Month: September 2021
Synthetic Biology Companies Using Artificial Intelligence To Engineer Biology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines like a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to execute tasks.
You might b familiar with Iphone’s SIRI and self-driving cars, which are the most common artificial intelligence applications. Do you know how Youtube, Netflix, and Spotify provide you with seem to read your mind – All these are because of AI.
Now, AI is being applied in various fields of biology. Artificial intelligence is transforming the discipline of synthetic biology and how we engineer biology. It’s aiding engineers to design new means to create genetic circuits – and it could leave an exceptional impression.
AI is the programming of machines with reasoning, learning, and decision-making behaviors. The most interesting part is that some AI algorithms are great at these works to effortlessly outrun human experts.
AI has massive potential in many fields of healthcare, including research studies and chemical discoveries. The top pharma firms have already begun to use AI to boost their research in developing new drugs. The objective is to utilize computational biology and machine learning systems to forecast the molecular behavior and the possibility of obtaining a useful drug, thus conserving money and time on unwanted tests. Drug development can be improved using clinical studies, digital medical records, high-resolution clinical images, and genomic profiles. Pharma and medical researchers have substantial data collections that can be interpreted by strong AI systems.
The more data these algorithms gather the more exact their prediction be. Deep learning is a much more effective subcategory of machine learning, where a high variety of computational layers known as neural networks (influenced by the structure of the brain) function in unity to increase processing depth, helping technologies like advanced face recognition (for ex: FaceID on your Apple iPhone).
Biology is one of the most encouraging beneficiaries of AI. From studying genetic anomalies that lead to obesity to studying pathology samples for cancerous cells, biology presents an excessive amount of complex, complicated data. However, the information included within these data usually provides valuable understandings that could enhance the healthcare sector.
AI can have a transformative effect on biotechnology. There are lots of domains where biotech firms can take advantage of AI and enhance their work. AI can be used for Crucial predictions, Expanding accessibility, Effective and efficient decision-making, and Cost-effectiveness.
Other uses of AI include genetically modifying plants, study DNA, and genetically manipulating the cells, customized drugs, drug management, improving the durability of pharma, industrial, or agricultural uses.
Synthetic biology is a discipline of science that entails redesigning organisms for beneficial goals by engineering them to have distinct capabilities. Synthetic biology scientists and firms worldwide are providing the potential of nature to resolve obstacles in medicine, production, and agriculture.
Synthetic biology has boomed in the previous years, with advancements like CRISPR gene editing and customized cancer treatments. Additionally, it has demonstrated potential uses in areas such as the chemical industry, textile industry, and agriculture, where microorganisms may one day supplant manures.
In the discipline of synthetic biology, where engineers try to “rewire” living organisms and program them with distinct functions, many researchers are using AI to design more efficient operations, interpret their data, and utilize it to produce groundbreaking therapeutics. Let’s see the 5 Synthetic Biology Companies that are using Artificial Intelligence to open doors for better science and engineering.
- Riffyn – Catalyzing clean data collection and analysis
Riffyn’s cloud-based software offers computer-aided process design and exceptional data analytics to research and development organizations.
The company’s top cloud system, Riffyn Nexus, is a distinct type of data system – a Process Data System. It resolves the process, cooperation, and clinical data evaluation issues that have long pestered conventional ELN, LIMS, and SDMS technologies.
The company was launched with the idea that there was a much better way to method scientific workflows and data. The method was ably easy – make the processes of R&D substantial, transparent, and available to the researchers who run them. With enhanced transparency comes much better information, better decisions, better science, and a much better world.
Machine learning algorithms have to start with huge datasets. However, in biology, excellent data is extremely challenging to generate due to the fact that experiments are time-consuming, tiresome, and difficult to replicate. Fortuitously, one firm is resolving this concern by making it easier for researchers to do exactly that.
With this system, experiments can be carried out much more effectively, causing substantial declines in expense, improvements in productivity as well as quality, and also data that is primed to be further evaluated with advanced artificial intelligence strategies. That suggests that firms can utilize this technology to establish unique proteins for cancer therapies, and they can do this much quicker and more reliable than previously. The company is currently working with 8 of the top 15 international biotech and biopharma companies.
2. Microsoft Research Station B – Programming biology using pieces of a puzzle
There is a great deal of moving parts in the synthetic biology domain that makes it hard yet essential to simplify and incorporate procedures as much as feasible. For the past few years, the computational biology sector of Microsoft Research, Station B, has actually been establishing AI designs for biology to repair this issue as well as speed up the research across a range of disciplines, from medication to construction.
Its works are paying off in the form of numerous new collaborations, as well. To automate and speed up experiments in the laboratory, the company is working With Synthace to develop the software. Additionally, Station B is in collaborating with Princeton to study mechanisms behind biofilms by using AI-based techniques that extract patterns from images taken during various phases of microbial development. It is additionally working with Oxford Biomedica to advance potential gene therapy for lymphoma and leukemia. This is possibly one of synthetic biology’s greatest fields for impact: developing therapies to combat a range of diseases.
Station B intends to improve all stages of the Design-Build-Test-Learn process normally utilized for programming biological systems.
These stages will be incorporated with a biological knowledge base that stores computational designs representing the present understanding of the biological systems under study. The database will be upgraded by means of automated learning as and when new experiments are conducted.
3. Atomwise – Deep learning decoding the black box of structural protein design
Atomwise develops Artificial Intelligence platforms utilizing robust deep learning algorithms and supercomputers for drug discovery.
They have a deep learning system – AtomNet, that can quickly model molecular structures, which the company is using to develop drugs.
AtomNet can precisely evaluate chemical synergies within small molecules to envision the efficiency of targeting diseases. Atomwise develops unique therapeutics, using data concerning atomic structure that would otherwise be nearly unmanageable to establish.
For structure-based small molecule drug discovery, the company patented the 1st deep discovering learning technology. This AI technology uses millions of data and thousands of protein structures to resolve problems that a human scientist would certainly take many lifetimes. They have collaborated with several of the globe’s biggest pharma as well as agrochemical firms and with greater than 50 leading academic organizations and hospitals to deal with the obstacles of finding and creating better drugs and chemicals. They are at a critical time in history where their requirement for new drugs is above at any time in human memory. Fortuitously, advancing technology and scientific breakthroughs can be used to expedite the discovery process.
4. Arzeda – Rewriting the rules of protein design with de novo deep learning
Arzeda develops enzyme design technology to develop totally unique designer cell factories efficient of large-scale chemical manufacturing.
Arzeda harnesses its protein design system to engineer proteins for manufacturing industrial enzymes for crops and their microbiota.
Instead of optimizing the present ones, the company develops its molecules completely from scratch to carry out new functions not found throughout nature. Deep learning strategies are indispensable to make sure the proteins they develop fold properly and also work as expected. When the computational steps are finished, the new proteins are created through fermentation, bypassing natural evolution to effectively deliver new molecules.
The company’s special blend of computational protein design and cutting-edge high-throughput screening is an extreme change over what’s conceivable with conventional protein designing. Their restrictive innovation has been peer-assessed in Science and Nature and depends on strong and tested models of protein biophysics and metabolic biochemistry combined with large-scale computing.
Arzeda is a synthetic biology firm that develops new proteins, enzymes, and forte chemicals that contend on performance, expense, and durability. Collaborating with Fortune 500 firms, Arzeda has built up a collection of enzymes and forte chemicals for polymers, drugs, industrial chemicals, and other advanced uses.
5. Distributed Bio – Changing the future of cancer, snake bites, flu, and more
Dispersed Bio is an immuno-engineering firm that gives computational devices, antibody libraries, and a lot more.
Additionally, the company saddles rational protein engineering to streamline existent antibodies, which are the proteins in your body that identify pathogens and fight off other disease-causing microbes, to develop novel therapies.
Amongst the numerous immunology-engineering innovations that the firm owns, one of them is the Tumbler platform, which makes more than 500 million varieties of a starting antibody to expand and measure the quest space of what changes to the molecule are significant.
Tumbler has assisted with empowering a wide scope of uses past conventional single-target drug development – from designing antibodies that bind to various targets at the same time to create chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies for cancer treatments with less adverse effects; the intensity of this end-to-end optimization system to produce ideal antibodies at scale is remarkable.
They are computational immuno-engineers, and their main goal is to make breakthrough technologies to drug previously testing targets. In monoclonal therapeutics, their coordination of bioengineering, robotics, and computational immunology, has empowered them to make a pipeline of molecules with extraordinary biophysical properties while additionally helping the entirety of their accomplices with thousands of high-affinity developable antibodies for any drug target of concern. In vaccine development, their Centivax innovation is creating a wide range of vaccines to deal with rapidly mutating microbes like influenza and HIV.
If you have that desire to become a researcher and want to serve the people in need of care and assistance, Cancer Research is the best sector for you to grow and make a career in. The foremost question which comes to your mind to start a career in cancer research is – Where to apply? How to apply? What are the Future Prospects? No need to Fret at all! You can get all your answers here.
Depending upon the abilities and qualifications, numerous Cancer Institutes have been established that admit young scholars with sharp minds. According to the eligibility criteria of all these institutes, you can apply for research as per your suitability.
Let’s look at some of the most renowned Cancer Research Institutes where you can apply for research!
1. Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai
The futuristic Research & Development satellite of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), ACTREC functions as a national center for medical care, research, and enlightenment in cancer. TMC also includes Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), the largest cancer hospital in Asia under its patronage.
ACTREC embraces 2 arms- one for basic research and the second one for clinical research. As discussed above, you can choose among numerous broad categories of cancer research. Research explorations at both the arms of ACTREC focus on molecular operations accountable for the causation of crucial human cancers relevant to India. It is expected that ACTREC will play a significant role in drug development and emerging therapies for the treatment and prevention of cancer in the future.
Job Prospects @ ACTREC
One can be a part of Cancer Research at ACTREC by obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Life Sciences provided by Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a Deemed University established by the Department of Atomic Energy. The Research Scholars at ATREC handles basic and translational research in Cancer Biology where they focus on specific research topics such as Cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metastasis, tumor immunology, carcinogenesis, molecular imaging, stem cell biology, biophysics, structural biology, bioinformatics, genomics, genetics & epigenetics. Applications are invited early in the year (February/March) through the website by candidates all across India. The final selection depends on the student’s performance in Written Examination followed by an interview.
Educational Qualifications:
- M.Sc. (Bioinformatics/ Applied Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Biophysics/ Botany/ Microbiology/ Life Sciences/ Molecular Biology/ Zoology or related Biological Sciences)
- M.Tech. ( Biotechnology / Bioinformatics )
- M.V.Sc. or M.Pharm. Degree obtained from a recognized organization with 60 % or more marks.
- Final Year candidates are also eligible.
- Candidates with a post-graduate degree of one year are not eligible.
Fellowships :
Candidates qualifying for written examination are called for an interview and final admissions are dependent on the HBNI eligibility criteria and other requirements such as Medical Examination. You can avail Junior Research Fellowship, once you are selected by ACTERC for Cancer Research. JRF’s earns a stipend of Rs.25,000 +30 % HRA per month as applicable. This fellowship is tenable for a period of 2 years, can be extended for a further 2 years (not more than that) on an annual renewal basis which is considered on your performance of the previous year. You can also avail external fellowships if secured from agencies like CSIR, UGC, DBT, etc.
Multiple Job openings are posted by ACTREC which can be located here. ACTREC very frequently hires M.sc /Ph.D. Biotech & Life Science Candidates for positions like Scientific Officer, Scientific Assistant, Research Fellow, and many other posts.
For More Details Visit – https://www.actrec.gov.in/
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2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
AIIMS is an autonomous institution of national importance and awards its own medical degrees and other academic distinctions. The Cancer Research is carried out at Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital). It is among the best centers in the country to have entrenched hematopoietic stem cell, bone marrow transplant programs, around 250 or even more transplants have been already implemented. There are about 8 departments under this Institute, out of which Cancer Research is basically carried out in the Department of Medical Oncology. This department has been using modern techniques including FISH and PCR to prophesy cancer patients. It has been using screening programs to detect cancer at a very early stage, apart from this a preventive oncology program has also been initiated. Department excels in teaching, clinical and research-related activities. MO department is managing DM and Ph.D. program.
If you wish to apply for Cancer Research in AIIMS, you have to apply for the Doctorate program here. For entry into this highly prestigious institute, you need to crack the AIIMS Ph.D. Entrance Exam conducted by AIIMS itself twice in a year -Jan & July Session.
Educational Qualifications :
- Masters Degree (M.Sc, M.Tech. & BAMS) -2 years course by Indian Universities or equivalent in the subject as per requirement.
- Candidates should have at least 60% or more marks in their last qualifying examination.
- Candidates having Masters’s degrees through correspondence are not eligible.
Fellowships :
Candidates must have qualified at least one of the following examinations in the last 2 years – Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF, ICMR-JRF/SRF, CSIR-SRF, DST-JRF/SRF, DBT-JRF/SRF, UGC-JRF/SRF, NBHM screening test, GATE, INSPIRE fellowship. Selected candidates through entrance examination with one of the aforesaid fellowships can easily pursue their doctorate degree from AIIMS.
For further details visit the link www.aiimsexams.org
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3. Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalangar, Trichur
ACRC is an integral part of Amala Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), situated in the valley of Vilangan Hills, 8KM from Thrissur town. The Centre focussed to accept scientific research in Cancer and other associated branches of medical sciences including basic as well as applied fields.
This research center offers various courses for research aspirants like Ph.D. Programme, M.Sc./M.Pharm./M.Tech/M.D. Dissertation Work and Summer Training Programmes. Amala Cancer Research Centre is acknowledged by the University of Calicut and Mahatma Gandhi University for the Ph.D. course program.
In addition to the Ph.D. program, ACRC enrolls post-graduate students for their dissertation and project works in Cancer-related research. Students are enrolled from numerous Universities and Colleges. Special training programs are also organized by ACRC to help students in understanding the concepts and values of Experimental Biology. It conducts a major training program for postgraduate students from different institutions annually.
Numerous projects are carried out by eminent scientists of this institute which are funded by various prestigious government organizations like CSIR, UGC, DBT. If you wish to carry out your research in Cancer from the Institute that is only engaged in Cancer study, nothing else ! ACRC is one of the perfect places where you can land safely without a second thought.
Educational Qualifications :
- Master’s Degree in any branch of Life Sciences with at least 60% marks
- The candidate should have a valid fellowship from any of the following agencies – UGC, CSIR, DST-INSPIRE, ICMR, DBT, KSCSTE
- Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by the University of Calicut qualified candidates may also be considered for enrollment in Ph.D. Program for Cancer Research.
Fellowships: Candidates having aforesaid valid fellowship are admitted for various course work at ACRC. Candidates can avail of the fellowship as per the rules and regulations of that respective funding agency.
For further details, visit https://amalacrc.org/
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4. Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, Maharashtra
CCE is the new cancer research center established by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. It is one of the top-ranking tertiary cancer research centers as well as treatment centers in South Asia. The CCE is equipped with the finest amenities for data storage, high-speed servers, high throughput technologies and cold storage of biological samples. It also has automated biobanks for storage of around 3 million biological samples.
This institute’s main objective is to develop Nationally and Internationally acknowledged as well as funded inter-disciplinary research programs in epidemiology with prominence on assessing cancer Burden, the pervasiveness of threat factors, recognizing threat factors related to genetics and lifestyle, and to study these threat factors for disease advancement. CCE operates Molecular Epidemiology research that fosters collaborative research, in addition, CCE has also developed an Education and Training program in Epidemiology that encompasses Masters’ and Doctorate degrees. Centre for Cancer Epidemiology has certain set Goals such as building a strategy to identify Cancer Causation and Prevention, build capabilities to conduct Population genetics studies. Finally, CCE focuses on the blossoming of manpower for Cancer observation, Epidemiology, and Molecular Epidemiological studies.
This Cancer Centre offers numerous education and training courses. CCE enrolls Ph.D. students in the field of Epidemiology from a deemed University- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), established by the Department of Atomic energy. Research Scholars handles research in the field of Epidemiology counting Cancer Registration, Molecular Epidemiology, Cancer Control, and Prevention.
To get admitted in the Doctoral program of CCE, applicants have to apply through the website of the institute [https://www.tmc.gov.in] early in the month of May/June of every year. It is open for all candidates all across India. The entrance examination is being conducted by CCE for shortlisting the candidates based on their performance in that particular examination followed by an interview. An Orientation Course is available for students seeking admission to the Doctoral program. A core training course of HBNI is conducted for all JRFs at CCE, before initiating the Ph.D. research or thesis work. This is implemented just to expose the students to various facets of Cancer Epidemiology, Public Health, and Statistics. All JRFs are examined through a series of written tests, seminar presentations, and home assignments in which they have to achieve at least 60% marks.
Educational Qualifications Required:
- M.Sc. (Applied Biology/ Biochemistry/Life Sciences/ Molecular Biology/ Biophysics / Biotechnology / Botany /Bioinformatics / Microbiology / /Zoology or related Biological Sciences )
- M.Tech. ( Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics); M.Pharm. Or M.V.Sc. from any acknowledged University, with at least 60% aggregate marks.
- Candidates whose results are awaited may also apply
- Candidates having only one year of post-graduate degree are not eligible to apply
- Candidates with valid Junior Research Fellowships from recognized funding agencies like CSIR/UGC/DBT are called for direct interviews at CCE, these candidates are also requested to apply online.
Fellowships :
At CCE, Junior Research fellows will receive a fellowship of Rs.25,000 + 30% HRA and Senior Research Fellows get Rs.28,000 + 30% HRA per month as applicable. This is the stipend provided by the institute to the Research Scholars. Candidates having valid fellowships from any external agencies can avail themselves of the same. The JRF is viable for 2 years, which can be further extended to a maximum of 2 years depending on the progress of students during the previous years.
For More Details Visit – https://tmcepi.gov.in/
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If we talk about Careers in cancer Research now, we have many paths to choose from.
Cancer Research has progressed with the times, adopting new technologies enabling scientists to chase varied research goals than ever. Researchers involved in Cancer studies can find themselves in numerous settings to either industry or academia from addressing vivid questions in the laboratory to testing new vaccines and drugs in the clinic.
At the Basic Research point, most of the young scientists will agree and admit that they were mesmerized at the outset to explore fundamental biological questions than to work precisely on Cancer. Moreover, they often notice the importance and suitability of their immense work to understanding the elementary biological processes leading to cancer. New treatments or let us say new technologies can arise from such conception. If you have a deep and broad knowledge of the related subject with good molecular biology skills and the ability to produce new ideas, you are the Right Person for Cancer Research.
Gazing forward, Cancer Research seems set to thrive- distinctly in the translational research arena and the evolution of new salubrious facilities. Coming 10 years is going to be a GOLDEN AGE in Cancer Research. If you desire to be a part of this golden era, do apply to the above-mentioned Cancer Institutes and make your career progress exponentially.
Apart from the most prestigious Cancer Institutes mentioned above, you can apply in other Cancer Institutes as well.
The list for the other Cancer Research Institutes is provided below:
- Asian Institute of Oncology, S.L.Raheja Hospital, Raheja Hospital Road, Mahim, Mumbai
- Bose Institute, Kolkata
- Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai
- Cancer Treatment & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam
- Chittaranjan Cancer Institute, Kolkata
- Christian Cancer Centre, Andhra Pradesh
- Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
- Dharamshila Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Vasundhara Enclave, New Delhi
- Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati
- Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati
- Dr. Rai Memorial Cancer Institute 562, Chennai
- G.V.N. Cancer Centre, No.16, Kiledar Street, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
- Goa Cancer Society, GM Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Goa.
- Indian Rly. Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Varanasi
- Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology, Opposite City Centre, Noida
- International Cancer Centre, Neyyoor, Tamilnadu
- International Network for Cancer, Treatment, & Research Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi
- J.K. Cancer Institute (G.S.V.M. Medical College), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Jagdish Cancer & Research Centre, Hyderabad.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, & Research Centre, Bhopal
- Marathwada Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Maharashtra.
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur
- Mohan Das Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Centre, Punjab.
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Rohini, Delhi
- Rajkot Cancer Society, Mr. N.P. Cancer Institute, Gujrat
- Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Regional Centre for Cancer Research, Adyar, Chennai.
- Regional Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment, Cuttack
- Rotary Cancer Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai
- The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad
Governments all across the globe have taken a personalized interest in this field and have formulated special research cells and funding schemes & opportunities via which they aim to promote and invite more young researchers to join the Cancer Research field. The increasing competition & dedication to finding a cure for this life-taking disease is at its peak throughout the world, thus one can foresee a flourishing career throughout if a proper educational degree & knowledge is attained.
Remember – “ Nothing is Impossible for a Willing Mind ”
An enormous spectrum of diseases that all originate from uncontrolled cellular growth can be described as cancer. Cancers can be further depending on the type, they are broadly divided into malignant tumors (able to invade normal tissues), or tumors (unable to metastasize), and can be classified by their tissue, cell type, or organ of origin.
Cancer Biology is the field of research to discover genetic, metabolic, and biochemical abnormalities in tumor cells and nonmalignant cells. The biology of cancer cells is different than normal cells, thus research in cancer biology involves understanding the biology of cancer in order to develop more effective ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat cancer.
To fully understand cancer biology, an extensive range of expertise is required. There are many areas of current active intense research aimed at understanding the biology of cancer and to be able to better treat it.
Ongoing Latest Research in Cancer Biology
The simple question of “What is normal and what isn’t normal?” is where research on the biology of cancer starts.
There has been a broad base of knowledge created by the basic research in cancer biology in the last few decades. Without the knowledge that has come from investigating basic questions about the biology of cancer, many advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer would not have occurred.
- The researchers now have a broader and increasing understanding of the various mutations that drives a vast array of cancers.
- Many aspects of cancer biology, including how the immune system responds to tumors and how the normal biological programs of cell proliferation and death are altered during cancer are being studied in detail through new data and research approaches.
- The discovery of tumor stem cells in a range of cancers allowed researchers to investigate the role of these cells at different stages of the disease and these rare cells could be identified in both hematologic cancers and solid tumors.
- The interactions of cancer cell within the tumor or the host microenvironment could be studied in detail with the recognition that the cancer cell is in a symbiotic relationship with the tumor microenvironment.
- Researchers are now studying the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of cancer cell development, metastasis, and proliferation.
- The role of the human microbiome (the community of microorganisms that inhabit the human body) in the initiation and progression of tumors is also being investigated now.
- The functional effects of genetic alterations that underlie the development of cancer have been studied with the help of new genetic technologies developed over the past decade. The mechanisms of DNA damage and repair, gene regulation in cancer cells, and the epigenetic changes associated with cancer are also being studied using these tools.
- The structures of mutant proteins involved in cancer, such as RAS, and other molecules are being characterized in great detail with the introduction of increasingly powerful structural biology approaches.
- Cancer biology is being explored through systems biology approaches now. The complex interactions among components of a biological system can be described and predictions that help guide and further refine experimental science can be made using a variety of information and tools, such as mathematical modeling.
- Molecular alterations that are shared among different types of cancer are revealed in studies of cell signaling pathways in normal cells and cancer cells.
The development of new clinical interventions has become possible by the immense knowledge gained from such studies, which has deepened the understanding of cancer biology, eventually pointing to possible strategies for treatment.
Some of the Major Researches in Cancer Biology are as follows:
IMMUNOTHERAPY
In cancer treatments, immunotherapy is an established pillar. This therapy involves boosting the body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. The power of the body’s immune system is used in this therapy in order to control, prevent, and eliminate cancer. Immunotherapy has shown it to be effective in treating various types of cancer. Therapies like immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and engineered T cells have engendered much excitement in such a short time. Monoclonal antibodies and tumor-agnostic treatments, such as checkpoint inhibitors, Oncolytic virus therapy, T-cell therapy, and CAR-T ( Chimeric antigen receptor) therapy are some of the many types of immunotherapy. On the basis of both the T cell composition and immune-checkpoint environment within each patient’s cancer, the future of precision immunotherapy will continue to become patient-specific.
CAR T IMMUNOTHERAPY. ARTIFICIAL T CELL RECEPTORS ARE PROTEINS THAT HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED FOR CANCER THERAPY (KILLING OF TUMOR CELLS). GENETICALLY ENGINEERED.
CANCER & MICROBIOME
The collection of all of the gene sequences from a community of microbes in the human body is referred to as the microbiome. Microbiomes’ effects on cancer may be indirect or direct. A systems biology approach is required for the interactions between the two complex systems, microbiomes, and cancers. Currently, there is ongoing research and investigation in trials on the treatments that alter the microbiome composition of cancer patients. There can be an impact on cancer initiation, progression, and response to therapy, by the human microbiome. Research is done on new diagnostics and treatments that can be yielded by the mechanisms by which microbiomes impact cancers. Scientists are working on a multidisciplinary approach that combines cancer cell biology, immunology, microbial ecology, and computational biology – a systems biology approach in order to understand the role of host-associated microbial communities in cancer systems.
GENOMICS & NEXT-GEN SEQUENCING
The study of the totality of DNA sequence and gene expression differences between normal host cells and the tumor cells is known as cancer genomics. Genomics in cancer aims to understand the evolution of the cancer genome under mutation and selection by the body environment, the immune system, and therapeutic interventions and to understand the genetic basis of tumor cell proliferation. Recently we saw a groundbreaking CRISPR study where researchers discovered thousands of key genes essential for cancer cell growth by performing genome-scale CSIRPR-Cas9 screens to disrupt every gene in over 300 cancer models from 30 cancer types. New drug targets for tumors such as breast and ovarian cancer were presented through such researches. To learn how cancer-associated mutant proteins affect other proteins, researchers are integrating genomic analysis with the analysis of the proteins in tumor cells through approaches that allow the characterization of the entire proteome.
Researchers have been making good use of the power of next-generation sequencing in cancer for the assessment of multiple genomic alterations, to identify predictive biomarkers and fusion detection. Most recent researches have explored how all known biomarkers can be evaluated in a single test using comprehensive genomic profiling, enabled by next-generation sequencing.
DIAGNOSTIC METHODS
The concept of artificial intelligence in oncology has gained more attention over the past few years. Recently researchers used machine learning methods and uncovered five new types of breast cancer disease, each matched to different personalized treatments by utilizing artificial intelligence to recognize patterns in breast cancer. Scientists are also using machine learning methods to improve diagnosing cancer. Detection of cancer was revolutionized with the invention of the breath biopsy using a breathalyzer. The working of the breathalyzer involves analyzing exhaled breath samples with potential biomarker volatile organic compounds.
Research on Blood Tests to detect cancer has improved over the years. Researchers recently developed a test that detects the presence of tumor-associated antigens, which are indicative of the disease, and this blood test was able to detect breast cancer up to 5 years before any clinical signs.
PRECISION MEDICINE
Based on a genetic understanding of a patient’s disease, precision medicine is an approach to patient care that allows doctors to select treatments that are most likely to help patients in their condition, also known as personalized medicine. This area of cancer research has grown with recent advances in science and technology.
USING THE GENETIC CHANGES IN A PATIENT’S TUMOR TO DETERMINE THEIR TREATMENT IS KNOWN AS PRECISION MEDICINE. CREDIT: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
In cancer such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), precision medicine is showing great promise as it involves giving patients a drug based on their molecular profile rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Researchers stress the impact precision medicine can have as it directly attacks the tumor and it can protect healthy cells that are damaged during chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby reducing severe toxicity in healthy tissues due to these treatments. There are majorly two emerging developments in targeted cancer therapy: immune-based therapy and enzyme-/small molecules–based therapies.
Cancer causes cells to divide uncontrollably resulting in tumors, damage to the immune system, and other impairment that can really be fatal.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a wide term. It can be considered as a large family of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth through cellular changes with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. There are many types of cancers reported to date. Some of them cause rapid cell growth while others cause cells to grow and divide at a comparatively slower rate. Many of the cancer forms result in visible growth termed as tumors, while some such as Leukemia, do not.
A cell acquires instructions through certain signaling mechanisms to die so that the body can replace it with a newer and healthier cell – obviously that functions in a more effective way. Cancerous cells lack the components of this signaling mechanism that are destined to inform the cells to stop dividing and finally to die. The results can be imagined! All the cells build up in the body, using all the essential ingredients like Oxygen and nutrients that would usually nourish other cells to grow. Finally, these cells termed Cancerous cells are able to form tumors, that impair the immune system leading to several other biological changes that prevent the body from functioning properly. Usually, these cells are seen in one area, then they start spreading via the lymph nodes. Cancerous cells are considered to be the clusters of immune cells detected throughout the body.
Causes
Numerous causes of cancer are reported, some are preventable also. Many factors such as Environmental (pollution), lifestyle, economic, behavioral as well as inherited genetics are responsible for its onset. In recent years, the cases of death due to cancer have increased at an alarming rate. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9.6 million deaths occurred due to cancer in 2018 and it is estimated that this data will hit a horrifying number of 23.6 million by 2030. According to data reported, over 480,000 people die every year from smoking. Apart from smoking, several risk factors are identified for cancer such as:
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Physical inactivity
- Excess Bodyweight
- Poor nutrition
As it is said only some of the causes are preventable. What about unpreventable causes? Currently, the most notable unpreventable risk factor is Age. As claimed by the American Cancer Society, doctors in the U.S. diagnose 87-90 % of cancer cases in people aged 50 years or older.
Cancer and Genetics
Cancer development is surrounded by genetic factors. They play an important role in the origin and development of cancerous cells. How are they related? It is known that Genes influence the production of proteins through different cells of the body. These proteins carry instructions and signals for cellular growth and division. An individual’s genetic code defines and guides their cells when to divide and expire. Certain changes in genes and their expressions lead to some faculty signals that result in CANCER. Genetic changes can be innate or acquired. Smoking, exposure to the sun are some of the factors that increase the risk of cancer after birth or during a lifetime.
Approaches to Cancer Treatment
Seeing the severity of the disease and the increase in cases every year has attracted the attention of researchers all across the world. Over the past 5 years, the number of researchers stepping into the Cancer research sector to hasten the quest of developing a cure for cancer has increased substantially. Innovative research has fired the development of new medications and treatment technologies. Researchers are engaged in performing experiments and developing treatment techniques based on the type of cancer, stage of diagnosis of cancer, and finally the patient’s overall health. Some of the discovered approaches include :
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone Therapy – Prostate and Breast cancers
- Immunotherapy
- Precision Medicine
- Radiation therapy
- Stem Cell transplant – Blood-related cancers (Leukemia / Lymphoma)
- Targeted Therapies
It can be noticed from the above-mentioned approaches that the treatments are constantly ameliorating. The diagnosis and death rates of cancer are dropping yearly with the advancement of the treatment techniques.
The Cancer Red Alert!
In 2018 alone 9.6 million deaths occurred due to cancer. It is estimated that by 2030 the cancer death toll will hit a scary number of 23.6 million.
We might not have found a way yet to beat cancer, however, as per statistical data the number of researchers stepping into the Cancer research sector to accelerate the quest of developing a cancer cure, has increased drastically over the period past 5 years. While the scientific community is on its toes to find “The Cancer Cure”, a lot of advancements have been made.
It is a high-profile sector of research as the ultimate goal of learning facts about Cancer is to create guarded and constructive methods to diagnose, detect, treat and prevent cancer. The finer we understand this disease, the more progress we can make toward declining the prodigious human and economic trolls of CANCER.
“CANCER Research Transforms And Saves Life”
Advanced research in the field of cancer has helped us gather immeasurable knowledge about the biological processes involved in the onset of a malignant tumor. All those inventions have lead to highly effective and earmarked treatments as well as prohibition strategies. Over the decades, Scientists have made numerous discoveries based on their research results in a wide array of disciplines that are considered as a major breakthrough in the identification, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Broad Categories of Cancer Research
Cancer research is basically fragmented into assorted broad categories :
Basic Research: Includes the research of various cellular as well as molecular variations occurring naturally or throughout the development of a disease. Also cited as preclinical or lab research.
Translational Research: It recounts an approach that accelerates the execution of several discoveries and inventions conducted in the laboratory to clinical practice. Also cited as operating advances from bench to bedside.
Clinical Research: It includes the implementation of treatments and procedures in patients. The research team conducts clinical trials where they try to study a group of patients, a particular patient, and employ samples from humans like blood or any tissue samples to know details about the disease. They are interested to know how a healthy body works and responds to therapy.
Population Research: Most loved area of research. It includes the study of various causes and patterns of Cancer as well as their risk evaluation. Epidemiologists, the population scientists engage themselves in studying and identifying the patterns, causes, and effects of health & diseases in defined groups. It is highly symbiotic and can stretch the spectrum from basic research to clinical research.
Importance & Benefit of the Course
The Cancer Biology course provides an insight into the research areas in this field which are important and very much in demand. Research on the biology of cancer starts with the simplest of questions: What is normal and what isn’t normal? To find answers to this the research studies are based on the mechanisms that underlie fundamental processes such as cell growth, the normal cell transformation to abnormal cells, types of cancer, the spread of cancer cells (metastasis), stem cell research, evolution, and epidemiology of cancer. These studies are of importance as:
- It deepens our understanding of cancer.
- Produces insights that could lead to the development of new clinical interventions.
- Cancer research results, a major breakthrough in the identification, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Looking into the significance of this field, more and more startups like immunotherapy, biopharmaceutical companies are coming into existence which provides an opportunity for young researchers who want to pursue their research or make a career in this field. Therefore, if you are looking for an opportunity in this field it is the right time to start.