SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY FUTURE DIRECTIONS / Synthetic Biology offers new ways for engineering new biological systems or re-designing existing ones for useful purposes. It is a disruptive technology at the heart of the so-called Bioeconomy, capable of delivering new solutions to global healthcare, but also in many other fields like agriculture, manufacturing, and environmental challenges. Not long ago, in May 2010, a team of scientists led by Craig Venter achieved a synthetic biology milestone by designing the genes for a new type of bacteria and implanting them in a bacterial shell that had its genome removed. The empty cell behaved like a factory programmed with human-designed genetic code. It was the first living being to escape the evolutionary tree, with a computer-programmed genome synthesized by chemical compounds, implanted in a cell, and subsequently multiplied under the control of that artificial genetic code. It opened the way to extraordinary developments in biology and medicine that are starting to blossom now. But we have a lot of work ahead. This quick_note tries to systematize the progressive steps in our quest to design «therapeutic life» #quick_notes_lp

DIRECCIONES FUTURAS DE LA BIOLOGÍA SINTÉTICA /

La biología sintética ofrece nuevas formas de diseñar sistemas biológicos o de rediseñar los ya existentes con fines útiles.
Es una tecnología disruptiva en el corazón de la llamada Bioeconomía, capaz de aportar nuevas soluciones a la salud global, pero también a muchos otros campos como la agricultura, la fabricación y los retos medioambientales.

No hace mucho, en mayo de 2010, un equipo de científicos liderado por Craig Venter logró un hito en biología sintética al diseñar los genes de un nuevo tipo de bacteria e implantarlos en una envoltura bacteriana a la que se le había eliminado su genoma.
La célula vacía se comportó como una fábrica programada con un código genético diseñado por el ser humano. Fue el primer ser vivo en escapar del árbol evolutivo, con un genoma programado por ordenador, sintetizado mediante compuestos químicos, implantado en una célula y posteriormente multiplicado bajo el control de ese código genético artificial.

Este avance abrió el camino a desarrollos extraordinarios en biología y medicina, que ahora empiezan a florecer.
Pero aún tenemos mucho trabajo por delante.
Esta quick_note intenta sistematizar los pasos progresivos en nuestra búsqueda por diseñar “vida terapéutica”

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Here’s a map of some of the most promising research fields in oncology today, plus a video —below— with some advice for scientists willing to become entrepreneurs (from a debate on the future of oncology and how to make it happen)

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One of the most important things every investor looks for in a startup is a good problem to solve… Unanswered questions always signal what’s next. Here’s a map of some of the most pressing questions in the oncology field today.

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RNAs are very active players in cell biology… they carry instructions for making proteins, turn genes on and off, aid chemical reactions, slice and dice other RNAs, and build proteins. Here’s a simple map to understand how can we use them as drugs

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A different view on phase II – III #COVID_19 vaccines, organized on a spectrum ranging from less innovative technology (older, slower, less uncertain development) to more leading edge approaches (faster, riskier)

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You already have a lead candidate for a first specific indication, here’s a simplified conceptual map on how VCs think to choose the most interesting new indications (pipeline strategy).

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Every crisis brings risks and opportunities to the table… here’s a mind map on how SARS-CoV-2 can impact the activities and value chain of the life sciences VC industry

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Most rare diseases still lack approved treatments despite major advances in the knowledge of their molecular basis. Here’s a map of the different therapeutic modalities plus an update on some of the most interesting new developments in each field.

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