« Older Entries

Why Use Cytotoxicity Testing in Small Molecule Drug Development and Testing?

Since living organisms are made up of cells, the unexplained death of a cell can lead to diseases. Through cytotoxicity studies, researchers are looking to identify the safety of a drug compound for human consumption.

The simple fact is that all molecules, big and small, require stringent testing to understand how they will react with an analyte or protein in the human body. In the field of biochemistry, small and big are not classified for size alone. Factors such as composition, suitability for different drug forms, behavior patterns, and mode of transportation are also considered. Since most research is based on small molecules, it is but obvious, that it is essential to test their effect on living, healthy as well as unhealthy cells. For example, the unstoppable proliferation of cells in a cancer patient requires cytotoxic compounds that allow the human body to maintain cell balance.

Let’s look at the role and importance of a cytotoxicity assay on drug development and research:

Did you know that the cost of developing a new drug today stands at around USD 1 billion? Given the rising expenses and the need to follow GLP and FDA protocols, using cells and plant molecules allows for quicker testing.
Every new drug compound undergoes a series of tests to measure precisely how much damage it can cause. Since a small molecule will travel from the point of intake to the site of action, it is necessary to carry out detailed studies of interactions with cells on-route. For example, a drug compound that is necessary for killing cancer cells may require direct application to the site of action to limit damage to the affected area.
A cytotoxicity assay is combined with in vivo testing of the ADME properties of a drug to achieve a safety profile. Absorption or permeability, metabolic stability during metabolism, and interaction to membrane transport systems during distribution are essential aspects that validate behavior and possible outcomes.
In small molecules testing, especially, qualitative and quantitative assays are used to create markers for biocompatibility. For example, if a compound is highly toxic, small molecule testing will undertake studies to identify the pathways that can mitigate the toxic effects of the compound on the cells.
One of the most important things to remember while undertaking a cytotoxicity assay is choosing the right assay. Additionally, it is equally important to remember that using a single test or kit is not enough to provide accuracy.

Tags:

Funding For Startups – How to Raise Capital for Your Small Business?

When you start a new business, the first and most common problem arises is to find the resources for funding. Besides having brilliant business ideas, most of the entrepreneurs fail to raise necessary funds and let their ideas sink. Due to the lack of funds, they never able to bring their ideas in to the reality. If you are planning to run a startup and want to raise capital for your business, then you should first check with the various funding avenues. Once you find different resources for fundraising, you can choose the best one that suits to your needs and you can promote your ideas in a manner convey your worth and bring money to develop your business. These important things can make a huge difference, especially, when you decide to start your own business.

Before knowing few brilliant funding options, it is better to know about some other possible options that can help you source your startup capital. If you conduct a profound research of a market, you will come across many options and choices. Research also helps you understand which option is good for your business. The best option to perform a research is the Internet. It provides you with a plethora of information where can get the answer of your question. If starting a small business is your plan, then you will find many helpful online resources that give you precious information about funding resources.

You can also find information in the newspapers. They are the excellent option to know the latest information about funding for startups. You can find news articles and fundraising ideas written by entrepreneurs to learn how to start a news business and raise funds. Furthermore, you can also get detailed information about resources with whom you can make a connection and achieve your goals.

Now, you should decide on a funding resource that you want to choose for raising capital for your startup. There are few wonderful funding options available in the market that can help you raise funds.

Equity Financing – It is one of the well-known forms of funding that help you get money for your business in the exchange of a part of your business ownership. Equity financing is usually offered by informal investors and venture capitalists. This is a good option to raise funds for your startups as you pay back your loan in a certain time frame.

Debt Financing – Banks and accredited government agencies offer loan to startups is called as a debt financing. You owe these agencies in this way of raising capital.

Crowdfunding – Crowdfunding is a superb option of online fundraising. It brings a community of investors, startups, entrepreneurs and business together and let them meet each other to accomplish their objectives. There are many Crowdfunding websites available on the internet that let you promote your promising ideas and materialize them in a better way.

If you really have that entrepreneur’s instinct and a great business idea, then you no need to lose your hope. Above option will surely help you to make your dreams come true.

Tags:

How to Apply For The Thailand Education Visa?

There are a lot of reasons why most foreign students opt to study in the tropical country of Thailand. The serene and warm climate offers a sense of comfort and relaxation which is very conducive for studying. Most universities in Thailand offer programs which are globally accredited and internationally recognized. Before you can begin your journey of a student, you need to apply for an Education Visa Thailand

Step 1. Apply at a university of your choice, for the course or program desired.

Each university in Thailand follows internal rules different from the others. In some cases, mere photocopies of the required documents are sufficient while for some, the original certified copies are required. These documents must be submitted with the properly accomplished application form of the university where the foreigner is applying.

Step 2. Letter of Admission

Upon receiving the Letter of Admission from the university where the foreign student applied, he is now considered as accepted for the program. The letter should indicate the date which the student should start attending the scheduled classes for the semester he is applying for, as well as all the subjects which he was allowed to enroll for that particular semester. The minimum number of subjects which a foreign student is allowed to enroll is at least three subjects per semester.

Step 3. Applying for the Thailand student visa (requirements)

• Letter of Admission
• Valid passport
• Recent passport size photograph

Once the potential foreign applicant has secured these three requirements, he may now file his application for a student visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in his country.

Step 4. The ninety (90)-day student visa

Under Thai law, the initial student visa which will be issued to the foreign student shall be valid for only 90 days. During this period, it is your duty to register with the Thai university and pay the corresponding tuition fee for his studies.

Upon confirmation of compliance of the requisites of payment and registration, the student may now avail of the full one-year Education Visa Thailand, without need of leaving the country, as in the case of a visa run.

Step 5. Responsibilities of the foreign student

After the issued Education Visa Thailand, the law mandates such holders to notify the government of their location and status every ninety 90 days. the foreign student must accomplish a simple form and indicate therein their current address, in order for the appropriate Thai immigration office to establish their whereabouts at any given time.

Said form may be accomplished by the student in Immigration Bureau anywhere in Thailand, or even by mail at some locations. Thai law strictly implements this rule thus, foreign students are warned to abide by the procedure or face the danger of losing Thailand education visa Thailand.

Tags: