Back in 2020, we covered an industry analysis of the role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery. The report covered the period up to 2024 and suggested that the market was worth hundreds of millions of dollars. What’s going on in this field now that we’ve reached 2024? In this feature, we look at the emergence of AI as a tool in the drug discovery process and take a look into the future. How can AI be used in drug discovery? The traditional drug discovery journey is a tough one. Most drugs take anywhere from 10-15 years to make it to the clinic, cost millions (if not billions) of dollar ..read more

Despite our DNA only differing at around 0.1% of base pairs, human life is complex, unique and varied. Although this variation exists, genomics research has typically focused on homogeneous groups, erroneously assuming a one-size-fits-all approach. Over the years, many scientists have tried to address the lack of diversity in genomics research. Although a number of initiatives have been set up to serve this purpose, there is still much to be done, and it hasn’t always been done correctly. In this feature, we explore the importance of diversity in science, the initiatives aiming to solve this p ..read more

This feature is written using content from our recently published Liquid Biopsy report, which you can read in full by downloading here. Thanks to a wealth of publications demonstrating the exciting potential of liquid biopsy, the technique is now being evaluated in clinical trials to determine its true impact on oncological care. In this feature, we highlight major liquid biopsy trials in cancer, such as PATHFINDER and the NHS-Galleri study, and explore some of the limitations that are holding the technique back. Currently, hundreds of trials are underway to analyse the clinical utility of liq ..read more

At Front Line Genomics, we tend to focus on the health implications of scientific advancements. But one especially important use of genomic data is not found in the clinic; rather, it is used by investigators to solve crimes. But what are the wider implications of this? In this feature, we explore the role of genomics in criminal investigations, and the moral questions that have popped up as technology advances. How can genomics be used to investigate crimes? DNA has been known to be the genetic material of cells since the 1800s, but the use of this biological matter to solve crimes is a relat ..read more

This feature is written using content from our upcoming Liquid Biopsy report, due to be released late January 2024. Liquid biopsy is a hot topic in the cancer world. But what are the other applications of this tech, and how much wider is the scope? One clear example is the early detection and surveillance of neurological disorders, which massively benefit from the fast and non-invasive nature of liquid biopsy assays1. As populations worldwide begin to age and the incidence of neurological disease rises, identifying biomarkers to diagnose and inform treatment is becoming an increasingly urgent ..read more

Climate change is perhaps the biggest issue the planet is facing at the moment. With the oceans reaching a record high in temperature last month, sustainability practices to combat global warming are at the forefront of people’s minds – in all aspects of life. From ditching plastic straws to plastic bag levies in supermarkets, avoiding the use of one time and short-lived consumables is key to a healthy and happy planet. But how does this translate to the lab, where sustainability has famously been difficult? In this feature, we take a look at the importance of sustainability in the lab, and th ..read more

It’s that time of year again: the tree is up, the presents are wrapped and the milk and cookies are waiting by the chimney. Soon, Santa Claus will be making his way across the globe, delivering presents to all the children – naughty and nice! But just how does Santa make this journey in just one evening? Armed with his team of trusty reindeer, it seems old Saint Nick must have some magic powers helping him along. But what if it’s all just in his DNA? Rudolph the Bioluminescent-Nosed Reindeer We’ll begin by taking a look at Rudolph. The most famous of Santa’s herd, Rudolph’s red nose is the top ..read more

Since the late 20th century, the use of donor sperm, eggs and embryos as a solution to fertility problems has increased exponentially. These methods have allowed many who would have otherwise not been able to have children become parents. Many people conceived via donor gametes wish to determine their biological origins, whether that be for medical reasons, to locate potential siblings or simply to understand where they came from. But the journey to understanding your DNA is often anything but simple. In this feature, we explore the changing laws that allow donor-conceived individuals to acces ..read more

In part 1 of this feature, we discussed how humans are ‘more microbe than man’, with trillions of these microscopic organisms living within our bodies. These microbial genomes confer a significant genetic payload, containing over 2 million genes, compared to our own genomes, which are composed of roughly 20,000 genes. Since the discovery that our microbes are mostly friend rather than foe, wellness initiatives have highlighted the important task of maintaining our microbiome’s balance for our overall health. Furthermore, recent microbiome research has linked imbalances in our microbiomes ..read more

Conservation genomics is a new and emerging field of research that harnesses the power of genomic technology to preserve species, habitats and ecosystems. From genetically engineering heat-resistant coral reefs, to bringing a critically endangered mammal back from the brink of extinction, genomic technology is on a fast track to becoming a commonplace tool in the world of conservation. In this feature we dive into the applications, advancements and ethics of conservation genomics. From Genetics to Genomics Conservation genomics studies an organism’s genome in its entirety, the interaction of g ..read more