Samantha Black, PhD[email protected]Gene silencing and gene editingBio-Techne launches multiplex spatial genomics assayThe RNAscope HiPlex V2 assay is designed to enable a deeper understanding of gene expression patterns at a single-cell resolution. The assay can generate precision expression data from 12 targets in FFPE samples and up to 48 targets in fresh and fixed frozen samples, according to the company.July 26, 2021Lab Automation SoftwareSurvey: Scientists want to boost use of lab automationIn total, 74% of scientists reported that less than half of their lab operations are automated. Of those surveyed, 19% of respondents said that their labs are between 51% and 75% automated and only 6% reported an automation percentage over 76%.May 24, 2021WebinarsPreparation is key for postdocs to transition to industry positionsOn-Demand Webinar -- Postdoctoral positions are a natural choice for many scientists who have just received their PhDs. Postdocs allow scientists to gain invaluable research experience and training under guided mentorship.May 7, 2021WebinarsHow can women overcome challenges to success in life sciences?April 16, 2021WebinarsBioTools Innovator seeks to boost startups developing life science toolsApril 9, 2021COVID-19Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in blood may be early indicator of severe diseaseWith the original SARS-CoV virus, high serum viral load and detection of the virus at multiple sites were predictive of adverse clinical outcomes. With SARS-CoV-2, increased oropharyngeal (throat) viral loads have been associated with age. Disease severity has been suggested to be correlated to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in serum. The inability to control viral replication can lead to spread of infection to multiple organs, possibly causing severe disease and driving excessive inflammatory reactions.September 1, 2020Valley FeverNIH establishes Centers for Research in Emerging Infectious DiseasesThe focus of the global network will be investigations into how and where viruses and other pathogens emerge from wildlife and spill over to cause disease in people. The NIAID will provide approximately $82 million over five years to support the network.August 26, 2020InfluenzaScientists urge surveillance of new SARS-CoV-2 variantCoronaviruses have encoded proofreading mechanisms, unlike other pathogenic viruses, and as a result SARS-CoV-2 has very low sequence diversity. However, natural selection can result in favorable mutations that provide an advantage to viral infectivity or transmission. Antigenic single amino acid changes are observed in seasonal influenza viruses and in previous coronaviruses. For example, a single amino acid change in spike D480A/G in the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV became the dominant variant in the later stages of the 2003 to 2004 pandemic.July 6, 2020COVID-19Reverse genetics allows researchers to map SARS-CoV-2 in the bodyThe SARS-CoV-2 genome contains 16 nonstructural proteins, four structural proteins (spike, membrane, envelop, and nucleocapsid), and eight accessory proteins. The spike protein mediates viral entry by binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) followed by proteolytic processing by TMPRSS2 and furin. Therefore, spike proteins are the main target of host neutralizing antibodies.June 4, 2020Common ColdWhat we know about SARS-CoV-2 immunity so farSARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that emerged in 2019, is the seventh human coronavirus to be described. Four human coronaviruses circulate seasonally and cause common colds (alphacoronaviruses NL63 and 229E; betacoronaviruses HKU1 and OC43). Two other coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, have crossed from animal sources and have not become endemic.May 25, 2020Page 1 of 3Next PageTop StoriesFDA ClearanceFDA approves CRISPR-based gene therapy, cell-based gene therapy for SCDThe FDA has approved Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ and CRISPR Therapeutics’ CRISPR-based gene-editing therapy for the treatment of VOCs in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is the first CRISPR-based gene therapy to receive FDA approval.Mergers & AcquisitionsPerkinElmer acquires CovarisBusiness InsightsFDA clears BD’s new fingerstick blood collection deviceKickbackTexas lab owner pleads guilty in $1.7M Medicare fraudHepatitisCDC awards contract to Quest Diagnostics to assess hepatitis C burden
