Nina E. Weisser

University of Toronto simplifies protein interaction measurement technology Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a platform called SIMPL2 that simplifies the study of protein-protein interactions, a crucial aspect of biological processes and disease. Led by Professor Igor Stagljar and Senior Research Associate Zhong Yao, the team designed SIMPL2 to optimize the measurement of these interactions for targeted drug therapies. This innovation addresses the challenge of protein-protein interactions being difficult to control with small molecules. The platform uses the split luciferase enzyme for detection through luminescence, allowing for more reliable measurements at a lower cost. Yao and Stagljar's work builds upon the original SIMPL system, improving its efficiency and sensitivity. The team plans to collaborate with Alán Aspuru-Guzik's lab at the University of Toronto and Insilico Medicine, a leader in generative AI drug discovery, to study interactions that play key roles in diseases like cancer, utilizing quantum computers and AI to develop new drug therapies. #quantum #quantumcomputing #technology https://lnkd.in/eASmrijP

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🎉 Celebrating a decade of CRISPR screening: Back to 2015 🎉 For 2015, we chose to highlight a landmark publication by first author Traver Hart and the team around Jason Moffat from University of Toronto (Hart et al., Cell 2015). The publication stands out as the first comprehensive CRISPR screening using multiple contexts to study general cell fitness and synthetic lethal interactions. It opened avenues for the development of targeted therapies that can exploit cancer vulnerabilities, offering more effective and personalized treatment options for patients.   Summary of key findings and impact: ▶ Comprehensive gene mapping: Using high-resolution, genome-wide CRISPR screens, the first set of core essential fitness genes were identified. These are crucial for the survival of cells, and, today, serve as critical controls for most unbiased screens. These genes also represent potential targets for novel therapies, as inhibiting them could impair cancer cell growth without affecting healthy cells. ▶ Personalized therapeutic targets: The study's high-resolution approach also revealed genotype-specific cancer liabilities, or genetic weaknesses unique to particular cancer mutations. These findings underscored the importance of tailoring cancer treatments to a patient's specific genetic makeup, advancing the field of personalized medicine. ▶ Advancing drug discovery: Demonstrating the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9 in large-scale genetic screens, the study underscored the transformative potential of gene editing technologies in functional genomics and therapeutic discovery. The team uncovered new therapeutic targets, which could be exploited in the development of cancer therapies. This approach was particularly important for addressing cancers that were resistant to conventional treatments.   In 2015, this study was a game changer, demonstrating the potential of #CRISPRscreening as a tool for dissecting the complex genetic dependencies of cancer cells. It did not only enhance our understanding of cancer biology, but also marked a crucial step towards the realization of precision oncology, offering hope for more targeted, less toxic therapies for cancer patients.

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JSI Advanced Therapeutics Research Inc. (JATRI) is at the forefront of innovative therapeutic research, utilizing advanced facilities at Western Discovery Park and a team of scientists adept at tackling complex synthesis challenges. Our current research emphasizes the development of cyclic peptides, biodegradable lipids, and naturally occurring cyclic polyynes, utilizing our proprietary ring-closing metathesis reaction protocol. We also specialize in inhibitors, including USP7 inhibitors, Bruton Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors, and JAK inhibitors. In this discussion, we will focus on our ongoing research into VHL ligands for targeted protein degradation and their crucial role in PROTAC development. Please consult the list of VHL ligands included in the following pages. If you need support with therapeutic discovery and development or specialty chemicals, our affiliate companies—JSSI Specialty Chemicals and JSI Research Chemicals Inc.—are ready to assist. We also welcome opportunities for collaboration on contract research projects related to drug discovery and development. Additionally, we offer expertise in synthesizing biodegradable polymers and resins for your coating needs. Let’s explore how we can collaborate to advance your objectives in pharmaceuticals and beyond.

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We sat down with Dr. Pieter Cullis, a 2024 Canadian medical Hall of Fame Inductee, to learn more about #NanoCore, a facility at The University of British Columbia where scientists collaborate to develop nanoparticles known as nanomedicines. These tiny wonders hold promise for treating various diseases, including genetic disorders, infections, and cancer, more efficiently than conventional medicines. Read more about Nanocore and how it can help D2R researchers: https://lnkd.in/e7p7Rmvx #RNAtherapeutics

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🔬 Natural Product Discovery in Pharmaceutical Research Excited to share insights from a recent interview with Jess Deng, a PhD candidate at Queen's University, on streamlining natural product discovery. This approach could alter how we identify novel compounds, making pharmaceutical research more efficient and sustainable! Liquid Extraction Based Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry was not something we have covered so this discussion was very revealing. To watch the full conversation, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ebYkqe6W #PharmaceuticalResearch #NaturalProductDiscovery #InnovationInScience #MassSpectrometry

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Assessing the efficacy of cancer biotherapeutics derived from natural killer cell extracellular vesicles: in their latest study, Lisheng Wang, Jessie R. Lavoie, PhD at University of Ottawa and collaborators aimed to thoroughly evaluate a highly sensitive resazurin phenoxazine-based cell viability assay, which measures cellular redox metabolism, to quantify the cytotoxicity of NK-EVs against leukemia K562 cells (suspension model) and breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells (adherent model) in vitro https://lnkd.in/ezmE2FQj Their results indicated that, compared to commonly reported bioassays (e.g., flow cytometry, cell counting, LDH release assay, DNA-binding reporter assay, and confluence assay), the resazurin-based viability assay is a high-throughput and quantitative method for assessing NK-EVs’ cytotoxicity in both suspension and adherent cancer models. An article co-authored by Frederic St-Denis-Bissonnette, Shirley Qiu, Sarah Cummings, Melanie Kirkby, Yohannes Haile, Sarah Wassmer, PhD, Gauri Muradia, Jelica Mehic, Andrew Stalker, Amit Shrestha, Michele Ardolino, Seung-Hwan Lee and Dylan Burger #extracellularvesicles #exosomes #NKcells #biotherapeutics #cancer #Vesiculab

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We are delighted to announce that the McGill University Master's of Engineering in Biological and Biomedical Engineering (Non-Thesis) - Biomanufacturing program has received Training Awards funding from D2R | DNA to RNA. 🚀 🌟 This award will support M.Eng. Biomanufacturing graduate students participating in internships with select industry partners, focusing on areas such as plasmid DNA, mRNA manufacturing, and RNA-based biologics.🔬✨ According to Professor Amine Kamen, these internships play a critical role in nurturing talent by preparing highly qualified personnel in the biomanufacturing of biologics. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ewyD3gM9

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🌟 Excited to share a recent collaboration with the Montreal Heart Institute on their project to detect somatic mutations in CHiP genes (Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential) using gDNA from clinical samples. Together, we leveraged Paragon Genomics’ CleanPlex UMI technology (https://lnkd.in/gRJ2U2PW) and an updated automated workflow to generate clean, background noise-free libraries with high yield. This innovation allows for the comfortable detection of variants as low as 0.5% allele frequency. Seeing the positive impact on their daily operations is what makes our work truly rewarding. 🗣️ Testimonial from Ian Mongrain, Director of Operations, Montreal Heart Institute - Pharmacogenomics Centre: “Paragon Genomics has streamlined our workflow, from assay design and optimization to laboratory implementation. Their expertise helped us successfully implement a fully automated process using a custom-designed CleanPlex UMI panel, enabling low variant allele frequency (VAF) detection critical for our projects. Paragon’s excellent bioinformatics services and customer support were key to achieving our goals.” #Genomics #Bioinformatics #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalResearch #Teamwork #CleanPlex #TargetedSequencing #AmpliconSequencing #NGS #TargetEnrichment #CHiP

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💪 Exploring the Role of ncRNA in Muscle Growth! Here is a new #Publication that uncovers how non-coding RNA (ncRNA) contributes to muscle growth! Since neither ncRNA nor multinucleated adult human skeletal muscle are ideally studied using sequencing technologies, researchers from McMaster University employed a customized RNA profiling pipeline, MERSCOPE® Platform, and quantitative network modeling to study cell-type-specific ncRNA responses during muscle growth at scale. Key Findings: ✨MYREM, a ncRNA associated with muscle hypertrophy, was found near the periphery of skeletal muscle fibers, marking mature myonuclei and enhancing transcription of MYBPC2, a key player in muscle contraction. ✨MEG3 selectively localized to satellite cells, suggesting its role in regulating muscle regeneration and growth pathways. ✨Network analysis revealed novel ncRNAs, such as PPP1CB-DT, involved in contractile fiber remodeling and pseudogenes influencing vascular remodeling and angiogenesis. ✨Immune-related ncRNAs, like MIR4435-2HG and CYTOR, were linked to immune cell functions that support muscle remodeling. This study underscores the MERSCOPE Platform’s ability to map ncRNAs with single-cell resolution, offering unprecedented insights into tissue organization and rare cell populations. 📖 Read the full publication here: https://hubs.ly/Q02_Mf5W0 #Vizgen #MERSCOPE #SpatialGenomics #ncRNA #SkeletalMuscle #SpatialBiology #SingleCell #Innovation #Research

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Entos Pharmaceuticals, University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, Oisin Biotechnologies, and Aegis Life, Inc. have developed a novel delivery platform for nucleic acids that overcomes the limitations of current delivery systems. The #DDS incorporates fusion associated small transmembrane (FAST) proteins into a proteo-lipid vehicle (PLV), or FAST-PLV, this new platform can effectively deliver #mRNA or #pDNA into a wide variety of cells and tissues with low immunogenicity and broad distribution throughout the body. https://lnkd.in/g3bEVaDq #LNP #lipidnanoparticles #nanoparticles #nucleicacids #proteolipid #lipids #chemistry #drugdelivery #proteins #research #innovation

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A team led by University of Toronto researchers has created a platform, called SIMPL2, that revolutionizes the study of protein-protein interactions. SIMPL2 can fast-track drug discovery for targeted treatment of diseases like #cancer. #UofT Learn more 👉 https://uoft.me/SIMPL2

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To conclude #CanMetCon2024, themed around integrating #metabolomics with other omics, the MetaboNews team conducted a #MetaboInterview with Dr. Jianguo (Jeff) Xia of McGill University. https://lnkd.in/gAeT3Yef Dr. Xia heads a vibrant research team committed to advancing metabolomics,#transcriptomics, #microbiomics, and integrated #multiomics. His research centers on creating state-of-the-art computational frameworks, harnessing cloud computing, #machinelearning, and visual analytics to optimize the analysis of intricate biological data. His current work spans from fundamental science to translational applications in #health, #environment, and #agriculture. The forthcoming endeavor involves leveraging #AI into his research efforts. Dr. Xia will also serve as one of the chairs of the next #CanMetCon, which will be hosted in #Montreal in 2025! #bioinformatics #McGill

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🎤 Seragene Therapeutics presenting at Biotech Showcase™ in our #SeedShowcase specialized track! Erika Siren, CEO of SeraGene Therapeutics, will present how the company is committed to reimagining the treatment of coagulation disorders through innovative RNA and nanomedicine technologies. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company’s therapeutic focus areas include gene therapy, hematology, and orphan/rare diseases. 🗓️ Register to attend and learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVfUegPD Are you a pioneering biotech startup looking to gain a competitive edge in today’s challenging landscape? Seed Showcase highlights emerging companies with under $2M in funding that are developing innovative therapeutic products. Taking place at Biotech Showcase, Seed Showcase is happening January 13–15, 2025, in San Francisco, CA, with virtual sessions from January 16–17 on the partneringONE platform. This conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to showcase your organization and connect with strategic partners. 📝 Apply to present your innovations: https://lnkd.in/ekZuFZ5p 🌁 What to expect at Biotech Showcase: https://lnkd.in/eRq7FKg4 #BiotechShowcase #DemyColton #EBDGroup #LifeSciences #GeneTherapy #Hematology #RareDiseases #Innovation #Investors #Partnering #SerageneTherapeutics EBD Group Demy-Colton

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Our favorite post from April. It is always nice to honor the work of those who came before us and laid the foundation for our work in molecular biology today. #Kilobaser #DNAonDemand #oligonucleotides #DNA #dnaediting #humangenome #geneediting

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Researchers from the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto), Sinai Health have created a method to find protein effectors beyond E3 ligases or deubiquitinases. The protocol searches the human proteome for proteins that could modulate the degradation or stabilization of target proteins in a proximity-based manner. This will let scientists tap into a wider pool of protein effectors to design better PROTACS, DUBTACs, and molecular glues. With this method, they uncovered: 💡 Degraders that are significantly more potent than Cereblon and VHL, the 2 most commonly used E3 ligases 💡 A member of the CUL3 E3 ligase family that acts as a stabilizer rather than a degrader 💡 Trans-acting degrons, which, unlike cis-degrons, induce collateral degradation when part of a different polypeptide chain than the degraded protein See the paper to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gMuqFtqk

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📢 A New Antibody Characterization Platform to Facilitate R&D and Propel the Development of New Drugs! CQDM is proud to announce the funding of a collaborative research project made possible through a grant of nearly Can$1.49M from the Government of Quebec (MEIE). Led by YCharOS Inc. in partnership with McGill University, this initiative aims at promoting the development of an academic antibody characterization platform to facilitate research and development of new drugs in neuroscience. 🔬 Why is this platform so critical? Antibodies are essential tools in biopharmaceutical R&D, helping identify and validate therapeutic targets. However, nearly 60% of commercial antibodies face specificity issues, resulting in unreliable data, delays in treatment development, and significant financial losses. 🎯 A Strategic Partnership for Greater Antibody Precision Based in Montreal, YCharOS Inc. collaborates closely with Professor Peter McPherson, a specialist in neurodegenerative diseases and proteomics at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) ), and at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology of McGill University, and his associate Dr. Carl Laflamme. Their mission? To evaluate and optimize over 1,000 commercially available antibodies targeting neuroscience-relevant proteins, ensuring more reliable and reproducible results. Learn more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7acGhWR  #Antibodies #Antibodycharacterizationplatform #Neurosciences #Research Annie Bernier, PhD CQDM Fanny Guimont-Desrochers, PhD Carl Laflamme McGill University Peter McPherson Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE) YCharOS Inc.

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VILS community members should consider this new *call for proposals on enabling technologies and innovations for biomanufacturing of biologics and advanced therapeutics*. https://lnkd.in/gVwd9Jep The targets of this initiative are well received, since we know that advanced modalities (such as cell and gene, including therapeutic viruses) can get very close to market authorization but fall short on ultra-complex CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and control) elements: https://lnkd.in/gp39iMQ9 ...as well as e.g. the empty capsids regulatory question https://lnkd.in/gDJMmMwu Also see the UK guidelines for your UK counterpart at: https://lnkd.in/gfaYyfb4 As a dual UK and Canadian citizen with many ties, our VILS president Sam Mercer is also happy to speak to any companies about such UK-Canada collaborations and see where network, introductions or informal advice may be useful. Among the other elements, as regards the specific element mentioned of "division of intellectual property rights", a plug for the Lambert model agreements is in order, since this can be a very useful framework for co-development of IP: https://lnkd.in/gpTw5jkg

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#Scientists from University of Toronto have developed the AI-Guided Ionizable Lipid Engineering (AGILE) platform, a synergistic combination of deep learning and combinatorial chemistry. AGILE streamlines ionizable #lipid development with efficient library design, in silico lipid screening via deep neural networks, and adaptability to diverse cell lines. https://lnkd.in/e2RaE28F #mRNA #LNP #Development #Drugdevelopment #AI #AGILE #Engineering #insilico #lipids

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