Category Archives: Transhuman News

BANGKOK: Thailand is considering raising further its health alert for monkeypox by listing it as a so-called serious communicable disease, after the viral disease was classified as a new public health emergency worthy of international concern.

Anutin: No travel curbs for now. Photo: Bangkok Post

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday (July 23) declared monkeypox as A Public Health Emergency of International Concern and urged member countries to find effective methods that do not stigmatise target groups, reports the Bangkok Post.

The Ministry of Public Health yesterday raised surveillance measures nationwide in response to WHOs announcement, said Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

He was speaking after chairing an urgent meeting with health authorities in which they discussed responses to the monkeypox outbreak.

This comes after detection of the first confirmed case in the country, a Nigerian tourist who escaped into neighbouring Cambodia after he was found to have the disease before being nabbed there.

The man has been detained in Cambodia while tracing of his close contacts in Phuket where he stayed in the past month is under way. None have been found infected by monkeypox, said Anutin.

As none of the Nigerian mans close contacts are infected, its a relief to some extent, he said.

We will meet again within hours so the ministrys academic committee comprising medical and public health experts can discuss a proposal to declare monkeypox a new serious communicable disease in Thailand, he said.

Anutin also indicated there are no plans for Thailand to seek the return of the Nigerian man from Cambodia.

Anutin said yesterday he expected the patient to receive treatment in Cambodia. Its good to see him treated there, he said, adding he expected his condition would improve.

In Cambodia, Khuong Sreng, governor of Phom Penh, urged three people, believed to have travelled with Osmond Chihazirim Nzerem, the Nigerian patient, in the same car to Phnom Penh to report to local health authorities.

They should take a health check as they may have contracted the disease, he said, according to the Khmer Times.

The Nigerian man was caught on a security camera when arriving at a guesthouse in Phnom Penh at 5:20am on Saturday accompanied by an African man and an Asian woman, said Cambodian police.

He was caught at 5:30pm at Doeum Thkov market in Phom Penh and taken to the KhmerSoviet Friendship Hospital for treatment and isolation, said the report.

The Thai Department of Disease Control on Sunday began a joint epidemiologic investigation with its Cambodian counterparts, tracking more possible contacts of the man, said a public health source.

As a precautionary measure, disease control and immigration checkpoints nationwide have been instructed to scale up screening for monkeypox, particularly among visitors coming from countries with a high risk of the disease, said Anutin.

However, no travel restrictions are being considered for the time being, he said.

The minister urged the public to not panic about the possible spread of monkeypox in Thailand, saying the same prevention measures used in preventing COVID-19 are sufficient for fending off monkeypox.

Wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently and practising social distancing help protect against both diseases at the same time, he said.

In most cases, patients fully recover from monkeypox after being treated, he said, adding that negative pressure rooms arent necessary.

Before the Nigerian man was confirmed to be Thailands first monkeypox case, a total of 18 foreign visitors to Thailand who had been admitted to private hospitals for treatment were treated as suspected cases of monkeypox infection, said Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS).

In another development, Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said City Hall will meet today to discuss raising preventive measures against monkeypox and scaling up surveillance in the capital.

Certain areas in the city may require special attention and extra disease surveillance measures, he said, apparently referring to communities of foreign visitors coming from countries with high risk of monkeypox.

Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virologist with the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotec), meanwhile, warned that using a condom while having sex is not sufficient protection against monkeypox.

Although HIV transmissions and monkeypox share some similarities, using a condom alone wont be enough to protect against monkeypox as does it in protecting against HIV, he said.

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Government on high monkeypox alert - Thailand - The Phuket News

image:Topics cover both human and animal viral immunology, exploring viral-based immunological diseases, pathogenic mechanisms, and virus-associated tumor and cancer immunology. view more

Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

A new study examined the maintenance of memory B cell responses to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, after recovery from natural infection or post-vaccination. The study is published in the peer-reviewed journal Viral Immunology. Click here to read the article now.

The study, coauthored by David Fear, from Kings College London, and colleagues, showed that among those recovered from natural infection, COVID-19 serologically-positive donors had strong antigen-specific memory B cell-associated responses. Post-vaccination, donors showed robust serological antigen-specific antibody responses against spike protein that waned over time. Memory B cell-associated responses against spike protein were also observed but showed less waning over time.

This study is of particular relevance at the moment, because with millions vaccinated, previously infected, or both, studies such as this one may tell us how long we might expect the immunity to last, says Rodney S. Russell, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Viral Immunology, from Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. Johns.

About the Journal

Viral Immunology is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published ten times a year in print and online. Topics cover both human and animal viral immunology, exploring viral-based immunological diseases, pathogenic mechanisms, and virus-associated tumor and cancer immunology. The Journal includes original research papers, review articles, and commentaries covering the spectrum of laboratory and clinical research and exploring developments in vaccines and diagnostics targeting viral infections. Tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on the Viral Immunology website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industrys most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firms more than 100 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.

Case study

People

SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cell responses are maintained after recovery from natural infection and postvaccination

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Excerpt from:
Maintenance of immunity to COVID-19 after infection or vaccination - EurekAlert

Replay Bio

Replay Launches with $55 Million Seed to Reprogram Biology by Writing and Delivering Big DNA

KKR and OMX Ventures lead $55 million seed funding round

Replays genomic medicine toolkit encompasses a portfolio of disruptive platform technologies to write and deliver big DNA, including a high payload capacity HSV delivery platform, a hypoimmunogenic cell therapy platform, and a proprietary genome writing platform

Company is led and supported by a world-class team of academics, entrepreneurs, and industry experts

Innovative hub-and-spoke business model separates technology development from product development, leveraging Replays technologies within discrete product companies

Five product companies have been incorporated to date

San Diego, California and London, UK, 25 July 2022 Replay, a genome writing company reprogramming biology by writing and delivering big DNA, today announced its launch with $55 million in seed financing. The round was led by KKR and OMX Ventures, with additional participation from ARTIS Ventures and Lansdowne Partners, SALT, DeciBio Ventures, and Axial.

Replays portfolio of next-generation genomic medicine technologies aims to solve the key challenges currently limiting clinical progress, including the need for increased payload capacity and off-the-shelf cell therapies that substantially reduce cost of goods, improve production speed, volume and consistency, and expand the potential for genome engineering.

Replays genomic medicine toolkit comprises several synergistic technology platforms, including:

synHSV - a high payload capacity HSV vector able to deliver up to 30x the payload of AAV. synHSV facilitates the delivery of large genes, genomic genes, multiple genes, and multiple transcriptional activators and repressors, thereby extending the reach of genomic medicine and opening up the possibility of polygenic therapy

uCell - a universal, renewable, off-the-shelf, genomically rewritten, hypoimmunogenic iPSC-derived cell source for regenerative medicine and cell therapy

DropSynth - a genome writing platform enabling rapid, efficient, and low-cost synthesis of libraries of synthetic genes and big DNA

LASR - an evolutionary inference algorithm platform for rewriting proteins to optimize functionality

Story continues

Replays innovative corporate structure separates technology development from therapeutic product development within disease area-specific product companies. Each product company is co-founded by seasoned entrepreneurs in conjunction with global thought leaders in each therapeutic area. To date, Replay has established four synHSV gene therapy product companies, aimed at bringing big DNA therapies to monogenic diseases affecting the skin, eye, brain and muscle, and an enzyme writing product company using LASR and DropSynth to optimize enzyme functionality.

Replay was co-founded by Dr. Adrian Woolfson BM BCh PhD, formerly Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development at Sangamo Therapeutics, Chief Medical Officer at Nouscom, Global Clinical Leader of Early and Late Stage Immuno-Oncology/Hematology at Pfizer and Global Medical Lead in Oncology at Bristol Myers Squibb; Lachlan MacKinnon, a member of the founding team at Oxford Science Enterprises (formerly OSI) and founding investor in Base Genomics, ONI and OMass Therapeutics; Professor David Knipe PhD, a world-renowned virologist and pioneer of HSV research; and Professor Ron Weiss PhD, one of the pioneers of synthetic biology and Professor of Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Adrian Woolfson, Executive Chairman, President, and Co-founder of Replay, commented: Genomic medicine has the potential to transform the future of clinical therapeutics. Over my three decades of experience working in clinical medicine, academia, and the biopharmaceutical industry, it has become clear that we require a more robust and comprehensive toolkit of molecular genetic platform technologies to solve biologys most complex problems and realize its full therapeutic potential. In Replay we have assembled a world-class team of entrepreneurs, subject matter experts, and cutting-edge genomic medicine and synthetic biology technologies into a coherent structure that will enable us to address medicines greatest challenges, including solid tumors and polygenic diseases.

Lachlan MacKinnon, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder of Replay, added: Technology and product development have different talent requirements, timelines, costs and cultures. By separating technology development from product development, we have generated a model to accommodate these differences. Our ability to write and deliver big DNA has the potential to disrupt many areas of genomic medicine. We have the right team, corporate structure, portfolio of technology platforms, and financial backing to build an enduring company that shapes the future of the industry.

Kugan Sathiyanandarajah, Managing Director at KKR and Board Member at Replay, said: Replays mission is to create a world-leading company that develops and owns the tools to reprogram biology by writing and delivering big DNA; we believe these capabilities will unlock the largest untapped opportunity in medicine. Replay has tremendous entrepreneurial experience within the Company, as well as a team of seasoned industry players to guide the development of the platform technologies and product companies to bring new treatments to patients.

Nick Haft, Managing Director at OMX Ventures and Board Observer at Replay, added: Replay has assembled an impressive portfolio of step-change technologies to propel the field of genomic medicine forward. We are excited to support these technologies, Replays creative business model and the excellent team of entrepreneurs and investors that brings it all together.

Errik Anderson, CEO of Alloy Therapeutics and Independent Board Member at Replay, stated: Substantial technological advances in biotechnology often create opportunities for new business models. I am very excited to partner with Replays ambitious founders and investors who have devised a new structure around the significant opportunity space afforded by synHSV, uCell, and Replays related genomic medicine and synthetic biology technologies.

Alongside a highly experienced management team and board, which includes serial entrepreneur Errik Anderson, Replay is supported by a distinguished team of entrepreneurs and international experts including product company co-founders: Professor Joe Glorioso PhD, inventor of Replays synHSV technology and Senior Advisor for Gene Therapy Programs at Replay, Co-founder of Oncorus, and Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh; Mark Blumenkranz, MD, MMS, the HJ Smead Professor of Ophthalmology, Emeritus, at the Stanford School of Medcine, Co-Director of the Stanford Opthalmology Innovation Program, and former Chairman of the Board and Co-founder of Adverum Biotechnologies; Professor Howard Federoff MD PhD, Co-Founder of Brain Neurotherapy Bio, and former CEO of Aspen Neuroscience and Brooklyn Immunotherapeutics; and Professor David Schaffer PhD, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Bioengineering and Neuroscience at University of California, Berkeley, and Co-founder of 4D Molecular Therapeutics.

KKR is investing in Replay through KKR Health Care Strategic Growth Fund II, a $4.0 billion fund focused on investing in high-growth health care companies.

Ends

About Replay

Replay is a genome writing company, which aims to define the future of genomic medicine through reprogramming biology by writing and delivering big DNA. The Company has assembled a toolkit of disruptive platform technologies including a high payload capacity HSV platform, a hypoimmunogenic platform, and a genome writing platform to address the scientific challenges currently limiting clinical progress and preventing genomic medicine from realising its full potential. The Companys hub-and-spoke business model separates technology development within Replay from therapeutic development in product companies, which leverage the technology platforms. For example, Replays synHSV technology, a high payload capacity HSV vector capable of delivering up to 30 times the payload of AAV, is utilized by Replays four gene therapy product companies, bringing big DNA treatments to diseases affecting the skin, eye, brain, and muscle. The Company has, additionally, established an enzyme writing product company engaging its evolutionary inference machine learning and genome writing technology to optimize functionality. Replay is led by a world-class team of academics, entrepreneurs and industry experts.

The Company has raised $55 million in seed financing and is supported by an international syndicate of investors that includes KKR, OMX Ventures, ARTIS Ventures, and Lansdowne Partners.

Replay is headquartered in San Diego, CA and London, UK. For further information please visit http://www.replay.bio and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKRs insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management ofGlobal Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKRs investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information aboutKKR & Co. Inc.(NYSE: KKR), please visit KKRs website atwww.kkr.com and on Twitter.

About OMX Ventures

OMX Ventures is an early stage, tech-bio focused venture capital fund a force multiplier for scientists and innovators pushing the boundaries of whats possible in biology and beyond. Visit OMX Ventures website at OMX.VC and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contacts:

ReplayDr. Adrian Woolfson/Lachlan MacKinnoninfo@replay.bio

Consilium Strategic Communications Media relationsAmber Fennell/Tracy Cheung/Jessica Hodgsonreplay@consilium-comms.com

KKRAlastair Elwen/Sophia JohnstonFinsbury Glover HeringKKR-LON@fgh.com+44 20 7251 3801

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Replay Launches with $55 Million Seed to Reprogram Biology by Writing and Delivering Big DNA - Yahoo Finance

Hemophilia B is a rare genetic condition caused by a lack of blood clotting factor IX (FIX). Since itprevents blood from clotting effectively, the disease leads to uncontrollable bleeding that can be life-threatening. While most people who suffer from the disease inherit the genetic condition from their parents, approximately one-third of cases are brought on by spontaneous gene mutations.

But now, a new gene therapy could be the key tocutting the risk. In a small-scale trial has been conducted over six months, nine out of ten subjects with severe or moderately severe hemophilia responded to a single treatment one round of FLT180a therapy.It led to the continuous hepatic synthesis of the protein, meaning the participants no longer needed regular injections.

Though the treatment is in its early stages and the trial involved very few people,"[w]e're very excited by the results," said Pratima Chowdary, M.D., one of the doctors who developed the treatment. She also believes that curing hemophilia "will be a reality for the majority of the adults in the next one to three years,"according to BBC.

Elliott Mason, who was one of the subjects of the trial, says the treatment has made his life "completely normal," adding, "I've not had any treatment since I had my therapy, it's all a miracle really, well, it's science, but it feels quite miraculous to me."

The current treatment of hemophilia includes getting injections regularly,generally once a week, tomake up for the lack of clotting factor IX.However, even that onerous treatment doesn't always prevent debilitating joint damage.

The new method, on the other hand,delivers several copies of the gene that codes for the clotting factor to liver cells. Rather than requiring the protein from an outside source, it provides the body with the blueprints needed to produce it on its own.So that a single injection of gene treatment could treat the condition for the long term.

Mason also toldBBC that receiving the treatment took about an hour.

The results of the clinical trial have demonstrated that out of the 10 individuals, five patients had normal levels of blood-clotting factors while the other three had elevated levels that were still below normal. Only one of them had excessively high factor IX levels, which caused a blood clot to form.

"Removing the need for hemophilia patients to regularly inject themselves with the missing protein is an important step in improving their quality of life," Chowdary stated in a press release.

"This initial data is promising, but we continue to monitor gene therapy trials closely and cautiously, as with all new treatments," Clive Smith, chairman of the Haemophilia Society told BBC. "If they are shown to be safe and effective, NICE [National Institute for Health and Care Excellence] and the NHS [National Health Service] must work together to make these innovative treatments available."

Though the study offers hope for the treatment of hemophilia B, it's been tested on a very small group of subjects. Importantly, one of the patients suffered from aserious blood clot. Therefore, the next stepis the Phase III trial which is testing the treatment on a wider group of people.

The results of the study have been published in the journalthe New England Journal of Medicine.

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A new gene therapy could pave the way to finally curing hemophilia B - Interesting Engineering

The new report by Expert Market Research titled, Global Non-GMO Seeds Market Report and Forecast 2022-2027, gives an in-depth analysis of the globalnon-GMO seeds market growth, assessing the market based on its segments like natures, forms, seed types, packaging types, and major regions. The report tracks the latest trends in the industry and studies their impact on the overall market. It also assesses the market dynamics, covering the key demand and price indicators, along with analyzing the market based on the SWOT and Porters Five Forces models.

Request a free sample copy in PDF or view the reportsummary@https://bityl.co/CUIX

The key highlights of the report include:

Market Overview (2017-2027)

Farmers are increasingly adopting non-GMO seeds since they can save money while boosting their yields, which is driving the market growth. With the increasing preference for clean and better-produced food goods with non-GMO Project Certified certifications over GMO food products by consumers due to their cost-effectiveness and more sustainable production, the market is growing. The rising popularity of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, along with the increasing health-consciousness, is surging the demand for foods manufactured using organic and non-GMO seeds. Over the forecast period, the popularity of organic food products is expected to expand, which is anticipated to aid the growth of the non-GMO seeds industry.

Industry Definition and Major Segments

Non-GMO seeds, variously known as non-genetically modified seeds, refer to seeds whose DNA are not modified by genetic engineering. They are typically cultivated through natural processes like pollination. They also maintain soil and crop health without utilising fertilisers and pesticides. Moreover, non-GMO seeds are more cost-effective than their genetically modified counterparts, due to which they are extensively adopted in the agricultural industry.

Explore the full report with the table ofcontents@https://bityl.co/CUIW

By nature, the market is divided into:

Based on form, the market is categorised into:

The market, based on seed type, is segmented into:

On the basis of packaging type, the market is divided into:

The regional markets for the product include:

Market Trends

As non-GMO seeds are cost-effective than genetically modified seeds, they are increasingly preferred by farmers, which is bolstering the industry growth. The favourable agriculture economics of non-GMO seeds are surging the demand for their end-use products in the food processing industry, therefore propelling the market growth. With the growing focus on high-yielding crops and seeds to meet the rising food demand for the increasing global population, the demand for non-GMO seeds owing to their high yield is significantly surging. Furthermore, the increasing launches of non-GMO products in the food and beverage industry due to the emerging trend of health and wellness is predicted to propel the market growth in upcoming years.

Key Market Players

The key players in the market are Cargill Inc., BASF SE, Prairie Hybrids, Spectrum Premium Non-GMO, Albert Lea Seed, and Sentinel Seeds, LLC, among others. The report covers the market shares, capacities, plant turnarounds, expansions, investments and mergers and acquisitions, among other latest developments of these market players.

About Us:

Expert Market Research (EMR) is leading market research company with clients across the globe. Through comprehensive data collection and skilful analysis and interpretation of data, the company offers its clients extensive, latest and actionable market intelligence which enables them to make informed and intelligent decisions and strengthen their position in the market. The clientele ranges from Fortune 1000 companies to small and medium scale enterprises.

EMR customises syndicated reports according to clients requirements and expectations. The company is active across over 15 prominent industry domains, including food and beverages, chemicals and materials, technology and media, consumer goods, packaging, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, among others.

Over 3000 EMR consultants and more than 100 analysts work very hard to ensure that clients get only the most updated, relevant, accurate and actionable industry intelligence so that they may formulate informed, effective and intelligent business strategies and ensure their leadership in the market.

Media Contact

Company Name: Claight CorporationContact Person: Louis Wane, Corporate Sales Specialist U.S.A.Email:sales@expertmarketresearch.comToll Free Number:+1-415-325-5166 | +44-702-402-5790Address: 30 North Gould Street, Sheridan, WY 82801, USAWebsite:https://www.expertmarketresearch.com

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Global Non-GMO Seeds Market To Be Driven By Increasing Health Consciousness Among Consumers In The Forecast Period Of 2022-2027 This Is Ardee - This...

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

Damage to the ends of your chromosomes can create zombie cells that are still alive but cant function, according to our recently published study in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.

When cells prepare to divide, their DNA is tightly wound around proteins to form chromosomes that provide structure and support for genetic material. At the ends of these chromosomes are repetitive stretches of DNA called telomeres that form a protective cap to prevent damage to the genetic material. However, telomeres shorten each time a cell divides. This means that as cells divide more and more as you age, your telomeres become increasingly shorter and more likely to lose their ability to protect your DNA.

Damage to genetic material can lead to mutations that cause cells to divide uncontrollably, resulting in cancer. Cells avoid becoming cancerous when their telomeres become too short after dividing too many times and potentially accruing damage along the way, however, by entering a zombielike state that stops cells from dividing through a process called cellular senescence.

Because they are resistant to death, senescent or zombie cells accumulate with age. They can be beneficial to health by promoting senescence in nearby cells at risk of becoming cancerous and attracting immune cells to clear out cancer cells. But they can also contribute to disease by impairing tissue healing and immune function and by secreting chemicals that promote inflammation and tumor growth.

We wanted to know if direct damage to telomeres can be sufficient to trigger senescence and make zombie cells. In order to figure this out, we needed to confine damage just to the telomeres. So we attached a protein to the telomeres of human cells grown in the lab. Then we added a dye to the protein that makes it sensitive to light. Shining a far-red light (or light with a wavelength slightly shorter than infrared light) on the cells induces the protein to produce oxygen free radicals highly reactive molecules that can damage DNA right at the telomeres, sparing the rest of the chromosome and the cell.

We found that direct damage to the telomeres was sufficient to turn cells into zombies, even when these protective caps werent shortened. The reason for this, we discovered, was likely a result of disrupted DNA replication at the telomeres that leaves chromosomes even more susceptible to damage or mutations.

Telomeres naturally shorten with age. They limit how many times a cell can divide by signaling cells to become zombies when they reach a certain length. But an excess of free radicals produced from both normal bodily processes as well as exposure to harmful chemicals like air pollution and tobacco smoke can lead to a condition called oxidative stress that can accelerate telomere shortening. This can prematurely trigger senescence and contribute to age-related diseases, including immunodeficiency, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, and cancer.

Our study reveals that telomeres not only serve as alarm clocks that indicate a cell divided too many times but also as warning bells for harmful levels of oxidative stress. Age-related shortening of telomeres isnt the only thing that triggers senescence; telomere damage is also sufficient to turn a cell into a zombie.

Researchers are studying treatments and interventions that can protect telomeres from damage and prevent zombie cell accumulation. A number of studies in mice have found that removing zombie cells can promote healthy aging by improving cognitive function, muscle mass and function, and recovery from viral infections.

Researchers are also developing drugs called senolytics that can either kill zombie cells or prevent them from developing in the first place.

This study focuses on the consequences of telomere damage in actively dividing cells, like kidney and skin cells. Were now looking at how this damage will play out in cells that dont divide, like neurons or heart muscle cells. While researchers have shown that the telomeres of nondividing cells and tissues become more dysfunctional with age, its unclear why this happens when these telomeres should not be shortening in the first place.

Patricia Opresko, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, and Ryan Barnes, Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Zombie cells fight against cancer as you age here's why researchers want to kill them - Interesting Engineering