Felix Acheampong, PhD

Come join us as a Postdoctoral Fellow to study #Ubiquitin, #Autophagy, #Biochemistry, and #Proteomics at the Sloan Kettering Institute in New York. Postdoctoral Fellow in Cell Biology, Biochemistry or Proteomics (New York). Sloan Kettering Institute See the full job description on jobRxiv: https://lnkd.in/du7qbW9w #biochemistry #cell_biology #proteomics #proteostasis #ubiquitin

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To use innovative science to do transformative good: that's what we're doing at Clene Nanomedicine, Inc.

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Comings and Goings: Enhancing siRNA efficacy in vivo with extended nucleic acid backbones

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Inspired by #BruceBooth's video on 2024 year in review. Science meets art, articulating the key essence of this review in a poem. Innovate and adapt to make it right! 10-1-10 #R&D problem is becoming a big plight  Delayed timeline hurts badly like a frostbite Increased failure risk is a horrifying fright Capital raising is tight  New regulatory approval is a major fight  Investors losing good sleep in night  Next clinical development milestone is out of sight  At the crossroad thinking what is right? The whiteboard is full white  Here comes #UbuntuResearch as a knight  Recalibration by early adopters in the industry will set it right  Innovative ways of working and discipline will set things upright  Prioritizing capital efficiency will be a big delight  Accelerating clinical program will be a significant respite New Resilience and adaptation will take industry success to new height  Collaborative behaviors and knowledge sharing will be on spotlight  Culture of Innovate and adapt to make it right #KRO; #CDaaS; #clinicaldevelopment ; #venturecapital; #Ubunturesearch; #atlasventure; #BruceBooth

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Dyno Therapeutics is unlocking the future of #genetherapy with #AI-powered design. See how they’re solving the challenge of in vivo gene delivery by engineering better AAV capsids. With Benchling, they’ve scaled up their #ML by ✔️ Standardizing data across teams ✔️ Centralizing experimental data and metadata on an open platform ✔️ Increasing automation and instrument connectivity https://lnkd.in/dQJzhCDT #PoweredByAI #BuiltOnBenchling

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Researchers at USF Health and Weill Cornell Medicine, as part of an expansive, multi-institutional project investigating voice as a biomarker for disease, have reached a significant milestone by publishing the first version of their clinically validated voice dataset to an online artificial intelligence platform where it will be an invaluable resource for researchers across the globe. From our web story: "Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our ability to detect and understand disease, and this groundbreaking voice dataset is a monumental step forward in that journey," said Dr. Olivier Elemento, Director of the Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, who is also a professor of physiology and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine. "These clinically validated data, combined with cutting-edge AI techniques, pave the way for new diagnostic possibilities and groundbreaking innovations that will transform patient care globally." #AI #PrecisionMedicine https://lnkd.in/esa69PqV

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📢 A new Special Issue "Bioengineering Platforms for Drug Delivery" is now open for submissions! 🥼 This Special Issue is guest-edited by Dr. Anam Ahsan. 💡 Drug delivery is a progressive field in contemporary medicine that has improved clinical relevance and brought new hope for the treatment of intractable diseases. Recent advances in nanotechnology and bioengineering are dedicated to overcoming current limitations, such as key challenges of systemic toxicity and physiological barriers, providing the ability to precisely target, regulate drug release, and achieve synergistic drug co-loading. 🔗 Click the link to access more details about the Special Issue: https://lnkd.in/gf8ViUxC. 🕑 The deadline for manuscript submissions is 25 March 2025. 🎉 Welcome to join us as authors and reviewers! 👏 And welcome to follow our LinkedIn account: https://lnkd.in/grPNkBrg. #biomaterials #drug_delivery #nanotechnology #nanobiotechnology #bioengineering #chemotherapy #bioconjugation #disease_management #therapeutic #agents

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While no one was looking, Jennifer Doudna created CRISPR-Cas9, a revolutionary gene-editing technology that has transformed the field of biotechnology. Today, CRISPR-Cas9 is one of the world’s most groundbreaking scientific achievements. Here’s Jennifer Doudna’s story: QUICK BACKSTORY: Jennifer Doudna grew up in Hilo, Hawaii. Despite having limited access to advanced scientific resources in her hometown, she developed a keen interest in biochemistry, inspired by the island's environmental beauty and its diverse flora and fauna. In her youth, Jennifer was known for her unquenchable curiosity and habit of reading every science book she could find. THE ODDS: To say Jennifer Doudna was set up for success from the beginning would be an overstatement. The odds of success for a female scientist in a predominantly male-dominated field were slim. And only a small percentage make it to the pinnacle of scientific innovation and recognition. Her mantra, “Whenever someone tells me I can't do something that I know I can, it only strengthens my resolve to prove them wrong." THE GOAL: But Jennifer had her sights set on uncovering the mysteries of genetic science. For years, she was relentless about pursuing rigorous research, collaborating with fellow scientists, and pushing the boundaries of molecular biology. THE OBSTACLE: Early experiments with CRISPR technology faced significant technical challenges. Funding for such cutting-edge research was scarce. The scientific community was initially skeptical about the practical applications of her work. THE BREAKTHROUGH: And by 2012, a breakthrough occurred. As the story goes, Jennifer and her team discovered a way to simplify the CRISPR-Cas9 system for easier and more precise genetic editing. And the rest is history. THE ACHIEVEMENT: Between 2012 and 2020, Jennifer went on to: - Revolutionize genetic research with CRISPR-Cas9. - Co-founded several biotech companies to advance gene-editing therapies. - Receive numerous prestigious awards, including the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Perhaps most importantly, she inspired a new generation of scientists to dream big and push the boundaries of what's possible. THE LESSON: I love Jennifer Doudna’s story because it represents the resilience and determination needed to achieve scientific breakthroughs. It reminds us of the power of perseverance, collaboration, and innovation, compounded over time. Because when we focus on the right things, where we’re headed is certain. We just need the future to catch up. #Jenniferdoudna #Nobelprizewinner #geneediting Picture credit: Christopher Michel, 2023

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Cheminformatics for Drug discovery workshop is coming soon to: 1. Enumerate a chemical library. 2. Build your chemical library with unique fuzzy score. 3. Transform the chemical features into illustrative figure shaping how unique is your chemical library. 4. Build evolutionary library that can work with a target pk profile.

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Abstract DNA-encoded library (DEL) is a powerful hit selection technique in both basic science and innovative drug discovery. In this study, we report a robust and straightforward DNA-compatible diazo-transfer reaction utilizing FSO2N3 as the diazo-transfer reagent in solution. This reaction demonstrates high conversions and facile operation while being metal-free and maintaining high levels of DNA fidelity. It is also compatible with a wide range of substrates, allowing for convenient access to both aliphatic and aromatic amines. Consequently, it will further enrich the DEL chemistry toolbox.

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I am happy to share the newest results of our studies on lanthanide bismuth chemistry, featuring a Er2Bi6 heterometallacubane! Bismuth remains a very elusive element in lanthanide chemistry, and taming it with the later, smaller lanthanide ion erbium was a particular challenge. In this study we provide evidence for the promising role of bismuth-containing bridging moieties to promote strong magnetic coupling between multiple paramagnetic lanthanide ions. These insights might aid the development of novel magnetic materials in the future. Big thanks to Elizabeth Pugliese for her invaluable assistance! Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/d-yNbyZg #Lanthanides #Bismuth #InorganicChemistry #OpenAccess

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#Autoimmunity | #Sex, #Cells & #Metabolism: #Androgens temper #Th17-driven #Immunity | Nikita Mani & Sam Weinberg give expert commentary* on new Dawn Newcomb & Co. study at The Journal of Clinical Investigation | Sex-based differences in autoimmune disease susceptibility have long been recognized, prompting investigations into how sex hormones influence immunity. Recent advances suggest that hormones may shape immune responses by altering cellular metabolism. In the latest issue of the JCI** Nowrin Chowdhury, Jacqueline Cephus, Emely Henriquez Pilier, et al. authenticate this model, showing that androgen receptor signaling modulates T helper 17 (Th17) cell metabolism, specifically glutaminolysis, reducing airway inflammation in males. This work provides insight into sex-specific regulation of immunity, highlighting the interplay between hormones, metabolism, and immune function. The findings raise intriguing questions about how hormonal fluctuations affect immunity and how sex-specific metabolic pathways might be leveraged for targeted therapies in autoimmune diseases. *https://lnkd.in/egU8fHr2 **https://lnkd.in/enyWBhPw Celentyx Ltd #autoimmunediseases #drugdiscovery #CRO www.celentyx.com FIGURE | UPPER: Graphical Abstract | LOWER: Androgen receptor signaling drives differences in Th17 cell metabolism and function during allergic airway inflammation | In male Th17 cells, androgen receptor (AR) signaling suppresses glutamine metabolism, resulting in mild allergic inflammation and reduced IL-17 production. The presence of androgens activates AR, which translocates to the nucleus and potentially regulates genes involved in glutamine metabolism, though the exact mechanism of AR-mediated suppression of glutamine metabolism remains to be fully elucidated. In contrast, female Th17 cells exhibit enhanced glutamine metabolism and severe allergic inflammation. The absence of AR signaling allows for increased glutamine (GLN) uptake through plasma membrane transporters and elevated glutaminase (GLS) activity. This leads to higher glutamate (Glu) production, which feeds into the TCA cycle and contributes to glutathione (GSH) synthesis. The enhanced glutamine metabolism in female Th17 cells correlates with increased IL-17 production and secretion, exacerbating allergic inflammation. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise molecular mechanisms linking enhanced glutamine metabolism to increased IL-17 production and Th17 cell pathogenicity in females, as the exact pathway has yet to be fully characterised |

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We are thrilled to have Dr. Douglas Kitchen, a research fellow in medicinal chemistry at Curia lead a roundtable discussion at The Drug Discovery Biology & Bioinformatics Strategy Meeting on May 14th in Princeton. Dr. Kitchen, a Ph.D. graduate from Princeton University, will lead a thought-provoking exploration of how AI and related technologies are transforming the landscape of drug discovery. We'll delve into the current methods of target selection within computational biology, exploring how AI is influencing the process and broadening the scope of potential targets. Dr. Kitchen will also shed light on the data sources fueling these advancements, including public and private databases like GWAS and clinical sample analysis, as well as various "omics" data sets. We'll explore how this data is integrated into early target selection workflows and mined for insights, uncovering the role of automated and manual searching techniques. The session will also delve into the specific computational methods being employed for target selection, from logic programming (LP) to traditional machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). We'll address the question of data sufficiency for robust modeling and explore how these predictions are validated through experimental methods like cell imaging and chemical probes. Dr. Kitchen, with his co-authorship on over forty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and co-invention of multiple marketed drugs, brings a wealth of experience to the table. This session promises to be a valuable forum for anyone seeking to harness the power of AI and computational biology in drug discovery. Stay tuned! #DrugDiscovery #ArtificialIntelligence #ComputationalBiology #EastCoastScience #DrDouglasKitchen #Curia

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Hmm - one the subject of MRD, Element Biosciences and QIAGEN seem awfully chummy, and we live in a whole new anti-trust world 🍿🍿🍿 "In their previous work published in 2022, they conducted targeted sequencing using the QiaSeq Human Breast Cancer Pane......using the Illumina NextSeq 550." "In the study presented at AMP, the researchers used the same Qiagen library prep kit but sequenced samples using Element Biosciences' Aviti system. Last year, Qiagen and Element partnered to offer NGS workflows on the Aviti system" "[The PI] said the Aviti system provides "industry-leading accuracy" due to both its proprietary base chemistry, which generates so-called "polonies" with rolling circle amplification from circular templates, and "avidite" compounds, which increase the power of multivalent binding to ensure high-fidelity basecalling. " "The researchers [noted that] the Aviti system is suitable for low-frequency variant detection; and that the combination of Aviti with Qiagen's targeted sequencing panels and informatics have potential for finding clinically relevant variants for tumor progression monitoring and therapeutic decision-making."

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In SRI's Biosciences Division, we work to develop next-generation drugs, diagnostics, and technologies to solve urgent medical needs. We're a unique blend of academic and biotech environments with three focus areas — basic research, applied sciences, and translational development. “Because we’re a nonprofit with a mission to make the world a better place, there’s a lot of flexibility in the types of projects we can pursue. We can do earlier stage research that may have higher impact without as much emphasis on the bottom line. And when we collaborate with pharmaceutical companies, it’s truly a co-development process — sharing expertise and innovating together.” said division president Kathlynn Brown. Learn more about us: https://lnkd.in/ejPZDXVz #drugdevelopment #precisionmedicine #biomedical

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Check out this insightful review article (https://lnkd.in/gyTe8AaA) "Exploring the potential of bioactive compounds in preventing cancer growth and progression: A comprehensive review" authored by Mohammad Foroughi-Gilvaee, Danik Martirosyan, Mohammad Mashayekhnia, Mohammad Maadi, Mohammad Sarvendani, and Maryam Maghsoumi in our journal Bioactive Compounds in Health and Disease. Cancer remains a significant global concern, with a rise in related mortality rates. The article delves into the efficacy of natural plant-derived bioactive compounds in enhancing chemotherapy outcomes and reducing adverse drug effects. It focuses on polyphenols, alkaloids, and terpenoids, exploring their anticancer effects and the molecular mechanisms underlying their properties based on cell and animal studies. Stay updated with our latest research by following our LinkedIn page at https://lnkd.in/g-8YYvHB. For inquiries, email editor@ffhdj.com. Sincerely, Functional Food Center #Cancer #CancerPrevention #FunctionalFoods #BioactiveCompounds #Polyphenols

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