By Gwyneth Astles
BRINGING YOU THE LATEST NEWS & EVENTS FROM THE SCIENCE INDUSTRY
New spatial biology platform launches at UCLA accelerator
Meteor Biotech, a leading developer of spatial omics technology and region-targeted cell sorting devices, has announced the installation of its next-generation spatial biology platform, CosmoSort, at Magnify, the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI) incubator at UCLA. The site also marks the opening of Meteor Biotech’s newly established US office. Situated at the heart of UCLA’s campus, Magnify offers high-quality, affordable facilities, expert services, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem to help transformative technology startups thrive.
With CosmoSort now operational at Magnify, Meteor Biotech is ready to welcome researchers and drug developers from across the United States. Scientists working in oncology, neurology, immunology, and biomarker discovery can now access the company’s proprietary Spatially- Resolved Laser-Activated Cell Sorting (SLACS) technology for advanced single- cell analysis.
Unlike conventional spatial omics platforms that primarily chart expression profiles across tissue samples, SLACS enables researchers to isolate and extract specific cells from
tissue sections with unprecedented speed and accuracy, allowing for far deeper and more detailed analyses.
“Meteor Biotech is excited to establish our new office at the Magnify Incubator,” said Dr Amos Lee, co-founder and CEO of Meteor Biotech. “This milestone represents a significant step in our growth and reinforces our commitment to innovation and collaboration within the CNSI ecosystem. By installing CosmoSort, we are providing researchers with unparalleled single- cell analysis capabilities, and we anticipate this will accelerate breakthrough discoveries. The alignment between our mission and Magnify’s vision for supporting transformative startups makes this partnership an ideal fit.”
Academic scientists and drug developers will be able to take part in hands-on trials, demonstrations, and pilot studies using CosmoSort. Meteor Biotech will also provide on- site trials and customer training to ensure optimal use of the technology.
Dr Amos Lee. Credit: Meteor Biotech
“Magnify is thrilled to welcome Meteor Biotech to our incubator,” said Nikki Lin, Director of the Magnify Incubator at CNSI. “Their decision to establish a US office here and make advanced scientific equipment accessible reflects the collaborative and innovative environment we aim to cultivate.
Academic scientists and drug developers will be able to take part in hands-on trials, demonstrations, and pilot studies.
By providing researchers with cutting-edge tools, Meteor Biotech is not only strengthening our ecosystem but also contributing to the broader scientific community. Together, we look forward to driving impactful advances in biotechnology and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.”
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/Jd2b 65736pr@reply-direct.com
UK scientists lead global effort to combat antifungal resistance
As drug-resistant fungal infections emerge as a growing threat to global health, researchers at the University of Exeter are spearheading a major international drive to find new solutions.
Through its pioneering FAILSAFE programme – supported by the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) – Exeter has awarded a further £1.1 million to research teams worldwide developing innovative solutions to fungal antimicrobial resistance (fAMR). This latest round brings total investment to more than £2.8 million in just one year, supporting 135 researchers across 82 countries.
Fungal infections pose a serious danger to immunocompromised patients and are increasingly impacting animals and crops. Despite claiming as many lives each year as malaria or tuberculosis, fungal diseases remain significantly under-researched. Existing antifungal drugs are limited, and growing resistance is making them less effective.
Led by Exeter’s MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, FAILSAFE funds research in five key areas: surveillance, diagnostics, drug discovery, vaccine development, and understanding resistance mechanisms. Many projects focus on low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of fungal infections is greatest.
Professor Elaine Bignell, co-lead of FAILSAFE, said: “By supporting a global network of researchers, we’re not only advancing science but building the capacity to respond where the need is greatest. Tackling fungal resistance demands innovation and international collaboration.”
Since its launch, FAILSAFE has also built a vibrant global community of more than 800 medical mycologists, connecting experts and fostering collaboration to address one of the most urgent but overlooked health challenges of our time.
Cryptococcus neoformans (blue) in mouse nose tissue (pink). Credit: Dr Vanessa Francis, Coelho Lab, University of Exeter
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/eqXG 66006pr@reply-direct.com
Eppendorf Award 2026 opens for young European investigators
Europe’s biomedical researchers can now apply for the Eppendorf Award for Young European Investigators. Since 1995, this prestigious annual award - worth €20,000 - has celebrated groundbreaking research and the next generation of scientific leaders across Europe.
Applicants must be under 35 and pursuing research in Europe, with an advanced degree in biomedical sciences. The application window runs from 1 October 2025 to 15 January 2026.
An independent jury, chaired by Professor Laura Machesky of the University of Cambridge, will select the 2026 winner, continuing a tradition of recognising innovation, impact, and scientific excellence.
The award is presented in collaboration with Nature, highlighting the international significance of the achievements it celebrates. Past winners have gone on to make notable contributions to fields ranging from cell biology to translational medicine.
For full details on eligibility, selection criteria, and past laureates, as well as to submit your application, visit:
ilmt.co/PL/pm9X
More information online:
ilmt.co/PL/xDvQ 65915pr@reply-direct.com
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