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Category Archives: Transhuman News

13 Important Genetic Engineering Pros And Cons – Bio Explorer

Posted: June 3, 2022 at 11:57 am

Over the last century, the field of genetics and biotechnology has greatly developed because of the better understanding of the gene. Because of the improvement of technology, scientists have already gone up until the manipulation of the genome (complete set of genes) of organisms. This process is called genetic engineering. In this article, we will explore 13 important genetic engineering pros and cons.

The sharing of genetic material among living organisms is known to be a natural event. This phenomenon is known to be very evident among bacteria, hence they are called natures own genetic engineer. Such phenomenon is the inspiration of scientists in this endeavor.

In literature, there are in fact many synonyms of the term genetic engineering: genetic modification, genome manipulation, genetic enhancement, and many more. However, this term shall not be confused with cloning because genetic engineering involves the production of new set of genes while the latter only involves the production of the same copies of genes in the organism.

Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating an organisms genome using biotechnology and the products of it are either referred to as genetically modified or transgenic organisms. Check out the disadvantages of genetically modified foods here.

Basically, genetic engineering is done by inserting a gene of interest from sources like bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals into the target organism. As a result, the organism with the inserted gene of interest is now able to carry out the new trait or characteristic.

This technology grants us the ability to overcome barriers, exchange genes among organisms, and produce new organisms with favorable traits.

For a more detailed explanation of the process, check out this video below:

Now we will dive into the pros and cons of Genetic Engineering now.

Supporters of genetic engineering believe that genetic engineering is indeed safe and is still comparable to the traditional process of breeding in plants and animals. Advocates of genetic engineering support the technology primarily because of the following reasons:

On the other hand, there are several types of potential health effects that could arise from the insertion of a novel gene into an organism. Critics disagree with the methods of genetic engineering because of:

Because of the technology used to create genetically modified crops and animals, private companies that produce them do not share their products at a reasonable cost with the public.

In addition, they believe that the process is somewhat disrupting the natural way and complexity of life. In addition to this, critics fear the misuse and abuse of biotechnology.

Indeed, genetic engineering will always have two opposite sides. While the possibilities of what science can create are endless, and the harmful effects also are. At present, it is important to know that the real risks and benefits of genetic engineering lie in how science is interpreted and used.

But theres really no doubt that with the rapid advancements in technology, the creation of GM organisms are also increasing.

What do you think? Are GM organisms slowly becoming the future?

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13 Important Genetic Engineering Pros And Cons - Bio Explorer

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Vazyme Releases 2021 Annual Report: Announces More Efforts in Technology innovation and Together with Partners for a Better Future – PR Newswire

Posted: at 11:57 am

"The year 2022 is still full of opportunities and challenges. We will continue to strengthen care technology based on the protein technology platform. Vazyme has been dedicated to our mission 'Science and Technology Make a Healthier Life'to focus on technology innovation and continuously expand the application fields of care technologies in life science, biomedicine, in vitro diagnostics, animal health and synthetic biology in human health. We have been holding ourselves to pursue the highest standards in quality of products and services for our customers and partners. Our global business network and operations make sure we could be close to the local markets, and more importantly, to do as much it can to meet the unmet customers' needs", said Cao Lin, chairman and founder of Vazyme.

This year also marks the Vazyme's 10th anniversary. Moving forward, the company plans to ramp up efforts in R&D and innovation, continuously upgrade and transform its core technologies, and expand business in new sectors. As one of the few R&D-focused biotech company in China, Vazyme holds a longstanding commitment in technology innovation. Over 2000 papers have been published by Vazyme in top academic journals worldwide, including more than 260 in CNS(stands for Cell, Nature, Science). By 2022, it has some 3000 employees and 27% of that are in the R&D team.

"Looking ahead, we will make further inroads in our key businesses and expand into new domains. I believe the market demand for COVID-19 and other related detection materials and products will continue to be strong. During the pandemic, China has remained one of the largest supplier for COVID-19 detection products."said Cao. In addition to pandemic-induced detection businesses, other regular detection products will be further developed, according to Cao. "When the prevention and control of the pandemic become regular, there will be new demands for detection products. In the future we will focus on the development of that,"added Cao.

Vazyme can not only provide COVID-19 and other related detection materials and products, but only offer various products and solutions in life-science industry for universities, laboratories, and related R&D centers, such as scientific research reagents, NGS Library Prep Kits and molecular diagnostics solutions. Currently, Vazyme has over 200 kinds of genetic engineering recombinases, more than 1,000 kinds of high-performance antigens, monoclonal antibodies, and other key raw materials, in addition to over 600 finished products.

As Vazyme's 10th anniversary slogan "Together for a Better Future", Vazyme aims to get close to its partners for a better future. In the future, Vazyme will provide better products and solutions, contribute to improve R&D efficiency for its partners, realize more scientific breakthroughs and dedicating to the mission "Science and Technology Make a Healthier Life".

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Vazyme Releases 2021 Annual Report: Announces More Efforts in Technology innovation and Together with Partners for a Better Future - PR Newswire

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Insights on the Synthetic Biology Global Market to 2028 – Featuring Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies and New England Biolabs Among…

Posted: at 11:57 am

DUBLIN, June 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --The "Global Synthetic Biology Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Products, Technology, and Application" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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The global synthetic biology market is expected to grow from US$ 10,544.16 million in 2021 to US$ 37,850.85 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 20.0% from 2021 to 2028. The report highlights trends prevailing in the synthetic biology market and factors driving its growth. The increasing investments in synthetic biology and the rising number of start-ups are driving the market growth. However, the renewed regulations for biotechnology hamper the market growth.

Synthetic biology is the science of designing, altering, and building simple organisms to perform specific therapeutic or industrial utilities. The organisms created are genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which do not require a definition that distinguishes them from genetic modifications.

The rising number of start-ups is expected to support market growth during the forecast period. Biotechnology entrepreneurs easily raise funds and procure equipment and space from governments of the respective countries. Indie Bio (California, US) and EU (Ireland) are among the first synthetic biology accelerators. The start-ups are emerging in Asia Pacific, as governments in this region are providing funds for the domestic development of synthetic biology.

For instance, the Government of India funded IITM Bioincubator, a department of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, to start a state-of-the-art research facility for cancer biology and a Bioinformatics Infrastructure Facility. The funds were provided by agencies such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras raised US$ 7.86 million (550 million rupees) in the fiscal year 2016-2017. In China, Chinaccelerator is a financer that provides mentorship programs for helping start-ups. It is also associated with SOSV, a venture capital and investment management firm,, which helps establish start-ups by providing funds under programs such as RebelBio and Indie Bio. The easy availability of funds for ideas is motivating entrepreneurs in the world to establish synthetic biology businesses.

Story continues

Based on product, the synthetic biology market is segmented into oligonucleotides, chassis organisms, enzymes, and xeno-nucleic acid. The oligonucleotides segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market in 2021. Moreover, the same segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR in the market during the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Based on technology, the synthetic biology market is segmented into, gene synthesis, genome engineering, measurement & modeling, cloning & sequencing, nanotechnology, and others. In 2021, the gene synthesis segment is likely to hold the largest share of the market. However, the genome engineering segment is expected to register highest CAGR during 2021 to 2028. The growth of genome engineering segment is owing to the rising applications of genetic engineering and gene therapy.

Further, based on application, the synthetic biology market is segmented into medical applications, industrial applications, environmental applications, food and agriculture, and others. The medical applications segment is further segmented as, drug discovery & therapeutics and pharmaceuticals. In 2021, the medical applications segment held the largest market share, and it is expected to register the highest CAGR during 2021-2028.

Various organic and inorganic strategies are adopted by companies operating in the synthetic biology market. The organic strategies mainly include product launches and product approvals. Inorganic growth strategies witnessed in the market are acquisitions, collaboration, and partnerships. These growth strategies have allowed the synthetic biology market players in expanding their business and enhancing their geographic presence, along with contributing to the overall market growth. Additionally, growth strategies such as acquisitions and partnerships helped them strengthen their customer base and extend their product portfolios.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction

2. Key Takeaways

3. Research Methodology

4. Synthetic Biology Market - Market Landscape4.1 Overview4.2 PEST Analysis4.2.1 North America PEST Analysis4.2.2 Europe PEST Analysis4.2.3 Asia Pacific PEST Analysis4.2.4 Middle East & Africa PEST Analysis4.2.5 South & Central America PEST Analysis4.3 Experts Opinion

5. Synthetic Biology Market - Key Market Dynamics5.1 Market Drivers5.1.1 Increasing Investments in Synthetic Biology5.1.2 Rising Number of Start-Ups5.2 Key Market Restraints5.2.1 Renewed Regulations for Biotechnology5.3 Key Market Opportunities5.3.1 Collaboration Between Companies5.4 Future Trends5.4.1 Advanced Synthetic Biology5.5 Impact Analysis

6. Synthetic Biology Market - Global Analysis6.1 Global Synthetic Biology Market Revenue Forecast and Analysis6.1.1 Global Synthetic Biology Market Revenue Forecast and Analysis6.1.2 Global Synthetic Biology Market - Market Potential Analysis, By Region6.2 Company Analysis6.2.1 Market Positioning of Key Players6.2.2 Comparative Company Analysis6.2.3 Growth Strategy Analysis6.2.4 Performance of Key Players6.2.4.1 Thermo Fisher Scientific6.2.4.2 Twist Bioscience6.2.4.3 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

7. Synthetic Biology Market Analysis - By Product7.1 Overview7.2 Synthetic Biology Market, By Product, 2021 & 2028 (%)7.3 Enzymes7.3.1 Overview7.3.2 Enzyme: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2028 (US$ Million)7.4 Oligonucleotides7.4.1 Overview7.4.2 Oligonucleotide: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2028 (US$ Million)7.5 Chassis Organisms7.5.1 Overview7.5.2 Chassis Organisms: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2028 (US$ Million)7.6 Xeno-Nucleic Acids7.6.1 Overview7.6.2 Xeno-Nucleic Acids: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecasts to 2028 (US$ Million)

8. Synthetic Biology Market Analysis - By Technology8.1 Overview8.2 Synthetic Biology Market Share by Technology - 2021 & 2028 (%)8.3 Gene Synthesis8.3.1 Overview8.3.2 Gene Synthesis: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)8.4 Genome Engineering8.4.1 Overview8.4.2 Genome Engineering: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)8.5 Measurement and Modeling8.5.1 Overview8.5.2 Measurement and Modeling: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)8.6 Cloning and Sequencing8.6.1 Overview8.6.2 Cloning and Sequencing: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)8.7 Nanotechnology8.7.1 Overview8.7.2 Nanotechnology: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)8.8 Others8.8.1 Overview8.8.2 Others: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

9. Synthetic Biology Market Analysis - By Application9.1 Overview9.2 Synthetic Biology Market Share by Application - 2021 & 2028 (%)9.3 Medical Applications9.3.1 Overview9.3.2 Medical Applications: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.3.2.1 Drug Discovery and Therapeutics9.3.2.1.1 Overview9.3.2.1.2 Drug Discovery and Therapeutics: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.3.2.2 Pharmaceuticals9.3.2.2.1 Overview9.3.2.2.2 Pharmaceuticals: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.4 Industrial Applications9.4.1 Overview9.4.2 Industrial Applications: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.5 Food & Agriculture9.5.1 Overview9.5.2 Food & Agriculture: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.6 Environmental Applications9.6.1 Overview9.6.2 Environmental Applications: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)9.7 Others9.7.1 Overview9.7.2 Others: Synthetic Biology Market Revenue and Forecast to 2028 (US$ Million)

10. Global Synthetic Biology Market - Geographic Analysis

11. Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic on Synthetic Biology Market11.1 North America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic11.2 Europe: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic11.3 Asia-Pacific: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic11.4 Middle East and Africa: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic11.5 South and Central America: Impact Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic12. Synthetic Biology Market - Industry Landscape12.1 Overview12.2 Growth Strategies in the Synthetic Biology Market (%)12.3 Organic Developments12.3.1 Overview12.4 Inorganic Developments12.4.1 Overview

13. Company Profiles13.1 THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC INC.13.1.1 Key Facts13.1.2 Business Description13.1.3 Products13.1.4 Financial Overview13.1.5 SWOT Analysis13.1.6 Key Developments13.2 Agilent Technologies, Inc.13.2.1 Key Facts13.2.2 Business Description13.2.3 Products and Services13.2.4 Financial Overview13.2.5 SWOT Analysis13.2.6 Key Developments13.3 MERCK KGaA13.3.1 Key Facts13.3.2 Business Description13.3.3 Products and Services13.3.4 Financial Overview13.3.5 SWOT Analysis13.3.6 Key Developments13.4 New England Biolabs13.4.1 Key Facts13.4.2 Business Description13.4.3 Products and Services13.4.4 Financial Overview13.4.5 SWOT Analysis13.4.6 Key Developments13.5 Integrated DNA Technologies13.5.1 Key Facts13.5.2 Business Description13.5.3 Products and Services13.5.4 Financial Overview13.5.5 SWOT Analysis13.5.6 Key Developments13.6 Twist Bioscience13.6.1 Key Facts13.6.2 Business Description13.6.3 Products and Services13.6.4 Financial Overview13.6.5 SWOT Analysis13.6.6 Key Developments13.7 GenScript Biotech Corporation13.7.1 Key Facts13.7.2 Business Description13.7.3 Products and Services13.7.4 Financial Overview13.7.5 SWOT Analysis13.7.6 Key Developments13.8 Novozymes A/S13.8.1 Key Facts13.8.2 Business Description13.8.3 Products and Services13.8.4 Financial Overview13.8.5 SWOT Analysis13.8.6 Key Developments13.9 Codexis13.9.1 Key Facts13.9.2 Business Description13.9.3 Products and Services13.9.4 Financial Overview13.9.5 SWOT Analysis13.9.6 Key Developments13.10 Amyris Inc.13.10.1 Key Facts13.10.2 Business Description13.10.3 Products and Services13.10.4 Financial Overview13.10.5 SWOT Analysis13.10.6 Key Developments

14. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/otcjef

Media Contact:

Research and MarketsLaura Wood, Senior Managerpress@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Insights on the Synthetic Biology Global Market to 2028 - Featuring Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies and New England Biolabs Among...

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Visualizing The 50 Biggest Data Breaches From 20042021 – Visual Capitalist

Posted: at 11:57 am

How Synthetic Biology Could Change Life as we Know it

Synthetic biology (synbio) is a field of science that redesigns organisms in an effort to enhance and support human life. According to one projection, this rapidly growing field of science is expected to reach $28.8 billion in global revenue by 2026.

Although it has the potential to transform many aspects of society, things could go horribly wrong if synbio is used for malicious or unethical reasons. This infographic explores the opportunities and potential risks that this budding field of science has to offer.

Weve covered the basics of synbio in previous work, but as a refresher, heres a quick explanation of what synbio is and how it works.

Synbio is an area of scientific research that involves editing and redesigning different biological components and systems in various organisms.

Its like genetic engineering but done at a more granular levelwhile genetic engineering transfers ready-made genetic material between organisms, synbio can build new genetic material from scratch.

This field of science has a plethora of real-world applications that could transform our everyday lives. A study by McKinsey found over 400 potential uses for synbio, which were broken down into four main categories:

If those potential uses become reality in the coming years, they could have a direct economic impact of up to $3.6 trillion per year by 2030-2040.

The medical and health sector is predicted to be significantly influenced by synbio, with an economic impact of up to $1.3 trillion each year by 2030-2040.

Synbio has a wide range of medical applications. For instance, it can be used to manipulate biological pathways in yeast to produce an anti-malaria treatment.

It could also enhance gene therapy. Using synbio techniques, the British biotech company Touchlight Genetics is working on a way to build synthetic DNA without the use of bacteria, which would be a game-changer for the field of gene therapy.

Synbio has the potential to make a big splash in the agricultural sector as wellup to $1.2 trillion per year by as early as 2030.

One example of this is synbios role in cellular agriculture, which is when meat is created from cells directly. The cost of creating lab-grown meat has decreased significantly in recent years, and because of this, various startups around the world are beginning to develop a variety of cell-based meat products.

Using synthetic biology, products could be tailored to suit an individuals unique needs. This would be useful in fields such as genetic ancestry testing, gene therapy, and age-related skin procedures.

By 2030-2040, synthetic biology could have an economic impact on consumer products and services to the tune of up to $800 billion per year.

Synbio could also be used to boost efficiency in clean energy and biofuel production. For instance, microalgae are currently being reprogrammed to produce clean energy in an economically feasible way.

This, along with other material and energy improvements through synbio methods, could have a direct economic impact of up to $300 billion each year.

While the potential economic and societal benefits of synthetic biology are vast, there are a number of risks to be aware of as well:

According to a group of scientists at the University of Edinburgh, communication between the public, synthetic biologists, and political decision-makers is crucial so that these societal and environmental risks can be mitigated.

Despite the risks involved, innovation in synbio is happening at a rapid pace.

By 2030, most people will have likely eaten, worn, or been treated by a product created by synthetic biology, according to synthetic biologist Christopher A. Voigt.

Our choices today will dictate the future of synbio, and how we navigate through this space will have a massive impact on our futurefor better, or for worse.

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Mary Kay Inc. Finds Hope Through Super Reefs in Mission to Save Our Oceans – Business Wire

Posted: at 11:57 am

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 25 percent of all marine species are supported by coral reefs. They provide for the lives and livelihoods of people throughout the world, yet their future is uncertain. Mary Kay, a global sustainability advocate, celebrates World Reef Day by supporting coral reef protection and restoration initiatives, including the Nature Conservancys Super Reefs project.

Coral reefs are magnificent structures with contributions to oceans that are unmatched. They not only provide food and habitats for many species, but they are living ramparts that actively protect our coastlines from waves and wave energy. Healthy reefs can reduce wave energy by up to 97%. Thus, they serve as living breakwaters, protecting tens of thousands of kilometers of coastline from seasonal flooding and erosion.

Despite their importance to our ecosystem, reefs are being degraded due to pollution, destructive fishing practices, and climate change. Rising ocean temperatures threaten their existence and make extinction a real possibility.

The window of opportunity to save the worlds coral reefs is closing, said Dr. Lizzie Mcleod, Global Reef Systems Lead at The Nature Conservancy. We must act now to save these vital habitats.

Hope is here. Super Reefs are resilient and can survive the warmer ocean waters because of their ability to adapt to higher temperatures. Some of these resilient reefs are also naturally located in areas protected from heat. Their potential to survive climate change gives hope for the future, especially in Asia Pacific where tropical waters are filled with at least 500 species of reef-building corals. The Nature Conservancys Super Reef team unites experts in ocean science and conservation to grow a global network of super reefs through genetic engineering, reef restoration, and coral farming.

Coral reefs can still be saved, but real action must take place to ensure their survival. The first step is to identify and protect Super Reefs. Once protected, they can breed strong larvae and create a new generation of resilient corals. With the continuing work and support of Mary Kay, coral reefs still have a chance.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our worlds toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 79 countries and territories, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit http://www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty company in 1963 with one goal: enriching womens lives. That dream has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar company with millions of independent sales force members in nearly 40 countries. As an entrepreneurship development company, Mary Kay is committed to empowering women on their journey through education, mentorship, advocacy, networking, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in enriching lives today for a sustainable tomorrow, partnering with organizations from around the world focusing on promoting business excellence, supporting cancer research, advancing gender equality, protecting survivors from domestic abuse, beautifying our communities, and encouraging children to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

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Elon Musk Feels Humans Are Underrated As Tesla Criticized For Using Too Many Robots Instead Of ‘Real People’ – Digital Information World

Posted: at 11:57 am

We bet youre quite familiar with the phenomenon of robots taking over the world. And we surely wont be surprised to see that happening too soon, considering the fast-paced digital world that were all accustomed to.

As it is, artificial intelligence is ruling todays world, and as more and more research uncovers the great benefits of this ordeal, theres bound to be a lot of change taking place by 2025.

But the real question on our minds is how much is too much? Do we really want a world that replaces humans altogether? Are we ready to say hello to all things automated?

On one end of the spectrum, weve got no questions being asked in terms of artificial intelligence replicating the human mind and body in terms of labor. Yes, its a great development and we dont mind seeing automation taking command of some of the worlds most difficult and dangerous jobs.

Similarly, so many processes are getting simplified and that enhances a users experience in general. Be it data processing or even intricate execution, your algorithms are your strength and when a firm is nailing that aspect, there are no complaints.

As mentioned by one leading research by Tradeshift, machines are excelling at their game and in the end, theyll be the ones providing great solutions for mankind.

But with the positives come the negative and while technology can be great, programming a robot to perform a skill can be a daunting task. And you certainly cant expect any human to get the job done right because there is very little room to work with.

Imagine a world where humans train robots and robots perform tasks for the betterment of humans- what a unique world indeed.

The news comes as were being made aware of how Elon Musks Tesla failed to meet its yearly target for production. And thats when we saw the CEO come forward and admit that there was one robot too many in the firm, despite the fact that everything is super technical.

But Musk conveniently shifted the blame to robots in general, adding how everything was super automated in his company. Thankfully, the billionaire says its a mistake that he acknowledges and now his Tesla Model 3 is suffering. This was closely followed by another statement on Twitter where he revealed that humans were underrated and definitely deserved so much more credit than theyre given,

He also felt that is the edge that gives his organization an upper hand against other rivals in the market. But that again makes any sane person wonder how the underproduction of Tesla model 3 was due to robots, despite them being so efficient.

Look, we believe that no matter how hard and well you train your robots, theyll never be as efficient as humans and their hard and soft skills. After all, not everyone has the ability to implement the world of AI with great success.

Those that believed they could solely rely on AI in the past have failed with their project designs miserably and if thats not a wake-up call, then were not quite sure what is.

In general, we feel that if robots dont have humans in the workplace, they just might end up merging with them to establish a new form of a human in augmented shape.

Today, humans are being enhanced via plastic surgery to look a certain way or behave in a certain manner, thanks to the world of drugs that empower humans' skills and their performance in general.

Soon, were going to be seeing humans connecting their minds to different networks performing online. Were also going to be seeing genetic engineering take a new turn while bioprinting in 3D is another aspect worth the glance.

But how ethical is human enhancement? Are we okay with brain chips being implemented into our minds? Clearly, we dont think its normal because youre de-tracking the mind from doing something that they were planning to do.

Meanwhile, were also hearing science experts say we wont be having any decision-making power soon as everything will lie in the hands of robots. For now, we just hope AI is used for the betterment of society and not the exact opposite.

Theres nothing worse than knowing youve been fired because a robot was better than you, had more skills than you, or if the robot felt you just were not fit for the job.

We might be getting too far ahead of ourselves with this debate and for now, were just hoping Musk and others start to value humans before its too late.

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Elon Musk Feels Humans Are Underrated As Tesla Criticized For Using Too Many Robots Instead Of 'Real People' - Digital Information World

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Phenotypic characterization and analysis of complete genomes of two distinct strains of the proposed species L. swaminathanii | Scientific Reports -…

Posted: June 1, 2022 at 8:20 pm

Since 2010, there have been multiple new species added to the Listeria genus, many originally isolated from natural environments16. This paper describes the genotypic and phenotypic characterization of two new Listeria isolates obtained from soil samples collected in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the North Carolina-Tennessee border17. Evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of L. swaminathanii strains will aid in the characterization of this novel species and contribute to our knowledge of the diversity of Listeria spp. Here, we describe the newly isolated strains, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024, and compare with the L. swaminathanii type strain (FSL L7-0020T) and other Listeria spp.

Both genomes were able to be assembled into complete closed genomes (contiguous sequences that comprise the entire genome). The genome of UTK C1-0015 consists of a 2.78Mb chromosome and 55Kb plasmid (total genome length of 2.84Mb) with a G+C content of 38.7%; UTK C1-0024 consists of a 2.95Mb chromosome with a G+C content of 38.6% (Table 1), which is consistent with FSL L7-0020T. Of the validly published type strains, the two isolates showed highest similarity to L. marthii (94.094.1%) (Fig.1); however, they were most closely related to L. swaminathanii FSL L7-0020T, with 98.798.8% ANI, indicating that they belong to the same species. Examination of the chromosomal alignment of the two isolates and the type strain shows that, overall, there is a high level of conservation across the entire chromosome, with no large rearrangements or deletions (Fig.2). However, there are some loci throughout that are present or absent in only one of the isolates.

ANI Similarity Dendrogram. Average nucleotide Identity (ANI) dendrogram of the recently isolated L. swaminathanii strains (bold), along with all described Listeria spp. type strains and representative from each of the L. monocytogenes lineages (indicated in parentheses). Horizontal distance represents ANI similarity (%) and vertical dashed lines indicate ANI values of 96 (yellow), 95 (orange), and 94% (red).

Chromosomal alignment of FSL L7-0020T, UTK C1-0024, and UTK C1-0015. Alignment shows three horizontal panels, one per strain. The colored portions inside each panel represents sequence similarity, with height corresponding to average conservation at that location. Regions that are conserved among all genomes are purple. Regions that are conserved among only two of the genomes are red (FSL L7-0020T and UTK C1-0024), green (FSL L7-0020T and UTK C1-0015), or yellow (UTK C1-0024 and UTK C1-0015). Regions without coloring were not aligned and likely contain loci that are present in only a single genome.

Both genomes contained the following antibiotic resistance genes: fosX, lin, norB, and sul. Virulence-associated genes involved with adherence (dltA, fbpA, lap, lapB, pdeE), bile-resistance (bsh, mdrM), immune modulation (lntA), intracellular survival (lplA1, oppA, pdeE, prsA2, purQ, svpA), invasion (iap, lpeA, pdeE), peptidoglycan modification (oatA, pdgA), regulation of transcription and translation (agrAC, cheAY, codY, fur, lisKR, stp, virRS), surface protein anchoring (lgt, lspA, srtAB), and teichoic acid biosynthesis (gltB, gtcA) were identified in both genomes, along with internalins inlGHJK, inlC2, and inlD (Supplementary Table S1). Genes associated with Listeria pathogenicity island LIPI-3 (llsABDGPXY) were only found in UTK C1-0024 (Supplementary Fig. S1), as well as gltA (teichoic acid biosynthesis). The internalin genes inlA and inlB and genes associated with Listeria pathogenicity islands LIPI-1, LIPI-2, or LIPI-4 were not detected in either.

A 56Kb plasmid was identified in UTK C1-0015. The plasmid has an Illumina read depth of 2.2 the overall median depth, indicating a copy number of two. The plasmid found in UTK C1-0015 shows a high similarity (86.03% nucleotide identity) to pLMIV from L. monocytogenes strain FSL J1-020846,47. However, pLMIV is approximately 21Kb longer than the plasmid found in UTK C1-0015; this is due to the presence of a region encoding four complete internalins and one internalin-like protein in pLMIV, this region is absent in the plasmid in UTK C1-0015 (Fig.3). Both plasmids are also similar to the plasmid in L. monocytogenes FSL J1-0158. Both FSL J1-0208 and FSL J1-0158 were originally isolated from clinical caprine sources46. Most genes in the plasmid found in UTK C1-0015 seem to encode proteins predicted to be involved in plasmid maintenance and conjugation46, with only a few putative cargo genes, most which are of unknown function and one encoding a DNA-methyltransferase.

Comparison of plasmid found in UTK C1-0015 to plasmids from FSL J1-020 and FSL J1-158. Comparison of the plasmids found in UTK C1-0015, FSL J1-020, and FSL J1-158, using pLMIV from J1-208 as the reference. The innermost black ring represents pLMIV. The middle rings represent FSL J1-158 (teal) and UTK C1-0015 (purple), with BLAST identity indicated by shading (see legend). The outermost ring contains gene annotations from pLMIV that are colored by functional category: green (plasmid replication and conjugation), red (internalins or internalin-related), blue (transposases or integrases), gray (hypothetical proteins), and black (other).

PHASTER and PhageBoost were used to predict prophage sequences in the genomes. The genome UTK C1-0024 was predicted to house a prophage integrated near a tRNA-Lys gene. Blastn results show the prophage from UTK C1-0024 has an 88.58% identity to Listeria phage A500 with 60% coverage. Prophages and other mobile genetic elements can contribute to genome diversity and have been used to distinguish epidemic clones of L. monocytogenes48,49,50. Strain UTK C1-0015 was predicted to house a partial monocin locus of eight open reading frames 51,52; structural genes such as those that code for the tail tape measure protein or tail fibers were absent from the locus. The monocin locus from strain UTK C1-0015 shares a 99.405% identity to the monocin locus from FSL L7-0020T (GCF_014229645.1). The UTK C1-0024 genome was predicted to house the full monocin locus of 18 open reading frames, similar to the monocin in L. monocytogenes strain 10403S (Fig.4). Blastp queries using the monocin locus from UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 return hits to L. marthii, L. cossartiae, L. innocua, L. farberi, and L. monocytogenes strains with 100% coverage and >89.90% identity, suggesting this is fairly dispersed across the sensu stricto clade of Listeria. Monocins are bacteriocins produced by the host that may be significant in establishing dominant strains in ecological niches, as they target closely related species, but remain inactive against the producing strain53.

Nucleotide similarity of monocin regions. BLAST comparisons of monocin regions from L. monocytogenes 10403S, UTK C1-0015, UTK C1-0024, and the L. swaminathanii type strain FSL L7-0020T. Genes are represented by green arrows. The shaded regions represent nucleotide similarity (see scale at bottom right).

Listeria spp. grow at a wide range of temperatures from 0 to 45C7,8,14,16 and can survive at temperatures below freezing (7C)54. In the current study, we performed growth assessments at 4, 7, 22, 30, 37, and 41C. These temperatures were chosen to encompass the known growth temperature range, with 4 and 7C specifically included because some species are unable to grow well at low temperatures (<7C) 4. Strain UTK C1-0015 exhibited growth at all temperatures tested and strain UTK C1-0024 exhibited growth at all termperatures except 41 C (Supplementary Table S2). After 24h of incubation, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 showed optimal growth at 30C (9.2 and 9.4 log10 CFU/mL), followed by at 37C (8.9 and 9.0 log10 CFU/mL). At 41C, UTK C1-0024 was enumerated daily for up to five days and no growth was observed, which is dissimilar to both UTK C1-0015 and FSL L7-0020T. At 4C, the concentration increases of UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 after 11 d (6.4 and 6.8 log10 CFU/mL, respectively) were higher than the increases seen in FSL L7-0020T (4.1 log10 CFU/mL)16.

Listeria spp. are Gram-positive rods7; this was confirmed for UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024. Both isolates were observed to grow under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 30C after 24h; this is another expected result, as Listeria spp. are facultative aerobes7. Both strains were oxidase negative (Supplementary Table S3), as expected7, indicating a lack of cytochrome c oxidase. Additionally, both were catalase positive, indicating they produce the catalase enzyme that converts hydrogen peroxide into oxygen gas and water; however, FSL L7-0020T is catalase negative16, a phenotype that has only been described in one other Listeria spp. (L. costaricensis)55. When kat gene from the reference, two isolates, and the type strain are aligned, there are nucleotide differences at 158 positions. 16 of the nucleotide differences differ between the type strain and one or both of the isolates. Four of those result in amino acid differences, with two between the type strain and both isolates. At amino acid position 72, the type strain has glutamic acid (polar, acidic) and the two isolates have lysine (polar, basic), a radical substitution. At amino acid position 92, the type strain has histidine and the other two arginine (both polar, basic), a conservative substitution. These amino acid differences may have an effect on the structure and function of the resulting protein, leading to the catalase-negative phenotype of FSL L7-0020T.

On MOX agar, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 colonies were typical for Listeria spp.: gray to black colonies with sunken centers and black halos, indicating esculin hydrolysis. On Listeria CHROMagar, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 were typical for Listeria spp.: blue colonies (indicating -glucosiadase enzyme activity), but lacking opaque white halos typical for L. monocytogenes and L. ivanovii (indicating no phosphoatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C [PI-PLC] activity) (Supplementary Table S3).

API test kits were used to characterize metabolic function of UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024.

The Listeria API kit is designed for species-level identification Listeria spp. based on enzymatic tests and sugar fermentations. For this test, both strains generated a code of 6110 (Supplementary Table S3), consistent with FSL L7-0020T 16 and indicates an 80% (t-value of 0.62) ID to L. monocytogenes according to the APIweb database. The control strains, L. monocytogenes 10403S and L. innocua ATCC 33090, generated the expected codes of 6510 and 7510, respectively.

The API 20 E kit is designed for identification of Enterobacteriaceae and other non-fastidious Gram-negative rods; however, this kit contains tests that can be used for genus-level identification of Listeria spp. and has been used previously in the characterization of novel Listeria spp.10,16. For this test, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 were positive for acetoin production (Voges Proskauer) and D-glucose and amygdalin fermentation, which is consistent with L. monocytogenes 10403S, L. innocua ATCC 33090, and FSL L7-0020T 16 (Supplementary Table S3). UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 were negative for all other tests, including indole, urease, and H2S production 16. All API 20 E results were consistent with FSL L7-0020T 16. Nitrogen reduction was evaluated using both the API 20E kits and nitrogen broth; both strains were negative.

The API 50 CH kit is designed for the study of carbohydrate and carbohydrate-derivative metabolism and API 50 CHB/E medium is designed for use with Bacillus and related genera, Enterobacteriaceae, and Vibrionaceae. Results for this test were consistent between UTK C1-0015, UTK C1-0024 and FSL L7-0020T (Supplementary Table S3), with four differences. UTK C1-0015 yielded a negative result for D-lactose, a result that differs from UTK C1-0024, FSL L7-0020T, and most sensu stricto Listeria species16. Both strains tested negative for glycerol and starch (amidon); this differed from the type strain16, which is positive for both. UTK C1-0024 was positive for d-trehalose fermentation, while UTK C1-0015 and the type strain were negative. Examination of the genomes shows that a locus containing three genes associated with trehalose fermentation (treR, treC, and treP) is present in UTK C1-0024, but absent in the two other genomes. In L. monocytogenes, trehalose has been shown to increase biofilm formation56. The API 50CH test is a qualitative test and interpretation of results can vary, which is one major limitation of qualitative tests.

The complete lysis of red blood cells, hemolysis, is associated with pathogenicity in Listeria spp.7 On SBA, UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 were non-hemolytic, which is consistent with the non-hemolytic FSL L7-0020T 16 and the negative control L. innocua ATCC 33090. hemolysis is typically only observed in L. monocytogenes, L. ivanovii, and L. seeligeri7,45.

When observed microscopically, both UTK C1-0015 and UTK C1-0024 appeared motile at 25C and nonmotile at 37C (Supplementary Table S3). Motility at 25C was confirmed with MTM tubes; both strains were clearly motile after 5days of incubation as evidenced by an umbrella-shaped growth pattern, characteristic of motile Listeria spp. These results were consistent with FSL L7-0020T 16 and other sensu stricto species, with the exception of L. immobilis (non-motile at 25C10). In L. monocytogenes, motility genes like flagellin are expressed at lower temperatures like 25C, but become restricted at 37C57.

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Phenotypic characterization and analysis of complete genomes of two distinct strains of the proposed species L. swaminathanii | Scientific Reports -...

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BioSkryb Genomics Launches ResolveOME Early Access Program for Full Genome and Transcriptome Amplification From a Single Cell, in Conjunction With Its…

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DURHAM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioSkryb Genomics, a biotech company developing advanced single-cell analysis tools, today announced the launch of the Early Access Program (EAP) for ResolveOME, a unified, single-cell workflow that amplifies the complete genome and full-length mRNA transcripts of the entire transcriptome from the same cell. This unification eliminated the need to split source material or interpret across datasets. Companies and researchers will have the opportunity to apply for the EAP at the upcoming Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) 2022 General Meeting taking place June 6-9 in Orlando. The EAP will provide first access to BioSkrybs ResolveOME technology and BaseJumper, a bioinformatics platform to sort, analyze, and interpret very large single-cell analysis data sets.

The ability to deeply understand the factors influencing cell heterogeneity is key to unlocking insights into disease and developing new drugs and diagnostics, said Jay A.A. West, PhD, CEO and Cofounder of BioSkryb. We developed ResolveOME to deliver multiple tiers of dynamic molecular information to drive novel biological insights and deliver a more complete understanding of the relationship between genotype to phenotype.

BioSkryb recently released data demonstrating the use of ResolveOME to explore genetic drivers of tumor heterogeneity and treatment resistance. Employing even a relatively small number of individual cells ResolveOME has elucidated biomarkers of cellular variability in both the genome and transcriptome. The study highlights that both the genome and transcriptome are dynamic and plastic within individual cells, leading to a set of combinatorial alterations that affect cellular evolution. ResolveOME enables the unification of broad genomic and transcriptomic data from the same cell, driving a new understanding of the mechanisms of cellular function and differentiation.

While we are thrilled with the performance of the ResolveOME chemistry system, what continues to surprise us is the incredible plasticity of the genome, compared to the transcriptome. In addition, using full-length mRNA transcriptional profiles from the same cells, we are able to discern the biological impact, or penetrance, of these genome modifications. Discovering genomic variation in the absence of information about transcriptional consequence of that plasticity or, conversely, a transcriptional signature without understanding underlying genomic contributions, hinders the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease, explained Dr. West. ResolveOME provides a previously unattainable expansion of data capture and resolution, providing insights into tumor phenotype, immune evasion, and drug resistance which we expect will transform cancer drug discovery and development.

BioSkrybs ResolveOME and ResolveDNA products incorporate proprietary primary template-directed amplification (PTA) technology, which was created to address the inherent challenges of single-cell genomics by producing high-quality gene sequencing data. PTA technology employs controlled reaction parameters to uniformly amplify >95% of the genomes of single cells and low-input samples with high precision and sensitivity, resulting in the highest quality analyses available today for any single-cell genomic applications.

In addition to being the first to access ResolveOME, EAP partners will be enabled to leverage BaseJumper, which links a cells identity and genotype to identify and interpret molecular variability, said Gary Harton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of BioSkryb. While both ResolveDNA and Resolve provide an order of magnitude of improvement in sensitivity over conventional bulk sequencing methods, BaseJumper provides the ability to visualize the data in an intuitive layout which accelerates discoveries from single-cell genomics.

During AGBT 2022, BioSkryb scientific experts will be available in the Manatee Suite, located on the lower level of Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. A limited number of private BaseJumper demonstrations are available and can be reserved by emailing info@bioskryb.com.

About BioSkryb Genomics

BioSkryb Genomics is a venture-backed developer of genomic amplification technologies. BioSkryb develops single-cell whole genome amplification tools to study genomic heterogeneity aiding researchers and companies in the discovery of novel insights into human disease at the cellular level. BioSkryb is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.bioskryb.com.

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New genome project to improve UAE agriculture and food – The National

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A plan to develop plant varieties and animal breeds that are better suited to the UAEs environmental conditions has been unveiled by Abu Dhabi's government.

The Abu Dhabi Agricultural Genome Programme will involve scientific research centres carrying out work to create the new varieties and breeds.

It will also see the setting up of a database of genetic resources and a store of actual material, an approach that, elsewhere, has often resulted in the creation of seed banks.

The initiative has been launched by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety (ADAFSA) and is part of the authoritys 2022 to 2025 strategic plan to enhance food security.

As well as enhancing food security a key aim in a country that is a net importer of food officials also want agriculture to make an increased contribution to Abu Dhabi emirates GDP.

In a statement, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said the programme would improve agricultural production and meet the challenges of the emirates climatic and environmental conditions.

The plant varieties and fish and animal breeds developed through the programme will be particularly suited to the UAEs climate, which is characterised by high temperatures, low rainfall and, in some cases, high salinity levels in soil.

In line with this, ADAFSA said in the statement that tolerance of drought and high salinity would be a key aim of breeding programmes.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, pictured with now President Sheikh Mohamed earlier this year, said the genome will better equip the country for future food production. Photo: Twitter

An additional aim is to develop plants, fish and farm animals that are resistant to disease. Better disease resistance, which has for many decades been a priority of, in particular, plant-breeding programmes around the world, can improve yields and reduce the cost of production.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and ADAFSAs chairman, said the programme would help to train Emiratis in agricultural genetic research. Sheikh Mansour said the initiative was part of the UAEs move towards global leadership in food security.

Also as part of its efforts to improve the supply of locally grown food, last month ADAFSA awarded two contracts, worth Dh310 million in total, for the creation of a hydroponic farm in the Abu Dhabi region and a conventional farm in Al Ain.

Hydroponic farms, which have previously been set up in the UAE and neighbouring countries including Saudi Arabia, involve growing crops in nutrient solutions instead of soil. While often energy intensive, the approach reduces water consumption.

Updated: June 01, 2022, 7:06 PM

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MGI Tech, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center Partner on Genomic Research – GenomeWeb

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NEW YORK MGI Tech and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) said on Tuesday that they have signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic collaboration in the areas of genomic science and biotechnology.

Financial and other terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.

The partnership will leverage BGI affiliate MGIs DNBSeq technology to improve KAIMRCs genome sequencing capacity and data quality across a wide range of applications, including human genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing, infectious disease research, and microbial organism research, such as COVID-19 monitoring and epidemiology.

The partners also envision establishing a high-throughput sequencing center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based KAIMRC, which will house MGIs sequencing platforms, laboratory automation, and bioinformatics products. MGI, based in Shenzhen, China, will also join forces with KAIMRC for business development, marketing, public communications, and genomics education.

MGI is an invaluable strategic partner in our journey towards establishing state-of-the-art genomic sequencing capabilities in Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Alaskar, executive director of KAIMRC, said in a statement. Precision medicine is the future of healthcare, and this partnership paves the way for new and innovative approaches in this field.

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