G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology

First Mice Engineered to Survive COVID-19 Like Young, Healthy Humans

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Wyss Institute, Neoplasm, ACE, ACE2, National Institutes of Health, Adenine, Opentrons, CDI, TP53, Obesity, Biochemistry, Human, DNAS, CRISPR, Genetics, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, NYU Langone Health, Diabetes, Q-system (genetics), Doctor of Philosophy, Infection, Genetic code, Fungus, Cell, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Research, NYU, Mouse, Sol, Genome, COVID-19, Cancer, Guanine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Gene, Pharmacology, Cytosine, Patient, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Mutation, AG, DNA, Vaccine, Pathology, Nature

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have genetically engineered the first mice that get a human-like form of COVID-19, according to a study published online November 1 in Nature.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have genetically engineered the first mice that get a human-like form of COVID-19, according to a study published online November 1 in Nature.
  • The mice with this genetic change developed symptoms similar to young humans infected with the virus causing COVID-19, instead of dying upon infection as had occurred with prior mouse models.
  • "This has been a major missing piece in efforts to develop new drugs against this virus."
  • Boeke also receives consulting fees and royalties from OpenTrons, and holds equity in the company.

GeoVax to Participate in Upcoming November Investor and Industry Events

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Diamond, University of Texas Medical Branch, Vaccine, Biotechnology, Associate professor, Conference, Doctor of Philosophy, Hematology, City, Cancer, GeoVax, University, Infection, Immunology, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Haematopoietic system, Pharmaceutical industry

ATLANTA, GA, Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, today announced that members of its senior management team and other scientific representatives will participate in four upcoming investor and industry events during November.

Key Points: 
  • ATLANTA, GA, Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire – GeoVax Labs, Inc. (Nasdaq: GOVX), a biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, today announced that members of its senior management team and other scientific representatives will participate in four upcoming investor and industry events during November.
  • Event details are as follows:
    For more information and to register to attend the GeoVax Presentation, please visit Emerging Growth Conference .
  • Senior GeoVax management will host one-on-one meetings with registered attendees.
  • If interested in meeting with management at this event, please contact the company through the conference portal, or directly at [email protected].

Specific Biologics Announces Additional Investment and Appointment of Experienced Biotechnology Leader Steven Kanner, PhD, to the Board of Directors

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
ADMAR, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, MBA, Doctor of Philosophy, Research, Pregnancy specific biological substances, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Bristol Myers Squibb, Berkeley, MD, Master of Science, Organization, Therapy, Liver, Genetics, University, Mutation, Rachel Haurwitz, Disease, University of Miami Division of Surgical Neurooncology, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, Cystic fibrosis, Annual Review of Cancer Biology, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Acute leukemia, DSM-IV codes, Gene editing, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Specific, Dasatinib, CNS, Patient, Vaccine, Pharmaceutical industry, Investment, Microbiology, Immunology

Specific Biologics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing its proprietary two-site Dualase® platform gene editors to build a pipeline of treatments for serious genetic diseases.

Key Points: 
  • Specific Biologics is an early-stage biotechnology company developing its proprietary two-site Dualase® platform gene editors to build a pipeline of treatments for serious genetic diseases.
  • TORONTO, Oct. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Specific Biologics Inc. ("Specific"), a venture-backed, early-stage genome editing company, is pleased to announce it has appointed Steven Kanner, PhD, as an Independent Director.
  • The appointment coincides with renewed investment from Lumira Ventures and adMare BioInnovations to advance the preclinical development of therapeutics based on Specific's proprietary Dualase® platform gene editors.
  • The additional investment from Lumira Ventures and adMare BioInnovations will be used to advance preclinical testing of Dualase gene editors in liver, ocular and CNS disorders.

UCSF QBI, University College London, and Mount Sinai Identify Shared Molecular Mechanisms Across SARS-CoV-2 Variants that Allow Virus to Thrive Despite Vaccination

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Vaccine, San Francisco, Infection, University College London, UCL, Cell Host & Microbe, Omicron, Senior, Life, HIV, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, University, SARS-CoV-2, System, ORF6, COVID-19, Survival, University of California, San Francisco, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Viral, Research, Mount Sinai, Cell, Doctor of Philosophy, Delta, Assistant, Global Health, QBI, Genetics, Pandemic, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Quantitative Biosciences Institute, UC, UCSF, Laboratory, Pathology, SAN, CELL, School, Immune system, Gladstone Institutes, UCLA, Health, Adolfo, Virus, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Alpha

SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, Sept. 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a study published online in CELL today, scientists at UCSF QBI, University College London and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai reported breakthrough findings on convergent evolutionary mechanisms shared by COVID-19 variants, allowing them to overcome both adaptive and innate immune system barriers. In the paper titled, SARS-CoV-2 Variants Evolve Convergent Strategies to Remodel the Host Response, scientists carried out an unprecedented, systematic comparative study using the most infectious COVID-19 variants, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron to identify specific viral mutations responsible for hijacking a common host pathway, thereby leading to increased transmissibility, infectivity and survival. Specifically, they discovered a convergence in potent suppression of interferon-stimulated genes through several viral proteins, including Orf6 and Orf9b, which serve as innate immune antagonist proteins capable of blocking innate host immune response.

Key Points: 
  • The award, which included a $200,000 prize, is intended to provide support for his vision for progress against pandemic threats.
  • “Unfortunately, we continue to see new mutations and strains of SARS-CoV-2 despite innovations in new vaccines,” said Dr. Krogan, who founded the QBI Coronavirus Research Group (QCRG).
  • This finding is consistent with our investigation of early SARS-CoV-2 variants where certain viral proteins were highly expressed in infected cells which helped the virus infect our cells.
  • Their analysis pinpointed cellular pathways that are similarly modulated across variants during infection and represent putative targets for pan-coronavirus antivirals.

Aspira Women’s Health Announces Dr. Jody Berry as New Chief Scientific Officer

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 11, 2023
Department of Medical Microbiology (Schering AG), Abstract, Pelvic inflammatory disease, Bachelor of Science, University, Apotex, Medical microbiology, HIV, Cangene, HIV-1, Head, Monoclonal antibody, Public Health Agency of Canada, COVID-19, Woman, CIHR, Infection, Research, Lehigh University, American Biological Safety Association, National Microbiology Laboratory, University of Manitoba, Government, Immunochemistry, Chlamydia trachomatis, Philosophy, Outline, Gynaecology, Blood, Scripps Research, Protein engineering, R, Public Health Agency, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University Arena (Western Michigan University), Vaccine, Science, Chlamydia, Molecular biology, Aspira

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspira Women’s Health Inc. (“Aspira” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: AWH), a bio-analytical company focused on the development and commercialization of women’s health diagnostic tools for gynecologic diseases, today announced it has named Jody Berry, Ph.D. as its new Chief Scientific Officer.

Key Points: 
  • AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspira Women’s Health Inc. (“Aspira” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq: AWH), a bio-analytical company focused on the development and commercialization of women’s health diagnostic tools for gynecologic diseases, today announced it has named Jody Berry, Ph.D. as its new Chief Scientific Officer.
  • Dr. Berry is a seasoned scientific leader with over two decades of commercial, government and academic experience.
  • Jody is a dynamic leader with decades of experience launching disruptive products and building effective research and development teams,” said Nicole Sandford, Chief Executive Officer of Aspira.
  • Dr. Berry is author or co-author on over 100 peer-reviewed published journal articles, abstracts, scientific posters, and monographs.

Preclinical Study Builds on Growing Body of Evidence Showcasing Exogenous Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Must be Converted to Nicotinamide Riboside (NR), Making NR a More Efficient Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) Precursor to NMN

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023
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The results indicate that NMN is primarily converted to nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside (NR) before being utilized for NAD+ synthesis, with only a small portion of NMN being directly incorporated into NAD+.

Key Points: 
  • The results indicate that NMN is primarily converted to nicotinamide and nicotinamide riboside (NR) before being utilized for NAD+ synthesis, with only a small portion of NMN being directly incorporated into NAD+.
  • These results build on a growing body of research demonstrating that NMN cannot cross the cell membrane directly and must first be converted to NR.
  • Because NR can cross the cell membrane directly, this data, along with other science, indicates that NR is a more efficient NAD+ precursor than NMN.
  • NR and NMN are chemically identical except for a phosphate group present within the structure of NMN.

Experimental Decoy Protects Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Vaccine, Infection, Tissue, Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, National academy, Human, Omicron, Nasal cavity, Vaccination, Hospital, Half-life, SARS-CoV-2, Coronavirus, COVID-19, NYU, Cancer, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, COVID, Cell, Antibody, Doctor of Philosophy, AAV, National Institutes of Health, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, NYU Langone Health, Nose, Patient, Immune system, Mouse, Immunodeficiency, Health, Death, Bird, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, ACE2, Microbiology

NEW YORK, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An experimental "decoy" provided long-term protection from infection by the pandemic virus in mice, a new study finds.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, May 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An experimental "decoy" provided long-term protection from infection by the pandemic virus in mice, a new study finds.
  • Treatment of patients soon after infection was successful in preventing hospitalization and death.
  • The free-floating "decoy" binds to the virus by its spikes so that it can no longer attach to ACE-2 on cells in airways.
  • The decoy lowered the virus load in the mice by 100,000-fold, while mice exposed to a non-active control treatment died.

COVID-19 Virus Increases Risk for Other Infections by Disrupting Normal Mix of Gut Bacteria

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
MPH, Hospital, Research, Infection, COVID-19, Department, Coronavirus, NYU Langone Health, National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Man, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Schluter, Jan, Crohn's disease, Immune system, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Book of Judith, Jan Vilček, Vedanta, Cadwell, Nature Communications, Patient, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Yale University, The Kenneth Rainin Foundation, Genetics, Risk, Physician, Bacteria, Disease, Woman, Yale School of Public Health, National, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Q-system (genetics), Yale school, AbbVie, Mouse, NYU, DP2, Public health, Vaccine, Antibiotics, Pharmaceutical industry, Dietary supplement, MD, Autoimmunity, Doctor of Philosophy, Medicine, Microbiology

However, researchers say, it has remained unclear until now which came first, the coronavirus infection disrupting the gut microbiome or an already weakened gut making the body more vulnerable to the virus.

Key Points: 
  • However, researchers say, it has remained unclear until now which came first, the coronavirus infection disrupting the gut microbiome or an already weakened gut making the body more vulnerable to the virus.
  • The new investigation also revealed that antibiotic-resistant species can escape into the bloodstream, putting patients at greater risk for life-threatening secondary infections.
  • These antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in the gut were also observed to have migrated into the bloodstream in 20% of patients.
  • If any bacteria group made up a majority of the bacteria living in the gut, they were considered dominant.

F2G to Present Interim Results from Phase 2B Open Label Study of Olorofim in Invasive Fungal Infections at IDWeek 2022

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 13, 2022
European Medicines Agency, Immunology, Disease, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, SOC, Infection, QIDP, Mycosis, Gambat Liver Transplant Unit, Patient, Hematology, Standard of care, Inhalation, Comparison, Mortality, Coccidioidomycosis, Internal medicine, IFI, Company, Department, Transplant, OLO, Safety, GLOBE, Aspergillosis, Antifungal, FDA, UZ Leuven, Human, Pharmaceutical industry, Dentistry, Scopulariopsis, Coccidioides, KU Leuven, Aspergillus

The Company will also present posters on pharmacokinetic data from Phase 1 and Phase 2B studies of olorofim antifungal therapy.

Key Points: 
  • The Company will also present posters on pharmacokinetic data from Phase 1 and Phase 2B studies of olorofim antifungal therapy.
  • Olorofim has received orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and invasive scedosporiosis.
  • Olorofim has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation for invasive aspergillosis, invasive scedosporiosis, invasive lomentosporiosis, coccidioidomycosis, invasive disease due to Scopulariopsis species, and invasive fusariosis.
  • Invasive aspergillosis is a rare disease that can occur in over 10% of some high-risk immunosuppressed populations with mortality exceeding 80%.

ReviR Therapeutics Appoints Paul August, Ph.D., as Chief Scientific Officer

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 1, 2022
Department, Patient, Research, Therapy, Company, ALS, University of Minnesota, Pharmacy, SAN, Paul-Auguste-Ernest Laugier, G.H. Raisoni Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University, RNA, Sanofi, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Entrepreneurship, Patent, University of Washington, Organic chemistry, Drug discovery, Doctor of Philosophy, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device, Ligand

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --ReviR Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing RNA-targeting small molecule drugs, announced the appointment of Paul August, Ph.D., as the Chief Scientific Officer.

Key Points: 
  • SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --ReviR Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing RNA-targeting small molecule drugs, announced the appointment of Paul August, Ph.D., as the Chief Scientific Officer.
  • "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. August to our team," said Peng Yue, Ph.D., Co-Founder, and Chief Executive Officer of ReviR Therapeutics.
  • Dr. August brings to ReviR Therapeutics more than two decades of senior experience in pharmaceutical research and development.
  • ReviR Therapeutics is a research and development company aiming to treat human diseases by harnessing advanced AI technologies and RNA biology.