Advancing life sciences and health
Closing the gene writing gap
NPL, in collaboration with London Biofoundry and BiologIC Technologies Ltd, released an analysis on existing and emerging DNA synthesis technologies in Nature Reviews Chemistry, featuring the work on the front cover.
The study, which was initiated by DSTL, set out to understand the development trajectory of DNA synthesis as a major industry drive for the UK economy over the next ten years. The demand for synthetic DNA is growing exponentially. However, our ability to make or write DNA lags behind our ability to sequence or read it.
The study reviewed existing and emerging DNA synthesis technologies developed to close this gene writing gap.
DNA provides a universal tool to engineer and manipulate living systems. Recent progress in DNA synthesis has brought up limitless possibilities in a variety of industry sectors. Engineering biology, therapy and diagnostics, data storage, defence and nanotechnology are all set for unprecedented breakthroughs if DNA can be provided at scale and low cost.
As an example, DNA has already been used to write books, episodes of Netflix series, video games and is being applied to catalogue the entire British Library. Just one gram of DNA is estimated to store over 17 Exabytes of information, whereas five exabytes is all that is needed to store all the words spoken by mankind.
The development of robust metrology and suitable standards are required to accelerate and safeguard the uptake of synthetic DNA by the end users. NPL supports this endeavour by developing a toolbox of traceable reference materials, methods and standards, which will underpin further developments in the field.
Find out more about our work in health
Breakthroughs in radiotherapy
NPL scientists have worked on a range of projects that are set to significantly improve the accuracy of a type of radiotherapy treatment called proton beam radiotherapy. The benefits of this therapy include more precise targeting of cancer tumours without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. It massively minimises the unpleasant side effects of radiotherapy, particularly in the case of paediatric patients, including cardiac failure, pulmonary fibrosis, and secondary cancers.
Proton beam radiotherapy is seen as a superior option to established forms of radiotherapy because the radiation can be confined largely to the tumour, minimising the damage to surrounding healthy tissue. But in order to make the most of the treatment, the accuracy of the radiation dose from proton beam treatment must be similar to that achieved using existing radiotherapy treatments.
To achieve this aim, the team at NPL made three important breakthroughs:
- producing their own highly accurate tool for measurement and assuring radiation dosage amounts called the Primary Standard Proton Calorimeter (PSPC)
- developing new tissue-equivalent plastic materials to precisely imitate human tissue such as bone and muscle at the test phase
- performing pioneering measurements to demonstrate a new form of radiotherapy called FLASH
We are excited to see these developments make an impact for patients and clinicians.
Ana was awarded the Bronze Award in Physics at STEM for Britain 2023
Ana Lourenço, Principal Scientist in Medical Radiation Science, presented her research work on the development of the world's first primary standard for proton radiotherapy beams. Prior to this work, globally, there was no dedicated calibration service for proton beams based directly on a primary standard resulting in higher than desired uncertainties on the dose delivered to cancer patients.
“Our team at NPL are widely recognised as world leaders in areas of proton dosimetry. We have worked to develop a deeper understanding of fundamental aspects of dosimetry for this type of beam which has culminated in us developing dedicated primary standard specifically for proton radiotherapy. We are able to further refine the understanding of the response of ionisation chambers used in the clinic. Combined with that, my team have developed protocols for auditing clinics - a vital aspect in ensuring patient treatments are optimally delivered, and have developed our own materials specifically to mimic the response of tissue, bone etc in the proton beam. It is a privilege for me to lead such a dedicated and talented team of scientists whose work has a real impact in helping to improve outcomes and the quality of life of cancer patients.” - Science Area Leader, Russell Thomas