In Bullets
A liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive technique in which generally blood drawn from an individual is analyzed. The method is primarily used for cancer diagnosis and monitoring, revolutionizing the field of clinical oncology. It involves isolating tumor cells, circulating tumor DNA, tumor extracellular vesicles, etc., from cancer patients and analyzing them (genomic and proteomic analysis). Recently, a trial sponsored by National Cancer Institute (NCI) will evaluate about 24,000 people in the next four years. Also, the study will analyze the claims made by the American biotechnology company, GRAIL, of detecting 50 cancers using CpG methylation — a process crucial for gene expression — analysis of cell-free DNA and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
More information: Cancer Moonshot aims at liquid biopsies (2022). Nature Biotechnology. DOI:10.1038/s41587-022-01513-w
Journal information: Nature Biotechnology
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are one of the major problems in healthcare. In a recent study, researchers demonstrated that triclosan — a compound commonly used in toothpaste, hand soaps, and cleaning goods to fight against bacteria — is the predominant antibiotic in Ontario sewage sludge. Because of the wide variety of antibiotics present there, scientists discovered after analyzing the sewer sludge that sewage treatment plants serve as a breeding environment for bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The antibiotic components in cleaning solutions build up in sewage treatment facilities as we drain them while washing, making triclosan a prominent antibacterial ingredient affecting E. coli.
More information: Barrett et al. (2022). Triclosan is the Predominant Antibacterial Compound in Ontario Sewage Sludge. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI:10.1021/acs.est.2c00406
Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology
Male mosquitoes that have undergone genetic modification are released into a Brazilian city, momentarily reducing the virus-carrying insects by up to 96 percent. It is thought that releasing such genetically modified mosquitoes periodically may lessen the prevalence of illnesses like dengue, malaria, and Zika. According to another study, genetic mixing could have made mosquito populations more "robust" and more resistant to insecticides or more prone to spread disease.
More information: Mariam Fauzia (2022). Genetically modified mosquitoes cut the insect's number by 96 per cent. New Scientist.
Website information: New Scientist