Author Archives: ev1

Diagnostic BioSystems Launches the First Automated IHC Multiplex Platform for Anatomic Pathology

Posted on by

PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Diagnostic Biosystems (DBS), a specialty Immunohistochemistry company, announces its debut as an automated IHC company, introducing the Mosaic 360 System with a product offering of novel Multiplex Immunohistochemistry kits and a complementary line of optimized IHC reagents.

Built on a history of developing distinctive chromogens to differentiate morphology on a single slide, Diagnostic BioSystems introduces a portfolio of five Mosaic Multiplex Lung Cancer Kits for use in tissue analysis of suspected Lung Cancer patients. Pathologists are challenged with scarce tissue availability in patients with cancer. DBS is addressing the tissue challenge with the Mosaic Multiplex kits enabling testing of multiple analytes on one slide with a complete kit optimized for the DBS Mosaic 360 System automated platform for lab to lab standardized results.

The Mosaic System also includes a new line of plug and play reagents optimized on the Mosaic 360 platform to provide convenience for the Histology Technologist in the Pathology laboratory.

Diagnostic Biosystems is focused on developing clinically relevant tools for pathologists. We believe it is important to provide the most information with the limited tissue available in cancer patients today. Our standardized Mosaic Multiplex lung cancer kits are focused on solving this problem, said Dr. Bipin Gupta, PhD, President & CEO of Diagnostic BioSystems.

During the USCAP, Diagnostic BioSystems will sponsor a Pathologist Roundtable event on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 in Vancouver BC to discuss advances in the use of Multiplex Kits in the analysis of suspected cancers. Two industry experts, Dr. Omar Hameed from Vanderbilt and Dr. Arundhati Rao from Scott & White Healthcare System, will join Marc Key Ph.D., DBS Scientific Advisor, in leading these discussions.

A new US distribution organization will support the launch of the Mosaic 360 System.

For additional information on product availability, contact customer care at 888-896-3350 or visit http://www.dbiosys.com.

About Diagnostic Biosystems: Diagnostic Biosystems, based in Pleasanton, California develops high quality Immunohistochemistry reagents for global distribution. Diagnostic BioSystems operates under FDA 21CFR Quality System Regulations, is a CDPH licensed Medical Device Manufacturing facility and is certified under ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System International standards, manufacturing CE marked products for use in the European market.

Originally posted here:
Diagnostic BioSystems Launches the First Automated IHC Multiplex Platform for Anatomic Pathology

Psyche Systems Corporation and Aperio® Announce Availability of Their Fully Integrated Anatomic Pathology System

Posted on by

MILFORD, Mass., and VISTA, Calif., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Psyche Systems Corporation and Aperio announced today that they have joined forces to offer the most advanced anatomic pathology information system available. With this seamless, integrated solution, pathologists can immediately access, manage, and evaluate their whole digital slide images, eSlides, within their WindoPath LIS via intuitive step-by-step workflows.

The integration of Aperio ePathology eSlide Manager and Psyche Systems WindoPath Anatomic Pathology Software enables single sign-on and automatic, bi-directional data transfer in support of the Pathologist's workflow--improving the efficiency and quality of laboratory pathology services.

The companies are launching the integrated solution at the USCAP Conference, March 17 23, 2012. Attendees of the conference are invited to visit both companies on the exhibit floor to learn more about how laboratories can optimize their operations with this new level of streamlined integration. Psyche Systems is in booth #808; Aperio is in booth #910.

About Psyche Systems Corporation Since 1976, Psyche Systems has delivered products that help laboratories of all sizes run more efficiently and cost-effectively. Psyche's WindoPath AP system, Clinical LIS, e.Outreach, EMR Internet Interface, MicroPath, and SBB blood bank software deliver a completely integrated solution for all areas and types of laboratories. Psyche's products are fully integrated or stand-alone and support full automation, integration with instruments, clinical and back-office systems, Outreach and Meaningful Use initiatives. For more information, visit http://www.psychesystems.com.

About AperioFor over a decade, Aperio has advanced the technology that enables glass slides to be digitized and securely shared with others. Aperio products are transforming the practice of pathology in hospitals, reference labs and pharmaceutical and research institutions around the world. From the moment glass slides are digitized to eSlides, Aperio ePathology Solutions equip pathologists with the power to evaluate, engage and excel like never before. The NETWORK enables remote, simultaneous, real-time viewing and easy distribution for consults and collaboration. PRECISION tools empower pathologists with advanced analytic capabilities. An interoperable, scalable and secure web-based software platform facilitates integration with existing systems. With Aperio ePathology Solutions, organizations can optimize their pathology operations for transparency, consistency and efficiency to support patient care, personalized medicine and research. Aperio's products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates, specific product indications and more information please visit http://www.aperio.com.

View post:
Psyche Systems Corporation and Aperio® Announce Availability of Their Fully Integrated Anatomic Pathology System

New Innovators

Posted on by

The Irish Times - Monday, March 19, 2012

Dragon Nutrition: Bottling new products with a twist

FAMILY-OWNED independent drinks company J Donohoe Beverages has been manufacturing, bottling and distributing drinks in the southeast for more than 200 years.

Three years ago, the firm pushed itself into the 21st century with the launch of a new subsidiary, Dragon Nutrition, to take advantage of the growing market for added-value drinks with a nutritional twist.

Dragon has developed a range of drinks aimed at those involved in sport, leading active lives or interested in physical wellbeing. The first Dragon products, a line-up of five shots including a protein drink and a pre-gym supplement were launched in 2011. They are sold through pharmacies and online.

Donohoe Beverages, which has a turnover of 20 million, invested 650,000 over three years setting up its nutrition subsidiary between the cost of product RD and pilot production facilities.

New to market is Little Dragon Intense Energy, a full-sized carbonated energy drink containing B vitamins that will be sold through the mainstream retail network.

Intense Energy was developed to serve the portion of the market with a need for that blast of energy provided by the shot but delivered in a larger, long-lasting form and without the associated sugar crash, as the drink is sugar free, says Siobhn Donnelly, who is responsible for Dragons marketing.

J Donohoe is a long- established company but very forward-looking at the same time, with its own RD department, and we were looking at ways to take our expertise in the drinks business into new areas, Donnelly adds.

Functional drinks, for use in sports and other activities, were identified as a potential growth area for us. When we started researching the idea, they were still a new concept and people assumed we were talking about producing something like a Complan.

Go here to read the rest:
New Innovators

Nutrition & Children

Posted on by

March as National Nutrition Month is being used to raise awareness about healthier eating. In our KERA Health Checkup,Sam Baker talked with Meridan Zerner, a registered dietitian with Cooper Aerobics, about nutrition and children. She said many kids dont always get the nutrients they need despite their parents efforts.

Meridan Zerner: Keep in mind that a lot of us really didnt have a great education in solid nutrition when we were young, and certainly we have to take into account the economy. They may not have what they perceive to be a budget for a healthier diet. Theres an idea that healthy food has to be incredibly expensive, which is not necessarily the case. When parents are working that much longer, and it is what it is, you have to rely on these outside sources to fuel your children. And so theyre getting their lunch, perhaps even their breakfast, from school. So we need to look for a better quality meal there.

Sam Baker: Its not easier, though, with all the processed food targeted at children.

Zerner: No. And more and more theyre giving schools and other programs discounts on processed food which makes it more appealing budget-wise. But the big picture is being lost. These kids are not healthy, with one in three being overweight or obese. Theyre unhappy, there are higher levels of depression in children who are that unhealthy. Theyre bullied. It goes on. The benefits of taking the time to make a few healthier choices, to support that, both at home and in the school, is incredibly worthwhile.

Baker: So what nutrients should children be getting, and does that depend on the age?

Zerner: It does depend on the age but as a concept we like to look at the plate model, so the government has a new plate model, which is wonderful. Its something you can start to teach your children now. Half of the plateis color. Youre looking to fill half the plate with some fruit or vegetable. Now thats a concept, that lunch has some color in it. I think we do a better job at dinner ensuring that theres a vegetable for children. To make sure that the human body needs that, for vitamins, for minerals, as an anti-inflammatory. You need it. Health starts quite young. Ive seen six and seven year-olds on cholesterol medication and thats obviously quite concerning to me.

Baker: Six or seven?

Zerner: Six or seven year-olds with Type 2 diabetes, which is the kind of diabetes we used to call adult onset diabetes that comes from weight and diet and lack of exercise. Were seeing this in young, young children.

Baker: When I was young the emphasis always seemed to be on Vitamin C, for starters; calcium. Are kids even getting enough of that these days?

Zerner: No they really arent. If you compare the 1950s to now, as an example, kids then would have three cupsof milk to one glass of soda. Now its absolutely the reverse. Children today are having three cups of soda to one glass of milk. And its not necessarily about the milk, but its how are we going to get in calcium for their bones, along with vitamin D, which were finding is integral in cancer prevention, in allergies and asthma, in attention deficit there are many things where Vitamin D can be meaningful. And its hard to get.

Link:
Nutrition & Children

Predator Nutrition Founder Slams Latest Red Meat Research

Posted on by

BRADFORD, England, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The founder of Predator Nutrition, Europe's leading sports supplements retailer and distributor, has questioned the validity of a recent study by Harvard School of Public Health that claims red meat consumption may increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and premature death.

Reggie Johal has analysed the research findings, which hit the headlines around the world early this week after reporting that "regular consumption of red meat, particularly processed red meat, was associated with increased mortality risk" following observation of more than 100,000 people.

Johal, though, has found several irregularities with the investigation and has outlined them in some depth in a blog post on his company's website to hit back at allegations that red meat can increase the risk of early death.

The report has sparked health fears about eating red meat on a regular basis. Johal, however, has urged caution; although the former Great Britain American football international is keen to stress that consumption of meats like bacon and sausages should be kept to a minimum, healthier cuts of red meat should be selected and care should be taken to avoid burning the meat.

He commented: "This study shows the way that the mass media can jump on a study without understanding the actual data upon which it is drawn.

"Once you look at the raw data you can see that the categorisation of what constitutes unprocessed or processed meat is not one which most people would agree with.

"They have also used statistical techniques to paint a misleading picture. The reality is that there were fewer deaths among those who consumed red meat moderately compared to those consuming both the most AND the least. This basically showed their adjustment for lifestyle factors was not done accurately at all.

"All this study really showed us is that those with the unhealthiest lifestyles, who smoked and drank the most, had the highest rate of deaths.

"You could actually argue, given that red meat consumption was associated with a decline in death rates up to a certain point, that its consumption had a protective effect on people whose lifestyle was otherwise unhealthy. Those who ate a moderate amount of red meat had a lower death rate, despite having unhealthier lifestyles compared to those eating the least red meat."

Follow this link:
Predator Nutrition Founder Slams Latest Red Meat Research

Genetic variation in human gut viruses could be raw material for inner evolution

Posted on by

Nearly 48 billion bases of DNA, the genetic building blocks, were collected in the stools of 12 individuals. The researchers then assembled the blocks like puzzle pieces to recreate whole virus genomes. Hundreds to thousands of likely distinct viruses were assembled per individual, of which all but one type were bacteriophages viruses that infect bacteria -- which the team expected. The other was a human pathogen, a human papillomavirus found in a single individual. Bacteriophages are responsible for the toxic effects of many bacteria, but their role in the human microbiome has only recently started to be studied.

To assess variability in the viral populations among the 12 individuals studied, Bushman's team, led by graduate student Samuel Minot, looked for stretches of bases that varied the most.

Their survey identified 51 hypervariable regions among the 12 people studied, which, to the team's surprise, were associated with reverse transcriptase genes. Reverse transcriptase enzymes, more commonly associated with replication of retroviruses such as HIV, copy RNA into DNA. Of the 51 regions, 29 bore sequence and structural similarity to one well-studied reverse transcriptase, a hypervariable region in the Bordetella bacteriophage BPP-1. Bordetella is the microbe that causes kennel cough in dogs.

BPP-1 uses reverse transcriptase and an error-prone copying mechanism to modify a protein to aid in entering and reproducing in a wide array of viral targets. Bushman and colleagues speculate that the newly discovered hypervariable regions could serve a similar function in the human virome, and microbiome, by extension.

"It appears there's natural selective pressure for rapid variation for these classes of bacteriophages, which implies there's a corresponding rapidly changing environmental factor that the phage must be able to quickly adapt to," says Minot. Possible reasons for change, say the authors, include evading the immune system and keeping abreast of ever-evolving bacterial hosts a kind of mutation-based host-pathogen arms race. Whatever the case, Minot says, such variability may be helping to drive evolution of the gut microbiome: "The substrate of evolution is mutation."

Evolutionary analysis of the 185 reverse transcriptases discovered in this study population suggests that a large fraction of these enzymes are primarily involved in generating diversity. Now, Minot says, the challenge is to determine the function of the newly discovered hypervariable regions, and understand how their variability changes over time and in relationship to disease.

"This method opens a whole new world of 'diversity-generating' biology to discover what these clearly important systems are actually doing," he says.

In addition to Bushman and Minot, co-authors are Stephanie Grunberg (Department of Microbiology); Gary Wu (Division of Gastroenterology); and James Lewis (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology), all from Penn.

Provided by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (news : web)

Read the rest here:
Genetic variation in human gut viruses could be raw material for inner evolution

Large families the key to longevity

Posted on by

DUBBO women born before 1930 who bore a brood of children survived longer than their peers who never were mothers or had only one child.

The director of the Dubbo Study of the Elderly, Leon Simons, revealed the gem of information at a conference in the city yesterday, ahead of its publication in medical journals.

Mothers of six or more children had the lowest rating on an all-important measure, when data collected from 2805 Dubbo senior citizens in a 20-year study from 1988 was dredged recently.

Despite the result, the director, who is also Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of NSW, was not about to suggest todays generation live like their great-grandmothers.

Were not saying people should only have six babies in the future; that would not be popular with lots of people, he said.

The academic shared his latest research results at day one of Ageing Well, the rural conference of the Australian Association of Gerontology and the Aged and Community Services Association of NSW and ACT.

The conference, attended by more than 135 delegates from the aged care industry, including some from Dubbo, was an opportunity to share successes and further develop skills.

The Dubbo study director used his 80-minute spot on the program to describe the reasons for the study and how it was done and then moved into findings.

Mothers of six children survived longer for more than just hormonal reasons, Professor Simons said.

I base that on the fact that some of the Scandinavian studies show some similar trends in men as well, he said.

Originally posted here:
Large families the key to longevity

DNA leads to arrest of Whitefish sexual assault suspect

Posted on by

WHITEFISH- DNA evidence has led the Whitefish Police Department to arrest Timothy M. House, 27, and charge him with sexual assault.

Police Chief Bill Dial says that the arrest came about as the result of a DNA "hit" by the Montana State Crime Lab.

House was a suspect in a summer 2007 sexual assault, but Dial says in a news release that "there was insufficient evidence to arrest him."

(photo courtesy Whitefish Police Dept.)

House became a suspect in a sex crime in Conrad last year which resulted in a DNA sample being taken from House which was subsequently submitted to the Crime Lab and then entered into the National data base.

Whitefish detectives later secured a search warrant for a DNA sample from House which was submitted to the State Crime Lab for comparison and an arrest warrant was later issued for House's arrest.

Dial says House had recently returned to the Flathead Valley from Pondera County where he had been arrested for sexual intercourse without consent and unlawful restraint.

His release conditions, imposed by the court, was to submit to a breath test twice a day and when House reported for his breath test on Friday evening he was arrested.

Dial says House is also a suspect for similar charges in Flathead County and he's being held in the Flathead County jail on $100,000 bond.

Follow this link:
DNA leads to arrest of Whitefish sexual assault suspect

Posted in DNA

Governor Cuomo signs expanded DNA databank bill into law

Posted on by

Readmore: Local, Crime, DNA, DNA Database, New York State DNA Database, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick, William Fitzpatrick, Carol Nelson, Glen Shoop, Salina Murder, Murder, DNA Samples

ALBANY -- Anyone convicted of a felony and most misdemeanors will have to submit their DNA as part of new legislation signed into law today.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law an historic bill that makes New York State the first "all crimes DNA" state in the nation, by requiring DNA samples be collected from anyone convicted of a felony or Penal Law misdemeanor. "I am proud to sign this bill today because this modern law enforcement tool will not only help us solve and prevent crimes but also exonerate the innocent," said Governor Andrew Cuomo. "The bottom line is that this is a tool that works, and will make the state safer for all New Yorkers."

It will require collecting a saliva swab from everyone convicted of any felony and all but one penal misdemeanor starting Oct. 1. It excludes misdemeanor possession of less than 25 grams of marijuana in public view. Various lower-level violations are also excluded.

The legislation makes New York the first state in the country to expand its DNA databank so dramatically. It will allow defendants in certain criminal cases to obtain DNA testing prior to trial to demonstrate their innocence. Under appropriate circumstances, defendants convicted after a guilty plea will be allowed access to the testing.

In limited circumstances, defendants will be able to seek discovery of property and other materials to demonstrate their actual innocence after their conviction. Such discovery will provide the court with the evidence necessary to reach a proper decision on a defendant's motion for such relief.

Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick has been a staunch supporter of the bill. Last week, he publicly supported the legislation saying, "DNA is an extremely valuable tool in solving crimes, convicting the guilty and exculpating the innocent," said Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick. "It is a travesty that this tool has not been used to its fullest potential in New York because of misleading information perpetuated by its opponents. Expanding the Databank will unquestionably solve crimes, save lives and make this state a safer place to live."

Fitzpatrick pointed to a recent case locally where the expanded database would have saved a woman's life. In 2007, 65-year-oldCarol Nelson was sexually assaulted and murderedin a wooded area off 7th North Street in the Town of Salina. Her killer, Glen Shoop, had two prior convictions that under the proposed bill would have required his DNA profile to be in the database.

At the time of her murder, those convictionsdid not require Shoop to provide a DNA sample. If it had, he would have been in custody for a prior 2000 unsolved rape case and Nelson's life would have been spared, Fitzpatrick said.

Since its launch in 1996, New York's databank has led to more than 2,900 convictions and helped exonerate 27 people who were wrongfully convicted.

View original post here:
Governor Cuomo signs expanded DNA databank bill into law

Posted in DNA

DNA Brands Appoints Jeff Jonke as Vice-President of Strategic Development

Posted on by

More Topics: Choose a Sector Accounting Firms Advertising/Media/Communications Capital CEO/Board General Business Health/Biotech Internet/Technology Investment Firms Law Firms Mergers & Acquisitions Money Managers People Private Companies Public Companies Venture Capital

Posted March 19, 2012

Jeff Jonke to Spearhead the Development and Introduction of New Products and National Growth Initiative

BOCA RATON, Fla., -- DNA Brands, Inc. (OTCBB:DNAX) today announced that it has appointed Jeff Jonke as Vice-President of Strategic Development. Mr. Jonke will spearhead the growth and development of DNA Energy Drinks and the introduction of new proprietary offerings nationally across all channels.

Darren Marks, President of DNA, said, "We feel very fortunate at this most opportune time to have been able to attract such a seasoned professional with Jeff's background and experience. Mr. Jonke is an experienced leader and manager, well versed in all aspects of beverage industry and maintains top North American distributor relationships." Marks concluded, "Jeff has also been responsible for the successful launch of several brands in the functional beverage sector while with such notable companies as Hansen Beverage Company (Monster Energy), Rockstar Energy Drink, Jones Soda Company, Arizona Beverage Company and Boo Koo Beverage. It is for these reasons that we have selected Mr. Hawkins to spearhead our national growth initiative."

"I am thrilled to be a part of the DNA Brands team," said Mr. Jonke. "Joining DNA offers great opportunities for growth of DNA Energy Drink and to build nationally on the success the brand has had in the Southeast. I also look forward to the opportunities for new product development, incubation of those products in the Grass Roots Beverage Distribution system in Florida and national growth in the future. I am also excited to be part of the team developing these new products which we will take to market over the next several months. Jonke concluded, "DNA is ready for explosive growth and I look forward to being a part of its future. "

About DNA Brands, Inc.

DNA BRANDS, make DNA Energy Drink, the award-winning, best-tasting energy drink at the 2010 World Beverage Competition, and DNA Shred StixTM. DNA Energy Drink is a proprietary blend of quality ingredients in four flavors Citrus, Lemon Lime, Sugar Free Citrus and CRANRAZBERRY. DNA is a proud sponsor of many action sport teams consisting of top athletes from Motorcross, Surf, Wakeboard and Skateboard has received tremendous TV and media coverage.

Independent retailers throughout the state sell the DNA Brand products as well as national retailers including Walgreens, Race Trac and Circle K.

True to its actions sports roots, DNA BRANDS, INC., has earned national recognition through its sponsorship of the DNA Energy Drink/Jeff Ward Racing team where it competes on a world-class level in Supercross and Motocross, reaching millions of fans. DNA Energy Drink(R) can also be found in other action sports such as Surfing, BMX, Wakeboarding and Skateboarding and its athletes are recognized stars in their own right.

More:
DNA Brands Appoints Jeff Jonke as Vice-President of Strategic Development

Posted in DNA

Protein Researchers Unravel The Molecular Dance Of DNA Repair

Posted on by

Using state-of-the-art technology, scientists at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research at the University of Copenhagen and their international collaborators have successfully obtained molecular snapshots of tens of thousands processes involved in DNA damage repair. On a daily basis this restoration keeps cells healthy and prevents the development of cancer. The results of this study will help unravel exactly how cells repair their broken DNA, how chemotherapy affects cells workings and will assist in the discovery of new drugs with fewer side effects.

"DNA repair is vital in keeping cells healthy. So unraveling the molecular details of how a cell communicates when its DNA is broken will help us understand how cells protect their genomes," Associate Professor Chunaram Choudhary from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research says.

"We know, for example, that chemotherapy kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA. This happens because the fast growing cancer cells are more sensitive to DNA damage than healthy cells. However, how exactly chemotherapy works on a cellular level is still a mystery. Once we understand the molecular consequences of chemotherapy on cancer cells, we could begin to work on ways to protect healthy cells during treatment of patients with cancer," postdoc Petra Beli explains.

Daily DNA damage threatens healthy cells Everything from sun tanning to environmental factors and normal metabolic processes inside the cell damages the DNA of that cell every day. This in turn can lead to production of faulty proteins that - if not repaired - could go on to become the driver of cancer development.

To prevent these devastating effects, damaged DNA triggers an elaborate alarm system, which sets of a chain reaction in the cell, to slow processes, terminate others and wait, while legions of molecules go to work on the damaged DNA.

"Identification of proteins that are crucial for repairing broken DNA may help find new drug targets, and by using such very specific drugs it may also become possible to minimize the side effects, which occur when a drug hits too broadly in the body," Chunaram Choudhary continues.

Much remains to be learned DNA repair has been studied intensely for years, but Associate Professor Choudhary and his group at the Department of Proteomics along with his collaborators from University of Cambridge and Max Planck Institute are the first to unravel tens of thousands of molecular signaling events involved in this complex process.

"We first damaged the DNA of cells using radiation or chemical drugs and then used a technique called mass spectrometry, which is a way of precisely determining the identity of proteins and their chemical modifications," Petra Beli says.

"This allowed us to follow thousands of protein modifications that happened in the process of DNA repair, shedding new light on how the networks of biochemical signals are regulated and how the infrastructure of alerts works."

The data from the experiments is so extensive that it will require much further work by researchers to fully understand the significance and impact of these newly identified signaling pathways. The article Proteomic Investigations Reveal a Role for RNA Processing Factor THRAP3 in the DNA Damage Response is published online in the journal Molecular Cell on 15 March.

Follow this link:
Protein Researchers Unravel The Molecular Dance Of DNA Repair

Posted in DNA

DNA Brands Names Beverage Industry Executive to Head Up Strategic Business Development

Posted on by

BOCA RATON, Fla., March 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DNA Brands, Inc. (OTCBB:DNAX.OB - News) today announced that it has appointed Jeff Jonke as Vice-President of Strategic Development. Mr. Jonke will spearhead the growth and development of DNA Energy Drinks and the introduction of new proprietary offerings nationally across all channels.

Darren Marks, President of DNA, said, "We feel very fortunate at this most opportune time to have been able to attract such a seasoned professional with Jeff's background and experience. Mr. Jonke is an experienced leader and manager, well versed in all aspects of beverage industry and maintains top North American distributor relationships." Marks concluded, "Jeff has also been responsible for the successful launch of several brands in the functional beverage sector while with such notable companies as Hansen Beverage Company (Monster Energy), Rockstar Energy Drink, Jones Soda Company, Arizona Beverage Company and Boo Koo Beverage. It is for these reasons that we have selected Mr. Hawkins to spearhead our national growth initiative."

"I am thrilled to be a part of the DNA Brands team," said Mr. Jonke. "Joining DNA offers great opportunities for growth of DNA Energy Drink and to build nationally on the success the brand has had in the Southeast. I also look forward to the opportunities for new product development, incubation of those products in the Grass Roots Beverage Distribution system in Florida and national growth in the future. I am also excited to be part of the team developing these new products which we will take to market over the next several months. Jonke concluded, "DNA is ready for explosive growth and I look forward to being a part of its future. "

About DNA Brands, Inc.

DNA BRANDS, make DNA Energy Drink(R), the award-winning, best-tasting energy drink at the 2010 World Beverage Competition, and DNA Shred Stix(TM). DNA Energy Drink(R) is a proprietary blend of quality ingredients in four flavors Citrus, Lemon Lime, Sugar Free Citrus and CRANRAZBERRY. DNA is a proud sponsor of many action sport teams consisting of top athletes from Motorcross, Surf, Wakeboard and Skateboard has received tremendous TV and media coverage.

Independent retailers throughout the state sell the DNA Brand products as well as national retailers including Walgreens, Race Trac and Circle K.

True to its actions sports roots, DNA BRANDS, INC., has earned national recognition through its sponsorship of the DNA Energy Drink/Jeff Ward Racing team where it competes on a world-class level in Supercross and Motocross, reaching millions of fans. DNA Energy Drink(R) can also be found in other action sports such as Surfing, BMX, Wakeboarding and Skateboarding and its athletes are recognized stars in their own right.

For more information about DNA Energy Drink, its athletes and sponsorships, please visit http://www.dnabrandsusa.com.

The DNA Beverage Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7258

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

See more here:
DNA Brands Names Beverage Industry Executive to Head Up Strategic Business Development

Posted in DNA

DNA Electronics Partners with geneOnyx to offer Genalysis® Real-Time DNA Detection Technology for Genetics-driven …

Posted on by

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

DNA Electronics Ltd. a developer of semiconductor solutions for real-time DNA and RNA detection, today announces that it has licensed its ground-breaking Genalysis technology platform for rapid, lab-free DNA detection to geneOnyx, a company that is delivering on-the-spot genetic analytics services for cosmetics and skincare applications. Following a successful evaluation of the DNA Electronics USB-based Genalysis lab-free platform, the two companies are announcing a commercial license and supply agreement that grants geneOnyx access to DNA Electronics real-time Genalysis platform for cosmetic applications. This agreement will deliver the worlds first commercial application of a true sample-to-answer, easy-to-use and low-cost DNA testing platform bringing on-site, over-the-counter services to the retail industry for the first time.

DNA Electronics Genalysis is a real-time platform for nucleic acid testing, delivering accurate, point-of-need results within 30 minutes using just a simple sample processing kit and interchangeable test cartridges plugged into a USB stick or other electronic reader. The Genalysis platform enables truly user-friendly, rapid, lab-free and pipette-free DNA analysis products for a variety of medical and consumer applications. While this licensing and supply agreement launches DNA Electronics in its first non-IVD market for test panels selected by geneOnyx, pilot trials for clinical diagnostics using Genalysis will also begin later this year. DNA Electronics a privately-held company was founded by semiconductor and medical technology pioneer Professor Chris Toumazou FRS, FREng, based on his key 2001 invention of detecting protons released during DNA synthesis using a standard silicon-chip based transistor culminating in the worlds first DNA analysis on unmodified CMOS technology. DNA Electronics already has worldwide non-exclusive licensing agreements with Roches 454 Life Sciences and Ion Torrent (Life Technologies Inc.) for the field of semiconductor sequencing, enabling these global leaders to access certain parts of the DNA Electronics proprietary technology portfolio.

Through this latest agreement, DNA Electronics will supply to geneOnyx its proprietary sample-to-answer DNA testing technology Genalysis for the consumer cosmetics and skincare market. geneOnyx will provide an individually-tailored recommendation service for selecting optimal skincare and cosmetic products for individuals based on a scientific analysis of the persons genetic variations and how well a persons body will react to active product ingredients. geneOnyxs recommendations service leverages the unique ability of the Genalysis platform to provide on-the-spot results and connectivity to geneOnyxs cloud-based system without needing to send a sample to a laboratory for analysis.

The Genalysis platform processes a saliva sample from a mouth swab using a sample preparation kit designed for unskilled users which delivers purified, amplification-ready DNA to the CMOS-based test cartridge using just a couple of simple manual steps. The test cartridge then simultaneously amplifies and detects genetic signatures in the DNA when plugged into a USB stick or other electronic device. The simple three-step Genalysis process of swab, twist, test was designed by DNA Electronics to overcome the fact that most nucleic acid tests, even those described as point-of-care, still require laboratory steps such as pipetting and centrifugation, and use expensive instrumentation.

Commenting on the announcement, Prof. Toumazou said: This agreement makes lab-free semiconductor solutions for DNA analysis a commercial reality for both medical and non-medical markets from personalised medicine to anti-ageing skincare. He added: With our microchip-based Genalysis platform, we are able to screen genetic information more quickly, more accurately and more cost-effectively than ever before. Our partnership with geneOnyx delivers the first in a new breed of fast, user-friendly and consumerised DNA analysis services, and it is a key part of our roadmap to actively work with customers to deliver innovative solutions and services around these ground-breaking on-the-spot tests. By making this technology really affordable, we are enabling transformative services for retail cosmeceutical markets, wellness applications, pharmaceutical drug response and more. The opportunities are extremely exciting and DNA Electronics is open to working with other committed Early Access customers to develop Genalysis tests for applications that solve their business needs.

Members of the media interested in scheduling a briefing with DNA Electronics can do so by contacting Nicky Denovan at nicky[at]evokedset[dot]com.

-- ends

Notes to editors

About DNA Electronics

Continued here:
DNA Electronics Partners with geneOnyx to offer Genalysis® Real-Time DNA Detection Technology for Genetics-driven ...

Posted in DNA

Loss of rare species can harm ecosystems

Posted on by

The findings were published in March in the online edition of the scientific journal Ecology Letters.

Bracken and Brown University student Natalie Low conducted several experiments that analyzed the impact of removing seaweed and sessile animals, such as mussels and barnacles, from the rocky shores of Northeasterns Marine Science Center in Nahant, Mass. The experiments were designed to mimic naturally occurring changes in biodiversity on rocky shores.

The findings were startling. We have shown that the loss of these extremely rare species which collectively represent less than 10 percent of the seaweed and animal biomass at the base of the food web causes major declines in the abundance and diversity of animals, such as snails, crabs and other mobile animals, Bracken said.

Prior research on the extirpation of rare species from a particular ecosystem focused on how the loss of top predators often referred to as keystone species affects plants and animals at the bottom of the food chain. Bracken and Low, on the other hand, have shown that the loss of rare species from the base of the food chain, which they call cornerstone species, can also reshape marine systems.

A pattern of decline emerged after only three weeks of experiments and persisted for the remainder of the fiveweek study. Previous work on the effects of rare predator removals took months to years to show strong effects, Bracken said. We found strong effects of rare seaweed removals after only a few weeks.

Provided by Northeastern University (news : web)

Read this article:
Loss of rare species can harm ecosystems

Nicholls biology students earn praise for research

Posted on by

Published: Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:40 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, March 19, 2012 at 10:40 a.m.

Three Nicholls State University biology students took top honors for their research at a state-wide science convention that included universities from all over the state.

Derek Adams, David Samaha and Bijeta Prasai won first-place awards for presentations at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Academy of Sciences.

This is a very big deal, said Ramaraj Boopathy, the professor who guided the three students on their research. Even though our school is so small, we did better than a lot of places that are a lot bigger and have a lot more resources.

The three were selected by a panel of professors who judged each presenter on the quality and innovation of their research, the style of their presentation and ability to answer questions about their process.

Adams, a first-year masters degree student from New Orleans, topped the graduate microbiology research category with his paper Use of Formic Acid to Control Virbrosis in Shrimp.

When I was sitting there for the awards ceremony I thought Im just being a good representative of the university, Adams said. Then I hear my name, and I just couldnt believe it.

Adams research aims to find natural solutions to eradicating bacteria that kill shrimp, costing U.S. shrimpers.

Theres about $10 billion of shrimping in North America, and theres about a billion in damage, he said. Were hoping to find a way to reduce that margin of loss.

Samaha, a pre-med junior from Houma, won in the undergraduate environmental research category for his project, Fuel Grade Ethanol Production from Eastern Gamagrass.

View original post here:
Nicholls biology students earn praise for research

Team discovers how bacteria resist a ‘Trojan horse’ antibiotic

Posted on by

Public release date: 19-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Diana Yates diya@illinois.edu 217-333-5802 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

CHAMPAIGN, lll. A new study describes how bacteria use a previously unknown means to defeat an antibiotic. The researchers found that the bacteria have modified a common "housekeeping" enzyme in a way that enables the enzyme to recognize and disarm the antibiotic.

The study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bacteria often engage in chemical warfare with one another, and many antibiotics used in medicine are modeled on the weapons they produce. But microbes also must protect themselves from their own toxins. The defenses they employ for protection can be acquired by other species, leading to antibiotic resistance.

The researchers focused on an enzyme, known as MccF, that they knew could disable a potent "Trojan horse" antibiotic that sneaks into cells disguised as a tasty protein meal. The bacterial antibiotic, called microcin C7 (McC7) is similar to a class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections of the skin.

"How Trojan horse antibiotics work is that the antibiotic portion is coupled to something that's fairly innocuous in this case it's a peptide," said University of Illinois biochemistry professor Satish Nair, who led the study. "So susceptible bacteria see this peptide, think of it as food and internalize it."

The meal comes at a price, however: Once the bacterial enzymes chew up the amino acid disguise, the liberated antibiotic is free to attack a key component of protein synthesis in the bacterium, Nair said.

"That is why the organisms that make this thing have to protect themselves," he said.

In previous studies, researchers had found the genes that protect some bacteria from this class of antibiotic toxins, but they didn't know how they worked. These genes code for peptidases, which normally chew up proteins (polypeptides) and lack the ability to recognize anything else.

Originally posted here:
Team discovers how bacteria resist a 'Trojan horse' antibiotic

Study finds how bacteria resist a ‘Trojan horse’ antibiotic

Posted on by

The study appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Bacteria often engage in chemical warfare with one another, and many antibiotics used in medicine are modeled on the weapons they produce. But microbes also must protect themselves from their own toxins. The defenses they employ for protection can be acquired by other species, leading to antibiotic resistance.

The researchers focused on an enzyme, known as MccF, that they knew could disable a potent "Trojan horse" antibiotic that sneaks into cells disguised as a tasty protein meal. The bacterial antibiotic, called microcin C7 (McC7) is similar to a class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections of the skin.

"How Trojan horse antibiotics work is that the antibiotic portion is coupled to something that's fairly innocuous in this case it's a peptide," said University of Illinois biochemistry professor Satish Nair, who led the study. "So susceptible bacteria see this peptide, think of it as food and internalize it."

The meal comes at a price, however: Once the bacterial enzymes chew up the amino acid disguise, the liberated antibiotic is free to attack a key component of protein synthesis in the bacterium, Nair said.

"That is why the organisms that make this thing have to protect themselves," he said.

In previous studies, researchers had found the genes that protect some bacteria from this class of antibiotic toxins, but they didn't know how they worked. These genes code for peptidases, which normally chew up proteins (polypeptides) and lack the ability to recognize anything else.

Before the new study, "it wasn't clear how a peptidase could destroy an antibiotic," Nair said.

To get a fuller picture of the structure of the peptidase, Illinois graduate student Vinayak Agarwal crystallized MccF while it was bound to other molecules, including the antibiotic. An analysis of the structure and its interaction with the antibiotic revealed that MccF looked a lot like other enzymes in its family, but with a twist or, rather, a loop. Somehow MccF has picked up an additional loop of amino acids that it uses to recognize the antibiotic, rendering it ineffective.

"Now we know that specific amino acid residues in this loop are responsible for making this from a normal housekeeping gene into something that's capable of degrading this class of antibiotics," Nair said.

Read more:
Study finds how bacteria resist a 'Trojan horse' antibiotic

Clemson University recognized by Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Posted on by

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Clemson University was honored with six awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III. The College of Business and Behavioral Science advancement team received a Special Merit Award for Overall Advancement Services Operations. Clemsons 2020 Road Map: Launching a Strategic Plan received an Award of Excellence in the category of Institutional Relations Projects.

The College of Business and Behavioral Science alumni magazine, The Exchange, received a Special Merit Award in the Alumni Magazine category.

The video Prime III: The Worlds First All-accessible, Electronic Voting System was named the Grand Award Winner for Slides and Multimedia Programs. A video on Clemson Engineers for Developing Countries and its work to help bring fresh water to people in Haiti received an Award for Excellence in the category of Slide and Multimedia Programs. A video on the Bite Counter, an innovative food intake measuring device designed to promote weight loss, received a Special Merit Award in Slides and Multimedia Programs.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a volunteer organization with more than 3,500 members dedicated to the advancement of professionals in educational institutions, with a focus on the fields of alumni relations, fundraising, communications and marketing in the Southeastern states.

For more information, e-mail anixon@clemson.edu or call 864-656-0382.

Continued here:
Clemson University recognized by Council for Advancement and Support of Education

Police use DNA technique to solve property crimes

Posted on by

HOUSTON -- A thief wearing gloves walks into a parking lot, perhaps using the cover of night, smashes a car window and takes what's inside the vehicle, all in a matter of minutes.

It's the general technique for many car burglaries, and thousands of them occur in Harris County every year. Besides shattered glass, often there's not much visible evidence left at the scene, leaving investigators with few clues to catch the culprits.

But sometimes it's what investigators cannot see that helps solve many of these types of crimes.

For the last few years, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences aided area law enforcement in solving property crimes by testing evidence for "touch DNA" - microscopic skin cells containing DNA that naturally rub off when an object, like a car steering wheel, is touched. The technology can be used even if the suspect is wearing gloves because there's a high likelihood the skin cells were transferred onto the gloves when the perpetrator was slipping them on.

"It was a pretty incredible tool for us to have to identify some of these suspects," said Sgt. Terry Wilson, of the Harris County Sheriff's Office auto-theft division. "These (burglary of a motor vehicle) cases are some of the hardest cases for law enforcement to solve because there's almost never any eyewitnesses. There's very rarely any good evidence left behind, fingerprint evidence and things like that, and once we started recovering some of this DNA, it was pretty exciting there for a while."

DNA testing is a practice typically reserved for personal crimes like rape and murder. However, the forensic institute, formerly the medical examiner's office, has also been performing DNA testing on evidence - containing either skin cells or bodily fluids, like blood and saliva - from property crime cases such as car break-ins and home invasions.

Since January 2008, the forensic institute made more than 3,000 matches to crime suspects in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System database, or CODIS, a national database used to store DNA profiles. Of those, about 75 percent were for property crime cases.

Dr. Roger Kahn, director of the forensic genetics laboratory at the institute, said the crime lab is one of the few equipped to handle DNA testing for property crimes. The lab has no testing backlog on personal crime cases, so it can focus on property crimes, he said.

Kahn noted that when the forensic institute moves to its new expanded facility in the fall, the lab will have the capabilities to perform DNA testing in property crime cases for not only law enforcement agencies in the county, but the entire region.

Kahn believes it is a useful tool in solving many more crimes.

See original here:
Police use DNA technique to solve property crimes

Posted in DNA

Biology professor Steven Gorsich, students researching biofuel processes

Posted on by

Fremont senior Meagan Postema pipettes containers, preparing them for sporulation, for research in the Genetics Lab in Brooks Hall Wednesday morning. "I love what I do," said Postema. "I like the unexpected aspect of research and the opportunity to discover something new everyday." (Charlotte Bodak/Staff Photographer)

Sustainability, cleaner resources and a way to separate a biofuel supply from food supply have all been top-shelf issues for environmentalists in recent years.

Steven Gorsich, assistant professor of biology at Central Michigan University, is doing his part to resolve some of those issues; he and his lab team are taking a look at the ins and outs of biofuel production.

More specifically, theyre looking at ways to streamline the process.

Fremont senior Meagan Postema prepares containers for research under the Polymerase Chain Reaction hood in the Genetics Lab in Brooks Hall Wednesday morning. "I love what I do," said Postema. "I like the unexpected aspect of research and the opportunity to discover something new everyday." (Charlotte Bodak/Staff Photographer)

Most ethanol is made using cornstarch in a relatively simple reaction using yeast that yields biofuel. The problem with this method, though, is that it draws on food products to yield energy sources. Gorsichs project examines processes that use plant-based waste products like corn stubs, grass clippings and woodchips.

Using agriculture materials that are also used for food consumption by humans or livestock will increase the price of food at the supermarket, Gorsich said in an email. Using waste products to make ethanol is better, because it doesnt directly affect food cost.

The problem his lab is looking to overcome is that most of these materials are tougher than cornstarch and so their fermentation process requires an acid additive.

In order to get the sugars out of that, it requires a tougher pre-treatment, Gorsich said.

When the yeast starts to break down the plant material, the acids put a cap on the efficiency of the process. It results in what Gorsich refers to as oxidative damage, when oxidants (chemicals that adversely affect the fermentation process) like the acids are too high for the process to continue properly.

Read more here:
Biology professor Steven Gorsich, students researching biofuel processes