Biophysics

0 readers
0 users here now

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
1
 
 

Hey, so I just fu***g quit my new job rn. I got offered something better last minute but didn’t wanna be a dick and cancel on them at the last minute, so I went through with it anyways and then QUIT RIGHT AFTER THEY HIRED ME LMFAO. It felt so good man, total payback for all those times i wasted my time interviewing only to never get the gig.

2
 
 

This article describes using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) containing silencing RNA (siRNA) to slow or prevent the spread of cancerous multiple myeloma cells through the body.

What I found interesting about this approach is that these LNPs do not target the cancerous cells themselves, but rather targets healthy endothelial cells lining blood vessels in the body. The mechanism of action is to reduce the expression of a protein (CyPA) that cancer cells use to aid their spread through the body. So, these LNPs are simply used to help contain and localize the cancerous growth while traditional cancer treatments are used to treat the malignant cells.

A significant challenge for this approach going forward is tuning the targeting and biodistribution of the LNPs. Most LNP treatments end up in either the liver or spleen where they transfect cells in those organs and express protiens. I don't have direct experience with siRNA molecules, but transfecting epithelial cells in a lasting way could prove difficult as it scales up from mouse models.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2215711120

3
 
 

Getting therapeutics to cross the blood-brain barrier is one of the biggest hurdles to many investigational neuroscience macromolecules. This approach of using a proven mechanism of action (ultrasound) in a device that is easily implantable and does not need to later be removed looks promising.

doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg6075

4
 
 

Some recent evidence points to the Earth's magnetic field playing a part in preferentially selecting right-handed chirality in RNA precursors. This work is not complete though as not every nucleotide can be made from this process yet, but it is so far, the best explanation available as to why genetic material and amino acids are exclusively R and L (respectively) oriented.

5