|transkript 4/2023 is here!
|transkript, one of our German magazines, has been the leading industry publication for biotechnology and life sciences in German-speaking Europe since 1995. It covers current information, opinions, and background on business, research, and politics.
In this issue:
After Alphafold, the AI algorithm that has predicted nearly 215 million protein structures with high precision based on amino acid sequences, Alphabet subsidiary DeepMind Ltd. is now targeting genes. At the end of September, the AI experts led by 2023 Lasker Award winner Demis Hassabis made their latest tool, AlphaMissense, available to the scientific community. This AI tool, based on Alphafold, can identify whether a single base exchange within a gene – but not within a regulatory, non-coding DNA sequence – can trigger diseases or not, and it does so in minutes rather than months. The self-learning algorithm could revolutionise gene therapy, though clinical validation is still required before it can be used in practice.
Topics:
AI Detects Risks in Mutations
Google subsidiary DeepMind has once again presented a self-learning algorithm. This time, it could revolutionise gene therapy by identifying whether a mutation causes disease.
Energy Storage: Nature as a Model
The team around Dr. Peter Geigle, co-founder of CMBlu Energy AG, has developed a radically new approach to energy storage. It is based on the citric acid cycle. Geigle believes this approach solves the problem of storing electricity generated by renewable energy. Strabag AG agrees and has invested €100 million in the company.
Setback for Green Biomethane
Associations have declared the German government’s biomethane strategy inadequate, stating that Germany could particularly benefit from biomethane use in heavy-duty transport.
“Millions from the Tax Office”
The research subsidy will triple at the turn of the year. It is seen as cash for non-profit startups. Interview with Dr. Rosi Hermann, Co-Managing Director of Leyton Deutschland GmbH.
Circular Economy – Position Paper for the Chemistry Summit
An alliance of innovative companies in the circular economy has formed ahead of the “Chemistry Summit”. Its members are advocates of regenerative circular economy and have brought a three-point plan for transforming the chemical industry towards greater sustainability to the summit discussions. The initiator of the alliance is Dr.-Ing. Anne Lamp, CEO of traceless materials GmbH. The paper is the subject of a short interview and a clear statement.
Focus on RNA
All eyes on RNA – While mRNA vaccines have been a global success, RNA therapeutics are progressing more cautiously.
From Kulmbach to the World – The RNA Pioneers
Roland Kreutzer and Stefan Limmer, RNA pioneers, started at the University of Bayreuth. Inspired by the work of future Nobel laureates Craig Mello and Andrew Fire, they developed a simpler RNA molecule that also has therapeutic effects. The story of Axolabs GmbH is told by Dr. Philipp Hadwiger in the interview.
Also in this issue:
- First BIOTECH Summit Austria in Graz
- FemTech Start-ups
- Machine Learning – Researchers present a predictive tool aimed at forecasting cancer survival rates.
- Lauterbach’s Third Move – An Institute for the Prevention of Common Diseases.
- Protection Against Variants – A vaccine against currently known and future COVID-19 variants.
- Progress in Alzheimer’s – Scientists discover an entirely new mechanism for a therapeutic approach.
Laborwelt: Diagnostik (German)
Medtech zwo: MEDICA/COMPAMED 2023 (German)
Read the full issue of |transrkipt 4/2023 (German)