Category Archives: Cell Biology

Cell Biology

In their own words: Fitch’s Taylor Wolfgang, Bucknell University softball – theday.com

Editor's note: Fitch High School'sTaylor Wolfgang, a junior softballplayerat Bucknell University,saw herseason abruptly end in March when spring sports were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fifthof a periodical series of essays written by local college student-athletes who suffered similar fates, Wolfgangexpresses her thoughts on the situation.

By Taylor Wolfgang

Being a junior, now rising senior, at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania,I thought I had it all figured out. I had the academic routine down, the understanding of how college softball worked and the feeling of being on my own and taking care of myself was comfortable. And then this virus hit and threw me and everyone else for a loop. Although we are all still trying to adjust to this "new normal" of remote learning and staying inside as much as possible, I cannot wait for this event to pass so I can find myself back on the grounds of Bucknell again.

When I was going about the recruitment process in my junior year of high school, I had been contacted by a handful of schools that wanted me to come play softball for them at the Division I collegiate level. These offers could be daunting and overwhelming at times but I never let that get in the way of where I wanted to end up: a prestigious academic school with wide offerings of science majors and a competitive athletic program.

From the schools I had offers from, I knew Bucknell was ultimately the perfect fit. Being someone who values both their academics and athletics greatly, Bucknell was able to fulfill my needs in both of those areas. Along with these offerings, Bucknell's small student population is greatly filled with athletes that are just like me. I really liked the idea of this, as I knew when I walked around campus I would be able to see familiar faces and know I was surrounded by individuals who are going through the same experiences.

I went into Bucknell declared as a cell biology andbiochemistry major and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. The experience and knowledge I am gaining in the classroom and in the laboratories is preparing me for a future job in either the research and development field of pharmaceuticals or in the field of healthcare.

When I am not in the classroom or lab you can find me on the softball field with the rest of my team. The success that I have had so far at Bucknell can be attributed to three main sources. The first is from my time playing for Fitch here in Groton. Those four memorable years taught me lessons both on and off the field that I would be able to carry with me to Bucknell. These included the ability to bounce back from heartbreaking losses and the importance of trust and confidence in every single one of your teammates.

The second is my family. From the start of my athletic journey in t-ball to the end where I will eventually play my final collegiate softball game, my family members have always been my biggest supporters. The confidence and belief they have in me fuels my drive to be as successful as I possibly can for them. Every time I step in between those two chalk lines I play for them.

Lastly, my success at Bucknell would not be possible if it were not for our hitting and catching coach, Matt Burns. Coming in as a freshman I thought I had it all figured out until coach Burns knocked me on my butt and showed me what I was missing. He saw the level of skill I was at and constantly pushed me every single day so that I would eventually reach the full potential he knew I could get to. Through a lot of tears, sweat, yelling, laughs and memorable conversations, coach Burns completely changed the way I look at the world and helped me find a version of myself as an individual and as a softball player I never knew existed. I will be forever grateful that I got to call him my coach.

It was a shame and devastating feeling when the news was broken to us that our 2020 season would be coming to an abrupt end. We were the 42nd Bucknell softball team in program history and it was every player and coach's intention to bring a Patriot League championship home. This was team 42's year.

When the season was cancelled, my heart broke for my teammates, as I knew of all of the hard work we had put in over the summer, fall, and winter to prepare us for this journey. Hugging each individual senior on my team as they cried over their final season being ripped from them will be a moment I will never forget. My heart still hurts for all of the seniors across the country who didn't get to play their final game, throw their final pitch, hit their final ball or experience all of the other finals that come with their sport.

Next season, Bucknell softball team 43 will be more ready than we ever have been and we play for the seniors from this past year. We will play every game as if it is our last because if there is one thing this past season has taught me, it is that you never know when that last one will occur.

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In their own words: Fitch's Taylor Wolfgang, Bucknell University softball - theday.com

Cell Biology

Breakthrough discovery in HIV research opens path to new, better therapies. – Brinkwire

New research on the structure of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has revealed a promising novel drug target for treating HIV infection, which affects more than 1 million Americans and 40 million people worldwide. The findings, published today in Science, show that the viruss genetic code can be read in two different ways by cells the virus has infected. The result is that infected cells make two different forms of the viruss RNA.

This functional diversity is essential for the virus to replicate in the body. The virus has to have a proper balance between the two forms of RNA, says Joshua Brown, the lead author on the study. For decades, the scientific community has known that two different structural forms of HIV RNA existthey just didnt know what controls that balance. Weve discovered that a single nucleotide is having a huge effect, which is a paradigm shift in understanding how HIV works.

Crucially, You can imagine that if you could come up with a drug that would target the genetic code at that one specific spot, and shift it to one form only, then it could prevent further infection, theoretically, says Brown, who earned his Ph.D. from UMBC in 2018 and continues to conduct research there while completing his M.D.

A new trajectory

One of the things were working on now is testing different molecules that could shift the equilibrium between the two forms, so that it could potentially be used as a treatment for HIV, says Issac Chaudry, a junior at UMBC and an author on the paper.

This exciting work comes from a research group led by Michael Summers, Robert E. Meyerhoff Chair for Excellence in Research and Mentoring and Distinguished University Professor at UMBC. Summers has been conducting groundbreaking research on HIV for decades. Typically, the groups focus is on basic science.

Drug discovery isnt the direction that the Summers lab usually goes, but this was such an impactful finding in a very attractive area, we took the initiative to start looking into it, Brown says. But were still in the very early stages.

More effective treatments for more patients

Thanks to significant research on HIV over the last few decades, today AIDS is a manageable disease. Still, therapies can come with side effects, medication regimens can be complex, and treatment options can be limited for patients with other conditions, such as liver or kidney problems.

Many therapies, even if they come in the form of a single pill, contain several drugs targeting different parts of the viruss replication cycle. Thats necessary because the HIV genetic code, which is made of RNA, mutates rapidly. This allows the virus to adapt and become resistant to current HIV therapies. If a drug targets an area that has mutated in a given patient, the drug may no longer work for them. By using several drugs at once, its more likely that the regimen will continue to work for longer.

But the area of the HIV RNA genome that this new research focuses on is highly conserved. This means the rate of mutation is less than other places in the genome, explains Ghazal Becker, a 2019 UMBC alumna and an author on the paper. The result is theres more chance of a drug that targets that region being effective for longer, she says.

It might also mean that one drug would be enough, rather than patients needing several drugs to get the job done. If youre targeting a conserved region, you can potentially come up with a treatment plan that uses only one drug, says Aishwarya Iyer, a 2018 UMBC alumna, current M.D./Ph.D. at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and an author on the paper. It might have fewer side effects and could offer more treatment options to people with different health conditions.

Expanding the research horizon

This new research opens up a range of opportunities for Browns research group and others. Were very interested to see how other labs will interpret our results, expand upon them, and possibly find other applications for this type of RNA function, Brown says.

Those future results and any new therapies they enable could have a major impact. Every time we get a new drug in HIV, we exponentially improve the chances of individuals finding a drug that works for them, where resistance is a little less likely, says Hannah Carter, a 2017 UMBC alumna, current M.D./Ph.D. student at University of Michigan, and an author on the paper. Every time a new drug can get on the scene, thats a significant improvement for the lives of HIV patients.

The research could have effects beyond HIV, too. Some HIV research has laid the groundwork in how we understand coronaviruses, Carter adds. All basic science in HIV ends up having a ripple effect throughout all of virology.

The ripple effect might go even farther. The idea that a single nucleotide difference is changing the structure and function of RNA that is thousands of nucleotides long could open up a whole new aspect of cell biology, Chaudry says. It could be possible that there are mammalian genes that operate in a similar manner, and the entire mechanism might be something thats applicable to other human genes as well. I think that whole paradigm could provide a new perspective for RNA biology.

Provided byUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County

Original post:
Breakthrough discovery in HIV research opens path to new, better therapies. - Brinkwire

Cell Biology

Gilead, Kite and oNKo-innate Announce Research Collaboration to Discover Cancer Immunotherapies Focused on Natural Killer (NK) Cells – Business Wire

FOSTER CITY, Calif. & SANTA MONICA, Calif. & MELBOURNE, Australia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD), Kite, a Gilead Company, and oNKo-innate announced the companies have entered into a three-year cancer immunotherapy research collaboration to support discovery and development of next-generation drug and engineered cell therapies focused on natural killer (NK) cells.

Current cancer immunotherapy approaches primarily focus on T cell mediated anti-tumor immunity, including checkpoint inhibition and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. Like T cells, NK cells are a class of lymphocytes (white blood cells) that play a critical surveillance and effector role in the immune system. NK cells and T cells each have the potential to attack cancer cells, but have different mechanisms for tumor cell killing. Thus, appropriately activated and targeted NK cells may represent a differentiated approach that would be potentially complementary and synergistic with T cell mediated anti-tumor strategies.

Gilead is pleased to partner with oNKo-innate as a leader in this new and highly promising area of cancer immunotherapy, said William A. Lee, PhD, Executive Vice President, Research, Gilead Sciences. We have a strategic focus of growing both our expertise and pipeline in immuno-oncology and we believe this exciting collaboration will support each of these objectives as we work to discover and develop novel cancer therapies for patients.

Kite is committed to building upon our leadership in cell therapy as we seek to meet the needs of patients with cancer, said Peter Emtage, PhD, Senior Vice President of Research at Kite. Early clinical data utilizing adoptively transferred NK cells has been encouraging and we are excited by the opportunity to scientifically expand our capabilities in this area and to identify novel NK cell therapies to advance toward clinical development.

With more than 20 years of collective academic expertise in NK cell biology, we have long believed in the potential for NK cells to play a role in cancer immunotherapy, said Jai Rautela, PhD, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of oNKo-innate. We look forward to bringing this NK cell expertise and our unique screening techniques into a collaboration with Gilead and Kite to serve a common goal of discovering new treatments for patients.

Through this research collaboration, oNKo-innate will use genome-wide screening techniques and its proprietary technology platform to discover novel immune cell targets that enhance NK cell anti-tumor immunity and to create NK cell therapies. For Gilead, oNKo-innate will execute screens to identify and validate targets to seed internal Gilead immuno-oncology discovery programs. For Kite, oNKo-innate will create and evaluate NK constructs for Kites development of next-generation cell therapies.

Under the terms of the agreement, oNKo-innate will receive an upfront payment and will be eligible to receive additional payments based on achievement of certain clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as sales royalties across the immuno-oncology and cell therapy programs.

About oNKo-innate

oNKo-innate is a discovery-stage biotechnology company dedicated to target identification and pre-clinical immuno-oncology drug development. With our deep understanding of NK cells, we aim to be the first to truly therapeutically harness the cancer-fighting abilities of these remarkable white blood cells. For more information on oNKo-innate, visit http://www.onko-innate.com.

About Kite

Kite, a Gilead Company, is a biopharmaceutical company based in Santa Monica, California. Kite is engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor and T cell receptor engineered cell therapies. For more information on Kite, please visit http://www.kitepharma.com.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the companys website at http://www.gilead.com.

Gilead and Kite Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risk that Gilead and Kite may not realize the potential benefits of this collaboration with oNKo-innate or other investments in immuno-oncology or cell therapies. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described in detail in Gileads Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to Gilead and Kite, and Gilead and Kite assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

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Gilead, Kite and oNKo-innate Announce Research Collaboration to Discover Cancer Immunotherapies Focused on Natural Killer (NK) Cells - Business Wire

Cell Biology

Stem Cells Market Outlook with a Focus on Clinical Therapies 2020-2030: Types of Stem Cells, Route of Administration, Therapeutic Areas, End-users,…

DUBLIN, April 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Stem Cells Market: Focus on Clinical Therapies, 2020-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Stem cell therapies are viable alternatives to conventional treatments with substantial therapeutic potential; market opportunities are huge, as multiple product candidates are expected to be approved over the coming decade.

This report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, offering an informed opinion on the likely adoption of these therapeutics over the next decade. The report features an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in this domain.

One of the key objectives of the report was to estimate the existing market size and identify the future opportunity for stem cell therapies over the next decade. The research, analyses and insights presented in this report are based on revenue generation trends based on the sales of approved stem cell therapies.

The report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity within stem cell therapies market across:

According to the WHO, in 2020, nearly 75% of fatalities that are estimated to be reported across the globe, are likely to be caused due to diseases, such as chronic stroke disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and certain mental health conditions. In addition, as per a report published by the Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan, more than 50% of the global population was estimated to be living with some form of chronic illness.

The rising prevalence of these clinical conditions has resulted in dire need for the identification of effective therapeutic options. Despite advances in healthcare, there is an evident lack of permanent treatment solutions for many aforementioned diseases. Majority of the currently available treatment options focus on palliative care and are incapable of addressing the root cause of disease, therefore, are unable to improve quality of life of patients.

Since the first bone marrow transplant in 1950s, these regenerative cellular therapies have garnered significant attention within the biopharmaceutical industry. Over the years, advances in the field of cell biology and regenerative medicine have led to the development of a number of stem cell therapies, which are believed to possess the potential to address several unmet needs related to the treatment of a wide range of disease conditions. Stem cell-based treatments are known for their ability to replace damaged cells and tissues, thereby, curing affiliated disease symptoms.

In fact, such interventions have also been shown to enable cell regeneration, restoring normal functioning capabilities in affected organs. Till date, nearly 25 stem cell-based therapies have been approved; popular examples include EYE-01M (2019), Alofisel (2018), MACI (2016), Stempeucel (2016) and Strimvelis (2016). Further, several such therapies are presently being evaluated across 540 active clinical trials worldwide. This emerging field of research has received significant capital investments from several big pharma companies and venture capital funds / investors.

Despite the associated optimism, the growth of this market is stunted by a number of development and manufacturing related challenges, primarily revolving around the limited availability of the required expertise and infrastructure to produce such products. However, the availability of innovative technology platforms, large target patient population, encouraging clinical trial results, and extensive government support, the stem cell therapies market is poised to grow in the long-term.

In addition to other elements, the study includes:

To account for the uncertainties associated with the manufacturing of stem cell therapies and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three forecast scenarios, portraying the conservative, base and optimistic tracks of the market's evolution.

The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with senior stakeholders in the industry.

The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders:

Key Topics Covered

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION 3.1. Chapter Overview3.2. Overview of Stem Cell Therapies3.3. Regulatory Guidelines for Stem Cell Therapies3.4. Prevalent Trends Related to Stem Cell Therapies3.5. Growth Drivers and Roadblocks

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE4.1. Chapter Overview4.2. Stem Cell Therapies: Marketed and Development Pipeline4.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Additional Information4.4. Stem Cell Therapies: List of Technology Platforms4.5. Stem Cell Therapies: List of Therapy Developers4.6. Heptagon Representation: Analysis by Phase of Development and Key Therapeutic Area4.7. Grid Representation: Analysis by Phase of Development, Source of Stem Cell and Therapeutic Area4.8. Tree Map Representation: Analysis by Therapeutic Area and Size of the Company4.9. World Map Representation: Analysis of Regional Activity

5. COMPANY PROFILES5.1. Chapter Overview5.2. Anterogen5.2.1. Company Overview5.2.2. Product Portfolio: Clinical-Stage Stem Cell Therapies5.2.3. Recent Developments and Future Outlook5.3. Athersys5.4. CHA Biotech5.5. Cytopeutics5.6. Hope Biosciences5.7. Mesoblast5.8. Pluristem Therapeutics5.9. Takeda Pharmaceutical5.10. TICEBA

6. KEY THERAPEUTIC AREAS6.1. Chapter Overview6.2. Autoimmune / Inflammatory Disorders6.3. Cardiovascular Disorders6.4. Dermatological Disorders6.5. Metabolic Disorders6.6. Oncological Disorders6.7. Neurological Disorders

7. ANSOFF MATRIX EVALUATION7.1. Chapter Overview7.2. Established Therapeutic Areas in Established Regions7.2.1. Competition7.2.2. Growth Opportunities7.3. Established Therapeutic Areas in Emerging Regions7.4. Emerging Therapeutic Areas in Established Regions7.5. Emerging Therapeutic Areas in Emerging Regions

8. ACADEMIC GRANTS ANALYSIS8.1. Chapter Overview8.2. Scope and Methodology8.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Analysis of Grants Awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)8.4. Grant Attractiveness Analysis

9. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS9.1. Chapter Overview9.2. Scope and Methodology9.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Clinical Trial Analysis

10. STEM CELL MANUFACTURING MARKET LANDSCAPE AND KPIs FOR EVALUATING CONTRACT SERVICES PARTNERS10.1. Chapter Overview10.2. Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing10.3. Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing: KPI Analysis10.4. Concluding Remarks

11. STEM CELL THERAPY DEVELOPERS AND CMOs: OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT11.1. Chapter Overview11.2. Therapy Developers and CMOs in North America11.3. Therapy Developers and CMOs in Europe11.4. Therapy Developers and CMOs in Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World11.5. Concluding Remarks

12. KEY COMMERCIALIZATION STRATEGIES12.1. Chapter Overview12.2. Successful Drug Launch Strategy: ROOTS Framework12.3. Successful Drug Launch Strategy: Product Differentiation12.4. Commonly Adopted Commercialization Strategies based on Stage of Product Development12.5. Key Approved Stem Cell Therapies: Profiles12.5.1. CARTISTEM12.5.2. HiQCell12.5.3. Prochymal12.5.4. Strimvelis12.6. Key Commercialization Strategies Adopted by Stem Cell Therapy Developers12.6.1. Strategies Adopted before Therapy Approval12.6.2. Strategies Adopted Post Therapy Approval12.7. Opportunities and Challenges with Unapproved Therapies12.8. Concluding Remarks

13. MARKET FORECAST13.1. Chapter Overview13.2. Scope and Limitations13.3. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions13.4. Overall Stem Cell Therapies Market, 2020-203013.5. Concluding Remarks

14. CONCLUSION

15. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS15.1. Chapter Overview15.2. Seraxis15.3. Xcelthera15.4. Kadimastem15.5. Heartseed15.6. University of Rostock15.7. Bio Elpida15.8. Roslin Cell Therapies15.9. University of Minnesota15.10. Waisman Biomanufacturing15.11. YposKesi

Companies Mentioned

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r95p7c

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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

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Stem Cells Market Outlook with a Focus on Clinical Therapies 2020-2030: Types of Stem Cells, Route of Administration, Therapeutic Areas, End-users,...

Cell Biology

NHS staff should be tested WEEKLY for coronavirus even if they dont have symptoms, top experts say – The Sun

NHS staff should be tested weekly for coronavirus even if they don't have symptoms, top experts say.

Currently, the Governments testing strategy involves testing NHS workers only if they have developed signs of the deadly virus, including a fever and a new, continuous cough.

1

However, a new Imperial College London study has recommended testing all healthcare employees regularly, particularly those most exposed to the virus, to prevent transmission of the bug.

And the researchers, who used a mathematical model, revealed that this could slash transmission between NHS staff by as much as a third.

The latest report was headed-up by Professor Neil Ferguson, the epidemiologist whose modelling has helped inform the Governments coronavirus strategy.

His study recommends that as the UKs testing capacity increases towards the Governments target of 100,000 per day by the end of April, NHS staff continue to be prioritised above community testing, which targets members of the public.

The reports authors said community testing was unlikely to help reduce transmission since individuals with suspected Covid-19 are already advised to self-isolate.

Matt Hancock yesterday announced that seven million of England's key workers and their families can now get coronavirus tests.

The Health Secretary expanded testing for Covid-19 to make sure millions more people more can get them - under radical plans to get the country moving again.

The news means that anyone working in key industries - such as teachers, bankers or supermarket workers - can now get tested if they develop symptoms.

However, thehome tests for key workers ran out this morning - as 5,000 kits were snapped up in two minutes before drive-through slots were also fully booked up.

The Imperial College London report suggests that it should be NHS staff alone, not all essential workers, who are tested often for the virus.

The report revealed that testing healthcare workers at the end of their shifts and processing the results overnight could reduce transmission between NHS staff by between 25 and 33 per cent.

The 35,000 intensive care staff in the UK could each be tested once a week and only use 5,000 tests per day - just five per cent of the Governments daily capacity target.

Some UK hospitals are already trialling regular routine testing.

On Wednesday, just 23,560 tests were carried out, with eight days to go until the Government's deadline to reach 100,000.

The Government have been pinning their hopes on antibody testing- which would tell patients through a finger-prick blood test if they have already had the virus and recovered.

However, Mr Ferguson and his team said that it is has not been validated - meaning the testing is not reliable enough.

And the researchers also said immunity Passports, which would prove the holder has had coronavirus and no longer does, were not likely to be effective.

They raised concerns that the economic and personal benefits of an immunity passport to the general population would lead to fraud, and implementation of such a scheme is likely to face serious legal and ethical challenges related to discrimination based on immune status.

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The report concludes that while testing will play a critical role in informing the risk of lifting various components of social distancing interventions, it should be limited to people who are at high risk of infection.

Reacting to the research, Dr Rupert Beale at the Francis Crick Institutes Cell Biology of Infection Laboratory told The Telegraph: The Imperial team have made a valuable contribution to the case for rigorous healthcare worker screening.

We should have imposed robust mechanisms for this already. The case for preventing transmission within hospitals and care homes is overwhelmingly strong.

The case for preventing transmission within hospitals and care homes is overwhelmingly strong

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for increased testing in countries with major Covid-19 outbreaks.

Currently, the UK lags behind France, Germany, Spain and Italy in the number of tests it carries out weekly, but all countries face global shortages of testing kits and the cotton swabs.

It was revealed yesterday that up to 300,000 Brits will be offered coronavirus home-testing to help track the spread of the outbreak.

Officials will contact 20,000 households in England to take part in a pioneering year-long study.

Participants will be tested for the killer bug every week for a month by a trained nurse.

They will then provide a monthly swab for the rest of the trial.

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ANDREW BAILEYWith measures to keep people in work & cheaper loans, the bank has your back

As well as checking Brits for current infection, around 2,000 adults will also provide a blood sample to screen for antibodies against the disease.

The tests will help reveal the true scale and spread of the outbreak with the first results expected in early May.

Scientists said the trial will help transform our understanding of the infection.

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NHS staff should be tested WEEKLY for coronavirus even if they dont have symptoms, top experts say - The Sun

Cell Biology

[OPINION] We need to professionalize biology in the Philippines – Rappler

The first 4 months of the year 2020 saw raging forest fires in Australia, the eruption of a volcano (Taal Volcano) located in the middle of a caldera lake (Lake Taal), a locust infestation in parts of Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic which traces its origins to bat and/or pangolin consumption in China, and turquoise-blue waters returning to Manila Bay during the first few weeks of the "enhanced community quarantine." These of course, came at the heels of a water crisis in Metro Manila, the declaration of Sardinella tawilis as an endangered species last year, and the continued negative impacts of climate change.

All these scenarios have brought challenges that have affected all our lives. Social media has increased public interest in these phenomena but have likewise led to many misinterpretations and fake news. One thing shared by all these events is that they are best understood by persons who have degrees and training in biology. They would be among the most knowledgeable members of the population who would be able to understand, explain, offer advice, and have the skills to help study, analyze, and even mitigate the negative impacts of such catastrophic events. Unfortunately, the lack of recognition of biology as a valid career option prevents biology graduates from being appreciated and recognized for their contributions. (READ: Recipe for disaster? U.P. scientists slam release of invasive 'anti-dengue' species)

Studying biology is so much more than the usual high school biology activities such as dissecting frogs or identifying the parts of a flower. Biology is an extremely multi-faceted discipline, from the molecular level all the way to the entire biosphere. The recommended CHED curriculum in biology (CHED CMO 49 s. 2017) provides opportunities to learn basic and applied concepts in taxonomy and systematics, cell and molecular biology, evolutionary biology, genetics, developmental biology, microbiology, and physiology. These are then further strengthened by specialization courses such as bioinformatics, industrial biotechnology, marine biology, conservation biology, medical microbiology, histology and histopathology, parasitology, and immunology, among others. These options largely depend on the chosen specialization track, or major, of the student. A B.Sc. Biology graduate would therefore be knowledgeable in the use of microscopic techniques, DNA isolation, and analysis (which is extremely important in determining positive COVID-19 cases using a PCR machine), microbiological assays, testing on animal models, mapping, statistical analyses, environmental monitoring, and identification of organisms to species level. (READ: Top PH biologist: Tech, data help us understand species better)

Unfortunately, an undergraduate degree in biology, which is offered by 202 Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) in the Philippines (Raymundo et al., 2017) is widely perceived as a dead-end degree. Many students (and even their parents) usually dread career options in biology if in case one decides not to pursue a medical career. Oftentimes, graduates of B.Sc. Biology who do not proceed to medical school end up underemployed unable to practice whatever tangible knowledge or skills they obtained from their undergraduate studies.

It is not surprising to find B.Sc. Biology graduates engaged in entry-level careers in Business Process Outsourcing (i.e. call centers), sales, real estate, and marketing. Others resort to taking a second baccalaureate degree which offers better career prospects, especially abroad, such as nursing or physical therapy. This is because earning a decent living as a biology graduate means taking additional graduate degrees yet eventually competing for a limited number of available job opportunities. Unfortunately, this scenario wastes 4 years of hard toil, spent studying the rigors of biology courses, as well as the research training they obtained while working on their undergraduate thesis. (READ: VIRAL: UP student studying biology while in rally)

I would like to attribute the anxiety of many students over potential career prospects in biology to factors such as 1) the lack of recognition of biology as a valid profession in the Philippines; 2) the competition with, and preference for, graduates of other degrees who have government licensure examinations (medical technologists, chemists, fisheries graduates, agriculturists, foresters, etc.); 3) the low regard for research, innovation, and development among Philippine-based industries and corporations; and 4) the limited job opportunities in academia given the research culture in many higher educational institutions.

In this article, I hope to offer suggestions to address the first two of the 4 factors listed above. The last two factors, though equally important, are not unique to biology and covers other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Furthermore, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has been continuously coming up with initiatives that have helped ease this problem, such as 1) providing scholarship opportunities for graduate degrees in STEM (DOST-SEI, 2020); 2) raising compensation packages for research staff (DOST, 2019); and 3) strengthening the Scientific Career System for scientists in public service (NAST, 2020). Though far from perfect, this shows how the DOST has been striving to champion the plight of those engaged in S&T careers.

At present, initiatives to professionalize a discipline in biological sciences is limited to microbiology. The Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM) offers a certification examination for Registered Microbiologists. The PAM aims to take this to the next level, by soliciting support for a Microbiology Bill in the Philippine legislature (Chipeco, 2019). Once approved, this would transform the exam into a Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) board examination, thus giving microbiologists proper government recognition. This may be used as a benchmark for professionalizing biologists.

Since biologists are needed in many other disciplines apart from microbiology-related professions, the entire discipline needs to undergo proper certification as well. This will enable biologists to have a distinct identity compared to other related professions, which have the unique advantage of filling in vacant positions simply because they have professional board examinations even though these tasks may be best performed by a biologist. To give one possible scenario, a job opening intended for a molecular biologist may be easily filled up by a licensed medical technologist because biology graduates, even though they are obviously qualified to perform the tasks of a molecular biologist, do not hold a government-issued professional license.

However, given the limited job opportunities and the need for further specializations in graduate school, any attempt to come up with a professional certification examination for biologists must specify that a masters degree in biology be the minimum requirement to qualify for the exam, following the example of the Psychology Law (R.A. 10029) for Registered Psychologists. This would ensure that the candidate has taken more than the basic course requirements specified in the undergraduate curriculum and has been exposed to a certain field of specialization in graduate school which makes them more prepared to engage in a highly specialized career. Given how graduate students are encouraged to publish in valid, peer-reviewed journals as part of their graduate training, requiring the completion of a masters degree prior to taking the certification examination ensures that anyone who qualifies as a professional biologist has undergone adequate research training, which is among the strengths of anyone who has pursued advanced degrees in biology.

Another option is to empower biology associations or societies involved in different disciplines to maintain a certain level of quality among their members by providing professional certification programs in various subspecialties or disciplines. This is not without precedent. In Canada, organizations such as the Alberta Society of Professional Biologists (ASPB) and the Association of Professional Biology (APB) in British Columbia regulates and ensures the qualifications of those who wish to practice biology as a profession in their respective federal states. Professional certifications also exist for highly specialized disciplines such as wildlife biology and fisheries biology.

In the Philippines, this means that for us to jumpstart any attempt to professionalize biology, the currently existing professional societies in various fields of biology must provide professional certificate programs in their respective disciplines. They should also come together and form an umbrella organization or academy that would spearhead reaching out to the national government and employers to recognize such professional certifications issued by their respective societies in choosing candidates for a certain position. At present, there are different professional societies for biochemistry and molecular biology (PSBMB), cell biology (PSCB), developmental biology (PSDB), biology teachers (BIOTA Philippines), systematic biologists (ASBP), freshwater sciences (PSFS), and biodiversity and conservation (BCSP), to name a few. None of these organizations offer professional certificate programs for their members, save perhaps for the usual conference, training course, or seminar-workshop that they offer on an annual basis.

If we would be able to come up with a united front, we can be assured that we will be able to tap into this rich resource of potential contributors to help improve our awareness and understanding of the natural world, which, given this state of the new normal, should be integral components of our workforce the biologists. Rappler.com

Rey Donne S. Papa holds a PhD Biological Sciences degree from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where he also holds the rank of Professor, teaching zoology and ecology courses in the UST Department of Biological Sciences. He is currently serving as the Dean of the UST College of Science and is the Program Lead for the Natural Sciences in the UST Graduate School. He is also the President of the Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines and the Vice President of the Philippine Society for Freshwater Science. Dr Papa is a freshwater biologist with 58 peer-reviewed international and national publications in the field to date. He may be reached through rspapa@ust.edu.ph.

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[OPINION] We need to professionalize biology in the Philippines - Rappler

Cell Biology

Meis1 protein plays key role in stopping cell division in the heart – News-Medical.Net

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have discovered a protein that works with others during development to put the brakes on cell division in the heart, they report today in Nature.

The findings could eventually be used to reverse this developmental block and help heart cells regenerate, offering a whole new way to treat a variety of conditions in which heart muscle becomes damaged, including heart failure caused by viruses, toxins, high blood pressure, or heart attacks.

Current pharmaceutical treatments for heart failure including ACE inhibitors and beta blockers center on trying to stop a vicious cycle of heart muscle loss as strain further damages remaining heart muscle, causing more cells to die, explains UT Southwestern physician-researcher Hesham A. Sadek, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of internal medicine molecular biology, and biophysics. There are no existing treatments to rebuild heart muscle.

Nine years ago, Sadek and his colleagues discovered that mouse hearts can regenerate if they're damaged in the first few days of life, spurred by the division of cardiomyocytes, the cells responsible for a heart's contractile force.

However, this capacity is completely lost by 7 days old, an abrupt turning point in which division of these cells dramatically slows and the cells themselves enlarge. The reasons why these cells gradually slow and stop dividing has been unclear.

Sadek and his team discovered in 2013 that a protein called Meis1, which falls into a category known as transcription factors that regulate the activity of genes, plays a key role in stopping heart cell division.

However, he explains, although deleting this gene in mice extends the window of heart cell division, this effect is transient heart cells missing this gene eventually slow and stop their multiplication.

Consequently, the researchers wondered whether there were redundant mechanisms in place that stop heart cell division even when Meis1 is absent.

Toward that end, they looked to see what other transcription factors might track activity with Meis1 in heart cells as they rapidly divide and then slow to a halt in the days after birth. They quickly discovered one called Hoxb13 that fit the bill.

Other proteins in the Hox family, Sadek notes, have been shown to act as chaperones to Meis1 in other types of cells, ferrying Meis1 into the cell nucleus.

To better understand Hoxb13's role in heart cells, the researchers genetically engineered mice in which the gene that codes for Hoxb13 was deleted.

These mice behaved much like those in which just the gene for Meis1 was deleted the window for heart cell rapid division was increased but still closed within a few weeks.

When the researchers shut off Hoxb13 in adult mouse hearts, their cell division had a brief resurgence, enough to prevent progressive deterioration after an induced heart attack but not enough to promote significant recovery.

However, when the researchers deleted both the genes for Meis1 and Hoxb13, heart cells in these mice appeared to revert to an earlier stage in development, both decreasing in size and multiplying more.

After an induced heart attack, these mice had a rapid improvement in the amount of blood each beat could expel from the heart. Their heart function had almost returned to normal.

With clear evidence that Meis1 and Hoxb13 work together to stop heart cell division in the days after birth, Sadek and his colleagues looked for what might in turn regulate these proteins.

Their experiments suggest that the answer is calcineurin, a protein that's responsible for regulating the activity of other proteins by removing their phosphate groups.

Because calcineurin plays a key role in a variety of diseases and other medical conditions, such as rheumatic arthritis, schizophrenia, diabetes, and organ transplant, several drugs already exist on the market that target this protein.

Conceivably, says Sadek, other drugs could be developed to directly target Meis1 and Hoxb13. Researchers may eventually be able to develop strategies to restart heart cell division through a single drug or combinations that target any part of this regulatory pathway, he adds.

By building up the story of the fundamental mechanisms of heart cell division and what blocks it. we are now significantly closer to being able to harness these pathways to save lives."

Hesham A. Sadek, M.D., Ph.D., Physician-Researcher and Professor of Internal Medicine Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Sadek also holds the J. Fred Schoellkopf, Jr. Chair in Cardiology.

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Meis1 protein plays key role in stopping cell division in the heart - News-Medical.Net

Cell Biology

Hamilton Thorne Reports Record Revenue for the Quarter and Year-Ended December 31, 2019 – GlobeNewswire

BEVERLY, Mass. and TORONTO, April 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX-V: HTL), a leading provider of precision instruments, consumables, software and services to the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), research, and cell biology markets, today reported audited financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2019.

Financial Highlights

David Wolf, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne Ltd., commented, 2019 was another significant year for Hamilton Thorne with record sales of $35.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of $7.1 million. We continued to invest in sales and support resources in the US and Germany and continued to enhance our operations in order to take better advantage of the cross-selling and marketing synergies between the North American and European-based businesses. We also completed a significant expansion of our product line, geographic coverage and scale when we acquired UK-based Planer Limited in August. As we move past the COVID-19 pandemic, we see a significant opportunity to grow revenues from the Planer product line by leveraging our established direct sales channels and expanding the business of other Hamilton Thorne brands through additional direct sales capabilities in the UK.

Commenting on the quarter, Mr. Wolf added, With sales of $10.8 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $2.2 million, this was a record quarter for Hamilton Thorne. We increased our EBITDA margin versus the rest of the year, while continuing to invest in R&D and sales and marketing resources. Sales were positively impacted by the addition of approximately $1.6 million of revenues from the newly acquired Planer business, significant growth in the Companys laser and image analysis systems business, increased consumables sales, and continued growth of the sale of third-party equipment in the US. Gross profit for the quarter was up versus the balance of the year at approximately 56.5% due to product mix, and relatively flat compared to the prior years fourth quarter.

All amounts are in US dollars, unless specified otherwise, and results, with the exception of Adjusted EBITDA, are expressed in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

Results of Operations for the year-ended December 31, 2019

Hamilton Thorne sales increased 21% to $35,358,409 for the year-ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $6,144,595 from $29,213,814 during the previous year. Sales were up due to organic growth in operations owned by the Company for more than one year augmented by the added revenues from the Planer acquisition. Sales into the human clinical market grew substantially, primarily driven by strong increases in the sales of third-party equipment, our own clinical instruments, particularly in the second half of the year, our newly introduced LYKOS DTSTM laser system, and Gynemed-branded consumables, augmented by the contribution from the Planer acquisition. Sales into the animal breeding markets were up slightly for the year while sales into the research and cell biology markets were up substantially, largely driven by the contribution from the Planer acquisition as well as strong toxicology systems sales in the fourth quarter.

Gross profit for the year increased 15% or $2,526,302 to $19,030,022 in the year-ended December 31, 2019, compared to $16,503,720 in the previous year, primarily as a function of sales growth. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was down at 53.8% for the year-ended December 31, 2019 versus 56.5% for 2018 primarily due to product mix, particularly the impact of additional direct sales of third-party products in the US, and the addition of somewhat lower margin sales of Planer products, partially offset by increases in direct sales of higher margin proprietary equipment, branded consumables, and quality control testing services sales.

Operating expenses increased 22% or $2,897,173 to $15,805,307 for the year-ended December 31, 2019, up from $12,908,134 for the previous year, primarily due to the addition of Planer expenses post-closing, increased acquisition expenses, and increased depreciation and amortization. Excluding acquisition-related expenses for both periods, operating expenses would have been up $2,272,174, or 18%. Operating expenses were also affected by continued strategic investments in research and development and sales and marketing resources.

Net interest expense decreased $47,233 from $1,151,455 to $ 1,104,222 for the year-ended December 31, 2019 versus the prior year primarily due to reductions in the Companys revolving line of credit, convertible debentures due to conversion, and other term loan borrowings, plus interest earned on the Companys cash balances, partially offset by increased term debt in August to partially finance the Planer acquisition.

The change in fair value of derivative decreased $846,199 for the year-ended December 31, 2019, from a gain of $572,621 in 2018 to a non-cash loss of $273,578, primarily due to the weakening of the euro, partially offset by the increase of the Companys share price between the measurement dates.

Net income decreased to $793,275 for the year-ended December 31, 2019, versus $2,960,355 for the prior year, primarily attributable to increased revenues and profitability for the relevant periods offset by increased operating expenses, the $846,199 change in fair value of derivative, increased income taxes, increased acquisition expense, and continued strategic investments in research and development and sales and marketing resources.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year-ended December 31, 2019 increased 15% to $7,096,012 versus $6,187,254 in the prior year, due to revenue and gross profit growth, partially offset by increased operating expenses in the periods.

Results of Operations for the Fourth Quarter ended December 31, 2019

For the three months ended December 31, 2019, sales were up 34% from $8,072,739 to $10,841,097. Gross profit was up 34% to $6,121,965 versus $4,574,835 for the prior year. Sales and gross profit were up due to organic growth in operations owned by the Company for more than one year augmented by the added revenues and gross profit from the Planer acquisition. Gross profit percentage decreased from 56.7% to 56.5% for the quarter, primarily due to product mix. Operating expenses were up 34% to $5,160,706 versus $3,842,854 for the prior year, primarily due to the addition of Planer operating expenses for the quarter.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Companys net income decreased to $930,581 while Adjusted EBITDA increased 28% to $2,233,064 versus net income of $2,745,020 and Adjusted EBITDA of $1,750,245 for the prior year fourth quarter. These changes were due primarily, in the case of net income, to the $939,562 change in the fair value of derivative and increased income taxes, and in the case of Adjusted EBITDA to increased sales and gross profits partially offset by increased operating expenses.

See the Companys published Management Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income for the year and the quarter.

OUTLOOK

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has added substantial uncertainty to the short- and mid-term outlook as the countries where the Company has significant operations have required entities to limit or suspend business operations and have implemented travel restrictions and quarantine measures.The Companys operations are deemed to be part of the essential medical infrastructure in most places where it has personnel and it has implemented business continuity plans, including work from home programs, to maintain operations.

While it is not possible at this time to estimate the impact that COVID-19 could have on the Company, the continued spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by the governments of countries affected has and is expected to continue to affect the demand for certain of the Companys products and services and could disrupt the supply chain and the manufacture or shipment of product inventories and adversely impact the Companys business, financial condition or results of operations. The COVID-19 outbreak and mitigation measures may also have an adverse impact on global economic conditions which could have an adverse effect on the Companys business and financial condition. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak impacts the Companys results will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity of the virus and the actions to contain its impact.

Mr. Wolf commented, The first quarter of 2020 started off very strong. Our preliminary estimated results for Q1 are approximately $10.2 million in sales, which represents over 30% year over year growth and approximately 10% organic growth (approximately 12% constant currency). We did, however, see reduced demand for some of our products and services in certain territories as the quarter developed, as many IVF clinics reduced their activities. This reduction has continued in the second quarter, but we have also seen demand for our products return in some territories, notably China, which had been severely impacted in Q1. These fluctuations in demand for many of our products and services will last for a period of time that is difficult to determine, and will have an adverse effect on financial results in the second quarter, which could extend for one or more subsequent quarters. To improve our financial results, we have taken actions to reduce many non-essential expenses, reduce some personnel costs, and defer certain capital expenditures and new hiring.

Mr. Wolf continued, The Company has generated cash from operations since 2013 and, in normal circumstances, expected to generate cash from operations in 2020. Given the uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, it is impossible to predict whether the Company will generate cash from operations in 2020. Regardless, the Company currently maintains a strong balance sheet, with cash on hand of approximately $15.1 million, and net bank debt of approximately $10.1 million following the Companys Q1 drawdown under its line of credit, and believes that its current cash position should be sufficient to support operations for the next twelve months. We continue to work on our acquisition program with a goal of completing one or more meaningful acquisitions every twelve to eighteen months; however, the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak could affect this goal.

Mr. Wolf added, The COVID-19 virus will eventually run its course, and, we remain optimistic that once this happens, the strong macroeconomic and demographic tailwinds that have driven the growth of our business over the past few years will continue for the foreseeable future.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to review highlights of results. All interested parties are welcome to join the conference call by dialing toll free 1-855-223-7309 in North America, or 647-788-4929 from other locations, and requesting Conference ID 7281879. The Companys updated investor presentation and a recording of the call will be available on Hamilton Thornes website shortly after the call.

Financial Statements and accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis for the periods are available on http://www.sedar.com and the Hamilton Thorne website.

About Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (www.hamiltonthorne.ltd)

Hamilton Thorne is a leading global provider of precision instruments, consumables, software and services that reduce cost, increase productivity, improve results and enable breakthroughs in Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), research, and cell biology markets. Hamilton Thorne markets its products and services under the Hamilton Thorne, Gynemed, Planer, and Embryotech Laboratories brands, through its growing sales force and distributors worldwide. Hamilton Thornes customer base consists of fertility clinics, university research centers, animal breeding facilities, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, and other commercial and academic research establishments.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The Company has included earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation expense, changes in fair value of derivatives and identified acquisition costs related to completed transactions (Adjusted EBITDA) as a non-IFRS measure, which is used by management as a measure of financial performance. See section entitled Use of Non-IFRS Measures and Results of Operations in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis for the periods covered for further information and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income.

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at http://www.sedar.com.

For more information, please contact:

David Wolf, President & CEO Hamilton Thorne Ltd. 978-921-2050 ir@hamiltonthorne.ltd

Glen AkselrodBristol Investor Relations905-326-1888glen@bristolir.com

Michael Bruns, CFOHamilton Thorne Ltd.978-921-2050ir@hamiltonthorne.ltd

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Hamilton Thorne Reports Record Revenue for the Quarter and Year-Ended December 31, 2019 - GlobeNewswire

Cell Biology

Male reproductive health problems could begin in womb – Mirage News

Disruptions to male babies development early during pregnancy could have a profound effect on a mans future reproductive health, according to new research.

A world-first finding into the gestation period when testes develop in the fetus has given researchers new insights into the potential causes of male infertility and testicular cancer later in life.

A Hudson Institute research team led by Professor Kate Loveland has discovered that a growth factor, activin A, is linked to steroid production in the testes in utero.

This research demonstrates for the first time that activin A is necessary for normal production of testosterone in the fetal testis, said Ms Whiley, a PhD student with the Testis Development and Male Germ Cell Biology group and the studys first author.

Published in the journal Endocrinology, the discovery shows that activin A promotes synthesis of two enzymes crucial for the final steps of testosterone synthesis, in a preclinical model. However, the absence of activin A resulted in an abnormal steroid environment.

Ms Whiley said the findings pinpoint an important growth period in utero when the testes are developing.

Events that alter activin A levels, which can occur due to different physiological conditions of pregnancy or the mothers exposure to certain medications, may explain why some boys and men have impaired reproductive health, Prof Loveland said.

Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer in young men aged 18-39. Reduced fertility affects one in 20 men. Both are increasingly common, but the causes of these disorders are not well understood. Disruptions occurring during fetal life may have a profound effect on a mans future reproductive health, she said.

The research provides a new understanding of how steroids are produced in the fetal testis. In addition, the key role of activin A highlights how formation of the earliest germline cells may be affected by factors in their environment.

This study is part of our ongoing research that aims to better understand the basis of male infertility and conditions such as hypospadias, cryptorchidism (see Key facts below) and testicular cancer, which are increasing worldwide, Prof Loveland said.

KEY FACTS

Funders | NHMRC

Collaborators | Professor David Handelsman (ANZAC Institute, Sydney, AUS), Professor Kristian Almstrup (Copenhagen University Hospital)

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Male reproductive health problems could begin in womb - Mirage News

Cell Biology

Global Stem Cells Market with Focus on Clinical Therapies, 2020-2030 – Presents a Detailed Clinical Trial Analysis on More Than 540 Completed, Ongoing…

Dublin, April 22, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Stem Cells Market: Focus on Clinical Therapies, 2020 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Stem cell therapies are viable alternatives to conventional treatments with substantial therapeutic potential; market opportunities are huge, as multiple product candidates are expected to be approved over the coming decade

This report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, offering an informed opinion on the likely adoption of these therapeutics over the next decade. The report features an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in this domain.

One of the key objectives of the report was to estimate the existing market size and identify the future opportunity for stem cell therapies over the next decade. The research, analyses and insights presented in this report are based on revenue generation trends based on the sales of approved stem cell therapies.

The report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity within stem cell therapies market across:

According to the WHO, in 2020, nearly 75% of fatalities that are estimated to be reported across the globe, are likely to be caused due to diseases, such as chronic stroke disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and certain mental health conditions. In addition, as per a report published by the Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan, more than 50% of the global population was estimated to be living with some form of chronic illness.

The rising prevalence of these clinical conditions has resulted in dire need for the identification of effective therapeutic options. Despite advances in healthcare, there is an evident lack of permanent treatment solutions for many aforementioned diseases. Majority of the currently available treatment options focus on palliative care and are incapable of addressing the root cause of disease, therefore, are unable to improve quality of life of patients.

Since the first bone marrow transplant in 1950s, these regenerative cellular therapies have garnered significant attention within the biopharmaceutical industry. Over the years, advances in the field of cell biology and regenerative medicine have led to the development of a number of stem cell therapies, which are believed to possess the potential to address several unmet needs related to the treatment of a wide range of disease conditions. Stem cell-based treatments are known for their ability to replace damaged cells and tissues, thereby, curing affiliated disease symptoms.

In fact, such interventions have also been shown to enable cell regeneration, restoring normal functioning capabilities in affected organs. Till date, nearly 25 stem cell-based therapies have been approved; popular examples include EYE-01M (2019), Alofisel (2018), MACI (2016), Stempeucel (2016) and Strimvelis (2016). Further, several such therapies are presently being evaluated across 540 active clinical trials worldwide. This emerging field of research has received significant capital investments from several big pharma companies and venture capital funds / investors.

Despite the associated optimism, the growth of this market is stunted by a number of development and manufacturing related challenges, primarily revolving around the limited availability of the required expertise and infrastructure to produce such products. However, the availability of innovative technology platforms, large target patient population, encouraging clinical trial results, and extensive government support, the stem cell therapies market is poised to grow in the long-term.

In addition to other elements, the study includes:

To account for the uncertainties associated with the manufacturing of stem cell therapies and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three forecast scenarios, portraying the conservative, base and optimistic tracks of the market's evolution.

The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with senior stakeholders in the industry.

The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders:

Key Topics Covered

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION 3.1. Chapter Overview3.2. Overview of Stem Cell Therapies3.3. Regulatory Guidelines for Stem Cell Therapies3.4. Prevalent Trends Related to Stem Cell Therapies3.5. Growth Drivers and Roadblocks

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE4.1. Chapter Overview4.2. Stem Cell Therapies: Marketed and Development Pipeline4.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Additional Information4.4. Stem Cell Therapies: List of Technology Platforms4.5. Stem Cell Therapies: List of Therapy Developers4.6. Heptagon Representation: Analysis by Phase of Development and Key Therapeutic Area4.7. Grid Representation: Analysis by Phase of Development, Source of Stem Cell and Therapeutic Area4.8. Tree Map Representation: Analysis by Therapeutic Area and Size of the Company4.9. World Map Representation: Analysis of Regional Activity

5. COMPANY PROFILES5.1. Chapter Overview5.2. Anterogen5.2.1. Company Overview5.2.2. Product Portfolio: Clinical-Stage Stem Cell Therapies5.2.3. Recent Developments and Future Outlook5.3. Athersys5.4. CHA Biotech5.5. Cytopeutics5.6. Hope Biosciences5.7. Mesoblast5.8. Pluristem Therapeutics5.9. Takeda Pharmaceutical5.10. TICEBA

6. KEY THERAPEUTIC AREAS6.1. Chapter Overview6.2. Autoimmune / Inflammatory Disorders6.3. Cardiovascular Disorders6.4. Dermatological Disorders6.5. Metabolic Disorders6.6. Oncological Disorders6.7. Neurological Disorders

7. ANSOFF MATRIX EVALUATION7.1. Chapter Overview7.2. Established Therapeutic Areas in Established Regions7.2.1. Competition7.2.2. Growth Opportunities7.3. Established Therapeutic Areas in Emerging Regions7.4. Emerging Therapeutic Areas in Established Regions7.5. Emerging Therapeutic Areas in Emerging Regions

8. ACADEMIC GRANTS ANALYSIS8.1. Chapter Overview8.2. Scope and Methodology8.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Analysis of Grants Awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)8.4. Grant Attractiveness Analysis

9. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS9.1. Chapter Overview9.2. Scope and Methodology9.3. Stem Cell Therapies: Clinical Trial Analysis

10. STEM CELL MANUFACTURING MARKET LANDSCAPE AND KPIs FOR EVALUATING CONTRACT SERVICES PARTNERS10.1. Chapter Overview10.2. Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing10.3. Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing: KPI Analysis10.4. Concluding Remarks

11. STEM CELL THERAPY DEVELOPERS AND CMOs: OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT11.1. Chapter Overview11.2. Therapy Developers and CMOs in North America11.3. Therapy Developers and CMOs in Europe11.4. Therapy Developers and CMOs in Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World11.5. Concluding Remarks

12. KEY COMMERCIALIZATION STRATEGIES12.1. Chapter Overview12.2. Successful Drug Launch Strategy: ROOTS Framework12.3. Successful Drug Launch Strategy: Product Differentiation12.4. Commonly Adopted Commercialization Strategies based on Stage of Product Development12.5. Key Approved Stem Cell Therapies: Profiles12.5.1. CARTISTEM12.5.2. HiQCell12.5.3. Prochymal12.5.4. Strimvelis12.6. Key Commercialization Strategies Adopted by Stem Cell Therapy Developers12.6.1. Strategies Adopted before Therapy Approval12.6.2. Strategies Adopted Post Therapy Approval12.7. Opportunities and Challenges with Unapproved Therapies12.8. Concluding Remarks

13. MARKET FORECAST13.1. Chapter Overview13.2. Scope and Limitations13.3. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions13.4. Overall Stem Cell Therapies Market, 2020-203013.5. Concluding Remarks

14. CONCLUSION

15. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS15.1. Chapter Overview15.2. Seraxis15.3. Xcelthera15.4. Kadimastem15.5. Heartseed15.6. University of Rostock15.7. Bio Elpida15.8. Roslin Cell Therapies15.9. University of Minnesota15.10. Waisman Biomanufacturing15.11. YposKesi

Companies Mentioned

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

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.

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Global Stem Cells Market with Focus on Clinical Therapies, 2020-2030 - Presents a Detailed Clinical Trial Analysis on More Than 540 Completed, Ongoing...