Category Archives: Transhuman News

There are many good reasons to get a better grip on how fish are faring in Canadas two million lakes, not the least of which is that they can be eaten.

There is a lot of fish in those lakes. Its opportunity to tap a new food source to help meet global demands for sustenance, says Western University biology professor Bryan Neff.

Its probably the biggest single untapped natural resource in the world.

With a predicted massive global shortage of animal protein 20 years down the road, and farming already stretched and oceans over-fished, Canadian freshwater fish could become an important source of protein, Neff said.

Apart from the Great Lakes, any of Canadas lakes are under-used, he said.

When we think of freshwater fish, it pales in comparison to actual commercial fisheries, Neff said. We just dont fish our lakes that much, so theres this huge untapped resource.

Neff is one of 10 principal investigators in the Gen-Fish project investigating the health of Canadas freshwater fish by examining DNA scooped right out of lakes. The project began late last year.

Western biology professor Bryan Neff looks an Atlantic salmon roughly two and half years old that is being grown in a lab on campus. The Atlantic salmon is the only salmon native to the Great Lakes, originally native in Lake Ontario, but was extirpated near the turn of the 1900s. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Almost two dozen researchers from schools, Indigenous groups and government agencies will join with the help of a $9.1-million grant from the non-profit Genome Canada for a multi-year research program to manage and conserve freshwater fish stocks. Other partners such as provinces and universities will provide other funding.

The team will use the DNA fish leave behind in the water, a kind of environmental DNA, to help get a better picture of whether or not Canadas freshwater fish are flourishing. Environmental DNA, also known as eDNA, also can be extracted for other species from the soil and air.

What were trying to do is further advance a technology thats relatively new but is available today, Neff said. You can learn a lot about organisms from their DNA.

Neff, whose love of fishing dates back to his childhood summers in Muskoka, said once the DNA sequence is determined, the fish species can be identified.

That is quite exciting, he said We dont have to capture the fish or necessarily have to see them, but we know DNA came from that species of fish. The important thing about this grant is were using Canada as our test bed.

Their findings will help determine how best to manage the more than 200 freshwater fish species found in Canada, of which about one-quarter are considered at risk.

The eDNA could provide an early warning system for fish facing potential threats such as pollution and climate change.

We dont want our freshwater lakes to end up like the oceans, Neff said.

Well hopefully be able to find answers for not just what is in that lake, but how many (fish) and if they are changing in abundance.

Fish, he said, are particularly susceptible to global warming because they cant regulate their own body temperature.

Im very passionate about finding out what is going to happen in 50 years when our lakes are all one or two degrees warmer in the summer, Neff said. Are our fish going to be OK? Sometimes the answers are going to be no.

HRivers@postmedia.com

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Genome project aims for better grip on health of Canada's freshwater fish - The London Free Press

Written by Mehr Gill, Edited by Explained Desk | Updated: February 8, 2020 8:07:59 pm The project is said to be among the most significant of its kind in the world because of its scale and the diversity it would bring to genetic studies.

On Friday, The Indian Express reported that the government has given clearance to an ambitious gene-mapping project, estimated to be worth Rs 238 crore. The Genome India Project, which has been described by those involved as the first scratching of the surface of the vast genetic diversity of India, involve over 20 scientists from institutions including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru and a few IITs.

One of the most comprehensive genome mapping projects in the world is the Human Genome Project (HGP), which began in 1990 and reached completion in 2003. The international project, which was coordinated by the National Institutes of Health and the US Department of Energy, was undertaken with the aim of sequencing the human genome and identifying the genes that contain it. The project was able to identify the locations of many human genes and provide information about their structure and organisation.

According to the Human Genome Project, there are estimated to be over 20,500 human genes. Genome refers to an organisms complete set of DNA, which includes all its genes and mapping these genes simply means finding out the location of these genes in a chromosome.

In humans, each cell consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of 46 chromosomes, which means that for 23 pairs of chromosomes in each cell, there are roughly 20,500 genes located on them. Some of the genes are lined up in a row on each chromosome, while others are lined up quite close to one another and this arrangement might affect the way they are inherited. For example, if the genes are placed sufficiently close together, there is a probability that they get inherited as a pair.

Genome mapping, therefore, essentially means figuring out the location of a specific gene on a particular region of the chromosome and also determining the location of and relative distances between other genes on that chromosome.

Significantly, genome mapping enables scientists to gather evidence if a disease transmitted from the parent to the child is linked to one or more genes. Furthermore, mapping also helps in determining the particular chromosome which contains that gene and the location of that gene in the chromosome.

According to the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), genome maps have been used to find out genes that are responsible for relatively rare, single-gene inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Genetic maps may also point out scientists to the genes that play a role in more common disorders and diseases such as asthma, cancer and heart disease among others. For instance, in a series of papers published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, researchers from several international institutions mapped the handful of genes whose mutation causes several different kinds of cancers.

According to the Genome News Network, unlike conventional geographical maps, genome maps are one-dimensional, much like the DNA molecules that make up the genome.

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Explained: What is genome mapping? - The Indian Express

Data demonstrate potential to increase efficacy of TIL adoptive cell therapy in preclinical models

KSQ Therapeutics, a biotechnology company using its proprietary CRISPRomics discovery platform to systematically screen the whole genome to identify optimal gene targets for oncology and autoimmune disease, today announced the identification and validation of a novel target, CT-1, for the development of engineered tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (eTIL) therapies for refractory solid tumors. Data from two large-scale CRISPR-Cas9 functional screens using the companys novel CRISPRomics platform and in vivo validation data will be presented today at the Engineering the Genome conference, which takes place in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

"Adoptive cell therapies have long been hypothesized to be potentially curative treatments for refractory solid tumors, but their efficacy has been limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment," said Frank Stegmeier, Chief Scientific Officer of KSQ Therapeutics. "Our CRISPRomics platform enables us to identify gene targets that improve the ability of the T cell to function in this hostile tumor microenvironment. These insights allowed us to develop a pipeline of CRISPR/Cas9 eTIL programs that have the potential to unlock adoptive cell therapy in PD-1 refractory solid tumors."

KSQs proprietary CRISPRomics platform was used to identify the top targets across the T- cell genome that increase the efficacy of adoptive T cell transfer therapy (ACT) in PD-1 refractory mouse solid tumor models. CT-1, an undisclosed target identified by KSQ, emerged as a top target from these screens. CT-1-edited T cells produced a 10-fold increase in anti-tumor activity in vivo, and CT-1 edited human TILs exhibit an enhanced cytokine production profile. The data presented support the development of eTIL products with the potential to increase the efficacy of TIL adoptive cell therapy.

About KSQ Therapeutics

KSQ Therapeutics is advancing a pipeline of tumor- and immune-focused drug candidates for the treatment of cancer, across multiple drug modalities including targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies and immuno-therapies. KSQs proprietary CRISPRomics discovery engine enables genome-scale, in vivo validated, unbiased drug discovery across broad therapeutic areas. KSQ was founded by thought leaders in the field of functional genomics and pioneers of CRISPR screening technologies, and the company is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, please visit the companys website at http://www.ksqtx.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200209005025/en/

Contacts

Michael LampeTel: 484-575-5040michael@scientpr.com

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KSQ Therapeutics Announces Discovery of Gene Targets with Potential Activity Superior to PD-1 for Development of Engineered Tumor Infiltrating...

For Immediate Release: February 07, 2020 Statement From:

Statement Author

Leadership Role

Commissioner of Food and Drugs - Food and Drug Administration

Genome editing is a groundbreaking technology used to introduce intentional genomic alterations in animals and has the potential to improve human and animal health, animal well-being and to enhance food production and quality. It is paramount, however, that as we move forward, we maintain standards of safety and effectiveness.

This is a tremendously exciting field. Because were committed to fostering advances in this space, we take a risk-based approach to oversight. We want to ensure that the intentional genomic alterations in animals are safe for the animal, safe for people eating food products from the animal and that the alteration does what its intended to do. Thats why we encourage sponsors to participate in our Veterinary Innovation Program, which facilitates advancements in the development of innovative animal products by providing greater clarity in the regulatory process, encouraging development and research and supporting an efficient and predictable pathway to approval.

We are taking steps to help ensure confidence in products of biotechnology and will soon be undertaking a public education campaign to help consumers learn about the safety and benefits of agricultural biotechnology products. We are committed to partnering with Americas farmers, innovators, biotechnology companies and research universities who are at the forefront of this remarkable moment of scientific advance.

The FDA is leveraging our scientific and technical expertise and regulatory experience to oversee intentional genomic alterations in animals developed using novel techniques, such as genome editing, through a timely and efficient process. The agency is a trusted global regulator and we are committed to overseeing this space in a manner that fosters innovation, promotes consumer confidence and protects the public health.

The following statement is attributed to Steven M. Solomon, DVM, MPH, director of the FDAs Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Today, the journal Nature Biotechnology published the FDA-authored analysis Template plasmid integration in germline genome-edited cattle, which describes how a bioinformatics method developed by FDA scientists was able to detect previously unreported, unintended alterations in genome-edited bulls. The analysis emphasizes the FDAs expertise and critical role in risk-based evaluation of intentional genomic alterations.

Our analysis demonstrated that genome editing in animals can have unintended consequences, and in this case, it caused foreign DNA to be integrated into the animals genomes. While the existence of an unintended alteration does not necessarily mean that the genome edit is unsafe to animals or consumers, it does show that both scientists and regulators need to be alert to the potential for such unintended alterations to take place.

A companion piece, Genome editing in animals: Why FDA regulation matters, also published today explains the value of the agencys oversight of intentional genomic alterations in animals to protect animal and human health, even when the intended modification seeks to replicate a naturally occurring mutation. The commentary further describes the FDAs intent to support innovative scientific approaches, while balancing the agencys role to protect public health through a risk-based approach.

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nations food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

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02/07/2020

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FDA Expertise Advancing the Understanding of Intentional Genomic Alterations in Animals - FDA.gov

Yesterday, the death toll in China due to the novel coronavirus reached 811, surpassing the number of people that had died during the SARS epidemic. In the first segment, Sowmiya Ashok talks about what China and Kerala are doing to stop it from spreading and what we have learnt about the virus so far. Next, Seema Chishti talks about the concerns that the Genome India Project raises, an ambitious Rs 238 crore gene-mapping project that was recently cleared by the government (11:15). And last, Tabassum Barnagarwala talks about the 23 year old poet who was taken to the police station by his Uber driver for talking to his friend about the anti-CAA protests (17:18).

You can follow us and leave us feedback on Facebook and Twitter @expresspodcasts, or send us an email at podcasts@indianexpress.com. If you like this show, please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts, so other people can find us. You can also find us on http://www.indianexpress.com/audio.

Tackling the novel Coronavirus, the Genome India Project and a poets Uber rideYesterday, the death toll in China due to the novel coronavirus reached 811, surpassing the number of people that had died during the SARS epidemic. In the first segment, Sowmiya Ashok talks about what China and Kerala are doing to stop it from spreading and what we have learnt about the virus so far. Next, Seema Chishti talks about the concerns that the Genome India Project raises, an ambitious Rs 238 crore gene-mapping project that was recently cleared by the government (11:15). And last, Tabassum Barnagarwala talks about the 23 year old poet who was taken to the police station by his Uber driver for talking to his friend about the anti-CAA protests (17:18).You can follow us and leave us feedback on Facebook and Twitter @expresspodcasts, or send us an email at podcasts@indianexpress.com. If you like this show, please subscribe and leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts, so other people can find us. You can also find us on http://www.indianexpress.com/audio.

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Tackling the novel Coronavirus, the Genome India Project and a poet's Uber ride - The Indian Express

The emerging coronavirus pandemic has one small but significant silver lining. Advancements in genomic sequencing technology have enabled experts to rapidly isolate and genetically sequence 53 versions of the novel virus, 2019-nCoV.

It may also strike us as a clear violation of fundamental human rights, to be forced into quarantine. In the U.S., however, it is entirely legal. While the legislative powers of the U.S. Congress are limited to what is enumerated in the constitution, the longstanding ability to isolate and quarantine returning Wuhan visitors stems from the broadly applied commerce clause in the U.S. constitution. Under the commerce clause, the government is empowered to regulate interstate commerce, including the passing of communicable disease over state lines under the Public Health Service Act. The states themselves have the power to enforce isolation and quarantines under their respective police powers.

But, with the coronavirus sequence of 29891 nucleotides now known, we could limit the extent of these quarantines that ensnare many healthy individuals in their seeming overuse, especially if the pandemic continues, by simply running what is known as a Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction test (RT-PCR). Succinctly, the viral genome is comprised of RNA, a close analog to our DNA genome. The RNA, if the host is infected with the virus, can be collected and converted into DNA by way of an enzyme, reverse transcriptase. The DNA molecule can then be copied via Polymerase Chain Reaction using the knowledge we have gleaned from the viral genome. The incorporation, or lack thereof, of fluorescing markers into those copies will indicate the presence or absence of the virus.

However, the collection of biomaterials containing DNA and viral RNA from the host as an alternative to quarantining could raise its own host of issues, especially the invasion of privacy, and potentially illegal searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Notably, the courts only just ruled that the heretofore expansive powers of the authorities to search incoming visitors at border crossings is much narrower than previously thought.

And, worldwide, multiple attempts at wide-scale biometric data collection have been quashed. Kenyas biometric law, which sought to collect facial and other biometric data from its 50 million-plus inhabitants, was forced to stop as courts raised concerns over privacy violations. Such concerns have already played out to some degree in India due to security issues with their 1.1 billion-strong biometric database.

Once the system is set up to do rapid DNA based screening at the border, the U.S. could begin excluding visitors based on other genetic testings as well, using the virus testing infrastructure stationed at various airports and border crossings. But unlike the fingerprinting that is done routinely at many terminals and border crossings, genomic testing could lead to eugenics-inspired abuses, by blocking visitors deemed genetically undesirable. Rampant DNA screenings could also force visitors to confront their genetic destiniesthe discovery of impending genetic diseases, for examplefor merely wanting to come into the U.S.

This is not the only recent brouhaha with the U.K. and DNA. There are several companies operating in the U.K. that test clothing for evidence of infidelity between partners, a potentially illegal activity, punishable by up to three years in prison if the suspect does not consent to the test. Because of this limitation, a number of foreign operators have long refused to work with U.K. based clients in that area.

Dov Greenbaum is a Director at the Zvi Meitar Institute for Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies, at Israeli academic institute IDC Herzliya.

More here:
Couldand ShouldRapid DNA Testing Be Used to Curb the Spread of Coronavirus? - CTech