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School of the Biological Sciences

doctor holding ipad and illustration of a scan of the body

 

Researchers in the School of Biological Sciences and across Cambridge are driving innovation in nanomedicine, drug delivery, and precision medicine. Our work is comprehensive, spanning RNA and protein therapies to smart nanoparticles designed with Click chemistry that can enable highly targeted drug delivery inside the body. Combining these therapeutic advances with deep biological understanding, and with close links with clinical and industry colleagues, Cambridge is uniquely positioned at the forefront of discovery science and transformative healthcare.  

 

 

Cambridge Nanomedicine Ecosystem

Our scientific excellence in cellular, molecular and tissue biology, nanotechnology innovation and clinical application is driving new opportunities for translation and clinical impact in some of the most pressing disease areas, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disorders. Working closely with lived experience partners, industry collaborations and policy makers, the Cambridge nanomedicine ecosystem is poised to transform the future of medicine.

 

 

Recent Highlights

#Research

New vaccine effective against coronaviruses that haven’t even emerged yet

Researchers have developed a new vaccine technology that has been shown in mice to provide protection against a broad range of coronaviruses with potential for future disease outbreaks - including ones we don’t even know about. This is a new approach to vaccine development called ‘proactive vaccinology’, where scientists build a vaccine before the disease-causing pathogen even emerges.

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#Media

Ioanna Mela, the DNA-folding superbug-killer

Ioanna Mela, a researcher working on tiny devices made from intricately folded DNA strands, can make antibiotics work better and even slow the rise of superbugs. Her work so far has found the technique has slowed the growth rate of two common bugs, one of which is E. coli.

Watch the video

 

#Entrepreneurship

Cambridge spin-out receives £2.2 million to help improve cancer treatments

Vector Bioscience has received a £2.2 million investment to help it take forward its drug delivery platform designed to make RNA cancer therapies more effective. The spinout from the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology has been awarded this funding by the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) ‘Transition Challenge’ investment programme which supports the development and commercialisation of innovative technologies.

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Academic Leads

Ljiljana Fruk

Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Contributing Researchers

Somenath Bakshi, Engineering

Graham Christie, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Colin Crump, Pathology

Marc de la Roche, Biochemistry

Lorenzo di Michele, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

James Edgar, Pathology

David Fairen-Jimenez, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Angeleen Fleming, Physiology, Development and Neuroscience

Ljiljana Fruk, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

Jenny Gallop, Gurdon Institute

Matthew Harper, Pharmacology

Mark Howarth, Pharmacology

Laura Itzhaki, Pharmacology

Tony Jackson, Biochemistry

Bernard Kelly, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

Patrycja Kozik, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Janet Kumita, Pharmacology

Heike Laman, Pathology

Adria Le Boeuf, Zoology

Catherine Lindon, Pharmacology

Laura Machesky, Biochemistry

Ioanna Mela, Pharmacology

Eric Miska, Biochemistry

Julian Willis, Chemistry

Catherine Wilson, Pharmacology

Work with us

We welcome opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, policy makers and academics. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Dr Abi Herrmann, Research Strategy Manager.