Category Archives: Transhuman News

DUBLIN, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Recombinant DNA Technology - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Recombinant DNA Technology estimated at US$609.8 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$841.3 Million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the period 2020-2027.

Medical, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 5.2% CAGR and reach US$631.4 Million by the end of the analysis period. After an early analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Non-Medical segment is readjusted to a revised 3.4% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $179.7 Million, While China is Forecast to Grow at 4.4% CAGR

The Recombinant DNA Technology market in the U.S. is estimated at US$179.7 Million in the year 2020. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$148.5 Million by the year 2027 trailing a CAGR of 4.4% over the analysis period 2020 to 2027. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 4.5% and 3.7% respectively over the 2020-2027 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.9% CAGR.

Select Competitors (Total 32 Featured):

Key Topics Covered:

I. METHODOLOGY

II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. MARKET OVERVIEW

2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS

3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

III. MARKET ANALYSIS

IV. COMPETITION

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

Media Contact:

Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [emailprotected]

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

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

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Insights on the Recombinant DNA Technology Global Market to 2027 - Featuring Amgen, Bamboo Therapeutics and Biocon Among Others - PRNewswire

Spanish graduate student Andrea del Saz Lara has received afour-year grant from the International Olive Council (IOC) for her Ph.D. studies and research for her thesis: Epigenomic consequences of hydroxytyrosol consumption in cardiometabolic diseases.

One of the conditions for being awarded the grant was that you had to research olive oil, del Saz told Olive Oil Times. Honestly, Iwas not aware of all the properties and benefits worthy of the study of this food. We all know that olive oil is good for our health, but we usually dont know why.

Del Sazs research focuses on epigenomics. Epigenomes are chemical compounds and proteins which modify DNA functions. Epigenomic compounds do not alter the underlying DNA sequence but change the way cells respond to the DNAs instructions.

With the scholarship, del Saz will continue her research on epigenomes at the Madrid-based IMDEA Food Institute.

The work they do seems very interesting to me, she said. The field of epigenetics, and more specifically that of microRNAs, is still little researched and offers many possible biomedical applications.

In addition, the area of nutrigenomics and personalized nutrition is currently booming and Ithink that the possibility of preventing certain diseases thanks to some bioactive foods such as olive oil is wonderful and very worthy of further study, she added.

Researchers are currently seeking new ways to promote beneficial epigenomes and suppress harmful ones. Many are looking at one of the worlds oldest health foods: olive oil. Decades of research have demonstrated that the physically obtained fruit juice has arange of health benefits.

At the molecular level, it is amazing how many changes olive oil is capable of inducing, del Saz said. It contains compounds called polyphenols, which are attributed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

One of olive oils most beneficial polyphenols is hydroxytyrosol, which gives olive oil its distinctive flavor and aroma and has demonstrated protective qualities against cardiovascular diseases, cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Cardiometabolic diseases include hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and adiposity (belly fat). In the United States, about 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year one in every four U.S. deaths. People with cardiometabolic diseases are twice as likely to die from coronary heart disease and three times more likely to have aheart attack or stroke.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small pieces of RNA that target genes and interfere with biological processes, play arole in obesity, inflammation, and belly fat development. MiRNAs are involved in fat production and are associated with cell-signaling proteins linked to diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Hydroxytyrosol reduces the production of several harmful miRNAs and lowers concentrations of inflammatory enzymes. Hydroxytyrosol also increases the production of eNOS, an enzyme that regulates blood vessel constriction and clotting and is essential for cardiovascular health.

Del Sazs research will evaluate the biological effects of hydroxytyrosol consumption in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through clinical trials which measure liver function, oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory enzymes. She will also assess the impact hydroxytyrosol has on miRNAs and other epigenomic functions.

The most important thing Ihave learned is that we are what we eat and that we must take care of our diet if we want to maintain our health, she said. Until now, Ihad not been aware of how the nutrients we ingest modify the way our genes are regulated and how this can induce the appearance of some diseases.

Del Saz is agraduate of the University of Castille-La Mancha and received aMasters degree in experimental biomedicine in 2020. With the help of the IOC grant, she will continue conducting her research at the IMDEA Food Institute.

I wanted to continue with my predoctoral studies, but without funding, it was very complicated, del Saz said. I will always remember the day they confirmed that Ihad been awarded the scholarship as one of the happiest days of my life. For me, research is adream.

More here:
Grant Recipient to Study Impacts of Polyphenols on DNA Function - Olive Oil Times

TipRanks

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

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$5.4 Billion Worldwide DNA and Gene Chip Industry to 2027 - Impact of COVID-19 on the Market - Yahoo Finance

2003 was a big year for virologists. The first giant virus was discovered in this year, which shook the virology scene, revising what was thought to be an established understanding of this elusive group and expanding the virus world from simple, small agents to forms that are as complex as some bacteria. Because of their link to disease and the difficulties in defining themthey are biological entities but do not fit comfortably in the existing tree of lifeviruses incite the curiosity of many people.

Scientists have long been interested in how viruses evolved, especially when it comes to giant viruses that can produce new viruses with very little help from the hostin contrast to most small viruses, which utilize the host's machinery to replicate.

Even though giant viruses are not what most people would think of when it comes to viruses, they are actually very common in oceans and other water bodies. They infect single-celled aquatic organisms and have major effects on the latter's population. In fact, Dr. Kiran Kondabagil, molecular virologist at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, suggests, "Because these single-celled organisms greatly influence the carbon turnover in the ocean, the viruses have an important role in our world's ecology. So, it is just as important to study them and their evolution, as it is to study the disease-causing viruses."

In a recent study, the findings of which have been published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, Dr. Kondabagil and co-researcher Dr. Supriya Patil performed a series of analyses on major genes and proteins involved in the DNA replication machinery of Mimivirus, the first group of giant viruses to be identified. They aimed to determine which of two major suggestions regarding Mimivirus evolutionthe reduction and the virus-first hypotheseswere more supported by their results. The reduction hypothesis suggests that the giant viruses emerged from unicellular organisms and shed genes over time; the virus-first hypothesis suggests that they were around before single-celled organisms and gained genes, instead.

Kondabagil and Patil created phylogenetic trees with replication proteins and found that those from Mimivirus were more closely related to eukaryotes than to bacteria or small viruses. Additionally, they used a technique called multidimensional scaling to determine how similar the Mimiviral proteins are. A greater similarity would indicate that the proteins co-evolved, which means that they are linked together in a larger protein complex with coordinated function. And indeed, their findings showed greater similarity. Finally, the researchers showed that genes related to DNA replication are similar to and fall under purifying selection, which is natural selection that removes harmful gene variants, constraining the genes and preventing their sequences from varying. Such a phenomenon typically occurs when the genes are involved in essential functions (like DNA replication) in an organism.

Taken together, these results imply that Mimiviral DNA replication machinery is ancient and evolved over a long period of time. This narrows us down to the reduction hypothesis, which suggests that the DNA replication machinery already existed in a unicellular ancestor, and the giant viruses were formed after getting rid of other structures in the ancestor, leaving only replication-related parts of the genome.

"Our findings are very exciting because they inform how life on earth has evolved," Kondabagil says. "Because these giant viruses probably predate the diversification of the unicellular ancestor into bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, they should have had major influence on the subsequent evolutionary trajectory of eukaryotes, which are their hosts."

In terms of applications beyond this contribution to basic scientific knowledge, Kondabagil feels that their work could lay the groundwork for translational research into technology like genetic engineering and nanotechnology. He says, "An increased understanding of the mechanisms by which viruses copy themselves and self-assemble means we could potentially modify these viruses to replicate genes we want or create nanobots based on how the viruses function. The possibilities are far-reaching!"

- This press release was originally published on the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai's Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre website. It has been edited for style

Link:
Scientists Use DNA to Trace the Origins of Giant Viruses - Lab Manager Magazine

TipRanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Metagenomi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: City of Dearborn

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