Month: February 2011

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Cellular Machines: The Goal of Synthetic Biology

— Synthetic biologists are a new breed of researchers: part-scientist, part-engineer. Building on the work of more traditional biologists, synthetic biologists try to use what we know about biology to engineer new functions into living things, such as producing useful chemical compounds (like drugs) and generating biofuels. The hope is there, but engineering organisms to do these things remains a challenge due to the inherent complexities of living things and their constituent cells. Continue reading Cellular Machines: The Goal of Synthetic Biology

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Cancer Immunology: Not So Secret Anymore

— Scientists and prostate cancer patients alike cheered when the FDA approved Provenge, the first therapeutic vaccine for prostate cancer, in April 2010. A few months later, a second group of researchers published a clinical study that suggested the potent effects of ipilimumab, an antibody-based drug, in fighting advanced melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Provenge and ipilimumab are just two of several emerging cancer therapies that harness the body’s immune system in the battle against cancer. As we look forward to the discovery of more cancer immune therapies in the future, it is worthwhile to note that scientists have not always appreciated the link between the immune system and cancer cells. Continue reading Cancer Immunology: Not So Secret Anymore