StemCell Therapy

Bit Bio, the new startup which pitches itself as the enter button for the keyboard to the software of life only needed three weeks to raise its latest $41.5 million round of funding.

Originally known as Elpis Biotechnology and named for the Greek goddess of hope, the Cambridge, England-based company was founded by Mark Kotter in 2016 to commercialize technology that can reduce the cost and increase the production capacity for human cell lines. These cells can be used in targeted gene therapies and as a method to accelerate drug discovery at pharmaceutical companies.

The companys goal is to be able to reproduce every human cell type.

Were just at a very crucial time in biology and medicine and the bottleneck that has become really clear is a scalable source of robust human cells, said Kotter. For drug discovery this is important. When you look at failure rates in clinical trials theyre at an all time high thats in direct contradiction to the massive advancements in biotechnology in research and the field.

In the seventeen years since scientists completely mapped the human genome, and eight years since scientists began using the gene editing technology known as CRISPR to edit genetic material, theres been an explosion of treatments based on individual patients genetic material and new drugs developed to more precisely target the mechanisms that pathogens use to spread through organisms.

These treatments and the small molecule drugs being created to stop the spread of pathogens or reduce the effects of disease require significant testing before coming to market and Bit Bios founder thinks his company can both reduce the time to market and offer new treatments for patients.

Its a thesis that had investors like the famous serial biotech entrepreneur, Richard Klausner, who served as the former director of the National Cancer Institute and founder of revolutionary biotech companies like Lyell Immunopharma, Juno, and Grail, leaping at the chance to invest in Bit Bios business, according to Kotter.

Joining Klausner are the famous biotech investment firms Foresite Capital, Blueyard Capital and Arch Venture Partners.

Bit Bio is based on beautiful science. The companys technology has the potential to bring the long-awaited precision and reliability of engineering to the application of stem cells, said Klausner in a statement. Bit Bios approach represents a paradigm shift in biology that will enable a new generation of cell therapies, improving the lives of millions.

Photo: Andrew Brookes/Getty Images

Kotters own path to develop the technology which lies at the heart of Bit Bios business began a decade ago in a laboratory in Cambridge University. It was there that he began research building on the revolutionary discoveries of Shinya Yamanaka, which enabled scientists to transform human adult cells into embryonic stem cells.

What we did is what Yamanaka did. We turned everything upside down. We want to know how each cell is defined and once we know that we can flip the switch, said Kotter. We find out which transcription factors code for a single cell and we turn it on.

Kotter said the technology is like uploading a new program into the embryonic stem cell.

Although the company is still in its early days, it has managed to attract a few key customers and launch a sister company based on the technology. That company, Meatable, is using the same process to make lab-grown pork.

Meatable is the earliest claimant to a commercially viable, patented process for manufacturing meat cells without the need to kill an animal as a prerequisite for cell differentiation and growth.

Other companies have relied on fetal bovine serum or Chinese hamster ovaries to stimulate cell division and production, but Meatablesays it has developed a processwhere it can sample tissue from an animal, revert that tissue to a pluripotent stem cell, then culture that cell sample into muscle and fat to produce the pork products that palates around the world crave.

We know which DNA sequence is responsible for moving an early-stage cell to a muscle cell, says Meatable chief executive Krijn De Nood.

If that sounds similar to Bit Bio, thats because its the same tech just used to make animal instead of human cells.

Image: PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images

If Meatable is one way to commercialize the cell differentiation technology, Bit Bios partnership with the drug development company Charles River Laboratories is another.

We actually do have a revenue generating business side using human cells for research and drug discovery. We have a partnership with Charles River Laboratories the large preclinical contract research organization, Kotter said. That partnership is where we have given early access to our technology to Charles River They have their own usual business clients who want them to help with their drug discovery. The big bottleneck at the moment is access to human cells.

Drug trials fail because the treatments developed either are toxic or dont work in humans. The difference is that most experiments to prove how effective the treatments are rely on animal testing before making the leap to human trials, Kotter said.

The company is also preparing to develop its own cell therapies, according to Kotter. There, the biggest selling point is the increased precision that Bit Bio can bring to precision medicine, said Kotter. If you look at these cell therapies at the moment you get mixed bags of cells. There are some that work and some that have dangerous side effects. We think we can be precise [and] safety is the biggest thing at this point.

The company claims that it can produce cell lines in less than a week with 100 percent purity, versus the mixed bags from other companies cell cultures.

Our moonshot goal is to develop a platform capable of producing every human cell type. This is possible once we understand the genes governing human cell behaviour, which ultimately form the operating system of life, Kotter said in a statement. This will unlock a new generation of cell and tissue therapies for tackling cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune diseases and accelerate the development of effective drugs for a range of conditions. The support of leading deep tech and biotech investors will catalyse this unique convergence of biology and engineering.

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Bit Bios enter button for the keyboard to the software of life nabs the company $41.5 million - TechCrunch

If you had invested $1,000 in shares of mid-cap biotech company Fate Therapeutics(NASDAQ:FATE) when it IPO'd, you would have close to $4,823.33 as of markets' close on June 11. That's an astonishing return on investment of 397.5%. In context, the S&P 500 returned 78.8% over the same period.

What's baffling, however, is that the stock's win streak has been entirely ignored by retail investors. In its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, institutional investors accounted for almost 100% of the company's ownership. Even so, the company managed to garner much institutional interest despite only having its experimental therapies reach phase 1 status. Could the stock continue its winning streak and deliver riches to investors? Let's find out below.

Image Source: Getty Images

Fate Therapeutics has big buyers excited because it's at the forefront of developing the third generation of cellular immunotherapies. Immunotherapies are treatments that use the power of the body's own immune system to control and eliminate cancer. Currently, the method being investigated by biotechs and researchers around the world is chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR T-cell) immunotherapy, which can help save lives but has a huge price tag.Indeed, after overhead costs, mark-ups, and a three-week manufacturing process, one course of CAR T-cell treatment can cost up to $1.5 million.

Luckily, this is where Fate Therapeutics comes to the rescue with its proprietary induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. Using this method, a single stem cell clone can morph into more than 200 different types of cells via genetic engineering, which can then be mass-produced and stored. When cancer patients need a specific type of antibody in their systems, doctors would be able to request the corresponding iPSC on demand from a cell bank.

In previous articles, I discussed the effectiveness of two such therapies,NK100 and FT500, in phase 1 clinical trials. Let's examine yet another one of Fate Therapeutics' promising candidates, FT516.

FT516 is a natural-killer (NK) cell engineered from Fate Therapeutics' master iPSC line with a modified form of the CD16 receptor. Normally, tumor-killing activity from NK cells can be heavily impaired when these cells detach from their targets. FT516, however, is designed to resist detachment upon activation and have a higher affinity for currently approved antibodies that help target cancer cells.

In its phase 1 interim data release, one patient with acute myeloid leukemia who took FT516 (90 million cells per dose) for three weeks as a monotherapy with IL-2 cytokine (cells that regulate the activity of cancer-fighting T-cells) support showed no external evidence of leukemia after treatment.Furthermore, there was evidence of hematopoietic recovery (improvement in the ability to form blood cells of all types), and no circulating leukemia cells were observed in the peripheral blood. FT516 was also found to be well tolerated in this patient.

While the results are very good, observers may rightly point out that the therapy only worked on one patient and has not been compared to current standards of care. However, the patient who recovered after taking FT516 had previously failed multiple rounds of chemotherapy and treatment with standard of care. Hence, it's more likely than not -- save for a miracle -- that the experimental therapy kept the patient alive.

Overall, all three of Fate's pipeline candidates are set to release their clinical data by the end of 2022. Currently, Fate Therapeutics has more than $1.8 billion in potential payouts if these therapies are successful in the development and regulatory stage, and an additional $1.2 billion for hitting certain commercial milestones. The company also has $319 million in cash and investments, including a $100 million cash infusion from Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE:JNJ) Janssen subsidiary in April. Recently, the company closed another round of equity funding from Johnson and Johnson worth at least $214 million, a move that is highly indicative of the pharma giant's confidence in Fate Therapeutics' future prospects.

Image Source: YCharts

Compared to a quarterly net loss of $33 million, the company's capitalization is superb. I think Fate Therapeutics has some truly amazing candidates in its pipeline and is well positioned to enrich investors with a high risk tolerance.

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If You Invested $1,000 in Fate Therapeutics' IPO, This Is How Much Money You'd Have Now - The Motley Fool

The Nucleic Acid Isolation and Purification Market research report enhanced worldwide Coronavirus COVID19 impact analysis on the market size (Value, Production and Consumption), splits the breakdown (Data Status 2014-2020 and 6 Year Forecast From 2020 to 2026), by region, manufacturers, type and End User/application. This Nucleic Acid Isolation and Purification market report covers the worldwide top manufacturers like (Agilent Technologies, Bio-Rad Laboratories, F.Hoffmann-La-Roche, GE Healthcare, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Abcam, Bioline, Biotechrabbit, BioWORLD, Danaher, Epicentre, Hamilton, New England Biolabs, Omega Bio-tek, Promega, Qiagen, Sigma-Aldrich, Takara Bio) which including information such as: Capacity, Production, Price, Sales, Revenue, Shipment, Gross, Gross Profit, Import, Export, Interview Record, Business Distribution etc., these data help the consumer know about the Nucleic Acid Isolation and Purification market competitors better. It covers Regional Segment Analysis, Type, Application, Major Manufactures, Nucleic Acid Isolation and Purification Industry Chain Analysis, Competitive Insights and Macroeconomic Analysis.

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In addition, mRNA isolation and purification, RNA isolation and purification, plasmid DNA isolation and purification, total RNA isolation and purification, and PCR clean up. Nucleic acid isolation helps in processing of more sample in less time, minimizes nucleic acid loss ad degradation and increases laboratory efficiency and effectiveness. It also helps in purification of nucleic acid. Column based, reagent based, magnetic bead based and others are some important technology used in nucleic acid isolation and purification. These are used by hospitals, pharmaceuticals, academic research, diagnostic centers, biotechnology companies and food testing and laboratories.

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DNA Isolation and Purification RNA Isolation and Purification

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Eggs that would otherwise be wasted can be used as the base of an inexpensive coating to protect fruits and vegetables, Rice University researchers have discovered.

Brown School of Engineering lab of materials scientist Pulickel Ajayan and colleagues have developed a micron-thick coating that solves problems both for produce and its consumers.

When the coating was applied to produce by spraying or dipping, it showed a remarkable ability to resist rotting for an extended period comparable to standard coatings like wax, but without some of the inherent problems.

The coating provides an outlet for eggs that never reach the market, the researchers suggested, as manufacturers reject 3% of the more than 7 billion eggs produced each year in the U.S. In fact, they estimated that more than 200 million eggs end up in landfills each year.

Reducing food shortages in ways that dont involve genetic modification, inedible coatings or chemical additives is important for sustainable living, Ajayan said. The work is a remarkable combination of interdisciplinary efforts involving materials engineers, chemists and biotechnologists from multiple universities across the U.S.

Along with being edible, the multifunctional coating retards dehydration, provides antimicrobial protection and is largely impermeable both to water vapor to retard dehydration and to gas to prevent premature ripening. The coating is all-natural and washes off with water.

If anyone is sensitive to the coating or has an egg allergy, they can easily eliminate it, Jung said.

Egg whites (albumen) and yolks account for nearly 70% of the coating, the researchers explained. The majority of the rest of the coating consists of nanoscale cellulose extracted from wood -- which serves as a barrier to water and keeps produce from shriveling -- a small amount of curcumin for antimicrobial powers and a splash of glycerol to add elasticity.

Lab tests on dip-coated strawberries, avocadoes, bananas and other fruit showed that they maintained their freshness far longer than uncoated produce. Compression tests showed that coated fruits were significantly stiffer and firmer than uncoated fruits and demonstrated the coatings ability to keep water in the produce, thus slowing the ripening process.

An analysis of freestanding films of the coating showed it to be extremely flexible and able to resist cracking, allowing better protection of the produce. Tests of the films tensile properties showed it to be just as tough as other products, including synthetic films used in produce packaging. Further tests proved the coating to be nontoxic, and solubility tests showed that a thicker-than-usual film is washable. Rinsing in water for a couple of minutes can completely disintegrate it, Ajayan said.

The researchers continue to refine the coatings composition and are considering other source materials.

We chose egg proteins because there are lots of eggs wasted, but it doesnt mean we cant use others, said co-corresponding author Muhammad Rahman, a research scientist in Ajayans Rice lab who mentored and led the team.

Jung noted that the team is testing proteins that could be extracted from plants rather than animal production to make coatings.

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Egg-based coating preserves fresh produce - Feedstuffs

People with blood type O have less of a chance of getting the COVID-19, according to a number of studies published all over the world during the pandemic. Meanwhile, people with type A might be more vulnerable.

After the pandemic broke out, scientists and doctors alike became puzzled by one question, why are some people more susceptible to contracting, and even succumbing to the disease than others?

According to their blog they did a study that contained more than 750,000 participants. Their preliminary data suggests that O blood type appears to be protective against the virus, and people with that type are between 9-18% less likely that other individuals to have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

But how does blood type actually play a role in infection?

Their study included extracting DNA samples from 1,980 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized for respiratory failure. They scanned the samples using a rapid technique called genotyping, and looked at nearly nine million genetic letters. The researchers then carried out the same experiment on 2,205 blood donors with no evidence of COVID-19. They found that the ill patients shared a number of similar genetic variants compared to those who were not ill.

The scientists were looking for spots in the genome called loci, which they ultimately found. In one of those spots is the gene that determines blood type. Their analysis showed higher risk for A-positive individuals and a protective effect for blood group O.

Blood type is determined by specific sugar molecules that are added to proteins or lipids on our blood cells and other cell types, according to Chemical Science and Engineering news. Those that are in the A blood type group carry A sugar antigens, the same goes for people in the blood type B with B-antigens, however O blood type have neither.

This means that the immune systems of people with type A blood develop antibodies for B antigens, people with type B blood have antibodies for A antigens, and people with type O blood have antibodies for both. Blood type influences blood clotting and a growing body of evidence suggests that COVID-19 pathology often involves overactive blood clotting. People with type O blood have lower levels of proteins that promote blood clotting.

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People with blood type O more protected against COVID-19 - studies - The Jerusalem Post

Rick And Morty has always sold Rick as being the smartest man in existence, and while he can be a genius, sometimes he really is a doofus Rick.

Anyone who has sat through all four seasons ofRick and Mortyought to know by now that Rick Sanchez is an alcoholic cesspool of unresolved issues-- he's nowhere near as perfect as he narcissistically wants to appear. In that regard, he has made plenty of conscious mistakes all throughout the show.

RELATED:Rick And Morty: 10 Ways That Evil Morty Could Get His Revenge

At the same time, Rick's also an undeniable genius especially when it comes to his inventions and a general understanding of the parallel universes. Itdoes seem that it can be tiring to be a genius all the time and sometimes Rick unleashes brain farts more obscene than his actualgas. Here are five of those strokes of genius and five of those Doofus Rick moments to prove Rick is only human.

Turning himself in during the episode "Rickshank Redemption"was a shocking moment considering that Rick has always been selfish. It was rather too good to be true-- and it was. Turns out it was Rick's plan all along to hit four birds with one stone.

The first goal was to trash the Galactic Federation, the second was to rope the Citadel into fighting the Federation, the third was to make Beth divorce Jerry, and the fourth was... to get his fix of the Mulan Szechuan McNugget sauce. All four plans were achieved in one fell swoop, it was Rick at his strategic peak.

Speaking of highs, Rick's intellect also has its lows. By far one of the worst blunders he made was making a love potion for Morty which turned into flu that mutated everyone into failedAnimorphscharacters.

RELATED:Rick And Morty: 5 Reasons The Show Could Dip In Quality With So Many Episodes (& 5 It Wont)

Apparently, Rick was not that well-versed or good enough in biochemistry or genetic engineering and merely made wild guesses for his potion. The result was ruining dimension C-137 and scarring Morty permanently.

One of the biggest problems of humanity at the moment is finite resources, specificallyfor power/electricity. Rick knew this well enough and was able to circumvent the problem by making an infinite power source in the form of a mini-universe trapped inside his car battery.

It wasn't foolproof though but one has to give him credit for solving mankind's million-year-old problem. Funny thing is, Rick could have used it to advance humanity into its next technological stages but chose to be selfish and use it only for his car battery.

One of the latest displays of Rick's dwindling mojo is during the "Vat of Acid" episode where his plan consisted of faking death against gangsters using a vat of acid. Of course, it's for comedic value and the plot as to why he chose to follow through with that plan.

RELATED:Rick and Morty: 10 Worst Things Evil Morty Has Done

Still, Rick's vat of acid trick was not only boring but it also didn't make sense. Turns out Rick could have easily dealt with the alien gangsters without any consequences. Even Morty thought it was unimaginative and even called Rick "senile" for coming up with it.

Rick and Mortyhas its own version of the Avengers in the form of the rather dysfunctional and rag-tag Vindicators. They're no slouch, however, and some of them are powerhouses in their own right, capable of destroying planets even.

That didn't matter much for Rick as he was able to lay out an elaborate plan to kill them all or make them fight one another. The impressive part was that he did all of this while he's drunk

If Jerry had a dollar for every time Rick brings Earth closer to an apocalypse, he'd wouldn't be so worried about being unemployed. It just so happens that Rick does that casually, most notably in the episode "Total Rickall."

RELATED:Rick and Morty Characters Sorted Into Their Hogwarts Houses

It's where Rick casually brought home some parasites from space that implant fake memories telepathically and take over whole worlds. It's been proven that Rick did it by Justin Roiland(co-creator and Rick voice actor) himself. It led to Beth shooting Mr. Poopybutthole, that's bad enough.

Found finally met his match and one of the most competent adversaries he has in the form of Zeep Xanflorp who lives in the car battery's mini-universe. Turns out he was as smart as Rick and was even younger.

When the two of them got trapped in a jungle with nothing but twigs and rocks, Rick was able to build weapons and even mechs out of raw resources with no laboratory. It goes to show that Rick doesn't need his inventions to thrive.

When it comes to facing his own psychological or mental issues, Rick turns from a bright and calculating scientist to a scared toddler. He even goes as far as to create his own problems just to avoid going into therapy.

RELATED:Rick And Morty: The 15 Best Episodes So Far (According To IMDb)

That goes to show just how low Rick's emotional intelligence but he turned himself into an initiallyhelpless pickle in order to avoid a mere hours-long counseling session. It was fun to watch but one just has to wonder what was going on in Rick's "rational" mind.

Whether the Rickest Rick inRick and Mortyinvented the portal gun or not, he surely knows how to maximize it. Not only does he shoot his way into other dimensions for more knowledge or better resources than the Earth could offer but also sometimes weaponizes the Portal Gun in clever ways.

Rick also knows how to recharge the Portal Gun so it's more than likely that he did invent it, much like other Ricks in other dimensions as well. It's arguably Rick's greatest invention and even his greatest weapon, apart from his brain.

Turning himself into a pickle or concocting a lame vat of acid idea weren't the most questionable Rick decisions ever. That award goes to what he did with the "real" Beth and the clone Beth in the finale of Season 4.

Rick, like the awesome dad he is, made his computer shuffle the two Beths; now neither he nor anyone else can know which is the real one. Oddly enough, there was no need for him to do that since he erased it from his memory anyway.

NEXT:Rick And Morty: 10 Un-Rickest Versions Of Rick In The Series

Next Friends: 5 Times Monica Was An Overrated Character (& 5 She Was Underrated)

Sid Natividad likes movies so much as to choose the risk of urinary tract infection than miss a few minutes of post-credit Easter eggs, that shows the extent of his dedication. He is well-versed in multiple fandoms that gravitate toward the edgy and nihilistic spectrum of the internet culture. Outside of being a writer for Screen Rant, he also works as a journalist and has risked his life for mere warzone photos.

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Rick And Morty: 5 Times Rick Was A Genius In The Show (& 5 Times He Was A Doofus Rick) - Screen Rant

Products already on the market containing Epogeeinclude enrobed caramel clusters and a fast-growing low-calorie ice cream brand delivering asuper-premium creamy mouthfeel,Epogee chief commercial officer Jayme Caruso told reporters in a briefing on Wednesday.

We have a customer about to launch a peanut spread and a chocolate hazelnut spread with EPG and we expect to see many more products hitting the market with EPG in the coming months.

EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol) which be listed on food labels as EPG (modified plant-based oil) - can be used to replace up to 85% of the fat in scores of applications from confectionery to baking mixes, said Caruso, who said the FDA had just confirmed it had no objections to extending a GRAS determination for EPG to include potato chips, corn-based savory snacks, chicken nuggets, plant-based protein products, dairy analogs, and beverages/beverage bases.

To make EPG, the company splits rapeseed oil (although other vegetable oils can also be used) into glycerin and fatty acid, inserts a food-grade link, and reconnects them (see box below for details).

The modified fat (EPG) has a high melting point of 102F, which means that it doesnt liquify when it passes through the body (which typically has a temperature of around 98.6F) and has the consistency of soft candlewax, Caruso told FoodNavigator-USA.

It largely resists digestion because digestive enzymes are prevented from breaking it down, so hardly any of its calories are released, added Caruso, who is talking to potential partners from leading CPG brands to disruptive startups.

To put this into perspective, 1g of fat contains 9 calories, while 1g of Epogee contains 0.7 calories.

Unlike Olestra (which had a lower melting point and messy side effects) or fat replacers made from sugars, gums, starches or fibers (which provide bulking, humectancy and mouthfeel but many firms dont want to include on the ingredients list), EPG functions like fat in food products and in the human body because its made from fat, said Caruso.

In a nutshell, he said, EPG is unique in the food formulation space because its analternative fat, not a fat substitute EPG looks feels, tastes, and functions like fat because its made from fat, it just doesnt deliver the calories.

While fat reduction and replacement might have been all the rage in the 80s and 90s, consumers today some of whom are actively embracing high fat keto diets are more worried about sugar, acknowledged Caruso.

But theyre also worried about their weight, and they are still paying attention to calories, and given that fat contains a lot more calories per gram (9) than carbs or protein (4), it is the easiest target to drive calories out of products, he said.

The low-fat ship sailed 25 years ago, but this is not about low fat, its about caloric reduction.

And if food culture has undoubtedly changed since the technology behind EPGs was first developed three decades ago, most Americans are still consuming more calories than they are burning off, and many of them come from fat, added Caruso.

There is currently nothing like this is on the market. We have two products, a confectionery EPG with a very sharp melting curve designed to mimic cocoa butter or fractionated palm kernel oil, and our workhorse spreadable EPG, which works in all of the other applications.

As to whether EPG would be considered clean label, theres no simple answer as this is not a legally defined term, said Caruso, although he conceded that some natural and organic brands might not be interested.

However, brands that are trying to appeal to calorie-conscious consumers are particularly excited by Epogee's potential to cut calories but also eliminate ingredients such as gums, starches and binders, preservatives and flavor enhancers that are often used in low calorie or low fat foods, he said.

The road to commercialization has been lengthy for EPGs, which were first developed in the 1980s by ARCO Chemical Company, which teamed up with Bestfoods to explore their potential as fat replacers in foods.

However, Bestfoods withdrew from the joint venture shortly thereafter, and work did not resume until late 2003 when the technology was assigned to a non-profit affiliated with Kansas State University. A new partner, Choco Finesse, LLC, was later granted development rights and changed its name to Epogee.

'Not another Olestra'

Epogee is not anotherOlestra(a hybrid molecule of sucrose esterified with eight fatty acids from Procter & Gamble that attracted a wave of negative PR over its messy side effects... notably anal leakage), says founder and CTO David Rowe.

"We got to learn from their experiences and essentially avoid some things that they did but we also have better chemistry. Our product is safer in terms of things like vitamin depletion[Epogee does not inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins], but another key thing is that Epogee is made from fat and tastes like fat.

Olestra had kind of a weird mouthfeel and for people old enough to remember the potato chips, they didnt quite taste like potato chips, but French fries or donuts made with Epogee will actually beat regular French fries or donuts[on taste/mouthfeel].

What are EPGs?

EPGs are a family of fat- and oil-like substances that resemble triglycerides in structure and appearance, but have been modified to prevent or limit their digestion when consumed in food.

How is Epogee made?

*According to aGRAS noticesubmitted to the FDA in 2015, esterified propoxylated glycerol (EPG) is produced by a three-step process: First, fats and oils are split into glycerol and fatty acids. Next, glycerol is reacted with propylene oxideto produce glycerol with propyleneglycol units (PGUs) inserted on its hydroxyl groups. Finally, the propylene glycol-substituted glycerol is reacted with fatty acids to produce EPG, which largely resists digestion because the PGUs prevent the digestive enzyme lipase from breaking down the fat.

Is it safe?

The FDA has no questions regarding the GRAS status of EPG for multiple food applications including confectionery products; frying; baked goods and baking mixes; frozen desserts and mixes; nut products (including peanut butter); grain products; pasta; granola and snack bars; sauces and gravies; soft candy; snack foods (potato chips, corn-based savory snacks, chicken nuggets); plant-based protein products; dairy product analogs; beverages/beverage bases; coffee, and tea.

EPGs have been evaluated for safety at levels as high as 150 grams per day.

How is it labeled?

Epogee - the brand name for EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol) can be listed on food labels as EPG (modified plant-based oil).

While the word modified might conjure up images of genetic engineering (which isnotinvolved in its production), Epogee has not experienced any pushback from manufacturers or consumers on the name, claimed Caruso, who noted that modified starch is a common term on food labels.

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Fat alternative Epogee gains traction: 'The low-fat ship sailed 25 years ago, this is not about low fat, it's about caloric reduction' -...

LUBBOCK, Texas (NEWS RELEASE) The following is a news release from Texas Tech University:

Building a new veterinary program requires a great team. Not surprisingly, behind the development of theTexas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillowas collaborative team from across the breadth of theTexas Tech University System. Each team member used their expertise to inform the argument of the need for and the shape of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Any good team is an inclusive one in which its members know the game plan and how to contribute their expertise toward achieving the goal. For success, the team needed diverse expertise that extended well beyond veterinary medical education. For success, the school needed truly outstanding expertise in the economics of veterinary education and the veterinary profession. It just so happened that Texas Tech has that expert, and he answered the call in 2015.

At that time, Ryan Williams was a professor of economics in theTexas Tech UniversityCollege of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources(CASNR). He led the economic analysis of the veterinary educational and professional need for Texas Tech to start the School of Veterinary Medicine, which was presented to theTexas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Our school is the success it is because of Ryan, saidGuy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. Five years ago, Ryan stepped into a meeting in the Chancellors conference room with his shirt untucked and threw his all into the project. When it comes to the School of Veterinary Medicine, he has so much skin in the game, so to speak. Ryan helped shape the school. I am just so excited he joined the school as we look forward to welcoming the first class in the fall of 2021. It is a privilege to work with someone like Ryan. He typifies the values we hold dear.

Williams is now one of the founding faculty members of the Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine as an associate professor of economics and public policy. He began his duties on June 1.

The more I evaluated the data, the more convinced I became that if the citizenry of Texas are supporting the education of veterinarians for the good of the people, then a new school with a different approach to training was warranted, Williams said. Having had the opportunity to be involved with the development of this school from very early in the process, I am thrilled to continue serving the mission the School of Veterinary Medicine represents for Texas Tech University and the state of Texas. I am dedicated to ensuring that, as the school grows, we remain committed to a culture that prioritizes the success of our students and their commitment to community.

Williams has spent the last nine years in theDepartment of Agricultural and Applied Economics, the last four years with a joint appointment with the Texas A&M AgriLife Research agency in Lubbock. His research has involved water resources and rural communities and the application of natural resource and environmental economic methodologies to One Health research.

His interest in veterinary medicine stems from when he provided consulting services to the American Veterinary Medical Association. He is interested in investigating the market structure for various veterinary clinic types and exploring consumer demand for veterinary services and the goods and services supported by veterinary services in their supply chains.

Williams, a native of northern California, earned his bachelors degree from Emory University and his masters degree from North Carolina State University before earning his doctorate ineconomicsfrom Texas Tech and joining the faculty as a visiting assistant professor in 2009. He also has worked as a financial consultant for Bank of America.

At the end of the day, veterinary medicine is a business just like other medical health professions, saidJohn Dascanio, senior associate dean for academic and student affairs. It is extremely important that students understand both personal financial decisions and also that financial decisions within a veterinary practice may affect their ability to practice medicine. The effects of the global economy on veterinary clientele often times dictate medical decisions. Dr. Williams will help to lead our program to integrate financial and economic decision making throughout our program.

Williams becomes the 14th faculty member for the School of Veterinary Medicine. He joins Loneragan, Dascanio, associate dean for clinical programsBritt Conklin, professor of surgeryDavid Dutton, assistant professor of general veterinary practiceBethany Schilling, professor of medicineLszl Hunyadi, professor of surgeryNancy Zimmerman, visiting professorJerry Black, associate professor of Library and Information SciencesHoward Rodriguez-Mori, assistant professor of curriculum and assessmentMarcelo Schmidt, associate professor of microbiologyJason Fritzler, assistant professor for microbiologyAlexandra Calleand associate professor of anatomyJoshua Roweon the faculty for the School of Veterinary Medicine. Additional faculty members will be added over the summer and fall.

Thanks to the generosity of Amarillo and communities across Texas, and the commitment of legislators from around the state, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo, established in 2018, is working to enroll its first class in the fall of 2021, pending approval by the AVMA Council on Education.

The School of Veterinary Medicine will recruit and select students with a passion to practice and succeed in rural and regional communities. Its curriculum is focused on the competencies and skills necessary for success in practices that support these communities. Texas Techs innovative and cost-efficient model partners with the wider community of veterinary practices across the state to provide clinical, real-world experiential learning.

In June 2019,Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law the biennial state budget, which appropriated $17.35 million for the School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillothat will go toward operational needs in order to get the school up and running. The appropriation included language directing Texas Tech to move forward in establishing the school.

(News release from Texas Tech University)

Link:
Economics and public policy expert joins Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine - KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Jos Arce is one of the first natives of the U.S. commonwealth to serve on the AVMA Board of Directors. He will achieve another first this summer when the AVMA House of Delegates elects him as the 2020-21 president-elect and next in line for the AVMA presidency. He is the sole candidate for the office of president-elect and will succeed Dr. Douglas Kratt as AVMA president in 2021.

A 1997 graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Arce is president and co-owner of Miramar Animal Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His wife, Dr. Anik Puig, is also a veterinarian.

Dr. Arce was a member of the HOD from 2000 until joining the AVMA Board in 2014. He recently talked to JAVMA News about what he hopes to accomplish as AVMA president. The following answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

A. I have been an active participant in organized veterinary medicine for the past 26 years, holding numerous leadership positions in the Student AVMA throughout my years in veterinary school and later at the state level in the Puerto Rico VMA and nationally both in the AVMA House and on the AVMA Board.

In my capacity as District IV director on the Board, I have served or continue to serve as liaison to a long list of councils, committees, advisory panels, and AVMA trusts; as chair of the Committee on International Veterinary Affairs; and on the American Veterinary Medical Foundation board of directors.

These experiences, together with my diverse background, have given me a unique perspective and in-depth knowledge of the AVMA and the issues facing the veterinary profession. Additionally, they have taught me to be an inclusive, forward-thinking, and strategic leader.

I will do my best to lead by example, and hopefully my presidency will send a message of inclusiveness and inspire other minorities to become involved in organized veterinary medicine.

Dr. Jos Arce, candidate for 2020-21 AVMA president-elect

Veterinary medicine has provided me many opportunities to meet veterinarians from all corners of the world, with whom I have had profound conversations regarding our profession. These experiences and interactions have prepared me to become an effective AVMA president and to carry the torch of my predecessors in protecting, promoting, and advancing veterinary medicine.

A strong veterinary profession needs a strong AVMA, and as president, I will be committed to working in conjunction with our leadership, our volunteers, and the AVMA staff to optimize the way we serve our members in order to make a difference in the lives of present and future veterinarians.

A. Growing up, my father was involved in organized medicine and served in the Puerto Rico Medical Association and in the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association, so it was natural for me to become involved in organized veterinary medicine. During my first year as District IV director on the AVMA Board, we worked on the new AVMA branding and the tag line: Our Passion. Our Profession.

It might sound corny, but thats exactly how I feel about veterinary medicine. I am truly passionate about our profession, and I cherish every opportunity to educate, promote, and advocate for our profession, whether it is in a kindergarten classroom or with members of the U.S. Congress.

A. I am extremely proud of my Puerto Rican and Spanish roots; they are an intricate part of who I am and my perspective towards all things in life. Becoming a Hispanic and minority president of AVMA will be an honor, but it also comes with some responsibility. I will do my best to lead by example, and hopefully my presidency will send a message of inclusiveness and inspire other minorities to become involved in organized veterinary medicine. The AVMA must continue to strive for greater diversity and inclusiveness as it gives strength to our voice as advocates for veterinary medicine. It is also imperative that we promote veterinary medicine as a suitable career choice for underrepresented groups, both in ethnicity and type of practice.

A. The president of AVMA must be an effective communicator, not just a promoter of our Association. When I first served on the AVMA House of Delegates almost two decades ago, I would frequently give my thoughts and opinions at our meetings about the issues at hand. With time, I have become an active listenerdeferring judgement, providing feedback as needed, and responding appropriately and respectfully.

The AVMA president must be a respected voice for the profession and be able to represent AVMA and the veterinary profession, not just to our members but also to government, industry, international veterinary associations, and the public. I truly believe that I have earned that respect of others through my hard work and commitment to the AVMA for the past 26 years.

Personally, I see myself as creative, empathetic, adaptable, positive, and optimistic. I also have a great sense of humor, which helps me connect with others.

A. As a member of the Board, I participated in the difficult decision to cancel AVMA Convention 2020. It was a sad decision for us because we knew we would not be able to experience and celebrate the events of convention together with our colleagues. We also knew that canceling convention was the right decision and the only way to protect the health, safety, and well-being of all our convention participants.

Now, AVMA Convention 2020, the HOD summer session, and the election of officers will be held virtually instead of in person in San Diego.

We know of several state and international veterinary meetings that have been canceled or postponed until 2021. We do not yet know how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, whether there will be a second wave in the fall and a third next spring, when a vaccine will be available, and how long travel restrictions, quarantines, and social distancing rules will continue to be in effect. All these factors will play a role in deciding if we will be able to begin holding small, in-person meetings in the early fall and hopefully larger gatherings such as the AVMA Economic Summit later in the year.

So, yes, COVID-19 will have an effect on my year as president-elect, as several of the meetings that officers would have attended have been or will probably be canceled or held virtually.

As leaders of this Association, we have an opportunity to become our most innovative, adaptive, and resilient selves in facing all the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic throws at us and making decisions that will be in the best interests of our members.

I take my hat off to the AVMA staff for working tirelessly in order to provide factual, up-to-the-minute information and resources to assist veterinarians in providing services during the present pandemic and supporting their well-being during this time of uncertainty and distress.

A. AVMA members should look forward to a president who is passionate and deeply committed to our profession, and who assumes a leadership role in facing the problems that affect veterinary medicine.

They should expect a president addressing news media frequently and communicating to the public the importance and value of veterinary medicine in enhancing peoples lives, and how the human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial relationship between animals and people.

They should also expect a president who focuses on effectively communicating the benefits and values of the AVMA to our members, as well as improve the internal communication between AVMA leadership and staff, and our volunteers on councils and committees.

AVMA members should anticipate a president who is a team player and who will work in collaboration with the Board and House to build consensus and promote a culture of unity; who is not afraid to speak his mind, but who, at the same time, is an active listener, and is willing to change his mind.

A. Veterinary medicine continues to face daunting economic challenges and societal demands. High educational debt, income concerns such as low starting salaries, scope-of-practice issues, an unfavorable work-life balance, and uncertainty about retirement all contribute to wellness issues within our profession.

At the global leveland because the interconnections among animals, people, and the environment have become more significant and impactful than everwe are facing new challenges. The present pandemic is a perfect example of that.

At the same time, we need to address and take advantage of new and developing technologies that are affecting the practice of veterinary medicine such as telehealth, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, biosensors, and the proper use of mobile medical devices. These innovative technologies are developing and evolving rapidly. We must quickly adapt to these changes to remain relevant, while maintaining the integrity of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and understanding how all of these things impact the standard of care.

As they say, with challenge comes opportunity. The present pandemic is a perfect example of that. The AVMA, state VMAs, and veterinarians nationally and worldwide have been at the forefront, helping educate the public about SARS-CoV-2. Several veterinary schools are conducting studies on SARS-CoV-2, some are developing vaccines against the novel coronavirus, and some are assisting state governments in testing humans for the COVID-19 virus. All this work shows how veterinary medicine can bring unique value to biomedical research and public health. This pandemic has also demonstrated the need for the implementation of one-health practices and measures to improve the response to and reduce the emergence of pandemic viruses.

A. The AVMA should prominently communicate the values of our profession and educate the public about all aspects of veterinary medicine, and our leaders and volunteers at all levels should constantly promote and advocate for our profession through the traditional news media outlets and social media.

We must work together to foster an environment that promotes the mental health, emotional well-being, and personal happiness of our members, both at work and at home.

The AVMA must also be a global leader in one health and contribute to the development of policies and guidelines in all aspects of veterinary medicine. We must cultivate relationships and work in unison with other global veterinary associations and intergovernmental entities to support public health, animal health, and welfare around the world.

A. I would like to be remembered as a strong leader who represented our members and advocated for our profession well and inspired others to do the same; and who left behind an AVMA that is better prepared to meet the needs of society while protecting, promoting, and advancing a unified veterinary profession.

A. I am a strong advocate of the concept of the AVMA family, and if elected president, as the primary spokesperson of the AVMA, I will take this message of the AVMA family everywhere I go. Whether it is the House of Delegates and all the state VMAs and allied groups that are part of it, the Board, AVMF, AVMA Political Action Committee, SAVMA, and now Veterinary Medical Association Executives and National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, we need to strategically work in unison to be a more effective organization.

Correction: This article incorrectly identified the Puerto Rico VMA board in Dr. Jos Arces response to, What skills and qualifications do you bring to the office? Dr. Arce was talking about his nearly 20 years of service in the AVMA House of Delegates.

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Arce poised to make history this summer | American Veterinary Medical Association - American Veterinary Medical Association

The virus that causes COVID-19 had infected nearly 5 million people around the world and killed about 322,000 as of late May. The virus has left no area untouched, including the veterinary profession. The following stories represent just two of the people who have died during this pandemic. Their obituaries can be found in this issue.

Dr. Peter Sakas (Illinois 83), a staff veterinarian at the Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center in Niles, Illinois, died on March 30 of COVID-19. In his work, he focused on wildlife veterinary medicine. Those who knew him say he was charismatic, had a big personality, and cared deeply for his clients and their animals.

He had such a loyal following that there were clients who would drive in several hours from out of state just to see him for an appointment, said his daughter, Courtney Sakas, MD. My uncle recently shared a story that Elizabeth Taylor once sent her bird in a limousine to my fathers clinic to be seen by him.

Dr. Courtney Sakas said her father was an active member of the veterinary community. He traveled frequently to conferences, veterinary colleges, and local elementary schools. He had high school students shadow him on Saturdays so they could learn about veterinary medicine firsthand.

Dr. Peter Sakas specialized in avian veterinary medicine. In fact, birds were the whole reason he became a veterinarian. Dr. Sakas found a small, injured bird when he was young and tried to nurture it back to health.

He carried that same compassion through his entire career, Dr. Courtney Sakas said. He often took on cases that others would consider hopeless because he firmly believed that all animals have souls and deserve to be given a chance.

Dr. Peter Sakas even wrote a book on how to care for birds, Essentials of Avian Medicine: A Guide for Practitioners.

Dr. Sakas had no plans to retire. He wanted to keep working. Then he started showing symptoms March 20.

There has been a lot of attention on human health care front-line workers, but I think people often forget that veterinarians are front-line health care workers too, Dr. Courtney Sakas said. My father told us that he was never going to retire because he loved his job so much. I knew he was going to continue working as long as he possibly could to keep caring for the clients and animals he loved, even if it meant putting himself at risk.

Dr. Julie R. Butler (Cornell 83), founder of 145th Street Animal Hospital in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, died on April 4.

She was the only black person in her class, an experience she described as bittersweet, according to her sister, Sheila Butler, MD.

In her professional life, Dr. Julie Butler was the kind of veterinarian who never turned away an animal.

Dr. Butler co-founded New York Save Animals in Veterinary Emergency, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance for pets that need emergency care. She also served as president of the VMA of New York City. She spent over 30 years serving the Harlem community, and she used her experience to educate and mentor other veterinary professionals.Dr. Butler was a lifelong student. She loved to expand her knowledge both in veterinary medicine and as an artist.

It was amazing to see how fast she could acquire a new skill, said Alex Howard, a chef and Dr. Butlers son. She was even beginning to master Thai cooking. We experimented a lot and created a lot of great meals together.

Dr. Butler also created felt sculptures, designed clothing, made jewelry, and made an excellent lemon meringue pie.

For Thanksgiving and New Years Day, everybody would wait for the pie to be done so they could enjoy it or maybe even take some home, Howard said.

Kylie Lang, a veterinary technician, said Dr. Butler was a role model who made work enjoyable.

Dr. Butler was the kind of veterinarian who cared a great deal about her work and (its) impact on others, she said.

Lang said Dr. Butler was outspoken and humorous.

She displayed a rare confidence that took comfort in the unknown, said Zachary Butler-Jones, her nephew and a veterinary technician. She would reference necessary texts, make a game plan, and follow through with the procedure, even if she never did it before. That confidence would never spill into arrogance, though, and she made sure to always have her ducks in row when it came to her patients.

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Remembering veterinarians who have died during the pandemic - American Veterinary Medical Association

Veterinary researchers continue to investigate the COVID-19 virus in animals and how the virus interacts between humans and animals.

The study Susceptibility of ferrets, cats, dogs, and other domesticated animals to SARScoronavirus 2 was conducted by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Harbin Veterinary Institute.

The findings, which were published May 29 in the journal Science, showed that SARS-CoV-2 infects the upper respiratory tract of ferrets but is poorly transmissible between individuals. In cats, the virus replicated in the nose and throat and caused inflammatory changes deeper in the respiratory tract. In addition, airborne transmission occurred between pairs of cats under the experimental conditions. Dogs appeared not to support viral replication well and had low susceptibility to the virus, and pigs, chickens, and ducks were not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.

Also, in May, scientists in the U.S. and Japan reported that cats in a laboratory setting can readily become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and may be able to pass the virus to other cats.

Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, professor of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, led the study, published May 13 as a letter to the editor in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers obtained a SARS-CoV-2 isolate from a human patient and used it to generate a high dose of purified virus, which they then directly inoculated in the nasal cavity, trachea, and eyes of each of three cats. The following day, the researchers swabbed the nasal passages of the cats and were able to detect the virus in two of the animals. Within three days, the researchers detected the virus in all of the cats.

The day after the researchers administered the virus, they placed another cat that hadnt been administered SARS-CoV-2 virus in each of the first three cats cages.

Each day, the researchers collected nasal and rectal swab samples from all six cats to assess them for the presence of the virus. Within six days, all of the cats were shedding virus. However, none of the rectal swab samples contained virus.

Each cat shed SARS-CoV-2 from its nasal passages for up to six days. None of the cats showed signs of illness, and all of the cats ultimately cleared the virus.

That was a major finding for usthe cats did not have symptoms, said Dr. Kawaoka. He is also helping lead an effort to create a human COVID-19 vaccine.

In another investigation, pet owners who bring their animals to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University can choose to participate in the Coronavirus Epidemiological Research and Surveillance study.

Pets of consenting owners will have nasal and oral swab samples collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2. The study is also seeking area pet owners to test their animals at home. Volunteers receive a kit and are asked to collect swab samples over a two-week period and return them to the university.

A very small number of animals have tested positive for the virus, so even one presumptive-positive result would provide invaluable information, according to Kaitlin Sawatzki, PhD, animal surveillance coordinator for the study.

The more we know what a virus looks like that can hop species, the better the chances of preventing it, said Dr. Sawatzki, a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan A. Runstadler at the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Cummings.

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Researchers focus on COVID-19 virus in animals | American Veterinary Medical Association - American Veterinary Medical Association

Global Veterinary Medicine Industry Market Report Renders deep perception of the Market Segment by Regions, market status of the Veterinary Medicine Industry on a global level that primarily aims the core regions which comprises of continents like North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and top manufacturer.

The research report on Veterinary Medicine Industry market report comprises of an in-depth analysis of this industry vertical. The key trends that describe the Veterinary Medicine Industry market during the forecast period are cited in the document, alongside additional factors including industry policies and regional scope. Moreover, the study specifies the impact of prevailing industry trends on potential investors.

Request a sample Report of Veterinary Medicine Industry Market at:https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/2707267?utm_source=algosonline.com&utm_medium=PSR

COVID-19, the disease it causes, surfaced in late 2020, and now had become a full-blown crisis worldwide. Over fifty key countries had declared a national emergency to combat coronavirus. With cases spreading, and the epicentre of the outbreak shifting to Europe, North America, India and Latin America, life in these regions has been upended the way it had been in Asia earlier in the developing crisis. As the coronavirus pandemic has worsened, the entertainment industry has been upended along with most every other facet of life. As experts work toward a better understanding, the world shudders in fear of the unknown, a worry that has rocked global financial markets, leading to daily volatility in the U.S. stock markets.

The report also provides with an overview of the competitive landscape along with a thorough analysis of the raw materials as well as the downstream buyers.

Revealing a summary of the competitive analysis of Veterinary Medicine Industry market:

An overview of the regional scope of the Veterinary Medicine Industry market:

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Significant Features that are under Offering and Key Highlights of the Reports:

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Veterinary Medicine Market Size 2020: by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application - Cole of Duty

Its past 6 on a summer evening, and veterinarian Andy Cooke is consulting with a woman in the parking lot of his practice in Troy, in the shadow of a majestic view of Mount Monadnock.

Hes giving her instructions about her pet, which hes just examined inside his clinic; theyre outside because of restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. A member of his staff brings the dog out to her car, and it dances with joy, eagerly leaping into the back seat.

Its the end of another workday for the 58-year-old Cooke, who opened his practice in 1998 and sees as many as 30 to 40 pets almost all dogs and cats a day. In addition to treating the animals, he instructs, teaches, calms and sometimes consoles their owners.

Veterinary medicine is not all puppies and kittens; there are a lot of hard choices to make, he says. But Im fortunate to do this. I love what I do. Im never bored.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., and raised in Ithaca, Cooke is the youngest of six children, three boys and three girls. Their father, William, was a car dealer, selling Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles.

Cooke came to love animals at a young age because his best friend Ted Foxs father, Francis, was the head of the large-animal department at the Cornell University School of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca. Francis Fox also had his own practice working with farm animals.

We went on calls with his dad starting in about 3rd grade, and us boys would just play around like boys do. But by the 6th grade, I started to really watch him and thought that it was a great way to make a living.

Dr. Fox turned out to be a significant influence and a mentor.

My father died when I was 11 years old from colon cancer, and theres no question that he filled a void in my life, Cooke recalls.

He was a strong, stout man with forearms like Popeye, he continues. He was a smart farm kid who went to ag school and then to vet school. He developed the vaccine that treated whats called bovine viral diarrhea, and now every cow in the world receives it.

Cooke says that at the end of each call, as Fox was driving away, the veterinarian would yell to the farmer: Keep em healthy, now! Thats the derivation of the name of Cookes practice on Route 12: Keep em Healthy.

He and Ted both developed a love of animals.

We had every manner of animal, but kept them at Teds house. Waterfowl of all kinds, pigeons, goats, hawks, even a llama with one eye that had been abandoned by a traveling fair, he says. We were the kids that everyone knew would take in an animal.

Ted Fox, incidentally, became an ornithologist and is now director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, N.Y. Dr. Francis Fox died at age 92 in 2015.

After high school, Cooke enrolled at Cornell, where he graduated with a degree in animal sciences. Next was Tufts University outside Boston, where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He describes his tutelage under Fox as a tremendous help during his veterinary education.

His first job was at an equine practice in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., treating and breeding thoroughbred horses at the famed Saratoga Race Track, which opened in 1863 and is the third oldest in the country.

The work was fun and challenging, he says, but extremely hard, both physically and mentally.

I worked 24/7, and one day I pulled out of a gas station with the pump handle still in my car, and I realized I was working too hard. Incidentally, there wasnt an intact marriage in the group.

Cooke was single at the time and had been at that practice for three years.

A colleague tipped him off to a job opportunity at Cheshire Animal Hospital in Keene, headed by Dr. Lee Pearson. He began there in 1993 and then opened his own practice, in Troy, in 1998. In 2017, he built a new 14,000-square-foot clinic next to his old building, and now employs a staff of 12.

Although he began as a mixed practice, treating both large animals on farms and also pets, he switched to a pets-only practice 10 years ago.

As a single practitioner, I just couldnt do both, he says.

Cooke says veterinary medicine can be especially difficult for a very obvious reason the patient cannot vocalize its problems. We share that with pediatricians, he notes.

You use your eyes, nose, your hands, you look for the subtle signs. You look at the animal, he says, explaining that it takes a significant amount of experience and intuition.

You must meet them where they stand, and listen to them. They will tell you if theyre scared, or hurt, or mad. You have to know the signals. Thats what Im good at, knowing people and knowing animals. Know what you know, and know what youre good at, and bring energy to the situation.

Treating animals also involves quite a bit of medical detective work, he says.

Ive been doing this for 31 years, and I still get stumped. You cant take any case for granted.

Its also crucial to work with pet owners, he emphasizes, and listen carefully to what theyre saying about the animal.

The human-animal bond is very strong; pets are members of the family, he says. Now that there is so much more isolation in society, we rely on animals to provide the closeness we need.

As for how the role of pets has changed over the years, he describes the intimacy as having evolved from the barn to the porch to the bedroom.

Inevitably, though, in many cases, a pet must be euthanized.

We take an oath to alleviate suffering, he says. There comes a time when you have to let them go; all the kings horses and all the kings men cant do anything for them.

Cooke is, naturally, a pet owner himself. He has two dogs: Kai, a Rhodesian ridgeback; and Bailey, a long-haired Jack Russell terrier. He also has Briar Rose, a domestic short-hair cat, and a rabbit named Mr. Fuzziwig.

When hes not tending to veterinary medicine, which may take up to 70 hours a week, Cooke is an avid singer, a member of the Cheshiremen and Junction 135 barbershop quartets. He is also involved and performs with the Raylynmor Opera of Peterborough and Small Time Productions in Marlborough. Cooke also sang in elementary and high school and was in the mens a capella group at Cornell.

He met his wife, Pam, while both were performing in the Keene Lions Club presentation of Guys and Dolls in 1996. The two married in 1998 and have a daughter, Frances, who is a junior at the University of New Hampshire.

Music permeated the Cooke household in Ithaca. We were a knockoff of the von Trapp family, he quips. We all sang.

His mother, Mary, had trained as a singer and even had the opportunity to perform with Fred Waring & The Pennsylvanians, a famous band from the 1920s through the 1940s.

Instead, she fell in love and had six children, he says.

Both his mother and father were tall, his dad at 65, his mother standing at 511. Cooke is 62, and the shortest of the three boys in the family.

College roommates fixed them up because they were both tall, he says. His father graduated from Georgetown University and his mother from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Although he lost his father at a young age, Cooke remembers him well as a great guy.

He lied about his age to get in the Navy in World War II, he says, and served on a PT boat in the South Pacific.

He never said much about the war, Cooke says, but he recalls his father telling a story about a time he and his crewmates docked at a small island. While the rest of the men went into the jungle, his father stayed back with the boat to wash some laundry.

Suddenly, a Japanese soldier appeared, and my father thought that would be the end of him.

Instead, the soldier made a motion of two fingers to his lips, indicating he wanted a cigarette. My father laid down his pack of cigarettes and lighter, and the man picked them up and walked away.

With the early death of his father, Cookes oldest brother Will, only 21 at the time, took over management of his dads automobile dealership, the third generation of the family in the business. Their grandfather had also been a car dealer selling Model Ts in Rochester, N.Y.

Some people asked me, Why dont you just go sell cars? Cooke said. But I knew what I wanted to do work with animals.

Read more:
Drawing on intuition and an early influence, Andy Cooke helps keep pets healthy - The Keene Sentinel

Fourth-year veterinary student Austin Floyd examines Birdie

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

When a beagle named Birdie arrived at theTexas A&M Small Animal Hospital (SAH)with an extremely low heart rate,Dr. Ashley Saundersknew that immediate action was necessary to save the dogs life.

As a veterinary cardiologist and professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM), Saunders had seen Birdies symptoms many times.

Cases with arrhythmias, or slow, irregular heartbeats, come into the hospital on a weekly basis. If caught in time, the condition is typically fixed with a treatment that is routine to Saunders but often a surprise to the general public by implanting a pacemaker.

These surgeries are usually minimally invasive with a quick recovery time, but in Birdies case, it would take a team of specialists an entire night to heal her heart.

In May 2019, Birdies owner, Katherine McLeod, noticed that Birdie was acting sluggish and behaving abnormally.

It was really odd. It was like she was just cranky, McLeod said. Over the next couple days, she got pretty lethargic and acted like she didnt want to go outside or do anything. She was still eating and drinking, but she clearly didnt feel well.

McLeods local veterinarian in Waco discovered that Birdie had an abnormally slow heartbeat and recommended a medication for treatment. But the medicine only helped for a few days, so when the lethargy returned on a Saturday afternoon, McLeod knew that her best option was to bring Birdie to Texas A&M, where she entrusted Saunders with Birdies care.

Birdie had a really low heart rate called third-degree AV (atrioventricular) block, Saunders said. The middle part of the heart stopped working, so the top and bottom couldnt communicate well.

This miscommunication contributed to Birdies slow heartbeat, lethargy and overall unwell feeling.

Almost immediately after the diagnosis, Saunders,fourth-year veterinary student Amanda Tabone, and SAH staff began preparing to implant Birdies pacemaker.

Typically, you want to put a pacemaker in through the jugular vein in the neck, Saunders said. Thats the ideal way to do it. So, we took her back to do that, but the pacemaker electrically would not capture her heart. This can happen in rare cases, and we have to quickly adapt.

Saunders moved to the next option, which involved surgically screwing the pacemaker into Birdies heart through her chest. Thanks to help fromDr. Whitney Hinson, a small animal surgery resident, they finally got the pacemaker attached and working properly.

But because of the unexpected issues with the pacemaker, Birdie remained under anesthesia for longer than they initially planned and more complications began to arise.

We were in surgery into the middle of the night at that point, Saunders said. Dr. Bradley, the anesthesiologist, stayed with us the entire time, and we ended up having to spend even more time trying to get her to wake up after the surgical procedures because her lungs were slow to reinflate.

Dr. Ashley Saunders implanted a pacemaker in Birdies heart, breaking her heartrate back to a normal speed.

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

Finally, Birdie improved. By the next day, the pacemaker had brought Birdies heart rate back to normal speed and she was able to go home to Waco with her family.

Dr. Saunders called me that morning and said miracle of miracles, basically, McLeod said. She said, You can come get her. Shes doing great. You could tell in her voice that she was excited.

While Birdies case had several setbacks, pacemaker implants are typically much less complicated, according to Saunders. She sees pacemaker cases at least once a week, on average, for a variety of dog breeds and ages.

Everybody is always stunned when I say Im a veterinary cardiologist, Saunders said. People always say, What? People put pacemakers in their dogs? Yes, we can do that, and we do it a lot. That always surprises people.

For Saunders, being able to perform those life-changing procedures and getting to work with a variety of other SAH services in the process makes the high-stress career worth it.

People dont realize how high-stress it is to be a cardiologist because it feels like life and death all of the time, Saunders said. But in the moment, you have to keep thinking because you really have a patients life in your hands; you just have to keep problem solving until you get it.

Tabone was excited to have the opportunity to scrub in for surgery and help care for Birdie post-operatively, especially because of her love for Beagles.

I was the student on call the weekend Birdie came in, Tabone said, and I always joke that if Im going to get called in, I hope its a beagle, because I have an overwhelming attachment and love for this breed.

Tabone, who has three of her own beagles, fell in love with Birdie and was thankful to be involved in her case.

It was incredible to see the transition she made from being very gloomy to being excited and ready to go home with her family, she said. I was really lucky that I got called in for this case.

Birdies case was also meaningful for Tabone because it was her first clinical experience and her first opportunity to be hands-on in a surgical setting. When Birdie arrived at the hospital, Tabone and her fellow fourth-years had just begun their first week of clinical rotations.

Birdies mom mailed a letter to the teaching hospital, and Ill definitely keep it for my entire career, Tabone said. She had the most kind and sincere things to say about me and the work that Dr. Saunders did. I plan to have it framed in my office and when Im having a not-so-great day, I can read it and think of my experience with Birdie and her family. Itll forever be great motivation for my career.

Back in Waco, Birdie returned to her normal, active, friendly self within a week.

Anytime you want to take her on a walk, she gets all fired up about that. She loves her treats and all the different food that she gets, McLeod said. Shes great with Skittle (McLeods other beagle); theyre best buds and theyre very happy to be back hanging out together.

As a huge Baylor fan, McLeod had no experience with Texas A&M before Birdies procedure at the Small Animal Hospital, besides rooting against the Aggies on gameday.

It was funny. When we went to pick Birdie up, she had her maroon bandages on and what I like to call her Aggie haircut, because they had to shave parts of her, McLeod said. I said, What? Come on, man, no green and gold bandages? The hospital staff said, Hey, youre at A&M.

I said, You know what? Forever we will root for the Aggies unless theyre playing us, which is very unlikely these days, she said. But its funny now any time I watch football, I say, Im for A&M. Just for A&M.

Read more here:
Texas A&M Veterinarians Setting The Pace - Texas A&M University Today

Roberta OConnor

By Josh Babcock, College of Veterinary Medicine

A compound discovered in the gills of wood-eating clams could be the solution to a group of parasites responsible for some of the worlds most common infections.

That compound is tartrolon E, a byproduct of bacteria that help shipworms, a group of saltwater clams, digest the wood they eat.

According to research recently published in PLOS Pathogens, the compound, unlike any other, is proven to kill causal parasites for malaria, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, theileriosis and babesiosis.

There are compounds that work against the individual parasites, but to find one that works against this entire group, that is what made this unique, said Roberta OConnor, an associate professor in Washington State Universitys Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology unit, and first author on the paper.

While there are already effective drugs for many of the parasites mentioned here, OConnor said this group of parasites, called apicomplexans, readily develops drug resistance. Development of new, effective drugs against apicomplexan parasites is an ongoing need for human and veterinary medicine, she said.

One of those parasites in need of a more effective remedy is Cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium, a waterborne zoonotic parasite, is a major cause of diarrhea in children, immunocompromised patients, and in newborn animals worldwide. The parasite infects millions of humans and agricultural animals annually.

In addition to killing this class of parasites in vitro, tartrolon E was able to kill Cryptosporidium in newborn mice.

Beginning this summer, WSU researchers will test the compound against Cryptosporidium in lambs.

Currently, nitazoxanide is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat cryptosporidiosis.

Nitazoxanide doesnt work well for those [patients] who are immunocompromised or malnourished and those are the people most vulnerable to Cryptosporidium, OConnor said.

OConnor is the principal investigator on the study which will characterize the specific effects of tartrolon E on Cryptosporidium parasites. Villarino will lead the pharmacokinetics portion of the study in immunocompromised mice to further assess tartrolon Es effectiveness and optimal dose regimens.

The research is made possible by a recently awarded 5-year, $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

We will define how the drug behaves in the body and how much of the drug is needed to control Cryptosporidiuminfection, Villarino said. We want the maximum effect with minimal adverse effects.

This aspect of the research on the compound is a key component for drug development.

This could have a significant impact on human and veterinary medicine because there is no other drug that can effectively treat this condition, Villarino said.

OConnor and Villarino are hopeful tartrolon E will lead to a clinically developed drug but they know it is a long way to get there.

Tartrolon E is obviously hitting some system that is common to [all] these parasites, OConnor said. Even if this compound isnt successful, if we can determine the mechanism, we will have identified a common drug target for all these parasites.

Here is the original post:
A compound unlike any other - WSU News

This story appeared in the July/August 2020 issue as "A Dog's Life."Subscribe to Discovermagazine for more stories like this.

Matt Kaeberleins search for the secret to a long life began, in part, with 560 unique strains of bakers yeast.

He noticed that some of the strains with the greatest longevity tended to divide in slow motion. And he found that this slowdown, which takes place in the molecular mechanisms controlling cell division, could be tinkered with artificially by feeding the yeast a drug called rapamycin.

As he began publishing his results in 2006, other researchers were finding that the drug most commonly used to prevent rejection of organ transplants in humans had a similar anti-aging effect in worms and flies. Several years later, a landmark paper in Nature showed that rapamycin could increase the lifespan of middle-aged mice by 9 to 14 percent.

Veterinarian Kate Creevy (with Poet and Bandana) is one of the co-leaders of the Dog Aging Project. To participate, dogs visit the clinic regularly for checkups. (Credit: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences)

By then a professor of pathology at the University of Washington medical school,Kaeberlein found these results both tantalizing and frustrating. There would appear to be molecular processes that are shared in the aging process cross lots of different organisms, he says. That means, in theory, a chemical like rapamycin should therefore also prolong the lives of people. But itd be hard to confirm: Humans live such a long time that it would take at least a generation to find out. What he required was a test subject that approximated humans biologically, but with a much shorter lifespan.

An intriguing solution came up in 2011 in a conversation with biologist Daniel Promislow, who would soon become a new colleague and, like Kaeberlein, was a dog owner. Considering that canines have an average life expectancy of about a decade, everyday exposure to a human living environment and natural susceptibility to many of the same frailties as humans from heart disease to cancer Promislow, who was already working toward starting aging studies in dogs, commented that pooches might just be a pathologists best friend. And pathologists could return the favor by helping to extend pets lifespans, a treat for anyonewho has a dog.

Veterinarian Kate Creevy and Rudy during a regular checkup. (Credit: Amber J. Keyser)

Kaeberlein decided to join in. Launching the Dog Aging Project late last year, with $23 million in funding from the National Institute on Aging, he, Promislow and their colleagues got 80,000 responses to their call for canine volunteers.

By then, their ambitions had expanded considerably. For most of his career, Promislow had wondered why larger dogs live shorter lives. It got me interested in thinking about dogs as a model for aging, he says. Looking at the relationship between dog size and lifespan might be a way to find genes associated with diseases of aging and longevity.

To address this question, Promislow plans to observe dogs over their lifetimes. For the next decade, hell collect genetic profiles, owner surveys and data from veterinary checkups.

According to Kate Creevy, a Texas A&M University veterinarian who co-leads the Dog Aging Project with Promislow and Kaeberlein, one of the biggest challenges will be to establish criteria to measure canine aging objectively, because nobody until now has set out to practice canine gerontology. We need something more specific than for me to walk into an exam room and say, Gosh, your dog looks really good, says Creevy.

Creevy and her colleagues are developing metrics that will encompass both physical and mental health, positioning them to investigate the genetics and environments of fast and slow agers, and to see whether similar systemic breakdowns make different breeds of dog susceptible to different diseases.

Daniel Promislow with Frisbee. (Credit: Tammi Kaeberlein)

Kaeberleins contribution to the Dog Aging Project directly complements the longitudinal study headed by Promislow and Creevy. His working hypothesis is that rapamycin targets pathways that contribute to a variety of aging-related diseases, he explains. If rapamycin delays the onset of cancer in golden retrievers and heart disease in Doberman pinschers, he says hell have evidence that there is a molecular biology of aging common to all canines and possibly other mammals.

He has reason to be optimistic. He recently conducted a 10-week study on a couple of dozen middle-aged dogs, testing for side effects of rapamycin. In that brief period, he saw evidence of more youthful heart activity and more affectionate behavior, which might be interpretable as improved cognition.

In an upcoming study, Kaeberlein will give rapamycin or a placebo to 500 middle-aged dogs for three years. Given their maturity, a couple of hundred will probably die in that period. By comparing the lifespan of dogs on the drug with those chowing on placebos, Kaeberlein will be able to determine whether his treatment really works.

He acknowledges the personal disappointments ahead for some participants, but believes the distress will be outweighed by the potential of prolonged life for dogs and humans alike. To a dog person like Kaeberlein, these extra years are a lot more enticing than spending some additional quality time with some long-lived bakers yeast.

View post:
The Drug That Could One Day Help People and Dogs Live Longer - Discover Magazine

Since the first vaccine was invented in 1796, the practice of immunization has transformed how we view infectious diseases, taking many pathogenic invaders from being deadly threats to easily preventable maladies. For humans and animals alike, vaccines are important healthcare tools.

Dr. Leslie Easterwood, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says the equine strangles vaccine is one that is of particular importance for horse owners in protecting their animal.

Strangles is the common term for the bacterial respiratory disease caused by Streptococcus equi, subspecies equi, Easterwood said. Strangles infections most commonly present as an upper respiratory infection that primarily involves the lymph nodes in a horses jaw. Symptoms include high fevers, thick nasal discharge, depression, and a lack of appetite.

The bacteria that causes strangles in horses may sound familiar to their human owners; a cousin of this bacteria, called Streptococcus pyogenes, causes strep throat in people. Though these bacteria are genetically similar and cause upper respiratory symptoms in both species, horses with strangles cannot infect humans, and humans with strep throat cannot infect horses.

Strangles is spread via respiratory secretions from infected horses, Easterwood said. It is highly contagious from horse to horse and is pretty common.

Since strangles is easily transmitted between horses, vaccination is an important tool for minimizing the spread of this disease.

Although the disease rarely results in a fatality, it will make horses sick and can lead to loss of production, decreased performance, and quarantine, in some circumstances, Easterwood said. Vaccination does not provide complete protection, as with all vaccinations, but it can help to decrease the chance of contracting the disease in susceptible populations.

Since horses are often kept in groups grazing together at pasture, sharing pens, or neighbored in stalls contagious diseases can quickly work their way through a herd. As such, vaccination remains an essential tool for both individual and herd health.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to vaccinate an animal comes down to the owner, Easterwood says, although there might be situations during which a third party takes interest in a horses vaccination records.

There are no governmentally mandated vaccinations in horses, Easterwood said. Some boarding and breeding facilities will require vaccination to board at their location, but that is not a legal requirement.

Even if no legal requirement enforces the vaccination of horses, owners should still consider consulting with their veterinarian to determine what care is best for maintaining the health of their animal.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University.

Originally posted here:
Pet talk: Reining in the facts on equine strangles - Marshall News Messenger

A pair of endangered African penguins were returned to their colony this week at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh after being hospitalized for months.

While Dottie was recovering her mate, Stanley, was moved to the ICU with her to help encourage her.

According to the National Aviary, Dottie became ill in October. She was admitted to the aviarys intensive care unit where it was discovered she had pneumonia and a mass in her chest.

"In the face of this stunning diagnosis, a team of experts in veterinary care, penguin behavior, and husbandry was formed to collaborate on her care. Human-grade antibiotics and nebulizers, respiratory medicines, oxygen treatments, and intensive nursing brought Dottie through the worst of her illness. She received nebulizer treatments every four hours, twice-daily medications, and daily fluids. Dottie regained her strength, overcame setbacks, and made strides towards a recovery.

Penguins are colony birds, used to living in close proximity. The National Aviarys team knew that beyond needing intensive physical care, Dottie needed companionship to make a full recovery."

Her lifelong companion, Stanley, who is named for the Stanley Cup and is one of the aviarys original four African penguins, was brought to the ICU for visits.

In the beginning, Stan visited for an hour a day. As she became stronger, Stan would stay longer. He also helped to encourage her to eat, according to Dr. Pilar Fish, the National Aviarys Director of Zoological Advancement and Veterinary Medicine.

Stan worked in tandem with the team who visited throughout the day to encourage Dottie to eat. While our penguin experts would feed Dottie, Stan would sit right next to her, vocalizing and grooming her. When Stan ate, Dottie would take a bite," she said.

Stan is the mate of Dottie, an endangered African Penguin, at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh. Stan helped Dottie recover from a serious illness that her in the ICU since October. The couple returned to Penguin Point this week. (Photo provided by the National Aviary)

When returned to Penguin Point, Dottie and Stan immediately reclaimed their usual cave in the rocks.

Fish said that Dotties recovery is a miracle.

Dotties recovery is a miracle that largely happened behind the scenes, and this happy moment, watching her dive into the water at Penguin Point, is the result of prioritizing both her physical health and emotional wellbeing. From our incredible veterinary team, to our penguin experts bringing Stanley to be at Dotties side, to the members of our extended Aviary family who donated to help ensure Dottie received the highest possible level of care, Dotties recovery was possible through many acts of caring and generosity at each stage.

The National Aviary will reopen to the public on July 1 after being closed during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Penguins mate helps her recover from serious illness at National Aviary - PennLive

Purdue released it Protect Purdue Plan on Friday, June 12. The plan outlines how Purdue plans to reopen campus for the fall 2020 semester amid the coronavirus pandemic.(Photo: Purdue University)

WEST LAFAYETTE After working since March 31 on how to reopening the West Lafayette campus in August, in time for the fall 2020 semester, Purdue released its full plan Friday for a school year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Purdue trustees put the final touches on the 23-page Protect Purdue Plan Thursday adding details about distancing in dining halls, COVID-19 testing capacities on campus and the creation of an in-hour contact tracing team to track down those whove been close to those who test positive.

Purdue President Mitch Daniels, who was early and aggressive about the universitys plans to reopen, said he had faith that the plan the product of two teams of researchers, administrators and deans would make it possible to get a full complement of students back on campus for the first time since March.

Were getting so many questions, Daniels told trustees Thurdsay. Not just from this campus, but all from all over the country about this. So, weve said, Let us put all the blocks in place, understanding that well be filling in the gaps, and well be changing some of them as we learn more.

Willie Reed, dean of Purdues College of Veterinary Medicine, was co-chair of the Safe Campus Task Force, assigned by Daniels to study what Purdue needed to do to safely open.

More: Purdue faculty, staff less confident in campus reopening plan after getting Protect Purdue Pledge details

More: No furloughs, layoffs, but restructured jobs likely as Purdue firms up budget, reopening plan

More: Coronavirus: Foot on the gas, Mitch Daniels, Purdue trustees lay groundwork for bringing students back to campus this fall

Over the next two months, hundreds, if not thousands, of Purdue faculty and staff will continue to work tirelessly to prepare for the safest and best fall semester we can deliver, Reed said. This plan outlines the most vital measures as we know them right now and will continue to evolve as we follow the guidance and direction of our own medical experts, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and governmental and public health officials.

Here are some of the highlights, as approved over the past month by Purdues trustees:

Reach Dave Bangert at 765-420-5258 or at dbangert@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @davebangert.

Read or Share this story: https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2020/06/13/coronavirus-campus-how-purdue-reopen-fall-heres-protect-purdue-plan/3181991001/

Original post:
How will Purdue reopen in the fall? Heres the Protect Purdue Plan - Journal & Courier

Global Point-Of-Care Diagnostics Market: Snapshot

Point-of-care or point-of-use diagnostics, sometimes known as bedside testing, has gained increased prominence in analytical testing over the past few years. They provide clinically relevant information without the need for a dedicated laboratory. Recent technological advancements in a host of microfluidic diagnostics platforms have consequently improved their functionality and performance. Constant advances such as devices miniaturization, multiplexing of samples, and development of networking technologies have led to the evolution of advanced point-of-care diagnostics. This has led to the advent of devices with higher specificity and sensitivity, which is helpful in boosting patient outcomes in a variety of clinical settings. Furthermore, they increase the availability of diagnostics and reduces the overall healthcare cost. Point-of-care diagnostics are expected to open up promising prospects in areas such as veterinary medicine, space travel, and critical care.

Get Sample Copy of the Report @https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=1037

In recent years, intensive researches are being done for the technical feasibility and clinical viability of point-of-care diagnostic using saliva in case of periodontitis. Saliva, as source of excellent biomarkers, have already been tested for the application in bedside testing. While this has been proven to be technically feasible, still hurdles remain in the clinical application. For instance, the viability of the method is still not validated for a large, diverse set of patient population. Periodontitis is chronic in nature and progresses without causing any noticeable discomfort to patients, until periodontium is destroyed. Hence, world over, researchers and clinicians are focused on meeting the unmet needs of various populations suffering from gingival inflammation.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Overview

The continuous development in the field of information technology pertaining to healthcare plays an imperative role in the growth of the global point of care diagnostics market. Point of care diagnostic systems are used for various applications including glucose monitoring, infectious disease testing, cardiometabolic monitoring, hematology testing, pregnancy and fertility testing, fecal occult testing, and tumor/cancer testing. These systems are widely used in professional diagnostic centers, home care, and research laboratories.

This research report provides a detailed analysis of the global point of care diagnostics market by segmenting the overall market on the basis of various criteria including end users, products, and geography. Each segment has been meticulously studied in terms of both value and volume. The report offers insights into the historic scenario and current landscape of the market and uses the data to estimate future trends. It uses Porters five force analysis and market attractiveness analysis to derive the vendor landscape of the market. It profiles key players of the market and presents data regarding their business strategies, latest development, market shares, and contact information. It also presents a detailed description of the factors influencing the market and analyzes the extent to which they impact the growth.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Drivers and Restraints

The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and lifestyle-related diseases is triggering the global demand for point of care diagnostic systems. The growing investments by governments and private organizations in the development of innovative diagnostic products are fuelling the global point of care diagnostics market. Moreover, rapid advancements in technologies and increasing focus of manufacturers towards new product launches are providing a fillip to the market. The rising demand for home-based POC devices is another factor augmenting the market. Furthermore, the increasing number of regulatory approvals for new and advanced immunoassay techniques is catalyzing the growth of the market.

Despite the numerous drivers, the growth of the market is restrained by arduous and stringent regulatory policies, which are adversely affecting the gestation period for product launches. Moreover, pricing pressures due to lack of favorable reimbursement policies and budgetary constraints are limiting the widespread adoption of point of care diagnostic systems.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Geographical Segmentation

Based on geography, the key segments reviewed in the research report are Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. North America will account for a substantial share in the market throughout the forecast period. The rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases, increasing initiatives by governments to promote the development of novel healthcare products, and the growing number of product approvals are escalating the growth of the region.

Asia Pacific is expected to register a significant CAGR during the same span owing to the improving healthcare infrastructure and expanding patient base. The increasing initiatives by market players for expanding their distribution network are working in favor of the growth of the region. Moreover, high unmet medical needs and rising consumer expenditure on healthcare are propelling the market in the region.

Global Point Of Care Diagnostics Market: Competitive Landscape

Prominent players in the global point of care diagnostics market are focusing towards business expansion through product innovation and technological advancements. They are involved in the development and commercialization of more sophisticated products to enhance their shares in the market. Several companies operating in the market are involved in collaborations with large hospitals in order to stay ahead. Some of the key players in the global point of care diagnostics market are Siemens AG, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Beckman Coulter Inc., Roche Diagnostics Limited, Becton, Dickinson and Company,Alere Inc., and Johnson & Johnson.

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TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.

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Point Of Care Diagnostics Market Analysis by Growth, Segmentation, Performance, Competitive Strategies and Forecast to 2025 - Cole of Duty