NEW YORK & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Scil is launching a service, the first of its kind, that allows individuals to benefit from 2012 Nobel Prize-winning medical research to store a backup of their adult selves literally freezing their healthy cells in time. Scils world-leading experts use cutting-edge techniques to take cells from a small sample of an individuals skin and reboot them at the "Day Zero state". These skin cells are processed into stem cells (iPS) that are stored long-term for potential future uses, which could repair damaged organs, rebuild tissue or fight disease, as personalised genetic-based medicine continues to develop.

Andr Choulika, CEO of Scil, said: Scil offers people the best possible chance in the future. People should be able to live young, no matter how old they grow. Scil gives them the opportunity to take advantage of the wave of regenerative medicine. Were offering the potential for people to use their cells for their cure as soon as regenerative medicine treatments become available.

iPS (induced pluripotent stem cells) are capable of developing into any cell type. They can be derived from adult cells at any time of life, but given the fast rate at which cell DNA degenerates (the human body accumulates about 1.8 million DNA mutations per second), Scils experts recommend taking this step sooner rather than later to ensure the healthiest possible cells are stored.

With the Scil service, the iPS cells are stored at -180C for as long as needed for potential future use as soon as regenerative medicine treatments become available. It is the first time ever that such a service has been made available to individuals commercially.

Regenerative medicine is the process of replacing or regenerating human cells, tissues and organs to restore or establish normal function or, by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms, to heal previously irreparable tissues or organs.

The service is very simple and painless for the individual. A skin tissue sample is taken under local anaesthetic and by arrangement at your convenience. The skin cells are then rebooted into iPS cells by Scils world-leading biotechnology teams; and finally they are stored by Scil for a lifetime in cutting-edge laboratory conditions until they are needed for future medical applications as soon as they become available.

You can read more about Scil, the benefits of stem cell banking, and the leading role its parent company Cellectis plays in genetic research at http://www.sceil.com

About Scil

Scil, part of the Cellectis Group, delivers a service that allows individuals to freeze their adult stem cells and harness the future potential of regenerative medicine. Based on Nobel Prize-winning research, Scils world-leading experts use cutting-edge techniques to take cells from a small sample of an individuals skin and reset them at the Day Zero state. These skin cells are processed into induce pluripotent stem cells (iPS) that are stored long-term for potential future needs to repair damaged organs, rebuild tissue and fight disease as personalised genetic-based medicine continues to develop. For further information about Scil, please visit http://www.sceil.com

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Scéil Launches World’s First iPS Stem Cell Back-up Service

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An in vitro fertilization (IVF) milestone has been announced by British researchers. For the first time, a baby was born using a new embryo screening technique combs through genetic data looking for risk for diseases and other abnormalities. The researchers say the technique, known as "next generation sequencing" will revolutionize embryo selection for families turning to IVF.

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"In the past few years, results from randomized clinical trials have suggested that most IVF patients would benefit from embryo chromosome screening, with some studies reporting a 50 percent boost in pregnancy rates. However, the costs of these genetic tests are relatively high, putting them beyond the reach of many patients," lead researcher Dr. Dagan Wells, a scientist at the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Oxford in the U.K., said in a statement. "Next generation sequencing is a way which could make chromosome testing more widely available to a greater number of patients, improving access by cutting the costs."

Wells presented the case study of the first birth Monday at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in London.

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Next generation DNA-sequencing technology is used in other areas of medicine, such as in research of differences between normal cells and cancer cells, according to the Columbia Genome Center in New York City. For the process, DNA is broken into small fragments which are turned into strings of genetic code which are then sequenced in hundreds of millions parallel reactions.

This testing can also reveal information on the chances for inheriting genetic disorders, chromosome abnormalities and mitochondrial disease, mutations within a cell's nucleus that could lead to conditions including heart disease, motor disorders, diabetes, respiratory problems, seizures, and vision and hearing problems.

Wells said since the technology is already revolutionizing diagnostic medicine, if it's applied to embryo selection for IVF, it can provide "an unprecedented insight into the biology of embryos."

That's important, because only about 30 percent of embryos currently selected for transfer in IVF actually implant in the uterus. The reason for this high failure rate is unknown, according to the researchers, but they suspect hidden genetic mutations and abnormalities may be at play.

To ensure the new technique's accuracy, the researchers sequenced cells from 45 embryos that had previously been shown to be abnormal by a different testing technique. In a blind comparison of the two techniques, high accuracy was established.

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IVF first: Baby born with embryo selection from DNA screening

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/96mtm2/personalized) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech's new report "Personalized Medicine - Scientific and Commercial Aspects" to their offering.

This updated 2013 report now features even more company profiles and collaborations!

The aim of personalized medicine or individualized treatment is to match the right drug to the right patient and, in some cases, even to design the appropriate treatment for a patient according to his/her genotype. This report describes the latest concepts of development of personalized medicine based on pharmacogenomics, pharmacogenetics,pharmacoproteomics, and metabolomics. Basic technologies of molecular diagnostics play an important role, particularly those for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. Diagnosis is integrated with therapy for selection of the treatment as well for monitoring the results. Biochip/microarray technologies are also important and finally bioinformatics is needed to analyze the immense amount of data generated by various technologies.

Pharmacogenetics, the study of influence of genetic factors on drug action and metabolism, is used for predicting adverse reactions of drugs. Several enzymes are involved in drug metabolism of which the most important ones are those belonging to the family of cytochrome P450. The knowledge of the effects of polymorphisms of genes for the enzymes is applied in drug discovery and development as well as in clinical use of drugs. Cost-effective methods for genotyping are being developed and it would be desirable to include this information in the patient's record for the guidance of the physician to individualize the treatment. Pharmacogenomics, a term that overlaps with pharmacogenetics but is distinct, deals with the application of genomics to drug discovery and development. It involves the mechanism of action of drugs on cells as revealed by gene expression patterns. Pharmacoproteomics is an important contribution to personalized medicine as it is a more functional representation of patient-to-patient variation than that provided by genotyping. A 'pharmacometabonomic' approach to personalizing drug treatment is also described.

Biological therapies such as those which use patient's own cells are considered to be personalized medicines. Vaccines are prepared from individual patient's tumor cells. Individualized therapeutic strategies using monoclonal bodies can be directed at specific genetic and immunologic targets. Ex vivo gene therapy involves the genetic modification of the patient's cells in vitro, prior to reimplantation of these cells in the patient's body.

Increase in efficacy and safety of treatment by individualizing it has benefits in financial terms. Information is presented to show that personalized medicine will be cost-effective in healthcare systems. For the pharmaceutical companies, segmentation of the market may not leave room for conventional blockbusters but smaller and exclusive markets for personalized medicines would be profitable. Marketing opportunities for such a system are described with market estimates from 2012-2022.

Profiles of 283 companies involved in developing technologies for personalized medicines, along with 504 collaborations are included in the part II of the report. Finally the bibliography contains over 650 selected publications cited in the report. The report is supplemented by 65 tables and 18 figures.

Key Topics Covered:

Part I: Scientific & Commercial Aspects

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Research and Markets: Personalized Medicine Report - Scientific and Commercial Aspects - 2013-2022

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LIVINGSTON, NJ--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2013) - Reprogenetics, one of the largest providers of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) services announced today that one of their researchers Dr. Dagan Wells of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Oxford, UK, Reprogenetics UK and Reprogenetics LLC, has been acknowledged by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), in London, UK for his work in the area of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). His research led to the first ever successful birth of a baby through this unique science revealing extensive genetic information derived from human embryos. This impressive science can significantly impact the process for, and success rate of, embryo selection for in vitro fertilization in the future.

"Reprogenetics congratulates Dr. Wells on his outstanding accomplishment to genetic analysis and achieving this monumental goal in the reproductive space," said Dr. Jacques Cohen, Reprogenetics Scientific Director. "We are proud of the quality team we have established including Dr. Wells who all play an integral role in us reaching the goal of predicting viability of embryos with our NGS technique, and what it can ultimately mean for patients."

About the studyTo test the accuracy and predictability of NGS, the international study conducted in the UK in collaboration with IVF clinics in the USA used a technique that has never before been applied in the screening of human embryos. The study looked at multiple cells from cell lines known to have chromosomal abnormalities, genetic defects (cystic fibrosis), or other mutations (n=30). Further, in a blinded portion of the study, investigators used the new NGS technique to re-examine 45 embryos in which abnormalities had previously been identified by other methods. Once the accuracy of the new technique was demonstrated, it was applied clinically, with cells sampled from seven five-day old embryos produced by two couples undergoing IVF. The mothers were 35 and 39 years old, and one had a history of miscarriage (total 82 embryos).

The outcome validated the NGS technique, with 100% of samples yielding results (82/82). NGS accurately identified abnormalities in those cells that had been previously identified as having them. And, in the clinical setting, NGS revealed 3/5 viable embryos from the first couple and 2/2 from the second. Single embryo transfers based on these results led to healthy pregnancies for both couples. The first pregnancy ended with the delivery of a healthy boy, Connor Levy, last month and the other is ongoing.

Dr. Wells noted that the cost of NGS, which enables simultaneous testing for a variety of abnormalities, is significantly lower than that of existing screening methods, suggesting that this technique may ultimately bring genetic analysis within reach for a much larger number of patients.

"We greatly admire the vision, drive and perseverance demonstrated by Dr. Wells and his team. This study validates an important new approach to genetic analysis, and we look forward to working with them and pursuing this research further," said Dr. Jamie Grifo, of NYU and a participant in the study.

About Embryo ScreeningAccording to ESHRE, on average, only about 30% of embryos selected for transfer actually result in a viable pregnancy. Although the precise reason is unknown, researchers believe that unidentified genetic or chromosomal abnormalities are in part responsible for this low success rate. Genetic screening methods introduced in recent years are helpful, but still have multiple drawbacks when used in a clinical setting.

About PGS In PGS, embryos created through in-vitro fertilization are tested for chromosomal abnormalities prior to replacement in a woman's uterus. This process allows the reproductive endocrinologist to select only chromosomally healthy embryos for replacement with the goal of increasing the chance of successful implantation, reducing spontaneous abortion, reducing the chance for a fetus to have a chromosomal abnormality and improving delivery rates for assisted reproduction.

Chromosome abnormalities are the primary cause of miscarriage and failure to implant. This percentage increases with maternal age, and studies have shown that 82% of embryos from women 40 years and older will be chromosomally abnormal. However, once normal (euploid) embryos are selected, they implant equally well at any age up to 42 years of age.

About ReprogeneticsReprogenetics is a genetics laboratory specialized in Reproductive Medicine and a pioneer and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). Dr. Santiago Munn and Dr. Jacques Cohen founded Reprogenetics in the year 2000 after extensive experience in PGD and IVF, with more than 24,000 PGD procedures performed so far, and with branches in 7 countries. Reprogenetics offers a comprehensive and personalized service to its referring IVF centers and their patients. Genetic counselors are intricately involved in the process and interact routinely with the patients pursuing all PGD tests.

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First Ever Baby Born Through Genetic Derived Human Embryos

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The HIV gene medicines company Calimmune announced today that the first patient has begun treatment in a Phase I/II clinical trial designed to determine whether a pioneering genetic medicine approach can help to protect individuals infected with HIV from the effects of the virus. The study, Safety Study of a Dual Anti-HIV Gene Transfer Construct to Treat HIV-1 Infection, utilizes a gene medicine called Cal-1, developed in the lab of Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore and by Calimmune.

In the study, 12 HIV-positive participants will be infused with their own T cells and stem cells (hematopoietic stem cells, HSC), which have been modified to block the HIV receptor CCR5, and to prevent HIV fusion. The procedure is designed to prevent the virus from entering and damaging protected cells. The dual approach used in the study is designed to reduce the possibility that HIV can develop resistance to the procedure.

The goal of the study is to assess the safety, feasibility and tolerability of Cal-1 in HIV-infected individuals who have previously been on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) but are not currently taking any antiretroviral agent. In addition to routine clinical and laboratory assessments to monitor general health and HIV infection, the study will monitor the presence of Cal-1 protected cells in various cell types in the blood and lymphoid tissue. Other analyses will monitor the safety of Cal-1. The first patient was treated in the study in late June. Data from this study are expected in 2015.

All participants in the studys three arms will receive the Cal-1 gene transfer. Participants in two of the three study arms will also receive different doses of a preconditioning drug known as busulfan, which may make the therapy more effective.

This study is an early but important step in an emerging area of scientific exploration, representing the culmination of more than a decade of research and development, said Calimmune Chief Executive Officer Louis Breton. We are optimistic that what we learn from this study may bring us closer to the day when a one-time treatment could provide an alternative to a lifetime of antiretroviral therapy.

The study has been partially funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). The study will take place at clinical trial sites in Los Angeles and San Francisco, Calif., under the direction of Principal Investigators Ron Mitsayasu, M.D., of UCLA and Jacob P. Lalezari, M.D., of Quest Clinical Research.

For more information, visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

About Calimmune

Calimmune is a clinical-stage HIV gene medicines company focused on developing innovative cell-based therapies for HIV. The companys stem cell technology was discovered in the labs of Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore (Caltech) and Dr. Irvin Chen (UCLA AIDS Institute). Calimmune is also developing a rich product candidate pipeline to address the needs of different types of individuals at different states of HIV infection and with different levels of treatment experience.

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Calimmune Initiates HIV Stem Cell Study at Two California Research Sites

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Shotgun Flash - Apex Genetics on Esamir
A good run on my shotgun flash -- http://www.twitch.tv/lepalose/c/2512624 utm_campaign=archive_export utm_source=lepalose utm_medium=youtube.

By: Lepalose

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Shotgun Flash - Apex Genetics on Esamir - Video

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ATV Motocross @ Apex Genetics
Some shotgun flashing among the buildings at Apex Genetics -- http://www.twitch.tv/lepalose/c/2512633 utm_campaign=archive_export utm_source=lepalose utm_medium=youtube.

By: Lepalose

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ATV Motocross @ Apex Genetics - Video

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Shaman Genetics

By: Nicolas Corales

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Shaman Genetics - Video

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AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2013) - uniQure B.V., a leader in human gene therapy, today announced it has signed collaboration agreements with Chiesi Famaceutici SpA for the commercialization of Glybera, the first gene therapy to receive regulatory approval in Europe, as well as the co-development of a gene therapy for hemophilia B. In connection with this transaction, uniQure has received EUR 17 million (USD 21.8 million) in collaboration financing and EUR 14 million (USD 18 million) in equity financing from Chiesi, and has converted into equity the previously announced EUR 14.1 million (USD 18.1 million) investment led by Coller Capital (London, UK) with participation by existing investors.

uniQure's agreement with Chiesi, an international company headquartered in Parma, Italy, gives Chiesi exclusive rights to commercialize Glybera, the first gene therapy product approved in the European Union for the treatment of the orphan disease lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD) for which there is currently no treatment, as well as for uniQure's pipeline product for hemophilia B, in Europe and selected other countries (Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, and the CIS countries, plus China for Glybera only). Commercial rights for the US, Japan, and parts of Latin America and Asia, and Australasia remain with uniQure. In exchange, uniQure stands to receive net royalties that range from 20 to 30 percent over time on sales of both products. Furthermore, Chiesi will fund half of the remaining development costs for uniQure's hemophilia B program, as well as take an equity stake in uniQure.

The investment by Chiesi will also result in the conversion into new uniQure shares of the EUR 14.1 million (USD 18.1 million) in convertible debt the Company recently raised from Coller Capital, a leading global private equity investor, and existing investors Forbion Capital Partners, Gilde Healthcare Partners, Lupus Alpha, Grupo Netco and others.

"The agreement with Chiesi is a key component of our strategy to rapidly develop and commercialize multiple gene therapy based treatments as well as being a validation of our technology platform," said Jrn Aldag, CEO of uniQure. "With its focus on innovative therapeutics, Chiesi is a strong partner for the commercialization of Glybera in Europe. The investment from Coller Capital, supplemented by our existing investors, allows us to continue apace with the development of what we believe is the richest and most advanced gene therapy pipeline in the industry. In the next 12-18 months, we anticipate clarifying the path toward an FDA filing for Glybera in the US, reporting results from a Phase I/II study in acute intermittent porphyria, and starting at least two Phase I/II studies for additional pipeline programs."

About uniQure uniQure is delivering on the promise of gene therapy, single treatments with potentially curative results. We have developed a modular platform to rapidly bring new disease modifying therapies to patients with severe disorders. Our approach is validated by multiple partnerships and the regulatory approval of our lead product Glybera. http://www.uniqure.com.

About Chiesi Farmaceutici Founded in 1935 in Parma, Italy, Chiesi Farmaceutici currently has 25 affiliates worldwide and markets its therapeutics in over 60 countries. Chiesi's manufacturing plants in Parma, Blois (France) and Santana de Parnaiba (Brazil), and R&D centers in Parma, Paris, Rockville (USA) and Chippenham (UK) integrate their efforts to advance the Group's pre-clinical, clinical and registration programs. At the end of 2012, the Chiesi Group's total staff stood at over 3,800 people, more than 350 of whom are dedicated to R&D. The main areas of activity are in respiratory therapeutics and specialist medicine areas.

DisclaimerThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on uniQure's current expectations. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the commercialization of Glybera, regulatory approval matters and the development of additional gene therapies. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including uncertainties regarding further regulatory requirements, the success of further clinical trials, and competitive pressures. uniQure assumes no responsibility to update such forward-looking statements.

Press release (PDF): http://hugin.info/157414/R/1715194/569858.pdf

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uniQure Signs EU Commercialization Agreement With Chiesi Farmaceutici for First Approved Gene Therapy Treatment, and ...

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20130707 Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Fund Charity Show - Violin Performance
Tanya #39;s first TV appearance, she is front row second from the right...

By: liqu1f1re

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20130707 Hong Kong Spinal Cord Injury Fund Charity Show - Violin Performance - Video

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Purtier NZ Live Stem Cell Therapy presented by Dr Chen
For Live demo and discussion: Call John 90036287 / Daphne 91455217.

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Purtier NZ Live Stem Cell Therapy presented by Dr Chen - Video

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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2
Improvement seen in just 3 months after Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. After Stem Cell Therapy...

By: Neurogen Brain and Spine Institute

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Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Dr Alok Sharma, Mumbai, India. Part 2 - Video

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by Buena Bernal Posted on 07/06/2013 9:06 PM |Updated 07/08/2013 2:15 PM

DOH ON STEM CELL. (Left) Health Secretary Enrique Ona and (right) FDA Director Kenneth Hartigan-Go talks to Rappler about stem cell therapy. Photos by Rappler/Naoki Mengua

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) Rappler talked to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director Kenneth Hartigan-Go to clarify the governments stance on stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine is a medical intervention that uses the bodys repair cells to substitute old cells. It is done for medical and aesthetic purposes that are still being investigated, according to the health secretary.

Asked why the treatment was allowed in the market despite no definitive curative and preventive benefits, FDA's Hartigan-Go said authorities never allowed the treatment to begin with.

Its just there. Now, the DOH under Secretary Ona's leadership took action," he said.

(READ: DOH: Stem cell therapy not yet proven to be curative)

On March 18, the DOH issued the rules and regulations for the accreditation of health facilities engaging in human stem cell and cell-based or cellular therapies in the Philippines.

The FDA has also released a circular on Monday, Jully 8, regarding the guidelines on registering stem cell-based products. The circular covers all products with a "claim, label, or poster" that says stem cells.

(READ: FDA Circular: Registration of Stem Cell-Based Products)

Originally posted here:
6 things you need to know about stem cell therapy

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by Buena Bernal Posted on 07/06/2013 4:28 PM |Updated 07/08/2013 2:16 PM

STEM CELLS. Health Secretary Enrique Ona says stem cell therapy is a procedure still under clinical evaluation and study. Photo by Rappler/Naoki Mengua

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) Amid increasing interest in and the risks of stem cell treatment in the country, the health secretary said doctors are required to disclose to their potential patients that the procedure is still "investigative" its potential is still being explored, and there's no definite word that it can heal diseases.

This is in line with the ethical standards of medical practice that seek to empower patients with enough information prior to consenting to the treatment.

The patient must exactly know that he is part of an investigative process. And that is what we require as far as the Department of Health is concerned right now, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona said in an interview with Rappler on Friday, July 5.

Stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine is the use of the bodys repair cells as a substitute to old cells that may cause debilitating diseases.

(READ: 6 things you need to know about stem cell therapy)

The treatment has gained controversy of late, after 3 unnamed high-profile politicians allegedly died due to botched procedures performed abroad. The deaths are currently being investigated by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).

Not to stifle innovation

So why is the DOH encouraging the development of the science despite the treatment being under clinical evaluation and study?

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DOH: Stem cell therapy not yet proven to be curative

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Scientists said Monday they had used a new-generation gene sequencing technique to select a viable embryo for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) that yielded a healthy baby boy.

IVF, the process whereby a human egg is fertilised with sperm in the laboratory, is a hit-and-miss affair, with only about 30 percent of fertilised embryos resulting in pregnancy after implantation.

The reason for the high failure rate is not clear but genetic defects are the prime suspects, according to the authors of the paper presented Monday at a meeting in London of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

The new method, known as next generation sequencing or NGS, uses updated technology to sequence an entire genome -- revealing inherited genetic disorders, chromosome abnormalities and mutations.

Study author Dagan Wells of the University of Oxford's NIHR Biomedical Research Centre said the new technology was "inherently cheaper" and yielded more genetic data than older methods.

It provides millions of fragments of DNA from a single cell which are then sequenced by a computer.

The method has started being used in genetic research and diagnostics, but not yet in embryo screening, according to Wells.

"Many of the embryos produced during infertility treatments have no chance of becoming a baby because they carry lethal genetic abnormalities," he said in a statement.

"Next generation sequencing improves our ability to detect these abnormalities and helps us identify the embryos with the best chances of producing a viable pregnancy."

Current methods of detecting embryonic gene deficiencies add over 2,000 (2,300 euros, $3,000) to a single IVF attempt, said Wells.

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New gene sequencing yields healthy baby

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DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/8hsggg/analysis_of) has announced the addition of the "Analysis of Global Biochips Industry, 2012-2018" report to their offering.

Global biochips market is forecasted to reach US$11.4 billion by 2018 with a CAGR of 18.6% during 2012-2018; the massive CAGR is primarily supported by Asia-Pacific followed by the European Union. Among the major industry segments, biochips instruments are expected to exert the highest support to the industry with a CAGR of 20% globally.

The evolution of biochips has opened new vistas in the biological systems. In addition, all other sciences are integrated which cumulatively contribute for a big future of biochip industry. The broad life science' division has been witnessing a rapid growth and technological improvements varying from sector to sector since the past 3-5 years. Accelerating growth rate exhibited by the biochips industry, even during the recession years, confirms the positive growth prospects going ahead. The field of drug discovery and development research gets more glamorous with the diagnostics and treatment at cellular level. DNA biochips and lab-on-chips have created revolution enabling the target validation. Genome scan is very soon going to become an ultimate weapon for diagnosis. In no time all the information related to genes will be sequenced, annotated and completed along with the list of diseases which are susceptible. Day to day the researchers are also making an effort to develop medication to control the various diseases, by using biochip technology. As the applications of biochips are wide both in the research and clinical use, a wide potential market is expected. The emergence of biochip technology can be attributed to a decade which has gradually developed into maturity. This industry is expected to bring rapid and significant changes in the life sciences and medicine. Microarray technologies have a great potential and is widely used in DNA and protein analysis.

The report reviews the latest biochips market trends with a perceptive attempt to disclose the near-future growth prospects. An in-depth analysis on a geographic basis provides strategic business intelligence for life science sector investments. The study reveals profitable investment strategies for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies, laboratories, Contract Research Organizations (CROs), government organizations and many more in preferred locations.

The report primarily focuses on:

- Emerging Market Trends

- Advancements in the Technological Space

- Market Demand Of The Segments (By-Region)

- Key Growth Areas and Market Size

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Research and Markets: Analysis of Global Biochips Industry, 2012-2018

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. , July 8, 2013 /CNW/ - GenScript, the world's largest provider of synthetic genes, has aided a leading biopharmaceutical company, Novavax, Inc. (NVAX), in developing an avian influenza A/H7N9 vaccine candidate, by synthesizing three constructs containing genes that encode for key vaccine proteins in just 6 business days. On May 10, 2013 , Novavax announced that its vaccine candidate was developed and entered into pre-clinical trials in only 28 days, less than 6 weeks after initial reports of H7N9 infections on April 1 .

The manufacture of the constructs used in Novavax's H7N9 vaccine candidate was powered by GenScript's Rush Gene Service , which synthesizes gene sequences in as few as 4 days. GenScript also offers free gene sequence optimization, which is advantageous for the production of vaccines and protein-based biologics. Normally, it takes researchers using traditional laboratory methods two weeks or more to assemble constructs like those used to produce an H7N9 vaccine. However, as demonstrated by the rapid development of Novavax' vaccine candidate, the combination of gene optimization, rush gene synthesis and custom cloning, facilitated by GenScript's one-stop service platform, can drastically reduce assembly time, accelerating research and development.

"Our mission is to save lives by helping scientists accelerate their research. In this case, our Rush Gene Services are the perfect example of our commitment to our mission," said GenScript CEO Frank Zhang , Ph.D. "The progress made by scientists at Novavax on its H7N9 vaccine candidate in such a short time is the reason why we are dedicated to providing high-quality services on a daily basis."

About GenScript

Founded in 2002, GenScript is a leading biology CRO specializing in customized biology research services including gene and peptide synthesis, protein expression, antibody generation and drug discovery/development. GenScript is headquartered in Piscataway, NJ , has subsidiaries in Europe , Japan , and China , and has over 1,300 employees, who are dedicated to providing biology research services to 86 countries worldwide. Learn more at http://www.genscript.com.

About Novavax

Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company creating vaccines to address a broad range of infectious diseases worldwide. Using innovative recombinant nanoparticle technology, and efficient manufacturing approaches, Novavax produces vaccine candidates to combat diseases, with the goal of allowing countries to better prepare for and respond to rapidly spreading infections. Learn more at http://www.novavax.com.

SOURCE: GenScript USA Inc.

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GenScript's Rush Gene Services Help Novavax Expedite 28-day Development of H7N9 Vaccine

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

VEDBAEK, Denmark, July 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exiqon A/S (EXQ.CO), a leading supplier of high-value products for gene expression analysis, today announced that Frost & Sullivan has recognized Exiqon as the recipient of the 2013 Company of the Year Award in Global microRNA Research Tools in light of the excellence that Exiqon has exhibited in the microRNA research space. This award follows Frost & Sullivan's most recent analysis of the global microRNA research tools and services market.

Exiqon was one of the first companies to commercially serve the microRNA market and scientists around the world have published thousands of peer-reviewed scientific papers based on Exiqon's microRNA research products since the first product introductions in 2005.

Most recently, Exiqon has developed a database search tool, miRSearch, which allows customers to do simple and intuitive searches across a dozen relevant databases and easily navigate the overwhelming amount of microRNA information when designing experiments. The search tool is accessible at http://www.exiqon.com/mirsearch. This recent extension complements Exiqon's leading miRCURY LNA(tm) products for microRNA research that include validated microRNA products for sample extraction, gene expression and functional analysis, as well as advanced software for data analysis.

Exiqon has been cited as a preferred one-stop shop provider of complete workflow solutions pertaining to microRNA research. Provision of microRNA profiling and screening services along with products has not only simplified purchasing, but has also attracted new customers for Exiqon.

"Over the past eight years, the microRNA research space has evolved from an exotic research field to an emerging market which includes validated biomarkers and clinical applications," says Exiqon CEO Lars Kongsbak. "According to Frost & Sullivan analysis, Exiqon holds an average market share of 24 percent, thereby continuing to be instrumental in helping scientists across industry and academia understand and apply the biology of microRNAs".

Frost & Sullivan does not accept nominations or submissions for Frost & Sullivan Awards. The selection of this Award comes through in-depth interviews and primary market analysis conducted by Frost & Sullivan's industry analyst team.

Additional information from Exiqon

Lars Kongsbak, CEO, tel. +45 4566 0888 (cell: +45 4090 2101)

Additional information from Frost & Sullivan

Mireya Espinoza, Frost & Sullivan, Corporate Communications - North America, tel.: 210. 247.3870 (fax: 210.348.1003, e-mail: mireya.espinoza@frost.com)

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Exiqon Awarded Global microRNA Research Tools Company of the Year by Frost & Sullivan

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

By Dr. Gregory Jicha special to the Herald-Leader

A new gene variant has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, and this association is strongest among elderly blacks.

Though not the first gene to be linked to the condition, the identification of this gene variant is a breakthrough, as it reveals another way Alzheimer's may be triggered in the brain.

We in the medical profession have known for a long time that blacks over the age of 65 have a greater chance of developing Alzheimer's disease than do Caucasians the same age. Researchers have identified a gene (ABCA7) that helps explain this increased risk, according to a recent report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The report, based on a large government-funded study, not only sheds new light on why blacks are at increased risk for the disease, but also offers a possible new focus of research in the battle against Alzheimer's.

ABCA7 is linked to production and metabolism of cholesterol and lipids. We have known for years that vascular problems stemming from high cholesterol and atherosclerosis seem to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery supports previous evidence that vascular health may be a particular contributor to the development of Alzheimer's among blacks. But we have also seen evidence that Alzheimer's is influenced by other genes, as well as by environmental factors and lifelong health habits. Taking this new evidence into consideration, it appears that there may be multiple mechanisms that control the onset and progression of this devastating disease.

From this evidence, it appears that there are variations of Alzheimer's disease, with different causes much like different types of cancer. If this is true, the treatment an individual receives may need to be tailored to the particular variant of the disease that they have. At this time, it is not recommended that individuals seek genetic testing for Alzheimer's because the relationship between the gene variants and the disease has not been firmly established. Many people have an associated gene variant, but do not go on to develop Alzheimer's.

Approximately five million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease; this number is expected to more than triple by the year 2050, when the disease will cost $1.1 trillion annually. According to the Alzheimer's Association, it is the only disease among the top ten killers that has no effective treatment.

The discovery of ABCA7 provides us with a clear strategy for trying to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's in all of us, but most importantly for blacks. It shows the need to control your cholesterol and vascular risk factors. At the UK Alzheimer Disease Center/Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, we have recently been awarded two National Institute of Health grants focused on doing exactly this. These two studies are looking for volunteers with or without memory problems that want to lower their risk for Alzheimer's disease.

For more information on how you can get involved, please call Sarah at (859) 323-1331. Start lowering your risk today.

Dr. Jicha is the McCowan Endowed Chair in Alzheimer Research at the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.

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Gene discovery offers new path for Alzheimer's research

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

Genetic engineering- Kinetic typography
There #39;s a lot of dispute over whether we should be changing the DNA to produce a certain feature or to even experiment with animals to only potentially lead ...

By: Oenaiwolf

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Genetic engineering- Kinetic typography - Video

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

In 2008, my 19-year-old daughter, Danielle, took the same type of DNA test for breast and ovarian cancer that actress Angelina Jolie took recently.

Jolie, 38, came out positive and opted for a preventive double mastectomy to dramatically reduce her risk of breast cancer, a too-often-lethal disease. She based her decision on a telltale pattern of mutations in the BRCA1 gene and a family history of breast cancer that claimed her aunt at age 61 and ovarian cancer that took her mothers life at 56.

The actress was told she had an 87 percent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 percent chance of getting ovarian cancer, because of her particularly potent combination of family-illness history and genetics. This risk assessment, however, offered a level of genetic certainty for Jolie that is regrettably rare for most healthy people wanting to know if they have an elevated predisposition for a common disease like breast cancer. Only a few thousand breast-cancer patients in the United States share Jolies specific genetic mutations. The rest of the more than 230,000 cases annually diagnosed nationwide are caused by different genes or by other factors that cannot be as accurately predicted.

Danielle was tested for this unusual genetic signature in BRCA1 as part of a project I initiated over a decade ago as a journalist writing about genetics. At the time the $3 billion Human Genome Project was nearing completion, and hype about how the science of genomics would revolutionize medicine, allowing researchers to tailor drugs to specific diseases, made headlines. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies dreamed of big profits in personalized medicine, and ethicists worried about how people would react to their prospective risks to diseases and face the sort of difficult choices that Jolie did.

To better understand the complexities of DNA and wanting to humanize what could be eye-glazing science for non-geneticists, I had sections of my own DNA decoded first for a story published inWiredin 2002, and later for other stories and a book. My personal DNA odyssey culminated in 2011 when I got the entirety of my genome sequencedall six billion As, Ts, Cs and Gs. The idea was to see what this information could tell a healthy person about his or her future. My daughter, who seems to suffer from the same curiosity geneas yet unidentifiedas I do, insisted that she be tested alongside my parents and me as part of what became a family exploration to investigate three generations of one familys genetics.

As a father, I didnt like this idea at all. Testing myself and my parents, was one thing. They were in their late 70s and quite healthy, as I was in my 40s. This suggested that we didnt have anything dreadful in our DNA. But my daughter was a different case. Our family has a history of breast and ovarian cancers. My paternal grandmother survived breast cancer in her 50s and died of ovarian cancer at 86. I also knew from my previous testing that I am a carrier of gene markers other than BRCA1 that are associated with breast and ovarian cancers, as is my father, even though as males we had no risk of getting ovarian cancer, and a very low risk for breast cancer.

What if we found something amiss in Danielles genome, especially something we could do nothing about? Its bad enough to discover that you have a high chance of developing a disease without a cure, like Alzheimers, when youve had a long life behind you. Its quite another to receive information that casts a shadow over your future when youre young.

Another fear was that we would find out something that required us to make a difficult decision. Jolie faced the wrenching choice of either living with an 87 percent certainty of getting breast cancer in the future or removing her healthy breasts now. We were all anxious about the possibility of having to choose to pay a terrible price if we found out Danielle was at high risk for getting cancer or another serious disease.

I held my breath and ordered a scan of hundreds of thousands of Danielles genetic markers through a DNA testing company based in Iceland called deCODE Geneticswhich has since ceased offering this service. In addition, I ordered from Utah-based Myriad Genetics an earlier version of the BRCA1 test that was later taken by Jolie.

Thankfully, my daughters results on the Myriad test were negative, although this ruled out only one rare possibility that she might get these dreadful diseases. Later, Danielle did test positive for other DNA markers implicated in breast and ovarian cancersmarkers associated with several gene mutations that can contribute to a persons disease risks and chances for survival.

Link:
My family’s decade in genetic limbo

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

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MPM Capital Invests $3 Million, Takes Minority Stake in InformedDNA

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

The Chemical Imbalance, Genetics Biology of Bipolar Disorder: Myths of Psychiatry
http://www.bipolarorwakingup.com Most, if not all of what most people think about the relationship between genetics, chemical imbalance theory and bipolar di...

By: bipolarorwakingup

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The Chemical Imbalance, Genetics

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

AUSTRALIAN Texel breeders could have the opportunity to sell their genetics to New Zealand studs.

Eight New Zealand Texel studs will be attending this years Australian Sheep and Wool Show in a bid to learn more about Australian genetics.

Australian Texel Stud Breeders Association president Peter Russell said the Texel breed were the feature breed at this years show attracting the New Zealand studs to Australia.

I met some New Zealand breeders when I was judging at the Canterbury Show in Christchurch last year, Mr Russell said.

We spoke about the national showing and they were intrigued.

Now a group of them, about 15 people representing eight studs are coming across.

Mr Russell said Texel genetics were usually bought in from Europe but this would be a good opportunity for Australian breeders to show the attributes of their genetics.

The Australian Sheep and Wool Show will be held in Bendigo from July 19-21.

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Texels studs to showcase genetics

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith

LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests that help determine a patient's response to cancer therapy, today announced that it has recently executed a provider contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has 7.4 million members, most of whom are located in the State of Illinois.

With the execution of this agreement, oncologists and pathologists affiliated with this health plan now have the ability to more easily offer Response Genetics' suite of molecular predictive testing for their patients battling lung, colon, gastric, and melanoma cancers. Response Genetics' tests provide treating physicians with actionable information that help enable the best therapy to be employed for each individual patient. The personalized medicine inherent in Response Genetics' testing services brings with it a value proposition that is expected to improve patient outcomes and as a result enhance efficiencies in health care delivery.

The contract with this Blue Cross Blue Shield Association affiliate complements Response Genetics' existing managed care network and gives the CLIA-licensed lab access to millions of additional Blue Cross Blue Shield-insured members located primarily in Illinois and the Midwestern United States. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the oldest and largest health plan based in Illinois.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois ("BCBSIL"), a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the largest health insurance company in Illinois. Started in 1936, BCBSIL remains member owned rather than publicly traded and is committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and its communities, fostering greater access to care, and working to lower the overall cost of care while improving the health care quality and patient outcomes.

About Response Genetics, Inc.

Response Genetics, Inc. (the "Company") is a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic testing services for cancer. The Company's technologies enable extraction and analysis of genetic information derived from tumor cells stored as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The Company's principal customers include oncologists and pathologists. In addition to diagnostic testing services, the Company generates revenue from the sale of its proprietary analytical pharmacogenomic testing services of clinical trial specimens to the pharmaceutical industry. The Company's headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit http://www.responsegenetics.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Notice

Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release and the statements of representatives of the Company related thereto contain or may contain, among other things, certain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions, such as the ability of the Company, to provide clinical testing services to the medical community, to continue to strengthen and expand its sales force, to continue to build its digital pathology initiative, to attract and retain qualified management, to continue to strengthen marketing capabilities, to expand the suite of ResponseDX(R) products, to continue to provide clinical trial support to pharmaceutical clients, to enter into new collaborations with pharmaceutical clients, to enter into areas of companion diagnostics, to continue to execute on its business strategy and operations, to continue to analyze cancer samples and the potential for using the results of this research to develop diagnostic tests for cancer, the usefulness of genetic information to tailor treatment to patients, and other statements identified by words such as "project," "may," "could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan" or similar expressions.

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Response Genetics, Inc. Announces Contract With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

Recommendation and review posted by Bethany Smith