For some scientists, words like “undrugged protein” are almost a personal challenge. That simple phrase sparks a fire that fuels an intense drive to characterize the protein, solve its structure and develop a molecule that will bind it and produce a beneficial phenotype.

That’s how Dr. Val Watts feels about adenylyl cyclases. These GPCR-activated enzymes are promising targets for efforts related to chronic pain and many other health conditions. While more than 50% of approved drugs in the United States target GPCRs, there are currently no therapeutics targeting the downstream adenylyl cyclases.

“The fact that they are undrugged today…I take this challenge so seriously that I have a tattoo of adenylyl cyclase on my arm,” Val says. “I want to drug them before my time in academia is over.”

Val Watts is the Associate Dean for Research and a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Purdue University. The Promega Academic Access Program has helped him bring technologies like NanoBRET® protein interaction assays into his lab at reduced costs. Technologies acquired through the program help Val’s team generate unique insights into adenylyl cyclase behavior in live cells, monitor critical molecules and much more. Their participation in the Academic Access Program and their growing relationships with Promega scientists have helped the lab navigate financial constraints while still pushing their research forward.

Detecting Legionella in water systems is a critical step in preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. However, not all detection methods are created equal. One of the biggest challenges in water testing is differentiating between viable and non-viable cells. This distinction is essential for making informed decisions about water system safety and compliance, especially in high-stakes environments like hospitals, office buildings and public spaces.

In a previous blog, we explored the history and significance of Legionella testing, from its discovery during the 1976 outbreak to the risks posed by modern water systems. We also highlighted the limitations of traditional culture-based detection and the need for advanced tools to improve accuracy and speed. In this second blog, we will dive deeper into the challenges of Legionella detection, the science behind qPCR technology and how an innovative approach to qPCR addresses these challenges. Finally, we will demonstrate how this technology fits into established workflows to deliver reliable, actionable results for water safety. 

In the ever-changing landscape of life sciences, the relationship between science and design remains essential. For example, have you ever read a blog or article overloaded with excessive terminology? Or an advertisement with complex information or graphics? This can be overwhelming and may cause you to miss the key message. Similarly, when an image is overly designed, it risks missing the mark entirely.

Enter the scientific figures. Whether the data is conveyed through complex graphs or scientific illustrations, design plays a vital role in providing clarity to the story. With that in mind, here are a few tips I’ve learned as a designer working with scientists in the life science and healthcare fields that can help you collaborate more effectively:

At Promega, we believe that creativity drives innovation, challenges conventional thinking, and amplifies our ability to solve complex problems. Our annual Employee Art Showcase, a tradition since 1998, serves as a perfect expression of this belief. This event highlights the incredible creative talents of our employees and their families, offering a space to explore art in all its forms.

This year’s event was nothing short of inspiring, with 130 pieces of art submitted by employees and their families, beautifully displayed at the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center on the Promega Madison campus. The opening reception, held on January 16, featured a lively atmosphere with music performed by the Promega band, Major Groove, and a cozy hot cocoa bar—setting the perfect stage for appreciating the diverse artwork on display.

Remember learning to swim and realizing you could float without trying? While floating alone did not make you fit for the Olympics, it did mean you were ready to start learning the moves without sinking. As a PhD student or recent graduate exploring a career away from research, you might feel similarly unprepared, but without realizing it, you have been building the skills you need right from the start.

Phase 1: Exploration

In every PhD comes a time where you must decide between following the academic route, switching to research in industry, or leaving the bench behind altogether. Facing this decision, you might find yourself facing more questions than answers or even start to doubt your choice of degree. If this is the case, let me reassure you, you are not alone.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease that can result in progressive loss of vision. While AMD typically affects older adults, a specific rare type of AMD called Malattia Leventinese/Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (ML/DHRD) can appear as early as the teenage years. Although ML/DHRD is rare, its study may provide insights into broader mechanisms of retinal degeneration, which could benefit millions affected by AMD.  

While the genetic cause of ML/DHRD is known, there have been no small molecule inhibitors identified that reduce the production of the disease-causing protein. However, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Minnesota recently published a paper that describes a small-molecule inhibitor that addresses the primary pathology of ML/DHRD. In the paper, titled “GSK3 inhibition reduces ECM production and prevents age-related macular degeneration-like pathology,” the team used CRISPR-engineered cell lines to study production of the disease-causing protein in response to treatment with inhibitors. The work was supported by the Promega Academic Access Program, which helped defray the costs of needed reagents. Their results point to future strategies for developing therapeutics at the currently incurable disease.