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Cure Genetics Collaborates with Boehringer Ingelheim to Develop Novel AAV Vectors Enabling the Next-generation Liver-targeted Gene Therapy -…

January 20, 2021 medical

SUZHOU, China, Jan. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure Genetics announced a collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop novel Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectorsleveraging Cure Genetics' proprietary VELPTM platform to develop next-generation gene therapies. This new collaboration combines Boehringer Ingelheim's experience in disease biology and gene therapy development with Cure Genetics' AAV expertise in library construction and highly efficient in vivo AAV screening. The aim is to provide potential new AAV serotypes for patients.

The clinical applications of existing AAV serotypes are limited by some of their features, such as low transduction efficiency, low tissue specificity and immunogenicity. Therefore, finding new AAV serotypes to overcome these challenges becomes critical for the majority, if not all, AAV-based gene therapies.

Comparing to other traditional vector engineering technologies, Cure Genetics' proprietary VELPTM platform encompasses key methodical innovations, including a comprehensive strategy of engineering a plasmid library with high complexity and an effective ratio. the optimized AAV production protocol ensures high genome-capsid correspondence and world-class production capacity, and the most physiologically relevant models for vector selection and validation. It enables a significantly shorter process to find the "right" AAV vectors with almost all possibility effectively covered.

Boehringer Ingelheim aspires to develop the next generation of medical breakthroughs and gene therapy is one of the focuses under exploration by the team of Research Beyond Borders. The advanced VELPTM technology platform may provide effective solutions in increasing the efficiency of novel AAV screening and help further expand our efforts in the area of gene therapy development.

"This is the very first time that a global pharmaceutical group is collaborating with a Chinese biotech in the cutting-edge field of AAV vector engineering. We appreciate the recognition of Boehringer Ingelheim's recognition of our VELPTM platform. Novel AAV vectors enlarging the therapeutic window is key to unfolding the potential of gene therapy, which is also Cure Genetics' innovative focus . We believe, together with visionary partners like Boehringer Ingelheim, the quality of life for more patients in need can be improved by next-generation gene therapy." stated Dr. Qiushi Li, Cure Genetics' Chief Operating Officer.

The collaboration with Cure Genetics was initiated by Boehringer Ingelheim China External Innovation Hub. It consists of three business units: Research Beyond Borders, Business Development and Licensing, and Venture Fund. The hub is committed to becoming the preferred partner of China's biopharmaceutical industry and bringing more Chinese innovative partnership projects to enrich Boehringer Ingelheim's global R&D pipeline, thereby ultimately benefiting more patients. So far, Boehringer Ingelheim China External Innovation Hub has established various partnerships with reputable research institutions and biotech companies in China.

About Cure Genetics

Cure Genetics is a biotech company founded in 2016, committed to expanding the frontier of gene therapy via its innovative technology of gene editing and gene delivery. With the world-leading AAV manufacturing capability, Cure Genetics' proprietary VELPTM platform enables a fast yet systematic design, selection and optimization of AAV vectors with special features and significantly better performance of in vivo gene delivery, which will empower AAV-based gene therapy to be applied in a much broader range of disease treatments.

SOURCE Boehringer Ingelheim; Cure Genetics

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Cure Genetics Collaborates with Boehringer Ingelheim to Develop Novel AAV Vectors Enabling the Next-generation Liver-targeted Gene Therapy -...

Genetics

What better way to learn genetics than with gummy bears? – The Takeout

January 20, 2021 medical

Photo: ANDER GILLENEA / Contributor (Getty Images)

Remember learning about genetics for the first time in biology class? I myself dont remember much, aside from the traumatic time we had to dissect a pregnant rat (I vividly recall the smell of formaldehyde and do not wish to smell it ever again). The only other thing I vaguely remember were those squares we had to fill in. Punnett squares. Remember those? What a pain in the ass. These are two of many reasons why I never became a doctor.

Real genetics are a lot more complicated and dont fall quite so neatly into those Punnett squares, unfortunately. You might think that your genetic composition would be as simple as being an even quarter mix of each of your grandparents blended into one human being. But in reality, processes like genetic recombination shake things up considerably.

Science Alert used gummy bears to show a graphic representation of how genetics can work down the line, inspired by this tweet from NYU neuroscience prof Jay Van Bavel, who tweets as @jayvanbavel:

It is pretty adorable. And delicious. Because who doesnt love the idea of using a handful of gummy bears to depict your ancestry? Its not exactly perfect because, according to Science Alert, gummy bears dont convey dominant or recessive traits (the uppercase letters in a Punnett square are dominant, while the lowercase ones are the recessive ones, if youve forgotten). Still, its something, and in the end, youll be shoving your weirdo genetic mishmash monster gummy bears right into your face; really, there are few things better than a science experiment that you can end up eating later. Plus candy is a great way to get kids (and adults, for that matter) to pay attention. Maybe if wed used them in my biology class, I would be a doctor today.

Genetics

Study finds genetic variants that increase the risk of bedwetting – News-Medical.net

January 20, 2021 medical

In a large-scale study of Danish children and young people, researchers from Aarhus University have for the first time found genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis - commonly known as bedwetting or nighttime incontinence. The findings provide completely new insights into the processes in the body causing this widespread phenomenon.

Researchers have long known that nighttime incontinence is a highly heritable condition. Children who wet the bed at night often have siblings or parents who either suffer from or have suffered from the same condition. But until now, science has been unable to pinpoint the genes concerned.

In collaboration with the Danish research project iPSYCH and a team of international colleagues, researchers from Aarhus University have for the first time identified genetic variants that increase the risk of bedwetting. The results have just been published in the scientific journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

"As many as sixteen per cent of all seven-year-olds suffer from nocturnal enuresis and although many of them grow out of it, one to two per cent of all young adults still have this problem. It is a serious condition, which can negatively affect children's self-esteem and well-being. For example, the children may be afraid of being bullied, and often opt out of events that involve overnight stays," says Jane Hvarregaard Christensen, who is one of the researchers behind the study.

In the study, the researchers studied the genes of 3,900 Danish children and young people, who had either been diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis or had taken medication for it. This group was subsequently compared to 31,000 children and young people who did not suffer from the problem.

We identified two locations in the genome where specific genetic variants increase the risk of bedwetting. The potential causal genes which we point to play roles in relation to ensuring that our brain develops the ability to keep urine production down at night, that the bladder's activity is regulated and registered, and that we sleep in an appropriate way, among other things."

Cecilie Siggaard Jrgensen, Study's First Author

The study also shows that commonly occurring genetic variants can explain up to one-third of the genetic risk of bedwetting. This means that genetic variants which all of us have may lead to involuntary nocturnal enuresis, when they occur in a certain combination.

"But you can still also have all the variants without wetting the bed at night, because there are other risk factors in play that we haven't mapped yet - both genetic and environmental. So it's clear that this is very complex and that it's not possible to talk about a single gene that causes nocturnal enuresis," says Jane Hvarregaard Christensen.

The study also shows that children with many genetic variants that increase the risk of ADHD are particularly vulnerable to developing bedwetting.

"Our findings don't mean that ADHD causes bedwetting in a child, or vice versa, but just that the two conditions have common genetic causes. More research in this area will be able to clarify the details in the biological differences and similarities between the two disorders," she emphasizes.

As the study is a first-time study, the researchers also examined more than 5,500 people from Iceland, where they found that the same genetic variants also appear to increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis.

"This means that we can be more certain that our findings are not coincidental. In the future, we wish to find out whether the same genetic variants increase the risk of bedwetting in children in other parts of the world. Bedwetting is not just an issue in northern European but affects millions of children all over the world," she says.

The researchers hope to be able to further clarify the causes of nocturnal enuresis. It is very likely that it will be possible to identify even more genes and thereby gain a deeper understanding of what is required for a child to become dry at night.

"At present we still can't use a child's genetic profile to predict, for example, whether the child will grow out of its condition or whether a particular treatment works. Perhaps this will be possible in the future when more detailed studies have been conducted," says Jane Hvarregaard Christensen.

The study is a so-called genome-wide association study (GWAS). By examining thousands of genetic variants spread out in the entire genome, a GWAS makes it possible to point to statistically significant correlations between specific genetic variants and nighttime incontinence in the persons who are examined.

The study is a collaboration between researchers at the Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University and the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital. Researchers from the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, and deCODE genetics have also contributed.

Source:

Journal reference:

Jrgensen, C.S.., et al. (2021) Identification of genetic loci associated with nocturnal enuresis: a genome-wide association study. Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30350-3.

Genetics

Genetic and Non-genetic Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians – DocWire News

January 20, 2021 medical

This article was originally published here

Curr Diabetes Rev. 2021 Jan 17. doi: 10.2174/1573399817666210118103022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

South Asians (SAs), people from the Indian subcontinent (e.g. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and suffer from a greater risk of CVD-associated mortality compared to other global populations. These problems are compounded by the alterations in lifestyles due to urbanization and changing cultural, social, economic, and political environment. Current methods of CV risk prediction are based on white populations that under-estimate the CVD risk in SAs. Prospective studies are required to obtain actual CVD morbidity/mortality rates so that comparisons between predicted CVD risk can be made with actual events. Overwhelming data support a strong influence of genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) serve as a starting point for future genetic and functional studies since the mechanisms of action by which these associated loci influence CVD is still unclear. It is difficult to predict the potential implication of these findings in clinical settings. This review provides a systematic assessment of the risk factors, genetics, and environmental causes of CV health disparity in SAs, and highlights progress made in clinical and genomics discoveries in the rapidly evolving field which has the potential to show clinical relevance in the near future.

PMID:33461471 | DOI:10.2174/1573399817666210118103022

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Genetic and Non-genetic Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in South Asians - DocWire News

Genetics

Discrimination ups anxiety risk regardless of genetics – The Tribune India

January 20, 2021 medical

New York, January 15

Regardless of genetic risks, exposure to discrimination in life plays a significant role in developing anxiety and related disorders, suggests a new study.

Published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences journal, the study determined that even after controlling genetic risk for anxiety, depression and neuroticism, people reported greater discrimination experiences.

The results demonstrate that discriminatory experiences can potentially cause stress and mental health problems regardless of the genetic constitution of the individual, said researcher Adolfo G Cuevas, an assistant professor at Tufts University in the US.

To gain insight on the connection, the research team used data from a national probability sample of nearly 1,500 non-institutionalised, all English-speaking adults between 25 to 74 years in age. Nearly 49 per cent of the sample were women.

Three self-report scales were used to measure discrimination and other forms of social exclusion, including everyday discrimination, major discrimination and chronic job discrimination.

After accounting for increased genetic liability for anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and other potential genetic and socio-demographic factors, the researchers found a high degree of interdependence between discrimination and anxiety.

The team said the findings demonstrate that alleviating the impact of discrimination has the potential to improve mental health within the overall population. IANS

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Discrimination ups anxiety risk regardless of genetics - The Tribune India

Genetics

Free webinar on preserving equine genetics and cloning – Horsetalk

January 20, 2021 medical

Tullis Matson and Dr Gareth Starbuck with Suffolk Punch mare Ruby and her newborn filly foal, who was born in 2020 through the use of sex-sorted semen.

A free webinar on genetic preservation and animal cloning is being hosted by Tullis Matson next week.

In the first British Breeding webinar for 2021, Matson will talk to Gemini Genetics and ViaGen Pets and Equine to explain the concept and applications of animal genetic preservation and animal regeneration (cloning).

Matson, of Stallion AI Services, will describe the process in submitting samples for genetic preservation and the applications of the technology to not only the equine breeding industry but also to the preservation of rare and endangered breeds and species.

Matson was behind the use of sex-sorting of equine semen that resulted in the birth of a Suffolk Punch filly foal last year. With fewer than 72 female Suffolk Punches remaining in Britain and fewer than 300 in the world, every female born is vital to the survival of this endangered and iconic British horse.

He will then hand over to Blake Russell, president of ViaGen Pets and Equine, for an exclusive insight into the world of animal cloning. Live from their premises in Texas, Canada and South Carolina, this webinar will give behind the scenes access to the extensive facilities and technologies. It will cover everything from companion animal cloning to equine cloning and even rare and endangered species regeneration. A live viewing of the worlds first cloned Przewalskis horse foal is also on the agenda.

Pre-registration is essential. Those booking will receive a link and access code for the webinar.

Blake Russell is President @ViaGen Pets and Equine, which deliver genetic preservation and cloning services to pet and horse owners worldwide. He also runs an equine breeding program at his ranch in North Texas, where he and his family take care of his prized cloned stallion Pure Tailor Fit, a clone of two-time AQHA Racing World Champion Tailor Fit. Blake has had a successful 25-year career in the animal genetics business working in more than 15 countries. He received his B.S. in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University and his MBA from Emory University.

Tullis Matson is Founder and Managing Director @Stallion AI Services. He began working in racing stables and then running his fathers non-thoroughbred stud at Twemlows Hall, before a study tour of New Zealand where he completed a course on the Artificial Insemination (AI) of horses. On his return, Twemlows Hall Stud Farm began practising AI for the first time. Tullis started Stallion AI Services Ltd in 1996 and this soon developed into taking stallions in for freezing, chilling and fresh insemination. In 2008, Tullis set up Equine Reproduction Supplies which is now the UKs largest distributor of equine artificial insemination equipment and in 2010 was given the exclusive rights to distribute the world-renowned Minitube products in the UK. In 2011 Tullis Matson received the Marsh Christian Award for Conservation in Genetic Bio-Diversity, in recognition of significant technical, scientific and practical contributions to the field of genetic bio-diversity.

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Free webinar on preserving equine genetics and cloning - Horsetalk

Genetics

Twins with Covid-19 help scientists untangle the diseases genetic roots. – The New York Times

January 20, 2021 medical

Kimberly and Kelly Standard, who are twins, assumed that when they became sick with Covid-19 their experiences would be as identical as their DNA.

The virus had different plans.

Early last spring, the sisters from Rochester, Mich., checked themselves into the hospital with fevers and shortness of breath. While Kelly was discharged after less than a week, her sister ended up in intensive care, and spent almost a month in critical condition.

Nearly a year later, the sisters are bedeviled by the divergent paths their illnesses took.

I want to know, Kelly said, why did she have Covid worse than me?

Identical twins offer a ready-made experiment to untangle the contributions of nature and nurture in driving disease. With the help of twin registries in the United States, Australia, Europe and elsewhere, researchers are confirming that genetics can influence which symptoms Covid-19 patients experience.

These studies have also underscored the importance of the environment and pure chance: Even between identical twins, immune systems can look vastly different.

But at least some of the factors that influence the severity of a Covid-19 case are written into the genome. Recent studies suggest that people with type O blood, for example, may be at a slightly lower risk of becoming seriously sick (though experts have cautioned against overinterpreting these types of findings). Other papers have homed in on genes that affect how cells sound the alarm about viruses.

There even seems to be a measurable genetic influence on whether patients experience symptoms like fever, fatigue and delirium, said Tim Spector, an epidemiologist and the director of the TwinsUK registry based at St. Thomas Hospital in London.

Last year, he and his colleagues developed a symptom-tracking app. In a study that has not yet been published in a scientific journal, they reported that genetic factors might account for up to 50 percent of the differences between Covid-19 symptoms.

Still, Dr. Spector said, It would be wrong to think we can answer this if we just crack the genes.

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Twins with Covid-19 help scientists untangle the diseases genetic roots. - The New York Times

Anatomy

Watch the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ cast unite for ‘Stars in the House’ episode – Entertainment Weekly

January 15, 2021 medical

Watch the 'Grey's Anatomy' cast unite for live 'Stars in the House' episode | EW.com Skip to content Top Navigation Close View image

Watch the Grey's Anatomy cast unite for Stars in the House episode

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Anatomy

Patrick Dempsey says his ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ return honors frontline workers ‘who are out there taking care of us’ amid COVID-19 – Yahoo Sports

January 15, 2021 medical

Patrick Dempsey (Photo: JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

In a time of uncertainty, its nice to see a familiar face, even if its when you turn on the TV and Patrick Dempsey has been just that to many.

The actors surprise guest return to Greys Anatomy was a spectacular treat for viewers who, during his original 11-season run, felt a sense of calm looking in Dr. Derek Shepherds reassuring eyes. And that is just one of many projects he has going on during this unpredictable time.

First things first, yes, there will be more McGhost to come when the ABC medical drama returns March 4 with Dempsey telling Yahoo Entertainment, Theres definitely more to air, with two of his four episodes airing so far, but Im done with my part of the shooting, the production side.

Asked if hes happy with how it turned out, he says he accomplished what he set out to do when he agreed to return, which has reunited his late character, who had been killed off in 2015, with his COVID-19 stricken wife Dr. Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo).

You know what Im really happy about, and we have to constantly remember, is all of the men and women who are in the hospitals and the responders are going through a hell of a journey right now, says Dempsey as the countrys COVID-19 cases soar, especially in California and its Los Angeles County, where Greys shoots. We need to remember their sacrifice and their commitment and keep that in mind. I think that was the intention moving forward. How can we honor the people who are out there taking care of us and our family members? That was the good intention that brought us back with that messaging. I think thats important. Wear your mask and be careful out there. Take care of each other.

Dempsey has been acting in Hollywood since he was a teen, but its an unprecedented time working with all the COVID protocols. When we talk, hes just arrived on the East Coast from California and is quarantining ahead of shooting the CBS political drama pilot Ways & Means.

Story continues

His 55th birthday was Jan. 13 and he had no plans, explaining, Im sort of in isolation for the next few days in order to be safe to go back to work. So I will use that time to reflect and to be grateful and assess all the things I have to be grateful for. Though he adds, I dont particularly like getting any older, with a laugh. It is what it is.

Ways & Means comes at an especially interesting time with Washington, D.C., and U.S. politics in chaos. He plays a disillusioned congressional leader who forms a secret alliance with a congresswoman from the opposing party, played by Pretty Little Liarss Troian Bellisario, in hopes of saving U.S. politics.

Yeah, theres a lot of volatility in the world and a great opportunity for us, he says of the role. Things are changing so quickly were having to adapt. So we are in pre-production at the moment and trying to stay ahead of all the events and well see what we come up with. Its exciting certainly and scary at the same time.

When hes done with the pilot, hes off to Rome in February to make Season 2 of Devils, an Italian drama about the finance world, which was acquired by The CW and aired in the fall. Theres also talk of possibly fitting Enchanted 2 in this year, he says of the Disney flick that paired him with Amy Adams in the original. He already has the script for the sequel, to be called Disenchanted, which is looking at shooting in the spring.

Theres a lot of work. Im very grateful for that, Dempsey says.

A side project amid all this is being the new face of Poland Springs Origin line. The longtime New England spring water brand, now going national with the line that boasts bottles made from 100 percent recycled plastic, is known for being born in Maine and so was Dempsey. He happily returned to his home state, where he owns a home and his Dempsey Center, the non-profit that assists in treating cancer patients, is based, to shoot the commercial in mid-November. It sees him in his natural element amid the green and gorgeous pines.

Dempsey says he goes back to the state once a month usually anyway for the work with the center. So I spend a lot of time [there] and I appreciate it. The older I get, the more and more I appreciate the great state of Maine. So making the commercial there was a treat, even though it wasnt necessarily easy due to COVID.

They shot in Northern Maine and despite a wind chill factor of 17 degrees and it starting to snow, It was nice to be outside, he says. A lot of people had been cooped up in the city and they got a chance to be outside to work. For them, it was really quite inspiring. At the same time, its been very challenging because you are having to commit to the procedures. So having a mask on, a face screen. Its incredibly challenging for the crew and the actors are vulnerable without a mask or any of that on. It takes a lot longer to do things. Its a lot harder to do things. But at the same time were finding ways to move forward in a safe way for the crew and for the actors.

As for how his own family he and his makeup artist wife Jillian Dempsey are parents to daughter Talula, 18, and twin sons Darby and Sullivan, 13 has been navigating this time, he says not that different than everyone else.

Like every family, I think people are struggling with Zoom school and dealing with that, he says. Its [supposed to be] a social period for teenagers and thats part of their development. Its my daughters first year in college. Everyone is struggling and trying to do the best they can and hopefully going into this new year well have better leadership going forward.

Accessible Archives Releases Anatomy of Protest in America – The Wellsboro Gazette

January 15, 2021 medical

MALVERN, Pa., Jan. 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Accessible Archives, Inc., a digital publisher of full-text primary source historical collections, announces the release of a new primary source series Anatomy of Protest in America.

Anatomy of Protest in America delivers a unique opportunity to investigate through newspaper articles, editorials, and books the people, places, events, organizations, and ideas, so important to Americans that they took action, exercised their rights, and stood up to protest.

This series guides the user through almost 225 years of American protest history including content on colonial exploitation and revolution, to slavery and abolition, to political rights and suffrage, and economic and industrial disturbances.

As debates rage over the future of America and the country's relationship to its past, there is no better time to examine the wealth of content in Anatomy of Protest in America.

Iris L. Hanney, Unlimited Priorities president, states "publication of this new collection highlights Accessible Archives' ongoing commitment to provide essential historical content that opens a window into the life of America, and in terms of this new series, what motivated (and still does motivate) the American people to action."

Part I: Newspapers, 1729-1922

Provides in real-time reporting of an event, place, or person. These articles take the reader from the Boston Tea Party to Turner's Rebellion to the New York City Draft Riots to Haymarket Strike to the anti-Communist demonstrations of the early 1920s.

Popular editorials from the person on the street, the rioter and protester, and the leaders' points of view, professed goals, and personal opinions are presented for the reader to assess and understand the meaning and motivations of popular protest actions.

Part II: Books, 1701-1928

This collection offers both a historical overview and a framework for understanding protest and its movements in American history. Woven into the fabric of local and regional history, Part II provides an engaging narrative history on social, political, and economic movements and their actions.

This historical archive includes a significant breadth of coverage of various popular movements, their leaders, and adversaries, while bringing to life the voices of protest and reaction to the issues of their day.

About Accessible Archives, Inc.Accessible Archives provides vast quantities of archived historical information previously available only in microform, hard copy or as images only. Databases containing diverse primary source materials leading books, newspapers, and periodicals reflect broad views across 18th, 19th, and early 20th century America. Accessible Archives will continue to add titles covering important topics and time periods to assist scholars and students at all academic levels.

About Unlimited Priorities LLC

Unlimited Priorities LLC utilizes its highly skilled group of professionals to provide a variety of support services to small and medium-sized companies in the information and publishing industries. The Archival Initiatives Division (AID) offers practical consultative services to libraries, historical societies, and associations. AID provides advice and assistance in archival content selection, rights ownership, project management, workflow analysis, production, distribution of converted content and interaction with commercial entities. We recognize that each location or organization is unique, requiring customized and locally-based solutions.

Unlimited Priorities LLC is the exclusive sales, marketing, and product development agent for Accessible Archives.

Contacts:

Iris L. Hanney, PresidentUnlimited Priorities LLC239-549-2384288528@email4pr.comwww.unlimitedpriorities.com

Robert E. Lester, Product DevelopmentUnlimited Priorities LLC203-527-3739288528@email4pr.comwww.accessible-archives.com

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Accessible Archives Releases Anatomy of Protest in America - The Wellsboro Gazette