A two-and-a-half-year-old girl has shown no signs of spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder, after being treated with a gene-targeting drug while in the womb. The child’s mother took the drug during late pregnancy, and the child continues to take it. This breakthrough treatment has the potential to change the lives of thousands of…
DNA genome genetic on The Soothsayer
Scientists have released the biggest-ever artificial-intelligence (AI) model for biology, called Evo 2, which can write whole chromosomes and small genomes from scratch. This model has been trained on 128,000 genomes spanning the tree of life and can make sense of existing DNA, including hard-to-interpret ‘non-coding’ gene variants linked to disease. The developers see Evo…
Seven biotech spinouts are making waves in the industry, with innovative approaches to treating neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and more. From Amphista Therapeutics’ targeted protein degradation technology to BridgeBio Oncology Therapeutics’ RAS signaling research, these startups are pushing the boundaries of biotech research. With significant funding and promising data, these spinouts are poised to make a…
A groundbreaking study of the genomes of nearly 6,000 Greenlandic people has shed new light on the genetic history of the Inuit. The research, published in Nature, suggests that the Inuit ancestors rarely moved around after settling the island around 1,000 years ago, leading to a unique genetic makeup that may be linked to certain…
Researchers are making significant strides in treating Hunter syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting children. Enzyme replacement therapy, the most popular approach, has shown promise, but challenges remain in addressing neurological aspects of the disease. Companies like Denali Therapeutics are advancing novel approaches, such as using Enzyme Transport Vehicle technology to deliver enzymes across the…
A recent study published in Nature Aging has found that taking omega-3 and vitamin D supplements, combined with regular exercise, can slow down biological ageing by three to four months over a three-year period. The study, which analyzed data from over 700 people aged 70 or over, used four biological clocks to measure the extent…
Researchers at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland have made a groundbreaking discovery about the way maggots perceive food. Using genetic tools, they found that certain neurons in the brain control food choice and can sense both taste and texture. This multimodal capacity challenges the conventional view of taste sensing, which holds that specific neurons…
The genomics industry is witnessing a surge in innovation, with startups like Element Biosciences, Deep Genomics, and Human Longevity pushing the boundaries of precision medicine. These companies are developing cutting-edge technologies to sequence genomes, identify genetic causes of diseases, and create targeted therapies. As a result, the field of precision medicine is expected to experience…
The biotech sector has shown remarkable resilience in 2024, with several companies recording spectacular stock performance. Regulatory approvals, breakthrough therapies, and clinical trial successes have driven investor enthusiasm, with companies like Bright Minds Biosciences, Monopar Therapeutics, and Summit Therapeutics standing out as top performers. As the industry looks to 2025 and beyond, analysts are predicting…
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the progression of Huntington’s disease, a fatal genetic condition that affects movement, balance, and cognition. The study found that a faulty DNA-repair mechanism in neurons leads to the accumulation of repeat errors, which eventually causes the neurons to die. This knowledge has led scientists to identify DNA-repair…