Author: Sara Millevolte

The Hidden Role of the Immune Microenvironment in ER+ Breast Cancer Resistance

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers are among the most common and treatable forms of the disease. Many patients respond well to a combination of endocrine therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors—drugs like ribociclib that block the cell cycle and prevent tumor growth. But for up to half of these patients, treatment eventually fails. The tumor adapts and continues to grow, presenting a major barrier to developing more effective, long-term cancer therapies.

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Tuberculosis Genome Mapping in Italy: How 2,520 Strains Are Shaping the Future of TB Surveillance

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, with millions of new cases and over a million deaths each year. The rise of drug-resistant strains has only complicated treatment and control efforts, turning TB into a moving target for clinicians and public health officials alike. Understanding how TB spreads, evolves and becomes resistant requires more than just microscopes and cultures—it demands a detailed look at the bacterium’s genetic code.

Secondary tuberculosis in lungs and close-up view of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, 3D illustration
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The Long Road to a Norovirus Vaccine: How Close Are We?

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

This winter, norovirus outbreaks surged across the U.S., with cases nearly doubling from last year, according to the CDC. Schools, cruise ships, nursing homes and healthcare facilities saw widespread illness, underscoring the urgent need for a norovirus vaccine.

Each year, norovirus causes 685 million infections worldwide and is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., responsible for 21 million cases annually. Despite its massive impact, there is still no approved vaccine—but recent advancements suggest that this could change.

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Cracking the Undruggable Code: Top 10 Key Takeaways

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

For decades, the concept of “undruggable” targets has presented one of the most significant challenges in drug discovery. At our recent virtual event, Illuminating New Frontiers: Cracking the Undruggable Code, leading researchers and industry experts gathered to showcase cutting-edge technologies and fresh perspectives that are expanding the boundaries of therapeutic development. Over three engaging days, participants explored groundbreaking advances in targeting RAS signaling, leveraging protein degradation and induced proximity strategies, and exploring RNA as a therapeutic target.

Target engagement of RAF dimer inhibitor LXH254 at RAF kinases, in complex with KRAS (blue). RAF inhibitor LXH254 engages BRAF or CRAF protomers (orange), but spares ARAF (red). Unoccupied ARAF is competent trigger downstream mitogenic signaling (lightning bolts). Red cells in the background are fluorescently labeled RAS proteins, expressed in live cells.
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An Introduction to Lyophilization: Process, Benefits & Possibilities

Posted on by Sara Millevolte
Amber glass bottle filled with lyophilized beads sitting on a lab bench.

Lyophilization is a process designed to remove water from a sample or product through a controlled freezing and vacuum application. The method leverages the triple point of water, where solid, liquid, and gas phases coexist under specific temperature and pressure conditions. The result is a room temperature stable product that is much lighter than the original sample or product.

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COVID-19 and Type 1 Diabetes: Exploring the Potential Link

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of adolescent type 1 diabetes was steadily increasing at a rate of 1.9% per year in the United States and 3-4% per year in European countries (3,7). Since the pandemic, however, several studies have reported an unprecedented surge in type 1 diabetes in children and teenagers.

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LinkedIn for Early Career Scientists: Advice from Promega’s Interns

Posted on by Sara Millevolte
Laptop computer displaying logo of LinkedIn, an American business and employment-oriented service that operates via websites and mobile apps

In today’s world of social networking, LinkedIn has emerged as the clear winner for professionals in all industries. With its powerful networking capabilities and innovative career development features, LinkedIn has revolutionized how individuals connect, collaborate and advance their careers.

In this blog you will hear from some of Promega’s interns as they share valuable advice for early career scientists looking to expand their network, establish meaningful connections and propel their career forward.

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Leveraging LinkedIn: A Guide for Early Career Scientists

Posted on by Sara Millevolte
female holding iPhone with LinkedIn screen. LinkedIn helps build portfolio and look for a new job

As an early career scientist, you may have already realized that the key to a successful career is not just an impressive resume or CV, but a strong professional network. In today’s interconnected digital age, there is no better platform to build this network than LinkedIn. With more than 930 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is a powerful tool for connecting with professionals in your industry, exploring job opportunities, and building your personal brand. 

In this blog, I’ll cover everything you need to know to establish a strong presence on LinkedIn and achieve your professional goals.

Creating a Strong Profile

Your profile can either make or break your success on LinkedIn. A well-crafted profile has the potential to create lasting impressions and open doors to new career and networking opportunities. Below are a few tips to help you create a profile that is sure to impress potential connections and employers:

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Cancer Preventing Vaccines: Unleashing the Potential of Tumor Antigens

Posted on by Sara Millevolte

It has been more than 100 years since Dr. William B. Coley, known today as the “Father of Immunotherapy,” made the first recorded attempt to mobilize the immune system as a means of treating cancer (9). Decades later, the discovery of T cells and the vital role they play in the immune system set the groundwork for many new immunotherapy treatments, such as those involving monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, CAR T cells, and checkpoint inhibitors.

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