Biotechnology Archives - Northeastern University College of Science

When Jonathan Kibirige moved to Andover, Massachusetts, from Uganda in March, he wanted a change from working in shipping logistics.

Through connections in the biotech industry and the power of LinkedIn, the 34-year-old found the Pathmaker program, a training program offered through Northeastern University and funded by the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center that helps people obtain the experience needed to pursue entry-level jobs in the state’s life sciences industry.

Pathmaker programs train people in the skills they’ll need to work in a lab in Massachusetts’ life sciences industry, whether it’s biomanufacturing, basic lab practices or the skills needed to work in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.

“I have a love for science and I felt this was going to be a game-changer for me to grow and also make an impact on people’s lives, especially in the health sector,” Kirbirige said.

Read more at Northeastern Global News

Photo by Matthew Modoono

Dr. Mak Saito, Woods Hole presents a seminar entitled "Uncovering the Dynamic Role of the Metalloproteome within Marine Microbes and Human Pathogens"

https://www.whoi.edu/profile/msaito/

Dr. Melissa Caimano, UConn School of Medicine presents a seminar entitled "A Tale of Two Networks: How Lyme disease spirochetes navigate their way through the enzootic cycle "

https://health.uconn.edu/spirochete-lab/radolf-and-caimano-laboratory/research/

Dr. Klaas Van Wijk, Cornell University presents a seminar entitled "Control of chloroplast protein homeostasis by intra-organellar proteases in plants"

https://cals.cornell.edu/people/klaas-van-wijk

Dr. Chris Sassetti, UMass Chan School of Medicine presents a seminar entitled "Cryptic Variation in the M. tuberculosis genome impacts pathogenesis and treatment"

https://www.umassmed.edu/sassettilab/

Children and bacteria –– normally they’re a parental nightmare, a cocktail of late-night pediatrician calls and ruined weekends.

The idea of a toy filled with bacteria probably sounds like a recipe for disaster. This team of designers says otherwise.

Meet SquidKid, a prototype toy designed by Northeastern University students that is, essentially, an organic Tamagotchi. Children take care of the bioluminescent bacterial culture in this squid-shaped toy, keeping it alive and glowing. The hope for SquidKid, which earned a finalist spot in the international Biodesign Challenge, is to create not only a lasting friend but a lasting connection between children and the natural world.

“Our real goal was to create a bioreactor that would be ongoing, so you would keep a bacterial culture alive for an extended period of time like you would keep a fish tank or something,” says Deirdre Ni Chonaill, an experience design master’s student and associate director of creative and experience design at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences. “Kids don’t always treat their toys very well. With Tamagotchi, there are times where if you ignored it, it died. In this case, you’re actually killing something.”

Children must maintain the bacteria housed in SquidKid, providing oxygen, the right “broth,” or food, and consistent agitation. The toy is even designed with a squeezable tentacle that injects oxygen into the system and moves the bacteria, prompting them to glow.

SquidKid began life in the classroom. The team of students designed it as part of their Critical Making for Adaptive Futures class taught by Katia Zolotovsky, an assistant professor of design and biotechnology.