Synthetic biology

The first DNA synthesised using Evonetix’s semiconductor chip technology has been delivered to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the University of Cambridge. The DNA was delivered to Dr Jenny Molloy, Co-chair of the Engineering Biology Interdisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. The company’s desktop DNA synthesis platform is designed to […]

Beckley Psytech has initiated a Phase IIa study investigating its lead candidate, BPL-003, as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). BPL-003 is Beckley Psytech’s novel synthetic formulation of the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT (also known as Mebufotenin) and is administered intranasally via an FDA-approved delivery device. Phase I data has already shown BPL-003 to […]

Ashwin Pillai is Test Engineer 3 in HTS & Assay Development at Ginkgo Bioworks, a company whose mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ahead of his presentation in the Automation Technologies Track at SLAS2023, Pillai shares insight on data and how we can connect lab automation to decisions. Pillai works directly with scientists […]

Evonetix has completed a $24 million financing round, extending its total series B funding to over $54 million.   The fundraise was led by existing investor Foresite Capital, with Molten Ventures, Morningside, DCVC, Cambridge Consultants, Civilization Ventures and Providence also participating in the round.  The investment will enable the continued development of Evonetix’s semiconductor chips to […]

This is the latest episode of the free DDW podcast. It covers two articles written for Volume 23, Issue 1 – Winter 2021/22 of DDW. They are called “Why synthetic biology is the next big thing for biopharma” and “Collaborative spirit helps drive innovation”. ‘Can synthetic biology save us?’ and ‘Synthetic biology can benefit us […]

Cancer Focus Fund is investing $5 million in funding to support ISA103, ISA Pharmaceuticals’ PRAME-targeting immunotherapy, in a first-in-human study for the treatment of uveal melanoma, a rare ocular cancer.  Cancer Focus Fund was established in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide funding and clinical expertise to advance promising […]

2022 was a complicated year. Global challenges like the Ukraine war and the continued impact of Covid-19 have been felt across the world. And yet it was also a year of incredible innovation in drug discovery, with the potential of new biotechnology beginning to be revealed. Our top 10 most popular online articles for 2022 […]

GenScript Biotech, a provider of life-science research tools and services, is partnering with Allozymes, a Singapore-based biotech startup, with aims to accelerate the enzyme discovery and development process.  In the partnership, GenScript will provide the mutant libraries construction and expression, while Allozymes will provide ultra-high-throughput screening for applications across various industries, including pharmaceuticals.  Naturally occurring […]

Lu Rahman selects some recent synthetic biology innovations and the potential they hold to benefit drug discovery.  The rapidly growing area of synthetic biology – including molecular biology, biotechnology, biophysics, and genetic engineering – is having a marked impact on the drug discovery landscape. Applying the principles of engineering to biology – redesigning organisms and biological […]

DDW Editor Reece Armstrong learns about Molecular Devices’ Organoid Innovation Centre (OIC) and how the company is aiming to advance research into 3D biology and organoids.  In April 2021, life sciences solutions provider Molecular Devices launched its Organoid Innovation Centre (OIC), an initiative designed to help scientists leverage the potential of 3D biology throughout the drug discovery […]