RESUMEN
Naturally occurring DNA, RNA, and proteins predominantly exist in only one enantiomeric form (homochirality). Advances in biotechnology and chemical synthesis allow the production of the respective alternate enantiomeric form, enabling access to mirror-image versions of these natural biopolymers. Exploiting the unique properties of such mirror molecules has already led to many applications, such as biostable and nonimmunogenic therapeutics or sensors. However, a 'roadblock' for unlocking the mirror world is the lack of biological systems capable of synthesizing critical building blocks including mirror oligonucleotides and oligopeptides to reducing cost and improve purity. Here, we provide an overview of the current progress, applications, and challenges of the molecular mirror world by identifying milestones towards mirroring life.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas , ARN , ADN , ARN/química , EstereoisomerismoRESUMEN
After 20 years of stagnation, federal scholarships have finally been increased within the new budget of the Canadian government. Tuition fees, inflation, and costs of living kept rising, which has resulted a rising number of graduate students in the life sciences living below poverty line, despite working far more than 40 h a week on science research in Canada. This does not only negatively affect the students research projects and thus science and innovation in Canada, but also their downstream decisions on whether to continue a research career in Canada and what jobs and economic endeavors to pursue. Graduate students are not just a line item in the budgets of universities, but integral for science and innovation, as well as the future high-quality personnel of the country. This importance should be reflected in all stipends and salaries of graduate students, not just the ones with a government scholarship.
RESUMEN
To address real and perceived emerging risks originating from the ever-accelerating breakthroughs in life science research, the Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) Panel Discussion, organized by Synbio Canada and the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), took place on June 23rd, 2021. It brought together six stakeholders from different levels of academic research, administration, governance, and science publishing to explore the current and future challenges in addressing DURC. Technological advancements within the life sciences, especially within the field of omics technology, make it difficult to apply a simple checklist for dual-use assessment and require continuous and integrated effort. Bottom-up approaches from within the scientific community are suggested by all stakeholders to enable efficient governance and address the true risks resulting from DURC, not just the alleged risks. To address such alleged risks, open and broadscale communication of DURC and its oversight policies may be required. At the same time, any form of open communication also contains the risk of information hazards, defined as potentially creating public fear or informing malicious actors. Here, an overview of the DURC panel and its outcomes is provided.