Therapeutic antibodies: names and technologies

On April 10, ScienceDaily published a short story on ‘Enoblituzumab’. A molecule that might be effective against cancer throughout the whole body. An interesting story involving several technologies that allowed scientists to announce the birth of a functional new anti-cancer molecule. It is nice to have a closer look at therapeutic antibodies.

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Corona: let's go digital

How is it possible that people who contract a serious lung disease such as COVID-19 quickly develop other problems outside the lungs? Why do people die from serious complications and do doctors see damage in many different organs upon autopsy?

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Ancient Proteins and the sixth extinction wave

The world is facing a major sixth wave of extinction, experts say. The five previous waves occurred already millions of years ago: the first extinction wave about 443 million years ago, with a large sea level drop as a result of cooling (Appalachian formation probably played a role in this). This is also called the Ordovician/Silurian extinction. Many marine organisms such as corals and trilobites became extinct in this wave. The second occurred at the end of the Devonian era, about 359 million years ago. The cause was probably a large decrease in the oxygen content in the oceans, possibly caused by volcanism. Many marine organisms, such as precursors of current mollusks, also died in this wave. The third wave, which marked the transition from the Permian to Triassic era, meant the extinction of many animal species. This has been the largest extinction wave to date (almost all marine life and three quarters of life on land died out). This wave, some 251 million years ago, according to researchers is due to a large-scale release of carbon dioxide, much more than we currently release into the atmosphere. The fourth wave marked the transition from the Triassic to Jurassic era - some 201 million years ago. Here too, the release of a mega amount of CO2 plays a major role (as a result of magma released on the earth's surface). This extinction wave meant the beginning of the dinosaur era, which, with the impact of an asteroid, came to a sudden end some 66 million years ago and made way for the mammals. This transition, from Cretaceous to Paleogene (known as the K-Pg transition) is called the fifth great extinction and is most well-known to the general public. For more detailed information on extinction waves, see Greshko's article in National Geographic (2019), or the information on the website of the American Museum of Natural History. For a clear scientific article: Barnosky, Nature 2011.

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From sun parakeet to garden dormouse: Conservation biology rules

Adopt a garden dormouse! It may not mean too much to you, but in the Netherlands, we have a mouse species that, unfortunately, enjoys great unfamiliarity. I am talking about the garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus), also called garden sleeper or fruit thief. And, if that is not bad enough: from the family of the 'dormouses' (dormir means to sleep in French). Three very different names that indicate different traits of this fine animal. That must be said. It is a proud resident of South Limburg and neighbouring areas in Germany and Belgium. Unfortunately, also a species that occurs on the Red List in the Netherlands. Namely as 'critically endangered' and even the most endangered mammal species in the Netherlands. And that, of course, is not good. I promised to pay attention to this, just like everyone else at a symposium. Now you also know the garden dormouse.

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Ivo R. Horn, PhD

Medical Biochemist, Biologist

+31 63 151 3928

ivo.horn@picamed.com

 

Who am I?

I am a lecturer-scientist in (medical) biology with over 25 years of educational and scientific experience and I am passionate about writing in science. I worked in various places, both in the Netherlands as well as abroad. I enjoy working internationally and I look forward to work with you as well.