In selecting content for our blog this year, we sought to connect our readers to the deep domain expertise and unique perspectives of our in-house experts and industry partners. We hope our posts help you cut through the hype and inspire new ideas throughout the year, whether you are in pursuit of safer, more effective drugs, designing new materials, embarking on AI and machine learning initiatives or defining your future innovation strategy.
As 2019 comes to a close, we revisit three of our most popular posts to send you into the new year.
Finding cures faster: AI charting the course into new regions of chemical space
By Todd Wills
In November 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Vitrakvi discovered by Array BioPharma and developed by Loxo Oncology. Vitrakvi is used for the treatment of patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion. It was the first small molecule cancer drug to be approved that treats people based on their genetic profile, rather than the location of their tumor. Vitrakvi is noteworthy because it originated from a new area of chemical space that had not been previously explored until recently. Continue reading…
Synthetic chemistry and the hunt for the perfect pie
By Tim Wahlberg
I recently set out to drive from Columbus, OH, to Minneapolis, MN for some family festivities. Along the way, I wanted to work in a nice stop for lunch, specifically, a small town, family-run restaurant with a unique feel and, of course, great pie. In these scenarios, modern technology is incredible. It provides unprecedented access to relevant information that can help with this task in real-time. I scanned through Waze, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google search results, which yielded an overwhelming amount of information to help me choose. And choose I did: A little spot in Illinois. But as I dug deeper into my research and my meal, I discovered that the absolute best spot, the place with the most coveted apple pie in Illinois, a bona fide national treasure, was right across the street. Continue reading…
CAS Future Leaders: Thirty scientists, an umbrella and Beyoncé
By Lučka Bibič
They say that people who make a difference in your life come in all types. Some write on a chalkboard. Some wear a sports uniform. Some wear a pop-star outfit. For me, these people wear lab coats with a 2018 CAS Future Leaders nametag. About a year ago, I applied for CAS Future Leaders—an international program that aims to develop leadership skills and expand the professional network of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers. As a grad student in my final year, I was especially excited to meet fellow scientists from similar international backgrounds. Continue reading…
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