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Genetics

ASHG 2020 Virtual Meeting to Showcase Innovative Research in Human Genetics – Business Wire

ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2020 Virtual Meeting taking place October 27-30 will showcase global advances in human genetics and genomics research that are transforming the scientific landscape and leading to new advances in the treatment of devastating diseases.

The ASHG 2020 Virtual Meeting features more than 200 oral presentations, nearly 2,000 scientific poster presentations, 80 exhibit booths, networking and professional development opportunities, and more, making it the digital epicenter of human genetics. As always, it will be among the worlds largest events for genetic and genomic discovery, with thousands of scientists, clinicians, advocates and others participating from more than 50 countries.

As a global showcase of the latest developments in human genetics, the ASHG 2020 Virtual Meeting will provide an online venue for researchers who conduct human genetics and genomics research around the world to exchange scientific knowledge, said Anthony Wynshaw-Boris, MD, PhD, ASHG President. I am excited about the fantastic talks, posters, and special sessions, that will be presented at the Virtual Meeting.

The meeting will host chat sessions throughout the program to continue scientific conversations and exchanges around the latest scientific updates and breakthroughs. The Society also will recognize the outstanding scientific achievements of its members in the human genetics and genomics community with special awards and lectures throughout the meeting.

Not only will the ASHG 2020 Virtual Meeting host exceptional plenaries, but also concurrent programming sessions covering critical areas of the field. In addition to the late-breaking COVID-19 session, other sessions will focus on data usage and data resource topics related to human genetics and genomics. Finally, of note, the Virtual Meeting will feature human genetics and genomics research which works with participants of diverse populations, as well as perspectives from researchers working in their own communities. See all speakers and sessions and the full schedule.

We are adapting to changes in the field, the global pandemic, and the need for physical distancing by hosting our first Virtual Meeting, connecting us all through outstanding science, shared resources and information, and meaningful relationships, said Teri Manolio, MD, PhD, ASHGs Program Committee Chair. ASHGs Virtual Meeting is yet another important way we are working to connect with members and the field, as we utilize our expertise in online events to deliver the best scientific programming.

Learn more about the high-caliber speakers and explore the workshops and special sessions that are incorporated into the virtual meeting this year. Registration is open. Complimentary registration is available for media; apply for credentials. To connect for interviews, contact Kara Flynn at press@ashg.org.

The American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), founded in 1948, is the primary professional membership organization for human genetics specialists worldwide. The Societys nearly 8,000 members include researchers, academicians, clinicians, laboratory practice professionals, genetic counselors, nurses, and others who have a special interest in the field of human genetics.

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ASHG 2020 Virtual Meeting to Showcase Innovative Research in Human Genetics - Business Wire

Genetics

SKYMINT BRANDS(TM) — Formerly Green Peak Innovations — Joins Forces With DNA Genetics To Bring The World’s Most Globally Awarded Flower Strains To…

DIMONDALE, Mich., Oct. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --SKYMINT BRANDS, Michigan's largest vertically integrated cannabis company formerly known as Green Peak Innovations, today announced a landmark collaboration with DNA Genetics - the globally acclaimed brand whose proprietary genetics have won more than 200 national and international best-in-class awards.

"SKYMINT BRANDS and DNA Genetics share a similar brand ethos in that we are both on a mission to provide cannabis enthusiasts with the highest quality flower possible," says SKYMINT BRANDSCEO Jeff Radway. "All flower is not created equal, and DNA Genetics knows this better than anyone else, which is why our SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS collaboration truly sets a high bar in Michigan."

Launching tomorrow, October 9, at all seven recreational SKYMINT locations throughout the state of Michigan, as well as select retail partners, SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS features a premium collection of seven of the most globally awarded and sought-after flower strains, including Bakers Delight and Ztrawberriez, as well as:

Clementine Flower $701st Place, High Times Cannabis Cup 20191st Place, 710 Degree Cup

Kosher Kush Flower $701st Place, High Times Cannabis Cup 2010Top 10 Strain of the Year, High Times Cannabis Cup 20111st Place Milano Secret Cup 2018People's Choice, Cannabis Cup Brazil 2016

LA Confidential Flower $701st Place, High Times Cannabis Cup 2008

Chocolope Flower $70TEN 1st Place Awards, including 1st Place, High Times Cannabis Cup 2010

Strawberry Banana Flower $701st Judges Choice, Cannabis Cup Brazil 20161st Place, High Times Socal Cup 2016

Certified as to provenance by DNA GENETICS, each seed was hand-chosen by founders Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni and farmed to perfection by SKYMINT cultivators. Two additional strains, Gelato Sorbet and Lemon Skunk, are still to be released by year's end, as are .7 gram pre-rolls.

"Each time we explore a potential collaboration, we look for the best possible partner in each market and SKYMINT BRANDS is that partner for Michigan," says Don Morris, Co-Founder of DNA Genetics. "The extreme level of care, commitment, and innovation that SKYMINT BRANDS infuses into its cultivation and product brands inspires great confidence."

The SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS collaboration marks a new moment in Michigan's progressive cannabis market. Recreational cannabis only came online last December, and Michigan's industry has scaled rapidly, with SKYMINT a leader in that growth, establishing 10 dispensaries in seven months with two more planned to open this year.

Since its inception in 2018, SKYMINT BRANDS has dedicated itself to creating and curating premium-crafted cannabis brands, hand-grown with expert care to power a portfolio of the finest cannabis brands available for daily wellness, healing, and recreational enjoyment. Joining SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS under the SKYMINT BRANDS umbrella are SKYMINT, North Cannabis, Jolly Edibles, and the Two Joints brand, which benefits the Last Prisoner Project.

"There's good cannabis, there's better cannabis, and then there's SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS," says Laurie Gregory, Chief Brand and Product Officer at SKYMINT BRANDS. "While all of our SKYMINT BRANDS are premium, the SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS collection delivers superior genetics, flavor, and effects for a consistent, elevated experience that's unparalleled. SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS is literally the best cannabis that our state has to offer, marking a high point for our brand and for Michigan."

Adds Radway, "SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS embodies the three pillars that inspire our work at SKYMINT BRANDS: to elevate cannabis in Michigan and beyond; to cultivate stellar, premium brands; and to leverage our resources and position within the industry to change the world and our communities for the better."

The SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS launch coincides with the company's recent transition from its founding name - Green Peak Innovations - to SKYMINT BRANDS.

"SKYMINT BRANDS reflects our belief in the exponential potential of cannabis to revolutionize lives and inspire people everywhere to feel better, live better, do better, and create better. This collaboration is a perfect example of that aim. With access to the world's best cannabis, the SKY's the limit," says Gregory.

PRESS KIT

About SKYMINT BRANDSBeginning operations in Fall 2018, Skymint (formerly known as Green Peak Innovations) is Michigan's leading vertically integrated cannabis company and the state's largest medical and recreational license holder. With two state-of-the-art indoor grow facilities, the company cultivates, processes, markets, distributes and sells a full range of branded cannabis products, including SKYMINT, North Cannabis, Jolly Edibles, the Two Joints brand, which benefits the Last Prisoner Project, and SKYMINT X DNA GENETICS. Just as SKYMINT treats its plants like people - tending to and caring for them by hand, and even playing them music - each and every product is handcrafted to ensure the safest, cleanest, highest quality products at the best value. SKYMINT products can be found at the company's SKYMINT provisioning centers and via retailers around Michigan through a robust wholesale network. As purveyors of premium-crafted cannabis, SKYMINT has developed a portfolio of the finest cannabis brands available for daily wellness, healing, or just getting high on life. SKYMINT inspires people everywhere to feel better, live better and do better. Learn more: http://www.skymint.com/dna-x-skymint/

Press Contact: Holly Aubry / HUMAN NATURE / HAUBRY@HUMANNATUREPR.COM / 646.943.0541

About OG DNA Genetics Inc.DNA was rooted in Los Angeles and founded in Amsterdam in 2004 by Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni. Over the last decade, the Company has built and curated a seasoned genetic library and developed proven standard operating procedures for genetic selection, breeding, and cultivation. In a world that is increasingly opening up to commercial cannabis activity, DNA is positioned to become the first, truly geographically-diversified company with multiple partnerships with top-licensed producers and brands that have built their companies and global presence utilizing the "Powered by DNA" model.

For more information, please visit http://www.dnagenetics.com

Press Contact: Rezwan Khan, President of DNA Genetics at rezwan@dnagenetics.com

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SKYMINT BRANDS(TM) -- Formerly Green Peak Innovations -- Joins Forces With DNA Genetics To Bring The World's Most Globally Awarded Flower Strains To...

Cell Biology

TreeFrog Therapeutics and Invetech Expand Partnership to Transition High-throughput Stem Cell Encapsulation Technology to GMP System for…

Since January 2019, TreeFrog Therapeutics has been collaborating with Invetech to turn its R&D encapsulation set-up into an automated single-use device for industrial bioproduction. "Our C-StemTM technology bridges stem cell biology and biophysics," explained Kevin Alessandri, CEO and CTO of TreeFrog Therapeutics. "We found in Invetech a team eager to confront a new technology, with strong execution capacities, supported by a step-by-step methodology to de-risk the project. As a matter of fact, they managed to deliver the prototype in time in April 2020, right in the middle of the COVID crisis."

The beta encapsulation system designed by Invetech meets its technical specifications with a throughput of 1,000 stem cell capsules per second. The first benefit of cell encapsulation is protection against hydrodynamic damages. This is instrumental to amplifying and differentiating fragile cells such as pluripotent stem cells in large-scale bioreactors. The second benefit of the capsule lies in the recapitulation of a biomimetic stem cell niche. In this micro-environment, pluripotent stem cells self-organize in a biomimetic 3D conformation, which promotes fast growth and accurate chromosome segregation.

"Today, our C-StemTM technologyreduces manufacturing costs by ten-fold, while dramatically improving batch-size, yields and genomic quality. All our efforts are now focused on bringing this technology to the clinic as fast as possible, by advancing a pipeline of cell therapies in co-development with leading pharmaceutical companies. In this context, our partnership with Invetech is critical to secure our roadmap to GMP compliance and to enhance even further the functionality, yield and processing conditions of our encapsulation device," said Maxime Feyeux, co-founder, CEO & CSO of TreeFrog Therapeutics.

"TreeFrog approached us with a very novel, early-stage technology that has progressed extremely fast and shows incredible promise," remarked David Kneen, Invetech's Vice President, Cell Therapy. "In under 18 months, our combined teams have transitioned C-StemTM from a bench-top proof-of-concept, to a closed and automated beta production system. It's been a great collaboration driven by our shared vision of commercializing this technology to enable the mass-production of cell therapies for patients in need."

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Press contacts

TreeFrog Therapeutics treefrog.fr

Pierre-Emmanuel Gaultier, Marketing & Communication Manager[emailprotected]+ 33 645 77 42 58

Invetech invetechgroup.com

Eeva Routio, Marketing Manager, Brand and Thought Leadership[emailprotected]+1858688 7136

SOURCE Invetech

Invetech

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TreeFrog Therapeutics and Invetech Expand Partnership to Transition High-throughput Stem Cell Encapsulation Technology to GMP System for...

Cell Biology

Researchers claim that ayahuasca tea helps the formation of new neurons – CT Post

Researchers claim that ayahuasca tea helps the formation of new neurons

Have you tried ayahuasca tea? A study led by researchers from the Complutense University of Madrid ( UCM ) found that the Amazonian drink traditionally used by shamans contributes to the formation of new neurons.

The study groups together the results of a four-year "in vitro" and "in vivo" experimentation carried out in mice, subjects that demonstrated greater cognitive capacity when treated with dimethyltryptamine (DMT), one of the components of ayahuasca, according to with Jos Antonio Lpez, researcher at the Faculty of Psychology of the Complutense University and co-author of the work.

Ayahuasca is obtained from a mixture between two Amazonian plants, the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the chacruna bush (Psychotria viridis). "In ayahuasca, DMT binds to a type 2A serotonergic brain receptor, and that is when its hallucinogenic effect is enhanced. In this research, this binding is made with another receptor, sigma type, which does not have these effects. "Which greatly facilitates its future administration to patients," they explain in the study report.

According to Jos ngel Morales, researcher at the Department of Cell Biology of the UCM and the Center for Research in Network of Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), the ability to modulate brain plasticity is an indication of a great therapeutic potential for a wide range of psychiatric disorders and neurological.

The death of certain neurons generates the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, the researchers said. However, the human being is capable of generating new neuronal cells but this always depends on other factors.

The challenge for scientists will be to activate the brain's ability to develop new neurons to replace those that die in people with neurodegenerative diseases.

"Ayahuasca" means "liana or rope of the spirits" and is used by South American shamans as traditional medicine in the Amazonian peoples.

Related:Researchers claim that ayahuasca tea helps the formation of new neuronsHealthcare is in Turmoil, But Technology Can Save Businesses BillionsHow to Pivot Your Product to Fight Covid-19

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Researchers claim that ayahuasca tea helps the formation of new neurons - CT Post

Cell Biology

Cytovia Therapeutics partners with Inserm to develop selective CD38 NK therapeutics and offer new treatment options for Multiple Myeloma patients |…

DetailsCategory: DNA RNA and CellsPublished on Thursday, 08 October 2020 15:15Hits: 87

NEW YORK, NY, USA and PARIS, France I October 08, 2020 I Cytovia Therapeutics ("Cytovia"), an emerging biopharmaceutical company, announces today that it has entered a research and licensing agreement with Inserm to develop NK engager bi-specific antibodies and iPSC CAR NK cell therapy targeting CD38, a key marker of multiple myeloma. The licensing agreement has been negotiated and signed by Inserm Transfert, the private subsidiary of Inserm, on behalf of Inserm (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and its academic partners. Cytovia is licensing Inserm's CD38 antibody and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) patent and applying its proprietary NK engager bispecific antibody and iPSC CAR NK technology platforms. The research agreement will include evaluation of the therapeutic candidates at Hpital Saint-Louis Research Institute (Inserm Unit 976) under the leadership of Professors Armand Bensussan and Jean-Christophe Bories.

Dr Daniel Teper, Cytovia's Chairman and CEO commented: "We are delighted to partner with one of the top centers of excellence in the world for research and treatment in hematology. CD38 is a validated target and Natural Killer cells have significant cytotoxicity to Myeloma cells. We are looking forward to bringing promising new options to address the unmet needs of patients with Multiple Myeloma and aim for a cure."

Professor Armand Bensussan, Director of The Immuno-Oncology Research Institute at Hpital Saint-Louis added: "We have demonstrated the selectivity of our novel CD38 antibody in killing myeloma cells but not normal cells such as NK, T, and B cells. The activation of NK cells through NKp46 may enhance the efficacy of the bispecific antibody in patients not responsive to CD38 monoclonal antibody therapy. CD38 CAR NK is a promising approach forrelapsed/refractory patients and an alternative to CAR T therapies."

About Multiple MyelomaMultiple Myeloma is a currently incurable cancer, affecting a type of white blood cell known as plasma cells. It leads to an accumulation of tumor cells in the bone marrow, rapidly outnumbering healthy blood cells. Instead of producing beneficial antibodies, cancerous cells release abnormal proteins causing several complications. While symptoms are not always present, the majority of patients are diagnosed due to symptoms such as bone pain or fracture, low red blood cell counts, fatigue, high calcium levels, kidney problems, and infections. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, Multiple Myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, with nearly 160,000 new annual cases worldwide, including close to 50,000 in Europe. 32,000 in the US, and 30,000 in Eastern Asia. Over 95% of cases are diagnosed late, with a 5-year survival rate of 51%. Initial treatment comprises of a combination of different therapies, including biological and targeted therapies, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy, with the option for bone marrow transplants for eligible patients. Immunotherapy and cell therapy are the most promising new treatment option for Multiple Myeloma, with the potential for long term cancer remission.

About CAR NK cellsChimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) are fusion proteins that combine an extracellular antigen recognition domain with an intracellular co-stimulatory signaling domain. Natural Killer (NK) cells are modified genetically to allow insertion of a CAR. CAR-NK cell therapy has demonstrated initial clinical relevance without the limitations of CAR-T, such as Cytokine Release Syndrome, neurotoxicity or Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD). Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) - derived CAR-NKs are naturally allogeneic, available off-the-shelf and may be able to be administered on an outpatient basis. Recent innovative developments with the iPSC, an innovative technology, allow large quantities of homogeneous genetically modified CAR NK cells to be produced from a master cell bank, and thus hold promise to expand access to cell therapy for many patients.

About CytoviaCytovia Therapeutics Inc is an emerging biotechnology company that aims to accelerate patient access to transformational immunotherapies, addressing several of the most challenging unmet medical needs in cancer and severe acute infectious diseases. Cytovia focuses on Natural Killer (NK) cell biology and is leveraging multiple advanced patented technologies, including an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platform for CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptors) NK cell therapy, next-generation precision gene-editing to enhance targeting of NK cells, and NK engager multi-functional antibodies. Our initial product portfolio focuses on both hematological malignancies such as multiple myeloma and solid tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma and glioblastoma. The company partners with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and CytoImmune Therapeutics. Learn more at http://www.cytoviatx.com

About InsermFounded in 1964, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) is a public science and technology institute, jointly supervised by the French Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research, and the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Womens Rights. Inserm is the only French public research institute to focus entirely on human health and position itself on the pathway from the research laboratory to the patients bedside. The mission of its scientists is to study all diseases, from the most common to the rarest. With an initial 2020 budget of 927.28 million, Inserm supports nearly 350 laboratories throughout France, with a team of nearly 14,000 researchers, engineers, technicians, and post-doctoral students. http://www.inserm.fr

SOURCE: Cytovia Therapeutics

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Cytovia Therapeutics partners with Inserm to develop selective CD38 NK therapeutics and offer new treatment options for Multiple Myeloma patients |...

Cell Biology

NTHU research could have significant impact on the treatment of dementia – News-Medical.net

Oct 8 2020

One of the causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's is the calcification of the basal nucleus of the brain, which blocks the membrane protein channels on the surface of brain cells, preventing the transmission of signal molecules and nutrients to the cells. A research team led by Professor Sun Yuh-Ju of the Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, working in conjunction with Chwan-Deng Hsiaos laboratory at Academia Sinicas Institute of Molecular Biology, has recently solved the mystery which has long surrounded the molecular structure of the phosphate transporter and their findings are expected to have a significant impact on research into the treatment of dementia. The teams research finding has been published in the August issue of Science Advances.

Professor Sun Yuh-Ju of the Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology showing team member Tsai Jia-Yin how to grow a crystal. (Photo: Business Wire)

According to Sun, membrane proteins, such as receptors, transporters and channels, are responsible for transmitting signals and supplying energy to cells, and therefore play a very important role in the development of pharmaceuticals. Human phosphate transporter (hPiT) is an important membrane protein for transporting phosphate and sodium ions into brain cells. But pathological changes can block this transport, allowing calcium phosphate to precipitate on the surface of the cell membrane, which will eventually lead to calcification of the basal nucleus, thereby producing the neurodegenerative symptoms typical of Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease.

Sun said that analyzing the human phosphate transporter and locating the site of the patients variants are important in finding a treatment for brain calcification. The next step is to cooperate with physicians in designing drugs based on this structure, using computer calculations and simulations in conducting experiments to identify small chemical molecules effective in restoring the normal functioning of membrane proteins. Chwan-Deng Hsiao, who specializes in biophysics, played a key role in this innovative research. After Sun's research team analyzed the three-dimensional structure of the human phosphate transporter, Hsiao used an artificial cell membrane to determine whether a mutation at the target location would prevent the membrane protein from transporting phosphate.

There are more than 30,000 kinds of proteins in the human body, amongst which membrane proteins are the most important, and least understood, which is why Sun has made it the focus of her research. It took 5 years to analyze the molecular structure of the phosphate transporter.

The first step in analyzing the molecular structure of membrane protein is to cultivate the membrane protein crystal. Human phosphate transporter crystal that is only one-tenth the size of a sesame grain, Sun said that its angular, glittering, and translucent form contains important information on molecular structure, such that its more precious and beautiful than a diamond.

The team member in charge of growing the membrane protein crystals was Tsai Jia-Yin, a postdoctoral researcher at NTHUs Institute of Bioinformatics and Structural Biology.

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NTHU research could have significant impact on the treatment of dementia - News-Medical.net

Cell Biology

New study traces the evolution of gill covers – ScienceBlog.com

The emergence of jaws in primitive fish allowed vertebrates to become top predators. What is less appreciated is another evolutionary innovation that may have been just as important for the success of early vertebrates: the formation of covers to protect and pump water over the gills. In anew study published in theProceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences (PNAS), USC Stem Cell scientists and their collaborators have identified a key modification to the genome that led to the evolution of gill covers more than 430 million years ago.

The scientists started by creating zebrafish with mutations in a gene called Pou3f3. Strikingly, fish lacking this gene, or the DNA element controlling its activity in the gills, failed to form gill covers. Conversely, zebrafish producing too much Pou3f3 developed extra rudimentary gill covers.

Intrigued by these findings, co-corresponding authorsGage CrumpandLindsey Barskecollaborated with scientists from several universities to explore whether changes in Pou3f3 might account for the wide variation in gill covers across vertebrates. Crump is a professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at USC. Barske initiated the study in the Crump lab, and is now an assistant professor at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center.

In jawless fish such as sea lampreys, which lack gill covers, the scientists found that the control element to produce Pou3f3 in the gill region is missing.

In contrast, in cartilaginous fish such as sharks and skates, the control element for Pou3f3 is active in all gills. Correspondingly, nearly all cartilaginous fish have a separate cover over each gill. In bony fish, including zebrafish, the control element produces Pou3f3 in one particular region, leading to a single cover for all gills.

Remarkably, we have identified not only a gene responsible for gill cover formation, said Crump, but also the ancient control element that allowed Pou3f3 to first make gill covers and then diversify them in cartilaginous versus bony fish.

Barske and Crump even showed that humans retain this control element, reflecting the presence of gill cover-like structures in human embryos that are inherited from our distant fish ancestors.

Additional authors were Peter Fabian, Pengfei Xu, Nellie Nelson, and Haoze Vincent Yu from USC; Tyler Square, David Jandzik, and Daniel M. Medeiros from the University of Colorado; and Christine Hirschberger from the University of Cambridge, UK; and J. Andrew Gillis from the University of Cambridge, UK, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole.

Funding was provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R35 DE027550, R00 DE026239, and R21 DE025940A), the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01 DC015829), the National Science Foundation (IOS 1744837), the A.P. Giannini Foundation, the Cincinnati Childrens Research Foundation, the Scientific Grant Agency of Slovak Republic (VEGA 1/0415/17), a Royal Society University Research Fellowship (UF130182), a Isaac Newton Trust award (14.23z), and a BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership studentship. The bioinformatics software and computing resources were funded by the USC Office of Research, the USC Norris Medical Library, Cincinnati Childrens Research Foundation, and the Hearing Health Foundation.

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Biochemistry

Nitrous oxide, more harmful to the climate than CO2, increasing in atmosphere, study finds – CBC.ca

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that nitrous oxide a gas that is 300 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide is steadily increasing in the atmosphere.

While nitrous oxide is produced in different ways, the study found the largest contributor is agriculture,where it is produced as a by-product of nitrogen, largely used in agriculture as a fertilizer.

The atmosphere's nitrous oxide had 270 parts per billion in 1750, according to the study, and had risen to 331 parts per billion in 2018. The fastest rise was in the last five decades.

The international team of authors say that, on the current trajectory, the additional nitrous oxide could push the global temperature to 3 C above the pre-industrial average by 2100, which is far past the target of 1.5 C or 2 C laid out by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"Currently, the emissions are on the path to cause a global temperature increase above three degrees by the end of this century," said Hanqin Tian, co-lead author of the study and director of the International Center for Climate and Global Change Research at Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences in Alabama.

"It highlights the urgency and it's critically important to think about this."

When it comes to climate change, three main greenhousegases are of particular concern: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane and nitrous oxide (N2O).

While most of the focus has been on CO2, there's beenrising concern about methane and N2O.

But nitrous oxide has largely been underestimated, according toanother of the study's authors.

"I don't think many people know about nitrous oxide, I would say, in terms of the magnitude of the emissions," said Parvadha Suntharalingamof the University of East Anglia's School of Environmental Sciences.

"On a sort of per molecule basis, oxide is more than 300 times as strong as a molecule of CO2 in terms of its global warming potential. So even though the magnitude of the emissions is less, the potency of the gas is much stronger. A little of it goes a long way."

"What's also been surprising is that we found that the emissions of nitrous oxide have been rising pretty sharply and much more sharply than [what was] predicted really in some of these emission scenarios developed for the IPCC."

The study found that agriculture was responsible for almost 70 per cent of the global human-causedN2O between 2007-16 with most coming from East Asia, Europe, South Asia and North America. But the highest growth rates were found in emerging economies like Brazil, India and China.

The authors suggest that with better farming practices, however, decreases could be significant, thus curbing the climb in N2O emissions.

What On Earth27:00Is regenerative farming hope for a hotter planet?

For example, they note Europe has seen a decline in N2O emissions due to the introduction of emissions trading and because of many countries moving to a more efficient use of fertilizer. The chemical industry also helped by reducing emissions.

Illimar Altosaar, a professor in the department of biochemistry, microbiology and immunology at the University of Ottawa who was not involved in the study, says it's a good study, but more needs to be investigated as to the role oceans play in emissions of N2O.

"The ocean is the key," he said. "We don't know the biochemistry [of the oceans]and it's the phytoplanktonand the blue green algae that are doing a lot of this gas exchange."

Suntharalingamsays another consideration that is still not well-known is how climate feedback affects N2O emissions such as increased precipitation caused by climate change affects moisture content in the soil, whichcan affect how much N2Ois generated.

The authors stress the importance of agriculture and believe that it just needs to change in some countries.

"You need fertilizer. You need the food industry, and you can't get away from the application of fertilizer," Suntharalingam said. "I think a takeaway is that managed fertilizer application can be very successful in reducing emissions and that Europe managed to reduce emissions but not depress food production.

"You just need to make sure that how much you apply when you apply it and how you apply it is carefully managed, and you can maintain crop yields, but you can definitely reduce the emissions from the soils. Managed fertilizer application is a very important mitigation strategy."

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Nitrous oxide, more harmful to the climate than CO2, increasing in atmosphere, study finds - CBC.ca

Biochemistry

University Sees Record-Breaking Year In Grant Funding News Center – Montclaire News

October 7, 2020

Across disciplines, faculty have received more than $22M in grants to further programs and research

Posted in: Homepage News, University

Montclair State faculty, leading educational programs and research in multiple disciplines across the University attracted a record-breaking $22.4 million in external grant funding for fiscal year 2020, shattering the FY 2019 record of $17.9 million.

Researchers in fields as diverse as biochemistry, educational leadership, environmental science, social work, modern languages and psychology are investigating everything from STEM education for Hispanic students and their families to school security climate, neurotransmitter functionality, K-12 education inclusion for children with disabilities, enzyme inhibitors for memory loss and so much more.

Funders include a growing and varied list of federal, state, local and private sponsors including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Education and National Institute of Justice.

Ted Russo, director of Research and Sponsored Programs, reports the dollar amount is also nearly double what the University attracted just eight years ago, in FY 2012. Grants have seen steady growth each year during the last decade, and the University is off to a strong start for FY 2021 with $6 million in new funding announced in just the first few months.

Vice Provost for Research Scott Herness points out that the record breaking year coming after our R2 status, really solidifies our standing as a public research institution.

These grants show that our University is headed in exactly the right direction, increasing its research endeavors and our funding portfolio, says Herness. Its great for our faculty and for our students, who are getting lots of opportunities to participate in research.

Included in the FY 2020 funding:

In the first few months of FY 2021, the University has received approximately $6 million in new funding, including:

Story by Staff Writer Mary Barr Mann

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University Sees Record-Breaking Year In Grant Funding News Center - Montclaire News

Biochemistry

Infinity BiologiX Expands Executive Team as Company Continues to Grow and Scale its Commercial Presence and Scientific Innovation – BioSpace

Oct. 8, 2020 12:00 UTC

Craig Eslinger joins as Vice President of Commercial Affairs and Mary Storella joins as Vice President and General Counsel

PISCATAWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Infinity BiologiX (IBX), a leading next-generation central laboratory providing sample collection and processing, storage, analytical services, and scientific and technical support, announced two key new hires as part of its executive team. The expanded executive team now includes Craig Eslinger, Vice President of Commercial Affairs, and Mary Storella, Vice President and General Counsel.

In his role as Vice President of Commercial Affairs, Eslinger will oversee the companys commercial presence as an independent entity following IBXs spin-off from Rutgers University in August. He will also be charged with building a world-class commercial team as the company expands into new markets. Eslinger comes to IBX with more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical device, public health, and contract research industries and is also scientifically trained in biochemistry and cyto/histopathology. Most recently he served as Vice President of Commercial Strategy at ICON and has worked for other industry-leading organizations including PPD, and SpaceLabs Medical.

Eslinger commented, With this role at IBX I have the unique opportunity to build something for a newly launched company which also has a rich history of experience in biobanking, bioprocessing, and analytics. He continued, Throughout its 21-year history the company has made a tremendous impact on bringing new products to market and helping healthcare providers use those medicines to effectively treat patients. Im thrilled to now broaden that impact by expanding our commercial presence to new markets and I look forward to working with this talented executive team in making IBX an industry leader.

As Vice President and General Counsel, Storella joins IBX with over 20 years of legal and business development experience in the healthcare industry. Most recently, she served as Vice President, Senior Counsel of Corporate Transactions at Celgene Corporation, where she was lead counsel on key strategic transactions. Prior to joining Celgene, Storella served on both the business development and legal teams at Merck & Co., Inc. as Executive Director, Business Development and Director, Corporate Transactions. She will play a pivotal role in establishing legal processes and best practices that support the companys rapid innovation and fast-paced business model.

I am excited and honored to join IBX at such a pivotal time in the growth of the company and at a time when the company is making such an impact in so many lives, commented Storella. I look forward to working with IBXs management team to build the legal framework necessary to support IBX as an independent company and to reach IBXs future strategic goals.

Robin Grimwood, IBX President and COO commented, IBX is pleased to be bringing on these seasoned professionals who will help lead the company during this important stage of strategic and aggressive growth. Craigs relationships across the industry and experience building teams are essential as we look for ways to expand our reach and grow our commercial organization quickly and at the highest quality possible. He continued, Marys unique combination of deep legal experience with a strong business development knowledge, with roles across pharmaceutical and life sciences, will be invaluable for IBX during this time of growth.

Eslinger and Storella join the current IBX executive team which, in addition to Grimwood, includes Dr. Andrew Brooks, Chief Executive and Scientific Officer, and Russell Hager, Executive VP and Strategic Operations.

About Infinity BiologiX

Infinity BiologiX (IBX) is a market-disrupting next-generation central laboratory. It collaborates with, and provides services to researchers and organizations in both the public and private sectors, including sample collection and processing, storage and analytical services, and scientific and technical support in both the research and clinical arenas. The company was previously RUCDR Infinite Biologics before spinning off from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in August 2020.

For more information, visit http://www.ibx.bio

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Infinity BiologiX Expands Executive Team as Company Continues to Grow and Scale its Commercial Presence and Scientific Innovation - BioSpace