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Tiny Vectors, Big Cleanup: Precision Chromatography for Safer Gene Therapy
Julia Mueller
(PhD Candidate, FHNW)
In gene therapy, we use tiny biological "delivery boxes" called adeno-associated virus (AAV) to carry healthy genes into the body to repair their function. The issue? Our production site is messy, and it produces a lot of empty boxes alongside the ones containing the life-saving repair kits. I’ll explain how we use a smart, continuous recycling system called MCSGP to sort the "Fulls" from the "Empties," turning manufacturing messes into life-saving medicine.
Forever Chemicals: What They Are, Where They Come From—and What Comes Next
David Matchavariani
(University of Strasbourg)
Among the elements of the periodic table, fluorine atoms possess unique properties to such an extent that an entire branch of chemistry is devoted to them. Extensively exploited since the 20th century, fluorinated substances are now found throughout our daily lives. However, their use raises numerous concerns. From health risks to severe environmental consequences, fluorinated substances are subject to increasingly strict regulations. Today, many scientists are investigating several key questions:
To what extent are fluorinated substances harmful to human health and the environment?
Are there safe alternatives to these substances?
Is it possible to rid the planet of these “forever chemicals”?
How is nature adapting to this challenge?
Do existing alternatives provide a level of performance comparable to that of fluorinated substances?
To what extent are fluorinated substances harmful to human health and the environment?
Are there safe alternatives to these substances?
Is it possible to rid the planet of these “forever chemicals”?
How is nature adapting to this challenge?
Do existing alternatives provide a level of performance comparable to that of fluorinated substances?
Microbial factories to regulate nature with natural products
Olivier Kirchhoffer
(Principal Scientist, Team Lead Analytical Chemistry, Syngenta)
We strive to leverage the power of microbes to uncover new nature-based agrochemical solutions for more sustainable practices.
Natural products offer countless advantages over synthetic chemicals, notably in terms of specificity and biodegradability. What nature produces, it often does for precise purposes and tends to know how to break down. Producing them at scale to match agricultural needs can be challenging though. Luckily nature also created its own factories for chemical transformations in microbes, and we have learned how to tame them. Treat them well and feed them the correct nutrients, they will grow and reward you with a molecule they are designed to produce!
Natural products offer countless advantages over synthetic chemicals, notably in terms of specificity and biodegradability. What nature produces, it often does for precise purposes and tends to know how to break down. Producing them at scale to match agricultural needs can be challenging though. Luckily nature also created its own factories for chemical transformations in microbes, and we have learned how to tame them. Treat them well and feed them the correct nutrients, they will grow and reward you with a molecule they are designed to produce!
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