July 10, 2019 Comments (0) Views: 1311 Biotech, Biotech Briefing, Blog

Biotech Briefing: SDSU Global Sewage Study of Gut Virus May Lead to New Therapies

Plus: UCSD Sends Mini Brain Organoids to Space

Reports + Research

SDSU Global Sewage Study of Gut Virus May Lead to New Therapies

Bacteriophages are a group of viruses that kill bacteria. While there’s no evidence that these viruses harm humans, they may be able to treat disorders, like Crohn’s or other diseases caused by gut bacteria imbalances, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. In order to better understand the viruses, researchers at San Diego State University studied sewage samples from 67 countries to get genetic sequences of a specific bacteriophage, called crAssphage. The research was published in Nature Microbiology.

UCSD Sends Mini Brain Organoids to Space

UC San Diego scientists have created mini-brains from differentiated stem cells. About the size of sesame seeds, these models have similar network activity to human brains in early stages of development. Researchers will use these brain organoids at the International Space Station to study how neurons and brain tissue might develop and respond to the gravity-free environment of space.

Three Female Biotech CEOs Led Companies Through Successful IPOs

In 2016, Liftstream published a report on CEO and Board Compensation and Diversity. The report noted that there was only one female CEO among San Diego’s public biotech companies. Three years later, three female CEOs have led three biotech companies, Gossamer Bio, Synthorx, and Turning Point Therapeutics through successful IPOs. The San Diego Union-Tribune delves into their stories.