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CustoMerQ Botanical DNA Ink to Protect Sekiaji and Sekisaba Fish in Japan

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STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire -02/14/12)- A botanical DNA ink "CustoMerQ" developed by Nissha Printing Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Nissha) in conjunction with Applied DNA Sciences (OTC.BB: APDN.OB - News), has been adopted by the Saganoseki Branch of the Oita Fisheries Co-operative Association. It will be used at hygienically controlled facilities beginning in April 2012. These facilities will have an integrated processing line from unloading to shipping for products including "Sekiaji" horse mackerel and "Sekisaba" common mackerel. CustoMerQ DNA ink will be used to print the shipping date and shipping number on the brand label that is attached to the product.

CustoMerQ DNA Ink will help prevent counterfeiting of the label and will preserve the brand name for the marine products caught in the Saganoseki area. It will also be possible to match the shipping number that has been printed with information on a website, so that the end consumer can check the shipping information for the product online.

DNA as the Ironclad Anti-Counterfeiting Solution

Nissha identified Applied DNA technology as the most ironclad product authentication solution, stating its determination that DNA, as a trusted forensic form of authentication in courts around the world, provides the highest security for high value food and other products.

The new CustoMerQ DNA Ink system, developed by Nissha in conjunction with APDN, can be used in a wide variety of products such as food packaging, with its forgery-proof, high security layer. The anti-counterfeiting CustoMerQ DNA ink on food labels can be instantly verified as genuine in the field, using a special handheld detector to identify the anti-counterfeiting ink. This could happen at the point of sale, or at any point along the supply chain. As is typical of APDN botanical DNA markers, a second, forensic level of authentication is also available by sending the suspect product to a secure, product authentication lab.

Branded foods from particular and often well-known waters off Japan, and sometimes preserved with traditional, labor-intensive methods, are becoming popular, profitable, and necessary in Asia. For example, sushi bars have become ever-more discriminating, while ocean contamination and other issues beset the fishing industry. Counterfeiters and diverters have moved in with force, selling common foods as the high-value brand, destroying markets and reputation of the real item.

Nissha, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Company Code: 7915), has a market capitalization of ¥40 billion (or approximately $500 million US dollars). Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nissha is a globally networked company with over 4,000 employees (consolidated), 11 locations in Japan and 27 bases located throughout Asia, North America and Europe.

About APDN

APDN sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied. Our mark provides a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators. To learn more, go to http://www.adnas.com where APDN routinely posts all press releases.

The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature. Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 8, 2011 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. APDN undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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CustoMerQ Botanical DNA Ink to Protect Sekiaji and Sekisaba Fish in Japan

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DNAnexus Announces Strategic Alliances to Drive the Advancement of DNA-Based Medicine

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

DNAnexus, a DNA data management and analysis platform, today announced agreements with leading institutions – Geisinger Health System (GHS) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) – to develop clinically relevant workflows to provide new insights into the use of DNA sequencing in medicine.

As part of these relationships, key laboratories within GHS and UCSF will leverage DNAnexus’ cloud-based software platform to upload, store and analyze DNA sequencing data. In conjunction with the Geisinger Clinical Program for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), GHS will have access to DNAnexus’ genomic data management capabilities including visualization, analysis and storage. The healthcare organization, in turn, will provide strategic counsel around the use of WGS data in clinical settings, and the extension of DNAnexus’ capabilities to further support such use.

“At Geisinger, providing the best personalized healthcare has always been our mission, and key to that is the ability to collect and manage valuable medical information like electronic health records, blood samples and DNA sequencing data,” said Dr. David Ledbetter, chief scientific officer, Geisinger Health System. “As whole genome sequencing becomes more affordable and accessible, we are eager to work with DNAnexus to find ways to manage this critical data asset and better leverage it within the clinical workflow.”

“In the past few years, the pace of development in DNA sequencing technology has been astounding, doubling in capacity even faster than the classic Moore’s law of computing,” said David J. Erle, MD, UCSF professor of medicine and director of the Functional Genomics Core Facility in the UCSF Sandler Center for Basic Research in Asthma. “That has a huge impact on our ability to understand both health and disease, but it also poses a formidable challenge. In many cases, scientists are now limited more by their ability to store and analyze the data than they are by their ability to generate it.”

These new strategic agreements further DNAnexus’ goal of delivering the definitive big data system for DNA to both the commercial and academic communities. A cloud-based solution, DNAnexus provides instant online genomics data centers for sequencing operations, research organizations, and clinical applications of virtually any size without any required hardware investment on the part of the customer. Founded in 2009, DNAnexus is supported by leading investors including Google Ventures and TPG Biotech.

“We are at the beginning of a genomics-driven revolution in healthcare, and DNAnexus is focused on providing a unified technology platform that makes managing, storing, and analyzing sequencing data easier for everyone,” said Andreas Sundquist, PhD co-founder and CEO of DNAnexus. “By partnering with highly respected healthcare and research institutions like Geisinger and UCSF, we will be able to learn from clinical experts and build an even more innovative solution that will enable research, medical and biotech communities to unlock the full potential of DNA data.”

About DNAnexus

DNAnexus is powering the genomics revolution. The company’s mission is to unlock the potential of DNA-based medicine and biotechnology with a scalable and collaborative data technology platform. DNAnexus’ cloud-based platform is an instant online genomics data center that provides secure and efficient management, storage, and analysis of DNA data. For more information please visit https://dnanexus.com.

About Geisinger Health Care System

Geisinger is an integrated health services organization widely recognized for its innovative use of the electronic health record, and the development and implementation of innovative care models including ProvenHealth Navigator, an advanced medical home model, and ProvenCare program. The system serves more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://geisinger.org. Follow the latest Geisinger news and more at Twitter and Facebook.

About University of California, San Francisco

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care.

UC Disclaimer

The information stated above was prepared by DNAnexus and reflects solely the opinion of the corporation. Nothing in this statement shall be construed to imply any support or endorsement of DNAnexus, or any of its products, by The Regents of the University of California, its officers, agents and employees.

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DNAnexus Announces Strategic Alliances to Drive the Advancement of DNA-Based Medicine

Posted in DNA

DNA Seattle Adds Two Seattle Ad Veterans as Associate Creative Directors

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SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

DNA Seattle, an independent full-service agency with expertise in brand strategy, advertising, digital strategy and media, announced today that it has added to its creative talent base with the hiring of Pete Hughes and Lianne Onart.

As associate creative directors, Hughes and Onart are responsible for inspiring creativity, creating powerful brand campaigns and helping guide the creative success of the agency.

Both come to DNA Seattle with years of agency experience working on regional, national and international brands such as Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, HP, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Kraft, UW Athletics, UW Medicine, Westin Hotels and Resorts, Ann Taylor, Gortex and Target.

“I’m thrilled to have Pete and Lianne join the company. We all know each other pretty well from years of working in the Seattle ad world. We have similar philosophies and working styles, they have tons of talent, and last, but not least, they’re just a lot of fun to be around. They are a great addition both for our clients and for our growing team here at DNA,” said Dan Gross, principal and executive creative director at DNA Seattle.

Pete Hughes brings more than sixteen years of experience as a copywriter and creative director at BBDO, FCB, Cole and Weber, and Publicis. His work has received recognition from the British D&AD, Clio, Cannes, Archive, and Seattle Show. Pete has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Washington State University. He also attended the School of Visual Concepts.

"DNA has a unique combination of talent and experience, and a solid track record of producing phenomenal creative and business results for their clients. I look forward to helping DNA attract the best talent available, doing great work, making our clients famous, and having fun,” said Hughes.

Prior to joining DNA, Lianne Onart created compelling campaigns at Foote Cone & Belding, Hydrogen and Cole & Weber. Additionally, she started her own company that specialized in marketing to women, creating brand campaigns for the first women-specific outdoor gear for Gortex, Sidi Cycling Shoes and Sierra Designs. Onart regularly advises Seattle Community College graduates and has taught advertising and design classes at The School of Visual Concepts. She also works with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and The Multiple Sclerosis Society (Greater Washington Chapter) designing marketing materials.

“I was attracted to DNA because of their great creative work, the good people and of course, their great office space! Alan, Dan and Chris are very passionate about the work and the agency culture. I really feel like I can make a difference here to inspire and ignite my peers to do interesting and unusual work for that creates die-hard brand loyalists for our clients,” said Onart.

About DNA

Founded in 1998, DNA is a full-service marketing communications agency based in Seattle, Washington. The agency provides services in brand strategy, advertising, interactive and design. As one of the fastest growing agencies on the West Coast, DNA has a talent and passion for transforming brands—and helping their client partners win unreasoning loyalty from their customers and prospects in the process. Some of DNA’s clients include: PEMCO Insurance, BECU, The Avon Foundation, F5, Executive Travel Magazine, GlobalScholar and University of Washington. Visit DNA on the Web at http://www.dnaseattle.com, on Twitter at @dnaseattle and on Facebook.

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DNA Seattle Adds Two Seattle Ad Veterans as Associate Creative Directors

Posted in DNA

Nabsys to Present DNA Sequence Data from Solid-State Nanodetectors at the Annual Advances in Genome Biology and …

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PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nabsys, Inc., a life sciences company pioneering development of solid-state single-molecule positional sequencing technology, today announced that data demonstrating the first direct electronic re-sequencing and mapping of DNA will be presented at the annual Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) meeting, February 15 to 18, on Marco Island, Fla., and the Omics and Personalized Medicine Conference at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), February 16 to 18,  in Heidelberg, Germany.   

Nabsys' positional sequencing platform uniquely reveals information about both the identity and location of DNA sequences through direct electrical detection of probes bound to single molecules that may be as large as hundreds of kilobases in length. Depending on how the methodology is deployed, the platform can be used to analyze the full size scale of DNA variation, including single-base resolved sequence, large scale genomic structural variants, chromosomal aneuploidies, and any combination of the above.

"Significant improvements have been made over the past few years in the speed, throughput and cost of generating DNA sequence information, creating great enthusiasm for applying sequencing technology in the clinic," said Barrett Bready, M.D., chief executive officer of Nabsys. "While these advances have been impressive and important, many applications of sequence data – in medicine as well as in basic biological research and agriculture – require similar levels of improvement in data accuracy, information content, reduced data and computational burden, and simplified workflow.  The data we are presenting at AGBT and EMBL demonstrate what is possible with purely solid-state detection.  These data provide insights into how the Nabsys positional sequencing platform, once scaled, has the potential to set new performance standards and open new markets for DNA sequence analysis."

In contrast to other approaches referred to as "nanopore sequencing," positional sequencing does not attempt to discriminate individual nucleotide bases passing through an electrical detector.  Instead, the Nabsys approach involves hybridization of short oligonucleotide probes to very long DNA templates, passage of probe-bound templates through solid-state nanodetectors, and electronic detection of the locations of hybridized probes.  By combining information on the positions of many such probes, it is possible to create detailed genomic maps with sparse probe coverage, or true de novo sequences of large genomes with dense probe coverage. 

Positional sequencing does not require slowing down DNA translocation rates through nanodetectors.  Information can thus be generated very rapidly over unprecedented length scales with a method that is inherently targeted, quantitative, and involves a simple workflow.  The use of solid-state nanodetectors provides the basis for a platform that is highly scalable, with the potential for enormous advances in throughput, dramatically reduced data burden, and high volume manufacturing.

Data to be presented will demonstrate that Nabsys' nanodetector design and DNA preparation techniques enable:

Analysis of single DNA molecules up to 50kb in length Mapping of probes with precision that greatly exceeds the diffraction limit of light Re-sequencing of targeted regions without a capture or enrichment step Analysis of genome structural variants

About Nabsys

Nabsys is dedicated to enabling advances in life sciences and healthcare through strategic deployment of a novel positional sequencing platform with broad applicability for DNA analysis. The Nabsys platform uses solid-state nanodetectors to analyze single DNA molecules, revealing both location and identity of DNA sequences over long distances. The system is designed to set new standards for accuracy, speed and scalability, offering compelling advantages for the analysis of genome structural variation, genome mapping, and both targeted and whole genome sequencing. Nabsys was the first company to receive a "$1000 Genome" award from the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health for an electronic approach to sequencing DNA. For more information about Nabsys, please visit http://www.Nabsys.com.

Company Contact:
Barrett Bready, M.D.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Nabsys, Inc.
401-276-9100  Ext. 200
bready@nabsys.com

Media Contact:
Robert Flamm, Ph.D. or Martina Schwarzkopf, Ph.D.
Russo Partners
212-845-4226
212-845-4292
Robert.flamm@russopartnersllc.com 
Martina.schwarzkopf@russopartnersllc.com

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Nabsys to Present DNA Sequence Data from Solid-State Nanodetectors at the Annual Advances in Genome Biology and ...

UK to use former Northside Branch of Lexington Public Library for outreach, research

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By Mary Chellis Austin

Come August, undergraduate biology students will share the old Northside Branch of the Lexington Public Library, located on Russell Clave Road, with a UK outreach program.

The P-12 Math and Science outreach unit of the Partnership Institute for Math and Science Education Reform provides outreach groups and training for administrators and teachers in the areas of math and science.

No permanent residence exists for the unit of PIMSER.

“We used to use local churches. We’ve used a lot of hotels,” said Kim Zeidler-Watters, director of the program.

For those who travel far, “the space allows for easy access,” Zeidler-Watters said. “Many come from western or eastern Kentucky for the outreach program.”

Parking will be available, and everything is on one level so educators won’t have to haul materials up stairs. It is also close to the interstate, so campus traffic can be avoided.

Zeidler-Watters said she hopes to eventually have an expansion on the back for a larger training space with a capacity of 70-150.

Bought by the university in 2008, the Northside building is now part of the ecological research facility. It sits aside a 55-acre field, home to animals that aid in ecological research, UK Provost Kumble Subbaswamy said.

For the biology department, “it was natural to acquire the building,” Subbaswamy said.

According to their website, the biology department will have a “30-seat teaching laboratory with prep room, office and computer labs, and access to shared classroom space in this building.”

Plans for the renovation began last week and include the restructuring of internal walls and storage spaces.

Subbaswamy said it will cost $2.3 million, but not all of the money is coming from the university.

For its 20 anniversary last year, Lexmark gave $1 million toward the renovation.

“We’re very excited about our role in helping the university transform the former Northside Library into a resource center for science, technology, engineering and math education,” Sheri Evans Depp, director of Talent Management for Lexmark, said in an email to the Kernel. “Our goal is to encourage more students to pursue careers in math and science and help fuel growth and innovation in our community.”

Not only do biology and education students benefit, but the building is also an opportunity for the “pipeline of high school students,” Subbaswamy said. “It’s a win-win-win situation.”

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UK to use former Northside Branch of Lexington Public Library for outreach, research

Avesthagen Signs MOU with CosmosID™ for Improving Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis

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BANGALORE, India--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Avesthagen Limited – India’s leading systems biology biotechnology company, has signed a MOU with CosmosID™, a U.S. based company for collaborating to correctly diagnose and therapeutically manage Tuberculosis treatment.

Tuberculosis or TB is a tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium. Bacteria, in general and M. tuberculosis, in particular, can mutate into various forms called strains. Strains may be infectious or non-infectious and may vary in their disease causing abilities or virulence. Traditionally, TB patients are treated with antibiotics without an analysis of the strain involved. This generic approach may cause problems as the strain involved may not be virulent or may have developed resistance to a particular antibiotic.

Avesthagen and CosmosID will pool their expertise to identify the particular TB strain and thereby support proper treatment. The collaboration is expected to result in a new method for developing diagnostic kits for rapid screening of patient samples.

According to Dr. Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder & CMD of Avesthagen Limited, “Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease and the efficacy of its treatment lies in accurate and rapid identification of the TB strains. Avesthagen has been working on TB for some time and has developed a genomic data pool. In CosmosID we have found a leader and strong partner, developing rapid pathogen identification methods, MetaSeq™ Genomics, to facilitate more precise diagnostic screening of infectious disease in a single, rapid, and accurate test. The collaboration will help in improving the healthcare in developing and lesser developed countries where it is needed the most.”

Dr. Rita Colwell, Founder and Chairman of CosmosID said, "We are proud to be associated with Avesthagen on this important project. Our collaboration will provide significant benefits for TB patients worldwide and demonstrates a new paradigm for medical diagnostic screening of infectious disease.”

About Avesthagen Limited:

Avesthagen is India’s leading integrated systems biology platform company that focuses on achieving convergence of food, pharma and population genetics leading to predictive preventive and personalized healthcare. Avesthagen partners include multiple top 10 global companies in each of its fields of research. Since its inception Avesthagen has grown into one of India’s leading healthcare biotech companies. Avesthagen has developed clinically validated botanical bioactives and has a strong pipeline of bio-similars.

http://www.avesthagen.com Contact anilram@avesthagen.com

About CosmosID™, Inc.:

CosmosID™, Inc. is a privately owned company based in College Park, MD that provides pathogen diagnostic software solutions for rapid identification of pathogens, antibiotic resistant determinants, and virulence factors. The Company works with customers in the fields of microbial detection, product safety, biosecurity, bioforensics, and medical diagnostics. Based on NextGen sequencing, software, and reference databases, it develops applications to identify environmental microbial hazards, biothreat agents that endanger public health, and pathogens that cause infectious disease.

For further information, contact Bob Evans, bob.evans@cosmosid.net or http://www.cosmosid.com.

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Avesthagen Signs MOU with CosmosID™ for Improving Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis

How To Genetically Modify Yogurt

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Tuur van Balen gives a provocative how-to presentation at the Next Nature Power Show, showing how to use the Synthetic Biology Parts Registry to engineer yogurt bacteria to produce prozac:

Van Balen is a designer whose work explores the boundary between art and science in synthetic biology. From his website:

Tuur Van Balen (Belgium, 1981) uses design to explore the political implications of emerging technologies. Through designing and experimenting with new interactions, he constructs thought-provoking new realities. Both the process of creating these objects, interventions and narratives as the resulting physical presence aim to confuse, question and confront different publics with the possible (and impossible) roles of technologies in our everyday lives.

I couldn’t find BioBricks in the Parts Registry for the production of prozac, but you can learn more about engineering the yogurt bacteria Lactobacillus to produce new colors and flavors from the 2007 Edinburgh iGEM team and making your own incubator and other lab supplies from the 2010 ArtScience Bangalore iGEM team. More about Van Balen’s other projects can be found on his website, including Pigeon d’Or, which imagines using BioBricks that produce grease-digesting lipases to engineer bacteria that live in the pigeon digestive tract, turning this urban pest into a helpful city cleaning system.

While getting DNA into a (well-studied, culturable) bacterial cell might be easier than you think, the task of designing and optimizing a functional, useful, and safe gene system is a lot more complicated, providing both the excitement and challenge of synthetic biology. Work at the interface of design and synthetic biology can ask important questions about how new technologies are created, used, applied, and sold, helping us figure out what is good design.

(via Cathal Garvey, via Massively Networked)

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How To Genetically Modify Yogurt

UCSB Researcher Team Develops Better Understanding of Leukemia Biology | The Daily Nexus

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UCSB chemistry and biochemistry professor Norbert Reich and his team of researchers have recently discovered a molecular pathway that may explain the way acute myeloid leukemia develops.

AML is a cancer that occurs inside the bone marrow and destroys healthy blood cells. Eventually, patients become more susceptible to infections and prone to bleeding due to the decrease in the number of normal red and white blood cells as well as platelets.

According to Reich, a mutation in the protein DNMT3A affects the translation of DNA. DNMT3A encodes DNA methyltransferases — enzymes that catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the cytosine residues of CpG dinucleotides. This is the site where cytosine, one of the main bases found in DNA and RNA, can be methylated, or “tagged,” to turn on or off a certain gene. In AML patients, there is a mutation that disrupts the four proteins involved in tagging.

Reich’s research on DNA methyltransferases coincided with another group’s similar medical research regarding AML.

“It just happened to be that the enzyme we were studying applied to AML patients,” Reich said. “DNMT3A is not specific to just AML.”

Since it is involved in mammalian development, the mutations of DNMT3A are also applicable to other types of cancers. Overexpression of this protein has been reported in numerous studies on malignancies including prostate, colorectal and breast tumors.

The team’s research is based on the theory of epigenetics, the study of changes in gene activity that do not involve alterations in the genetic code but are still passed down to at least one successive generation. Every cell in the body has the same DNA yet differs in its epigenome, or tagging pattern. This difference allowed Reich to make the connection between the disrupted tagging pattern and its prevalence in leukemia patients. Upon observing this phenomenon, Reich proposed treating cancer using new methods rather than embracing the traditional “one-fits-all” chemotherapy.

Reich used rats to observe applied epigenetics and observed how a mother rat’s grooming and nursing methods could affect the long-term behavior of her offspring.

“We’ve all heard that the way your mother treats you when you’re younger shapes how you are when you’re older,” Reich said. “But this is the chemistry behind that phenomenon.”

These effects can be correlated with DNA methylation. Epigenetics may be seen as the convergence of the nature versus nurture theory.

“We’re talking about change within one generation,” Reich said. Epigenetics is based on the idea that environmental stressors can elicit a biological response that can be inherited through successive generations. If the environmental stressor is removed, however, the epigenetic marks will eventually fade and revert back to the original DNA programming.

Despite the potential this epigenetics research has for better cancer treatment, a final analysis of the research’s findings and their applicability has yet to be definitively determined.

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UCSB Researcher Team Develops Better Understanding of Leukemia Biology | The Daily Nexus

GW researchers reveal digital transcriptome of breast cancer

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Public release date: 14-Feb-2012
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Contact: Anne Banner
abanner@gwu.edu
202-994-2261
George Washington University Medical Center

GW Cancer Research Team in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences, published a study that is the first of its kind to use mRNA sequencing to look at the expression of genome, at a unprecedented resolution at the current time, in three types of breast cancer. The study titled, "Transcriptomic landscape of breast cancer through mRNA sequencing," is published in the Feb. 14 edition of the journal, Scientific Reports, a new open access Nature journal for large volume data.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, accounting for about 23% of the total cancer cases and about 14% of the cancer deaths worldwide. One of current bottlenecks that hinder the translation of the current gene expression signatures for the benefits of patient is the highly heterogeneous nature of the disease. Therefore, one way to move forward is to identify and gain a deeper insight into the transcriptional regulatory machinery elements, which ultimately are responsible for phenotypic changes, for the next major leap in breast cancer genomic research and treatment. And this is exactly, what was done here, said the senior author and Team Leader Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D., of the project.

Using a sample set of 17 patients with three different types of breast cancer, the GW Research Team which also included collaborators from the John Hopkins College of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine looked at similarities and differences in their gene expression patterns with a goal to identify biologically relevant, therapeutically important sets of targets in breast cancer. The researchers undertook a high throughput study to define comprehensive digital transcriptome and performed extensive comparative analysis of three groups of breast cancer from the total 1.2 billion reads at various levels of the transcriptional process. The comparative transcriptomic analyses illuminated common as well as differentially expressing transcripts between the three breast cancer groups. Further, high numbers of novel and unannotated transcripts, revealing global breast cancer transcriptomic adaptations in all three breast cancers were also identified.

"We are excited to be a part of this new approach to understand breast cancer. For the first time mRNA sequencing of human breast cancer tissues provides knowledge on central transcriptional regulatory elements, demonstrating the unexplored niches that could change the way breast cancer is previously understood," said lead author Jeyanthy Eswaran, PhD, Director of the McCormick Genomic and Proteomic Center in the department.

While most research today is mainly focused on preselected genes, GW's approach used a completely unbiased approach in order to come up with original snapshot of the breast cancer transcriptome. The GW researchers are working to gain a better understanding of the fundamental occurrences orchestrating the events that lead to a patient suffering from breast cancer. While searching for the highly abundant primary transcript groups which, the team identified osteonectin, guanine nucleotide binding protein beta polypeptide 2-like 1, calnexin calreticulin, ferritin L subunit, and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) as the top five highly abundant primary transcript group in all three breast cancers. The GW research group is now teaming up with other breast cancer researchers to expend and validate some of the key findings of this work.

"From the on-going, follow-up work in the laboratory, it is clear that the significance of this study has implications beyond the current digital transcriptome of breast cancer as team is actively characterizing novel mutations in protein-coding genes and other elements of human genome that might be relevant in breast cancer," said Dr. Kumar. In addition, the work is likely to influence breast cancer genomics, the transcriptional regulation of cancer, and help built new biologic pathways in breast cancer in the coming years.

###

To view the paper in its entirety, visit: http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/120214/srep00264/full/srep00264.html

About the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences:

Founded in 1825, the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was the first medical school in the nation's capital and is the 11th oldest in the country. Working together in our nation's capital, with integrity and resolve, the GW SMHS is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities. http://www.smhs.gwumc.edu


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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

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GW researchers reveal digital transcriptome of breast cancer

Researchers reveal digital transcriptome of breast cancer

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Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women, accounting for about 23% of the total cancer cases and about 14% of the cancer deaths worldwide. One of current bottlenecks that hinder the translation of the current gene expression signatures for the benefits of patient is the highly heterogeneous nature of the disease. Therefore, one way to move forward is to identify and gain a deeper insight into the transcriptional regulatory machinery elements, which ultimately are responsible for phenotypic changes, for the next major leap in breast cancer genomic research and treatment. And this is exactly, what was done here, said the senior author and Team Leader Rakesh Kumar, Ph.D., of the project.

Using a sample set of 17 patients with three different types of breast cancer, the GW Research Team which also included collaborators from the John Hopkins College of Medicine and Baylor College of Medicine looked at similarities and differences in their gene expression patterns with a goal to identify biologically relevant, therapeutically important sets of targets in breast cancer. The researchers undertook a high throughput study to define comprehensive digital transcriptome and performed extensive comparative analysis of three groups of breast cancer from the total 1.2 billion reads at various levels of the transcriptional process. The comparative transcriptomic analyses illuminated common as well as differentially expressing transcripts between the three breast cancer groups. Further, high numbers of novel and unannotated transcripts, revealing global breast cancer transcriptomic adaptations in all three breast cancers were also identified.

"We are excited to be a part of this new approach to understand breast cancer. For the first time mRNA sequencing of human breast cancer tissues provides knowledge on central transcriptional regulatory elements, demonstrating the unexplored niches that could change the way breast cancer is previously understood," said lead author Jeyanthy Eswaran, PhD, Director of the McCormick Genomic and Proteomic Center in the department.

While most research today is mainly focused on preselected genes, GW's approach used a completely unbiased approach in order to come up with original snapshot of the breast cancer transcriptome. The GW researchers are working to gain a better understanding of the fundamental occurrences orchestrating the events that lead to a patient suffering from breast cancer. While searching for the highly abundant primary transcript groups which, the team identified osteonectin, guanine nucleotide binding protein beta polypeptide 2-like 1, calnexin calreticulin, ferritin L subunit, and beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) as the top five highly abundant primary transcript group in all three breast cancers. The GW research group is now teaming up with other breast cancer researchers to expend and validate some of the key findings of this work.

"From the on-going, follow-up work in the laboratory, it is clear that the significance of this study has implications beyond the current digital transcriptome of breast cancer as team is actively characterizing novel mutations in protein-coding genes and other elements of human genome that might be relevant in breast cancer," said Dr. Kumar. In addition, the work is likely to influence breast cancer genomics, the transcriptional regulation of cancer, and help built new biologic pathways in breast cancer in the coming years.

More information: http://www.nature. … ep00264.html

Provided by George Washington University Medical Center

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Researchers reveal digital transcriptome of breast cancer

Opower to Highlight Innovation During Social Media Week Washington

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DC (2/15), San Francisco (2/16) and New York (2/16)

ARLINGTON, Va (PRWEB) February 14, 2012

Opower will be discussing its innovations in social media and behavioral science at events on both the West and East Coast during Social Media Week, February 13-17, in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York.

    Washington, D.C.: Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m., Wayne Lin, Opower’s Director of Product Management, will participate in DC Tech Meetup #11 – Social Media Week Edition to discuss Opower’s social energy application built in partnership with Facebook and the NRDC. The meetup will be held at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, 600 I Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Following the meetup, Opower will host an afterparty at Rocket Bar, 714 7th Street NW, starting at 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.meetup.com/DC-Tech-Meetup/events/25773701/ and http://opower.eventbrite.com/.

    San Francisco, CA: Thursday, February 16 from 1:00 – 1:50 p.m., Stephanie Berner, Opower’s Engagement Director, will speak at The Future of Sharing event, which will discuss a study by Beyond that offers a unique and substantiated perspective on the changes that lie ahead for the nature of online sharing. The purpose of the event is to hold an engaged discussion about the study’s findings and to expose different views about how the trends in sharing will shape the way brands reach their desired audiences. At San Francisco State University’s downtown campus, 835 Market Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. For more information, visit http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1386.     Brooklyn, NY: Thursday, February 16 from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m., Wayne Lin will participate in a panel of experts discussing how Opower’s new business models leverage social media to unlock unutilized intent and convert it into tangible action. At Brooklyn Brewery, 79 North 11th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211. For more information, visit http://socialmediaweek.org/event/?event_id=1023.

Social Media Week is one of the world’s most unique global platforms, offering a series of interconnected activities and conversations around the world on emerging trends in social and mobile media across all major industries with events in 21 cities worldwide.

Opower has more than 220 employees, with offices in Arlington, Virginia, San Francisco, and London. Together with our clients and their customers, we're saving energy, saving money, and helping reduce global carbon emissions.

We’re hiring! Smart, happy people are at the center of our success. We are looking for extraordinary, environmentally-conscious and talented people to join our growing team. In 2012, we will have at least 95 job openings, and more than half of them are on our Engineering and Product teams. Opower offers very competitive compensation packages with a full suite of benefits, and we also offer a $2,500 external referral bonus for critical hires. To find out more, visit opower.com/careers.

About Wayne

Wayne Lin is a Director of Product Management at Opower and is responsible for the company's suite of web products. This includes the recently announced social energy application, launched in partnership with Facebook and NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). Prior to joining Opower, Wayne worked at Google in product management and product marketing roles focused on online display advertising technologies. Wayne also founded ecoLightbulbs, a company that sold CFL light bulbs at cost. The company sold more than 13,000 light bulbs, which helped reduce the production of 8MM lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere. Wayne started his career at ZS Associates, a management consulting firm. He received his MBA from Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania and his BA in economics and applied mathematics from Northwestern University. After spending the last 6 years in San Francisco, he is enjoying being back on the East Coast, where there are four full seasons.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Berner is Engagement Director at Opower. Based in San Francisco, Stephanie oversees client operations for Opower’s portfolio of nearly two dozen accounts in the western U.S., where she and her team are responsible for all aspects of delivering Opower’s award-winning behavior-based energy efficiency software and associated programs for utilities including Sempra Energy, Puget Sound Energy, and Pacific Gas & Electric. In a prior role, Ms. Berner was Director of Climate & Energy Services at 3Degrees, a leader in the renewable energy and carbon markets. Her early career included whitewater rafting and ski instructing Sun Valley, Idaho. She holds a BS in Biology from UC Davis and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

About Opower

Opower is the leader in energy information software, providing the utility industry’s only cross-channel platform proven to drive energy efficiency gains on a large scale. Using cutting-edge behavioral science and patent-pending analytics, the Opower platform enables utilities to provide targeted energy data and advice to each customer. More than 60 utilities—including 8 of the 10 largest in the US—partner with Opower to improve the effectiveness of their energy-efficiency portfolios and motivate their customers to become more energy efficient, while dramatically increasing the level of customer engagement and overall customer satisfaction. For utilities with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), the Opower platform represents a cost-effective way to convert hourly data into measurable energy savings, delivering a clear return on investment directly to customers. Founded in 2007 and privately held, Opower is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with a second office in San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit http://www.opower.com.

###

Eric Fleming
Opower
571-384-1292
Email Information

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Opower to Highlight Innovation During Social Media Week Washington

Therapy targets leukemia stem cells

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Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a cancer of the white blood cells for which tyrosine kinase inhibitors are currently the first line of therapy. These drugs prolong survival, but disease recurrence is often seen after drug treatment is stopped. "Tyrosine kinase inhibitors do not eliminate leukemia stem cells, which remain a potential source of cancer recurrence," explains senior coauthor Dr. Ravi Bhatia from the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. "CML patients need to take tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment indefinitely, which carries a significant risk of toxicity, lack of compliance, drug resistance, relapse, and associated expense."

Strategies targeting leukemia stem cells are necessary to achieve a cure. Previous work has implicated the enzyme sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in protecting stem cells from stress and in playing a role in leukemia, as well as other types of cancer. In the current study, Dr. Bhatia, coauthor Dr. WenYong Chen, first author Ling Li, and their colleagues investigated whether SIRT1 was involved in the survival and growth of CML stem cells. The researchers discovered that SIRT1 was overexpressed in CML stem cells and that inhibition of SIRT1selectively reduced the survival and growth of CML stem cells. Importantly, SIRT1 inhibition was associated with activation of the p53 tumor suppressor.

Taken together, the results reveal a specific mechanism that supports the survival of leukemia stem cells. "Our findings are important because they show that SIRT1-mediated inactivation of p53 contributes to CML leukemia stem cell survival and resistance to treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors," concludes Dr. Chen. "We suggest that SIRT1 inhibition is an attractive approach to selectively target leukemia stem cells that resist elimination by current treatments."

Provided by Cell Press (news : web)

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Therapy targets leukemia stem cells

Stem cell treatments change girl’s life

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PIEDMONT, Okla. -- Stem cell research is one of the newest and most exciting areas of study. Experts believe these tiny unwritten cells hold the keys to curing a number of diseases and debilitating injuries. But here in the U.S., stem cell research isn't moving fast enough for a growing number of families.

This is the story of an Oklahoma family that traveled to China for cutting-edge stem cell treatment not offered in the US.

Cora Beth Taylor walks a different road than most will ever travel.

Her journey is filled with obstacles, heartbreak and triumph.

Cora, William and Tate Taylor are triplets born premature.

The brothers have never shown any signs of prematurity.

But Cora, at about a year old, started falling behind developmentally.

By 18 months she had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Cora has never had any cognitive delays.

She's a super-smart little gal but her muscles haven't developed properly.

It's devastating; they just won't cooperate.

Cora's parents, Kevin and Beth Taylor, have tried everything for their little girl; that is, everything available in the U.S.

Last year, Piedmont Schools raised the money to help the Taylors take Cora to China for treatment, close to $50,000.

Research hospitals in China are using stem cells from donor umbilical cord blood to treat children with Cerebral Palsy.

Beth Taylor says, "That was a difficult decision to make to take your child to a foreign country for medical treatments. Living in the US you feel like this is the best there is."

The Taylors spent 37 days in China.

Cora Beth had eight stem cell transfusions.

Through a spinal tap, doctors put the cells into her spinal column where they penetrate the blood-brain barrier and get to work.

Critics are quick to point out this area of regenerative medicine has largely unverified effectiveness. Results are often anecdotal and the FDA is a long way from approving this type of experimental treatment for America.

Though the Taylors are convinced and here's why.

Beth Taylor said, "Within the first couple of weeks we could see changes. We could see definite improvements in strength and balance."

Cora had never been able to do a sit-up in her life ever; she did her first in China.

Nine-year-old Cora remembers, "The thing that I was most happy about accomplishing was a sit up. Because I'd tried to do a sit up before going to China but I just couldn't do it."

Now, Cora Beth can do 20.

The most notable change has been Cora's walk.

This third-grader had never gone to school without her walker.

Today she walks the halls without it; she hasn't used it in months.

She recently competed in a beauty pageant in her hometown of Piedmont, without the help of her walker as well.

Cora says, "So, I'm really excited. I don't think there's anything that I couldn't accomplish."

Doctors say Cora’s stem cells will continue to mature over the next few years.

For her, there are many milestones ahead.

In the US, Duke University is studying stem cell treatments for children with Cerebral Palsy.

Right now they don't have FDA clearance to use donor stem-cells.

Experts say treatment similar to Cora Beth's Chinese therapy is years away in the U.S.

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Stem cell treatments change girl's life

New Research Reveals Zaggora Hotpants™ Help Women Lose 4 Times More Weight in 30 Minutes

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LONDON, Feb. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Zaggora has announced the results of a study performed by the physiology department of a leading UK university. The university was commissioned to conduct a series of tests to research the thermal and metabolic changes that occur when exercising in Hotpants compared to a standard pair of gym shorts.

Tested on nine females with an average BMI of 23.3, researchers found that compared to a standard garment in 30 minutes of exercise:

Weight loss was around four times greater in Hotpants Hotpants increased the energy expenditure during exercise by 6% Hotpants increased energy expenditure in the resting stage after exercise by 16% The core temperature in Hotpants increased by an average of 18% compared to the control Thermal sensation was significantly greater but still safe in Hotpants

Zaggora launched Hotpants with huge success in July 2011, selling a pair every minute in their first 10 weeks, and over 275,000 pairs within the first five months. Thriving on social proof from over 130,000 women on Facebook, Zaggora's first technology-enhanced product flew off the shelves after women experienced significant weight loss and smoother legs.

The Zaggora Hotpants concept is focused on using a special Celu-Lite fabric technology to increase the user's natural body temperature during exercise. In turn, the body starts working harder, resulting in increased metabolism and greater calorie burn. Zaggora Hotpants were made to fit into every woman's lifestyle no matter how busy they are, and can be worn under clothes at work, whilst at the gym, or at home.

Last month, Zaggora announced the launch of three new products, expanding its range of technology advanced active wear. The new products follow the same concept as Hotpants, and are designed to give workouts more power in 2012. The new range includes 'Flares,' leggings that target thighs, calves and bums; 'Capri Flares,' three quarter length leggings; and 'Nude Hotpants' which can be worn under garments.

In 2012, Zaggora will be commissioning additional scientific research to further explore the long term effects of their technology enabled active wear.

*Tests were conducted in December 2011 and January 2012 in controlled conditions in British Association of Sport and Exercise Science Accredited Laboratories at the University of Brighton, Chelsea School of Sport.

Available from http://www.zaggora.com prices start from pounds Sterling 44.99.

About ZAGGORA

Inspired by real women, Zaggora was founded by Dessi Bell after she struggled to find an effective solution to lose weight in time for her wedding. Zaggora is an iconic brand specialising in developing technology enabled clothing helping women to look and feel good. The company is committed to delivering a natural and efficient way for women to achieve more out of their workouts and feel good about themselves.

Read what real women have to say about Zaggora products: http://www.facebook.com/myhotpants

Press: Lucy Page | Head of Marketing & PR | lucy.page@zaggora.com

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New Research Reveals Zaggora Hotpants™ Help Women Lose 4 Times More Weight in 30 Minutes

Oxygen-Deprived Baby Rats Fare Worse If Kept Warm

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Article is published in the American Journal of Physiology—
Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology

Newswise — Bethesda, Md. (Feb. 13, 2012)—Premature infants’ immature lungs and frequent dips in blood pressure make them especially vulnerable to a condition called hypoxia in which their tissues don’t receive enough oxygen, sometimes leading to permanent brain damage. New animal research suggests that a common practice in caring for these babies might in fact exacerbate this condition, increasing the chances for long-term neurological deficits. A new study shows that rat pups exposed to low oxygen for up to three hours, but kept warm, have changes in insulin and glucose regulation that lead to hypoglycemia. Those allowed to spontaneously cool, a natural response to decreased oxygen in the blood, kept their glucose and insulin values more stable over time. The findings suggest that cooling premature infants who have undergone oxygen deprivation, rather than placing them in incubators or under warmers, could help stave off brain damage associated with this condition.

The article is entitled “Effects of Body Temperature Maintenance of Glucose, Insulin, and Corticosterone Responses to Acute Hypoxia in the Neonatal Rat.” It appears in the American Journal of Physiology – Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology, published by the American Physiological Society.

Methodology

The researchers worked with rats that were either two days old or eight days old. Since rats are born at an earlier developmental stage than humans, these ages were chosen to be analogous to critical periods of human neurological development when premature infants might be especially vulnerable to oxygen deprivation. Litters of pups of either age were separated into three groups: One breathed room air with normal levels of oxygen and was kept warm at normal body temperature with a heating pad; one was exposed to air with about a third of typical oxygen levels and allowed to spontaneously cool; and a third was exposed to low-oxygen air, but kept warm at normal body temperature. Over the course of a three-hour period, the researchers monitored the pups for levels of glucose, insulin, and other proteins and hormones in the bloodstream.

Results

The researchers found that the younger pups exposed to hypoxia and heat had dramatic spikes and dips in insulin over the three-hour period, with insulin quadrupling over the first hour, then falling dramatically by the third. In the older animals, glucose rose over the first hour, then fell significantly below baseline by the third. Though hypoxia alone caused significant changes in glucose and insulin concentrations in both younger and older animals, these effects weren’t as pronounced.

Importance of the Findings

These findings suggest that keeping the animals warm may encourage swings in blood sugar that increase metabolic and physiologic demands and decrease the amount of glucose available to tissues. In rats, and perhaps in premature babies as well, this effect could lead to a variety of problems, including neurological damage. The authors note that, to their knowledge, there are no specific guidelines that address body temperature management for human premature babies with hypoxia. “We hope that our studies in the neonatal rat will translate to appropriate studies and guidelines for the control of body temperature in the hypoxic newborn,” the authors say.

Study Team

The study was conducted by Hershel Raff, Eric D. Bruder, and Mitchell A. Guenther of Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wis.

###

NOTE TO EDITORS: The study is available online at http://bit.ly/ykfZu5. To request an interview with a member of the research team, please contact Donna Krupa at dkrupa@the-aps.org, @Phyziochick, or 301.634.7209.

***
Physiology is the study of how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function to create health or disease. The American Physiological Society (APS; http://www.the-APS.org/press) has been an integral part of the discovery process for 125 years. To keep up with the science, follow @Phyziochick on Twitter.


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Oxygen-Deprived Baby Rats Fare Worse If Kept Warm

Trim Nutrition Joins the Battalion

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February 13, 2012 - United Indoor Football League (UIFL) Lakeland Raiders LAKELAND,FL- The Lakeland Raiders are feeling great about the upcoming season. After a very successful Fan Fest, the Raiders are back to work getting ready for the 2012 season. "The staff is doing a great job and training camp is next" commented Raiders Head Coach Michael Mink. The Raiders will open their Inaugural game against the Rome Rampage on March 10th.

The Lakeland Raiders are proud to announce another great partner to join the Raider Battalion for the 2012 season and beyond. Trim Nutrition is the official nutritional product of the Lakeland Raiders. Trim Nutrition, a leader in wellness supplements and sustained energy products, is also a partner of the INDYCAR family and is the official nutrition partner for the IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. Trim Nutrition will foster better health and fitness habits for the Lakeland Raiders players and staff. "The growth and advances that the Raiders are achieving mirrors our progressive and innovative products," said Trim Nutrition CEO Brent Agin, MD. "'Making Bodies Better' is our motto. As the Raiders prepare for the future with a new body style for 2012, it is logical that it would look to tune-up the team and its fans with a reinvigorated commitment to health and fitness." Trim Nutrition's goals are to introduce the benefits of Intra-Muscular and Intra-Venous Nutritional Therapies for athletic performance enhancement and general nutritional support. "Since Trim Nutrition's inception, we have been committed to developing products that help people in a multitude of ways. We are proud to have helped thousands of people and continue to help more every day. Whether the goal is to become more fit, lose weight, aid in the reduction of disease symptoms or just simply feel the best possible -we have successfully fulfilled our commitment. Trim Nutrition has evolved as an industry leader in the development and delivery of innovative nutritional supplementation. Our efforts target cutting edge therapies to target superior outcomes in athletic performance and wellness medicine," said Trim Nutrition CEO Brent Agin, MD.

"I am thrilled to have a great partner on our side and this gives our players a great help in knowing the importance of health on the field and off the field. I personally have lost over 70lbs over the last year to become healthier and with Trim Nutrition, I plan to lose more weight and feel healthier," commented Owner Michael Mink. The Raiders, Trim Nutrition and Total Body Conditioning plan to have the players in top shape and healthy enough to win a championship in the teams Inaugural season.

For more information about the Lakeland Raiders visit the team website at http://www.lakelandraiders.com or call 863-834-7511. The Raiders will be playing home games at The Lakeland Center. The Lakeland Center offers a full variety of sporting events, concerts and shows. The Lakeland Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm and can be reached at 863-834-8111.

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Trim Nutrition Joins the Battalion

Nutrition Expert Launches Nationwide Campaign to Inspire Children to Eat Right

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North Kingstown, RI (PRWEB) February 13, 2012

In conjunction with National Nutrition Month this March, nutritional consultant Joy Feldman is launching a nationwide crusade to inspire children to eat right. An award-winning author, Feldman will celebrate the release of her new children's book, Is Your Hair Made of Donuts on March 1.

For years, nutritional consultant Joy Feldman focused on helping an international clientele, primarily made up of adults, achieve better health through nutrition. But Feldman says she’ll never forget the day a few years ago when she was struck with the inspiration to shift her focus to helping children learn to eat right—and the idea for how to accomplish that.

According to Feldman, “While walking through the airport for a very early morning departure, I was surprised when I saw young people buying and eating candy, sugary treats, donuts, drinking sodas and neon-colored liquids and consuming all sorts of unhealthy things. Bear in mind, it was extremely early in the morning and I was shocked to see what these children were eating for breakfast. Not fifteen minutes later, I saw those same children in various stages of meltdowns, tantrums, misbehavior, and general chaos. It was at that point I knew that I wanted—and needed—to help teach children make healthier food choices.”

Feldman, a mother of two and award-winning author, said that the airport incident gave her the idea for a book just for young children. In conjunction with National Nutrition Month this March, Feldman will celebrate the nationwide release of her newest book, Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? A children’s picture book designed to teach and inspire children to make healthy food choices, Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? explains why the phrase “you are what you eat” may be truer than children think.

But simply writing the book, at least in Feldman’s mind, wasn’t enough. Passionate about helping children not just learn the basics of good nutrition, but also making children want to make healthy food choices, Feldman is launching an extensive nationwide tour of schools to share the message. Feldman, who dons a whimsical, colorful, custom-made donut hat, which has earned her the moniker The Divine Duchess of Donuts, will appear in front of school children and youth groups across the country. In addition to reading from Is Your Hair Made of Donuts, Feldman invites children to take part in healthy food taste challenges, juices fresh fruits and vegetables, and gets children involved through her interactive learning program. Over the coming months, Feldman will share her message about the importance of good nutrition with thousands and thousands of children as she travels across the country. See this interview with Joy Feldman about the mission and the inspiration behind it.

Feldman says that the silly whimsical hat and funny story is just the vehicle for delivering a serious message: “Today’s children are bombarded with unhealthy food choices. According to statistics, the average child sees approximately 20,000 advertisements a year for foods that can be classified as junk food. Reports of skyrocketing childhood obesity and health problems only underscore the seriousness of the message. Feeding children well is an important step towards creating good health, inspiring these children to have healthy lifestyles and reducing the nation’s exploding healthcare costs from diseases associated with modifiable behaviors. The truth is that when we eat better, we feel better. And when our children eat better, they feel better. It is crucial that something be done to teach children the importance of good nutrition. My sense was that presenting that information to them in a fun and lighthearted way was the way to make an impact.”

For more information, visit: http://www.isyourhairmadeofdonuts.com Joy Feldman received her undergraduate and graduate training from the University of Pennsylvania, pursued her law degree from the University of Miami, and later went on to receive her certificate in biochemical nutritional balancing science. A nutrition expert and author of the award-winning Joyful Cooking in the Pursuit of Good Health, Feldman is passionate about inspiring and teaching persons both young and old the value of healthy foods. Joy Feldman lives in Rhode Island.

Members of the news media wishing to request additional information about Is Your Hair Made of Donuts? or author Joy Feldman are asked to contact Maryglenn McCombs by phone – (615) 297-9875, or by email – maryglenn(at)maryglenn(dot)com.

# # #


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Health, nutrition become priorities at Davos

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Dr. Klaus Kraemer is Director of Sight and Life, a not-for-profit nutrition think tank of DSM, which cares about the world’s most vulnerable populations, and exists to help improve their nutritional status. Dr. Kraemer has over 25 years of experience in research and advocacy in the field of health and safety of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids.

While the headlines out of the World Economic Forum (WEF) meetings in Davos primarily focus on getting (or keeping) the global economy on track, it’s a welcome development when nutrition and health information also rise to the top of the priorities list, reminding world leaders of the inextricable link between nutrition, health and well-being of the people on our planet and that of our global economy.

This year in Davos, several events came together in a “day of nutrition and food security,” highlighting the potential impact that improved nutrition for mothers and children could have on a family’s future, and on the future of nations. The 1,000 days from a mother’s pregnancy until her child turns two years old offer a unique window of opportunity to establish a strong foundation for a healthy and productive future. Children that are well-nourished achieve more in school and are better equipped to overcome conditions such as pneumonia or diarrheal disease, which are far too commonly fatal in developing nations. The effects of early nutrition are lasting, reaching far beyond childhood. Children who are well-nourished are able to grow to their full potential, both physically and mentally. As adults, they earn more, are healthier and for women, are more likely to have healthy pregnancies and births.

Health is inextricably linked to economic development. By improving maternal and child nutrition, we have an opportunity to create sustainable change in the lives of millions of people by bolstering efforts to advance both health and development. And, the best part is – we know how to do this.

Research, including the landmark 2008 Lancet Series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition, shows that by focusing on the 1,000 day window of opportunity and investing in three key areas of action, we can significantly improve the nutrition—and the lives—of many of the world’s most vulnerable. We can do this by promoting good feeding and caring practices, such as breastfeeding or using nutrient-dense complementary food to prevent malnutrition; increasing the intake of vitamins and minerals by pregnant women, nursing mothers and their children; and treating severe cases of acute malnutrition with ready-to-use therapeutic food. Three areas of focus; millions of lives saved.

In just the past 18 months, we have seen a global movement to catalyze support to turn these research findings into action on an unprecedented scale. Led by 26 developing countries that have committed to improving nutrition, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement is an effort backed by more than 100 entities, including civil society organizations, businesses, governments, UN agencies and academia dedicated to improving maternal and child nutrition. SUN is committed to aligning resources, expertise and investment to support the nutrition priorities established by the 26 lead countries.

This is a cross-sector effort built on the skills and experience of the many organizations supporting the movement. Whether it is in direct nutrition action, such as ensuring access to micronutrients, or in changing the factors that impact nutrition, such as providing training on farming practices that can increase crop yield or supporting strong nutrition policies, all stakeholders have a role to play.

Improving nutrition has been my life’s work; particularly, finding ways to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies of the world’s poor that result from a lack of the vitamins and minerals we all need.

When many of us think of micronutrients, we think of the multi-vitamin we take to supplement our diets. But in the developing world, the right micronutrients aren’t just an insurance, but mean the difference between going blind or having a clear view of the future (vitamin A); between brittle bones or having a solid foundation (vitamin D), between a lack of energy or strong mental and physical performance (iron).

The word ‘vitamin’ stems from the Latin word ‘vita,’ meaning ‘life’. Whether we get them from the foods we eat, from a fortified product, or from a tablet, these tiny building blocks are what healthy lives are made of. At Sight and Life, we are working with the SUN movement and many global partners to ensure that all mothers and children have the vitamins needed to nourish healthy, productive futures. During the WEF I had the pleasure and honor to present the inaugural Sight and Life Nutrition Leadership Award to Dr. David Nabarro, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Food Security and Nutrition, and the SUN movement in acknowledgement of their great leadership to catalyze a sustainable improvement in nutrition.

At Davos, we were challenged to think innovatively of how to “Shape New Models” to help strengthen the economy. We can create stable, productive economies—but we have to start with healthy, nourished people who can drive this progress.

The humble vitamin turns 100 years old this year, as 2012 marks the centennial of the discovery of these mighty compounds. As we celebrate the great impact vitamins and minerals have had on our lives (you don’t hear about too many scurvy cases due to vitamin C deficiency these days), we should also look ahead at new ways micronutrients can strengthen families, the developing world and our global community. I look forward to continuing to fight to reduce micronutrient deficiencies through our work with the SUN Movement, and I encourage you to join me in the fight. 

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/global-pulse/health-nutrition-priorities-at-davos-0

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Health, nutrition become priorities at Davos

Indiana University scientist works to detach protein that HIV uses as protective shield

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Public release date: 13-Feb-2012
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Contact: Eric Schoch
eric.schoch@iu.edu
317-274-7722
Indiana University School of Medicine

One of the frustrations for scientists working on HIV/AIDS treatments has been the human immunodeficiency virus' ability to evade the body's immune system. Now an Indiana University researcher has discovered a compound that could help put the immune system back in the hunt.

It's not that the human immune system doesn't recognize HIV. Indeed, an infection causes the body to unleash antibodies that attack the virus, and initially some HIV is destroyed.

But HIV is able to quickly defend itself by co-opting a part of the innate human immune system ? the immune system people are born with, called the complement. The complement includes a vital mechanism that prevents immune system cells from attacking the body's own cells. HIV is able to incorporate a key protein in that self-protection mechanism, CD59, and by doing so makes itself appear to be one of the body's normal cells, not an infective agent.

In laboratories at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Andy Qigui Yu, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, is testing a promising compound that may counteract HIV's ability to hijack the immune system's protection mechanism.

"HIV is very clever. As it replicates inside cells, it takes on the CD59. The virus is covered with CD59, so the immune system treats the virus like your own normal cells," Dr. Yu said.

In November, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced it had awarded nine new Grand Challenges Explorations Phase II grants, one of them to Dr. Yu. The Phase II grants were awarded to researchers who had received initial $100,000 awards and had shown promising results.

The new grant will support not only Dr. Yu's research into compounds that may block the ability of HIV to hide behind the CD59 "cloak," but also his work to identify the mechanism the virus uses to incorporate CD59.

"If we find that mechanism, then we can develop something to block that incorporation, and HIV may lose that protection from the immune system," Dr. Yu said.

Researchers have been able in the past to generate antibodies that successfully attacked HIV in the laboratory. But these antibodies have failed in human testing because the virus in the body escapes from immune system attacks, Dr. Yu said.

In an attempt to disrupt HIV's hijacking of CD59, Yu and colleagues at IU and Harvard University crafted a molecule from a bacterial toxin that is known to bind to the CD59 protein. In laboratory tests, they administered the molecule to blood samples taken from patients with HIV. The bacteria toxin molecule latched on to the CD59 proteins, revealing the viral particles to be invaders and enabling the antibodies to attack the virus.

Reporting their findings in the Journal of Immunology in December 2010, the researchers suggested that the molecule could potentially be developed into a new therapy to fight HIV/AIDS.

More recent experiments have indicated that the administration of the molecule enabled the antibody-complement to attack infected cells and not just the virus particles found in the blood samples. The next steps will include more extensive testing of the molecule in a broader range of patient samples, Dr. Yu said.

###

Grand Challenges Explorations is a $100 million initiative funded by the Gates Foundation to help researchers worldwide explore innovative ideas in how to solve persistent global health and development challenges. Initial grants of $100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have an opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to $1 million.


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Indiana University scientist works to detach protein that HIV uses as protective shield

Games and interactive media are powerful tools for health promotion and childhood obesity prevention

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Public release date: 13-Feb-2012
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Contact: Cathia Falvey
cfalvey@liebertpub.com
914-740-2100
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY -- Children are naturally drawn toward gaming and other types of technology, creating an ideal opportunity to design interactive media tools to encourage physical activity and promote healthy eating habits, according to an article in a special issue of the journal Childhood Obesity celebrating the second anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative. The issue includes a special Foreword by Mrs. Obama and is available free online at http://www.liebertpub.com/chi.

"Let's Get Technical! Gaming and Technology for Weight Control and Health Promotion in Children," an article by Tom Baranowski, PhD and Leslie Frankel, PhD, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, describes the ongoing research effort to identify and develop the most effective approaches for using gaming and interactive media to deliver health promotion messages to children of all ages.

This special Let's Move! issue has a wide range of contributions from leaders in the fight against childhood obesity including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, NFL quarterback Drew Brees, Stephen Daniels, MD, PhD, Sandra Hassink, MD, Margo Wootan, DSc, and Editor-in-Chief David Katz, MD, MPH.

The issue covers a broad range of topics including creating environments that support routine physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, after-school obesity prevention programs, nutrition standards for school meals, faith-based advocacy efforts to end childhood obesity, gaming and technology for weight control, parent training programs for 2-4 year old Latino children, the role of sleep in childhood obesity, a roundtable discussion about what we don't know about childhood obesity, industry efforts to help children make healthy food choices, and success stories from the Let's Move! initiative.

"We know that 'screen time' is a contributor to childhood obesity. But we also know it's not going away. Thought leaders like Dr. Baranowski are showing how to convert parts of the problem into parts of the solution," says David L. Katz, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief of Childhood Obesity and Director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center. "We are honored to feature such pragmatic expertise on the pages of the Journal."

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Childhood Obesity is partly funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to ensure that the Journal is accessible as widely as possible, and to provide a framework that addresses the social and environmental conditions that influence opportunities for children to have access to healthy, affordable food and safe places to play and be physically active.

Childhood Obesity is a bimonthly journal, published in print and online, and the journal of record for all aspects of communication on the broad spectrum of issues and strategies related to weight management and obesity prevention in children and adolescents. The Journal includes peer-reviewed articles documenting cutting-edge research and clinical studies, opinion pieces and roundtable discussions, profiles of successful programs and interventions, and updates on task force recommendations, global initiatives, and policy platforms. It reports on news and developments in science and medicine, features programs and initiatives developed in the public and private sector, and a Literature Watch. Tables of content and a free sample issue may be viewed online T http://www.liebertpub.com/chi.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative medical and biomedical peer-reviewed journals, including Games for Health Journal, Telemedicine and e-Health, Population Health Management, Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics, and Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 70 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available on our website at http://www.liebertpub.com.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801-5215
Phone: 914-740-2100
800) M-LIEBERT
Fax: 914-740-2101
http://www.liebertpub.com


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Here is the original post:
Games and interactive media are powerful tools for health promotion and childhood obesity prevention