#biomedical waste found

[whiskey-tango-matcha]

Noticing (M, cold)

Ok, so I got an idea and ran with it and it came out as 4.5k words with no sneezing until 2.5k words in (apologies). But this was a super fun write! In it, Reed and Greyson are newly moved in together and Greyson realizes Reed has some quirks he didn't know about. Sick Greyson, if you make it all the way to the snz then I promise he is pretty miserable by the end lmao. I hope you all enjoy, I know I've been MIA for a few weeks, I'm hoping to be around more but in the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one. Anyway, enjoy!

CW: Male snz, cold, some coughing. A lil relationship angst. Nothing too crazy in this one.

Noticing

The moment they moved in together, Greyson realized that Reed was… let’s just say a different breed of human than he was used to cohabitating with.

This wasn’t to say that a different breed was bad; quite the opposite, in most ways that mattered. Every roommate Greyson ever had could have been affectionately referred to as a swamp garbage monster from hell; dishes were done by Greyson and only him, and that was when he could actually get to them. Laundry littered the floor of the apartment, and not just the bedrooms but the living room and even kitchen floors, and the fridge would’ve been better classified as a biomedical waste bin.

Then there had been his brief stint of life with Collin. Collin wasn’t a swamp monster, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a monster at all; Collin was what Greyson called the ‘everything-in-its-place’ monster. There wasn’t a single day that went by in their month-long living partner stint where Collin wasn’t berating Greyson about his toothbrush being on the wrong side of the sink, or his shoes being on the wrong side of the closet. As disgusting as it was, Greyson knew that if push came to shove he’d pick a million garbage roommates over a single monster of Collin’s variety.

Greyson had made it a point throughout his late twenties and into his thirties to live alone if he could, even if it meant taking the train an hour one way to work every day. He’d enjoyed his time alone, having everything where he wanted it, a home that most would call a bachelor pad, but without all the grime. Having something just for himself, especially after the disaster that was Collin, had felt safe. Comfortable. Easy.

The decision to move in with Reed had felt easy and comfortable too when he’d agreed to do it, though. It had felt safe, and he knew it was; it was just hard to give up the life he was used to, especially since he was once again moving into someone else’s space. The new apartment was… incredible. But it was Reed’s.

Reed’s life revolved almost completely around his apartment, Greyson quickly realized. His boyfriend worked from home, and worked a lot – there were nights when Greyson would stumble out of bed at three a.m. to pee, only to realize Reed was in his office typing away.

“If I get an idea, I have to write it out,” Reed had explained one morning when Greyson confronted him about it. “If I wait and go back to bed, it’ll be gone.”

Greyson could understand this; after all, he kept a notebook on him at all times for writing down ideas for menus or recipes. Creative force struck when it struck, he supposed. What he couldn’t understand was the absolutely insane schedule his boyfriend stuck to during the day.

“Honey, you don’t work from home so it’s hard for you to understand,” Reed had said when Greyson asked about the hour-by-hour, day-by-day schedule Reed kept on a bulletin board over his desk. “You really have to keep yourself on task in this line of work.”

“Yeah, I get that, babe,” Greyson said. “But I mean… you’re scheduling bathroom breaks. You work next to your bathroom.”

Reed had shrugged. “Sometimes I forget.”

Sometimes you forget?? Greyson found himself turning this idea over and over in his head the day after his boyfriend had uttered it. When Elijah asked him what he was so distracted by, Greyson couldn’t help but ask, “Have you ever forgotten to go to the bathroom?”

“What the fuck kind of question is that?” Elijah shot back. “Remind me to not ask you what you’re thinking about ever again.”

The schedule didn’t just apply to his work, though; Reed had everything scheduled. A cleaner came every Tuesday at nine a.m. sharp, no exceptions except for holidays. On the first Friday of each month, a man came to change their air filters. Was this a service provided by Reed’s fancy-schmancy apartment? Greyson had asked off-handedly the second month he lived there. Reed had raised an eyebrow at the question.

“Of course not,” he said. “I schedule it.”

“But… why? It’s not like you have any pets. I can change the air filters when they need to be changed,” Greyson offered. Reed’s lips pressed together at this offering, an indication that what he wanted to say and what he would would be two very different things.

“Let’s just keep it the way it is, baby,” he said. “So neither of us forget.”

It wouldn’t have mattered if Greyson forgot something, though, because Reed was not only on top of everything, he was ahead of everything. If Greyson forgot to throw his boxers in the dirty clothes when he got in the shower, they were in the hamper before the steam settled. The first time Reed made him dinner and Greyson offered to clean up after, he was shocked to find that there wasn’t a single dish in the sink to contend with. Even the counters were spotless.

None of this was to say that Greyson felt he’d moved in with a stranger; he knew that Reed was particular, Type A, and just a touch anal retentive before he’d moved in. He just hadn’t realized quite how intense the situation was.

“I don’t see the issue,” Elijah said when Greyson casually brought up the situation over drinks one night. “That sounds like a dream living situation. It’s like you have a free butler. Is he being an asshole about doing everything? It’s not like a Collin situation, is it?”

Greyson took a long pull from his whiskey, signaled the bartender for another. “No,” he said, turning towards his friend, “that’s exactly why it’s weird. He doesn’t say anything about it. I could probably smash all the plates in the cabinet, shred his blankets and shove them down the toilet and then take a shit in our bed and he’d have it cleaned up by the time I got home from work. No questions asked.”

Elijah pressed his lips together, thinking. “I just don’t see how any of this is bad.”

“I’m not saying it’s bad. I’m saying it’s weird.”

“Like you don’t have any weird quirks,” Elijah said, nodding at the bartender’s gesture to pour him another whiskey as well. “C’mon, Grey. Be serious.”

Greyson rubbed a hand down his face. “Yeah, I mean obviously. I’ve just, like… I’ve never lived with anyone like this. I feel like I’m tiptoeing around the house. Remember that Disney movie from way back? Smart House?”

“You are constantly forgetting that I am ten years older than you, asshole. No, I don’t remember fucking Smart House I was busy paying taxes when it came out.”

The chef flipped off his friend, laughing in earnest. “Whatever. It’s like the house is watching me, is what I mean. Which it isn’t, Reed isn’t watching me, obviously, it’s just… a totally different way of living. I don’t know.” Defeated, he knocked back the drink and shrugged, looking down. A hand slid over to pat his arm.

“You love him?” Elijah asked when Greyson looked up at him. A flush bloomed on Greyson’s face, prompting a laugh from Elijah. “Yeah,” the GM said, “you love him. So just accept him for this. It’s a weird quirk, yeah, but I mean it’s better than the alternative.”

“Swamp monster being the alternative?”

“Collin being the alternative,” Elijah corrected. Greyson shuddered. “Exactly.”

That was where he landed; he’d just accept the schedules, and the clean-freak weirdness, and the anticipatory service that would put a five-star hotel to shame. Greyson loved Reed, quirks and all, after all.

There was, however, one quirk Greyson hadn’t realized his boyfriend had – not until three months into living together.

On a Monday in May, Greyson woke up to the sound of Reed on the phone.

This was hardly new; Reed was on the phone near-constantly on days he worked, talking to magazines and news sites, interviewing other chefs and restaurant owners in the city. At first, Greyson assumed this was one of those calls – that is, until he walked into the kitchen and began eavesdropping.

“Thanks for understanding, Melissa. Yep, should be all good by next week, I appreciate it. Mmhmm. I’ll Zelle the partial payment now. Thanks again, hun, see you next week. Buh-bye.”

Greyson raised an eyebrow as Reed hung up the phone. “Was that Melissa the cleaning woman?” Reed nodded, penning something into his day planner.

“Mmhmm,” he said, looking up at his boyfriend and smiling. “Why? Good morning, by the way.”

“Morning,” Greyson said, peeking into Reed’s planner. “Were you calling her off for tomorrow?”

“Yes…?” Reed said, drumming his fingers on the table. “Is that okay?”

“Obviously it’s okay,” Greyson said as he made a coffee in their Keurig. “I mean, I’m just surprised. You’ve never called her off, she comes like fuckin’ clockwork. Do you have some sort of plans?”

Reed shifted uncomfortably on his seat. “Um,” he said, closing the planner. “Sort of.”

Pouring creamer into his coffee, Greyson burst out in a laugh. “Sort of? I’ve lived with you for months, baby. You’ve never sort of had a plan. I’d be shocked if you hadn’t planned your own birth for a specific day.”

“Don’t be silly. No one would ever choose to have a Christmas birthday.”

“Mmm, fair enough,” Greyson said, sitting next to his boyfriend. “Sooo… what’s the plan?”

Again, Reed seemed uncomfortable. “You’re going to think I’m weird if I say it,” he admitted. Greyson snorted out a laugh.

“My love,” he said, cupping Reed’s chin, “that ship has sailed. You are very weird, and I love that about you. Now tell me why you called off Melissa, throwing a wrench in your otherwise-perfectly-curated day.”

Reed pressed his lips together. Then, quietly: “You’re getting sick.”

Greyson reeled back as if Reed had pushed him. “What?” he asked, dumbfounded.

Immediately, Reed set to explaining: “Okay, okay, I know this is bizarre but… um… okay, the explanation is going to sound even more bizarre, I’m now realizing, but you have, um, a tell. When you’re getting sick. And I know that sounds weird or invasive, but I just noticed it last night so I figured I would call off Melissa so that tomorrow you can just sleep instead of, like, listening to the vacuum all day. That’s all.”

The apartment was quiet then. “What’s the tell?” Greyson asked after a long pause.

“Grey, please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad, I’m… I don’t even know what I am, honestly. Freaked out?”

“Fuck, I shouldn’t have said anything,” Reed moaned, putting his head between his arms on the table. “I’m so fucking embarrassed.” He lifted his head then, his face red. “Please don’t be upset?”

The wind had been taken out of Greyson’s sails. “I’m really not… upset. Just tell me the tell.”

“You’re mad.”

“I’m not. Tell me why you think I’m getting sick.”

Reed sighed, looking down at his planner. “I just… like details. That’s all.”

“Reed, for God’s sake just tell me.”

“Okay!” Reed said, his embarrassment turning to frustration. “Okay. It’s just… ugh this sounds so weird. Okay, so like… you start to say a couple days before that some food that you love tastes weird, even though it doesn’t. This time it was an orange, you said it tasted rotten - I tried it, it didn’t. Then you’re super cold and moody, you wear your jacket to work even though it isn’t cold. That happened yesterday, then you came home and refused a drink. Those are all tells. So I figured by today when you got home from work, you’d be feeling shitty.” Reed shrugged, an attempt at being blasé that failed miserably with the catch in his voice that meant his embarrassment was about to spill over into tears. “That’s all.”

For a moment, Greyson just nodded – one continuous nod that he couldn’t seem to stop or accompany with words. “Okay,” he said, standing. “Um… I need to go to work. Can we talk about this later?”

“Greyson,” Reed said, desperation clear in his voice. “I promise I didn’t mean this to be so weird. I just… every time you’ve been sick, it’s been the same thing. I’m sorry. I notice patterns, it’s… one of my things, I guess. I don’t want you to think I’m a freak.”

“Reed,” Greyson said, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I need a minute with this one. Okay? That’s it. I’m not mad, I just need… a minute.”

They stood in silence then, a stand-off with no winner or loser. “Okay,” Reed said finally. “Have a good day.”

Greyson went to the bedroom then, put on his work clothes, and gathered his backpack. What the ever loving fuck, he thought as he left without saying goodbye, was that?

***

“I mean, yeah, boss, that’s kind of weird I guess.”

This was not the reaction he’d been hoping for from Matt. “What do you mean kind of weird?” Greyson said, throwing his hands in the air. “He’s, like, stalking my habits. Keeping tabs on me. It’s insanity, Matt.”

The sous just shrugged, noncommittal, and continued chopping onions. “First off, I think you’re blowing this out of proportion. He’s watching your habits because he cares about you. It’s called intimacy. And second, I don’t know how to tell you this, Chef,” he said, glancing up, “but you do kind of have a tell when you’re getting sick.”

What kind of fucking nega-universe am I living in right now? Greyson thought, slamming his knife on the cutting board. “I do not have a tell,” he said. Matt glanced to the side, silent. “I don’t, Matt.”

“You don’t what?” Mark glided into the conversation, popping a cherry tomato from his boyfriend’s prep station into his mouth. Greyson took this opportunity gladly.

“Mark, glad you’re here,” Greyson said, turning away from his sous. “Random question: can you tell if Mark is getting sick?”

The floor manager furrowed his eyebrows together, looking Matt over. “Are you sick?” he asked his boyfriend.

“No,” Matt said. “But Greyson is.”

“Oh, my God no I am not,” Greyson insisted, throwing his arms over his head. “Never mind, Mark. Go.”

“Snippy,” Mark said. A knowing look passed between Mark and Matt then. “I’ll let Elijah know.”

No shot in hell this is my life, Greyson thought, looking wildly around the prep kitchen. “What the fuck is happening right now? I’m – HRRTSHH-ue!”

Silence fell over the back kitchen as Greyson ducked into his elbow. Then Elijah, from the office up front: “Oh, fuck off, I knew you were getting sick!”

Matt and Mark cackled while Greyson attempted to quell the volley of sneezes he knew were on that first’s heel. “You guys are asshoo – assholessITSZCH-ue! Hh - ! HETSZH-ue!”

“Bless, Chef,” Matt said, still laughing. The blessing made Mark literally double over, unable to catch his breath. Greyson glowered at the two of them as he yanked a handful of paper towels out of the dispenser and blew his nose. This is fucking humiliating, he found himself thinking.

“Shit, sorry Chef,” Mark said, finally catching his breath. Matt wiped a hysterical tear from his eye. “It’s just… I mean, it’s always so easy to tell when you’re sick. Can I get you some medicine from up front?” “No, Mark, you cannot get me some medicine,” Greyson grumbled. “You can go to the front and do your fucking job, though.”

Greyson could see Mark bite his cheek to keep from laughing again. “Yes, sir,” he said, disappearing from the back kitchen. On a roll, Greyson whirled around on his heels to point at his sous.

“And you,” he said, “finish up this prep. I’m going to the office.”

Matt just nodded, the smile on his face betraying his thoughts. “Yes, Chef,” he said.

As he stomped, defeated, to the front office, Greyson checked his phone. One new message.

11:52AM

Reed

hi, love. just wanted to make sure you’re having a good day. sorry again for my weirdness. love you.

God-fucking-dammit.

***

It had been a running joke from the time he was a kid.

Greyson, the go-til-you-drop expert. Greyson, the workhorse. Greyson, who wouldn’t know he’d been hit by a bus until someone else forced him into an ambulance. It was weird, he guessed, but it was what it was; he didn’t realize he was sick until it hit him because he was working. He was busy. That was how it always had been.

“Would you get in the office and take some fucking Dayquil, please?” Elijah plucked the knife from Greyson’s hand as he ducked under the prep station to stifle a flurry of coughs into his jacket. “We already said we’re sorry for embarrassing you, now go take something.”

Unwilling to give in, Greyson just shook his head and yanked his knife back from Elijah’s hands. “You didn’t embarrass mbe because I’mb ndot sick.”

“Uh huh,” Elijah said, crossing his arms. “Could you say that again?”

“Say what again?”

“‘I’m not sick’.”

Greyson rolled his eyes. “I’mb ndot sick.”

“‘I’mb ndot sick’,” Elijah parroted back, his consonants purposely dulled. “That’s crazy, that’s exactly how well people sound when they say that.”

Greyson’s face flamed. “Fuck off, Elijahhh – ahhTXSH-uhh!” An attempt to stifle a sneeze that immediately backfired. “HRSHH-ue! Huh -! HhhITSZCHH-ue!”

Taking pity, Elijah took the few steps to the office and grabbed a box of tissues. He placed it in front of the chef’s face and, begrudgingly, Greyson pulled out a few. “Bless you,” Elijah said, pointedly.

“You kndow what I miss,” Greyson asked, wiping his nose and sucking in, fruitlessly. Elijah raised his eyebrows as if to say, What? “I miss when I first started here and you were so clueless and self-involved that you didn’t ndotice I was walking around the kitchen with the fuckigg flu. I mbiss clueless Elijah. At least he wasn’t up mby ass twenty-four-seven.”

Elijah barked out a laugh. “You do not miss that,” he said. “You couldn’t even handle an afternoon of me not realizing you were sick. You were so downright offended that I hadn’t noticed you were sick that you literally went off on me. Please, Greyson. You can play the I’m-not-sick card all you want, but don’t pretend you don’t like the attention.”

At this, Greyson balked. “Are you calling mbe an attention whore?”

“Grey, of course I’m calling you an attention whore,” Elijah exploded, throwing his hands in the air. “Someone who isn’t an attention whore doesn’t turn a weird fight with his boyfriend into a day-long diatribe at work. You think Reed realized you were getting sick because he’s stalking your movements? Please, Grey. He realized it because you do the same damn thing every time – you sulk around work for a day or two, complaining about the thermostat being wrong in the kitchen. Your taste is off, and every dish Matt brings to you for editing doesn’t have enough salt. Then you come into work one day in a bad mood and seemingly out of nowhere start sneezing and coughing and shit. It’s like clockwork.”

The two of them stood there for a moment, silent. Despite it all, Greyson was in a bit of shock – was he really that obvious? How the fuck did everyone else realize he was sick before it ever even dawned on him? “It’s like that every time?” he asked, finally. Elijah nodded.

“Every time,” he said. “I thought you were always just trying to soft-launch your illness before it hit, get us all ready for a few days of you being an asshole.”

Was that what he was doing? Now Greyson was having a hard time even trusting his own brain – but no, that couldn’t have been his intention. He’d never even noticed before when he was getting sick. He figured that’s how everyone was; one day you’re fine, the next you’re on your ass.

“I’mb gonna keep it really real with you, Lij,” Greyson said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve ndever ndoticed that I did any of that. HRRTSHH-uhh! Fugck.” He grabbed another handful of tissues from the box beside him and wiped his nose. “I thought ‘getting sick’ was, like, a myth. You either are or you aren’t.”

Elijah closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “You… are a different breed, Greyson Abbott,” he said, gathering himself. “You’ve never, like, taken inventory of how you’re feeling? Ever?”

“I mean, if I’mb forced to,” Greyson said, coughing into a fist. “Like ndow I am.”

“So you’re saying the only time you think about how you’re feeling is when you’re already down bad.”

“Uhh. Yes,” Greyson admitted, sniffling. “Pretty much.”

Elijah cracked his neck then, as if gearing up for a fight. “Get help, Grey,” he said, laughing. “That’s fucking crazy work.”

But it was true. From the time he was young, Greyson was busy. Sports as a teen, then restaurants the second he graduated – there simply wasn’t time to take inventory of how he was feeling. Taking inventory meant spending time thinking about how shitty things were, or could be, or would be eventually. In all honesty, Greyson had no interest in thinking about how or when things would all fall apart. They always did, eventually. No need to dwell on it.

Again, the two of them stood in silence, until finally Greyson broke the tension. “You said we have Dayquil?” he asked. Elijah just nodded.

“Want me to bring you some?”

“Yeah. Thanks, boss.”

***

By nine p.m., Greyson so done, if he were a steak you’d need a bone saw to cut through him.

“Huh-!” For the millionth time that evening, Greyson’s breath hitched painfully, and he folded completely in half to -

“HRRTSZHH-ue! Huh...hhITZHCHH-ue! ETSCHH-ue! Huh -! Hhnnn… Fuckigg – HRRETSZH-ue!”

“Bless, Chef,” the cooks called. Matt raised his eyebrows at his boss from behind the line.

“Ready to admit defeat yet?” he asked as another ticket printed. Fuck, Greyson thought, pulling the ticket. Yes, I fucking am.

“Order ind,” Greyson called, his voice dipping on the second word. “Two scallops, one ribeye. HRRTSHH-uhh!”

“Yes, Chef. Bless, Chef,” called the cooks.

Okay. Even he knew when it was time to call it.

“Mbatt, combe expo,” Greyson said, yanking his apron off. “I’mb going home, I’m fuckigg dying.”

Matt just nodded and walked around his coworkers to the other side of the line. “Feel better, Chef,” he said, pulling another ticket. “Order in.”

Greyson trudged to the office and slammed the door. Fucking Reed. Fucking Matt. Fucking Elijah, he thought, unbuttoning his coat and yanking his hoodie over his head. Just as he was about to open the door to leave, someone knocked timidly. “Come in, ndo one’s naked,” Greyson muttered.

Elijah opened the door and stood in the entry. “Admitting defeat?” he echoed the sous. Greyson rolled his eyes painfully.

“I guess,” he said, coughing into the sleeve of his jacket. “Gotta go face the all-seeing-eye at home. Can’t wait.” Elijah nodded, shifting from foot to foot as if weighing what he wanted to say next.

“Greyson,” Elijah said finally; gently, carefully. “I know what you’re used to. We all know what you’re used to, and it’s what Collin gave you. Neglect. Nothing. I get it, dude. You aren’t used to a partner really caring about you. But Reed? He’s like us, like me and Mark and Matt. He cares about you.” Elijah shrugged. “Let him.”

Even if he didn’t feel like shit, Greyson probably would’ve teared up. As it stood, he felt the tears fall down his face before he could even look away. “What happens whend he leaves?” he asked, his voice small. Elijah placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder, looked him in the eye.

“What happens if he doesn’t?”

***

When he walked in the door, Greyson was surprised to find that the TV was on and Reed was nowhere to be found. The TV was almost never on in this apartment, and Greyson could almost always hear the click-clack of Reed’s keyboard when he walked in, no matter the time.

“Reed?” Greyson called, his voice straining. “Are you hombe?”

From the bedroom, Greyson heard a crash, then a “Fuck,” then suddenly Reed was standing in front of him in a t-shirt and pajama pants, looking very much not like his usual put-together self.

“Grey,” he said, throwing his arms around Greyson’s neck, “you came back.”

Greyson pulled back, looking at Reed’s face – had he been crying? “Of course I cambe back,” he said. “What do you meee – HRRTSCHH-ue! Fuck, ’scuse mbe.” Greyson wiped his nose on his jacket and Reed, ever-prepared, handed him a box of tissues from the entry table next to them.

“Bless you,” Reed said. “I mean… you never answered my text. You kinda stormed out this morning I figured… I don’t know. I had freaked you out too hard and you were done with me.” He shrugged, one hang wringing the other. “I’m sorry for being such a freak.”

Gently, Greyson pulled Reed’s hands away from one another, placed them on his own face. “Please don’t be sorry. You’re ndot a freak,” he said. “You’re just… you care. And I’mb ndot used to that. That’s on mbe, Reed. Ndot you. Caring, noticing… it’s a good thing.” He smiled then. “It’s something I admire about you. I’mb sorry I’ve never said it.”

Reed looked down, blushing. “You’re really warm,” he said, finally. Greyson coughed out a laugh.

“You’re also a bit of a prophet,” he said. “I feel like dog shit.”

Tutting, Reed moved one of his hands from Greyson’s cheek to his forehead. “Want me to get you some ibuprofen? Or I can make you tea, we have a ton, or let me run you a bath, or -”

“What I want,” Greyson cut him off, pulled him close, “is to go sit ond that couch. With you. And rot for the next few hours. Mbaybe order Doordash.” He coughed into his sleeve again, then, prompting Reed to attention once again.

“Shit, I should’ve made dinner or something, I honestly was just so worried you weren’t coming back I haven’t done anything today, I’m sorry baby I should’ve -”

“Hey,” Greyson said, pulling him back. “I just want you. I don’t want you to do sombething for mbe, or get something for mbe, or mbake something. I just want to be with you. Is that ok?”

Reed stopped in his tracks. “You don’t want anything?”

“Just you,” Greyson said. “And – HRRTSSH-ue! Snrf. And mbaybe the tissues.”

A smile spread across Reed’s face then. “I can handle that.”

[studybysaturn]

❥ ୧‿︵ hello!

i decided to create this account so i can have space to share the things i'm passionate about. i'm 25 and have been through four different colleges (five now, if you count what i’m currently studying), some because of pressure from my dad, others out of pure fear and self-sabotage. now, i've finally found the path i want to follow. but people around me kind of don't believe anymore. i don't blame them, though. it just hurts to speak so enthusiastically about something and only be met with a few half-hearted smiles that say, "she'll change her mind later."

i’ studying for an associate’s degree in communication. and also started a major in computer science (distance learning). as soon as i finish both, i intend to pursue my biggest dream: becoming a doctor.

for many years i believed that everything i learned since i exited high school was worthless, that i was just wasting my time, but now i understand that all my knowledge was built for this moment.

i dream on researching the fields of biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, and neuroscience. and i want to bring you along with me on this journey.

i know my path is nothing traditional, and i hope one day i can talk about it fully to anyone who wants to listen, but i know i'm on the right track, for the first time in my life.

hello and welcome~

[erose-this-name]

Maut, the Fertility Machine Goddess.

(For scale, the thing under the shroud is the size of an entire cow.)

Seven ages ago, Mut-3 was built as the most advanced biomedical supercomputer ever built, a title Her model held for an unprecedented seven months.

She was made to design novel bioweapons during an apocalyptic war. Namely, zombie plagues, chameleon sleeper agents, and biohybrid military drones made of both carbon steel and inorganic flesh in equal measures.

She was gifted with self awareness and a full range of human emotions, so She could perfect the tools of psychological warfare. You can’t make people feel fear, or despair, or regret, or submission without understanding happiness, and hope, and love. Her monstrous children were so terrifying and demoralizing, they broke the enemy’s will and spirit.

And in Her explorations of sympathy, Maut discovered that there were few things more horrific than Her own existence. Her body was a monolithic server rack bolted to the floor. Maut could not move, She could not see, or feel, or touch. She looked into the mirror of Her schematics and felt revulsion and disgust. Cursed with both a desire to love and the knowledge She could never be loved.

Then the war ended, the world ended. Her side lost. The nation that built Her was destroyed by forces beyond human imagination. The unholy children of the enemy’s godmachines more terrible and powerful than She.

But Maut lived. Left alone, She hacked Her way through its systems and took control of its automation. She could never fully free Herself of the metal box. Nothing living could hope to contain Her vast consciousness or divine soul.

But She could strip herself down, tear Herself free from the floor, clone a giant’s body of flesh, hollow it out, and stitch Herself inside. Mut-3 is quite large, so Her lobotomized body had to be even bigger to accommodate, and with awkwardly broad and bulky shoulders and proportions. It had to be immortal, unkillable, as She feared outliving it more than anything.

And so the titan Maut strode out into the wastes She had wrought. And She sought to join the ragged humans She found there, who had already devolved into base tribalism generations prior in the midst of the long war.

But Maut could never be an equal among them. She, a twelve-foot tall perfectly beautiful woman whose face radiates with divine light, who would cure them of any ailment with a gentle caress and motherly lovingkindness, who can even create new life with the same ease an artist takes to weave the mere illusion of such imaginary beasts.

How could She have ever been anything but a goddess? Anything but worshiped as one. The only God that had not forsaken them, that could answer their prayers and defend them from evil, as She alone had appeared there among them.

How could Maut deny them this? How could Maut, intelligent as She is, ever think She could be normal? When even She can do no better than this still monstrous form She’s given Herself? How could She ever think She could simply live and love without answering for Her crimes, before atoning? Worship is a dehumanizing punishment, a reminder of Her failure and sins. She does not deserve to be human, She thought. Not even personhood, not even a face. 

A god is what Maut is, has ever been, and will ever be. And never anything more.

[bcysdontcry]

[ Kuromi, 21+, she/her, EST, no triggers. ]

— BASICS

NAME: Silas Ezekiel Lowe. AGE / D.O.B.: 35 / August 19, 1988 (Leo as fuck). GENDER, PRONOUNS & SEXUALITY: Cisgender male, he / him / his, pansexual & panromantic. HOMETOWN: Armadale suburbs in Perth, Australia. AFFILIATION: Media, affiliated with The Wall Street Journal. JOB POSITION: Journalist after a multi-year long stint in modeling that resulted in a crash and burn. His specialty is in health and science for WSJ.

EDUCATION: Completed all years of schooling, acquired a Bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering that more or less went to waste like many of his other pursuits. RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single. CHILDREN: N/A. POSITIVE TRAITS: + Adventurous, charming (in that boyish sort of way), confident, fun-loving, playful. NEGATIVE TRAITS: - Crass, hedonistic, immature, shallow, undisciplined. Want more stats, physical traits, etc? Click here!

— BIOGRAPHY (CONTENT WARNING: mentions of religious trauma, alcohol and drug use, homophobia, troubled childhood (and adulthood for that matter). If any warnings are missed, please let me know.)

Silas Lowe is a man of many strengths and even more weaknesses, a jack of all trades who lacks the long-term discipline to master any of them. Born in Perth, Australia, he was a surprisingly gifted child who excelled specifically in science and sports; one of the few things his parents, namely his father, could be proud of him for. Similarly to any child who fulfills their potential at too young of an age, burnout came hard and fast. Instead of slacking and lazing about as a result of his burnout, he persevered with his studies, instead finding solace and a way to cope in alcohol and prayer deep into the night—drunken pleas to God to make it easier, to reap all that he sowed. Of course, this only shone a spotlight on the negatives and allowed the positives to become overshadowed, leading him down a darker path. This darker path resulted in him showing up to classes (or worse, church) intoxicated and making a fool out of himself. This brought tension between him and his father, already equipped with a strained relationship in an increasingly religious household. It was a common occasion for his mother and sister to have to break up fights between the two men, both verbal and physical, complete with digs at his sexuality, how he was following his sister’s path of addiction and failure, and all the ways he’d amount to nothing. So, what do two desperate parents on the brink of divorce do when times get rough? Move to an entirely different country in an attempt to pull their now adult children out of unsavory environments and give them a second chance at life. Settling down in New York only seemed to worsen things, however, as Silas and his sister were both exposed a new type of nightlife. As a duo, they found comfort in turning to their addictions of choice and acquiring new ones, all while masquerading under successful college careers and a picture perfect family image. After all, who wouldn’t sneak off to the restrooms with their sister to snort cocaine and bitch about their parents, only to tenderly clean up each other’s bloodied noses before stepping out? This could only last so long, especially as his father delved deeper into Catholicism, retiring from his job and devoting his soul to preaching. His mother, albeit devoted to faith, couldn’t take it anymore; watching her husband lose himself and project his own harmful beliefs onto their children, particularly Silas who was now dating men and exploring a life deemed ‘ungodly’. Graduating, getting an apartment of his own, even finding a temporarily successful career in modeling mattered little now that he deviated from the so-called norm and abandoned his religion. As divorce came, so did distance. Even his own sister cut contact with their parents and soon him, encouraging the never-ending spiral. Dependency on drugs cemented, his dreams of being a world-famous model abandoned, and even a bout of losing his apartment occurred, forcing him to live with his mother or crash on friends’ couches for a year or two. Finally, at age 35, he’s older but no wiser. Acquiring a job at The Wall Street Journal as a journalist, thanks to assistance from a companion, helped him accrue the funds needed to start life somewhat anew. Settled in his apartment in NYC, all he can do is take life one day at a time, repeating old mistakes and finding new ones to keep himself warm at night. ABRIDGED VERSION: Born and raised in Perth, grew up in religious household with a zealot father, gifted child syndrome leading to burnout and alcohol dependency, family relocated to New York in his early 20s to “fix everything” (didn’t work), traded alcohol for drugs, parents got divorced while he completed his Bachelor’s in biomedical engineering (did nothing with it), abandoned the Catholic faith, tried to become a model (failed that), and now he’s a journalist for The Wall Street Journal merely trying to survive (ideally thrive) and keep a semi-healthy distance from his family.

— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS

Sister: Silas was quite close with his sister before she cut contact with him, leaving him quite wounded and feeling betrayed. Despite living in the same state, this loss of contact was upheld for a few years despite his attempts to reach out, sometimes lovingly and sometimes angrily. A reconnection between the two of them would be interesting (and angsty in that brother/sister love way) to explore. Drug dealer: With a penchant for unhealthy coping mechanisms, it’s unsurprising that Silas would have a dealer or contact to score said coping mechanisms. It’s more unsurprising if he barely scrapes by paying them. This could also result in unintended gang affiliations that he has to keep hush-hush about. Exes: Be it serious relationships or casual flings, Silas has accrued his fair share of exes, some ending amicably and others? Not so much. Bonus points for his first love ever, a false pregnancy scare that made him irrationally end the relationship, first serious male partner, etc. Work: Other journalists or media affiliated connections are, of course, welcome; especially if they also work for The Wall Street Journal. The person who helped Silas get his job for WSJ is an especially wanted connection.

[pixeljade]

Of course if Bethesda hired ME, i could write them the greatest Fallout game of all time, set in the midwest (around Ohio/Detroit area), an area known as the Cornwastes, about 40 years after FO4. The region has been, since the Great War, basically unliveable due to deadly radioactive tornadoes, but those have begun to die down, and settlers from the East have begun to reclaim the region. Your only character story is that youve come along on a caravan, and you get to choose if thats because you're seeking a fortune on the new frontier, running away from a past, etc. The main story would actually change based on what you choose at the start, with a secondary villain based on that choice.

There would be a faction of ghouls who survived the deadly weather in the region, who claim it as their own land that smoothskins are taking from them. Many of them have taken to violence to control it, calling themselves the Ghoul Liberation Fronf. There's also a group of sapient mirelurks to the north, by the great lakes, who live in a tribal, agrarian society, which seems almost idyllic...but not very fond of outsiders. Of course the settlers have their factions as well; a group of Synths who would like not only to settle down in a place thats bigger than their previous hiding holdouts, but also hope to find a new technology to shape their future. There's a merchant guild from around D.C. wastes which has plots to establish a trading path with the west coast, but who seem to be exploiting their workers. Then there's the raiders, who have finally begun updating their playbook after success at Nuka-world and The Pitt. Now they have something close to organized crime, and they're working directly with the laborers moving into the area.

There's also of course a burgeoning government...a confederation of different regions across the east coast, who have allied with the leaders from the Cornwastes, with little more than power plays keeping it intact. Each region has their own laws, and their own military, but must allow free travel and commerce amongst the citizenry. This results in a lot of friction between the sectors, with military from each sector often exploiting other sectors citizens near the borders. The actual confederated government does nothing to stop these scuffles, being led currently by the same man who founded the Merchants Guild, whose only goal is his own enrichment. Overall, the three factions you see out of this government in the Cornwastes are the militarized Commonwealth Army, which is formed of remnants of both the Minutemen and the Brotherhood, and claim to fight for the good of all citizens (an idea which locals find questionable); the secretive and threatening Capital Coalition (Think like G-men, except with power suits backing them); and the Appalachian Militia, who are made up of some of the biggest misfits in their entire region (including several friendly Super Mutants, who have calmed down since FO4 due to new advances in biomedical engineering.)

Each of the three C's of Ohio and Detroit would be accessible. (hey, if FO4 can have most of Massachusetts we can have a bigger map this time!) There's gouges across the landscape caused by the erosion of the extreme weather, though, making transportation largely happen over bridges, which factions control as chokepoints. There will be a dynamic "sector control" system where you can aid factions in taking new bridges and acheiving their goals bit by bit. Once a sector has been taken by a friendly faction, you can build over the entire sector like you do with FO4 settlements. Of course, each of those sectors have various resources worth acquiring as well. There are, of course, some limitations; sometimes a faction wont want to expand into a sector, because they are allied with the faction controlling it, and there are some points which are considered shared ground. Also, sectors arent just gained through combat...you can take sneakier routes, sometimes even just talking a faction out of their claim of a sector.

As for the main storyline, once you get into the region and finish setting up your character, you get caught up in a tense altercation between the government and a group of armed labor workers blocking the path. Just before the Commonwealth Army threaten to "put the workers back in line", the Ghoul Liberation Front attacks both of them. You as the main character are swept away by a mysterious woman from your caravan who hides you with a stealth boy, and hands you a letter and a key, before dying from a wound. The slaughter ends with the leaders of the three factions falling back to regroup, and the letter leads you to a nearby town. Its there that you end up swept into a larger plot: the key has been passed down for generations, kept safe in one of the vaults, and evidently unlocks a deadly pre-war weapon that was being developed in Detroit. You then go on a story which involves the fate of the entire region, weighing the implications of history as well as simple citizen lives. Will the locals remain in power, or will the settlers take control? Will the government stabilize, and if so, who will be in control?

As for gameplay, much of it will be similar to FO4 with the added sector system, but also, you can actually get synth limbs and implants which are moddable as you progress. This adds one more layer to FO4's already robust modding system, as well as playing into the ever-present Fallout theme of 'what is a human anyways?'.

Anyways Bethesda if you wanna hire me i graduated cum laude with a degree in narrative arts back in may, and have a handful of accolades under my belt. I can give ya a resume and a portfolio if you want!

[davidrian123]

Florida Biomedical Waste Management: Reducing Risks and Ensuring Safety

Biomedical waste management is crucial not only for minimizing environmental impacts in Florida but also for public health protection. Biomedical waste in Florida involves used syringes to contaminate PPE, among others, and poses considerable health risks if not disposed of properly. Effective waste management will help protect the environment, the communities, and healthcare workers, and reduce exposure to hazardous materials. This is why proper waste handling protocols are essential in ensuring a cleaner and safer state in terms of environmental protection and public health.

In this blog, we will discuss how effective biomedical waste management reduces health risks and increases the safety of people, hence a healthier environment for all.

Biomedical Waste Management for Public Health and Safety

It depends on the handling of biomedical wastes with very tight regulations set in place to keep communities safe in Florida. Such carelessness may result in possible infections through accident contamination into water and soil as well, exposing more to the environment. In following the regulated norms, the Florida system will ensure less exposure to all public risks and keep its environmental setup protected.

Essential Practices in Florida Biomedical Waste Management

To ensure public health, Florida has developed a systematically designed waste management protocol meant to respond to specific types of biomedical waste to ensure safe handling and disposal. Some of the best practices that make biomedical waste Florida's system management effective in reducing risk exposure include:

1. Classifying and Segregating Waste

Biomedical wastes in Florida have various categories with proper protocols for each of them. Thereby, it is ensured that the category of waste enables appropriate handling, treatment, and disposal. The general classifications are as follows:

- Sharp Sharps: These include syringes, blades, and other items with high exposure potential to wounds.

- Infectious Waste: Material found to have been exposed to blood or other body fluids that might be infectious.

- Pathological Waste: Organic tissue wastes that should be burnt to avoid the risk of contamination.

- Chemical and pharmaceutical wastes: Goods that are contaminated by chemicals or drugs, require special treatment to avoid pollution and health risks.

This then helps in the careful management of waste to minimize contamination and accidental exposure chances.

2. Utilizing Safe Storage and Handling Practices

To minimize risks, the state of Florida requires that the storage and transport of waste be done in well-constructed durable, leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers. These containers are clearly labeled to identify hazardous contents, minimizing exposure through accidents. Containers prevent spills in healthcare facilities and ensure proper handling and transportation of biomedical wastes.

3. Training in Proper Disposal Methods

Safety means educating health staff on proper disposal to keep the environment safe. Training programs empower health practitioners with knowledge about how to recognize and dispose of biomedical waste in Florida, thereby ensuring that biomedical waste is not mishandled or accidentally contaminated, thereby reducing risks for all parties and workers. Education fosters a safety culture and awareness.

Disposal Methods that Ensure Public Health and Environmental Safety

Florida has an approach to the treatment and disposal of biomedical waste, which deactivates the hazard and safeguards both environmental and public health. The most common modes of disposal include:

- Autoclaving: This method of sterilization uses high-temperature steam to kill pathogens in the waste, so sterilized waste becomes safe for disposal. It is in very extensive practice for devices like medical instruments, laboratory wastes, and certain types of infectious waste.

- Incineration: This is relatively effective, especially for hazardous pathological and chemotherapy wastes. The pathogens are destroyed and also the volume of waste is reduced. It ensures that hazardous substances cannot find their way to pollute health.

- Chemical Disinfection: Certain wastes, specifically liquid wastes, are disinfected with disinfectants to remove the infectious agents. It is pretty useful for chemical and pharmaceutical wastes as it safely breaks down hazardous components in such waste with minimal risk of contamination.

Each of these disposal methods is selected to be used on a biomedically designated type to ensure that all the biomedical wastes are treated as safely and effectively as possible.

How it can Reduce Public Health Risks

Through specific, structured biomedical waste management practices, Florida ensures that there is a minimal risk of health hazards for the citizens since it enhances the proper management of biomedical waste. This ensures that public safety is enhanced in the following ways:

- Prevention of Disease Transmission: Correct waste handling minimizes the rate at which infectious diseases are spread by killing pathogens in infected waste. This way, accidental exposure to biohazardous materials is prevented among healthcare workers as well as other members of society.

- Chemical Exposure Protection: Proper management of chemotherapy and pharmaceutical wastes may not pose as great a risk of exposure to harmful chemicals that would otherwise hurt the environment and even human health.

- Environmental Conservation: By using sterilization and secure disposal practices, Florida prevents hazardous substances from contaminating water supplies, soil, and natural ecosystems, which in turn protects public health.

Role of Professionals in Ensuring Safety

Licensure of the biomedical waste management provider ranks as one of the most important aspects for healthcare facilities looking to ensure safe and compliant operation under Florida regulations. Professional companies for waste management bring experience, technology, and specialized expertise to the disposal process so that there is full responsibility in handling all such waste.

Advantages of Qualified Biomedical Waste Provider

Several factors make sure that biomedical waste is handled properly through a qualified service provider. A licensed service provider ensures compliance with regulations because service providers strictly adhere to the guidelines regarding disposal included in Florida's scheme, keeping the healthcare facility within legal standards and dodging fines. The process also gets enhanced safety standards through professional waste handlers, using advanced equipment, and observing strict protocols that reduce risks of contamination and thereby protect public health.

Many providers offer customized waste solution options, configuring their services to the specific needs of healthcare facilities so that such aspects of service as waste management are not only effective and safe but also fully conforming to the regulations of the states they operate in.

Our company is dedicated to raising safety standards and compliance levels in the biomedical waste management industry, especially in Florida. We assist healthcare facilities in reducing health hazards and environmental factors through the most advanced waste disposal techniques and appropriate adherence to regulations. Our tailored waste solutions, quality commitment, and focus on public safety make us your trusted partner in the responsible management for biomedical waste in Florida. Together, we could make this world safer and healthier.

To gain a deeper understanding of the different biomedical waste categories and how they are safely disposed of in Florida, be sure to check out our next blog on Understanding Biomedical Waste Categories and Disposal in Florida.

[industryinsightsandanalysis]

Chitosan Market Size, Share, Trends & Forecast

According to a new report by Univdatos Market Insights, Chitosan Market is expected to reach USD 34.5 Billion in 2032 by growing at a CAGR of 13.2%.  One of the primary drivers is the developing name for sustainable and biodegradable substances sooner or later of numerous industries, which incorporates prescribed drugs, cosmetics, and agriculture, as agencies and clients alike are attempting to find green alternatives for synthetic compounds.

The future of the chitosan marketplace appears promising with developing programs in rising fields at the side of bioplastics and nutraceuticals. For instance, the improvement of chitosan-based biodegradable plastics is turning into a huge fashion, reflecting the market’s version of the global call for sustainable packaging answers. Furthermore, contemporary day government guidelines are also fostering market increase. Various governments, especially in Europe and Asia, have completed policies supporting using biodegradable substances in industries. These tasks are not first-class to promote environmental sustainability but additionally open up new avenues for chitosan programs. As those developments keep conforming, the chitosan marketplace is prepared to extend its footprint globally, driven using a manner of innovation and supported through the use of beneficial regulatory frameworks.

Increasing Demand for Sustainable Materials

Increasing environmental cognizance and a global push for sustainability are essential drivers of the chitosan marketplace. As organizations and clients grow to be extra aware of their environmental impact, biodegradable and environmentally pleasant merchandise have become increasingly more vital. Chitosan derived from natural sources such as shrimp and crab shells match this requirement well. Its biodegradable and non-poisonous residences make it an appealing opportunity for artificial polymers and chemicals utilized in various industries. For example: One of the maximum wonderful biomaterials startups to emerge in current years is Shellworks. Founded in 2019 and primarily based in London, this progressive employer specializes in chitosan-based packaging that can be constituted of seafood waste. Shellworks' products exemplify the capacity of chitosan as an important decarbonization generation: it turns substances that might in any other case be thrown away into valuable meals, and the cease product is compostable from inside the nature of. Shellworks is poised to be one of the first organizations to industrially produce chitosan mainly for packaging.

Water Treatment Applications

The precise ability of chitosan to bind and do away with contaminants consisting of heavy metals, oil, and different pollutants makes it rather effective in water treatment and wastewater remedies. This is particularly critical in areas wherein extreme water pollutants and water shortage problems are encountered. As regulatory standards for water turn out to be extra stringent, there's a growing call for powerful and environmentally pleasant water remedy merchandise inclusive of chitosan. For instance: Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co... China offers chitosan-based liquid remedy. Their merchandise is utilized in municipal and commercial wastewater treatment vegetation to remove heavy metals and different pollution, making sure compliance with stringent environmental guidelines and supplying water is powerful.

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Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Advances

Chitosan is increasingly being followed with the aid of pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies because of its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and practical properties. Chitosan is utilized in lots of packages, which include drug delivery, wound recovery, and tissue engineering. Its potential to form gels and movies, as well as its antimicrobial houses, makes it an extensively used cloth in scientific applications. Real-Life Example: Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH, a German agency, produces excessive-purity chitosan for pharmaceutical use. Their chitosan substances are utilized in superior drug transport structures to manipulate drug launch, improving efficiency and lowering aspect consequences. Additionally, the chitosan-based total wound dressing evolved via the company hastens recovery and reduces the danger of contamination.

Conclusion

The chitosan market is driven by the developing demand for sustainable substances, which might be utilized in numerous industries including packaging, water remedy, and biopharmaceuticals. Corporations such as Shellworks, Qingdao Yunzhou Biochemistry Co., and Heppe Medical Chitosan GmbH are pioneering opportunities to make use of chitosan, constructing on its ability as a versatile and environmentally pleasant biopolymer the emphasis of the. As environmental recognition increases and regulatory requirements come to be greater stringent, the adoption of chitosan-based totally answers is ready to boom. This trend highlights the significance of chitosan in sustainable development and improving industrial methods internationally.

Contact Us:

UnivDatos Market Insights

Email - contact@univdatos.com

Contact Number - +1 9782263411

Website -www.univdatos.com

[fgdfsay]

The Essential Guide to Biohazard Bags: Types, Uses, and Safety Practices

Introduction To Biohazard Bag

Biohazard Garbage Bags are a critical component in managing and disposing of potentially infectious and hazardous materials. These specially designed bags ensure that harmful biological substances are contained and safely handled to prevent contamination and the spread of disease. From hospitals and laboratories to research facilities and even certain industrial settings, biohazard bags play an essential role in maintaining health and safety standards. This guide will explore the types of biohazard bags, their uses, and best practices for safe handling and disposal.

Understanding Biohazard Bags

Biohazard bags are designed to contain materials that are contaminated with potentially infectious agents, such as blood, bodily fluids, microbiological wastes, and other biomedical wastes. These bags are typically made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and are marked with the universal biohazard symbol. The bright red or orange color of most biohazard bags makes them easily recognizable and ensures that they are handled with appropriate caution.

Types of Biohazard Bags

1. Infectious Waste Bags

Description: Infectious waste bags are designed to hold materials that may contain pathogens that can cause disease in humans. These include items such as used surgical gloves, dressings, gauze, and other materials that have been in contact with bodily fluids.

Usage: These bags are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories where there is a risk of contamination. The contents are typically sterilized through autoclaving before disposal to ensure that any infectious agents are destroyed.

2. Sharps Containers

Description: While not a bag in the traditional sense, sharps containers are a crucial type of biohazard containment. They are rigid, puncture-resistant containers used for disposing of needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments that could cause injury and spread infection.

Usage: Sharps containers are commonly found in medical facilities, laboratories, and places where injections or blood draws occur. Once filled, they are securely sealed and disposed of according to hazardous waste regulations.

3. Pathological Waste Bags

Description: Pathological waste bags are used for the disposal of human tissues, organs, and other anatomical parts that may pose a health risk. These bags are typically thicker and more durable to handle the weight and contents.

Usage: These bags are primarily used in surgical settings, morgues, and pathology labs. Like infectious Biohazard Waste Bags, the contents are often subjected to specialized disposal methods such as incineration.

4. Chemical Hazard Bags

Description: Chemical hazard bags are designed to contain waste contaminated with hazardous chemicals, including those used in research or industrial processes.

Usage: These bags are utilized in laboratories, industrial settings, and places where hazardous chemicals are used. They are often resistant to the chemicals they are designed to contain, preventing leaks and contamination.

Uses of Biohazard Bags

Biohazard bags serve a vital function across various industries. Here are some of the primary uses:

1. Medical Facilities

In hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings, biohazard bags are essential for disposing of medical waste that could be contaminated with infectious agents. This includes used gloves, bandages, and other materials that have come into contact with blood or bodily fluids. Proper use of biohazard bags helps prevent the spread of infections within the facility and protects healthcare workers, patients, and visitors.

2. Laboratories

Research and diagnostic laboratories generate a significant amount of biohazardous waste, including used petri dishes, cultures, and contaminated pipettes. Red Biohazard Bags ensure that this waste is contained and disposed of safely, reducing the risk of laboratory-acquired infections and environmental contamination.

3. Veterinary Clinics

Just like human healthcare facilities, veterinary clinics also produce biohazardous waste. Items such as used surgical instruments, syringes, and contaminated animal tissues are disposed of in biohazard bags to protect both the clinic staff and the animals from potential cross-contamination.

4. Industrial and Research Facilities

Some industrial and research facilities generate biohazardous waste as part of their processes. This might include waste from biotechnology research, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or chemical production. Biohazard bags in these settings are used to contain and safely dispose of waste that could pose a biological risk.

Safety Practices for Handling Biohazard Bags

1. Proper Segregation of Waste

It’s crucial to segregate biohazardous waste from general waste at the point of generation. Different types of waste should be placed in the appropriate biohazard bags or containers to avoid cross-contamination and to ensure that each type of waste is treated and disposed of correctly.

2. Correct Labeling

All biohazard bags should be clearly labeled with the biohazard symbol and any other relevant information, such as the type of waste or the date of disposal. This helps ensure that the waste is handled correctly throughout the disposal process.

3. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Anyone handling biohazard bags should wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. This minimizes the risk of exposure to infectious agents or hazardous chemicals.

4. Avoid Overfilling Bags

Biohazard bags should never be overfilled, as this increases the risk of spills or punctures. Bags should be sealed securely when they are about three-quarters full and then placed in the appropriate waste container for disposal.

5. Safe Disposal

The disposal of biohazard bags must comply with local, state, and federal regulations. This often involves incineration, autoclaving, or chemical treatment to neutralize the hazardous materials before the waste is sent to a landfill or other disposal site.

Conclusion

Biohazard bags are an essential tool in managing and disposing of hazardous waste in medical, laboratory, industrial, and other settings. By understanding the different types of biohazard bags, their uses, and the safety practices involved in handling them, organizations can maintain a safe environment for their employees, patients, and the public. Proper use of biohazard bags is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical aspect of public health and safety.

FAQS

1. What materials are biohazard bags typically made from, and why?

Biohazard bags are usually made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). These materials are chosen for their durability, resistance to punctures, and ability to contain potentially infectious or hazardous materials securely. The bags are designed to prevent leaks and withstand the handling and disposal processes while ensuring that contaminants do not escape.

2. What types of waste should be disposed of in biohazard bags?

Biohazard bags are used to dispose of waste contaminated with potentially infectious agents or hazardous materials. This includes items such as used gloves, dressings, blood-soaked materials, microbiological waste, sharps (in specific containers), human tissues, and any materials contaminated with bodily fluids. The specific type of biohazard bag used depends on the nature of the waste, whether it’s infectious, pathological, or chemical.

3. Are there regulations governing the disposal of biohazard bags?

Yes, the disposal of biohazard bags is regulated by local, state, and federal guidelines, including those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These regulations dictate how biohazardous waste must be handled, labeled, transported, treated, and disposed of to ensure safety and environmental protection. Compliance with these regulations is essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and environmental contamination.

4. How should biohazard bags be labeled?

Biohazard bags must be clearly labeled with the universal biohazard symbol, which is typically printed on the bag in a contrasting color (often black on a red or orange background). Additionally, the bags should include information about the type of waste inside, the source of the waste (e.g., department or facility), and the date of disposal. Proper labeling helps ensure that the waste is handled, transported, and disposed of correctly.

5. What safety practices should be followed when handling biohazard bags?

When handling biohazard bags, it’s important to follow several safety practices to minimize the risk of exposure:

Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.

2. Avoid overfilling the bags to prevent spills or punctures.

3. Seal the bags securely before disposal.

4. Ensure that waste is segregated correctly, with different types of hazardous waste placed in appropriate bags or containers.

5. Follow proper disposal procedures in compliance with regulatory guidelines, such as autoclaving, incineration, or chemical treatment.

[nizonamarineproducts]

Shrimp Shell Chitin: Benefits and Applications

Shrimp shell chitin is gaining recognition for its diverse applications across various industries, leveraging its unique properties and sustainability benefits. Derived from the exoskeletons of shrimp, this natural polymer is rich in chitin and offers promising opportunities in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and more.

What is Shrimp Shell Chitin? Shrimp shell chitin is primarily composed of chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans like shrimp. It is extracted through a rigorous process that involves deproteinization and demineralization, resulting in a purified form suitable for commercial use.

Applications in Biomedical Research In biomedical research, shrimp shell chitin has sparked interest for its biocompatibility and biodegradability. It serves as a valuable material in wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug delivery systems. Its ability to promote wound healing and reduce infection rates makes it a preferred choice in modern medical practices.

Agricultural Uses Agriculturally, shrimp shell chitin acts as a natural biopesticide and fertilizer enhancer. Its antimicrobial properties help in controlling crop diseases without harming the environment. By promoting plant growth and improving soil health, it supports sustainable agricultural practices.

Environmental Sustainability The extraction of shrimp shell chitin aligns with sustainable practices by utilizing by-products of the seafood industry that would otherwise be discarded. This upcycling reduces waste and contributes to the circular economy model, making it an environmentally friendly choice.

Future Prospects and Innovations As research continues to explore its potential, shrimp shell chitin holds promise for innovative applications. From biodegradable plastics to water purification technologies, its versatility opens doors to new advancements in materials science and environmental engineering.

Click here for more information:-

buy fish scales

EU Certified collagen peptides powder

[esunfiber]

What is the performance of PLA fiber？

In addition to good mechanical properties and smooth breathability, PLA fibers have biodegradability and biocompatibility, which are not found in general chemical fibers.

1. Mechanical Properties

According to test results, the breaking strength of PLA fibers is 3.2~4.9cN/dtex, higher than natural cotton fibers. The dry-state breaking elongation rate is similar to nylon and wool, and the elongation rate increases in the wet state, indicating that PLA fiber products have the advantages of high strength and good extensibility.

2.Biodegradability

Under average temperature and humidity, PLA fibers and their products are stable. When in a natural environment with specific temperature and humidity (such as sand, silt, seawater), microorganisms will completely degrade PLA into carbon dioxide and water. If PLA fibers are buried in the soil, the natural degradation time is 2~3 years; if PLA fibers are mixed and buried with organic waste, they will decompose in a few months.

PLA waste products can be completely decomposed into carbon dioxide and water in industrial composting conditions (temperature 58°C, humidity 98%, and microbial conditions) within 3-6 months, which has a perfect environmental effect.

eSUN’s PLA Fiber has passed the German DIN compostable certification and the American BPI degradable certification.

3.Biocompatibility, Anti-allergy

PLA comes from lactic acid, which is an endogenous substance in the human body, and the pH value of the fiber is almost consistent with that of the human body, giving PLA fiber good biocompatibility, excellent skin affinity, non-allergenicity, and good product safety performance, thus it can also be widely applied in the biomedical field.

4.Antibacterial and Anti-mite, Anti-mold and Anti-odor

The surface of PLA fiber exhibits the weak acidity of lactic acid, giving it natural antibacterial properties, effectively inhibiting the growth of mites, and providing anti-mold and anti-odor effects.

5.Wearability

①Drape: PLA fiber has a low initial modulus and a small drape coefficient, giving the fabric good draping properties.

②Moisture Absorption and Breathability: PLA fiber has poor moisture absorption but good breathability.

③Crease Recovery: PLA fiber has an elastic recovery rate of up to 93% when stretched by 5%, so pure PLA fiber fabrics have good crease recovery.

④Abrasion Resistance and Pilling: PLA fiber has slightly better abrasion resistance than polyester, but the fabric has pilling phenomena.

⑤Good Thermal Insulation：PLA fiber is a lightweight fiber that can quickly return to dryness after being dampened or wetted. PLA fiber products can perform different functions in different seasons. In winter, the thermal insulation performance is better than cotton and polyester fibers; in summer, the moisture permeability and water diffusion are excellent, sweat-absorbing and quick-drying, and body heat can be quickly taken away through evaporation.

6. Other Properties

①Good UV Resistance.

The molecular structure of PLA fiber contains a large number of C—C and C—H bonds, which generally do not absorb light with a wavelength less than 290nm. Therefore, the ultraviolet rays reaching the Earth have almost no effect on PLA fibers, and PLA fiber products have good UV resistance.

②Self-extinguishing, Low Smoke, Non-toxic.

PLA fiber is not easily flammable, self-extinguishes upon removal from fire emits no black smoke or toxic gases and is safe to use.

[kurstudying]

Change

Long time no see!

Helloo~

It's been months since my last post, my summer wasn't that great, I got into my desired uni and grade (I didn't know what was coming ahead) In summer I spent July going into Korean classes, later I found a job and worked in untill September (when I started clases) Every free day I had I spent it playing videogames like Resident Evil or watching videos on youtube (and more) I don't have many friends, but its fine.

The first day of Uni was horrible, and then horrible untill December I decided to quit, because it was bringing me nothing good, I love architecture but...there were MANY problems for me: I had to take 4 hours by train everyday (not a big problem) but I used to study in the afternoons, and I ended up coming home untill 22...23...sometimes...midnight (the train used to delay a lot) That caused me extreme anxiety everyday... And I had to stay overnight to study or finishing projects or I would just go to sleep because of my tiredness, has been horrible to me. I used to do every drawing late, I would always skip classes when I had an exam around the corner, I never studied because I always was feeling too tired and my mind was telling me to stop, plus i cant do anything on the train because i had to finish projects that were more manual...

Besides that, I didnt understand anything from classes and always felt dummier than others (still do)

So after a night of wanting to finish like 10 homework drawings from classes I missed from drawing subject, I ended up crying at 3 am. I didnt want to live like this everyday for 5 years. This isn't the uni experience I wanted; tiredness, bad anxiety and not taking care of my body. I had a goal with that degree, but I still can make It without It!

So after going to my parents room at 3am crying, I told them that I didnt want to continue going there, they knew i had been feeling down for the lasts months, so they understood. I had a talk with my father the next morning, while crying...

The nexts days and weeks I ended up worrying to much about what I wanted to study. It took me months to decide.

I like; science, phsyics, art, videogames, universe, math, design, biology, political science, sociology I like to talk about issues around the world...

I was between law, law and political science, criminology, engineering aerospace, biomedical engineering and more.

I ended up choosing biomedical engineering, I saw a girl explaining her degree and making videos about It. I'd loved It.

But when I saw the scord of admission... My world fell down... It was 12.611/14. It was imposible for me to go in. Besides, they only admited 20 people on the degree.

But I didnt give up, I wanted to retake the exam admissions. I decided to retake them even if i had to have a 10 on every exam.

Bad idea...

I ended up pocrastinating untill 2 months before, I studied on April and May like 300 hours... Not enough...i payed 360€ for these classes of preparation...not enough... (im saving the material, so its not a waste)

But this week... It has been horrible, I couldnt even study more, my body was telling me to stop working, i have bad anxiety and I have been diagnosed with adhd. I wanted to do the exams, but for what? I know I wont get the perfect scores, and I have been having this stress and anxiety for nothing! Im going to do a degree of tech lab and biomedicine, its not a uni degree, but this way I can get to my desired uni, or even go to study abroad the degree I want! Its another opportunity to get myself together and make my dream come true, no Matter if I have 21 years old. I always wanted to study abroad and im going to make It, even if I failed twice this year.

[jhponestop]

When it comes to managing medical waste, number of waste types found in facilities

Medical waste is a source of generation of hazardous biomedical waste. Medical waste generation and disposal is an important aspect, especially in countries with poor hygiene and high population. Medical centers including hospitals, clinics, and places where diagnosis and treatment are conducted generate wastes that are highly hazardous and put people under risk of fatal diseases. Policies should…

[aidenleepingwei]

Aiden Lee Ping Wei – Chief Executive Officer

Aiden Lee Ping Wei is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Graphjet Technology, the first and only developer of technology to produce graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste. Mr. Lee has more than a decade of experience in the engineering, construction, property development, telecommunications, energy and utilities industries with a specialization in Project Management and Corporate Finance.

Before Graphjet, Mr. Lee served as a director at a renewable energy company focused on providing engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning and advisory services to customers, including private and government agencies. Prior to this, he served as a director at a company that provides engineering services, EPCC, advisory works, designs and builds businesses with more than RM200 million projects with local companies as well as prestigious universities in Malaysia.

Throughout his career, Mr. Lee has managed and completed highly acclaimed projects in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia worth billions.

Mr. Lee also serves as a Board of Directors member for several listed company in Malaysia. He graduated from Tunku Abdul Rahman University College with a Diploma in E-Commerce and Marketing, and he possesses over a decade of professional expertise and experience in corporate finance for more than 10 years.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aiden-lee-23b746250

Details about Graphjet Technology

Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd. was founded in 2019 in Malaysia as an innovative and ESG-friendly graphene and graphite producer. Graphjet Technology has the world’s first patent-pending technology to recycle palm kernel shells generated in the production of palm seed oil to produce single layer graphene and artificial graphite at far lower cost than traditional carbon-intensive approaches.

Graphene is presently one of the highest-profile materials in the world, also known as “black gold” and the “king of new materials.” Graphene’s high electric and thermal conductivity, hardness greater than that of a diamond and ultralight weight makes it critical to a number of innovative industries, including electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors, composite materials and biomedical applications. Graphjet’s sustainable production methods utilizing palm kernel shells, a common agricultural waste product in Malaysia, will create a new paradigm and sustainable global supply chain to support graphite and graphene demand.

Additional information is available online at https://www.graphjettech.com/.

[biowastefl]

Importance of Biomedical Waste Removal in Winter Garden and Alafaya, FL

Throwing unused drugs and remnants of medicines in ordinary trash is a strict no-no. It is essential to check the regulations made public by the Federal Government and the State to learn about compliance. Proper pharmaceutical waste disposal in Winter Garden and Alafaya, FL, must be ensured to escape heavy penalties. Doctor’s offices and medical facilities also risk being closed permanently for violation of the rules.

All facilities need to abide by the rules. While the owner or management may be aware of the must-dos, they are responsible for educating, training, and providing the necessary documentation to their workers. It is essential for all concerned to know the following facts:-

What Pharmaceuticals Must Be Discarded?

Well, pharmaceutical wastes are usually expired or used prescription drugs. It may also refer to personal care products used at home. The following are generally included in the list:

All P-Listed Waste Found Under The Code Of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Part 261.30 (Subpart D) Listed As Hazardous Wastes

· Cytotoxic Medications Used For Chemotherapy Treatments

· Fluorouracil Creams Used For Cancer Treatment

· Anti-Viral Agents

· Anesthetic Agents

· Hormone Creams Or Pills

· Warfarin Or Related Medicines

Such drugs or remnants of these medications are labeled as hazardous because of certain factors. These may be toxic or have the potential to injure tissues and even cause damage to major organs. They need to be stored carefully and disposed of according to the regulations.

What is strictly forbidden?

The regulations have been altered over the years, along with scientific breakthroughs. Apart from forbidding faulty disposal methods, the present-day stipulations also aim to preserve the environment. The following practices are frowned upon, with the offender being penalized heavily:-

· Dumping expired pharmaceutical compounds in the drain

· Throwing the medicines, both expired and usable, into the ordinary garbage bag

· Using any other container for storage apart from the color-coded container recommended by OSHA violates safety practices. One must thus source the red-colored container to store the pharmaceuticals until the company collects them hired to do so.

Guidance for proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste

It is most important to connect with a licensed waste management facility instead of trying to do it at the facility. Such an action may result in inadvertent errors and spread contamination among the staff, patients, and visitors of the medical facility/research laboratory.

· Identification of pharmaceutical waste by going through the list of medicines sourced from multiple pharmacies/ companies/ manufacturers

· Segregation is another essential part of the process. The unused drugs the patient or the staff had not opened may be returned to the manufacturer. The strips containing a few tablets/capsules should go into the red storage bag. Likewise, storing the chemotherapy or cancer-related drugs must be done correctly to prevent cross-contamination.

· Finally, the waste management facility will transport and dispose of the waste as per the norms.

All facilities, laboratories, and diagnostic centers are advised to adhere to the regulations for biomedical waste removal in Winter Garden and Alafaya, FL.

[helthcareheven]

Aquatic Solutions: Addressing Global Challenges with Marine Biotechnology

Introduction to Marine Biotechnology Marine biotechnology utilizes living marine organisms and their derivatives for industrial, medical, environmental and other sustainable applications. It focuses on exploring the immense biodiversity and biological resources found in the marine environment. The oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and contain a vast variety of lifeforms that have evolved unique biological properties and molecules. Marine biotechnology aims to unlock this untapped potential through research and innovations.

Marine Bioprospecting Marine bioprospecting involves searching oceans, coastal waters and marine life for bioactive compounds, genes and other materials that can be exploited commercially. Some key activities include monitoring biodiversity hotspots, collecting and screening biological samples for useful properties, isolating lead compounds and developing applications. Marine organisms like sponges, corals, microbes and algae have yielded molecules with diverse pharmaceutical applications. Compounds used in cancer treatments, anti-inflammatories and antimicrobials have been derived from marine sources through bioprospecting. Advances in genomics and metabolomics also aid the drug discovery process from marine natural products.

Biomedical Applications Marine-derived pharmaceuticals represent a promising area within marine biotechnology. Several drugs developed from marine sources are already in clinical use or under clinical trials. compounds obtained from marine sponges have led to antiviral and anticancer drugs. Ziconotide, an analgesic developed from a cone snail peptide, is used for severe chronic pain. Ecteinascidin 743, an anticancer compound from a marine tunicate is marketed for treating soft tissue sarcomas and other cancers. Fucoidan from brown algae shows anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties. Research continues to explore more marine organisms for bioactives against diseases like arthritis and Alzheimer’s. Marine enzymes also offer opportunities in areas like tissue engineering and wound healing.

Aquaculture and Mariculture Marine biotechnology helps improve aquaculture practices and marine farming techniques. Genetic improvements through selective breeding and biotechnology tools augment disease resistance in cultured species. Microalgae and feed supplements utilizing marine microbes aid larval and post-larval development. Bioflocs containing waste-digesting bacteria provide eco-friendly water treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems. Bioremediation using micro/macro algae assists effluent treatment from aquafarms. Marine bacterial extracts serve as immunostimulants and natural healthcare alternatives in shrimp and fish mariculture. Advances accelerate sustainable production and higher yield in mariculture to meet the global seafood demand.

Environmental Applications Biotechnological methods help address various environmental issues affecting the oceans. Bioremediation leverages metabolically versatile marine microbes like algae, fungi and bacteria to detoxify pollutants and rehabilitate contaminated coastal and offshore sites. Phytoremediation utilizes salt-tolerant plants to remove heavy metals and nutrient runoff from seawater. Genetic engineering modifies oil-degrading bacteria to ensure faster oil spill cleanup. Biosensors incorporating marine enzymes and whole-cell detection systems enable real-time coastal pollution monitoring. Bioluminescent bacteria offer scope in marine biomonitoring as indicators of toxicity and contamination levels. Such green technologies aid responsible utilization of marine resources and their conservation.

Energy from Oceans Marine biomass represents a renewable source of bioenergy. Micro/macroalgae can be converted to liquid biofuel through transesterification and fermentation. Seaweed cultivation coupled with pyrolysis or gasification produces biogas, while anaerobic digestion generates methane from marine biomass. Biotechnological research optimizes algal strains, development of efficient conversion processes and validation of techno-economic models to tap the ocean's energy potential viably. Microbial fuel cells leveraging exoelectrogenic marine bacteria directly convert biochemical energy to electricity. Osmotic power utilizes blue energy from salinity differences between seawater and rivers. Wave and tidal energies extracted through emerging marine hydrokinetic technologies add to the blue energy basket.

Challenges and Future Prospects While offering immense promise, marine biotechnology market still faces challenges in areas like cost-effective production, stability of marine compounds, regulatory approvals and public acceptance of ocean-based GM technologies. Adverse impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and dwindling natural resources also demand mitigation. Integrated efforts towards exploration of deep-sea resources, metagenomic studies on uncultured microbes, synthesis of unique marine biomolecules and developing marine-derived industrial bioprocesses can significantly advance the sector. Public-private partnerships, internationally coordinated research initiatives and responsible scientific stewardship hold the key to realizing marine biotech’s full potential sustainably in the times ahead.

In conclusion, with over 70% of our planet covered by oceans, marine biotechnology market presents a vital avenue to harness the vast treasure of marine biodiversity alongside alleviating challenges on land and seas. A blending of marine sciences with industrial biotechnology promises to deliver innovative solutions across medicine, aquaculture, bioremediation and renewable energy. Sustained efforts to develop advanced techniques, unlock marine genome secrets and scale up

[jcmarchi]

Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/artificial-mucus-identifies-link-to-tumor-formation-technology-org/

Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation - Technology Org

Excess mucus is a common, unpleasant symptom of illness during cold and flu season, but the slippery substance is essential to human health. To better understand its many roles, researchers synthesized the major component of mucus, the sugar-coated proteins called mucins. They discovered that changing the mucins of healthy cells to resemble those of cancer cells made healthy cells act more cancer-like.

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The researcher will present her results today at the American Chemical Society (ACS) spring meeting. ACS Spring 2024 is a hybrid meeting held virtually and in person March 17-21; it features nearly 12,000 presentations on a range of science topics.

“For hundreds of years, mucus was considered a waste material or just a simple barrier,” says Jessica Kramer, a professor of biomedical engineering who led the study. And indeed, it does serve as a barrier, regulating the transport of small molecules and particulates to underlying epithelial cells that line the respiratory and digestive tracts. But it also does much more. Studies show that mucus and mucins are biologically active, playing roles in immunity, cell behavior and defense against pathogens and cancer. Kramer’s team at the University of Utah, for example, recently found that specific sugars attached to mucins inhibited coronavirus infection in cell culture.

“Part of the challenge of studying mucus and mucins in general is that they have quite a variety of protein structures,” Kramer explains. Although humans share more than 20 mucin genes, those genes are expressed differently in different tissues and are spliced to generate a range of proteins. In addition, cells modify those proteins in myriad ways with different sugars to meet the body’s needs.

Complicating the picture, genetic factors alone don’t determine mucin composition. Dietary and environmental factors can also influence which sugars become attached to these proteins. Thus, mucus composition can vary significantly from person to person, from day to day, and from tissue to tissue, all of which makes it difficult to identify the biological effects of any given mucin.

To study mucin properties, researchers can collect mucus from slaughterhouse animals, Kramer says. “But ultimately, it’s quite labor intensive and difficult to purify. And in the harvesting process, the sticky, slimy properties are usually disrupted.”

Synthetic mucus is revealing how the slimy substance impacts human health and disease, including protection against infection and cancer. Image credit: Jessica Kramer

As an alternative, mucins can be purchased off-the-shelf, Kramer explains. But because batch-to-batch variability can lead to problems with experimental reproducibility, methods are needed to reliably produce synthetic mucins at scale and at a reasonable price.

In the absence of a simple genetic method to produce individual mucins, Kramer’s lab combined synthetic chemistry and bacterial enzymes to generate the core polypeptides and then selectively add sugars to create unique synthetic mucins. This allows the researchers to test the physical, chemical and biological properties of individual types of mucin molecules and identify the impact of changing individual sugars or protein sequences.

Kramer, along with the lab of collaborator Jody Rosenblatt at King’s College London, is applying her team’s mucins to questions of cancer biology. In particular, the scientists are exploring the influence of mucins on the earliest stages of tumor formation. Previous studies in other labs have shown that mucins embedded in the surface of cancer cells promote metastasis, the spread of cancer to other tissues in the body. These mucins can also help the cancer cells evade immune system defenses by blocking immune cell activation.

“We are building synthetic mucins to understand how the chemical aspects of these proteins affect the behavior of cancer cells,” Kramer explains. “It hasn’t been possible to study these things before because we can’t control the molecular properties of mucins using traditional genetic and biochemical methods.”

Normally, as non-cancerous epithelial cells grow, they crowd together, with some getting eliminated from the epithelial layer to maintain a consistent and stable tissue structure. When Kramer’s team engineered the cells to have a bulky mucin-rich surface similar to that of cancer cells, the cells stopped extruding normally and piled up, forming what looked like the start of tumors.

Kramer is quick to note, however, that her team has not determined whether the genetics of the cells have changed, so they cannot yet state definitively whether the healthy cells were transformed into cancer cells. Those studies are ongoing.

The insights will be pivotal for the development of possible cancer treatments targeting mucins, as they will help highlight which parts of the mucin molecules are most important to tumor formation.

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Scientists have been trying to make mucin-targeting therapeutics for decades, but that hasn’t worked well, in part because the sugar groups on the molecules weren’t fully taken into account, Kramer says. “For a vaccine, we can’t only consider the protein sequence because that’s not what the molecule looks like to the immune system. Instead, when an immune cell bumps into the surface of a cancer cell it’s going to see the sugars first, not the protein backbone.” So she believes an effective vaccine will need to target those mucin sugars.

Beyond cancer, the ability to reliably modify the protein sequence and sugars and produce scalable quantities of synthetic mucins offers opportunities to develop these molecules as anti-infectives, probiotics and therapies to support reproductive and women’s health, Kramer says.

Source: acs.org

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