Chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes were once the preserve of wealthy countries but are now increasingly common in lower-income countries too as populations age and lifestyles change.

Most people have never heard of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 6,000 babies born worldwide each year. Innovative research may produce treatments for patients suffering from SMA and other rare diseases.

Novartis is working to tackle the problem of counterfeit drugs, which are a threat to patient health.

The word “biopsy” typically conjures images of large needles. Lab technicians—and scientists working to discover new medicines—need enough tissue from a patient to prepare and evaluate a sample.

Using new technologies, researchers have developed a deeper understanding of how cells function, changing conceptions of disease.

A cellular computing error wreaks havoc on vision.