StemCell Therapy

The research led by Jeremy Wood, Zach Porterfield and Jamie Sturgill in the Department of Internal Medicine; Beth Garvy in Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics; and Wally Whiteheart in Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, suggests localized inflammation in the lungs caused by COVID-19 may be responsible for the increased presence of blood clots in patients.

The study also provides evidence suggesting the risk of thrombosis could persist after the infection clears.

The study examined the blood of 30 COVID-19 patients including 15 who were inpatients in the intensive care unit, and 15 who received care as outpatients at UKs Infectious Diseases Clinic, along with eight disease-free volunteers who acted as a control group.

Compared to baseline, the COVID-19 patients had elevated levels of tissue factor, a protein found in blood that initiates the clotting process. Patients also had reduced levels of protein S, an anticoagulant that helps prevent blood clotting.

The researchers concluded that lung inflammation caused by COVID-19 is what leads to a decrease in protein S. Thisinflammation also causes immune and possible endothelial cell activation, which leads to increased tissue factor protein.

What weve learned is that the clotting is not caused by anything systemic. Localized inflammation in the lungs is whats driving this whole process, Wood said. With an increase in tissue factor and a deficiency in protein S, COVID-19 patients get more blood clotting without the ability to shut it down or control it.

The study additionally showed that protein S levels remained low in some patients even after they tested negative for COVID-19, which suggests that blood clotting issues may persist after infection and long-term monitoring of thrombotic risk may be necessary.

Wood says this preliminary data could be a cause for concern. Certain viruses like HIV are linked to a long-term deficiency in protein S, which causes an ongoing risk of thrombosis in patients. It is not yet known if COVID-19 could cause a similar persisting protein S deficiency.

Tissue factor and protein S are good markers to monitor for long-term thrombosis risk and the data suggest that we need to be monitoring these patients because were not seeing these parameters corrected immediately, Wood said.

The research team recently received a grant from UKsCenter for Clinical and Translational Science(CCTS) to begin a longitudinal study to look at these levels in patients over the next year.

This will help answer the question: will this risk remain like it is in the HIV patients or will it go away?

The study was funded in part by anAlliance Grantthrough the College of Medicine as well as UKsCOVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE) Alliancethroughthe Vice President for Research and the College of Medicine and the CCTS. It was a product of collaboration between a number of different groups at UK that have been studying COVID-19.

Additional collaborators includeMartha Sim, Meenakshi Banerjee and Hammodah Alfar in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry; Melissa Hollifield and Jerry Woodward with Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics; Xian Li with the Saha Cardiovascular Research Center; Alice Thornton with the Division of Infectious Disease; and Gail Sievert, Marietta Barton-Baxter and Kenneth Campbell with CCTS.

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UK research getting to bottom of COVID clots - ABC 36 News - WTVQ

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA as its usually called, has an appealing mystique. Its in our DNA is now a standard refrain for marketers and individuals trumpeting some essential virtue: honesty, courage, integrity, wholesomeness.

The hype is often misplaced, but undoubtedly DNA is a wondrous molecule with unique, amazing features.

DNA is the only molecule capable of reproducing itself. DNA is present in almost all living cells of all living things. Only DNA, and no other molecule, carries the ability to copy and then pass heritable information to subsequent generations. DNA is, indeed, the essence of life itself.

Despite these apparently magical tricks, DNA follows the ordinary laws of science and nature. Sometimes those rules are not obvious, but a little scientific digging and reliance on robust evidence will ferret them out.

Physically, DNA is a chemical in the form of a twisted, extendable ladder, the iconic double helix. The ladder is composed of rungs and sugar-phosphate siderails.

The rungs consist of a pair of the small chemical bases: adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine, abbreviated A, T, C, and G, respectively Crucially, adenine (A) pairs only with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) only pairs with guanine (G). Only the pairs of either A:T or C:G fit as rungs between the two siderails.

The DNA double helix, composed of nucleotide rungs and sugar-phosphate siderails Getty Images

The weight and structure of the DNA ladder naturally twists it into the double helix shape. And the ladder molecule can extend great distances. In a human cell, for example, the number of DNA bases pair rungs in the DNA runs over three billion, measuring over six feet in length.

However, in multicellular organisms like humans, the DNA does not remain as one long strand, but is cut and tightly packed into chromosomes.

Human DNA extracted as a single molecule from a single cell extends to just under two metres long, but is ordinarily segmented and stuffed into 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell.

All bacteria, plants and animals, including humans, use DNA as the repository of their hereditary information. That is, the recipe to confer every genetic trait, from eye colour to blood type, is carried by segments of DNA stored within each cell of the organism. These DNA segments carrying genetic information are called genes, the root word of genetics.

What differs between human DNA and tomato DNA, or, for that matter, the DNA between two humans, is the precise sequence of DNA base pairs A, T, C, and G. By way of analogy, two different recipes in an English language cookbook may use the same 26 letters to make words but differ in the exact sequence of those same 26 letters, resulting in different recipes.

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Although DNA is physically the same double helix composed of long segments of A:T and C:G base pairs in all living things, the exact sequence of those bases varies from one organism to another. It is the order of bases that provides the instructions to produce, say, insulin in human pancreatic cells or photosynthetic enzymes in plants. A plants DNA lacks the base sequences instructions to make insulin, and human DNA lacks instructions for photosynthetic enzymes.

In any organism, such as a given human, the DNA in every cell has the same base sequence as every other living cell in that human.

The difference between a liver cell, and a skin cell is that while both activate (express) those genes required for basic living processes, the liver cell expresses those genes for liver proteins. Other genes remain present, but are not expressed. Meanwhile, skin cells express the genes unique to skin proteins, but liver (and other) genes are silenced.

The language of genetics is the same in all of life. A gene from any cell of any living thing can be copied, transferred and understood by any other living thing to make the same protein.

For example, human insulin is now made by microbes genetically engineered with the human DNA recipe for human insulin. That is, a copy of the human insulin gene is transferred to microbes, and those microbes read the human insulin gene recipe and make insulin, even though the microbes having no blood or blood sugar have no use for insulin. Similarly, most hard cheeses now are made with chymosin (a milk clotting enzyme) generated by genetically modified microbes.

From a scientific perspective, we can confidently state that life began at least once, about 3.5 billion years ago.

A more interesting question, scientifically, is Did life arise more than once?

Answer: unlikely. The evidence is based on DNA being the sole common feature of all living things. More importantly, the language DNA uses to convey information is common to all; the same language is read and understood by all living things. And most importantly, the DNA language is not just the common language used by all species; it is the only language used by any species.

There are no other languages of genetics.

When considering the number of potential languages DNA might have used instead, the fact that all known life forms use the same language of DNA to communicate the same information is compelling evidence that life arose only once.

The fact that all living things use DNA as their physical hardware, and share a single language of DNA as their intellectual software, is evidence that all living things derive from a common ancestor way back when.

Other evidence includes gene homology (a similar DNA base sequence of similar genes in diverse species) and a common synteny (the linear order of adjacent genes in the DNA of a chromosome).

The consensus in the scientific community is that life started once and that evolution provided our current diversity of living things. To be sure, scientists argue strenuously over the mechanics of evolution, and timing, and duration, and other minutia concerning evolutionary processes.

Nevertheless, these arguments do not challenge the scientific consensus: Evolution is real.

Curious humans have always been interested in heredity, pondering how children acquired the features of their parents. But scientists didnt learn that DNA carried the hereditary information until the mid 20th Century. And we didnt know the structure of DNA until 1953. And we didnt know how the genetic information was conveyed within the DNA molecule for some years after that.

More recently, molecular geneticists have learned not only how to read the information carried by a DNA strand, but also how to edit or supplement it. These innovations allow development of a number of commercial products such as the aforementioned insulin and cheese.

DNA is often in the news these days. But it wasnt always so popular. A series of events in the mid-1990s thrust DNA into the spotlight.

Colin Pitchforks murder trial in the UK and O J Simpsons murder trial in the USA sparked public interest in the forensic use of DNA.

Cloning of Dolly the sheep in Scotland raised the spectre of the technical feasibility of cloning humans, a science fiction nightmare.

Then came the appearance on our dinner plates of genetically engineered crops and foods, the fearsome genetically modified organisms, GMOs. All of these high-profile stories were based on the use or perhaps abuse of DNA.

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The rocketing popularity of DNA is reflected in the rise of direct-to-consumer DNA testing. For a relatively small fee, several companies will conduct a DNA analysis from the cells in your cheek swab or spit sample. However, these DNA tests are not 100 per cent accurate.

We are all genetically closer to our fellow humans than we might realise. All humans share over 99.9 per cent of their DNA base sequence, so all of the genetic differences between you and your neighbour, or between a Kalahari bushman and a Laplander, are attributable to just 0.1 per cent of the respective DNA.

Even so, the differences, although small, can have dramatic consequences. Your DNA sequence determines your basic blood type (A, B, AB, or O), hair and eye colour, whether your earlobes dangle, and whether you can roll your tongue.

Less trivially, your DNA sequence makes you more (or, if youre lucky, less) susceptible to certain types of cancer, heart disease, blindness, and over 200 other health-related conditions.

The best metaphor illustrating the information storage function of DNA is the encyclopedia of recipes.

Many people cherish their family recipe books handed down from ancestors. The secret, family recipes are sometimes supplemented or annotated, and then shared with children, generation after generation, thus perpetually preserving, albeit with minor changes, the familys culinary tradition.

In principle, the full complement of genetic information in an organism the genome is no different. The genome uses DNA instead of paper to convey the familys precious intellectual property. Our genome is like that multivolume family encyclopedia of recipes. A gene provides instructions and information to the cell, telling the cell to make specific proteins in specific tissues, at specific times, and under specific conditions.

Now, imagine your own family cookbook collection consisting of 23 volumes, with about 20,000 recipes in total, the approximate number of gene recipes in the human genome. We store most of our DNA in 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46 volumes in each cell. Each chromosome consists of a long DNA chain, with each metaphorical recipe corresponding to a shorter segment of DNA along the chain.

As scientists continue to study and understand DNA, they continue to innovate and devise practical applications.

Police now use DNA to identify long forgotten cold cases. Genealogists use DNA to compile and confirm family trees dating back centuries. Historians use DNA to identify the fragmented remains of lost soldiers, from WWI infantry missing in action at Vimy Ridge to King Richard III under a car park in Leicester.

Doctors use new drugs and medical treatments, including those to combat cancer and the coronavirus, developed from molecular genetic manipulation. And fertility experts help infertile couples have biological children. Understanding DNA and how it functions leads to new technologies while simultaneously enhancing our fascination with the molecule of life.

Still have questions? More on DNA and genetics:

Alan McHughens book, DNA Demystified: Unravelling the Double Helix, is out now (19.99, Oxford University Press).

Visit link:
Everything you need to know about DNA (almost) - BBC Focus Magazine

The Department of Biosciences and Nutrition performs research and education in several areas of medical science including aging, molecular endocrinology, cancer biology, functional genomics, systems biology, epigenetics, structural biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, cellular virology, and nutrition. It offers an excellent international research and working environment, including around 250 scientists, students, administrative and technical personnel. The Department resides in the new biomedical research building Neo, aimed at being a creative and open environment that enables meetings, synergies, and exploration of areas of mutual interest across disciplines.

Do you want to contribute to top quality medical research?

Aging is one of the main risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Thus, a better understanding of the mechanisms that regulate this process is highly desirable. One of our efforts focuses on arguably the most important aging regulator known to date, the transcription factor DAF-16/FOXO. It resides downstream of the nutrient-sensing insulin/IGF signaling pathway and in response to low nutrients activates gene expression programs that slow down the aging process. DAF-16/FOXO depends on a diverse range of binding partners and regulators to fulfill its role, and we are studying their functions by diverse biochemical, genetic, and cytological techniques. (See Lin et al., Nature Communications 2018, or Sen et al., Nature Communications 2020, for examples of such work from our lab.)

Your mission

We are looking for a Postdoc to join our research group, the lab of Christian Riedel. Focus of this position is to explore a new binding partner of DAF-16/FOXO which we found to be required for DAF-16/FOXO to promote longevity in response to low nutrient signals. This work is conducted both in the model organism C. elegans and in human cells. You will synergize with aging biologists and bioinformaticians from the Riedel lab and be part of a larger aging-focused research environment at our department, which also contains the labs of Martin Berg and Maria Eriksson.

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated scientist with a doctoral degree and strong background in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, and/or Biochemistry. Good expertise in either C. elegans methods or in mammalian cell culture techniques is desired. Also, a background in the biology of aging is appreciated, even though it is not essential.

Applicants are expected to work independently but as part of an enthusiastic team and to be proficient in English. They are expected to play a leading role in the design and execution of their experiments as well as the analysis and the presentation/publication of the resulting data. Before and while being in the lab, the applicant will be encouraged to apply for competitive national and international postdoctoral fellowships and career grants and will receive support in those endeavors.

This position will be financed by a postdoc scholarship paid out by Karolinska Institutet.

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

What do we offer?

A creative and inspiring environment full of expertise and curiosity. Karolinska Institutet is one of the worlds leading medical universities. Our vision is to pursue the development of knowledge about life and to promote a better health for all. At Karolinska Institutet, we conduct successful medical research and hold the largest range of medical education in Sweden.

Location: Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo Building, Flemingsberg

Links: https://ki.se/en/bionut/department-of-biosciences-and-nutrition https://ki.se/en/bionut/christian-riedel-group http://riedellab.org/

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

An application must contain the following documents in English:

You are welcome to apply at the latest by 16 October 2020.

The application has to be submitted through the Varbi recruitment system.

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Postdoctoral studies on the molecular mechanisms that regulate aging - Nature.com

Rita Colwell is a pioneering microbiologist whose work on cholera helped illuminate the interplay between the environment and public health. She was also the first woman to serve as director of the National Science Foundation, and is currently a Distinguished University Professor at both the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Universitys Bloomberg School of Public Health.

In her half-century-plus in the sciences, Colwell has also seen very clearly the array of obstacles confronted by women as they try to navigate a traditionally male world. (When she applied for a graduate fellowship in bacteriology, she says was told, We dont waste fellowships on women.)

A Lab of Ones Own: One Womans Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science, by Rita Colwell and Sharon Bertsch McGrayne (Simon & Schuster, 288 pages).

Colwells new book, A Lab of Ones Own, co-authored with writer Sharon Bertsch McGrayne, documents much of what she has seen and heard over the years, from sexual harassment to the invisible structural obstacles placed in the way of women working in the sciences. (The books subtitle is One Womans Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science.)

Not long ago, women were discouraged from studying science at all; those who did pursue such studies were seen as oddities. Later, when the numbers of women earning science degrees began to rise, they found themselves receiving less funding than their male colleagues, and less likely to land a position as a professor or a lab director. (It wasnt that long ago, Colwell recalls, when a grant application could be turned down because a man on the granting committee simply didnt like women scientists.) But Colwell also found allies along the way, and her book is something of a celebration of what can be achieved when science strives for inclusivity.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

UNDARK: Though sexism has a long history, you write that the 1950s and 60s saw unprecedented levels of sexism in the sciences. What was going on at that time?

Rita Colwell: The attitude was, a woman worked in the home period. A woman couldnt even get a credit card in her own name; she had to have her husband, or her father, vouch for her. In general, the understanding was, if you were [a woman] interested in science, that was peculiar. It wasnt unusual for women to go to college but most did not go from there into any kind of work, unless it was nursing or teaching. It was a very limiting time, for women. A lot of this was unspoken; it was just sort of assumed.

UD: Regarding graduate education, you say that women were simply seen as not worth investing in. What does that mean?

RC: The expectation was that you would get married and have children. If you werent there, with your children, you were seen as a bad mother. You went to college to find a husband; that was the expectation.

UD: You point out that not only could one face obstacles for being a woman Ph.D. student, you could face a backlash if you supervised too many women Ph.D. students. What was that about?

RC: The assumption was that anyone who was really brilliant, with great ideas, would work for a male professor. So if you took women students, it was assumed they werent the best and the brightest. Having women students would mark you as not serious; your students were just going to get married, and youre just wasting all this time.

UD: As you say, a lot of this was unspoken but eventually there was solid data to quantify this discrimination. How did that come about?

RC: It was in the 90s that Nancy Hopkins at MIT carried out her now-famous experiment: She measured the labs, and discovered that the men had almost twice as much space; they also got the bulk of the research money. More women were entering these careers [in the sciences], but men got most of the funding and most of the space.

Later, Jo Handelsman did the experiment where they sent identical letters to male researchers [from recent graduates applying to be a lab manager], the only difference was that some were signed John and others were signed Jennifer. The question was, would you hire this person, and what would you pay them? Far fewer said they would hire the woman; and the salary they were prepared to offer was much, much lower.

But Id like to emphasize one thing: Once I was able to break through, at each stage of my career, there was tremendous support. My father was very education-minded; it didnt matter if you were a girl or a boy; everyone went to school. My husband, a physicist, was a fantastic supporter; we were married for 62 very happy years. And my Ph.D. supervisor, John Liston, was absolutely the best. He was a newcomer to the University of Washington, starting a new program in marine microbiology so I ended up being the first graduate student with a Ph.D. in marine microbiology, possibly in the whole United States.

The assumption was that anyone who was really brilliant, with great ideas, would work for a male professor. So if you took women students, it was assumed they werent the best and the brightest.

UD: Youre known for your groundbreaking work on cholera, but it was also fascinating to read about your work investigating the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which a number of politicians and journalists were mailed packages containing the deadly substance in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks. How did you end up on the front lines of that investigation?

RC: I was appointed [as director of the National Science Foundation] by Bill Clinton, and I served two years under Clinton and four under George W. Bush. In October or November [of 2001], we heard about anthrax attacks. I remember saying, Weve got to sequence that bacterium, or well never know who did it.

I had been working on an advisory board for the CIA, so I was able to call on some colleagues, and we formed an inter-agency group. We decided not to make the group official, so that we could keep it a secret. And we worked for five years on this classified project. And using molecular genetics, we tracked down the source. Now, well never know whether the perpetrator was in fact Bruce Ivins, and if he worked alone, or with others. [Ivins died in 2008.] He was an anthrax microbiologist, and the source turned out to be in his lab.

UD: You were using a computer in the late 1950s, long before they became ubiquitous in the life sciences. Did you have a sense that computers would eventually impact every branch of science?

RC: At the University of Washington, I wrote a computer program the first in the country, for bacteriology using the old IBM 650, which has less power than the chip in your microwave oven. When I was working with that computer, I had to program it, and I didnt know diddly. But in my husbands lab, there was a postdoc named George Constabaris, who taught me. And there was another chap who was using the IBM to do pipe-fitting for the ships in Seattle harbor. He was programming how to cut and fit pipe most efficiently.

So it was clear to me that this was an amazing tool. I used the computer for taxonomic purposes, for identification which now everybody does. Its amusing I used to give talks about species of bacteria, and people would yawn. But now the hotshots in Silicon Valley know the differences between different kinds of bacteria. It was clear to me that we had to have massive computation [in the sciences]. I was able to get into the NSF budget, over my term, $2 billion, for computation, for universities to start building the internet railway, so to speak.

UD: So much has changed in science, and in the culture of science, over your career. Today, are you optimistic or at least, more optimistic?

RC: I would say its cautious optimism. I dont know whats going to happen in the next administration; it could be a disaster for women. I strongly encourage girls to go into science. I abhor the assumption that girls cant do math; its absurd. Or that if youre African American you cant do math or you cant do science its crazy. Theres still sexism, which ranges from the criminal to the clueless. Like when someone comments to a woman scientist as shes going up to the podium to give a talk, that she looks attractive. Thats the last thing you want to hear. You want to hear Thats a great idea, or Can we collaborate on the next stage of this experiment?

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The Undark Interview: A Conversation with Rita Colwell - Undark Magazine

Patented CRISPRclean Technology is a Foundational Tool that Improves the Performance of Next-Generation Sequencing and Other Molecular Workflows by Increasing Sensitivity, Reducing Costs and Enabling Novel Discovery

CARLSBAD, CA, UNITED STATES - Sep 17, 2020 - Jumpcode Genomics - a genome technology company founded by industry veterans in 2016 focused on improving the understanding of human disease - today exited stealth mode and announced the commercial launch of its CRISPRclean technology. Initially available via three kits, CRISPRclean unlocks the power of next generation sequencing (NGS) by improving sensitivity, reducing costs and simplifying workflows. The company also announced that it has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of Yaron Hakak, Ph.D., as CEO. In addition, the company has added new advisors, including Dr. Stanley Nelson, vice chairman of Human Genetics at UCLA as consulting chief scientist, and Gary Schroth, Ph.D., vice president and distinguished scientist at Illumina, as a member of the companys scientific advisory board.

CRISPRclean technology is based on the in-vitro utilization of the CRISPR/Cas system to cleave and physically remove nucleic acid sequences pre- or post-NGS library preparation. This enables researchers to remove overabundant and uninformative sequences to allow discovery and detection of molecules previously undetectable (the needles). Like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the technology broadly applies to many molecular biology techniques, particularly sequencing technologies.

Initial research applications focus on ribosomal RNA depletion, single cell analysis and repeat removal for whole genome sequencing. Additionally, Jumpcode Genomics is pursuing clinical applications, including the removal of human host molecules for a universal pathogen test and depletion of wild type alleles for somatic mutation detection in oncology. The technology seamlessly integrates into existing workflows and is agnostic to library preparation methods and sequencing platforms.

We aim to revolutionize the practice of molecular biology with our technology and to drive better results for researchers today and ultimately patients tomorrow, said Dr. Hakak, CEO of Jumpcode Genomics. When researchers perform NGS on biological samples, most molecules sequenced are uninformative, which results in a needle in a haystack problem. CRISPRclean solves this problem by simply removing the haystack.

The expansion of the leadership team and scientific advisory board enables Jumpcode Genomics to commercialize its technology and strengthen direct access to thought leaders in the scientific community.

About Jumpcode Genomics: Founded in 2016, Jumpcode Genomics aims to improve the understanding of human biology and the contribution to disease. The companys proprietary CRISPRclean technology utilizes the CRISPR/Cas system to deplete unwanted nucleic acid molecules from sequencing libraries. The process fits seamlessly within standard next generation sequencing workflows and works with most commercially available library preparation solutions. For more information, please visit: http://www.jumpcodegenomics.com

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Jumpcode Genomics Exits Stealth Mode, Unveils Technology that Addresses the 'Needle in the Haystack' Problem of Molecular Biology - Bio-IT World

A team led by researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Cleveland Clinics Lerner Research Institute has secured $10.4 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute to explore at the molecular level the differences in glioblastoma between males and females.

The researchers will delve into the genetics, epigenetics and cell biology of glioblastoma the most common and deadliest brain tumor in adults to better understand the physiologic processes which may lead to more personalized therapies.

The researchers have previously published research showing significant differences between the sexes in glioblastoma incidence, survival and some key molecular pathways. They found that glioblastoma is 60 percent higher in males than in females. In addition, females have a significant survival advantage over males with a median improved survival rate of up to 10 months. However, while these sex differences are understood, they are not yet considered when treating glioblastoma.

The research team is led by co-principal investigators Justin Lathia, Ph.D., of Cleveland Clinics Lerner Research Institute, and Jill Barnholtz-Sloan, Ph.D., of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The team also includes colleagues from Penn State College of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Glioblastomas are rare about 3.5-4 per 100,000 in the United States from 2012-16, the most recent data available from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States (CBTRUS). Despite available treatments, glioblastomas have devastating consequences for patients. The median survival time is 12 to 14 months, and only about 5% of patients survive more than five years.

We have the molecular profiling technology and the computing and analytical strength to lead in this effort to better understand the role of sex differences in cancer, particularly for glioblastoma, said Barnholtz-Sloan, the Sally S. Morley Designated Professor in Brain Tumor Research and associate director of Data Sciences at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. This next phase of research relies on vast, varied and complex datasets in animals and humans and promises to be a game-changer in how we understand the role of sex in tumor formation and disease outcomes. This comprehensive approach has applications to all forms of cancer, as well as other diseases.

Sex differences are inherent drivers of glioblastoma incidence and survival, and we are taking a multidimensional approach to uncover a better understanding of this differentiation, said Lathia, vice chair of the Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences and co-director of the Brain Tumor Research & Therapeutic Development Center of Excellence at Lerner Research Institute, and co-leader of the Molecular Oncology Program at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. We are incorporating data from tumor cells and their surrounding micro-environment, as well as genetic programs responsible for tumor growth, and underlying epigenetic differences that may be responsible for sex differences. We aim to gain a better understanding of how these variables interrelate to better understand disease mechanism, which in turn defines better diagnostics and more personalized therapies for patients.

The multi-disciplinary project involves established investigators with complementary expertise and a strong collaborative history. Along with Lathia and Barnholtz-Sloan, participating institutions and their PIs include:

Three related research projects, undertaken by this collaborative team, will delve into the basic biology and cellular mechanisms that drive sex differences in glioblastoma formation and progression. These related research projects will inform, synergize and depend on each other. Findings from the labs based on their animal models will then be queried against data from human clinical samples across multiple institutions. The vast amount of data generated from these studies requires robust data management and sophisticated data analysis for a comprehensive view of sex differences across these diverse but related inquiries.

Comprehensive findings will inform future clinical research design, the search for targets for new therapeutics, or the use of existing therapeutics that may be applied differently depending on a patients sex.

This grant was made by the NIHs National Cancer Institute. Grant number: 1P01CA245705.

Cleveland Clinic: Alicia Reale, 216-408-7444, Realeca@ccf.org

Case Western Reserve: Bill Lubinger, 216-368-4443, william.lubinger@case.edu

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NIH Funds Research into Differences in Glioblastoma between Males and Females - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Published Study on Modifiable Risk Factors for the Emergence of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam Resistance

Presented Study on Long-Read Sequencing to Predict Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Results

Work Aimed at Demonstrating Diagnostic Value of Next-Generation Sequencing for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing and Translation into Clinical Practice

VIENNA, Austria and GAITHERSBURG, Md., Sept. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OpGen, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPGN, OpGen), announced today that scientists at its subsidiary Ares Genetics GmbH (Vienna, Austria; Ares Genetics), in collaboration with researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, have published a peer-reviewed study on modifiable risk factors for the emergence of ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance in P. aeruginosa in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

P. aeruginosa is listed by the World Health Organization as critical priority pathogen. To overcome antimicrobial resistance, ceftolozane-tazobactam has been introduced as a novel -lactam--lactamase inhibitor combination agent and received initial U.S. FDA approval in 2014. While pre-clinical investigations indicated ceftolozane-tazobactam activity against approximately 85%-95% of U.S. and Canadian carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates, soon after the clinical introduction of ceftolozane-tazobactam, reports of resistance during therapy emerged.

The study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases sought to understand mechanisms of resistance leading to ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance, the frequency of cross-resistance between ceftolozane-tazobactam and other novel beta-lactam beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations and identify modifiable risk factors that may slow or prevent the acquisition of ceftolozane-tazobactam resistance. Findings demonstrate the potential of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to investigate mechanisms of resistance by analyzing whole-genome sequencing data from P. aeruginosa isolates that developed resistance under treatment with ceftolozane-tazobactam. Mutations identified in ceftolozane-tazobactam resistant isolates involved, amongst others, AmpC, a known binding site for ceftolozane, PBP3, the target of ceftolozane, and DNA polymerase. The researchers propose extending ceftolozane-tazobactam infusions as a potential protective measure against acquired mutational resistance.

The present study is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Ares Genetics and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with the goal of investigating the diagnostic potential of NGS for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Earlier this year, Dr. Patricia Simner of Johns Hopkins Medicine and Ares Genetics presented results from a study assessing the potential of long-read sequencing to predict antimicrobial susceptibility results at the online ASM Microbe 2020 meeting.

Dr. Andreas Posch, CEO Ares Genetics and co-author of both studies, commented, While we have already shown that NGS allows for CLIA-compliant identification of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers as well as accurate prediction of phenotypic resistance in previous publications, the present studies further underline the diagnostic value of NGS as well as the need for rapid antimicrobial resistance testing and improving antibiotic treatment regiments. I am particularly excited about our joint work on using long-read sequencing technology for phenotype prediction as this technology could potentially allow for molecular antibiotic susceptibility testing directly from native patient samples in just a few hours.

About OpGen, Inc.

OpGen, Inc. (Gaithersburg, MD, USA) is a precision medicine company harnessing the power of molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics to help combat infectious disease. Along with subsidiaries, Curetis GmbH and Ares Genetics GmbH, we are developing and commercializing molecular microbiology solutions helping to guide clinicians with more rapid and actionable information about life threatening infections to improve patient outcomes, and decrease the spread of infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms, or MDROs. OpGens product portfolio includes Unyvero, Acuitas AMR Gene Panel and Acuitas Lighthouse, and the ARES Technology Platform including ARESdb, using NGS technology and AI-powered bioinformatics solutions for antibiotic response prediction.

Story continues

For more information, please visit http://www.opgen.com.

Forward-Looking Statements by OpGen

This press release includes statements regarding studies and publications of OpGens subsidiary Ares Genetics GmbH. These statements and other statements regarding OpGens future plans and goals constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control, and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those described include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully, timely and cost-effectively develop, seek and obtain regulatory clearance for and commercialize our product and services offerings, the rate of adoption of our products and services by hospitals and other healthcare providers, the realization of expected benefits of our business combination transaction with Curetis GmbH, the success of our commercialization efforts, the impact of COVID-19 on the Companys operations, financial results, and commercialization efforts as well as on capital markets and general economic conditions, the effect on our business of existing and new regulatory requirements, and other economic and competitive factors. For a discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties associated with OpGen's business, please review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

OpGen Contact:Oliver SchachtCEOInvestorRelations@opgen.com

Press Contact:Matthew BretziusFischTank Marketing and PRmatt@fischtankpr.com

Investor Contact:Megan PaulEdison Groupmpaul@edisongroup.com

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Collaborative Research by OpGen Group Company Ares Genetics and Johns Hopkins Researchers Demonstrates Potential of Next-Generation Sequencing for...

The very first human beings originally emerged in Africa before spreading across Eurasia about 60,000 years ago. After that, the story of humankind heads down many different paths, some more well-studied than others.

Eastern regions of Eurasia are home to approximately 2.3 billion people today roughly 30% of the worlds population. Archaeologists know from fossils and artifacts that modern humans have occupied Southeast Asia for 60,000 years and East Asia for 40,000 years.

But theres a lot left to untangle. Who were the people who first came to these regions and eventually developed agriculture? Where did different populations come from? Which groups ended up predominant and which died out?

Ancient DNA is helping to answer some of these questions. By sequencing the genomes of people who lived many millennia ago, scientists like meare starting to fill in the picture of how Asia was populated.

In 2016, I joined Dr. Qiaomei Fus Molecular Paleontology Lab at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Our challenge: Resolve the history of humans in East Asia, with the help of collaborators who were long dead ancient humans who lived up to tens of thousands of years ago in the region.

Members of the lab extracted and sequenced ancient DNA using human remains from archaeological sites. Then Dr. Fu and I used computational genomic tools to assess how their DNA related to that of previously sequenced ancient and present-day humans.

One of our sequences came from ancient DNA extracted from the leg bones of the Tianyuan Man, a 40,000-year-old individual discovered near a famous paleoanthropological site in western Beijing. One of the earliest modern humans found in East Asia, his genetic sequence marks him as an early ancestor of todays Asians and Native Americans. That he lived where Chinas current capital stands indicates that the ancestors of todays Asians began placing roots in East Asia as early as 40,000 years ago.

Farther south, two 8,000- to 4,000-year-old Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers from Laos and Malaysia associated with the Habnhian culture have DNA that, like the Tianyuan Man, shows theyre early ancestors of Asians and Native Americans. These two came from a completely different lineage than the Tianyuan Man, which suggested that many genetically distinct populations occupied Asia in the past.

But no humans today share the same genetic makeup as either Habnhians or the Tianyuan Man, in both East and Southeast Asia. Why did ancestries that persisted for so long vanish from the gene pool of people alive now? Ancient farmers carry the key to that answer.

Based on plant remains found at archaeological sites, scientists know that people domesticated millet in northern Chinas Yellow River region about 10,000 years ago. Around the same time, people in southern Chinas Yangtze River region domesticated rice.

Unlike in Europe, plant domestication began locally and was not introduced from elsewhere. The process took thousands of years, and societies in East Asia grew increasingly complex, with the rise of the first dynasties around 4,000 years ago.

Thats also when rice cultivation appears to have spread from its origins to areas farther south, including lands that are todays Southeast Asian countries. DNA helps tell the story. When rice farmers from southern China expanded southward, they introduced not only their farming technology but also their genetics to local populations of Southeast Asian hunter-gatherers.

The overpowering influx of their DNA ended up swamping the local gene pool. Today, little trace of hunter-gatherer ancestry remains in the genes of people who live in Southeast Asia.

Farther north, a similar story played out. Ancient Siberian hunter-gatherers show little relationship with East Asians today, but later Siberian farmers are closely related to todays East Asians. Farmers from northern China moved northward into Siberia bringing their DNA with them, leading to a sharp decrease in prevalence of the previous local hunter-gatherer ancestry.

Genetically speaking, todays East Asians are not very different from each other. A lot of DNA is needed to start genetically distinguishing between people with different cultural histories.

What surprised Dr. Fu and me was how different the DNA of various ancient populations were in China. We and others found shared DNA across the Yellow River region, a place important to the development of Chinese civilization. This shared DNA represents a northern East Asian ancestry, distinct from a southern East Asian ancestry we found in coastal southern China.

When we analyzed the DNA of people who lived in coastal southern China 9,000-8,500 years ago, we realized that already by then much of China shared a common heritage. Because their archaeology and morphology was different from that of the Yellow River farmers, we had thought these coastal people might come from a lineage not closely related to those first agricultural East Asians. Maybe this groups ancestry would be similar to the Tianyuan Man or Habnhians.

But instead, every person we sampled was closely related to present-day East Asians. That means that by 9,000 years ago, DNA common to all present-day East Asians was widespread across China.

Todays northern and southern Chinese populations share more in common with ancient Yellow River populations than with ancient coastal southern Chinese. Thus, early Yellow River farmers migrated both north and south, contributing to the gene pool of humans across East and Southeast Asia.

The coastal southern Chinese ancestry did not vanish, though. It persisted in small amounts and did increase in northern Chinas Yellow River region over time. The influence of ancient southern East Asians is low on the mainland, but they had a huge impact elsewhere. On islands spanning from the Taiwan Strait to Polynesia live the Austronesians, best known for their seafaring. They possess the highest amount of southern East Asian ancestry today, highlighting their ancestrys roots in coastal southern China.

Other emerging genetic patterns show connections between Tibetans and ancient individuals from Mongolia and northern China, raising questions about the peopling of the Tibetan Plateau.

Ancient DNA reveals rapid shifts in ancestry over the last 10,000 years across Asia, likely due to migration and cultural exchange. Until more ancient human DNA is retrieved, scientists can only speculate as to exactly who, genetically speaking, lived in East Asia prior to that.

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.]

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Ancient DNA is revealing the genetic landscape of people who first settled East Asia - The Conversation US

Data Bridge Market Research has recently published the Global research Report Titled Cardiovascular Genetic Testing Market. The study provides an overview of current statistics and future predictions of the Global Cardiovascular Genetic Testing Market. The study highlights a detailed assessment of the Market and displays market sizing trends by revenue & volume (if applicable), current growth factors, expert opinions, facts, and industry validated market development data.

Cardiovascular genetic testing market is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027. Data Bridge Market Research analyses the market to account to USD 4.01 billion by 2027 growing at a CAGR of 13.40% in the above-mentioned forecast period. An extensive array of employment of genetic experimentation in inherent disorders and oncology will prove advantageous for genetic testing business germination in the coming years.

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Siemens Healthcare GmbH, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, QIAGEN, Pathway Genomics, Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc, Natera, Inc., Myriad Genetics, Inc., ICON plc, Laboratory Corporation of America Luminex Corporation, IntegraGen., HTG Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. , Genomic Health, Inc., Admera Health, deCODE genetics among other domestic and global players.

Regions included:

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy)

Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia)

South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)

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Part 02:Scope of the Report

Part 03:Research Methodology

Part 04:Market Landscape

Part 05:Pipeline Analysis

Pipeline Analysis

Part 06:Market Sizing

Market Definition

Market Sizing

Market Size And Forecast

Part 07:Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining Power Of Buyers

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Threat Of New Entrants

Threat Of Substitutes

Threat Of Rivalry

Market Condition

Part 08:Market Segmentation

Segmentation

Comparison

Market Opportunity

Part 09:Customer Landscape

Part 10:Regional Landscape

Part 11:Decision Framework

Part 12:Drivers and Challenges

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Part 13:Market Trends

Part 14:Vendor Landscape

Part 15:Vendor Analysis

Vendors Covered

Vendor Classification

Market Positioning Of Vendors

Part 16:Appendix

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Cardiovascular Genetic Testing Market to Witness High Growth in Near Future and Competitive Analysis - The Daily Chronicle

DetailsCategory: AntibodiesPublished on Friday, 18 September 2020 10:19Hits: 173

Agreement will significantly increase global supply capacity for Lilly's potential COVID-19 treatments

INDIANAPOLIS, IN and THOUSAND OAKS, CA, USA I September 17, 2020 I Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) today announced a global antibody manufacturing collaboration to significantly increase the supply capacity available for Lilly's potential COVID-19 therapies. Lilly is currently studying several potential neutralizing antibodies for the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 as either monotherapy or in combination. Through this collaboration, the two companies will have the ability to quickly scale up production and serve many more patients around the world should one or more of Lilly's antibody therapies prove successful in clinical testing and receive regulatory approval.

"Based on our initial clinical studies, we believe that virus neutralizing antibodies, including LY-CoV-555, could play an important role in the fight against COVID-19," said Daniel Skovronsky, M.D., Ph.D., Lilly's chief scientific officer and president of Lilly Research Laboratories. "Increasing the manufacturing capacity for our neutralizing antibodies through this collaboration with Amgen is a crucial next step, and together we hope to be able to produce many millions of doses even next year."

"We are impressed with Lilly's data, in particular the reduction in hospitalizations, and are enthusiastic about the potential for these neutralizing antibodies as a therapeutic for COVID-19," said David M. Reese, M.D., executive vice president of research and development at Amgen. Esteban Santos, executive vice president of Operations at Amgen, added "we are proud to partner with Lilly and leverage our deep technical expertise in antibody development and, in particular, our strong capabilities in the scale up and manufacturing of complex biologics. This is yet another example of the ways our industry is closely collaborating to combat this devastating disease and help patients around the world access new therapies."

About AmgenAmgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.

Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.

For more information, visitwww.amgen.comand follow us onwww.twitter.com/amgen.

About Eli Lilly and CompanyLilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at lilly.com and lilly.com/news. C-LLY

SOURCE: Eli Lilly

Original post:
Lilly and Amgen Announce Manufacturing Collaboration for COVID-19 Antibody Therapies | Antibodies | News Channels - PipelineReview.com

Two Yale research teams will each receive approximately $9 million in grants from the Aligning Sciences Across Parkinsons (ASAP) initiative to study the underlying biology of Parkinsons disease.

The ASAP grants, to be distributed over three years, are part of a major international, multi-institutional effort to uncover the basic disease mechanisms that drive the progressive neurological disorder, which afflicts 7 to 10 million people worldwide. The initiative builds and leverages a network of leading investigators, which will ultimately serve to promote rapid access to data, enabling breakthroughs across scales that will accelerate benefits for patients.

A Yale team headed byPietro De Camilli, the John Klingenstein Professor of Neuroscience, professor of cell biology, and investigator for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will study how gene mutations linked to Parkinsons affect the function of brain cells during the course of the disease. De Camilli will team with scientists from Weill Cornell Medicine to study the impact of Parkinsons disease on the physiology and metabolism of synapses, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets.

A second Yale team led byDavid Hafler, the William S. and Lois Stiles Edgerly Professor of Neurology and professor of immunobiology, will investigate whether the progression of Parkinsons disease pathology in the brain is initiated by an autoimmune process triggered by the gut microbiome. The research, part of the Center for Neuroinflammation at Yale, will leverage long-standing collaborations with researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and the Broad Institute to produce an unprecedented map of the neuro-immune-gut interactions, with the goal of identifying new treatments for the disease.

The awards to two Yale teams illustrate the universitys dedication to collaborative science and the growing role Yale neuroscientists are playing in elucidating fundamental mechanisms of the most intractable conditions afflicting the brain and central nervous system, said Nancy J. Brown, dean of the Yale School of Medicine. Without a more robust understanding of basic mechanisms we cannot make progress in the treatment of Parkinsonism, she added.

Other Yale members of the De Camilli team areKarin Reinisch, the David W. Wallace Professor of Cell Biology and of molecular biophysics and biochemistry;Shawn Ferguson, associate professor of cell biology and neuroscience; andKallol Gupta, assistant professor of cell biology.

Other Yale members of the Hafler team areLe Zhang, assistant professor of neurology;Sreeganga Chandra,associate professor of neurology and neuroscience;Rui Chang,assistant professor of neuroscience;Noah Palm,assistant professor of immunobiology;Brian KooandJesse Cedarbaum, members of the clinical Department of Neurology; andDavid van Dijk, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine and Genetics.

ASAP is a coordinated research initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration and resources to better understand the underlying causes of Parkinsons disease. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is ASAPs implementation partner and issued the grants.

Read the rest here:
Yale teams get multi-million-dollar awards to study biology of Parkinson's - Yale News

*The Iranian writer holds a PhD in Genetics, Molecular Biology and Epigenetic and works at the Genetics Department of the University of Malayas Faculty of Science.

KUALA LUMPUR

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. IPCC officially released a critical report in 2014 that addressed the impact of global warming on living phenomena on Earth [1]. In 2015 the UN Climate Change Conference, held in Paris, aimed to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on curbing the effects of climate change. Leaders of 150 nations, along with 40 thousand delegates from 195 countries attended 2015 UN Climate Change Conference in order to tackle climate change on a global political level.

Climate change in the Middle East area is an issue taking on a greater and greater intensity. Middle East countries, especially Iran, will be experiencing an increase of 2.6 degrees C in mean temperatures in the following decades.

It is predicted that the environmental temperature will increase substantially in Southeast Anatolia and the coastal areas of the Mediterranean region, including Iran [2] and Turkey by the end of the 21st century [3]. Iran has been a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) since 1992 and Turkey became a member in 2004 [4]. Even though both countries are members of the UNFCCC and despite the critical climate situation warnings regarding these regions, the lack of high-quality data and information, the insufficiency of scientific research as well as risk management of natural resources, and the current level of attention given to the profound relationship between human health and climate change are alarming.

The environmental temperature might have fluctuating impacts on many creatures throughout their lives, including humans. This effect may occur yearly, seasonally, or daily, and usually does not remain constant. There is a question to ponder on; how does an organism struggle with long-term or severe temperature changes? [5] Heat exposure will cause a broad range of negative results for human beings, which will start with an unpleasant sensation, continue with decreasing performance in physical activities and cognitive faculties, followed by a number of cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms that will lead to diseases in addition to an increasing number of hyperthermia- and hypothermia-related and heatstroke deaths, all of which mean higher mortality.

Cardiovascular, respiratory and trauma deaths have been reported to increase in extreme temperatures in Iran. It was also reported that diseases like malaria, leishmaniasis and cholera may change pattern and appear in provinces where they were not prevalent before. [2]

Recently, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change has shown parallels with morbidity in certain sections of societies. There is a need to identify vulnerable populations. The adverse health effects are often preventable with relatively simple measures; therefore, factors such as age, gender, fitness, subcutaneous fat, shape and form, health, medication, adaptation will affect the heat balance. The development of management at the initial steps of the vulnerability will improve the function and working ability and reduce healthcare costs.

It was estimated that, without accounting for harvesting activities, summer heat accounted for the loss of approximately 23,000 years of life per year during the 1990s. During these years, 55 % of life lost was among individuals younger than 75. A trial study confirmed that mortality displacement was applied in society for 30 days; the overall impact was reduced by 75% on the average count. Harvesting was more pronounced in North-continental cities than in Mediterranean cities and was stronger among young people than among the elderly. [6].

The estimate of the threshold during the period evaluated was 29.4 degrees C for Mediterranean cities and 23.3 degrees C for North continental cities. It was estimated that only a 1-degree C increase in maximum apparent temperature above the Mediterranean cities threshold was 3.12%, and for North continental cities 1.84%. The highest mortality rate was seen in elderly people and due to respiratory diseases, demonstrating that the segment of the population most vulnerable to heat were elderly people. Subsequently, those with chronic diseases, children, women above 65 years of age, and people adapted to cold climates had serious difficulties coping with heat, and overall they were considered a vulnerable population.

Socioeconomic factors such as social isolation, air-conditioning usage, exceptional situations (such as long electricity blackouts), and lack of experience in dealing with the new environmental conditions are considered as other factors that increase the mortality rates in these areas. In critical circumstances, individuals taking appropriate approaches towards heat are essential. In healthy people in the population, the amount of exposure to heat, exercise, clothing (i.e. use of textile materials with good moisture transfer qualities), nutrition and hydration are essential. In the at-risk population, right adjustment of medication, treatment, proper behavior in crisis are very important. Lastly, there are discussions on organization management in terms of changing the workplace rules for reducing the time individuals are exposed to heat. In conclusion, human lifestyle plays a vital role in coping with climate change and heat exposure [7].

Effect of global warming and environmental temperature on human enzymatic activity and disease rate

The impact of climate change has been significantly threatening human health based on different parameters. Temperature is a dangerous abiotic factor that affects organisms on an ecological level through infiltrating their molecular and cellular structures. Temperature (heat-cold) is a measure of the kinetic energy of the molecules in a system. Environmental temperature has a direct effect on the molecular response and enzymatic activity of animals and subsequently has a direct impact on the rate of the disease.

At this stage, a question arises: what other mechanisms might be affected in response to thermal stress? An additional serious question also suggests itself: what effects does temperature have on enzymatic activity?

Enzymes are protein molecules activated in their tertiary structure. An enzyme may become inactive by an inhibitor or under adverse thermal circumstances. The enzyme activity would reach its highest range in the optimum thermal condition and will decrease in high temperature due to denaturation.

All enzymes have a range of temperatures for their activities. In eukaryotes, the enzymes have an optimum temperature that is the best reaction for their optimum enzymatic activity, which in humans is around 37 degrees (98.6F), the average body temperature. Enzymes activity has an interdependent interaction with high temperatures [8]. All animals have the capacity to adapt to the environmental temperature, albeit in limited scopes. In order to survive, animals from hot climates such as deserts and tropical climates adapt their enzymatic activity to the highest optimum range.

In contrast, animals from cold weather adapt their enzymatic activity to the lowest optimum range [9]. Even though the animals have this adaptation capacity to the temperature limits, there is still a limited tolerance range for their enzymatic activity and survival [10]. These limited ranges are the two ends of the enzyme activity. Enzymes are proteins, and they will break down at temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) [11].

Most animal enzymes will lose their activity above 40 degrees C. In high temperatures, the active site of the enzyme will be denatured and lose its 3D structure. The temperature, therefore, has a strong effect on enzyme activity [11]. And the deficiency in enzymatic activity due to heat caused by climate changes will subsequently cause respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, mental health problems [12, 13], and different types of cancer [14].

Conclusion

Even though the IPCC reports addressing the impacts of global warming on Earth were officially released in 2014, the effect of temperature on human health has since remained largely neglected. It is clear that the environmental temperature has a direct impact on the body temperature and, subsequently, on the enzymatic activity as an environmental stressor. All beings, including human beings, are threatened by the fluctuations in environmental temperature caused by global warming. It has become critical to determine the scope of scientific research on climate change and the associated animals and human health impact. So, to the authors point of view, such studies that report on human health and environment interaction under different climate circumstances contribute to generating more insights into the impacts weather and temperature have on human health.

**Opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu Agency.

References:

[1] Pachauri, R.K., et al., Climate change 2014: synthesis report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the fifth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2014: Ipcc.

[2] Khanjani, N., The Effects of Climate Change on Human Health in Iran Public Health Review, 2016. 3(1).

[3] R, I.O.E.U.T., Turkeys National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan. , 2011.

[4] Wikipedia, List of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

[5] Hochachka, P. and G. Somero, Biochemical adaptation: mechanism and process in physiological evolution. 2002: Oxford University Press.

[6] Michela Baccini, et al., Heat Effects on Mortality in 15 European Cities. Epidemiology, 2008. 19: p. 711-9.

[7] MIkheimo, T., The effects of temperature on human health. Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, 2013.

[8] Rodrigues, R.C., et al., Modifying enzyme activity and selectivity by immobilization. 2013. 42(15): p. 6290-6307.

[9] Bilal, M. and H.M.J.I.j.o.b.m. Iqbal, Naturally-derived biopolymers: Potential platforms for enzyme immobilization. 2019.

[10] Jiang, W., et al., Effects of temperature change on physiological and biochemical responses of Yesso scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Aquaculture, 2016. 451: p. 463-472.

[11] Wei, Y., et al., Improved lignocellulose-degrading performance during straw composting from diverse sources with actinomycetes inoculation by regulating the key enzyme activities. 2019. 271: p. 66-74.

[12] Ito, K., S.F. De Leon, and M.J.E. Lippmann, Associations between ozone and daily mortality: analysis and meta-analysis. 2005: p. 446-457.

[13] Page, L.A. and L.J.P.M. Howard, The impact of climate change on mental health (but will mental health be discussed at Copenhagen?). 2010. 40(2): p. 177-180.

[14] Seyfried, T.N.J.F.i.c. and d. biology, Cancer as a mitochondrial metabolic disease. 2015. 3: p. 43.

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ANALYSIS - Effect of global warming and environmental temperature on human health and lifestyle - Anadolu Agency

FLOYD COUNTY The community is remembering the legacy of Ray Weatherholt, a beloved high school teacher who sparked a love for learning and science in many students over the years.

Weatherholt, a retired science educator who taught for 36 years at Floyd Central High School, died Tuesday at age 80. He was known for his passion for nature and gardening, and he was involved in organizations such as the Floyd County Purdue Extensions Sunnyside Master Gardeners program.

Weatherholt taught at Georgetown High School from 1964 to 1966, and he started teaching at Floyd Central High School when it opened in 1967. He retired from Floyd Central in 2002.

At Floyd Central, he helped establish rigorous science classes such as anatomy, microbiology and botany, and he was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2016.

Dr. Rex Bickers, a retired neonatologist, attended Weatherholts biology class the year Floyd Central opened, and the teacher quickly became his mentor. He received an advanced education as Weatherholts student, and he was not challenged like that again until medical school, he said.

What I got out of 10th grade biology class was a transition into medical school biochemistry class thats no joke, he said.

Although Weatherholt was only 13 years older than Bickers, he became like a second father to him. They have been good friends over the past 20 years. They often talked, got together or emailed each other, and they enjoyed sending each other science news.

In a tribute posted on Facebook, Bickers reflected on the loss of his friend and former teacher.

For now, the smile of that extraordinary man has disappeared, those hands, that heart the size of Mammoth Cave, he wrote. But I will stop breathing before Ray Weatherholt leaves my brainand all the buzzing molecules that keep him alive there.

Lee Schmidt, a 1999 Floyd Central grad, said Weatherholt was a major reason he became a scientist. He went on to receive a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular genetics.

Weatherholt was a quiet, gentle man who loved biology, life and learning, Schmidt said, and he was a teacher who never stopped learning.

In his classes, students learned from college textbooks, and students were encouraged to challenge themselves through science experiments. Schmidt said Weatherholt taught him the art of failing, a life lesson that has been valuable in his work as a scientist and researcher.

He said if I dont fail early, fail often, Im not pushing myself that was one of my favorites, he said. Dont be scared of having an experiment go wrong, and dont be afraid to have a result that doesnt tell you anything, but learn from it. All data provides a lesson learn from it, keep adapting, evolving and trying again.

For Stephanie Carroll Lone, a science teacher at New Albany High School, Weatherholts influence was life-changing.

He had a way of making you want to do your very best, and she learned to love science, work hard and think in his classes, she said. She took several upper-level science classes with him during her junior and senior years before graduating from Floyd Central in 1995.

Floyd Central was a great school with a lot of good, challenging teachers, she said. Mr. Weatherholts class was one of the first that had really, really challenging upper-level thinking, and he motivated us to reach those high academic levels. He was so excited and passionate about the subject matter, and he got us excited too.

He didnt put stickers on tests unless students received a 100%, Lone said, so when she received a sticker, it was something special, and she felt a sense of achievement.

After she got married, she moved down the street from Weatherholt. As she drove by his home, he often was outside in his garden, and they waved at each other.

When Lone ran into Weatherholt over the past few decades, he always remembered her and knew what she was up to, and he seemed proud that she had followed in his footsteps to become a science teacher, she said.

It inspires her to think of how many people Weatherholt has influenced over the years, including those who became doctors, nurses or teachers, she said.

If he inspired each of those people to be something, and each one of them changed someone elses life, just think of the trickle effect, Lone said.

Weatherholt was involved in the Sunnyside Master Gardeners program for about 20 years. Gina Anderson, Floyd County Purdue Extension Educator, has known him since she started in 2013. He was a mentor to many, and he will be greatly missed in the community, she said.

He brought a wealth of knowledge as a Master Gardeners volunteer, she said, and he loved sharing his knowledge with others. He is the reason the county has so many wooden houses for bluebirds because he led the construction of several thousand boxes for the birds to nest.

He encouraged other people to learn to really involve themselves in something and learn about it, Anderson said. He just brought new knowledge and new perspectives to others.

Joe Hinton, former Floyd Central basketball coach, said in a Facebook post that Weatherholt always had his back when things got tough, and they worked together when Weatherholt coached junior high basketball for him for five years.

Weatherholt loved his profession, Hinton said.

He was good at understanding the kids he taught, he said. He was particularly good with the kids who wanted more beyond the normal load of class work.

Alison Tower Reid, a 1998 Floyd Central grad, said her high school science classes with Weatherholt were harder than any college science classes she took, and Weatherholt inspired her passion for science and nature. She now works as a certified nurse and midwife in Jeffersonville and is pursuing a doctorate in nursing practice.

Weatherholt wouldnt let students do the bare minimum in his class they had to put in an effort and actually learn to make it through the class, she said.

Reid recalls Weatherholts tradition of peeling oranges on test days so the smell could create a sense of calm for students it has always stuck with her, and now, every time she smells an orange peel, she will think of her former teacher, she said.

I will forever see him as a giant teddy bear with a big smile, she said. He was kind of quiet and reserved, and he always had a big smile for students. He was just a happy and gregarious kind of person.

Original post:
Community remembers longtime Floyd Central teacher Ray Weatherholt - Evening News and Tribune

EpiPanelDxPLUS adds to Lineagens expanding menu of diagnostic tests for children with developmental disorders and provides an offering designed specifically for patients that have experienced seizures or other epilepsy-related symptoms

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 14, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionano Genomics, Inc. (Nasdaq: BNGO) today announced the release of EpiPanelDxPLUS by its diagnostics services business, Lineagen. The new laboratory developed test (LDT) and associated clinical support bolsters Lineagens diagnostic services for physicians providing care for pediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). EpiPanelDxPLUS is based on a proprietary panel of 223 genes associated with epilepsy-related conditions, more genes than typically found on epilepsy panels available from other service providers and customized for Lineagens core market of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Epilepsy refers to an array of neurological disorders characterized by involuntary seizures and affects approximately 1.2% of the population, or 3.4 million people, in the United States. It is frequently comorbid with other NDDs of childhood development, including intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder and also can co-occur with neuro-behavioral disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Collectively, NDDs represent the most common form of developmental disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1 out of 6 children affected in industrialized countries. Lineagens current menu of FirstStepDx PLUS chromosomal microarray and NextStepDx PLUSwhole exome sequencing offers leading molecular diagnostic tests designed to help pediatricians and pediatric neurodevelopmental specialists manage their patients with NDDs. Offering such physicians a test for epilepsy allows Lineagen to more comprehensively serve their needs.

Identifying the underlying genetic variants that may explain the underlying cause of seizures is extremely important because it informs multiple aspects of clinical care, said Alka Chaubey, PhD, Chief Medical Officer of Bionano Genomics. This test allows for personalized treatment of the patient, can predict the recurrence risk for other members of the family, and ends the diagnostic odyssey, which for many families can mean years of doctor visits, invasive tests, and failed or even harmful treatments.

EpiPanelDxPLUS is designed for patients who have experienced seizures, infantile spasms, encephalopathy, or febrile seizures, and has an expected 30% diagnostic yield. Lineagen also offers testing to the parents of the patients. By including the analysis of the genomes of one or both biological parents of the patient from the start, it is possible to increase the detection rate of disease-causing variants and inform on recurrence risk for the family. EpiPanelDxPLUS has been curated based on thorough literature review and includes genes with pathogenic variants identified in more than 2,000 epileptic patients tested by Lineagen.

The use of a targeted gene panel such as EpiPanelDxPLUS fits the testing strategy that is recommended by the American Academy of Neurology and complements existing genetic tests offered by Lineagen such as FirstStepDx PLUS chromosomal microarray and NextStepDx PLUS whole exome sequencing, which are recommended for patients who show a wider array of neurological symptoms. To help tailor medical management, Lineagen also offers pharmacogenomic testing which includes certain genes that are responsible for the metabolism of important anti-epileptic or anticonvulsant drugs prescribed for epilepsy.

We already have a depth of knowledge on epilepsy genetics, added Dr Chaubey. We recently tested a 3-year-old girl with muscle spasms and seizures, as well as her parents, and identified a mutation in the SLC2A1 gene. Based on these results, the doctor was able to treat the child with a simple ketogenic diet and over-the-counter supplementation. If she had instead been treated with barbiturates, at one time a standard treatment for epilepsy patients and now contraindicated in patients with this specific genetic condition, her seizures likely would have gotten worse. This case is one of many where results of a genetic test enabled the family and treating physician to significantly improve the quality of life of the child and family.

"Adding the EpiPanelDxPLUS test to Lineagens menu is a critical step forward in our plan for Lineagen to grow and continue supporting the physicians who rely on them," said Erik Holmlin, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Bionano Genomics. "This test also forms the basis of how we envision incorporating the Saphyr system for comprehensive structural variation analysis into an improved diagnostic testing approach for epilepsy. In its current form, the EpiPanelDx test uses next generation sequencing (NGS) to identify single nucleotide variants and for evidence of gene deletion or duplication in 223 genes. Deletions and duplications are examples of structural variations (SVs) that NGS can detect with reasonable sensitivity, but otherwise, NGS is essentially blind to certain SVs that Saphyr detects with ease. We believe using Saphyr in conjunction with NGS can enable later generations of EpiPanelDxPLUS to have potentially higher diagnostic yields by identifying more genetic variations, which may in turn diagnose more patients, and be a unique combination in the industry.

The EpiPanelDxPLUS diagnostic test is available now with full clinical support including genetic counselling. More details on the diagnostic test are available at https://lineagen.com/epipanel/

About Bionano GenomicsBionano is a genome analysis company providing tools and services based on its Saphyr system to scientists and clinicians conducting genetic research and patient testing and providing diagnostic testing for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities through its Lineagen business. Bionanos Saphyr system is a platform for ultra-sensitive and ultra-specific structural variation detection that enables researchers and clinicians to accelerate the search for new diagnostics and therapeutic targets and to streamline the study of changes in chromosomes, which is known as cytogenetics. The Saphyr system is comprised of an instrument, chip consumables, reagents and a suite of data analysis tools, and genome analysis services to provide access to data generated by the Saphyr system for researchers who prefer not to adopt the Saphyr system in their labs. Lineagen has been providing genetic testing services to families and their healthcare providers for over nine years and has performed over 65,000 tests for those with neurodevelopmental concerns. For more information, visitwww.bionanogenomics.com or http://www.lineagen.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, expect, plan, anticipate, estimate, intend and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, intended use of Lineagens tests, including NextStepDX, anticipated benefits of expanded test offerings from Lineagen, anticipated improvements in patient treatment and diagnosis attributable to Lineagens tests, potential combinations or other uses of the Saphyr system in conjunction with Lineagens tests and any improvements in diagnostic testing generated from such uses. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive products; failure of our products to achieve the stated objectives or anticipated benefits; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the loss of key members of management and our commercial team; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on management's assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACTSCompany Contact:Erik Holmlin, CEOBionano Genomics, Inc.+1 (858) 888-7610eholmlin@bionanogenomics.com

Investor Relations Contact:Ashley R. RobinsonLifeSci Advisors, LLC+1 (617) 430-7577arr@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact:Darren Opland, PhD+1 (617) 733-7668darren@lifescicomms.com

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Bionano Genomics Expands Its Diagnostic Testing Menu with Launch of Lineagen's EpiPanelDx PLUS Gene Panel Test that Identifies Genetic Conditions...

Koushik Sinha assistant professor of computer science in SIU Carbondales School of Computing, left, and Keith Gagnon, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, have received a one-year grant from the Walder Foundation aimed at better understanding and tracking the COVID-19 virus as it moves through populations. SIU will receive about $360,000 of the $500,000 grant, which involves sequencing the virus genomes and using analytic tools to track it. (Photo by Yenitza Melgoza)

September 14, 2020

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill. Although COVID-19 is probably 2020s most common term, many wrongly believe it refers to a specific bug that causes myriad symptoms ranging from fairly mild to deadly.

Researchers know the term actually encompasses a constantly evolving and varying virus that changes as it moves through populations over time. Understanding those changes can tell scientists many things, from its origins to the way it spreads to what it might do next, and unlocking those secrets using genetics and tracking technology is the goal of two researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

SIU leading the way

Keith Gagnon, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in SIUs College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, and Koushik Sinha, assistant professor of computer science in the School of Computing, have received a grant from the Walder Foundation. The SIU researchers will work with other scientists from the Open Commons Consortium in Chicago on the one-year, $500,000 project aimed at improving our understanding of the virus, with SIU receiving about $360,000 of the money.

Under the grant, the Illinois Department of Public Health will supply Gagnons lab with COVID-19 samples from patients mostly located in the Chicago area. Gagnons team will then sequence the virus genomes, and perform evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses on the genome sequences.

Combining data with technology

Gagnon said his lab will sequence the genome of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, which cause COVID-19, from positive patient samples. The study will sequence 5,000 virus genomes over the course of the project.

The genomic and analytic tools we will use should help us understand how the virus is moving and changing over time in the Chicago area by identifying variants of the virus, Gagnon said. We expect to identify the original founder outbreaks of the virus, such as geographic location in the world, and predict when different variants were introduced into the Chicago area.

The lab will sequence and analyze the genomes within two weeks of a positive case, Gagnon said. Combing that information with Google mobility data as practiced by Sinha and his team will reveal the demographics to understand how the virus is affecting certain populations, allowing authorities to make rapid decisions about public health policies.

Bringing analytic tools to the fight

Sinhas team will combine the mutation signatures of each virus, as well as where and when the sample was taken, with powerful analytical tools and map-view visualizations, rapidly sharing results with IDPH and other researchers and making them publicly available for viewing and downloading.

Mapping the diversity of mutations that the virus acquires will provide critical insight into better vaccine development, Gagnon said. And our tools can be used to evaluate the success of future vaccines as they are deployed.

Sinha said the goal is to create a one-stop-shop data and analytics infrastructure for storing, integrating, analyzing, and visualizing multiple types of epidemiological data. His group will create a custom visualization and data-analytics platform called COVID-19 Data Map (CoVD-Map). The platform will be an offshoot of the platform that he began developing in spring during some of the early, uncertain months of the pandemic.

Leveraging outside agencies

The teams CoVD-Map will be integrated with the Chicago CAN Commons and designed to work with other public-health surveillance systems, such as Illinoiss National Electronic Disease Surveillance System and the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System.

It will be unique in its ability to not only integrate diverse data sources through built-in analytics solutions, but also enable researchers to plug-in their own analytics tools and visualize their results using its visualization framework, Sinha said.

For instance, one analytic tool will be genomic epidemiology predictions of virus movement and change. The platform also will also integrate with other tools to present results in an intuitive, unified and timely manner, Sinha said.

Information enlightens approaches

The results, incorporating additional dimensions of data, will be accessible to government and health officials, researchers, and the public, he said. Healthcare and government officials can use the CoVD-Map to improve situational awareness and formulate responses while researchers can plug-in their own prediction models. Individuals might use it to understand how the pandemic is impacting their area and accordingly change their daily activity patterns.

The advances the teams hope to make might eventually be applied to other theaters and populations

We hope to expand this study to the broader state of Illinois to look at rural counties, as well, over time, said Gagnon, who also holds and appointment as an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the SIU School of Medicine.

Continued here:
SIU researchers receive grant to study COVID-19 genome, track it through population - SIU News

FULL TIME FACULTY POSITION IN CELL AND MOLECULARBIOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES ST.KITTS

Starting Date of Position: The opening isavailable immediately and will remain open until a suitablecandidate is selected. Starting date is flexible.

The University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS) is afour-year school of medicine located in St. Kitts, W.I. withcorporate offices in New York City. UMHS is currently expanding itsCell and Molecular Biology department and is recruiting a newfaculty member to fill a recently-created position. This willinvolve instructing students in medical cell and molecular biology,and possibly segments in other medical courses as assigned by theDean. The position will involve classroom teaching as well asholding daily office hours. In addition to classroom teaching hoursthe position will require serving on university committees as wellas some research involvement with student and faculty researchprojects

UMHS is committed to educating uniquely skilled and diversemedical professionals eager to meet the need for physicians invarious settings throughout the United States and the world. With afocus on quality patient care and utilizing the latest in advancedtechnological instruction and personalized education, our aim is toproduce genuinely passionate physicians highly prepared forpractice in a changing medical landscape. This position willalso involve academic advising and guidance with a segment ofassigned students. This position is full time and requires livingon the beautiful island of St. Kitts, B.W.I.

Cell and Molecular Biology Course Description:This course develops the necessary understanding of how the cellfunctions at the cellular, organelle and molecular levels. Studentsare exposed to a wide variety of topics, such as cell structuresand their functions, membrane transport, signal transduction, DNAreplication and repair, transcription, translation, regulation ofgene expression, cancer and molecular biology techniques.

Responsibilities: The successfulcandidate will be responsible for team-teaching the three creditmedical genetics course and the six credit cell and molecularbiology course. The UMHS calendar year has three fifteen weeksemesters, with two to three weeks break between semester forfaculty leave. Responsibilities include:

Personal Attributes:

Qualifications:

Please send a letter of interest andaccompanying resume via email to hr@umhs-sk.net.

Please view our beautiful island andour state-of-the-art campus on our website: http://www.umhs-sk.org

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CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY job with University of Medicine and Health Sciences | 286368 - The Chronicle of Higher Education

LA JOLLA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediciNova, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company traded on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ:MNOV) and the JASDAQ Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Code Number: 4875), today announced that BioComo, co-developer of MediciNovas SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19, announced that its Respiratory Syncytial (RS) virus vaccine using BC-PIV technology induced high neutralizing antibodies in mice. BioComo issued a press release on September 11, 2020.

BioComos RS virus vaccine was created using the BC-PIV and VLP-BC-PIV platform technology developed by BioComo and Mie University. The RS virus specific antigen was loaded into BC-PIV and VLP-BC-PIV and mice were inoculated by intranasal administration. Strong induction of neutralizing antibodies against the prefusion F antigen was confirmed.

RS virus is known to infect the human respiratory tract and re-infection occurs throughout life. In general, RS virus only cause mild cold symptoms in healthy adults. However, infants with a first-time infection, immunocompromised people, and elderly people may develop severe diseases such as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. RS virus vaccine development has been ongoing for the past 30 years, but without success to date.

The successful induction of neutralizing antibodies against the RS virus using BC-PIV technology and the intranasal route of administration support the scientific and technical rationale of MediciNovas intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19. This confirmation of neutralizing antibody induction by the RS virus vaccine strongly supports the likelihood of successful induction of neutralizing antibodies by MediciNovas intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine which also uses BC-PIV technology.

BioComos RS virus vaccine mouse model study was conducted at Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) in Leipzig, Germany. IZI is the largest research and development institute in the field of medicine and life sciences in the EU. MediciNova is also planning to work with IZI for additional animal studies for its SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.

Yuichi Iwaki, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova, Inc., commented, "We are very pleased to confirm that an intranasal vaccine using BC-PIV technology induces neutralizing antibodies as demonstrated by BioComos RS virus vaccine. We look forward to reporting additional progress on our intranasal COVID-19 vaccine using BC-PIV as soon as possible.

About the BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine for COVID-19

BC-PIV, an innovative non-transmissible viral vector co-developed by BioComo and Mie University, is derived from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2). It is highly efficient in its ability to transfer multiple foreign proteins to recipients and has a strong safety profile as no secondary infectious virus is produced. BC-PIV is designed to display not only the gene but also the foreign protein itself on the surface and inside of the viral membrane. Therefore, it can carry the large membrane proteins of viruses and signal transduction receptors/ligand proteins on the viral surface. BC-PIV is able to carry the proteins that require a proper three-dimensional structure or multimeric structure while maintaining the structure. BC-PIV elicits good immunogenicity against antigen proteins without adjuvants. The BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prototype has been developed to include the specific SARS-CoV-2 antigen protein in order to express maximum antigenicity. The BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine can be developed as an intranasal vaccine in addition to an intramuscular injection because of its high affinity to nasal and upper respiratory tract mucosa, which is the same route of the natural infection of SARS-CoV-2. An intranasal vaccine is expected to induce local mucosal immunity. To date, BioComo has succeeded in producing a recombinant Ebola virus vaccine (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49579-y) and a Respiratory Syncytial virus prefusion F vaccine (unpublished data) using this BC-PIV platform technology.

About BioComo

BioComo, a biotech company founded at Mie Prefecture, Japan in May 2008, is developing cutting-edge technology platforms for creating the novel and predominant vaccine carriers and adjuvants to enhance immunity in collaboration with the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Department of Mie University. They have already succeeded in the development of a highly efficacious and state-of-the art vaccine carrier and novel adjuvant candidates. Their technology will be applied to the production of the next generation vaccines for the prevention of infections such as RS virus, Ebola virus, Influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2. It will also enable faster and more cost-effective production of those vaccines. BC-PIV is the core platform technology which carries the corporate namesake, BioComo, and the leading vaccine carrier that is derived from the recombinant human parainfluenza virus 2 (hPIV2) vectors. BioComo is dedicated to inventing new vaccines for both global infection threats as well as malignant tumors.

About MediciNovaMediciNova, Inc. is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company founded upon acquiring and developing novel, small-molecule therapeutics for the treatment of diseases with unmet medical needs with a primary commercial focus on the U.S. market. MediciNova's current strategy is to focus on BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for COVID-19, MN-166 (ibudilast) for neurological disorders such as progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and substance dependence (e.g., alcohol use disorder, methamphetamine dependence, opioid dependence), as well as prevention of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by COVID-19, and MN-001 (tipelukast) for fibrotic diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). MediciNovas pipeline also includes MN-221 (bedoradrine) for the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma and MN-029 (denibulin) for solid tumor cancers. MediciNova is engaged in strategic partnering and other potential funding discussions to support further development of its programs. For more information on MediciNova, Inc., please visit http://www.medicinova.com.

Statements in this press release that are not historical in nature constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future development and efficacy of BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029. These forward-looking statements may be preceded by, followed by or otherwise include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "can," "could," "may," "will," "would," considering, planning or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks of obtaining future partner or grant funding for development of BC-PIV SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, MN-166, MN-001, MN-221, and MN-029 and risks of raising sufficient capital when needed to fund MediciNova's operations and contribution to clinical development, risks and uncertainties inherent in clinical trials, including the potential cost, expected timing and risks associated with clinical trials designed to meet FDA guidance and the viability of further development considering these factors, product development and commercialization risks, the uncertainty of whether the results of clinical trials will be predictive of results in later stages of product development, the risk of delays or failure to obtain or maintain regulatory approval, risks associated with the reliance on third parties to sponsor and fund clinical trials, risks regarding intellectual property rights in product candidates and the ability to defend and enforce such intellectual property rights, the risk of failure of the third parties upon whom MediciNova relies to conduct its clinical trials and manufacture its product candidates to perform as expected, the risk of increased cost and delays due to delays in the commencement, enrollment, completion or analysis of clinical trials or significant issues regarding the adequacy of clinical trial designs or the execution of clinical trials, and the timing of expected filings with the regulatory authorities, MediciNova's collaborations with third parties, the availability of funds to complete product development plans and MediciNova's ability to obtain third party funding for programs and raise sufficient capital when needed, and the other risks and uncertainties described in MediciNova's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and its subsequent periodic reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. MediciNova disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.

Link:
MediciNova Announces that BioComo's Intranasal RS Virus Vaccine Successfully Induced Neutralizing Antibodies against the RS Virus in Mice using BC-PIV...

This article was originally published here

Cancer Cytopathol. 2020 Sep;128(9):601-610. doi: 10.1002/cncy.22318.

ABSTRACT

The advent of molecular targets for novel therapeutics in oncology, notably for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), led the French National Cancer Institute (INCa) to establish a national network of 28 hospital Molecular Genetics Centers for Cancer (MGCC) in 2007. In each University in France, laboratories were established to develop molecular biology testing to evaluate a few genomic alterations, initially a selection of genes, by using specific targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. In a second phase, the number of studied genes was increased. In 2015, the MGCC benefited from an additional dedicated budget from the INCa to develop next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. In the meantime, a new financial regulation for innovative testing has been established for the acts out of nomenclature. Consequently, all private and public laboratories in France have access to funding for molecular biology testing in oncology. The gene-based PCR assays or NGS tests have benefitted from reimbursement of cost testing by the INCa. Today, the laboratories consider this reimbursement to be only partial, and its use to be complex. In 2018, a strategic plan for medical genomic analyses (France Mdecine Gnomique 2025) was implemented to introduce more systematic sequencing into the health care pathway and oncology practice. The large panel of molecular tests should be centralized to a limited number of molecular genetic centers. This review describes the evolution of the different stages of implementation of molecular pathology testing for NSCLC patients over the last few years in France.

PMID:32885912 | DOI:10.1002/cncy.22318

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Predictive molecular pathology in non-small cell lung cancer in France: The past, the present and the perspectives - DocWire News

Like nearly all other aspects of life, the normal routines of Duke research labs came to a grinding halt due to COVID-19. Duke researchers shared their reflections on the struggles and insights the process of research shutdown and reboot has had within their labs during a Virtual Research Town Hall on Thursday, September 3rd.

The Town Hall, titled The Impact of COVID 19 on Research at Duke, Overcoming Challenges and Pressures was moderated by Duke Vice President for Research, Larry Carin (Ph.D.). Dr. Carin mentioned that discussion of shutting down the research enterprise began in February, and at that point in time it seemed nearly hysterical. However, by mid-March shut-down plans were fully in progress, leaving labs out of commission until mid-June. To get research at Duke back underway, labs were forced to significantly reduce the density of people in facilities and no undergraduate students were allowed to participate.

Though most of the basic science labs are back in operation now, human subjects research trials have had a slower return. In no way is it business as usual. Detailed planning and scheduling, a focus on social distancing, and daily health surveys are all part of the new normal. There is almost a Big Brother feel to this, Dr. Carin said, comparing the moderated tracking of who enters facilities through their DukeCard swipes to George Orwells 1984 dystopian society.

Associate Professor Debra Silver Ph.D. spoke about her neurodevelopmental lab in molecular genetics and microbiology (MGM). In the three-month shutdown, lab members focused on writing reviews, grants, manuscripts, and took online classes to improve skills. Since re-opening, Silvers lab has implemented lab shifts, pre-scheduled experiments, and coordinated use of shared equipment. Some of the biggest issues are the trainees missing out on critical networking and undergraduates forced to transition to nearly exclusively online work. Silver also voiced serious concern for the mental and physical health of lab members, logistical coordination of childcare and homeschooling, challenges faced by international trainees, and the need for flexibility. However, there were some silver linings as well. The Silver Lab engaged with lots of seminars, had joint lab meetings, and the mutual support for one another grew immensely under the unique circumstances.

Both Silvers lab and the West Lab, led by professor Anne West Ph.D. in neurobiology, are heavily reliant on mice for wet lab work. The mandates to reduce their mouse colonies by more than 50% was a large task and now that the labs are up and running, re-expanding the colonies has been a primary focus. West said that, similar to the Silver Lab members, half of her team picked up writing or a computational project while the other half attended online classes or meetings during shutdown. Undergraduates read and presented research papers which turned out to be a very fruitful training experience.

One major roadblock for the West Labs reopening were the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmoud Arbery. The civic unrest surrounding these deaths and the revivalism of the Black Lives Matter movement became a frequent point of discussion in lab meetings. Some members of the West Lab were unable to work during this time. West emphasized the importance of lowered expectations. She asked everyone to focus on one core experiment and to try to come into the lab for at least a few hours a day, a few days a week. The lab has been gaining traction with new data and research papers nearing completion. Like other panelists, West discussed prevailing issues including anxiety and depression, continued societal uncertainties, and the questionable financial future for research.

Assistant professor of anesthesiology Jamie R. Privratsky MD, Ph.D. highlighted COVIDs impact on clinical and critical care research. Among the positive impacts are the Society of Critical Care Medicines COVID-19 registry database, the abilities to do observational and database research work, and research opportunities for working with COVID patients. However, the rest of critical care research has been completely sidelined, clinician-scientists have been moved to mostly clinical duties, and there have been lots of administrative hurdles for conducting COVID related research.

Many colleagues share Dr. Privratskys mixed thoughts on the gains and losses during the halt of critical care research. For those who were able to conduct some research, the risks to personal health also posed looming anxiety and danger. Dr. Privratsky chose to do what he could being physically away from his lab and worked to update protocols, maintain electronic lab notebooks, write methods sections of papers, and care for his mouse colony. He also submitted three grant proposals and said that he left the shutdown with a clearer vision and direction for his research.

The School of Medicines Vice Dean for Basic Science, Colin S. Duckett Ph.D. closed the town hall with encouraging reflections. Out of 17,000 Duke administered COVID tests, there have been very few positives. Duckett emphasized how seriously the Duke community and its recently returned students are taking the continued threat of Coronavirus. Though communications persist as a challenge and many argue that life right now just doesnt feel right, Duckett called attendees attention to the fact that the research enterprise was successfully ramped down, ramped back up, and lab activities have made a nearly completely return. This was and continues to be no small feat and is possible due to highly collaborative efforts, he said.

Further, there were large insights gleaned from this collective experience; those of researchers resiliency, the importance of community, and the need to look beyond work and check in on each other as human beings. Research and the people who make it possible do not exist in a vacuum away from society. Their work and their well-being are subject to the pandemic just like everyone else. Yet, similar to the broader global public, researchers and their research are emerging stronger than before in the face of COVID-19.

Post by Cydney Livingston

Originally posted here:
Covid Tested the Resilience of Duke's Research | Research Blog - Duke Today

Reported Cases Likely One-Fifth of Total in Chittenden County

Mask-wearers on Church Street in Burlington.(Photo: Joshua Brown)

Vermont Business Magazine A novel new study suggests that the behavior public officials are now mandating or recommending unequivocally to slow the spread of COVID-19wearing a face coveringshould come with a caveat. If not accompanied by proper public education, the practice could lead to more infections.

The finding is part of an unique study, just published as a preprint in SSRN, that was conducted by a team of health economists and public health faculty at the University of Vermonts Larner College of Medicine in partnership with public health officials for the state of Vermont.

The study combines survey data gathered from adults living in northwestern Vermont with test results that showed whether a subset of them had contracted COVID-19, a dual research approach that few COVID studies have employed. By correlating the two data sets, researchers were able to determine what behaviors and circumstances increased respondents risk of becoming sick.

The key risk factor driving transmission of the disease, the study found, was the number of daily contacts participants had with other adults and seniors.

That had relevance for two other findings.

Those who wore masks had more of these daily contacts compared with those who didnt, and a higher proportion contracted the virus as a result.

Basic human psychology could be at work, said Eline van den Broek-Altenburg, an assistant professor and vice chair for Population Health Science in the Department of Radiology at the Larner College of Medicine and the studys principal investigator.

When you wear a mask, you may have a deceptive sense of being protected and have more interactions with other people, she said.

The public health implications are clear. Messaging that people need to wear a mask is essential, but insufficient, she said. It should go hand in hand with education that masks dont give you a free pass to see as many people as you want. You still need to strictly limit your contacts.

Public education messaging should make clear how to wear a mask safely to limit infection, van den Broek-Altenburg added.

In a second key finding, the study found that participants living environment determined how many contacts they had and affected their probability of becoming infected. A higher proportion of those living in apartments were infected with the virus compared with those who lived in single family homes.

If you live in an apartment, youre going to see more people on a daily basis than if you live in a single family home, so you need to be as vigilant about social distancing, van den Broek-Altenburg said.

The study controlled for profession to prevent essential workers, who by definition have more contacts and are usually required to wear masks, from skewing the results.

Its generally known that essential workers are at higher risk, and our study bore that out, van den Broek-Altenburg said. We wanted to see what else predicted that people were going to get sick, she said.

Reported cases in Chittenden County only one-fifth of likely total

The study provides the first estimate of unreported cases in Vermonts Chittenden County, where most study participants live. The survey found that 2.2 percent of the survey group had contracted the virus, suggesting that an estimated 3,621 Chittenden County residents were likely to have become ill, compared with just 662 reported cases, just 18%.

That figure translates to a hospitalization rate of 1.2% and adjusted infection fatality rate of 0.55%.

This finding is important for local policy-makers, van den Broek-Altenburg said.

If you know how many people are sick or have been sick, you're much better equipped to make precise predictions of will happen in the future and fashion the appropriate policies, she said.

It also shows the importance of serologic and PCR testing of the general population, she said.

If you only test symptomatic patients, youll never be able to find out how many people have already had the virus. With our random sample study we were able to show that Vermont has so far only tested less than one-fifth of the people who have likely had the virus. To capture the larger population, random samples of the population are needed so we can also capture asymptomatic patients, which appears to be the majority of COVID-19 cases.

The study is a proof of concept, van den Broek-Altenburg said. I hope it leads to other, larger studies that combine survey data with widespread testing. This approach is essential to both understanding the dynamics of this pandemic and planning our response to futures ones.

Ten of the 454 survey respondents who took the serologic test had antibodies for Covid-19, and one tested positive for the virus. Given the small number, researchers simplified their models and were able to reach a high confidence level in the two key findings.

We tested our models and found that the results were robust through several different model specifications, van den Broek-Altenburg said.

To create the study group, the researchers sent a survey to 12,000 randomly selected people between the ages 18 and 70 who had at least one primary care visit at the University of Vermont Medical Center, which services primarily northwestern Vermont, in the past three years.

Coauthors on the study include Eline van den Broek-Altenburg, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Radiology; Adam Atherly, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Center for Health Services Research; Sean Diehl, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics; Kelsey Gleason University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine; Victoria Hart, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine; Charles MacLean, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine; Daniel Barkhuff, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Emergency Department; Mark Levine, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Medicine; Jan Carney, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Medicine.

The rest is here:
UVM Study: Without right messaging, masks could lead to more COVID-19 spread - Vermont Biz