Stemloop, Inc.

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????Biosensors:?In 1956 Leland C. Clark Jr. developed the oxygen (or "Clark") electrode to measure oxygen in blood. Six years later, with Champ Lyons, he laid the foundation for modern biosensors by proposing the use of enzymes with his electrodes [1], earning him recognition as the “father of biosensors.”????? By 1975, the first commercially successful biosensor for glucose detection was launched (Model 23A YSI analyzer) making it possible to monitor blood sugar levels and revolutionizing diabetes management.???? In the early 80s, innovations in fiber-optics and surface plasmon resonance expanded the capabilities of biosensing technology. These advancements paved the way for more accurate and efficient diagnostics in various fields, from healthcare to environmental science.????? Fast forward to today, and biosensors have evolved dramatically. Here are some advancements that showcase the incredible growth in this field: 1?? ?Multifunctionality: Modern biosensors can detect various biological markers, enhancing diagnostics across healthcare, environmental science, and food safety.??? 2?? Miniaturization: Advances in technology have led to smaller, compact biosensors suitable for diverse settings—from laboratories to field applications.??? 3?? Real-Time Monitoring: Today’s biosensors provide rapid results, enabling real-time monitoring of health conditions and environmental factors. This immediate feedback is crucial for timely decision-making.??? 4?? Point-of-Care Testing: The rise of point-of-care biosensors means testing can now occur at the site of patient care, leading to faster diagnoses and improved patient outcomes!????? Beyond healthcare,?over?$300B/year?is spent on chemical testing across industries like food & beverage, agriculture, environment, and R&D??????Traditional analytical chemistry is complex, slow, costly, and low-throughput. These limitations create a chemical information bottleneck, making it difficult to measure molecules effectively and apply AI/ML to real-world, non-digital data. That’s where?Stemloop Biosensors?comes in!????Stemloop makes it?easy, fast, and cost-effective?to detect small molecules (20 to 2,000 Daltons) across a growing library of analytes, from metal ions to fatty acids and complex natural products. Our technology bridges the chemical information gap, accelerating progress in industries like the?$4T bioeconomy!??? What advancements in biosensor technology excite you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!????? #Biosensors #BioTechHistory #Innovation #Healthcare #ChemicalTesting #Bioeconomy #TechEvolution References: [1] https://lnkd.in/dGgy_2jw

Scientific Ethics: Digital Sequence Information (DSI) At Stemloop, we deeply value respect for all communities. A recent article by Vox explores an important topic: how biotech innovation, like cancer treatments and climate-resistant crops, often relies on organisms from biodiversity-rich countries. Unfortunately, these nations rarely benefit from the profits. This issue, known as “biopiracy,” now extends to Digital Sequence Information (DSI)—DNA and RNA sequences often freely available in global databases, making it harder to ensure equitable benefit-sharing with the source countries. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/evRWA-YK

???Feature Friday: Dr. Ignacio Tinoco Jr.??? This week, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of?Ignacio "Nacho" Tinoco Jr., whose research revolutionized our understanding of?RNA folding???. ? Dr. Tinoco’s academic journey began at the?University of New Mexico, where he graduated as the youngest in the chemistry department’s history???. He then went on to earn his?Ph.D.?from the?University of Wisconsin, and his early work in polymer chemistry laid the foundation for his groundbreaking discoveries in RNA. ???Dr. Tinoco’s most important discovery was how?RNA molecules?fold into specific shapes that regulate gene expression. This folding process is not random—RNA folds immediately into a shape that recognizes specific molecules in its environment. If the target molecule is present, the RNA "locks in" that shape, preserving the structure to control cellular processes. If the molecule is absent, the RNA unravels, resetting itself. This dynamic folding process is a powerful mechanism that nature uses to control gene activity. ???The principles of?RNA folding?are central to modern?biosensor?technology. RNA molecules can act as natural biosensors, recognizing specific targets in their environment and responding by folding into shapes that trigger cellular responses. These RNA-based sensors can be used to detect environmental toxins, pollutants, or even diagnose diseases. What makes RNA so effective as a sensor is its ability to quickly and reliably change shape based on what it "senses," making it an ideal molecule for applications requiring?real-time detection???. ???At?Stemloop, we are inspired by Dr. Tinoco’s groundbreaking work and the potential of?RNA biology. With our approach to biosensor technology, we harness the natural processes of?RNA?to power our innovations. By tapping into RNA’s unique properties, we create advanced biosensors that deliver?real-time insights?across industries, from healthcare to environmental science. Our biosensors provide precise solutions to address today’s toughest challenges???. ??Dr. Ignacio Tinoco’s work laid the groundwork for today’s RNA-based technologies, helping us understand how to use RNA folding as a design element in everything from?biosensors?to?drug delivery?systems. His discoveries continue to shape the future of?synthetic biology?and technology. #IgnacioTinocoJr #RNAFolding #Biosensors #Innovation #SyntheticBiology #EnvironmentalMonitoring #DataDrivenScience #ScientificLegacy

?? The Story Behind Stemloop: ROSALIND Technology At Stemloop, we’ve been sharing a lot about our innovative biosensor technology and its potential to transform chemical testing. Today, we’re excited to take you deeper into the science that powers our platform by highlighting one of the foundational papers that helped shape our journey! ?? The Nature Biotechnology article, “Cell-free biosensors for rapid detection of water contaminants”, dives into the development of our key technology: RNA Output Sensors Activated by Ligand Induction (ROSALIND). This groundbreaking in vitro transcription system is at the core of our biosensor technology—and we’re proud to hold the exclusive global license for it from Northwestern University! ?? The article explores the programmability and versatility of the ROSALIND reaction, detailing how it functions and sharing one of its first real-world applications: lyophilized tests used to detect contaminants like zinc and copper in drinking water. ?? These sensors were produced in Evanston, IL, and sent all the way to Paradise, CA, to help assess water safety after the devastating wildfires. We’re thrilled to share this important piece of our story and how it’s driving innovation in environmental monitoring. ???? ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gxYWTj5 #Biotech #Innovation #Biosensors #SynBio #RNA

????How Biosensors Are Revolutionizing Food Safety When it comes to ensuring the food we eat is safe, biosensors are stepping up as one of the most?innovative?solutions.???From spotting?pesticide residues?on crops to detecting harmful?bacteria?like?E. coli?and?Salmonella, biosensors offer a powerful tool for keeping our food supply clean and safe.????? The Problem: The food industry faces challenges from contaminants such as?heavy metals,?pathogens, and?illegal additives—all of which can pose serious health risks.????Traditional methods to detect these threats are reliable but can take days to deliver results and are costly to run. With the help of biosensors, we’re able to get?fast, accurate results?that allow for immediate action.??? ???Protecting the Food Chain: In agriculture, biosensors are used to monitor?soil quality?and pesticide levels???. Farmers can perform tests on-site, ensuring crops are safe?before?they reach the market. This reduces harmful residues in the food chain, creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.??????? ???Detecting Pathogens: In the fight against?foodborne illnesses, biosensors provide real-time detection of dangerous?pathogens?in food processing plants. These sensors help producers prevent contamination from spreading, avoiding large outbreaks, protecting public health, and saving money on recalls.?? ???Innovating for a Safer Future: At?Stemloop, we’re inspired by the power of?data-driven technologies?to solve the world’s toughest challenges—including food safety.????Whether through advancing biosensor technology or creating custom solutions, we are committed to developing?accessible, reliable biosensors?that empower industries with the information they need to act confidently. Through innovation, we aim to address?global issues?with impactful solutions.????? Biosensors are not just a new tool—they’re changing the way we approach food safety by offering a?fast, cost-effective, and reliable?solution for one of the most critical issues of our time.?????? #FoodSafety #Biosensors #Innovation #TechForGood #Sustainability #PublicHealth?

Stemloop Reads: Vanillin Biosensor for High-Throughput Screening ???? Last month, Pengyu Dong and collaborators published a fascinating article in ACS Synthetic Biology on their development of a vanillin biosensor for the development of a more vanillin production. Beyond its relevance in biofuel production (as we discussed last week https://lnkd.in/g7Jbhf_n), Vanillin plays a critical role in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, they engineered the transcription factor YqhC, originally responsive to glycolaldehyde, to become more sensitive to vanillin and exhibit a negative response to its precursor, protocatechuic acid (PCA). This way, the sensor could be used in screening of enzyme variants to boost vanillin production. By applying this biosensor to screen various enzyme variants, particularly focusing on caffeate O-methyltransferase (the rate-limiting enzyme in vanillin synthesis), they achieved an impressive 7-fold increase in vanillin conversion compared to the wild type! ?? ??Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ggkh9ptC #SyntheticBiology #Biotechnology #Innovation #Vanillin #SustainableProduction #HighThroughputScreening

???Transcription Factor Spotlight: QacR This week, we’re spotlighting?QacR, a versatile transcription factor from?Staphylococcus aureus?that’s gaining attention for its potential in detecting?vanillin, a compound relevant in?biofuel production. What is QacR???? QacR is a transcriptional repressor that helps?Staphylococcus aureus?fend off harmful substances by blocking the expression of the?qacA gene, which encodes a pump to expel toxic compounds. When QacR encounters harmful chemicals, it releases the DNA, enabling QacA production and protecting the bacteria. How Does QacR Work???? QacR can bind to a wide variety of drugs within a?single binding pocket. This pocket contains "mini-pockets" that interact with drugs via?aromatic residues?and?charge-neutralizing acids. This versatility helps?S. aureus?survive in hostile environments. Engineering QacR to Detect Vanillin??? Researchers are working to engineer QacR to sense?vanillin, a?phenolic compound?produced during biomass processing in biofuel production. By modifying QacR to recognize vanillin, scientists aim to create a?sensitive biosensor?to monitor and optimize biofuel production processes. This engineered QacR could become a crucial tool in biofuel production, helping ensure efficiency and sustainability. Why is This Important???? Repurposing QacR as a?vanillin sensor?highlights the?versatility?of transcription factors in?synthetic biology. This opens up possibilities for creating?custom biosensors?for specific compounds in various industries, advancing transcriptional regulation and innovation. Did You Know???? Vanillin, the primary flavor compound in vanilla beans, is also key in industrial processes. By engineering QacR to detect vanillin, we’re seeing the exciting intersection of biology and technology, using?natural systems?to solve modern challenges. ???Explore more! Check out our other posts on transcription factors: MtrR??https://lnkd.in/dHj5YNJT PdhR??https://lnkd.in/guvBGvem PcaV???https://lnkd.in/gkh6d3iC HucR????https://lnkd.in/gW4fYkVH TetR????https://lnkd.in/gCKpMHwh TraR????https://lnkd.in/gCKpMHwh #QacR #SyntheticBiology #Biosensors #Vanillin #Biofuel #TranscriptionFactors #Biotechnology #Research #SustainableEnergy #Innovation

Today in History: Stanford Moore On September 4th, 1913, American Biochemist Stanford Moore was born in Chicago, IL. Moore shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1972 with Christian Anfinsen and William Howard Stein for their work on the structure and function of the enzyme ribonuclease. Moore’s journey in science began in Nashville, Tennessee, where his father taught at Vanderbilt University. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt in 1935, Moore pursued a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Wisconsin, completing it in 1938. After completing his Ph.D. in the lab of Karl Paul Link, Moore went on to work with Link’s friend Max Bergmann at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical research alongside Stein. Though Moore left the lab to work for the government during World War II, he eventually returned to Rockefeller to continue his research with Stein. At the institute, Moore and Stein’s research focused on the enzyme ribonuclease, also known as RNase. This enzyme catalyzes, or breaks down strands of RNA within the cell. RNase serves the purpose of eliminating RNA that is no longer needed. It can also help defend against RNA viruses that enter the cell. Moore and Stein’s research began with the purification of the enzyme. Then, they used chromatography to analyze the amino acid composition of RNase. Using this data and x-ray chrystallography, they were able to determine the structure and function of the catalytic center of the enzyme. This research laid the foundation for many modern biochemical applications. At Stemloop, we rely on RNA stability for our biosensors, making the work of Moore and his colleagues crucial to what we do. Without their discoveries, RNA degradation could lead to significant losses in signal integrity. We’re grateful for their pioneering contributions to science! #TodayInHistory #ScienceHistory #Biochemistry #RNA

?? Transcription Factor Spotlight: MtrR This week, we're diving into MtrR, a critical transcription factor in?Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhea. As antibiotic resistance in?N. gonorrhoeae?becomes a growing public health threat, understanding MtrR's role in this process is vital for developing new strategies to combat resistant strains. What is MtrR? ?? MtrR is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes responsible for pumping out toxic substances, including antibiotics, from the bacterial cell. This allows?N. gonorrhoeae?to survive in hostile environments, such as during antibiotic treatment, making it harder to eliminate the infection. How Does MtrR Work? ?? MtrR binds to specific DNA sequences, keeping certain genes turned off. When steroid hormones like testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen are present, they bind to MtrR, causing it to change shape and release the DNA. This action activates genes that help the bacteria expel harmful substances, including antibiotics, thereby increasing the bacteria's resistance and survival chances. Why is This Important? ?? The interaction between MtrR and steroid hormones is particularly intriguing. These hormones, which naturally occur in the body and are also found in some hormonal contraceptives, can inadvertently enhance the bacteria's resistance. This connection highlights a complex interaction between bacterial infections and the host's hormonal environment, which can influence the effectiveness of treatments. Applications ?? Understanding how MtrR functions opens new avenues for combating antibiotic resistance. By targeting MtrR or its interaction with hormones, researchers could develop novel therapies to disable the bacteria's defense mechanisms, making them more susceptible to existing antibiotics. This could be a crucial step in addressing the urgent need for effective treatments against drug-resistant gonorrhea. MtrR-based research is paving the way for innovative approaches to managing bacterial infections in the face of rising drug resistance, potentially leading to more effective and targeted therapies. ???Explore more! Check out our other posts on transcription factors: PdhR??https://lnkd.in/guvBGvem PcaV???https://lnkd.in/gkh6d3iC HucR????https://lnkd.in/gW4fYkVH TetR????https://lnkd.in/gCKpMHwh TraR????https://lnkd.in/gCKpMHwh #MtrR #AntibioticResistance #Gonorrhea #PublicHealth #Hormones #DrugDevelopment #Healthcare #Research