Jason Buenrostro

A recent study from Michael J. Mitchell's research group at Penn Engineering, published in *Nature Nanotechnology*, unveils an exciting advancement in the realm of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). By integrating siloxane composites into the composition of LNPs, the researchers have crafted a new platform, termed siloxane-enhanced lipid nanoparticles (SiLNPs), that exhibits remarkable precision in targeting specific organs, such as the lungs, liver, and spleen. This innovation is not just about targeting; it is about enhancing efficacy. The team demonstrated that minor adjustments to the chemical structure of SiLNPs could achieve a staggering 90% success rate in delivering mRNA to lung tissues in animal models. Furthermore, these nanoparticles displayed a significant affinity for endothelial cells, paving the way for potential applications in regenerative medicine, particularly in repairing damaged blood vessels. With a six-fold improvement in mRNA delivery compared to traditional LNPs, this work could herald a new wave of opportunities in gene therapy and vaccine delivery. As LNPs continue to evolve, this breakthrough underscores the importance of chemical composition in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Exciting times lie ahead for mRNA applications! #LipidNanoparticles #mRNATherapy #DrugDelivery #Biotechnology #Nanomedicine #SiloxaneLNPs #TargetedTherapy #VaccineDevelopment #RegenerativeMedicine #InnovationInHealthcare

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Hitarthi Vyas is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Brian Emmer Lab. She works on a team of multidisciplinary scientists specializing in modern genomic techniques to investigate the molecular basis of cardiovascular diseases. Learn more about Hitarthi and her research. 🔹What kind of big picture questions is your research trying to answer? Our research focuses on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, lipoprotein metabolism, and gene expression regulation. In my project, I am developing a comprehensive functional map of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) gene, which I intend to utilize for the creation of synthetic LDLR enhancers as part of a somatic genome editing therapy aimed at treating familial hypercholesterolemia and other cardiovascular disorders. We employ a diverse array of cutting-edge experimental methods, including high-throughput CRISPR screening, massively parallel reporter assays, and deep mutational scanning. 🔹What sparked your interest in research? I have spent nearly a decade studying the complexities of cardiovascular disorders. The incidence of these diseases has surged in recent years, particularly due to changes in lifestyle, dietary habits, and genetic factors. What is really exciting is that my project leverages advanced high-throughput functional genomic tools and technologies, like CRISPR screens, MPRA and DMS, to address this longstanding challenge. The potential and scope of this work make both excited and optimistic about the development of more effective therapeutics. The effective implementation of these strategies has the potential to greatly enhance the quality of life for individuals around the globe. 🔹What makes your lab a unique place to work? The most exciting aspect of the lab is the nature of the scientific work itself. That said, the cherry on the cake is Dr. Emmer being a gem of a mentor along with other lab members who together make the environment so lively and cheerful that I wake up wanting to go to the lab! 🔹If their work had a theme song, what would it be? “Work Hard Play Hard” by Wiz Khalifa 🔹What do you do to unwind after a long day of work? Have some amazing food and watch a movie with family!

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What is it like working as a postdoc, research tech, or investigator in a lab that leads some of today's most cutting-edge work in hematology, biochemistry, and gene therapy? In the latest installment of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute's Lab Life video series, go behind the scenes of the George Lab where lab members are making discoveries that drive the development of novel therapeutics for blood disorders. "One word that describes this lab is fast-paced," said Dr. John Morris, a postdoc in the George Lab. "You have everything at your fingertips." "Everyone has a lot of expertise in a lot of different ways and a lot of different backgrounds," said Andy Vanden Heuvel, a research tech. "My favorite part about the work is really the people that I have the chance to work with," said Dr. Lindsey George, physician-scientist and leader of the George Lab. Learn more about the George Lab and its unique and passionate team members by watching the full video now: http://ms.spr.ly/6044cLIhG. #GeneTherapy #LabLife #Innovation #CHOPResearch #Hemophilia

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Angiogenin activation may advance therapeutic designs for the treatment of #cancer and #neurodegenerative disease

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🌟 Exciting Learning Opportunity for Chemists and Researchers! 🌟 Join us for an enlightening webinar titled "Enhancing Synthesis Workflows Through Computer-Assisted Retrosynthesis," hosted by SelectScience and featuring Dr. Ewa Gajewska, Head of Product Management for SYNTHIA™ Retrosynthesis Software at Merck. 📅 Date: June 21, 2024 ⏰ Time: 17:00 CET 🔗 Registration: https://lnkd.in/dWwBxK9W Why Attend? • Discover the Power of SYNTHIA™: Learn how SYNTHIA™ leverages advanced algorithms and chemical databases to transform drug discovery and chemical development processes. • Customize Your Workflow: Gain insights on customizing search parameters within SYNTHIA™ to optimize synthetic routes, reducing manual efforts and accelerating outcomes. • Address Synthetic Challenges: Understand the common challenges in synthetic chemistry and how SYNTHIA™ addresses them, paving the way for future advancements. This webinar is a must-attend for: • Drug Discovery Chemists • Cheminformaticians • Medicinal Chemists • Process Chemists • Organic Chemists Participants will also have the opportunity to request a certificate of attendance for continuing education purposes. Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your knowledge and skills in drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. Secure your spot today! #Chemistry #DrugDiscovery #Webinar #SYNTHIA #SelectScience #Education #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeamMerck

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For #PostdocAppreciationWeek today, we’re highlighting Ata Kalirad, a dedicated postdoc in the Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology. Ata’s research focuses on phenotypic plasticity in the nematode Pristionchus pacificus. Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a single genotype (organism) to express multiple phenotypes (traits), plays a crucial role in short-term ecological interactions and long-term evolutionary changes. Through his work, Ata explores how P. pacificus develops two distinct mouth forms: a non-predatory form that feeds on bacteria and a predatory form that engages in cannibalism. By analysing life history data and using a combination of probabilistic programming and agent-based modelling, Ata predicts competitive outcomes between different strains in various ecological contexts. This integrative approach enhances our understanding of phenotypic plasticity and informs new experiments, creating a continuous feedback loop to uncover its biological significance in shaping ecological communities. Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany

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The body’s innate immune system — #naturalkillercells in particular — has emerged as a promising avenue for #cancer researchers. NK cells are uniquely endowed to address cancers that have evolved mechanisms to evade T cell recognition, one of the most common causes of immunotherapy resistance, write Sarah Cooley and Kyle Jensen of Sanofi in this new article. https://lnkd.in/ewS9b7hU #nkcells #celltherapies #cancerresearch

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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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A great program to consider as you advance your career in Life Sciences.

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Check out this new article written by RCEAS featuring the research of BioE professors Zhang and Gonzalez-Fernandez, as well as BioE PhD student, Graham! #lehighbioe #bioe #bioeresearch #bioeisawesome https://lnkd.in/eQ8ayKDd

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More than 100 members of the Geisel School of Medicine’s research community gathered recently in Auditorium E at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to learn about some of the most advanced tools and technologies available today within the areas of single cell and spatial transcriptomics. Hosted by the Center for Quantitative Biology (CQB) at Geisel, the daylong symposium featured presentations from eight Dartmouth Cancer Center investigators who showcased their use of these technologies in working to drive new discoveries in cancer biology, immunology, and autoimmunity. https://lnkd.in/e3eqD36u

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FEATURED MBoC ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Avital Rodal, Brandeis University How can MBoC benefit researchers in your area? "MBoC is a unique and excellent place to share discoveries about the cell biology of neurons with editors, reviewers, and readers who care deeply about cellular mechanisms and functions. In particular, this audience appreciates and values the unique adaptations of core cell biological processes in specialized nervous system cells, in diverse model systems. MBoC’s fair, fast, and expert editorial process also makes for a pain-free and constructive publishing experience for neurobiologists." https://lnkd.in/gKuGp-Bi

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On this day in science Rodney Robert Porter was born. Most noted for the determined four-chain structure of antibodies Porter approached the problem of antibody structure by using an enzyme, papain, to cleave the blood’s immunoglobulin molecule into functionally different fragments, which were then amenable to structural analysis. Edelman, working independently, used different methods to break up the molecule, and he concluded that it was a multichain entity rather than a single chain of amino acids. Porter and his research team were then able to determine the now universally accepted four-chain model of the antibody. Using his fragmentation technique, Porter studied the chains of the molecule separately, while Edelman worked on the whole molecule. By 1969 a complete model of the molecule, comprising more than 1,300 amino acids, had been achieved. Rodney Porter and Gerald Edelman shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1972 for their work on the structure of the antibody. Porters subunit approached is still used as a chacterisation technique for biological licence applications in the biopharmaceutical industrial #antibodies #mAb #science #scienceandtechnology #biotherapeutics #biotech #chemistry #medicalsciences #biopharm #pharma #NobelPrize #innovation

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Published today: https://lnkd.in/eFt4TTQb From our longitudinal cohort study at MGH of PRNP mutation carriers & controls — 62 research participants, up to 6 years of follow-up. We find prion seeds in CSF — RT-QuIC positivity — 1-3 years before onset in 3 E200K mutation carriers. CSF PrP is longitudinally stable and we find no other highly biomarker changes highly predictive of symptom onset. Conclusions: RT-QuIC could be useful to identify people at risk of imminent onset, and CSF PrP should be useful as a target engagement marker for PrP-lowering drugs in this population. Nice commentary from Brian Appleby: https://lnkd.in/eH-gTmY9

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Hey Boston friends! I'll be in town next week! If you want to chat about #hPSCs in any way shape or form, let me know! Would be great to have a conversation about how STEMCELL Technologies can help. #BostonScience #BostonBiotech #BostonLifeSciences #StemCellResearch #RegenerativeMedicine #Biotechnology #LifeSciences #hPSCResearch #ScienceInnovation #ScientificCollaboration #NetworkingOpportunities #InnovationInScience

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Check out this beautiful study highlighting the power of single-molecule analysis in understanding molecular mechanisms!

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Scientists from UMass Chan Medical School present a significant advancement in RNA therapeutics by developing a novel chemical modification that enhances the stability and efficacy of small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vivo. Therapeutic siRNAs require modifications to resist nuclease degradation, with phosphorothioate (PS) being the only backbone chemistry used clinically. However, PS may not provide adequate stabilization for siRNAs targeting tissues outside the liver. In this latest paper, scientists discovered and synthesized extended nucleic acid (exNA), consisting of an extra methylene insertion between the 5′-C and 5′-OH of a nucleoside in the context of 2′-O-methyl (2′-OMe) and 2′-deoxy-fluoro (2′-F) ribose modifications. The exNA backbone is designed to be a permanent structural modification of the oligonucleotide. The study demonstrated that exNA incorporation is well-tolerated in multiple positions of the siRNA and does not compromise the siRNA's ability to bind to Argonaute-2 (Ago2). The exNA-PS backbone modification resulted in a significant enhancement in siRNA plasma clearance profile, tissue accumulation, and efficacy in mice. Notably, the exNA modification maintained its effectiveness in the central nervous system (CNS), offering the potential for treating neurological disorders. exNA is a synthetically accessible, scalable, and biologically compatible backbone that provides stability against nucleases and increases the durability of siRNAs in vivo. This innovation has the potential to expand the clinical utility of siRNA and other oligonucleotide-based therapies. Congratulations to all the contributors! Ken Yamada Anastasia Khvorova RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School Reference: https://lnkd.in/ewq6dQmf #siRNA #rnatherapeutics #RNA #oligonucleotides

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A new tool for aligning/comparing spatial data using VesaliusV2 by Patrick Martin. It maps/aligns/compares across technology, resolution and time. https://lnkd.in/ga4jDmck

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