Future Science Group

Two key themes to come out of the Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) Conference (Aberdeen, UK, 14–15 March 2017) were the celebration of world-class research, and hope for the future of dementia understanding, prevention and treatment, particularly with the forging and strengthening of new partnerships, collaborations and initiatives. In May 2016, ARUK committed £50 million to support the MRC-led UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI), a new hub of dementia research based at University College London (UK), with additional centers across the UK to be announced imminently. Following an international search, Bart De Strooper was recently announced as the Director of the Institute. We caught up with Prof De Strooper at the ARUK Conference to find out more about the DRI and his visions for this exciting new venture for dementia research. You can find more podcasts, interviews and news at www.neurology-central.com

In part 2 of The Changing World of Bioanalysis our panelists discuss what the bioanalytical lab of the future might look like. Discussions included: The need for bioanalysts to acquire more biological skills in order to understand newer generation of complex molecules. Convergence of different units of companies and merging of skills. The role of automation in the bioanalytical lab of the future.

In part 1 of this 3-part video filmed at Barcelona our panel of experts discuss the issue of skills gap in the bioanalytical laboratory and the changing nature of the relationship between Pharma and CROs as outsourcing continues to increase. Discussions include: - Decreasing current skills gap evident in most bioanalytical labs, particularly in younger generation of bioanalysts. - Collaborations between industry and academia to produce a newer generation of bioanalysts better able to deal with more challenging bioanalytical problems. - Training both new and existing staff to deal with more challenging bioanalytical problems (more challenging molecules and newer constructs) and cross training staff within organisations. - The changing nature of the CRO-Pharma relationship.

In this RegMedNet podcast, Mike Rice explains the make or break impact of biopreservation in the potential commercialization of cell therapies.

Our RegMedNet Podcast talks to Dr Aric Rogers about how he is studying factors such as genetic variations and environmental conditions that can influence life span using roundworms. Dr Rogers provides his thoughts and predictions on how dietary restriction for therapeutic benefits could be adopted for the future.

Our RegmedNet Podcast talks to Dr Sandra Rieger about how the Rieger lab uses zebrafish as a model to study wound healing mechanisms and nerve regeneration in peripheral neuropathy. Dr Sandra Rieger provides her thoughts and opinions on the future of zebrafish in research, and future regenerative medicine therapies.

In this NCTalks podcast, we’re reporting from Neuroscience 2016 in San Diego (CA, USA; 12–16 November 2016). We spoke to Patricia Garcez from the Federal University of Rio Janeiro in Brazil, who presented at the conference her work on Zika virus and its disruption of normal cell division and differentiation. Zika virus was highlighted as one of the key research themes at the conference and remains a focus for researchers into 2017 as the world continues to face this global health challenge – in this interview, Patricia discusses her work and her hopes for the field in the coming months and years.

In this NCTalks podcast we speak to Jeffrey Cohen, Director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research (OH, USA). Dr Cohen has a large clinical practice and is also Director of Experimental Therapeutics program and is involved in a number of clinical trials. Today, Dr Cohen discusses the use of bone marrow transplantation as a treatment option for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), the subject of a Hot Topics discussion at ECTRIMS 2016 (London, UK, 14–17 September 2016). Is the technique a good option for patients? How could it be improved? What does the future of MS treatment look like? Listen to our podcast to find out Dr Cohen’s opinions on these key issues and more.

In this edition of NCTalks we speak to Mark Frasier, Senior Vice President of research programs at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (NY, USA). Mark co-manages a team of research professionals who are developing a targeted and innovative agenda for accelerating research and drug development for Parkinson’s disease. Mark also supports the Foundation’s priority interest in developing biomarkers for the disease that will accelerating clinical trials for new drugs. In this interview, Mark discusses a recent Editorial (Parkinson’s disease is ready for precision medicine) from the Michael J. Fox Foundation published in Personalized Medicine, and looks ahead to the future of precision medicine for Parkinson’s disease. You can find more podcasts and interviews, as well as free journal content, at www.neurology-central.com.

As part of attending Neuroscience 2016 #SFN, our team took the time to interview Erica McGrath, 5th year graduate student at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Erica McGrath's work is focused on the Zika infection and the effect it has on neurological development.

In this edition of NCTalks for ADHD Awareness Month, we speak to Edward Hallowell, a child and adult psychiatrist, leading ADHD authority, New York Times bestselling author, world-renowned speaker and the founder of The Hallowell Centers for Cognitive and Emotional Health, located across the USA. Dr Hallowell is a graduate of Harvard College (MA, USA) and Tulane University School of Medicine (LA, USA), and was a Harvard Medical School faculty member for 20 years. In this podcast we discuss the current outlook on ADHD and its diagnosis and treatment, as well as debates in the field and how the condition continues to shift in perception and treatment.

In this NCTalks podcast, we speak to Dr Reid Alisch, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine (WI, USA). Reid discusses the role of epigenetics in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as how new epigenetic research could change research and treatment practices in the future.

The goal of the field of regenerative medicine is to replace damaged or diseased tissue and thereby find cures for diseases that are currently untreatable. At present, two different approaches appear feasible: one is to stimulate the body's own cells to repair the tissue; and the other is to transplant new cells into the body, but both approaches are classed cell therapies. The drive to move regenerative medicine from the bench to clinic is currently at its strongest and on an international scale, which has resulted in many opportunities and challenges for the field. What will you learn? The regulatory landscape in the UK The role of the commercial sector Logistics involved in clinical trials The future potential of cell-based therapies Who may this interest? Basic researchers in regenerative medicine Clinicians involved in regenerative medicine clinical trials Regenerative medicine investors

3D bioprinting looks set to have a huge impact on the field of regenerative medicine by allowing the artificial generation of tissues and organs through fabrication of scaffolds and 3D tissues, supporting cell or drug delivery, and so on. However, this requires the development and use of biomaterials that meet the physical, chemical and functional requirements for each use. In this interview, Danny Cabrera, co-founder of BioBots (Philadelphia, PA, USA) discusses the development of biomaterials for 3D printing tissues.

In light of the upcoming Regenerative Medicine Special Focus Issue on immunological challenges and opportunities in regenerative medicine, RegMedNet conducted an interview with Professor Paul Fairchild, Guest Editor of the issue. This interview on immunology within the field of regenerative medicine provides a great insight into the interface between stem cell biology and immunology – to bring cell therapies into the clinic we must overcome challenges such as immunogenicity. The work carried out by researchers such as Professor Paul Fairchild, a member of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (RMP)'s Immunomodulation Hub, will have a huge impact on the field of regenerative medicine.

As the field of 3D printing grows, we are seeing it put to an increasing number of uses in medicine. The technology has been successfully employed to create a number of scaffolds and implants, as well as to generate personalized anatomical models to be used for surgical planning and patient education. Recently, the field has expanded to include the generation of 3D antenatal models. Generated from a fetal MRI scan, these models enable detailed planning for any interventions required after birth, for example when a child is born with a facial disfigurement. In addition, 3D printed personalized medical devices such as breathing masks are now being trialed, in the hope that they may be used in the clinical setting to provide patients with more successful treatments. In this interview, Kyle VanKoevering, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Michigan (MI, USA), discusses his work utilizing 3D printing for surgical planning for infants and in the construction of personalized mask

In recent years, we have seen 3D printing put to an ever-expanding range of uses in the medical field. Products printed with manmade materials include implants, scaffolds, anatomical models and personalized devices and masks. In addition, the area of bioprinting has begun to expand, with researchers now printing live cells in order to encourage regeneration and create tissues and organs. Now, the two areas have become entwined: Michael McAlpine and his research team are developing 3D printers that are capable of printing functional materials and devices that interweave both biological and electronic materials. These new printers could impact regenerative medicine, smart prosthetics and human-machine interfaces by enabling the creation of products with customized geometries, properties and functionalities. In this interview, Michael McAlpine, Benjamin Mayhugh Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota (MN, USA), discusses his work and the increasing range of uses for 3D print

In the third and final part of our panel discussion, we discuss the growing skills gap in bioanalytical laboratories including: Reality of the skills gap In which technical areas is the skills gap most apparent? Where does the skills gap occur – Pharma and / or CROs? How do we bridge the gap?

In part 2 of this panel discussion, the panelists discuss the divide between investments being made by Pharma and CROs in new bioanalytical techniques and technologies. Discussions include: Investments made by Pharma and CROs for new constructs Is there a real divide between CRO and Pharma? If so, why is this occurring? What are the gaps? What are the solutions?

This year Bioanalysis Zone and Bioanalysis attended the 10th WRIB meeting in Florida (USA), where we organized a panel discussion* comprising experts from leading CROs and pharmaceutical companies to assess the current situation and future opportunities in bioanalysis. To have leading CRO and Pharmaceutical directors’ talk candidly about the key business challenges in bioanalysis is a rare occasion. We want to thank our experts Amanda Wilson, Eric Woolf, John Kolman, Roger Hayes, Stephanie Cape, Surinder Kaur, Stephen Lowes, Scott Summerfield and Neil Spooner for taking part in this special event. The panelists exchanged ideas and thoughts on various topics including; the future of outsourcing, investments made by pharma and CROs in new bioanalytical techniques and concerns about the skills gap in analytical chemistry.