Laura Elizabeth Lansdowne

Science Writer

Writes for:

The Impact of Synthesis Innovation in Drug Discovery

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Danica Rankic, Associate Principal Scientist, MSD to learn more about their process chemistry activities. She touches on the synthesis strategies impacting drug discovery and provides a snapshot of her upcoming talk, taking place December, 2019.

Novel “Fizzy” Patch Could Provide Contraceptive Protection to Women

Scientists have created a reversible contraceptive microneedle patch that is able to slowly release the hormone levonorgestrel, through the skin. The study was published November 6, 2019, in Science Advances.

Paracetamol During Pregnancy Could Be Linked to Increased Risk of ADHD and Autism

A new international study shows that Acetaminophen (paracetamol) use during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Therapeutically Targeting the Interconnected Biology of the Gut

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Paul-Peter Tak, CEO of Kintai Therapeutics. Tak discusses how Kintai Therapeutics are exploiting the power of big data and machine learning to unravel the interconnected biology of the gut, and explains how the enteric signaling network can be therapeutically targeted.

Blocking “Super-highways” Could Prevent the Spread of Cancer

Two new studies describe in detail the mechanism that causes tissues to undergo structural changes. The research indicates that, via the collision of cells, different tissue structures can be formed – this remodeling can create “super-highways”, which are used by cancer cells to escape to other sites within the body.

Strategy Could Help Treat Behavioral Abnormalities Linked to Autism

Researchers report in Nature Medicine a potential new treatment strategy for autism spectrum disorder – for which many cases are linked to mutated PTEN. Now, using Pten-deficient mice, researchers discover that a previously unexplored pathway goes “awry” in the brain, and by “rescuing” this pathway, it is possible to reverse behavioral and neurophysiological abnormalities.

Building a Community to Change Biology for the Better

Biological complexity is not getting any easier to unravel but utilizing the power of computers could make us better at it.

Illuminating Cancer Cells To Help Guide Surgery

Surgery, when used as a cancer treatment, is a procedure in which a surgeon identifies and removes the cancerous tissue from a patient’s body. We recently spoke with Christopher Barys, CEO at On Target Laboratories to learn more about the novel cancer imaging agents they are currently developing, designed to help surgeons identify and resect cancerous lesions.

Method “Matches” Medicines to Their Unique Protein Receptors

A receptor (drug target) can shift from a single subunit to a multi-structure in the presence of a ligand (drug compound) – a process known as "oligomerization". Now, using photon excitation microscopy, researchers report that they can uncover the various protein receptor oligomers formed in the absence or presence of different drug candidates that bind to them.

Applying Precision Genomics in Biopharma Drug Development

A recent collaboration between Onconova Therapeutics and Mission will utilize the Mission Bio TapestriⓇ Platform to conduct targeted single-cell DNA analysis for the study of Onconova's novel cancer therapy, Rigosertib. We spoke with Darrin Crisitello, CCO of Mission Bio, to learn more.