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Credit: Tumeggy / Science Photo Library Increasingly, cancer researchers are looking beyond tumor cells themselves to understand what drives malignancy. A growing body of work suggests that microbes—once thought irrelevant to breast tissue—may shape tumor behavior in powerful ways. In a new study published in Cancer Research, investigators led by Dipali Sharma, PhD, at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, report that several pathogenic bacteria can accelerate breast cancer progression by converging on a single metabolic enzyme: spermine oxidase (SMOX), a key regulator of polyamine metabolism. The findings identify what Sharma describes as a shared molecular pathway used by distinct…

Collaborative approaches are central to SPT Labtech’s work of automating and miniaturizing complex life science workflows, according to CEO Rob Walton. “One of the key principles of our businesses is working with customers on a very individualized basis” and on specific applications “to be able to solve the problem and get the outcomes that they need,” he told GEN in an interview. In most cases, “the customers are very clear on what they want to achieve, but they don’t necessarily know how to get the automation … to get the outcomes that they want.”  And that’s where SPT Labtech automation…

Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) have ascended from ancient Aztec staples to the undisputed “king” of modern superfoods. However, despite their ubiquity in smoothie bowls and overnight oats, a fundamental question remains the subject of much debate in health communities: how long to soak chia seeds? The mechanics of chia seed hydration are not merely about texture; they are about safety, nutrient bioavailability, and digestive comfort. When dry, a chia seed is a dormant powerhouse of fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, and minerals. When soaked, it transforms into a mucilaginous gel that can revolutionize your gut health and weight loss efforts. If…

Credit: Halfpoint Images/Getty Images A global atlas of gut bacteria from babies across the world has created a blueprint for early-life probiotics tailored to different local diets and regions that can improve infant health. The genomic resource could help select geographically bespoke probiotics most beneficial for infants and lead to the development of precision microbiome therapeutics. The catalog, outlined in Cell,  comprises 4098 genomes from the key Bifidobacterium infant gut microbe species B. longum and B. infantis. Spanning 48 countries, it is well over 10 times larger than similar previous studies and increases representation from low-and-middle income countries 12- to…

A preclinical study headed by researchers at NYU Langone Health has shown how a protein made by stressed cancer cells helps lung and pancreatic tumors evade the immune system. The study found that new drugs designed to block the action of a protein called lipocalin 2 (LCN2) slowed cancer growth in mice by enabling the immune system to target tumor cells. The drugs made aggressive cancers more vulnerable to immunotherapies, which help the immune system attack cancer cells. The research, headed by Thales Papagiannakopoulos, PhD, associate professor in the department of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and…

Greg Tietjen and Jenna DiRito benching an organ for perfusion. [Revalia Bio] Greg Tietjen, PhDCEO, Revalia Bio In recent years there has been a lot of interest in new technology to improve the preclinical testing space by innovative use of cell culture and tissue engineering, as well as with computing advances like artificial intelligence. Greg Tietjen, PhD, CEO of Revalia Bio, aims to go one step further by using these new techniques and testing candidate drugs on donated human organs that are not suitable for transplant. Preclinical research has traditionally relied on animal testing as a first step before moving…

As it celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, Foresite Capital is looking less back than ahead. After a year that saw an uptick in biopharma venture capital (VC) dollars invested, though not in the volume of such deals, the firm foresees the number of VC financings finally starting to grow year-over-year in 2026—and with them, first-time public stock offerings by the more mature of these startups. While the forecast is ambitious, there are signs that appear to support an upbeat view of the biopharma capital market compared with 2025, which saw $149 billion invested across 76 biopharma deals, compared with…

In the world of dietary supplements, few products are as universally recommended as fish oil. Revered for its ability to support heart health, brain function, and joint mobility, it has become a staple in medicine cabinets globally. However, as its popularity has grown, so has a persistent concern among patients and healthcare providers: Is fish oil a blood thinner? This question often arises when patients are preparing for surgery, managing a bleeding disorder, or already taking prescription anticoagulants. The fear is that the very fats that protect the heart might also prevent the blood from clotting when it needs to…

Credit: Tom Werner / DigitalVision / Getty Images A new study shows that it may never be too late to benefit from breast cancer screening. Published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the study reports that women with stage IV metastatic breast cancer detected through screening have a 60% chance of survival, compared to 20% for those not detected through screening.  “There is understandably a lot of fear around cancer being found late, but our findings provide reassurance that long-term survival is still possible when it is found during screening,” said Amy Tickle, PhD, lead author of…

Novartis will apply Unnatural Products (UNP)’s artificial intelligence (AI)-guided macrocyclic peptide platform to develop next-generation cardiovascular disease therapeutics, through a collaboration that could generate more than $1.8 billion for the Santa Cruz, CA-based biotech. UNP has signed a research collaboration and licensing agreement with Novartis launching the partnership, beginning with an undisclosed program. The collaboration is intended to enable access to previously undruggable targets by marrying UNP’s platform with the pharma giant’s global development and commercialization capabilities. UNP reasons that macrocyclic peptides offer an effective new class of therapeutics that combine the selectivity and potency of biologics with the flexibility…