Jonathan Smith, Author at Labiotech.eu

About

Reporter for Labiotech. I hail from the UK. I was born in Bristol, studied Neuroscience in the University of Bristol, and trained mice in Eisai, Hertfordshire, for one year. I then tickled locusts for my Ph.D. at the University of Leicester, before eventually ending up here!
Out of the office, I travel, play video games and board games, drink beer and play the piano.

Articles by Jonathan Smith

Startup Scout 12 Apr 2019

This Biotech Writes Long DNA Molecules From Scratch

Writing long stretches of DNA is difficult and expensive. The Austrian biotech Ribbon Biolabs is combining automation with enzymes to make the process easier, with the prospect of improving synthetic biology applications. Mission: To synthesize DNA molecules with a length of up to 10,000 base pairs (the building blocks of DNA). This target is five […]

April 12, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

meningitis antibiotic resistance lund university

More News! 11 Apr 2019

Scientists Develop Treatment to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Meningitis

Researchers based in Sweden and Denmark are developing a meningitis treatment that could overcome antibiotic resistance by targeting white blood cells called neutrophils. Antibiotic resistance has become a pressing issue, as many easily treatable infections become harder to fight with traditional antibiotics. Bacterial meningitis is particularly concerning, as its already considerable mortality rate of 10-30% […]

April 11, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

sophia genetics ai genomics cancer diagnostic

News and Trends 11 Apr 2019

Swiss Multi-Cancer Diagnostic Test Approved in Europe

A cancer test developed by the Swiss company SOPHiA GENETICS has been approved for diagnosing multiple types of solid tumors by looking at genetic variations in 42 genes. SOPHiA GENETICS works in data-driven medicine, using huge amounts of genomic data to diagnose and personalize treatments to a patient. This new technology is being adopted by […]

April 11, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

bubonic plague y pestis enesi pharma university of Oxford feal

News and Trends 10 Apr 2019

Needle-Free Vaccine for Bubonic Plague to be Developed in the UK

The UK biotech Enesi Pharma has joined forces with researchers from the University of Oxford to develop a vaccine for the bubonic plague that is simple to use and doesn’t require needles. Caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, the bubonic plague is infamous for having killed over 50 million Europeans in the Middle Ages. While […]

April 10, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

News and Trends 9 Apr 2019

French First-in-Class Diabetes Drug Nails Phase III Trial

An oral first-in-class drug targeting the mitochondria, developed by the French biotech Poxel, has shown big potential for treating type 2 diabetes in a phase III trial in Japan. Poxel’s lead candidate drug imeglimin has taken a step closer to entering the huge market for diabetes type 2 treatments. In a phase III trial in […]

April 9, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

News and Trends 8 Apr 2019

AACR 2019: European Biotech Progresses in Fighting Cancer

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) met up in Atlanta, USA, to showcase the newest advances in cancer treatment from around the world. Sit back as we give you a quick rundown of the most interesting presentations from European organizations working to improve the treatment of cancer. Clinical trials In the conference last […]

April 8, 2019 - 4 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

Startup Scout 5 Apr 2019

This Biotech Is Making Tissue Bioprinting Child’s Play

3D printing living tissues is complex and technically tricky. Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, Cellink is developing bioprinting technology with a focus on making it easy to use for non-experts. Mission: To make bioprinting technology simpler to use for researchers. This could be used to make cancer disease models for drug testing, and even printing […]

April 5, 2019 - 4 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

chemical burns manchester cornea stem cells

News and Trends 3 Apr 2019

UK Scientists Activate Stem Cells to Heal Corneal Injuries

A group of researchers in the UK has developed a potential treatment for corneal injuries, such as those caused by chemical burns, by making surrounding tissue softer and letting stem cells regenerate damaged tissue. The cornea is a transparent tissue that is important for focusing light onto the retina and guarding entry into the eye. […]

April 3, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

llama leo pharma argen x skin milestone inflammatory

More News! 3 Apr 2019

€21M Series A to Finance Belgian Biotech’s Regenerative Antibodies

The Belgian biotech AgomAb has raised €21M and partnered with the Dutch biotech argenx to develop antibody treatments that could regenerate damaged tissue. The round was led by the Belgian investor V-Bio Ventures and Advent France Biotechnology. AgomAb will use the big Series A funding to test antibody treatments for fibrosis in clinical trials, as […]

April 3, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

synbio genome artificial C eth2.0 bacteria 1

More News! 2 Apr 2019

Swiss Scientists Make Synthetic Bacterial Genome Using Computers

Synthetic biology researchers at ETH Zurich are the first to construct a simplified artificial bacterial genome with the help of computer algorithms, which could lead to better-engineered microorganisms for the production of therapeutics and other chemicals. Back in 2008, US researchers led by the famous biologist John Craig Venter made headlines for synthesizing the genome […]

April 2, 2019 - 3 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

cambridge innovation capital fund university

News and Trends 1 Apr 2019

Cambridge Fund Raises €175M to Supercharge Local Life Sciences Ecosystem

The UK venture capital fund Cambridge Innovation Capital, backed by the University of Cambridge, has raised €175M (£150M) to spend on life science and technology companies in the Cambridge area. The money will support the 25 companies in the fund’s portfolio, including the biotech Bicycle Therapeutics, whose peptide-toxin molecules are in clinical trials for the […]

April 1, 2019 - 2 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

som biotech huntingtons disease repurpose amyloidosis

Startup Scout 29 Mar 2019

This Biotech Repurposes Drugs to Fight Huntington’s Disease

Barcelona-based SOM Biotech is developing treatments for incurable diseases such as Huntington’s disease with drugs that are already on the market for other diseases. Mission: To repurpose commercially available drugs for the treatment of neurological diseases lacking effective treatments. Using existing drugs to treat these rare, orphan diseases lets the company get the treatments to […]

March 29, 2019 - 4 minutesmins - By Jonathan Smith

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Jonathan Smith

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Articles by Jonathan Smith

This Biotech Writes Long DNA Molecules From Scratch

Scientists Develop Treatment to Combat Antibiotic Resistance in Meningitis

Swiss Multi-Cancer Diagnostic Test Approved in Europe

Needle-Free Vaccine for Bubonic Plague to be Developed in the UK

French First-in-Class Diabetes Drug Nails Phase III Trial

AACR 2019: European Biotech Progresses in Fighting Cancer

This Biotech Is Making Tissue Bioprinting Child’s Play

UK Scientists Activate Stem Cells to Heal Corneal Injuries

€21M Series A to Finance Belgian Biotech’s Regenerative Antibodies

Swiss Scientists Make Synthetic Bacterial Genome Using Computers

Cambridge Fund Raises €175M to Supercharge Local Life Sciences Ecosystem

This Biotech Repurposes Drugs to Fight Huntington’s Disease

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest biotech news!

Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core

Top biotech deals of February 2025

Grab your free report on 3D organoids and explore their future potential

These 7 biotechs are shaping the next generation of endometriosis care

Connect with decision-makers and researchers worldwide for collaborative opportunities

Subscribe to our newsletter

Advertise with us

Catalonia: A biotech hub going from strength to strength, with Barcelona at its core

Top biotech deals of February 2025

Grab your free report on 3D organoids and explore their future potential

These 7 biotechs are shaping the next generation of endometriosis care

Connect with decision-makers and researchers worldwide for collaborative opportunities

Subscribe to our newsletter

Advertise with us

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