Big changes, coming soon
23 February 2009
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Predicting the future, especially the near future, is always tricky. Here are one expert’s bets on the biotech breakthroughs we will see over the next five years, ranked by which will have the greatest impact.
- Multiplexed point-of-care diagnostics testing: for multiple infections; performed at the bedside or in remote locations, using genomics and proteomics (that is, using the genomes of infectious agents and their linked proteins). Within 2 years
- Understanding cancer stem cell biology: leading to therapies that can eliminate stem cells that maintain and advance malignant tumors. Within 5 years
- Genetically modified crops: further advances will increase their resistance to drought and enhance their nutritional value. Within 5 years
- New vaccine developments: including new adjuvants, substances added to improve the immune response of vaccines. Within 3 years
- Synthetic genomics and synthetic biology: allowing scientists to design and assemble genes, chromosomes, and even whole genomes for constructing new life forms andfinding new ways to manufacture drugs such as artemisin for malaria, among other things. Within 3 years
- Genome mining of microbes: to identify millions of genes, some of which can be used in constructing metabolic pathways for making clean energy cheaply. Within 5 years
- Induced pluripotent stem cells: or laboratory-derived stem cells that carry all the valuable uses of embryonic stem cells in regenerative medicine, but without the controversy. Within 3 years
- Genetic modification of mosquitoes: rendering them incapable of transmitting malaria or dengue fever, for example. Within 5 years
- Metagenomics: an emerging field in which genomic analysis is applied to entire communities of microbes (microbiome), with the potential to understand, for example, how the trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies affect our health. Within 5 years
- Cellulosic enzyme biochemistry: which offers the possibility of obtaining cheap and clean energy by breaking down cellulose in agricultural waste. Within 3 years
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09 Feb 2010 · 09:25:17 PM GMT
I read the article with great interest and sure enough it is far fetched in several respects and right on target in few specific areas. As a scientist who did extensive research in pluripotent cells and manipulated DNA and RNA and again as a Business...—Booma
In response to How biotech will reshape the global economy
15 Jan 2010 · 02:55:03 AM GMT
Maybe its not a gene variation, but a rejection of the body? If they didn’t have this gene variation, maybe it would be lethal?—Pharmacy
In response to Prognosis for personalized medicine
13 Jan 2010 · 12:28:50 PM GMT
Calestous Juma has done great job focusing Africa’s Biotech future. There are numerous neglected diseases in Africa and Future Biotech should aim at Point-of-care Diagnostics, cost effective yet quality biodrugs, and vaccines to tackle the pres...—Niranjan Kumar
In response to Africa’s biotech future
28 Oct 2009 · 12:54:37 PM GMT
Development of biotechnology is an expensive venture that many African countries cannot afford at the moment, so what can African countries do to attract more investments from outside the continent?—Tony Chang
In response to Africa’s biotech future
15 Oct 2009 · 12:39:43 PM GMT
This article is important and interesting. When I discuss nano and bionano with students of IT, they think it is not related to them. And, most have never even heard of nanotech, let alone thought about it. When I suggest they look for jobs in thi...—S Conger
In response to How biotech will reshape the global economy
05 Oct 2009 · 01:27:36 AM GMT
as far as we know HIV/AIDS,it kills white blood cells.what if we look for a cartain ways of killing this strong virus like coming up with chemical which will not kill the cells but kill the virus.—samson
I suspect that the commercial impact of synthetic genomes will take much longer than 3 years. Within that time frame I expect some very limited expensive proof of concepts but will be very surprised if there are any commercial successes. So for those who are paid to do the work it is a good opportunity but for those hope expect returns on investments. God bless you. I hope you have a diversified portfolio.
Posted 12 September 2009, 05:09 by frank moffatt
Agreed, I am fully convinced by the biotech advancements. As an optimist, i think this will be very much beneficial for human beings and will enhance the quality of life even it will further enhance significantly the expected life of human beings. As a pessimist, however there might be complications when playing with genome, that has to be handled carefully and examined in detail before applying in clinics. All this will further lay down the solid foundation for organ development for humans and early diagnosis of fatal disease and their cures.
This will also give birth to new kind of terrorists those can exploit the knowledge and personal information of people for their nefarious designs. This phenomena should be dealt with strict regulations at each level. A fully new ethical code for work should have to developed for people handling the information.
At the end i think the above list is not exhaustive enough to predict the biotech breakthroughs that might happen in coming 5 years or so.
Posted 11 March 2009, 17:21 by Mubashar Zaheem