Daily Archives: June 23, 2021

A new first of its kind institution aimed at enhancing local genomic research as well as diagnosing and treating patients with genetic disorders has been unveiled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Center for Genomic Discovery is a joint venture between the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) and the Al Jalila Genomics Center of the Al Jalila Childrens Specialty Hospital (AJCH).

The necessary interdisciplinary activities including patient recruitment, genomic data analysis, and functional characterisation cannot be undertaken without the Center, its founding institutions, and the interdisciplinary ecosystem they have created, said Fahad Ali, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology at MBRU. At the Center, functional experiments will be designed to characterise any novel candidate genes or mutations, to establish new gene-disease associations, and to explore potential therapeutic targets.

And work has already started with one family, offering promising progress, said Stefan Du Plessis, founding Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at MBRU and a member of the Centers Steering Committee.

At least one novel gene has been identified by whole-exome sequencing a complex genomic test which surveys all 20,000+ human genes in search for tiny changes which might be disease causing, he said. Functional analysis is still ongoing but preliminary data strongly suggests a role in disease. We have also identified patients outside the UAE, in the Gulf region, with the same clinical conditions, mutations and gene.

We are now establishing collaborations with researchers from those sites to characterise this gene. The fact that patients from different backgrounds with similar clinical features have mutations in the same gene further establishes a potential new gene-disease discovery.

WHY IT MATTERS

Speaking at Arab Health 2021, Amer Sharif, Vice Chancellor of MBRU, described the formation of the centre as a major milestone for healthcare research in the UAE.

These are life-changing outcomes that underline the power of research and the role of MBRU and our academic health system partners as research-intensive institutes, he said. The establishment of the Center of Genomic Discovery through an integrated academic health system will allow us to innovate in genomics application and gene discovery. This will also enable us to realise our vision of advancing health through cutting-edge academic research and nurturing future scientists serving individuals and communities in the UAE and the region.

The Center for Genomic Discovery will reportedly seek to engage undiagnosed pediatric patients with suspected hereditary disorders whose clinical genomic testing at Al Jalila Childrens such as whole-exome sequencing and chromosomal microarrays failed to identify any definitive genetic causes.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

The launch of the centre coincides with the formation of the board of the Emirati Genome Program, whose mission is to provide preventive and personalised healthcare for the Emirati population.

Headed by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, the Emirati Genome Program is reportedly being designed to enable precise and customised medical treatment that will support a more robust healthcare system in the UAE.

MBRUs Sharif is a member of the board.

Meanwhile, AJCSH has also announced it is to formulate a steering group to study the workflow of genome sequencing in an intensive care setting. The hospital has partnered with Illumina Netherlands BV to develop this practical knowledge improving the use of testing, and fostering greater understanding of best-use cases, clinical indicators and the health economics of genome sequencing in this specialised setting.

There is increasing evidence for rapid, efficient and cost-efficient genome sequencing in newborns and babies that will save lives, said Mohamed Al Awadhi, COO of AJCH. The application of next-generation sequencing has revolutionised the process of making complex diagnoses in paediatric medicine, significantly shortening the time for accurate diagnosis and optimal clinical management in critically ill children.

Thanks to the support of our partners and stakeholders, this working group will once again push the boundaries in the quest to save young lives.

ON THE RECORD

This is a major development for Dubai and the UAE, said Ahmad Abou Tayoun, Director of Al Jalila Childrens Genomics Center and Associate Professor of Genetics at MBRU. The new Center leverages the clinical, genomics, and functional research infrastructure and human resources at Al Jalila Childrens and MBRU to propel interdisciplinary activities.

Our clinicians and researchers are experts in their respective fields who can help resolve undiagnosed patients with highly suspected inherited disorders. Furthermore, the Center will create a training and research site for Masters and Ph.D. students, as well as post-doctoral fellows at MBRU.

He added: Ultimately, the Centers main goal is to make novel genetic discoveries in the pediatric patient population in the UAE and the region, and leverage these discoveries to develop new diagnostic tools and uncover personalised pathways to restore normal phenotypes in affected patients.

Continue reading here:
Center for Genomic Discovery launched in the United Arab Emirates - Mobihealth News

Genome sequencing has become a buzzword in the pandemic era, with scientists constantly trying to decode the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and its multiplying mutations. But it is the study of the human genome that has seen a breakthrough recently, possibly giving us the ability to read a complete genetic blueprint for building a human being. The Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) consortium, an international team of scientists, claims to have finally decoded all of a persons DNA with no gaps and an unprecedented level of accuracy.In a recent preprint research paper, the T2T consortium discusses the first truly complete 3.055 billion base pair (bp) sequence of a human genome, dubbed T2T-CHM13. According to experts, whereas gene discovery once drove DNA sequencing, now the sequencing of entire genomes drives gene discovery. The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. Hence, it is essential that the scientific community be informed about the accuracy of this reference sequence. Yet, the existing reference sequences were far from complete.

Read more:
Explained: What a truly complete human genome means - Times of India

Company's Proprietary Multi-Technology Meta-Analysis Algorithm (MTMA) Enables Analysis of Multiple Disparate Microbial Genome Datasets from Diverse IBD Cohorts and Identifies Immune Regulatory Peptides with Therapeutic Potential

BRISBANE, Calif., June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Genome, a biotechnology company that leverages its proprietary platform sg-4-sight and AI workflows to discover and develop precision therapies and biomarkers based on novel microbial genetic insights, today presented data demonstrating the use of its Multi-Technology Meta-Analysis (MTMA) Algorithm to identify microbial strains and peptides with therapeutic potential in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The data were presented at the World Microbe Forum, a collaboration between the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) and several other societies, held virtually June 2024.

"As our foundational results demonstrate, Second Genome's big data and AI workflows integrating multiple advanced computational tools reveal unique microbial genetic insights that support our ability to refine our understanding of chronic diseases," said Karim Dabbagh, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Second Genome. "Our platform enables Second Genome to analyze large and complex clinical data sets, and to discover and develop precision therapies and biomarkers for heterogenous diseases where the microbiome plays an important role, such as IBD. This approach offers numerous advantages, including detection of microbial signatures consistent in multiple cohorts that we believe reflect the biologically relevant signals in human health and disease. We look forward to providing further updates on the programs resulting from this approach, including SG-2-0776 for the treatment of IBD, and the rest of our precision therapeutics and biomarker pipelines."

The study, which is the largest microbial genetic analysis conducted in IBD to date and aimed to identify microbial molecules that regulate T cell immunity, incorporated over 3,000 gut mucosal biopsy and fecal samples from 21 datasets and 15 clinical cohorts, including four Second Genome proprietary data sets. Using a uniform informatics pipeline to harmonize NGS metagenomics, 16S amplicon NGS and PhyloChip hybridization by mapping all data against the Company's proprietary StrainSelect reference database, the MTMA identified bacterial signatures and genes differentially abundant in IBD patients. These genes were used to generate compound libraries for screening to identify molecules that modulate T cell cytokines important in IBD.

Key results from the poster, "Novel Multi-Technology Microbiome Meta-Analysis in IBD Identifies Bacterial Peptides that Modulate IBD-Relevant T Cell Activity," included:

The novel MTMA algorithm is part of Second Genome's sg-4-sight drug discovery and development platform. More information about the platform's technology and capabilities can be found on the Company's website at https://www.secondgenome.com/development-platform. The poster presentation will also be made available on the Company's website at https://www.secondgenome.com/news/events.

About Second Genome

Second Genome, a biotechnology company that leverages its proprietary tech platform to discover and develop transformational precision therapies and biomarkers through clinical development and commercialization based on novel microbial genetic insights. We built a proprietary microbiome-based drug discovery and development platform with machine-learning analytics, customized protein engineering techniques, phage library screening, mass spec analysis and CRISPR, that we couple with traditional drug development approaches to progress the development of therapies and diagnostics for wide-ranging diseases. Second Genome is advancing deep drug discovery and biomarker pipelines with precision therapeutics and biomarker programs in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer, with the lead programs in IBD and cancer expected to enter clinical development in 2022. We also collaborate with industry, academic and governmental partners to leverage our microbiome platform and data science. We hold a strategic collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc., utilizing our proprietary platform and comprehensive data sets to identify novel biomarkers associated with clinical response to Gilead's investigational medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.secondgenome.com.

Investor Contact: Argot Partners212-600-1902secondgenome@argotpartners.com

Media Contact: Argot Partners212-600-1902secondgenome@argotpartners.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/second-genome-presents-data-at-the-world-microbe-forum-demonstrating-application-of-its-computational-platform-sg-4-sight-to-identify-peptides-that-have-the-potential-to-modulate-t-cell-activity-in-inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd-301316856.html

SOURCE Second Genome

View post:
Second Genome Presents Data at the World Microbe Forum Demonstrating Application of its Computational Platform sg-4-sight to Identify Peptides that...

Today Genome Quebec announced the results of its Genomic Integration Program, Human Health Stream competition. Five McGill teams from a diverse array of fields were awarded funds, totaling nearly $1 million. One of the defining features of this program is the requirement that institutional applicants must also have an external non-academic partner, thus supporting program goals of stimulating the Quebec economy and encouraging the use of genomic technologies in the Quebec healthcare system.

For the past twenty years, genomic research has been a major activity in Quebec, and the expertise and leadership of McGill researchers have been a pillar of this growth, said Martha Crago, Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation, McGill University. This latest round of funding underlines the strength of our contributions to this field, as well as the breadth and depth of our intellectual community.

The following five projects were selected by Genome Quebec:

1. New software to screen antibiotics that act on RNA

Principal Investigator (PI): Maureen McKeague, Canada Research Chair in Genomic Chemistry, Tier II, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science

(Co-Application/Co-PI: Tony Mittermaier, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry)

Partner: Molecular Forecaster Inc.

Summary: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity, but antibiotics that target bacterial RNA are an untapped strategy in part because of the lack of software options to accelerate their discovery. To address this problem, McGill researchers are collaborating with the Montreal-based company Molecular Forecaster Inc. to develop software that enables rapid virtual screening of new RNA-targeting antibiotics.

2. Antibody characterization through Open science

PI: Peter S.McPherson, Distinguished James Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Partner: YCharOS Inc.

Summary: Antibodies are critical components of our immune system because they have the unique ability to recognize any other protein, human or viral, with great specificity. Scientists take advantage of this property to generate antibodies for research, as the antibodies can recognize any specific protein from complex mixtures of proteins such as those found in a human cell. This project aims to develop a third-party antibody characterization entity that uses standardized operating procedures to assess and compare antibody performance, which will enhance the reproducibility of scientific data.

3. Towards single-cell metabolomics: uncovering the metabolic heterogeneity and architecture of solid cancers

PI: Peter Siegel, Full Professor, Department of Medicine, Full Member, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, Associate Member, Departments of Biochemistry, AnatomyandCell Biology and Oncology

(Key Collaborator: Julie St-Pierre, Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa)

Partner: Agilent Technologies Inc.

Summary: The field of Metabolomics is dedicated to studying and measuring cellular metabolism through information-rich technologies, such as mass spectrometry. While protocols that measure gene expression or protein levels have been adapted to single cell analysis, researchers currently can only measure metabolites within bulk cell populations or tissues. However, to understand complex phenotypes at the level of an individual cell, single-cell metabolomics methods are required. The overall objective of this project is to develop a workflow for the measurement of targeted metabolites at a single cell resolution in cancer cells.

4. Using Whole Genome Sequencing to Build a Bridge Between Human Exposure to Antimicrobial Resistant Foodborne Pathogens and the Resulting Burden of Disease and Associated Healthcare Costs: The Case of Chicken

PI: Paul J. Thomassin, Full Professor, Agricultural Economics Program, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

(Key Collaborators: Dr. Richard J. Reid-Smith, Veterinarian and Epidemiologist Public Health Agency of Canada; Dr. Jane Parmley is a veterinarian, epidemiologist, Associate Professor, Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph; and Dr. Eduardo Taboada, Genomic Epidemiology Research Unit, National Microbiology Laboratory).

Partner: Public Health Agency of Canada

Summary: The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the food supply chain is a national and international problem that has major negative health and economic implications. In 2018, resistant bacterial infections were responsible for over 14,000 deaths and had associated healthcare costs of $1.4 billion in Canada (CCA, 2019). The Public Health Agency of Canada and its partners have developed an integrated assessment model (iAM.AMR) which models the potential human exposure to resistant bacteria from the food supply chain. This project will integrate whole genome sequencing information into the iAM.AMR model to better estimate the human exposure to antimicrobial resistant bacteria and the costs associated with the AMR burden of disease from chicken consumption.

5. Assembly of a massive data set to train a predictor of a small molecules targeting RNAs

PI: Jrme Waldisphl, Associate Professor, School of Computer Science

Partner: Takeda Pharmaceutical

Summary: Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) is a broad, yet underexploited, class of drug targets. Up to 70% of our genome encodes for RNAs, but only a tiny fraction of current pharmaceutical molecules is targeting them. Mining this resource is a daunting task, however, far beyond the capacity of classical physics-based computational simulation tools traditionally used to identify new drug candidates. This project will use molecular docking software and massive experimental assays to build a comprehensive training set for our small molecule RNA binding predictor. The resulting software will be validated and exploited with commercial partner Takeda Pharmaceutical.

Gnome Qubecs mission is to catalyze the development and excellence of genomics research and promote its integration and democratization. It is a pillar of the Qubec bioeconomy and contributes to Qubecs influence and its social and sustainable development. The funds invested by Gnome Qubec are provided by the ministre de l'conomie et de l'Innovation du Qubec (MEI), the Government of Canada, through Genome Canada, and private partners. To learn more, visit http://www.genomequebec.com

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canadas top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. Itis a world-renownedinstitution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

Original post:
Five McGill teams awarded funding in new Genomic Integration program - McGill Newsroom

COVID appears to be in retreat in the U.S. and other nations that have widespread access to vaccines. But some developing countries with high infection rates have become hotspots for viral variants that may be more transmissible or resistant to vaccinesand these variants can quickly cross national borders. For example, the B.1.167.2 variant (now dubbed Delta) that was first detected in India has spread to more than 70 countries and regions, including the U.S.

Much of the developing world lacks the capacity for viral surveillanceefforts to monitor the spread and evolution of new variants. This process requires expensive genomic-sequencing technology and trained workforces that many nations do not have. Nepal, for instance, has sequenced just 0.01 percent of the more than 600,000 cases reported in the country so far. New variants could undo hard-won progress in curbing the pandemic, according to Alina Chan, a postdoctoral fellow specializing in gene therapy and cell engineering at the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Variants that evolve to be able to reinfect previously infected people are likely to also reduce the efficacy of vaccines, she says.

Scientists and organizations around the world are now working to build capacity to hunt for variants in developing countries. They are mobilizing to deliver funds, training and equipment to where these resources are needed most, with aspirations of creating a lasting viral surveillance infrastructure. COVID is the catalyst, says Jairo Mendez-Rico, a microbiologist and adviser on viral diseases at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), headquartered in Washington, D.C. But we also need to survey for other pathogens that for sure will come in the future.

In India, 27 laboratories have now banded together to create the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The group plans to sequence 5 percent of all positive COVID cases in the country (the current rate is only 0.09 percent). Shahid Jameel, a virologist and director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences at Indias Ashoka University, says that bringing existing surveillance capacity under a single umbrella could, in principle, make that a feasible goal. But there are not enough trained field-workers, he says, and the laboratories have acute shortages of chemical reagents needed for genomic analyses.

International experts are now stepping in to help. Recently, a nonprofit volunteer group called INDIA COVID SOS formed to assist with the pandemic response in the country. It aims to scale genomic surveillance across India, as well among neighboring South Asian nations. Aditi Hazra, an epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School, co-leads the groups sequencing team, which meets regularly on video conference calls with the directors of Indias sequencing consortium. She says a key objective is to extend viral surveillance to more people in rural areas, where much of the population lives.

Rural surveillance is a priority in Africa as well. Millions of people on the continent live in remote areas that are also hot spots for disease outbreaks, says Akaninyene Otu, a medical doctor and a senior lecturer at the University of Calabar in Nigeria. Several new partnerships aim to boost sequencing in African countries. Otu highlights the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative (Africa PGI), which launched last year with support from international donor organizations and private companies. Most of the sequencing capacity in Africa is concentrated in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco and Egypt. The Africa PGI, which is headed by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is setting out to create a pan-African network of sequencing centers to serve the continents 54 countries.

In Latin American countrieswhich are currently reporting some of the highest COVID infection rates in the worldPAHO is spearheading the COVID-19 Genomic Surveillance Regional Network. Some countries in the region already have fairly strong sequencing capabilities, but the network is leading efforts to build surveillance capacity where it does not exist at all, which is the case throughout much of Central America. In the interim, two large reference labsone in Brazil and one in Chileare sequencing samples sent by other countries at PAHO's expense, Mendez-Rico says.

In addition to building partnerships and networks, scientists are also exploring low-cost sequencing technologies that could be deployed easily in the field. Nearly all of the SARS-CoV-2 cases sequenced so far have relied on large, expensive instruments housed in climate-controlled lab facilities. As an alternative, INDIA COVID SOS is encouraging wider use of a handheld sequencing device made by Oxford Nanopore Technologies in England. The device, called the MinION, can run on a battery pack, processes 96 samples at a time and uses software to generate whole genome sequences that can be stored on a laptop. We're looking for technologies that are cheap, efficient, scalable and portable, and this is an example, Hazra says.

Keith Robison, a computational biologist at Ginkgo Bioworks, a Boston-based biotechnology company, agrees that the MinION is a practical option for developing nationsespecially in rural settings. The portable technology was widely used during the recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other West African countries. You can generate sequences with it from anywhere, he says. The MinION has its drawbacks: the quality of the data is not as good as what the lab-based instruments provide, Robison notes. However, that can also be computationally corrected if you have many copies of the same sequence, he says.

Tue Sparholt Jrgensen, a postdoctoral researcher in microbiology at the Technical University of Denmark, argues that whole-genome sequences may not always be needed. All the important SARS-CoV-2 mutations identified so far, he says, sit on the same stretch of genome encoding the microbes well-known spike protein. Jrgensen says scientists can simply target this piece of the viral geome with an alternative method called Sanger sequencing. This method, which was used as part of the effort that led to the sequencing of the complete human genome back in 2003, is still employed by labs all over the world. Unlike whole-genome methods that sequence millions of genetic fragments simultaneously, the Sanger method sequences one fragment at a time. Sanger can't replace whole-genome sequencing, but you can use it for targeted analyses at a fraction of the cost, Jrgensen says. People have been using it in small labs for decades. Id use it to monitor for known variants, [to] qualify samples for whole genome sequencing and for contact tracing [of infected people] in hospitals.

Jrgensen and his colleagues are now working with health officials in Rwanda on plans to expand Sanger-based COVID surveillance in the country. If a new variant emerges in Rwanda and starts spreading [elsewhere] in Africa, then we want to know about it, he says.

Here is the original post:
New Coronavirus Variants Are Urgently Being Tracked around the World - Scientific American

JAKARTA - A weak zonal lockdown system and a lack of whole-genome-sequencing equipment to detect more transmissible new Covid-19 variants are the two main challenges Indonesia is facing, experts say.

They called for a quick fix as the world's largest archipelagic nation of 17,500 sprawling islands saw Covid-19 cases surging past the two-million mark on Monday (June 21).

Instead of a large-scale lockdown, Indonesia has so far imposed only localised ones based on a colour-coded regime. Badly hit regions are labelled red zones and subject to tougher restrictions. Those with fewer Covid-19 cases are labelled either orange or yellow.

The country has 34 provinces that are made up of more than 500 cities and regencies.

The zoning system covers even small neighbourhoods, each having between 10 and50 households. A neighbourhood is labelled a red zone if there are cases in at least 10 households in the past seven days. Green is for areas with no detected infection.

Cities and regencies are labelled based on factors such as hospital bed occupancy ratios (BOR), positivity rate and mortality rate.

Those with an average of above 80 per cent BOR are red zones, while those with 60 per cent to 80 per cent rate are labelled orange or yellow - depending on other parameters such as their total hospital bed capacity relative to the total suspected and confirmed cases.

A green zone is one with BOR of below 60 per cent.

There are 29 red zones currently, including Bandung (West Java province), Bangkalan (East Java) and Pekanbaru (Riau).

But many believe the system and the "micro lockdowns" are not working well.

Dr Aman Bhakti Pulungan, chairman of Indonesian Paediatric Society, said: "We do not acknowledge those green, red zones because there are no borders."

For example, it is not a standard measure to set up a checkpoint between regions labelled red and green that filters the number of people going in and out to contain the spread of the virus. The government does it only in certain emergency situations.

For instance, the local authorities set up a temporary checkpoint on the causeway between Madura island and the main Java island earlier this month to screen people coming from Bangkalan regency in Madura. This was after a surge in Covid-19 cases in Bangkalan, where many patients died within 48 hours of being hospitalised.

Dr Pandu Riono, from the University of Indonesia's medical school, said another shortcoming of the colour-coded system is that no one knows how to label a region with a low testing rate.

In addition, the government has not monitored the implementation of measures or punished breaches adequately, Dr Pandu told The Straits Times.

"Whatever form of social restrictions we take, what is most important are implementation, evaluation and punishment," he said. "We can use the ubiquitous CCTV to monitor. Next, we can take action to ensure there are penalties and incentives."

The government encourages regions to punish residents who flout the mask-wearing rule. Those in Jakarta, for example, pay a fine of 250,000 rupiah (S$23) or do an hour of community work such as sweeping pavements.

Experts are also concerned with the lack of whole-genome-sequencing equipment to detect new variants of the virus, and the non-disclosure of test results.

"Not every province has it In some cases, it is equivalent to walking in the dark and blind-folded. We want to wage a war but we cannot see the enemy," Dr Pulungan said.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin has confirmed that based on genome sequencing tests, cases in Jakarta, Kudus in Central Java province, and Bangkalanare dominated by the Delta variant.

Dr Siti Nadia Tarmizi, a health ministry spokesman, told The Straits Times that there are 17 laboratories across Indonesia that have genome-sequencing equipment.

"We are planning to add between three and five, " she said.

Dr Pulungan also said there needs to be a system where hospitals or health departments of provinces and cities do sampling, regularly collect genome-sequencingdata and share it with the public.

"This is what the WHO (World Health Organisation) wants," he added.

More:
Indonesia's Covid-19 fight hindered by weak lockdown, lack of genome-sequencing data - The Straits Times

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Genomic Surveillance Committee, formed by the State Government recently, has come up with an action plan to scale up genomic sequencing by training laboratory staff through online and on-ground training.

The plan follows a recent announcement by Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar that seven genome sequencing labs would be set up at five government medical colleges, Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru and Vijaypura district hospital.

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms(C-Camp), IBAB and IT-BT Department, with the support of Strand-HCG Hospital, IISc and NCBS, will train the laboratory staff online on and on the ground as to how to carry out genomic surveillance, said Dr Vishal Rao, a member of the States Genomic Surveillance Committee and Regional Director -- Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre.

Genomic sequencingof positive samples started in the State this yearafter the UK variant was found and a total of 127 tested positive. Later, the South African variant surfaced with six infections. Now, theDelta and Kappa Indian variants have infected 318 and 112 people in the State.

Committee officials said the technology and staff are needed to be ramped up to carry out better genomic surveillance.

We have so far conducted genome sequencing of 350-400 samples in the past few months in the State. Ideally, we should have done at least double that. We need to scale up technology and conduct at least 1,000 sample tests a week. This is the only way we can keep a clinical track of the variants, Dr Rao added.

One of the committee members pointed out that it will take at least three to four months for medical colleges to start genomic surveillance. Merging of existing capabilities of IISc and Strand Life Sciences Pvt Ltd will play a key role, he added.

The committee is also planning to follow the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), which has set up a Covid tracker dashboard, to make genome sequencing and analyses freely available to all primary healthcare centres.

Dr Rao said that it is imperative to rely on machine learning models and AI algorithms to execute genomic surveillance efficiently.

Dr Vijay Chandru, Lancet Commissioner and a member of Genomic Surveillance Committee, said, It is time for us to bring the best-in-class capabilities in the country to drive better genomic surveillance. The public effort driven by INSACOG has laid a foundation, but we now need to scale it up and have real-time dashboards to enable early warning signals to manage the next wave.

View original post here:
Lab staff in Karnataka to be trained for genome surveillance ahead of third COVID wave - The New Indian Express

New York, June 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Agrigenomics Market by Application, Sequencer Type, Objectives And Region - Forecast year 2026" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p04147669/?utm_source=GNW The large-scale genetic characterization in some of the commercially relevant crops has provided a framework that is applicable to other crops as well. With the mounting dual challenges of population growth and climate change, new strategies, including genetic advancements, must be available to producers to address concerns of yield optimization and food security.

The market for livestock is projected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2021 and 2026.The livestock segment is projected to gain further growth traction during the forecast period owing to rapid adoption and commercialization of the novel genotyping platforms and related techniques such as marker-based selection (MAS) and marker-based breeding (MAB) to identify complex inheritance traits.The global demand for animal-based food products is expected to increase by 70% by 2050.

The implementation of advanced genetic technologies in livestock production will ensure minimal environmental impact with optimized animal health & fertility.A shift from traditional animal breeding to genomic selection is estimated with the introduction of genome analysis tools. The presence of next-generation sequencers has enabled researchers to quickly and effectively determine the single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with commercially important phenotypic traits and estimate the breeding value (EBV) at an earlier stage of young animals.

The Marker-assisted selection by objective is projected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2021 and 2026.The Marker-assisted selection is expected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period as it is cheaper and faster than any conventional phenotypic assays, depending on the trait. Marker-assisted selection or marker-aided selection (MAS) is an indirect selection process where a trait of interest is selected based on a marker (morphological, biochemical, or DNA/RNA variation) linked to a trait of interest (e.g., productivity, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and quality), rather than on the trait itself. This process has been extensively researched and proposed for plant and animal breeding. It uses conventional breeding approaches and does not involve transgenic approaches. Marker-assisted breeding uses DNA markers associated with desirable traits to select a plant or animal for inclusion in a breeding program early in its development. This approach dramatically reduces the time required to identify varieties or breeds which express the desired trait in a breeding program. The marker may be the sequence of the gene that determines the trait, but in most cases, it is a DNA sequence which is located very close to the gene of interest and is therefore always inherited with the trait. Desirable traits include disease resistance, salt tolerance, and high yield. Hence, DNA markers have enormous potential to improve the efficiency and precision of conventional plant breeding via marker-assisted selection.

Illumina HiSeq Family by sequencer type is projected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2021 and 2026.The Illumina Hi Seq Family held the largest share in 2020 and is also expected to grow at the highest rate as it is an efficient ultra-high-throughput sequencing system that supports the broadest range of applications and study sizes. Based on sequencer type, Illumina Hi Seq Family led the agrigenomics market, exhibiting a significant share of in 2020, registering a value of USD 1,393.2 million. It is also the most widely utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology owing to its high throughput and exceptional operational performance. It also exhibits greater sensitivity to detect low-frequency gene variants. PacBio and solid sequencers are also expected to exhibit decent growth rates during the forecast period. Sequencing by ligation (SOLiD) utilizes DNA ligase, an enzyme widely used in biotechnology for its ability to ligate double-stranded DNA strands owing to its two-base sequencing method, it is the most accurate and economical second-generation sequencing platform.

The agrigenomics market in the Asia Pacific region is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing in the global agrigenomics market at a CAGR of 10.6%. The growth in the region is projected due to the progress in research and development activities in India, China, and Japan. The availability of high-quality reference genome sequences for a majority of crops has strengthened the foundation of functional genomics in the region. Asia Pacific is the most populous continent with growing concerns for food and nutritional security. The region also produces important food crops such as rice, wheat, barley, chickpea, and pigeon pea. The agrigenomics solutions adopted in a full-fledged manner across the key markets of the region can emerge as a strong tool in the attainment of zero hunger as a sustainable development goal.

In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and sub-segments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews have been conducted with the key experts.

The breakup of the profiles of primary participants is as follows: By Manufacturers: Tier 1 20%, Tier 2 50%, and Tier 3 30% By Designation: CXOs 31%, Managers 24%, Executives 45% By Geography: Europe 29%, Asia Pacific 32%, North America 24%, South America 12%, and RoW 3%The key players in this market include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), Illumina, Inc. (US), Eurofins Scientific SE (Luxembourg), and LGC Limited (UK). Some of these playersThermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US) and Illumina, Inc. (US)are both, technology and service providers who have streamlined their supply chain in providing agrigenomics services.

Research CoverageThe report segments the agrigenomics market based on type, species, application, and region. In terms of insights, this report has focused on various levels of analysescompetitive landscape, end-use analysis, and company profileswhich together comprise and discuss views on the emerging & high-growth segments of the agrigenomics , high-growth regions, countries, government initiatives, drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges.

Reasons to Buy the Report: Illustrative segmentation, analysis, and forecast pertaining to the agrigenomics market based on type, species, application, and geography have been conducted to provide an overall view of the agrigenomics market Major drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the agrigenomics market have been detailed in this report.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04147669/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________

Follow this link:
The global agrigenomics market is estimated to be USD 3.3 billion in 2021 and is projected - GlobeNewswire

The report on theGlobal CRISPR Genome Editing Market Research Report Covers, Future Trends, Size, Share, Past, Present Data and Deep Analysis, And Forecast, 2021-2027market documented by Zion Market Research (ZMR) means to offer a coordinated and orderly methodology for the major aspects that have influenced the market in the past and the forthcoming market prospects on which the organizations can depend upon before investing. It furnishes with a reasonable examination of the market for better decision-making and assessment to put resources into it. The report analyses the elements and a complete detailed outlook of the main players that are probably going to add to the demand in the global CRISPR Genome Editing market in the upcoming years.

The top Major Competitive Players are :Editas Medicine, CRISPR Therapeutics AG, Horizon Discovery PLC., Sigma-Aldrich, Genscript, Sangamo BiosciencesInc., Lonza Group AG, Integrated DNA Technologies, New England Biolabs Inc, Origene Technologies Inc., Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Caribou BiosciencesInc., Precision Biosciences, Cellectis, Intellia TherapeuticsInc., Novartis among others.

FREE : Request Sample is Available @https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/crispr-genome-editing-market

The market report additionally gives a to-the-point evaluation of the techniques and plans of action that are being executed by the players and companies to contribute to the global CRISPR Genome Editing market growth. Some of the most conspicuous measures taken by the organizations are partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, and collaborations to extend their overall reach. The players are likewise presenting newer product varieties in the market to improve the product portfolio by embracing the new innovation and carrying out it in their business.

Global CRISPR Genome EditingMarket: Regional Analysis

The report on the global CRISPR Genome Editing market utilizes diverse methods to examine the market data and present it in an organized manner to the readers. It provides the market research on the various segmentation based on the aspects like region, end-user, application, types, and other important categories. It further gives a detailed report on the leading sub-segment among each of them.

Download Free PDF Report Brochure @https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/crispr-genome-editing-market

Moving to the drivers and restraints, one will be given all factors that are indirectly or directly helping the development of the global CRISPR Genome Editing market. To get to know the markets development measurements, it is important to evaluate the drivers of the market. Furthermore, the report likewise analyzes the current patterns alongside new and plausible growth openings for the global market. Additionally, the report incorporates the components that can restrict the market growth during the forecast period. Understanding these elements is also mandatory as they help in grasping the markets shortcomings.

Primary and secondary methodologies are being utilized by the research analysts to gather the information. Along these lines, this global CRISPR Genome Editing market report is planned at guiding the readers to a superior, clearer viewpoint and information about the global market.

COVID-19 impact: Since the pandemic has adversely affected almost every market in the world, it has become even more important to analyze the market situation before investing. Thus, the report comprises a separate section of all the data influencing the market growth. The analysts also suggest the measures that are likely to uplift the market after the downfall, bettering the current situation.

The study objectives of this report are:

Inquire more about this report @https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/crispr-genome-editing-market

Frequently Asked Questions

Also, Research Report Examines:

Thanks for reading this article ;you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, Europe, or Asia.

Follow this link:
Global CRISPR Genome Editing Market Precise Outlook and Study of Top Players 2021 : Editas Medicine, CRISPR Therapeutics AG, Horizon Discovery PLC.,...

TheWhole Genome Synthesis Market Likely To Expand Splendidly During The Forecast Period 2020-2026report covers all of the aspects required to gain a complete understanding of the pre-market conditions, current conditions as well as a well-measured forecast.This report also researches and evaluates the impact of Covid-19 outbreak on theWhole Genome Synthesis Market, involving potential opportunity and challenges, drivers and risks.

A comprehensive evaluation of theWhole Genome Synthesis Markethas been presented in the report for the forecasted period 2020 to 2025. In order to get a deep insight into the market, a wide range of segments have been covered in the report along with the thorough analysis of the key trends and the factors that impact the market. The main highlight of the report includes the key factors that impact theWhole Genome Synthesis Market, the market dynamics, major drivers, restraining factors, and the opportunities and threats that arise in the market. The intrinsic factors that have been identified are restraints and drivers. The identified threats and opportunities are the extrinsic factors that exist in the market setting. The thorough study provides an insight into the market development in terms of the revenue generation capacity during the forecasted period.

This Research Help Grow Your Business [Download free Sample PDF of Research Report]

Whole Genome Synthesis Marketresearch methodologies comprise primary research, secondary and expert panel reviews. Secondary research consists of the following sources: company annual report, research papers, and press releases, as documented in the industry. For further understanding, the following have been considered: Industry magazines, trade journals, government websites, and associations since they also contain vital information that can be useful during the study period. If all these sources are efficiently used to gather information about the industry, then theWhole Genome Synthesis Marketachieves its goals in the study, which is most likely to expand its territory in the market.

The Leading Market Players Covered in this Report are:

Twist Bioscience, J. Craig Venter Institute, Integrated DNA Technologies, Ansa Biotechnologies, and Icon Genetics.

Get Sample PDF Brochure@https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/whole-genome-synthesis-market

Primary research has been the best way during the study, as it involves things like; telephone conversations that can be either as interviews or creation of appointments between theWhole Genome Synthesis Marketresearchers and market players. Questionnaires are also used, and this can also be sent as emails or distributing them to the people for question and answer moments. Lastly, there is a face-to-face interaction between the researchers and the market players. This has been the most effective way the two parties involved engage in one on one question and answer sessions. At primary research, the engagement always leaves bothWhole Genome Synthesis Marketresearch and the market players convinced of the way forward for the betterment of the industry. Primary research enhances discussion on essential factors such as market trends, size, competitions involved has to be done on an ongoing basis with industry experts, to understand the existing market.Scope of the Report

This report consists of all the requirements for the analysis of theWhole Genome Synthesis Marketstudy. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive market estimate from secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert reviews. These market estimates have been used to impact social, economic, and political factors, along with the trending market dynamics that hinder the growth of Valve Driver Market.

Aside from the market overviews, there have been market dynamics that consist of ;/Porters Five Force analysis, which explains the five forces. The forces are buyers bargaining power, suppliers bargaining power, intimidations by the new entrants, threats by the new substitutes as well as the levels of competition in theWhole Genome Synthesis Market.

Inquire More about Report:https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/whole-genome-synthesis-market

This report also explains various participants, including software and platform vendors, system integrators, end-users, and the mediators between theWhole Genome Synthesis Marketresearcher and the market players in the system of the market. The report also concentrates on the background aggressiveness ofWhole Genome Synthesis Market.

Whole Genome Synthesis Market: Competitive Landscape

The market analysis entails a section solely dedicated to significant players in theWhole Genome Synthesis Market. For every major players financial statement, our team of analysts offers insight, vital developments, SWOT analysis as well as product benchmarking. Financial information and business overview are also included in the company profile section. With regards to what the client needs, the companies provided are customizable.

Our report which includes the detailed description of mergers and acquisitions will help you to get a complete idea of the market competition and also give you extensive knowledge on how to excel ahead and grow in the market.

The classification of the globalWhole Genome Synthesis Marketis done based on the product type, segments, and end-users. The report provides an analysis of each segment together with the prediction of their development in the upcoming period. Additionally, the latest research report studies various segments of the globalWhole Genome Synthesis Marketin the anticipated period.

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.

Note In order to provide more accurate market forecast, all our reports will be updated before delivery by considering the impact of COVID-19.

(*If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.)

Here is the original post:
Whole Genome Synthesis Market Likely To Expand Splendidly During The Forecast Period 2020-2026 The Manomet Current - The Manomet Current