Step into the bustling office where the talented scientists at aMoon gather to discuss some of the most relevant innovations that have piqued their curiosity in recent weeks. Over lunch or a coffee break, they delve into the scientific discoveries that have captivated their attention this past quarter. From the groundbreaking organ-on-chips technologies reshaping drug development to the intriguing realm of AI-enhanced protein design and the fascinating field of Cardiogenic Control of Emotions, these groundbreaking advancements have claimed the top spots on our must-read list. Here are their top 3: 

1. Diving Into the World of Human Organs-on-Chips  

Something big is happening with organoid systems, and what could be timelier with news of the FDA’s Modernization Act 2.0? The recent legislation is opening the door for new drug development pathways, as the agency will no longer require all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials. Now, all eyes are on organ-on-chips technologies and their promise to accelerate and improve toxicity and efficacy testing.    

Organ-on-a-chip (organ chip) refers to microfluidic culture devices capable of replicating organ-level functionality and even simulating whole-body physiology and drug distribution, as seen in a recent article from Nature Reviews Genetics. Companies like Emulate Bio and Israeli start-up Quris AI are actively working on developing multiple organs-on-chips, revolutionizing toxicity and efficacy testing in the pharmaceutical industry. 

2. Unlocking New Possibilities using AI-Enhanced Protein Design 

Protein design technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, and we adore their ability to effortlessly combine logic and creativity. Capabilities in the field are quickly advancing, with AlphaFold, released in 2021, marking just the beginning of an anticipated landslide of new tools and studies. Now the question is, what’s next?  

Velocity, our early-stage fund, is seeing interesting innovation in this area as entrepreneurs are capitalizing on expanding datasets and computational tools, using them for optimization and simulation tasks. Generate, highlighted in Nature Biotechnology, is embarking on an ambitious journey of developing an algorithm capable of constructing entirely new designed-proteins with user-specified structural and functional features.  

3. Understanding the Mind-Body Connection with Cardiogenic Control of Emotions 

It’s well known that emotions such as fear and anxiety can make our hearts beat faster. But did you know that the reverse may also be true?  

A recent study conducted in mice from the lab of Dr. Karl Deisseroth, the father of Optogenetics, has found that artificially increasing the heart rate can raise anxiety levels. This phenomenon has been known to psychologists for quite a while, but it is now being observed using brain-body circuits for the first time. The authors, published in Nature, describe their discovery as a revelation of how cells of both the body and the brain must be considered together to understand the origins of emotional or affective states. This remarkable finding could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of various conditions, including chronic anxiety.   

On different note, a recent publication of Current Biology features an international team of scientists who were able to uncover some sad truths about the life of Ludwig van Beethoven by sequencing his genome using just eight locks of hair.  

Ending off with a Beethoven quote that should ring true to scientists, investors, and entrepreneurs alike: “To play a wrong note is insignificant. To play without passion is inexcusable!”