From Cells to Vials, How Biomanufacturing is Done

From Cells to Vials, How Biomanufacturing is Done

Source: Lucy Knowles/UC Davis Written by Annoj Thavalingam Food, pharmaceuticals, and really anything produced in bulk to enter our bodies, are required by law to adhere to safety and quality regulations dictated by Health Canada. The practices that consistently result in safe-to-consume products can be 

People’s Choice of Amino Acids: Nominating Our Favorite Protein Building Blocks

People’s Choice of Amino Acids: Nominating Our Favorite Protein Building Blocks

written by Kate Jiang Illustration by Cindy Yimei Wan The shared carboxyl and amino groups. The single hydrogen that casually hangs on the central carbon. And of course, the varied R-groups that come with at least 20 flavors and give rise to billions of different 

Connell Lecture Series: Dr. Michael Rosen

Connell Lecture Series: Dr. Michael Rosen

Written by Cindy Yimei Wan Dr. Michael Rosen is the Chair of the Department of Biophysics at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Rosen was invited to give a Connell Lecture on March 9th, 2022, during which 

Connell Lecture Series: Dr. Agata Smogorzewska

Connell Lecture Series: Dr. Agata Smogorzewska

written by Kate Jiang Dr. Agata Smogorzewska is an associate professor at the Rockefeller University. On December 8th, 2021, she gave a Connell lecture on her lab’s research in DNA interstrand crosslink repair and its link to tumorigenesis. I spoke with Dr. Smogorzewska to learn 

BIOCHEMISTRY CARTOON SERIES: ORGANELLE PROTEIN IMPORT CAN BE PER“PEX”ING

BIOCHEMISTRY CARTOON SERIES: ORGANELLE PROTEIN IMPORT CAN BE PER“PEX”ING

Written by Nicholas Demers, Illustrated by Chloe Mitchell Researcher: Nicholas Demers Group: Kim Lab Our cells contain compartments, known as organelles, that are full of specific proteins. This allows our cellular compartments to perform their functions, such as energy production, protein sorting, pathogen degradation, and 

From “blue collar scientist” to pandemic PI: Getting to Know Dr. Spencer Freeman

From “blue collar scientist” to pandemic PI: Getting to Know Dr. Spencer Freeman

written by Raphaella So header image courtesy Spencer Freeman Dr. Spencer Freeman joined the Biochemistry faculty in 2020. His lab studies two aspects of immune surveillance: resolution of ingested fluids in macrophages, and inhibitory signals suppressing phagocytosis. Born and raised in Toronto, Spencer first began 

Making Biochem More Accessible: the Virtual Biochemistry Day Outreach Event for High School Students

Making Biochem More Accessible: the Virtual Biochemistry Day Outreach Event for High School Students

Written by Kate Jiang On March 24th, 2021, the Department of Biochemistry’s Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (WIDE) committee held their virtual Biochemistry Day for high school students across Toronto. Biochemistry Day is an outreach initiative for students from underserved areas to learn more about 

Equity Leads to More Impactful Science

Equity Leads to More Impactful Science

Image credit: Andy Brunning/Compound Interest Written by: Alison Mao and Mikaela Palandra (Biochemistry WIDE Committee) Considering the benefits of diversity in science, it is essential for institutions to take steps to promote the inclusion of underrepresented groups. Our first article in the Equity, Diversity, and