Daily Archives: May 14, 2021

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Metagenomi, a gene editing company, today presented data on their novel CRISPR-associated transposases (CAST) system that allows for precise integration of large DNA fragments into genomes at the 24th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), which is being held virtually.

Gene editing holds enormous promise for the development of therapies that can treat a wide range of diseases, but there is a need to expand our gene editing tool kit to allow for edits that are not possible with current techniques, said Brian C. Thomas, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Metagenomi. Our research presented at ASGCT describes how our first-in-class programmable CAST gene editing system can be used to precisely integrate large fragments of DNA into target genomes and the potential of these systems in the development of both ex vivo and in vivo gene therapies.

CRISPR-associated transposases can be reprogrammed to integrate at specific genomic sites using guide RNAs. In the presentation given at ASGCT by Daniela S. A. Goltsman, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Metagenomi, targeted integration by Metagenomis CAST system was studied in vitro and integration of the DNA fragment into the target genome was confirmed via PCR amplification and sequencing. CAST natively uses a dual guide RNA, however Metagenomi has developed a smaller, single guide RNA that reduces the size of the system while maintaining targeted integration. The novel CAST used in this study was identified by Metagenomis proprietary discovery engine that leverages insights from the field of metagenomics and can scan hundreds of thousands of microbial genomes to identify promising systems for gene editing.

In addition to this presentation, Metagenomi presented posters on three additional topics relating to novel CRISPR systems on May 11th at ASGCT. These posters included: A novel CRISPR associated Type V editing system derived from metagenomic samples with potent activity in liver cells; Expanding PAM recognition of CRISPR-associated endonucleases by domain engineering; and Novel families of CRISPR systems enriched in small effectors with genome editing capability. Metagenomi also gave a short talk titled: Novel CRISPR-associated Gene-editing Systems Discovered in Metagenomic Samples Enable Efficient and Specific Genome Engineering for Cell Therapy Development.

About Metagenomi

At Metagenomi, we are accelerating innovation in cell and gene therapy with a wave of proprietary CRISPR-based systems to accurately edit DNA where current technologies cannot. Our metagenomics-powered discovery platform and analytical expertise reveal novel cellular machinery sourced from otherwise unknown organisms. We adapt and forge these naturally evolved systems into powerful therapeutic tools that can be leveraged by partners and fuel our own pipeline of potentially curative medicines. Our goal is to revolutionize gene editing and unlock its power for the benefit of patients around the world. For more information, please visit https://metagenomi.co/.

Read more here:
Metagenomi Presents New Findings on CRISPR-Associated Transposases (CAST) that Allow for Targetable Genomic Integration of Large DNA Fragments -...

TipRanks

Investing is all about profits, and part of generating profits is knowing when to start the game. The old adage says to buy low and sell high, and while its tempting just to discount cliches like that, theyve passed into common currency because they embody a fundamental truth. Buying low is always a good start in building a portfolio. The trick, however, is recognizing the right stocks to buy low. Prices fall for a reason, and sometimes that reason is fundamental unsoundness. Fortunately, Wall Streets analysts are busy separating the wheat from the chaff among the markets low-priced stocks, and some top stock experts have tagged several equities for big gains. Weve used the TipRanks database to pull up the data and reviews on three stocks that are priced low now, but may be primed for gains. Theyve been getting positive reviews, and despite their share depreciation, they hold Buy ratings and show upwards of 80% upside potential. Vapotherm, Inc. (VAPO) First up, Vapotherm, is a medical device manufacturer, specializing in heated, humidified, high-flow nasal cannulas. These are therapeutic breath aids, designed to deliver oxygenated air directly to the patients nose. Heating and humidifying the air reduces the discomfort of delivering dry oxygen. As can be expected, during a pandemic of a respiratory illness, Vapotherm saw high sales in recent months but the share price has pulled back since early February. Paradoxically, the two events are related. First, on the positive side, Vapotherms 1Q21 financial results were solid. The companys revenue, at $32.3 million, was up 69% year-over-year, and worldwide, installations of the Precision Flow base unit was up 73% over the same period. The companys net loss in the quarter, $5.2 million, was an improvement from the $10.2 million loss in the year-ago quarter. On the negative side, VAPO shares are down from their early-February peak. The drop is substantial; the stock has fallen 50% from its peak, and is down 34% year-to-date. The fall in share value reflects concerns that the companys flagship product is oversold, that customers, fearful of COVID-related respiratory emergencies, bought more units that would be needed in ordinary times. This is the case made by Piper Sandler analyst Jason Bednar. Shares have meaningfully underperformed since early February as many investors have questioned utilization dynamics for the bolus of Precision Flow systems that were sold into hospitals last year We understand the logic here, particularly for those investors with a shorter time horizon, but with much of that concern seemingly already reflected in the stock at current levels we do believe the upside opportunity meaningfully outweighs the risk of further downside, Bednar noted. The analyst added, "Its also our view that investors who wait for utilization trends to bottom out will ultimately miss an initial move higher that could come as HVT 2.0 begins to contribute with a rollout later this year and as market expanding opportunities for HVT 2.0 in 2022 begin to take on a more defined shape (particularly EMS and home-based care)." To this end, Bednar rates VAPO an Overweight (i.e. Buy), and his $32 price target implies a robust upside of 81% in the year ahead. (To watch Bednars track record, click here) Overall, the unanimous Strong Buy consensus rating on this stock, supported by 4 recent analyst reviews, makes it clear that Bednar is not alone in his bullish view. The average price target here, $39, is even more optimistic, suggesting an upside of ~122% from the current trading price of $17.65. (See VAPO stock analysis on TipRanks) Emergent Biosolutions (EBS) The next stock were looking at, Emergent, is a biopharmaceutical company. The company has multiple products on the market, including a NARCAN nasal spray for use on opioid overdose patients, and vaccines against smallpox, anthrax, and other diseases. Emergents development pipeline includes a pediatric cholera vaccine, Vaxchora, currently in a Phase III trial. Several programs, including an anthrax vaccine candidate, a Chikungunya vaccine, and a seasonal flu shot, have all completed Phase II and are in preparation for Phase III. One of Emergents most important programs is in its Contract Development and Manufacturing service, a service extended to other pharmaceutical companies to manufacture vaccines which they have developed. Under a CDMO plan, Emergent is part of Johnson & Johnsons manufacturing chain for a COVID-19 vaccine. That last is a key point. The J&J vaccine has been linked at least in some reports to serious adverse events, particularly blood clots in otherwise healthy recipients. That has caused a hold in manufacturing of the vaccine, and consequently a delay in receiving payments from J&J. Which, in turn, impacted the companys 1Q21 financials, resulting in lower revenues and earnings than expected. Investors are concerned, and the stock has fallen 33% year-to-date. Despite the setback, Benchmark analyst Robert Wasserman keeps a Buy rating on EBS shares, along with a $120 price target. If correct, the analysts objective could deliver one-year returns of 101%. (To watch Wassermans track record, click here) "EBS remains solidly profitable, and even with the lowered expectations for J&N and AZ vaccine contracts, is expected to show solid revenue growth for this year. These shares remain a bargain in our CDMO/bioprocessing group and could offer significant upside for value-oriented investors if circumstances turn around or new business can be garnered in the near-term," Wasserman opined. Overall, the Street currently has a cautiously optimistic outlook for the stock. The analyst consensus rates EBS a Moderate Buy based on 3 Buys and 2 Holds. Shares are priced at $59.59, and the average price target of $89.67 suggests an upside potential of ~50% for the next 12 months. (See EBS stock analysis at TipRanks) Haemonetics Corporation (HAE) For the last stock on our list, well stick with the medical industry. Haemonetics produces a range of products for blood and plasma collection and separation, as well as software to run the machines and service agreements for maintenance. In short, Haemonetics is a one-stop shop for blood donation centers and hospital blood banks. Blood products is a $10.5 billion market in the US alone, with plasma accounting for 80% of that, and Haemonetics has made itself an integral part of that business. Haemonetics had been recovering steadily from a revenue dip at the height of the corona crisis, and its 3Q fiscal 2021 earnings showed a solid results: top line revenue of $240 million and EPS of 62 cents. While the revenue was down 7.3% yoy, EPS was up 6.8%. Even with that, however, the stock dropped sharply between April 15 and April 20, losing 42% of its value in that short time. The reason was simple. One of Haemonetics largest customers, CSL Pharma, announced that it does not plan to renew its contract with HAE. That contract, for supply, use, and maintenance of Haemonetics PCS2 plasma collection system, was worth $117 million and made up approximately 12% of the companys top line. The cancellation comes with a one-time charge of $32 million in other related losses. Fortunately for HAE, the CSL contract does not expire until June of 2022, giving the company time to plan and prepare. Covering the stock for JMP Securities, analyst David Turkaly noted: The advance notice gives HAE some time (~15 months) to prepare for the expiration, and we note that management has consistently strengthened its financial position using levers such as complexity reduction and product optimization to derive significant cost savings, and more of these will likely be employed ahead to help offset the customer loss. The analyst continued, "While this disappointing decision could impact HAE's plasma positioning with other fractionators, we continue to believe that giving customers the ability to collect more plasma in less time is a very compelling value proposition - and HAE still has contracts and maintains significant market share with many of the most relevant plasma players." Accordingly, Turkaly rates HAE an Outperform (i.e. Buy), and sets a $110 price target. This figure implies an upside of 86% from current levels. (To watch Turkalys track record, click here) All in all, HAE has a Moderate Buy consensus rating, based on 7 reviews that break down 5 to 2 in favor the Buys over the Holds. The stock is trading for $59.02 and carries an average price target of $108.67, which suggests ~84% one-year upside. (See HAE stock analysis at TipRanks) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.

See the rest here:
We Think SPAR Group (NASDAQ:SGRP) Might Have The DNA Of A Multi-Bagger - Yahoo Finance

The Dearborn Public Library, in collaboration with Brave by Design podcast, will host author Libby Copeland for a virtual Zoom discussion on at 6 p.m. May 18 to explore the extraordinary cultural phenomenon of home DNA testing, which is redefining family history.

It will draw on Copelands years of research for her book The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are, which the Wall Street Journal calls, a fascinating account of lives dramatically affected by genetic sleuthing.

Copeland explores such consequences of the increasingly common practice of sending saliva samples to companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe. Topics of genealogy, adoption, big data and ethnicity are framed around stories of those who have uncovered family secrets.

With more than 37 million people having been tested, a tipping point is said to have been reached. Many Americans are affected whether they have been tested or not, and millions have been impacted by significant revelations in their immediate families.

Guest moderating is Laura Khalil whose story of her surprising DNA discovery was featured on WDET. She is the producer and host of the podcast Brave by Design.

Click here and then look to the right side for the sign up to the morning newsletter for The News Herald, and you can get the top headlines de

To register for this free program, please visit the Library website at http://www.dearbornlibrary.org and click on the Events Calendar and Registration Link. Those registering will receive a Zoom meeting link.

Follow the Dearborn Public Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn about other upcoming programs and virtual events.

Source: City of Dearborn

See more here:
Author of The Lost Family to discuss the impact of home DNA testing at Dearborn library event - Dearborn Press and Guide

Gene therapies such as Novartis spinal muscular atrophy treatment Zolgensma deliver a surrogate copy of a gene to replace a dysfunctional one in the body. The CRISPR gene editing tool could offer an alternative strategyone that could allow for a mutated gene to be fixed on site. But scientists arent sure whether such a technique, known as gene drive, would work at scale.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) say they may have found a way to make CRISPR efficient in gene therapy. They have developed a technology called CopyCatcher, which candetect and quantify events in which a genetic element is copied precisely from one chromosome to another during CRISPR-based gene editing.

In fruit flies, CopyCatcher revealed unexpectedly high rates of gene conversion, according to results published in Nature Communications. With help of the new tool and DNA screening, the team also identified the c-MYC gene as an inhibitor of genetic copying in human embryonic cells. The researchers said the findings lay the groundwork for developing CRISPR-based gene therapy for humans.

The promise of CRISPR-based gene drives is that one chromosome bearing the drive can cutthe other chromosome, which uses the drive as a template torepair the damage. UCSD used CopyCatcher to measure the efficiency of such a system in living animals.

CopyCatcher carries a highly sensitive detectorgene that produces fluorescent proteins only if the target genetic element copies itself onto a sister chromosome, allowing investigators to detect and quantify gene conversion.

In fruit flies, the frequency of gene conversion was unexpectedly high, at 30% to 50% of cells in the targeted tissues of the eye and thorax, the team reported.

RELATED: MIT and UCSF researchers create CRISPR 'on-off switch' that controls gene expression without changing DNA

But the rates of chromosome copying dropped sharply to just 4% to 8% of cells in human cells. That may be because mammalian chromosomes dont typically engage in chromosome pairing but rely instead on a different mechanism to fix DNA cuts. The researchers showed they could use certain techniques to improve copying, suggesting that human cells might be induced to perform efficient gene conversion.

By using a genetic screen, the team identified several factors affecting how DNA selects a repair pathway. The gene c-MYC emerged as a prime inhibitor of templated gene conversion. Cutting the expression of c-MYC by half increased the production of fluorescence marker expression by 2.5-fold in human embryonic cells compared with control cells, the team showed.

If high-efficiency gene editing could be achieved in human cells, CRISPR-based gene therapies could be developed to treat a variety of genetic disorders including blood diseases, hearing loss, spinal muscular atrophy, congenital heart defects and others, the researchers suggested.

These studies provide a clear proof of principle for a new type of gene therapy in which one copy of a mutated gene could be repaired from a partially intact second copy of the gene, Ethan Bier, Ph.D., the studys senior author, said in a statement. The need for such a design occurs in genetic situations with patients with inherited genetic disorders, if their parents were carriers for two different mutations in the same gene.

For future studies, the researchers plan to use CopyCatcher to identify additional factors that can be manipulated to push the choice of DNA repair toward the chromosome-pairing mechanism. That could improve the efficiency of CRISPR-based editing, they believe.

Read the original here:
How a genetic 'CopyCatcher' could open the door to CRISPR-based precision gene therapy - FierceBiotech

This story was updated at 1:20 p.m. with comments from Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot.

A former Dallas County prosecutor quietly surrendered his law license last month after the State Bar of Texas said he withheld evidence that led to the wrongful convictions of two men in the slaying of a South Dallas pastor.

The State Bar concluded that Richard E. Rick Jackson failed to inform Dennis Allen and Stanley Mozees defense attorneys about evidence that could have cleared them at their 2000 capital murder trials. As a result, the courts say, Allen and Mozee wrongfully spent 14 years in prison for the murder of Rev. Jesse Borns Jr.

This case is not about someone disbarred for making a mistake or a prosecutor who accidentally or even sloppily failed to turn over favorable evidence, said Nina Morrison, a lawyer with the Innocence Project in New York, who worked to clear Allen and Mozee.

This is someone who repeatedly and intentionally hid favorable evidence from two defendants who were on trial for their lives.

Texas judges found Jackson withheld several pieces of evidence that could have helped Allen and Mozee. The men were freed from prison in 2014 and declared actually innocent in 2019 after DNA testing helped clear them.

Secret deal negotiations with jailhouse informants, witness descriptions that didnt match Allen and Mozee and false information that witnesses positively identified the men were among the evidence Jackson kept from defense lawyers, judges who reviewed the cases found.

The Innocence Project in New York and the Innocence Project of Texas filed a 196-page grievance with the State Bar in 2018 against Jackson.

Jackson has long maintained that he handed over the evidence to the defense and still believes Allen and Mozee are guilty, said Jacksons lawyer Bob Hinton.

He wasnt at all guilty of any of the things he was charged with in that stupid grievance complaint, Hinton said. If he had the financial wherewithal and he fought it, we would win it. Theres no question in my mind.

Hinton said that against his advice, Jackson chose not to spend his retirement savings fighting the accusation at a disciplinary hearing where he faced losing his law license.

The state bar told the Texas Supreme Court, which oversees all attorneys practicing law, that Jacksons resignation is in the best interest of the public and of the profession.

Jackson joins a short list of only four prosecutors nationwide disbarred for egregious misconduct in wrongful convictions, according to the Innocence Project.Three of the four prosecutors are from Texas. Ken Anderson was jailed five days for withholding a bandana that DNA testing later led to Michael Mortons exoneration in the killing of his wife in Williamson County. Charles Sebesta concealed that the actual killer in the slaying of six family members repeatedly denied that Anthony Graves was an accomplice until he struck a deal with the prosecution and testified against Graves in Burleson County. Anderson and Sebesta were the elected district attorneys in their counties. The other former prosecutor, Kenneth Peasley, was a deputy county attorney in Tucson, Arizona when he allowed a detective to lie on the stand in two capital murder trials.

Jackson retired from practicing law in 2013 after he was fired from the Denton County district attorneys office. While testifying in proceedings for Allen and Mozees cases, Jackson said he was terminated because he wanted to be tougher on crimes than his boss. The district attorneys office did not respond to requests for comment.

Jackson was also among a slew of prosecutors who were not invited to remain in the Dallas County district attorneys office after former DA Craig Watkins won the 2006 election. Jackson, who had spent 17 years as a Dallas County prosecutor, sued Watkins in federal court, claiming his termination was race-based. Jackson is white and Watkins is Black. A judge tossed the suit.

Hinton said Jackson didnt want to comment. He is angry over what he considers false accusations against him and was physically ill in Hintons office when he decided to surrender his law license, Hinton said. The career prosecutor now spends summers in Alaska where he drives tour buses that work with cruise ships, Hinton said.

Jacksons decision is just as good as an admission of guilt to me, said Allen, now 57.

If youre actually innocent, why would you not fight for that? Allen said. His lawyers -- what would you expect them to say?

Mozee, now 62, said he is relieved Jackson wont practice law again and feels the punishment is fair.

Thats a harsh accountability because he took some harsh tactics to convict me, Mozee said.

Allen, who says he lives a simple life in DeSoto, has spent the last few years studying the Bible more and drawing closer to God, he said. His Christianity helped him cope with the deaths of his parents last year, just seven months apart. His mother passed first from pneumonia and his father of COVID-19.

Allen participates in speaking engagements with both Innocence Project organizations and recently championed wrongful conviction reform bills that are being debated in the Texas legislature.

Mozee lives with his wife in Mesquite and spends much of his time volunteering in South Dallas.

Mozee, who is legally blind, does work cleaning up neighborhoods with former Councilwoman Diane Ragsdales nonprofit Innercity Community Development Corporation. This year, he published a book of African American folklore stories that he mostly wrote while in prison.

On April 6, 1999, Borns was stabbed 47 times and left for dead in his leather and woodworking store on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The real killer has not been caught.

Just two years before, Borns himself was released from prison on parole for fatally shooting a woman outside his church where he said theft and vandalism led him to keep a gun there. Borns returned to his South Dallas neighborhood and tried to minister to the homeless and downtrodden. Borns paid Mozee to clean his shop.

Allen and Mozee werent arrested until July 1999. Two other men were investigated for the crime before detectives focused on Allen and Mozee.

There were no eyewitnesses to the killing and forensic evidence at the time didnt lead to a suspect, according to court records. A store clerk who saw two people using Borns credit cards hours after the murder was called to testify. But after seeing Allen in court, the clerk testified he wasnt one of the people. Prosecutors relied on testimony from jailhouse informants and an alleged confession that a detective wrote and Mozee signed.

Allen and Mozee were sentenced to life in prison. New DNA tests conducted on evidence while the men were behind bars found that DNA that didnt match either man or Borns.

The Dallas County district attorneys office under Watkins re-opened the file and found evidence that defense lawyers said theyd never received, such as accounts from witnesses who saw two men argue with Borns outside the store the evening he was killed. Witnesses said one man was distinctly taller than the other and one had a noticeable scar across the side of his neck. Allen and Mozee are about the same height, about 6 feet, and neither had a scar.

The file also included previously undisclosed letters from people in jail who agreed to testify against Allen in exchange for favors in their cases.

Watkins and his three successors Susan Hawk, Faith Johnson and current District Attorney John Creuzot two Democrats and two Republicans supported the actual innocence claims for Allen and Mozee.

In March 2017, state District Judge Everett Young ruled the mens convictions should be vacated because Jackson withheld evidence. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest criminal court in Texas, agreed in January 2018.

Creuzot, who took office in 2019, said he extended a personal apology to Allen and Mozee and asks their forgiveness for what this office did many years ago. He said he is praying for Borns family.

Its disappointing that a member of the Texas bar and a former employee of this office has been found to have violated his oath to his profession and to the constitutions of the United States and Texas to the extent that he deprived two innocent people of their freedom, Creuzot said.

The exonerees said they dont harbor ill will for Jackson.

I didnt like what he did, of course. But I did not allow Rick Jacksons wrongs to dictate and control and maneuver me, Allen said. God holds us accountable for what we do and how we act, so if you allow others to draw you into their wrongdoings or their miseries, then hell hold you accountable.

Here is the original post:
Dallas County prosecutor who withheld evidence disbarred after two 2 men cleared of murder - The Dallas Morning News

India is not just fighting the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but a new calamity has also put the lives of corona patients at risk across the country. Doctors in India have been recording a big spurt in cases of aggressive, hard-to-treat fungal infection calledblack fungus or Mucormycosis.

While mucormycosis cases have been seen in the country earlier, the current increase in infections is among people infected with COVID-19 and those who have recovered from the disease. The numbers are far above cases before the COVID-19 pandemic came into India.

Doctors believe mucormycosis, which has an overall mortality rate of 50%, maybe being triggered by the use of steroids, a life-saving treatment for severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus or zygomycosis, is caused by a group of mould called mucormycetes.

These fungi live in the environment, particularly in soil and in decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, or rotten wood, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

When someone breathes these fungal spores, they are likely to get an infection that commonly affects the sinuses or lungs.

Medical experts say mucormycosis attacks people who are battling illnesses or are on medications that lower the body's ability to fight infections.

Patients with COVID-19 have weak immunity and a large number of them are put on steroids in order to control a hyperimmune response, thus making them susceptible to other fungal infections such as mucormycosis, say experts.

The majority of mucormycosis infections have been seen in COVID-19 patients with diabetes or those with underlying and undetected high blood sugar.

Patients suffering from the fungal infection typically have symptoms of a stuffy and bleeding nose.

Swelling of and pain in the eye, drooping of eyelids, and blurred and finally, loss of vision.

There could be black patches of skin around the nose.

An anti-fungal intravenous injection which costs Rs 3,500 a dose and has to be administered every day for up to eight weeks is the only drug effective against the disease.

Read the original post:
DNA Explainer: What is black fungus or Mucormycosis? Know about its symptoms and treatment - DNA India