Genomics

Helio Genomics Appoints Gary Frazier as Chief Growth Officer for the Early Cancer Detection Company

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Helio Genomics, an AI-driven healthcare company specializing in diagnostics technology and test development for cancer detection, has announced that Gary Frazier has been selected as Chief Growth Officer for the firm. Frazier brings extensive experience in several key aspects of healthcare to the position.

Key Points: 
  • IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Helio Genomics, an AI-driven healthcare company specializing in diagnostics technology and test development for cancer detection, has announced that Gary Frazier has been selected as Chief Growth Officer for the firm.
  • "We are very pleased to welcome Gary to the Helio team," said Helio Genomics CEO Justin Chen Li.
  • We look forward to his contributions in helping us achieve our goals for transforming early cancer diagnosis and saving lives."
  • For information on Helio Genomics and its innovative solutions for early cancer detection, visit www.heliogenomics.com .

Ultima Announces UG 100™ and Reveals Disruptive Cost and Accuracy Profile to Enable the Era of the $100 Genome and Beyond

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

The UG 100TM system also leverages recent advancements in machine learning to improve base calling and variant calling algorithms for improved accuracy and performance.

Key Points: 
  • The UG 100TM system also leverages recent advancements in machine learning to improve base calling and variant calling algorithms for improved accuracy and performance.
  • This scalable configuration enables the $100 genome at an industry-leading price of $1.00 per Gb or $0.30 per million reads.
  • Today, the Company is also introducing ppmSeqTM, a disruptive new mode for extreme raw read accuracy in calling single nucleotide variants (SNVs).
  • With the launch of the UG 100TM system, Ultima looks to enable the next wave of biology powered by low-cost sequencing data generation.

Sapient Extends Multi-Omics Services with High Throughput Discovery Proteomics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Sapient , a biomarker discovery organization providing bespoke services for multi-omics data generation and analysis, has announced the roll-out of its high throughput discovery proteomics services, enabling measure of thousands of proteins in blood and tissue across diverse biological pathways.

Key Points: 
  • Sapient , a biomarker discovery organization providing bespoke services for multi-omics data generation and analysis, has announced the roll-out of its high throughput discovery proteomics services, enabling measure of thousands of proteins in blood and tissue across diverse biological pathways.
  • This offering further extends Sapient’s capabilities for dynamic biomarker discovery, utilizing its state-of-the-art mass spectrometry -based platform, which also powers its discovery metabolomics and lipidomics approaches.
  • “We are particularly excited to extend Sapient’s offerings to include discovery proteomics,” said Jeramie Watrous, PhD, Co-Founder and Head of Analytical R&D at Sapient.
  • More information on Sapient’s high throughput discovery proteomics can be found at: https://sapient.bio/discovery-proteomics-services/

Volta Labs and Integrated DNA Technologies Partner to Advance Target Enrichment Workflows

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Volta Labs and IDT are working to create platform-agnostic solutions, with the goal of walk-away sample prep, starting with target enrichment workflows.

Key Points: 
  • Volta Labs and IDT are working to create platform-agnostic solutions, with the goal of walk-away sample prep, starting with target enrichment workflows.
  • Initial study shows capture metrics and variant calling results were comparable or better for libraries processed using the Volta Labs benchtop instrument.
  • "We look forward to working closely with Volta to advance sample prep approaches and enable higher quality sequencing metrics which are especially important in target enrichment workflows like oncology applications."
  • "IDT is focused on optimizing tools and solutions that enable a higher degree of NGS performance," said Udayan Umapathi, CEO at Volta Labs.

At AGBT, Complete Genomics showcases expanded sequencing applications, talks from customers and collaborators on research powered by the DNBSEQ-T7 Sequencer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Complete Genomics, a California-based life sciences company that provides novel, comprehensive sequencing solutions, today highlighted expanded sequencing applications enabled by DNBSEQ™-T7, a leading high- throughput sequencer which will be the subject of customer talks at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) General Meeting.

Key Points: 
  • After four years in the field, the DNBSEQ-T7, or the T7, remains a leading sequencer in its class, due to its speed, accuracy and flexibility.
  • The T7 enables a wide range of applications such as CompleteWGS, a novel phased genome approach, spatial transcriptomics, cf-DNA sequencing for MRD and early detection, and single cell sequencing.
  • The DNBSEQ™-T20X2 is Complete Genomics' ultra-high-throughput sequencer for the most challenging projects, delivering efficient sequencing at less than $1 per Gigabase.
  • Highly accurate base calling and robust copy number correction is ensured by our robotics-enabled fluidics, which uses whole-wafer-sized slides.

Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Opens Call for Proposals

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

OXFORD, U.K. and CLEVELAND, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a partnership between the University of Oxford, U.K. and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking innovative projects for its 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award, which advances promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice. In addition to grant funding, the award includes drug and business development support from pharma-experienced industry leaders with a track record of bringing therapeutics to market. Awardees have access to the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Therapeutics Accelerator, which receives support from a partnership between University of Oxford, Oxford Science Enterprises, and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key Points: 
  • OXFORD, U.K. and CLEVELAND, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a partnership between the University of Oxford, U.K. and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking innovative projects for its 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award, which advances promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice.
  • Awardees have access to the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Therapeutics Accelerator, which receives support from a partnership between University of Oxford, Oxford Science Enterprises, and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • The OHC's 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award seeks novel approaches to treat rare diseases, with a focus on neurological disorders, developmental and metabolic disorders, and rare cancers.
  • Applications directed to other rare, genetic indications with a high unmet need are also of interest.

Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Opens Call for Proposals

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

OXFORD, U.K. and CLEVELAND, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a partnership between the University of Oxford, U.K. and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking innovative projects for its 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award, which advances promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice. In addition to grant funding, the award includes drug and business development support from pharma-experienced industry leaders with a track record of bringing therapeutics to market. Awardees have access to the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Therapeutics Accelerator, which receives support from a partnership between University of Oxford, Oxford Science Enterprises, and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.

Key Points: 
  • OXFORD, U.K. and CLEVELAND, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC), a partnership between the University of Oxford, U.K. and Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals, Cleveland, Ohio, is seeking innovative projects for its 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award, which advances promising discoveries from academic labs into clinical practice.
  • Awardees have access to the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Therapeutics Accelerator, which receives support from a partnership between University of Oxford, Oxford Science Enterprises, and University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • The OHC's 2024 Rare Disease Scholar Award seeks novel approaches to treat rare diseases, with a focus on neurological disorders, developmental and metabolic disorders, and rare cancers.
  • Applications directed to other rare, genetic indications with a high unmet need are also of interest.

Veracyte Completes Acquisition of C2i Genomics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT), a leading cancer diagnostics company, today announced it has completed its acquisition of C2i Genomics, Inc., adding whole-genome minimal residual disease (MRD) capabilities to its novel diagnostics platform and expanding the company’s ability to serve patients across the cancer care continuum.

Key Points: 
  • Veracyte, Inc. (Nasdaq: VCYT), a leading cancer diagnostics company, today announced it has completed its acquisition of C2i Genomics, Inc., adding whole-genome minimal residual disease (MRD) capabilities to its novel diagnostics platform and expanding the company’s ability to serve patients across the cancer care continuum.
  • “Bringing C2i Genomics’ technology and team into Veracyte will allow us to make significant advances in our vision to transform cancer care for patients all over the world,” said Marc Stapley, Veracyte’s chief executive officer.
  • Under terms of the transaction, Veracyte acquired C2i Genomics for $70 million (subject to customary purchase price adjustments), paid for with 2.7 million Veracyte shares.
  • Veracyte will pay up to an additional $25 million, payable in Veracyte shares or cash at Veracyte’s election, based on the achievement of future performance milestones over the next two years.

Gattaca Genomics Leads the Way in Revolutionizing Fertility with Artificial Intelligence for Full Genome Analysis, Including Preimplantation Genetic Testing and Genetic Counseling

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

By integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies the company aspires to enhance the success rates of fertility procedures.

Key Points: 
  • By integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies the company aspires to enhance the success rates of fertility procedures.
  • Utilizing sophisticated hyperparameter turning and deep learning, Gattaca Genomics develops precise genetic analysis, identifying anomalies and patterns with unparalleled accuracy.
  • Harnessing the power of large language models (LLM), Gattaca Genomics transforms the landscape of genetic counseling in assisted reproductive processes.
  • Gattaca Genomics integrates expert, independent, board-certified genetic counseling services seamlessly into its AI-driven genetic testing process.

Thirty years of rural health research: South Africa’s Agincourt studies offer unique insights

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

This initiative built on pioneering work by a Wits team to establish a health systems development unit in a typical rural setting.

Key Points: 
  • This initiative built on pioneering work by a Wits team to establish a health systems development unit in a typical rural setting.
  • Agincourt, in the Bushbuckridge district in rural north-eastern South Africa adjacent to Mozambique, was a microcosm of the neglected health and socioeconomic systems in rural areas during apartheid.

Why is this work so important?

  • Key to this was establishing a relationship of mutual trust and understanding between ourselves and those communities.
  • Drawing on early experiences with community-oriented primary care, we resolved to establish a longitudinal research and development platform.
  • We gathered valuable data on age, sex and gender, household type and income – producing a robust population “denominator”.
  • Today, the data generated over the past couple of decades is enabling work that was not possible in the early years.

In 2013 a project was launched to focus on ageing. Why?

  • Ageing is not only about old people; it starts at birth, even earlier, because experiences at key periods influence a person’s life.
  • People were dying at a younger age during the height of the HIV/Aids epidemic.
  • For women living in Agincourt, life expectancy dropped from about 74 years in 1993 to around 57 years in 2005, a loss of 17 years.
  • Today we see an increase in life expectancy thanks largely to the widespread uptake of antiretroviral therapies for HIV/Aids.

What stands out when you look back over 30 years?

  • Bushbuckridge has become the land of the shopping mall.
  • Even a person living in what previously was talked about as a deep rural area can now easily reach a mall by taxi or walking.
  • The proportion of households with dwellings built with either brick or cement walls increased from 76% in 2001 to 98% in 2013.
  • As a result we piloted a home-based testing option for middle-aged and older adults, with promising results.
  • He is affiliated with the SA Population Research Infrastructure Network and INDEPTH Network of population-based health and socio-demographic information systems.
  • Kathleen Kahn receives funding from the South African Medical Research Council, Dept of Science and Innovation SA, and the National Institute on Aging, USA.