Sciences companies throughout the UK, with summaries of the areas of main interest and links to their websites: http://biopharmguy.com/links/country-unitedkingdom.php
The career advice sections of UK university websites are also very useful sources of information, for example the University of Oxford Careers Service has a useful section on pharmaceuticals and biotechnology that can be found here: http://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/options-and-occupations/sectors-and-occupations/pharmaceuticals-biotechnology/
 
 
 ]]>