Breakthrough technologies are constantly reshaping how scientists approach drug discovery and development. Join us for an engaging one-hour webinar on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 at 1 pm CET for “Innovative Workflows in Drug Discovery: Drug Interactions & Dosing with the I.DOT" where esteemed scientists share their groundbreaking workflows using I.DOT technology.
This session will feature in-depth presentations on drug interactions and drug dosing. Discover how cutting-edge techniques are transforming biopharmaceutical research, increasing efficiency, and providing more accurate results.
At the heart of our discussion was the I.DOT, a non-contact liquid dispenser that's redefining precision in laboratory workflows. This groundbreaking technology offers:
Our distinguished panel of experts will share their groundbreaking research:
Dr. Wicki's presentation will delve into the complex landscape of drug interactions in mycobacteria, focusing on resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. His research is critical in developing innovative strategies to combat challenging pathogens.
Basil Wicki is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Biomedicine Basel, working within the research group of PD Dr. Lucas Boeck. The group’s primary objective is to reveal bacterial mechanisms contributing to treatment failure, investigate their molecular underpinnings, and identify potential targets for novel antimicrobial strategies, with a particular focus on Mycobacterium abscessus.
With a background in microbiology, Basil earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Basel. During his master's studies, he conducted research at Bioversys AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, where he focused on the role of transcriptional regulators as targets for anti-virulence compounds in Acinetobacter baumannii. He further enhanced his expertise at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, completing a civil service under the supervision of Prof. Sébastien Gagneux in the Tuberculosis Ecology and Evolution group. There, he investigated resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
As a Ph.D. student, Basil focused on elucidating the landscape of drug interactions in Mycobacterium abscessus, aiming to identify potential avenues for improved treatment strategies. Throughout his academic education, he has developed a strong interest in addressing the antimicrobial resistance crisis and the challenges posed by difficult-to-treat pathogens. It drives him to uncover the underlying mechanisms contributing to treatment failure and to develop innovative approaches to combat the growing threat of treatment-resistant pathogens.
Francesca Mastroianni earned a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from the University of Basilicata, followed by a Master's degree in Functional Genomics from the University of Trieste. She completed her master project at the University of Helsinki, Institute of Biotechnology (HiLIFE). Her research explored the role of microRNAs in regulating neuroprotective factors (MANF and CDNF) and protein aggregation in Parkinson's disease.
Currently, Francesca is a laboratory scientist at UCB Biopharma, based in Braine l'Alleud, Belgium. She has been contributing to cutting-edge research at UCB since 2021. She has extensive experience in cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity assays, and advanced imaging techniques. Her expertise includes neurite outgrowth real-time imaging assays, assessment of neural network activity using microelectrode array (MEA) systems, and various proteomics and genomics techniques. As the lead for the cytotoxicity assay within the Investigative Toxicology group, Francesca is instrumental in assessing compound safety during the early stages of evaluation. She oversees the execution of cytotoxicity assays, which act as a first filter to assess the toxicity properties of all compounds of interest identifying any potential toxic effects before compounds can advance further in the development pipeline.
The convergence of advanced liquid handling technologies like I.DOT Non-Contact Dispenser with sophisticated research methodologies represents a significant leap forward in drug discovery. By enabling more precise, efficient, and reproducible workflows, we're accelerating the path from laboratory research to potential life-saving treatments.
Interested in learning more about how innovative technologies are transforming drug discovery? RSVP for this webinar and subscribe to our newsletter for more insights from our research community.