IGNOU invites applications for BSc In Biochemistry, apply till August 31 @ Ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in – India Today

August 28, 2020 medical

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has started a new BSc (hons) programme in Biochemistry in online and distance learning (ODL) mode from July 2020. Students who have passed Class 12 exams with subjects like biology, chemistry and physics can apply for the programme at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.

The last date to apply for the programme is August 31, 2020. The course will be taught in English language and Hindi. The minimum duration of the programme is three years and the maximum duartion is six years. The course is available in both January and July session.

With a substantial number of courses from the discipline of Biochemistry and a few interdisciplinary and skill-enhancing courses, this Bachelor of Science Honours programme is designed to give a piece of in-depth knowledge in Biochemistry while giving the learner an opportunity to explore subjects beyond the discipline, IGNOU said.

The registration fee for the programme is Rs 200. The total fee of the programme is Rs 43,500, to be paid as annual fee of Rs 14,500 per year.

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IGNOU invites applications for BSc In Biochemistry, apply till August 31 @ Ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in - India Today

Embryology

The Department of Embryology Tackles Volume and Variety with Qumulo – AiThority

August 28, 2020 medical

Qumulo, the leader in data-aware scale-out NAS, announced that the Department ofEmbryology at the Carnegie Institution for Sciencehas chosenQumulo Core to deliver the performance, scalability, and simplicity needed to keep pace with evolving research data requirements.

The Carnegie Institution for Science conducts an extensive range of pure scientific research, from earth science and biology to magnetism and astronomy. The Institutions Department of Embryology, established in 1913, is globally recognized for its innovative experimental studies, using molecular biology, genetic techniques, and animal models to investigate developmental processes from single-cell embryos to whole organisms research that has led to numerous scientific insights and three Nobel Prizes.

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Embryologys research data can be roughly divided into three categories: images collected from microscopes and other imaging systems, nucleotide sequencing data from next-generation sequencers, and the usual variety of common document files used to collect, report and present results. While document storage is relatively straightforward, the imaging and sequencing data present substantial challenges; data sets can consist of millions of kilobyte-sized files or dozens of hundred-gigabyte files. These files are accessed for processing and analysis from client computers running all of the major operating systems (Windows, Mac OSX, Linux).

Embryology had relied on an EMC/Isilon system as its primary storage. However, that system was approaching end-of-life, and a replacement became necessary to deal with the departments increasing demands for storage, performance, and capacity.

One of our major replacement criteria was finding a storage system that could bridge that file volume and variety, says Bill Kupiec, IT Manager for Carnegies Department of Embryology. It had to handle both the streaming needed for very large data sets and the fast processing required for millions of small files. That made locating a workable solution extremely challenging.

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Qumulo is the leader in data-aware scale-out NAS, delivering flexible, fast, and highly scalable storage together with the real-time analytics necessary for visibility into data usage. The combination provides the storage performance and scale the departments team wanted, packaged in a simple and affordable appliance architecture that leverages commodity hardware.

After an exhaustive search looking at more than a dozen vendors, that ability to combine performance, scalability, and simplicity won the day. The department selected Qumulos QC208 hybrid storage appliances, deploying a four-node, NFS, and SMB-based cluster with almost a petabyte of raw capacity.

With the Qumulo cluster in place, the departments challenge of maintaining system performance across file types and sizes has rapidly become a thing of the past.

Most storage vendors tout aggregate bandwidth, which isnt relevant to us, explained Mahmud Siddiqi, Microscopy Facility Manager for the Department of Embryology. We care about how quickly each client can get files back and forth from the storage system, or how it handles high volume from a metadata or directory standpoint. Virtually every storage system we looked at addressed our aggregate load, but all stumbled when pushed by a single client. Except for Qumulo.

The team found that the new Qumulo cluster was able to quickly traverse large directories, feed high file volumes, and easily deliver or ingest large streaming files.

When the team has needed help in configuring the system, theQumulo Care support has been a quick call or an easy Slack channel away. Our interaction with the Qumulo support team has been great, noted Kupiec. Its so refreshing to have multiple people quickly, knowledgeably, and pleasantly come together to help us sort issues.

The Qumulo team is helping to keep pace with this evolution through agile two-week software sprints that continually enhance the system and help ensure its always meeting the departments needs.

Our research organization falls between the cracks for most storage vendors, with giant imaging sets and millions of tiny genetic sequencing scraps. Finding a system that reasonably handled all our complex workflows was difficult, and in the end, only Qumulo was the right fit, concluded Kupiec.

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Embryology

How having a ‘dad bod’ could affect your chances of becoming a father – Essential Baby

August 28, 2020 medical

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Male belly fat reduces a man's chance of becoming a father by almost half, according to a new study.

The research, which was presented at the The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) conference last month, found that every 5cm increase in a man's middle section, reduced his partner's chances of having a baby by 9 per cent at each IVF attempt.

As part of the study, researchers tracked179 couples undergoing IVFduringJanuary 2019 atMassachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center. Men's and women's height, weight and waist circumference were all measured.

"These results suggest that central obesity may be an independent risk factor for male factor infertility," the researchers, led by Harvard Public Health concluded.

According to the team, belly fat produces a chemical that turns testosterone into the female sex hormone oestrogen.

Having a 'pot belly' was especially problematic, with researchers claiming it can reducea man's chances of producing offspring by 46 per cent.

Dr Fleur Cattrall, fertility specialist at Melbourne IVF, tells Essential Baby that while we already knewa man's weight could negatively affect sperm quality, "This study is important as it shows that the higher the man's waist circumference, the lower the chance of their partner becoming pregnant with IVF."

According to Dr Cattrall, often thefocus is on the femalepartner's pre-pregnancy health. In reality, however, "conception is a team effort".

"This study shows the importance of men optimising their health, particularly their weight prior to commencing IVF treatment to increase the chances of success," Dr Cattrall says.

"Sperm production actuallytakes about three months, so I like to remind men that the sperm they are producing today was actually made six weeks ago."

Dr Cattrall notes that this encourages men to plan ahead, "to limit their alcohol intake, boost their diet with fresh fruit and vegetables and to aim for optimalweightrange as this can help develophealthysperm."

And she says the findings are particularly topical amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Many couples are working from home, spending more time indoors so the potential to overeat is high," Dr Cattrall says.

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How having a 'dad bod' could affect your chances of becoming a father - Essential Baby

Genetics

NIH scientists credited with breakthrough in treating a genetic disorder – Federal News Network

August 28, 2020 medical

Best listening experience is on Chrome, Firefox or Safari. Subscribe to Federal Drives daily audio interviews onApple PodcastsorPodcastOne.

A major breakthrough in treating a genetic disorder can be credited to our next guest. Sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that affects more than 20 million people worldwide. Theyve recently had a breakthrough. Federal News Networks Eric White spoke to one of the scientists at the National Institutes of Health conducting research on sickle cell on Federal Drive with Tom Temin. Dr. John Tisdale is a finalist in this years Service to America Medals program.

Dr. John Tisdale: I trained in internal medicine, and that was in the early 90s. I encountered patients with sickle cell disease who were experiencing extraordinary pain. And at that time, all we had was pain medication. So we would give pain medication and IV fluids because very often dehydration was what provoked the pain episode in these patients. But we had no specific treatments, nothing that were directed at the disease itself, only management of the pain. It was strange to me because I had learned about sickle cell disease in genetics classes and had known that we knew the basis for this disease longer than any other disease, yet we had no treatment, nothing. So it motivated me to think about ways that could treat the disease. The obvious thing that came to mind was a bone marrow transplant because we had a very active bone marrow transplant service at Vanderbilt. And I found that a very exciting way to approach disease and it just made sense that if you have a blood disease that causes all this difficulty in blood comes from the bone marrow well one obvious way to fix it is just to replace the bone marrow with one that doesnt have the genetics that causes the disease, like a brother or sister that we were doing for other kinds of diseases, and that could potentially cure the disease. And in fact, I learned that it had been done before in a patient who had leukemia. And that was a reason for her getting a bone marrow transplant. But she also had sickle cell disease and she was cured of both. There were some efforts during that time to bring that to the clinic, in the pediatric setting, and everything is always easier with kids because theyre tougher when it comes to medications and transplants and all the things that you can think of doing, chemotherapy. That got me motivated into studying hematology and bone marrow transplant, and trying to figure out ways to bring bone marrow transplant to patients with sickle cell disease.

Eric White: This sickle cell disease, obviously weve all heard of it. Even if you know what it is, its still a complicated disease. Can you explain what is the latest research says that sickle cell disease actually does over? As I said its a very strange disease that affects the body in many different ways. Are there any new findings as to how it does actually affect it?

Dr. John Tisdale: Well, I think weve known for a very long time exactly what happens in this disease. It arose as a way to protect from death from malaria. So just one little letter off for the gene that makes our hemoglobin, and hemoglobin is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the blood. So one letter off in part of that molecule, and you have protection from malaria, you dont get the very severe form of malaria because the red cell is not as hospitable to the parasite. So that gets selected for in areas where theres malaria, like in Sub Saharan Africa. But if you get two copies of the gene, one from mom and one from dad, you get this disease, sickle cell disease because the hemoglobin now is different than the normal hemoglobin. Instead of carrying oxygen around and staying in solution like it does normally, you have a hemoglobin that once it does its job by dropping off oxygen out in the body, it can come out of solution and become like rock hard, distort the shape of the red cell thats normally squeezing through blood vessels to find its way back to the lungs to get more oxygen. When that happens, block the circulation. So it kind of causes a log jam and all the blood behind it gets stuck. And so wherever that happens, gets starved of its oxygen. So I mean, if it happens in the brain, for example, it causes a stroke. And so kids, eight years old can have a stroke that looks exactly like the sort that we see in the elderly who have vascular disease. If it happens in the muscle, its extremely painful or in the bone. And it happens in every organ in the body. And as a result can damage those organs over time and significantly shorten the lifespan of patients with sickle cell disease. So the lifespan currently is in the 40s. And thats much improved over the last several decades, but its still much lower than then people without the disease.

Eric White: So with your research, what has given you the most promise? What results have you all hung on to whether its bone marrow transplant or gene therapy? Is there one that you say hey, we might be on to something here?

Dr. John Tisdale: Well, I think the biggest breakthrough that weve made is figuring out just how much of the bone marrow we have to fix. So it turns out, we dont have to completely replace the bone marrow with somebody elses bone marrow to make the blood normal. So normally in a bone marrow transplant you you have to give chemotherapy to take away all of the cells that are making blood. Thats kind of like tilling the garden, right? You cant go out in the middle of a cornfield and spread a bunch of tomato seeds and expect to have tomatoes there, theyre not going to grow because the corns already growing. So the thinking is to do a bone marrow transplant, you have to harvest the corn, till the soil, plant the sees. And the same is true for bone marrow transplants. But it turns out for sickle cell disease, we dont have to do that. Weve had patients who even though we try to get rid of all their bone marrow, we failed and they had up to 80% of their own bone marrow still making blood, and presumably sickle blood. But if we had only 20% from the donor that was making normal blood, that would result in all of the blood being normal. And thats just because sickle cells live 10 or 12 days in the circulation, normal cells live 120 days in the circulation. And since the normal cells have such an advantage, you dont really have to completely eradicate the patients own bone marrow or you dont have to fix every cell. So thats important. That told us two things. One, we dont have to use toxic chemotherapy that we normally have to use to do a bone marrow transplant. And furthermore, we can start to think about gene therapy as an approach because we know we can never fix every cell. But if we could fix 20% of cells, we would predict from what weve observed in patients getting transplants from their brother or sister, that wed be able to fix the disease. And were well above the 20% mark when we transfer genes into cells. We can also correct the mutation at higher than 20%. So knowing that we only have to get to 20% has allowed us to start clinical trials, using the patients own bone marrow where we take those seeds out and try to fix them and give them back. If we can make 20%, we think we can fix the disease.

Eric White: Is there anything else that youd like to get the word out on? Is there any way people might be able to help or if if they have any family members who are suffering from this, if theres anything you would like to tell them?

Dr. John Tisdale: Well, I mean, I think the thing thats very important to understand for anyone with a genetic disease or otherwise is that clinical trials are the way that we make progress. And so participating in clinical trials is important for moving the field forward, and we partner with our patients and their family and their support structure to do these clinical trials and to make progress in the disease. So its extraordinarily important for people to understand that. Thats the way we make progress.

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NIH scientists credited with breakthrough in treating a genetic disorder - Federal News Network

Genetics

Increased Access to Germline Testing Needed in Prostate Cancer – OncLive

August 28, 2020 medical

Germline genetic testing is a key component of prostate cancer treatment, and broader testing criteria combined with reduced barriers to these tests could result in better informed care, including preventive surveillance, according to data from a recent study.1

Results from the retrospective study done in a total of 986 patients with prostate cancer who participated in a sponsored testing program showed that 16% (n = 153) of patients who underwent genetic testing had positive germline result; of these patients, 14% (n = 138) had pathogenic (P)/likely pathogenic (LP) variants and 1.5% (n = 15) had increased risk alleles (IRAs). Moreover, these patients were found to have 167 P/LP variants in 31 genes, as well as 19 IRAs in APC and HOXB13.

A total of 129 patients with P/LP variants had staging data available. This information indicated that 70 patients had very high-risk disease (stage III/IV), 23 had high-risk disease (stage III), and 36 had intermediate- to low-risk disease (stage IIa, IIb, and IIc). Among patients who had P/LP variants or risk alleles, only 36% reported having a family history of prostate, breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer.

Our initial findings from this study of [patients with] prostate cancer found an overall positive rate of 16% with 75% of positive patients being eligible for implementation of gene-specific management guidelines, precision therapies and/or clinical treatment trials, the study authors wrote. Of patients with P/LP variants, 64% did not have a close family history of prostate, breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer, and therefore would not have been eligible for testing based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria.

Current criteria for germline testing in patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer may present a barrier to some individuals, especially those who dont have specific features regarding personal or family history, according to the investigators. Previous data have suggested that these testing criteria can exclude patients who actually harbor germline variants, which could potentially lead to suboptimal care.2

To address this, investigators launched a sponsored testing program aimed at increasing access to germline genetic testing for patients with prostate cancer through the utilization of broader criteria and eliminating cost barriers.

The program launched in July 2019 and continued throughout October 2019. Each patient enrolled on the program underwent testing that included an 84-gene, multicancer germline panel. Positive results included P and LP variants as well as IRAs. Of the 986 patients enrolled, the majority, or 70% (n = 692), were Caucasian, 13% were African American (n = 127), 3% were Hispanic (n = 33), 1.7% were Ashkenazi Jewish (n = 17), 1.0% were Asian (n = 10), and the remaining 11% (n = 107) were of unreported, mixed, or other ethnicity.

Additional results showed that when investigators evaluated diagnostic yield by disease stage, the very high-risk subgroup had a positive rate of 16%, the high-risk subgroup had a positive rate of 17%, and the intermediate- to low-risk subgroup had a positive rate of 14%.

Overall, no association of statistical significance was observed between disease stage and germline positive rate. The intermediate-/low-risk patients, who would not be indicated for germline testing based on current guidelines, had a positive rate of 14% (including P/LP variants and IRAs), the study authors wrote. Of the 36 intermediate-/low-risk patients with positive variants, 27(75%) had variants in clinically actionable genes.

Notably, 71% of patients who tested positive had P/LP variants that confers eligibility for gene-specific targeted agents or clinical trials based on variants in homologous repair or mismatch repair genes, the authors added.

These data imply that broader testing criteria could help to better inform care for many patients who might otherwise be overlooked for testing, according to the authors. By reducing barriers to testing, the authors conclude that more patients with prostate cancer would have access to crucial actionable genetic information that could lead to more targeted treatment approaches that could potentially improve outcomes.

New Recommendations Call for Increased Access to Germline Testing

The 2019 Philadelphia Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference, which brought together healthcare experts, stakeholders, and leaders from national organizations, was held to address challenges with germline testing in clinical practice and to map out a framework to increase accessibility to testing in the precision medicine era.

To do this, the panel set 3 goals: to define optimal germline testing approaches that comprise expanded panel testing options and evolving genetic data, to determine consistent germline testing indications and management, and to establish alternative genetic evaluation models in order to compensate for the shortage of genetic counseling services.3

A total of 97 participants attended the conference; these included experts in urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, clinical genetics, and genetic counseling spaces, among others. In total, 76 participants were included on the final voting panel.

Panel members conducted a literature review with thematic topics that focused on prostate cancer risk, germline mutations by clinical and molecular characteristics of the disease, clinical multigene testing data, germline mutations in diverse populations, genetic testing capabilities and considerations, genetic counseling implementation, NCCN genetic testing guidelines, genetic testing for precision medicine in the metastatic setting, germline implications for active surveillance of early-stage disease, and germline implications for early disease detection.

Large germline panels and somatic testing were recommended for metastatic prostate cancer. Reflex testing to examine priority genes followed by expanded testing was recommended for several scenarios. Investigators determined these priority genes to be BRCA1/2 and mismatch repair genes with regard to metastatic disease treatment, and ATM in broader testing to help determine clinical trial eligibility. Additionally, BRCA2 was suggested for active surveillance discussions.

Upon completion of their review, the panel established criteria for germline prostate cancer genetic testing. Men with metastatic disease, including those with castration-resistant or castration-sensitive prostate cancer, meet the criteria for testing. In order for patients with nonmetastatic disease to be considered for genetic testing, they must either be of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, have advanced disease, have intraductal or ductal pathology, or be grade group 4 (Gleason sum 8) or above. Patients who have a brother or father, or 2 or more male relatives, who received a prostate cancer diagnosis and were under 60 years of age, who died from prostate cancer, or who had metastatic disease should also be considered for testing.

For those with metastatic disease, priority germline testing was recommended for those with BRCA1/2, DNA MMR genes, and further gene testing based on family history. Somatic next-generation sequencing was recommended for all men with metastatic disease. Additionally, confirmatory germline testing for somatic mutations was recommended for those with BRCA2 genes.

Reflex testing may be optimal for patients with nonmetastatic disease, according to the panel. with a recommendation to test for BRCA2 variants. For patients without a prostate cancer diagnosis but with an applicable family history, priority genes for risk assessment include BRCA2 and HOXB13.

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Increased Access to Germline Testing Needed in Prostate Cancer - OncLive

Genetics

Seattle Genetics to Receive Milestone Payment Under ADC Collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline Following European Commission Approval of BLENREP…

August 28, 2020 medical

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Seattle Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGEN) today announced that it will receive a milestone payment from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) triggered by European Commission conditional marketing authorisation for GSKs BLENREP (belantamab mafodotin), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) that utilizes Seattle Genetics proprietary technology. BLENREP was developed and will be commercialized by GSK. In addition to the milestone payment, Seattle Genetics is entitled to royalties on BLENREP product sales. BLENREP was approved as monotherapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma in adult patients who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, one immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, and who have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.

This is the second collaborator program utilizing our ADC technology to receive European Commission approval in 2020, and rapidly follows the FDA approval of BLENREP earlier this month, highlighting the potential of these novel therapies in the treatment of cancer patients globally, said Clay Siegall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Seattle Genetics. Our ADC collaborator progress, along with the growth of Seattle Genetics marketed ADCs, ADCETRIS and PADCEV, and recent positive results of tisotumab vedotin from our ADC pipeline, underscore our leadership in ADCs to treat cancer.

BLENREP was granted PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation in 2017 and the application was reviewed under the European Medicines Agencys (EMA) accelerated assessment procedure, which is given if the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the EMA determines the treatment is of major interest from a public health perspective and represents a therapeutic innovation.

Seattle Genetics ADC technology combines the specificity of monoclonal antibodies, innovative linker systems and potent cell-killing agents to treat cancer. The technology has been licensed to several companies. Under the terms of these agreements, each licensee company has rights to use the technology with antibodies against specified targets. The licensee is responsible for research, product development, manufacturing and commercialization. Seattle Genetics is entitled to receive fees, progress-dependent milestone payments and royalties on worldwide net sales of any resulting ADC products.

About Seattle Genetics

Seattle Genetics, Inc. is a global biotechnology company that discovers, develops and commercializes transformative cancer medicines to make a meaningful difference in peoples lives. ADCETRIS (brentuximab vedotin) and PADCEV (enfortumab vedotin-ejfv) use the Companys industry-leading antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) technology. ADCETRIS is approved in certain CD30-expressing lymphomas, and PADCEV is approved in certain metastatic urothelial cancers. TUKYSA (tucatinib), a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is approved in certain HER2-positive metastatic breast cancers. The Company is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area, with locations in California, Switzerland and the European Union. For more information on our robust pipeline, visit http://www.seattlegenetics.com and follow @SeattleGenetics on Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking, such as those, among others, relating to anticipated milestone payments, fees, and royalties due to the company from GSK and other licensees, the therapeutic uses of BLENREP, the importance of ADCs in treating cancer and the companys leadership in the field of ADCs. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements due to factors such as unanticipated delays in or other obstacles to the development or commercialization of ADCs subject to these license agreements and the receipt by the Company of consideration from the subject ADC licenses. More information about the risks and uncertainties faced by the Company is contained under the caption Risk Factors included in the companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Seattle Genetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Seattle Genetics to Receive Milestone Payment Under ADC Collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline Following European Commission Approval of BLENREP...

Genetics

Cancer Genetics and StemoniX Sign Definitive Agreement to Merge – GlobeNewswire

August 28, 2020 medical

Combined Company Positioned to Offer Best-in-Class and Innovative Drug Discovery Solutions

RUTHERFORD, NJ and MAPLE GROVE, MN, Aug. 24, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cancer Genetics, Inc. (the Company) (Nasdaq: CGIX), and StemoniX, Inc., today announced the entry into a definitive merger agreement. Cancer Genetics is a leader in drug discovery and preclinical oncology and immuno-oncology services. StemoniX, a privatecompany, isa leader in developing high-throughput disease-specifichuman organoid platforms integrated withleading-edge data science technologies. Under the terms of the merger agreement, StemoniX will merge with a newly formed subsidiary of Cancer Genetics in an all-equity transaction. Upon shareholder approval, the combined company expects to remain listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. StemoniX will retain its name and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cancer Genetics.

The transaction will position the combined company to harness the synergies between two critical modalities of drug discovery and development - advanced animal models and relevant human high-throughput organoid platforms. The resulting integration of scientific and technology-based expertise, skilled management teams, and ability to offer customers an end-to-end platform will de-risk and accelerate development of preclinical and clinical pipelines for biopharma partners as well as for the proprietary pipeline of the combined company. In combination, Cancer Genetics and StemoniX currently enjoy partnerships and R&D relationships with dozens of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

"The process of discovering and developing a new drug candidate takes years and comes with a price tag of hundreds of millions - or even billions - of dollars. However, we are at unique time in the drug discovery industry as the convergence of technological innovations in both biology and software will transform conventional workflows in time and accuracy. To convert the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of developing a drug for market, we now look to supplement traditional discovery and drug approval mechanisms to include humanized cell-based assays with artificial intelligence (AI) along with our core vivoPharm business. Given that our strategy and approach are strongly aligned with those of StemoniX, we are pleased to have moved forward with this proposed transaction," stated Jay Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Genetics.

The pharma industry and society are at a critical pivot point. Viral pandemics and diseases lacking treatments require a new way of innovation. The proposed merger expects to expand our ability to engage with a larger audience of potential partners and expand our internal capabilities as we deliver on our mission to rapidly discover the safest and most effective therapeutics on behalf of our partners and our shareholders. The mission will stay consistent - allow scientists to quickly and economically conduct high-throughput toxicity and drug development studies in ready-to-assay plates containing functional microOrgans, stated Ping Yeh, Chief Executive Officer of StemoniX.

ABOUT THE TRANSACTION

Pursuant to the merger agreement, Cancer Genetics will acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of StemoniX in exchange for a number of shares of its common stock which will represent approximately 78% of the outstanding common stock of Cancer Genetics, subject to certain adjustments and prior to the effects of the financing referred to below, with the current equity holders of Cancer Genetics retaining 22% of the common stock immediately following the consummation of the merger.

The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the proposed merger, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to the approval of the shareholders of both Cancer Genetics and StemoniX, financing and other customary closing conditions.

H.C. Wainwright & Co. is acting as financial advisors to the Board of Directors of Cancer Genetics, and Lowenstein Sandler is acting as its legal counsel. Northland Securities, Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the Board of Directors of StemoniX and Taft, Stettinius & Hollister is acting as its legal counsel.

ABOUT CANCER GENETICS

Through its vivoPharm subsidiary, Cancer Genetics offers proprietary preclinical test systems supporting clinical diagnostic offerings at early stages, valued by the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology companies and academic research centers. The Company is focused on precision and translational medicine to drive drug discovery and novel therapies. vivoPharm specializes in conducting studies tailored to guide drug development, starting from compound libraries and ending with a comprehensive set of in vitro and in vivo data and reports, as needed for Investigational New Drug filings. vivoPharm operates in The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) accredited and GLP compliant audited facilities. For more information, please visit http://www.cancergenetics.com.

ABOUT STEMONIX, INC.

StemoniX is empowering the discovery of new medicines through the convergence of novel human biology and software technologies. StemoniX develops and manufactures high-density, at-scale human induced pluripotent stem (iPSC) cell-derived neural and cardiac screening platforms for drug discovery and development. Predictive, accurate, and consistent, these human models enable scientists to quickly and economically conduct research with improved outcomes in a simplified workflow. Through collaborations with drug discovery organizations, StemoniX tests compounds in-house, creates new cell-based disease models, and operationalizes custom human iPSC disease models at large scale for high-throughput screening. With leading-edge iPSC technologies and data science, StemoniX is helping global institutions bring the most promising medicines to patients. To learn more about how StemoniX products and services are accelerating discoveries, please visit http://www.StemoniX.com.

For more information, please visit or follow CGI at:

http://www.cancergenetics.com

Twitter: @Cancer_Genetics

And StemoniX at:

http://www.StemoniX.com

Forward Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements pertaining to Cancer Genetics Inc.s expectations regarding satisfaction of closing conditions, consummation of the merger, future financial and/or operating results, and potential for our services, future revenues or growth in this press release constitute forward-looking statements.

Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to, statements that contain words such as will, believes, plans, anticipates, expects, estimates) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in our ability to satisfy all closing conditions to the merger, our attempts to adapt to the global coronavirus pandemic, achieve profitability by increasing sales of our pre-clinical services, maintain our existing customer base and avoid cancellation of customer contracts or discontinuance of trials, raise capital to meet our liquidity needs and conditions to the merger, properly evaluate strategic options, and other risks discussed in the Cancer Genetics, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020, along with other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Cancer Genetics, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Investor Contacts:Jennifer K. Zimmons. Ph.D.Investor RelationsZimmons International Communications, Inc.Email: jzimmons@zimmonsic.comPhone: +1.917.214.3514

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Cancer Genetics and StemoniX Sign Definitive Agreement to Merge - GlobeNewswire

Genetics

Get Up to Speed on Hemp Genetics, Pollination, and More – Greenhouse Grower

August 28, 2020 medical

The University of California, Davis Seed Biotechnology Center is hosting an online Hemp Breeding and Seed Production course from Oct. 27-29. The course is designed to enhance the knowledge of professionals working on hemp improvement and propagation.

Presentations will cover hemp seed production topics such as flowering, pollination, seed development, harvesting, and certification. Course participants also will learn about hemp genomics, genetics, sex expression, types of cultivars with corresponding breeding schemes, and intellectual property protection options. Instructors include experts from the public and private sectors and will be delivered online in an interactive format with lectures and discussions.

Click herefor more information and to register for the course.

Brian Sparks is senior editor of Greenhouse Grower and editor of Greenhouse Grower Technology. See all author stories here.

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Get Up to Speed on Hemp Genetics, Pollination, and More - Greenhouse Grower

Anatomy

Anatomy of a Goal: The Unions 22-pass sequence that picked apart the Red Bulls – Brotherly Game

August 28, 2020 medical

Kacper Przybylko scored the only goal in the 31st minute Tuesday night as the Philadelphia Union beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in their first home game since their victory over the Red Bulls last October 20 th in the MLS Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

The Union scored an impressive team goal as if it were straight from the training ground, one in which they connected 22 passes before Przybylko side-footed home Ray Gaddis cross from close range. The goal was Przybylkos second of the season and his first since scoring against Inter Miami in the Unions second game of the MLS is Back Tournament.

For Gaddis, the assist was the 10th in his career and his first since last Septembers game against San Jose. Another notable component of the goal, beside the number of passes, was the patience in which the Union maintained possession and waited for the Red Bulls to lose their shape. Though the Red Bulls displayed some questionable team defending, the Union deserve credit for exploiting that weakness.

The sequence began with a Union throw-in well inside their own half. Instead of pressing, the Red Bulls backed off and conceded possession, something theyd done often throughout the first 300 minutes, and allowed the Union to pass the ball around, in, and out again until eventually dropping inside their own half. This wouldnt be a bad strategy on the road against a Union midfield that is better, but the Red Bulls never pressured, stayed in straight lines, and failed to rotate fast enough. And allowing the Union midfield time and space is like leaving your Wawa hoagie on a beach towel with swarming seagulls.

After 13 passes that backed the Red Bulls into their own half, the first penetrating ball from Mark McKenzie to Jamiro Monteiro through a channel down the left side beat three defenders, exposing those Red Bull gaps and lines. Monteiro had time but was stuck near the sideline with three surrounding defenders, perfect double team position. The Red Bulls were slow to press, and Monteiro pulled the ball back and found Kai Wagner, who passed to Jos Martinez all alone in the middle. Again, New York was slow to react, and Martinez turned and switched the play to an open Alejandro Bedoya on the far right side, a sequence that happened often in the early minutes.

This time, New York rotated, but when Bedoya played the ball back to Jakob Glesnes, they never pulled out or applied pressure. Instead they stayed collapsed, so Glesnes had time to pass to Martinez again in the middle with space, and as Bedoya slid back, Ray Gaddis pushed forward, and Wooten filled Bedoyas spot out wide.

Something important here about offensive shape. As Bedoya played the ball back to Glesnes, Przybylko and Aaronson remained central, which left room wide for Gaddis to run into. The ball from Wooten led Gaddis, which helped Gaddis face the Red Bull defender. He had a look at the flat back four and played a strong swirling ball behind the line away from Red Bulls keeper Ryan Meara, freezing him. A lack of communication between Meara and his central defenders contributed to the goal, but Przybylkos was in his wheelhouse, unmarked. Aaron Long barely glanced his way. Przybylko did well to slip in behind the line, meet the ball, and tuck it home off a short hop.

Its energizing for a team to have so many players involved in one goal. And that lift led to several opportunities for Przybylko and Sergio Santos in the second half as the Red Bulls took more chances at the other end. Team goals like this also builds confidence for future games, especially for Przybylko, who needed a poachers goal to prove that hes finding his form.

Anatomy

Get Cast in Netflix Thriller ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’ + More Greenlit UK Productions – Backstage

August 28, 2020 medical

Photo Source: Unsplash / Timur Romanov

Production is re-opening and these UK projects are now visible on the horizon, whether in development or actively casting. Keep these leads on your radar and your eyes open for the opportunity to land an audition.

Anatomy of a ScandalNetflixs adaptation of Sarah Vaughans hit thriller novel starts shooting this November. Following a high-profile marriage that unravels after the husband is accused of a terrible crime, there are no leads confirmed but casting director Lucy Bevan is attached casting now.

Hitmen 2Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins return as best friends and business partners Fran and Jamie, who also happen to be professional hitmen. Created by BAFTA-winning writing partners Joe Parham and Joe Markham, the second series for Sky begins shooting early 2021 and original casting director Tracey Gillham is very likely to return.

CyranoJoe Wright directs the big-screen musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, the romping romantic tale of a man whos only held back by his extraordinarily large nose. Peter Dinklage stars as Cyrano alongside a supporting cast that includes Haley Bennett, Brian Tyree Henry and Ben Mendelsohn. The project shoots in the UK and Sicily and casting director Nina Gold is attached. Filming begins in November.

Vera 11ITV detective series Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn and based on the novels by Ann Cleeves, returns for an eleventh instalment. Two episodes shoot this autumn and four in spring 2021, all on location in Northumberland. Casting director Maureen Duff is likely to oversee casting.