Daily Archives: March 26, 2020

DNA is perhaps the most famous biological molecule; it is present in all forms of life on earth. But what is DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid? Here, we cover the essentials.

Virtually every cell in your body contains DNA or the genetic code that makes you you. DNA carries the instructions for the development, growth, reproduction, and functioning of all life.

Differences in the genetic code are the reason why one person has blue eyes rather than brown, why some people are susceptible to certain diseases, why birds only have two wings, and why giraffes have long necks.

Amazingly, if all of the DNA in the human body was unraveled, it would reach to the sun and back more than 300 times.

In this article, we break down the basics of DNA, what it is made of, and how it works.

In short, DNA is a long molecule that contains each persons unique genetic code. It holds the instructions for building the proteins that are essential for our bodies to function.

DNA instructions are passed from parent to child, with roughly half of a childs DNA originating from the father and half from the mother.

DNA is a two-stranded molecule that appears twisted, giving it a unique shape referred to as the double helix.

Each of the two strands is a long sequence of nucleotides or individual units made of:

There are four types of nitrogen-containing regions called bases:

The order of these four bases forms the genetic code, which is our instructions for life.

The bases of the two strands of DNA are stuck together to create a ladder-like shape. Within the ladder, A always sticks to T, and G always sticks to C to create the rungs. The length of the ladder is formed by the sugar and phosphate groups.

Most DNA lives in the nuclei of cells and some is found in mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of the cells.

Because we have so much DNA (2 meters in each cell) and our nuclei are so small, DNA has to be packaged incredibly neatly.

Strands of DNA are looped, coiled and wrapped around proteins called histones. In this coiled state, it is called chromatin.

Chromatin is further condensed, through a process called supercoiling, and it is then packaged into structures called chromosomes. These chromosomes form the familiar X shape as seen in the image above.

Each chromosome contains one DNA molecule. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes or 46 chromosomes in total. Interestingly, fruit flies have 8 chromosomes, and pigeons have 80.

Chromosome 1 is the largest and contains around 8,000 genes. The smallest is chromosome 21 with around 3,000 genes.

Each length of DNA that codes for a specific protein is called a gene. For instance, one gene codes for the protein insulin, the hormone that helps control levels of sugar in the blood. Humans have around 20,00030,000 genes, although estimates vary.

Our genes only account for around 3 percent of our DNA, the remaining 97 percent is less well understood. The outstanding DNA is thought to be involved in regulating transcription and translation.

For genes to create a protein, there are two main steps:

Transcription: The DNA code is copied to create messenger RNA (mRNA). RNA is a copy of DNA, but it is normally single-stranded. Another difference is that RNA does not contain the base thymine (T), which is replaced by uracil (U).

Translation: The mRNA is translated into amino acids by transfer RNA (tRNA).

mRNA is read in three-letter sections called codons. Each codon codes for a specific amino acid or building block of a protein. For instance, the codon GUG codes for the amino acid valine.

There are 20 possible amino acids.

Telomeres are regions of repeated nucleotides at the end of chromosomes.

They protect the ends of the chromosome from being damaged or fusing with other chromosomes.

They have been likened to the plastic tips on shoelaces that stop them from becoming frayed.

As we age, this protective region steadily becomes smaller. Each time a cell divides and DNA is replicated, the telomere becomes shorter.

Chromosomes are tightly coiled strands of DNA. Genes are sections of DNA that code individual proteins.

Put another way, DNA is the master plan for life on earth and the source of the wonderful variety we see around us.

Original post:
DNA explained: Structure and function

Our March pick for the PBS NewsHour-New York Times book club Now Read This is Dani Shapiros Inheritance. Become a member of the book club by joining our Facebook group, or by signing up for our newsletter. Learn more about the book club here.

When writer Dani Shapiro found out that the man who had raised her was not her biological father, the discovery had implications that reverberated throughout her entire family. For her son Jacob, who had grown up hearing stories about his deceased grandfather Paul, the revelation that he had a living grandfather immediately sparked questions about his heritage and biological relatives.

I did find myself immediately wondering who your biological father was and who these new people were to whom Im biologically connected, Jacob said in a recent discussion with his mother, who wrote the memoir Inheritance about the experience.

After returning home from studying abroad due to the coronavirus outbreak, Jacob joined Dani in conversation about the ways her discovery has affected his outlook on family, religion and identity.

If anything, I feel my family has been expanded and extended as a result of your discovery, Jacob told his mother. It adds to my family rather than taking away from it.

You can read the conversation in full below.

DANI: Let me start by asking you what, if anything, you felt about my father your grandfather while you were growing up?

JACOB: He felt like a fictional character to me, in a way. I never had met him. He died more than a decade before I was born. Youve written about him a lot over the years, so I felt like I knew him from your writing, from reading your books. Hes also my connection to Judaism you passed that down from him to our family in the way you take seriously the rituals of being Jewish, celebrating holidays, that kind of stuff. I do have a vivid image of him from pictures and also vivid images of the generations before him.

DANI: Do you remember when I sat you down as a kid to watch the documentary Image Before My Eyes about shtetl life in pre-war Poland? I wanted you to see it when you were a little kid because there was footage of my grandfather, great-grandfather and great-grandmother in it. I so badly wanted you to feel connected to my dads family, even though you never knew them.

JACOB: I dont really remember that day that you showed me the documentary, but the images stayed with me. The small village in what was then Poland, the grainy black-and-white of my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather praying by the tombstone of my great-great-great-grandfather. Thats a lot of greats. So obviously it had an impact on me without my knowing it. The reason it sticks with me, I think, is the gravity of the images, and the rarity of seeing images that old of my own family. Or maybe not my family I dont know.

You know what would be amazing? One day for you and me to write a memoir together, weaving our two different experiences.

DANI: So lets talk about that. Are they your family? Or arent they? What changed with my discovery?Jacob: I still feel theyre part of my family. I just got back from a semester in Europe that was cut short because of the coronavirus but before I had to come home, one of my plans was to rent a car and drive to Belarus I wanted to see the village the Shapiro family comes from. So I do feel that they are part of me. If anything, I feel my family has been expanded and extended as a result of your discovery it adds to my family rather than taking away from it.

DANI: Tell me about the moment I told you that I had found out my dad wasnt my biological father. You were 17. What was that like for you?

JACOB: Oy. I had just returned home from a high school summer program, and you asked me what I wanted to have for dinner. But you always ask me that, so I didnt realize that this was going to be something actually serious that you had something to tell me. I remember you told me the story slowly, laying out the pieces, and immediately I thought about you, and what a big deal this was for you. Your father was fictional to me, but he was very, very real for you. So I was worried about you. As for what it meant for me, I wasnt sure. It didnt feel like everything was changing. I wasnt thinking about the documentary, and those people not being my ancestors anymore. I did find myself immediately wondering who your biological father was and who these new people were to whom Im biologically connected. After dinner I called one my good friends and told him what had just happened just trying to process it. Like, what does this even mean? Other than that I wasnt going to be bald

Dani Shapiro and her son, Jacob. Photo courtesy of Dani Shapiro.

DANI: Were you actually worried about that?

JACOB: I take pride in my hair. I had noticed the photos, that your dad and your granddad were bald. So that did cross my mind.

DANI: So whats your takeaway what has all this made you think about some of the deeper questions: identity, nature versus nurture? I mean, you found out that one of your closest relatives a grandparent was a completely different person from who you had always believed. Did this make you feel any differently about yourself and what makes you up?Jacob: I dont think it makes me feel different. It didnt change that much for me Ive always known that youre you, and dads dad. You are my parents, and it couldnt have been any other way. Unless theres something you arent telling me?

DANI: Haha, right. Well, let me ask you one last question. Since people always want to know: How do you feel about my writing about you? Youve been in a couple of my books now. Whats that like?

JACOB: Ive never felt like my life is less private because youve written about me. And I dont think youve ever misrepresented me. Weve had different experiences of the same moments because were different people. But I would never want to dispute the way you remember something. If I were to write about it, I might tell another story. You know what would be amazing? One day for you and me to write a memoir together, weaving our two different experiences.

Originally posted here:
A mother and son reflect on how a DNA test affects family and identity - PBS NewsHour

African swine fever, a lethal viral disease affecting pigs, is responsible for serious production and economic losses and is a global threat to food security

MatMaCorp, a developer of comprehensive molecular diagnostic systems, announced today the successful evaluation of a genetic test to detect African swine fever virus (ASFV) in uncooked pork products. Raw pork products are the most common way the virus is spread. The evaluation was done as part of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate program to identify new technologies that secure the U.S. food supply and monitor food imports and exports.

African swine fever is highly contagious in domestic and wild pigs, and currently there is no approved vaccine. The disease has been reported across Asia, Europe, and Africa, and caused a significant decrease in pork production, especially in China, the worlds largest pork-producing country. The United States is the largest pork exporter in the world, raising more than 115 million hogs, valued at $24 billion annually. African swine fever has yet to be detected in the United States, but The Swine Disease Global Surveillance Project estimates that it could cause up to $10 billion in economic damages within a year, if the disease reached the U.S.

"An outbreak of African swine fever is a very real threat that could devastate the domestic pork export market, and as developers of diagnostic technologies for science and agriculture, we found it of the utmost importance to make available a genetic test that could potentially help protect our pork supply," said Phil Kozera, CEO at MatMaCorp. "The MatMaCorp platform provides a cost-effective, simple test for rapid detection of the African swine fever virus, and it could be easily implemented on-site to monitor food imports and exports."

MatMaCorps device and test can detect the virus that causes African swine fever in raw pork products. DHS S&T scientists evaluated virus-infected samples from meat muscle as well as from bone marrow and spleen. With MatMaCorps test, the virus was detected in all the sample types that were tested. The ability to detect the virus in such samples can help processing plants to monitor for viral contamination before exporting products. Similarly, the test could be used to check imported pork products for the virus before they reach the market.

Dr. Abe Oommen, MatMaCorp founder and President, said, "This effort showcases the ability of MatMaCorps diagnostic platform to play an important role in food security, and we laud the diligent efforts of the DHS S&T team at Plum Island Animal Disease Center in exploring the most effective technologies to secure our nations food supply from foreign infectious agents. We are ready to make this test available immediately to protect our worlds food supply against African swine fever and other emerging transboundary animal diseases."

Dr. Oommen concluded, "MatMaCorp has developed a customizable system to develop, within days, diagnostic tests from a genomic sequence that can rapidly detect any emerging infectious agent, whether it is a virus or a bacterium."

MatMaCorps customizable platform is designed to quickly analyze genetic information, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from any biological sample, at any location. The platform includes a simple DNA/RNA isolation kit and a custom assay that is run on a small, portable device. MatMaCorps platform and test for ASFV is cost-effective and easy to use, because it does not require extensive laboratory equipment and skills and can deliver results on-site within hours.

About MatMaCorp

MatMaCorp (Materials and Machines Corporation) is a developer of comprehensive solutions for science, medicine, and agriculture. By combining engineering, life science, and information technology, MatMaCorp has developed a portable, easy-to-use, and affordable suite of products to power genetics for human diagnostics, animal conservation, and agriculture applications, including food safety, and breeding. By eliminating the need for large laboratory equipment like centrifuges, pipettes, and refrigerators, MatMaCorps products are geared towards making molecular biology and diagnostic techniques accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime, and without contamination and background noise. Solas 8TM is a portable device that allows the purification, as well as analysis, of DNA/RNA from biological samples. DNA/RNA purification on the Solas 8 is accomplished with the MagicTip, and SNP/sequence detection is done using C-SAND Assays. For more information, please visit http://www.matmacorp.com and follow the company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200324005662/en/

Contacts

Media Contact for MatMaCorp: Jessica Yingling, Ph.D., Little Dog Communications, 1.858.344.8091, jessica@litldog.com

Corporate Contact for MatMaCorp: Phil Kozera, 1.402.742.0357, info@matmacorp.com

More here:
MatMaCorps DNA Testing Platform Could Help Protect the U.S. Pork Supply From African Swine Fever - Yahoo Finance

Results of a study that usednext-generation sequencing (NGS) to evaluate both the genome and methylome ofcirculating plasma DNA from patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostatecancer (mCRPC) revealed different subtypes of the disease associated withdifferent clinical courses. These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Epigenetic changes to DNA, such as methylation of cytosine residuesthat are sequentially followed by guanine (ie, CpG dinucelotides) can bedetected through sequencing of DNA treated with sodium bisulfite, which reactswith unmethylated (but not methylated) cytosine.

Because DNA methylation/demethylation can affect gene expression, anunderstanding of the tumor methylome can provide information on gene regulationin different cancers.

In this study, circulating cell-free DNA collected from plasmaspecimens of 25 patients with mCRPC who had undergone treatment with either ofthe antiandrogen therapies, abiraterone, or enzalutamide within the prior 30days was treated with and without sodium bisulfite.

Subsequent NGS DNA analysis was performed using high-coverage targeted-or whole-exome sequencing of untreated DNA or, in the case of DNA pretreatedwith sodium bisulfite, a targeted enrichment approach based on previousknowledge of regions of DNA known to be associated with cancer. Plasmaspecimens were also collected from 2 healthy male volunteers.

The limited number of common genomic alterations in the plasmaspecimens of patients with cancer, the potential presence of clonalhematopoiesis in older patients, and the large number of plasma DNA fractionsfrom both normal DNA and tumor DNA (ie, either specific to the cancer or theprostate epithelium) were part of the rationale for evaluating both the genomeand methylome of plasma DNA specimens.

The primary aim of this study was to identify specific DNA methylationsignatures associated with mCRPC since results of previous studies showed that changesin DNA methylation in this setting were associated with a more aggressiveclinical course.

A key finding from this study was that theplasma methylome of patients with mCRPC was globally more hypomethylatedcompared with plasma specimens from healthy volunteers. Specifically, the studyauthors concluded that the main contributor to methylationvariance was strongly correlated with genomically determined tumor fraction, and that plasmamethylome analysis can accurately quantitate tumor fraction.

Among the tumor-specific DNA methylationsignatures observed in this study was an enrichment in hypomethylated androgenreceptor binding sequences associated with a gain in androgen receptor copynumber in patients with a more aggressive phenotype.

In their concluding remarks, the study authors noted that studies in more prostate cancer patients across the disease spectrum and healthy volunteers are required to validate our methylation subtyping signatures and confirm response prediction.

Reference

Wu A, Cremaschi P, Wetterskog D, et al. Genome-wide plasma DNA methylation features of metastatic prostate cancer [published online March 9, 2020]. J Clin Invest. doi:10.1172/JCI130887

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Exploring the DNA Methylome in mCRPC Through NGS of Plasma DNA Specimens - Cancer Therapy Advisor

SEATTLE, March 25, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Coherent Market Insights, the global viral vector and plasmid DNA manufacturing market is estimated to be valued at US$ 427.2 million in 2019, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 22.8% over the forecast period (2019-2027).

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Key Trends and Analysis of the Global Viral Vector and Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market:

Key trends in the market include increasing incidences of cancer, rising number of product launches, and increasing collaboration and acquisition activities by key market players.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), in 2018, around 9.6 million cancer deaths occurred globally. Over the last decade, development of gene therapy for the treatment of the cancer has increased significantly. Gene therapy treatment for cancer include transfer of foreign genetic material in the targeted cancer cell in the host's body. Various types of viral vectors and plasmid DNA such as retrovirus and HGF plasmidare used in the development of gene therapy.

Request for Sample PDF copy @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/962

Increasing product launches and approvals by regulatory authorities are expected to drive growth of the global viral vector and plasmid DNA manufacturing market over the forecast period. For instance, in December 2017, Spark Therapeutics received the U.S. FDA approval to launch the LUXTURNA in the U.S. market. It is the first FDA approved gene therapy for treatment for an inherited retinal disease (IRD) and the first adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector gene therapy approved in the U.S.

Furthermore, key players operating in the market are focused on adopting acquisition, agreement, and collaboration strategies, in order to expand their product offerings in markets. For instance, in December 2017, Merck KGaA entered into a commercial supply agreement with bluebird bio, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. According to the agreement, Merck agreed to manufacture viral vectors for bluebird's gene therapy products targeting the rare genetic disorders.

Key Market Takeaways:

Key players operating in the global viral vector and plasmid DNA manufacturing market include

Lonza Group AG, FinVector Vision Therapies, Cobra Biologics and Pharmaceutical Services, Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC, VGXI, Inc., VIROVEK, SIRION Biotech GmbH, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies U.S.A., Inc., Sanofi, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Brammer Bio, and MassBiologics.

Buy this Report Now @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/962

Market Segmentations:

Did not find what you were looking for? Here are some other topics:

DNA AND RNA SAMPLE PREPARATION MARKET

DNA and RNA samples are necessary for variety of applications in drug research and development and cancer studies. High quality DNA and RNA samples are important for a wide variety of research and clinical applications. Biological studies require purified and isolated nucleic acids as the first step and in all recombinant DNA techniques. The extraction of nucleic acids from biological material requires cell lysis, inactivation of cellular nucleases, and separation of the desired nucleic acid from cellular debris.

Read more @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/dna-and-rna-sample-preparation-market-3620

Story continues

LIFE SCIENCE PRODUCTS MARKET

Life science products include laboratory supplies & accessories, cell culture & fermentation processes, cell therapy technologies, chromatography products, bioprocess filtration, fixed and live cell research through imaging and analysis, sample collection products, recombinant proteins, cell lines, and antibodies. These products are used for drug discovery, tissue engineering, drug screening, forensic testing, and genetic analysis.

Read more @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/life-science-products-market-3652

GLYCOBIOLOGY MARKET

Glycobiology involves study of structural aspects, biosynthesis, and biology of polysaccharides and how they function in an organism. Study of glycobiology has variety of application in areas such as drug discovery and development, diagnostic applications, therapeutic application, and industrial applications.Complex structure of glycan's and difficulty in its study, high costs of spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography are expected to hinder growth of the market.

Read more @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/glycobiology-market-3639

Contact Us:RajShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave.#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-viral-vector-and-plasmid-dna-manufacturing-market-to-surpass-us-2-205-6-million-by-2027---cmi-301029511.html

SOURCE Coherent Market Insights

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Global Viral Vector and Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market to Surpass US$ 2,205.6 Million by 2027 - CMI - Yahoo Finance

The unusual: Welcome to Wednesday, dear readers, and the midpoint of another weird and wild workweek, as the Great Coronavirus Pandemic continues to reshape our world and the regional and global innovation economies scramble to keep up.

Leggo my Eggo: Move over, pancakes its the waffles day to shine.

Please celebrate alone: Its March 25 out there, the U.N.s International Day of Solidarity With Missing or Detained Staff Members, which is actually about U.N. employees who made the ultimate sacrifice, but seems oddly redefined today.

To mark the occasion or at least to make the quasi-quarantine more bearable you can choose from plenty of good eats: March 25 is International Waffle Day, Lobster Newberg Day (yes, please) and Pecan Day, which is more about a tree than the nut, but whatever.

Titanic discovery: Speaking of big deals, Dutch physicist, mathematician, astronomer and inventor Christiaan Huygens discovered Titan, Saturns largest moon, on March 25, 1622.

About half the size of Earth, Titan still ranks as the largest natural satellite in the Solar System.

Weapon of mass destruction: The Burnside Carbine, a breech-loading rifle that did plenty of damage during the American Civil War, was patented by inventor Ambrose Burnside on this date in 1856.

Also, Englands Queen Elizabeth I granted Sir Walter Raleigh a patent to create the colony of Virginia essentially, the exclusive right to colonize America on this date in 1584, but were not sure that one stuck.

Blowing in the wind: The worlds first successful tornado forecast was made on this date in 1948, when Maj. Ernest Fawbush and Capt. Robert Miller issued a warning hours before a devastating twister struck Oklahomas Tinker Air Force Base.

Fawbush and Miller went on to develop tornado-forecasting technologies still in use today.

Lennons linens: John and Yoko, protesting peacefully.

Pillow talk: John Lennon and Yoko Ono kicked off their first Bed-In for Peace on March 25, 1969, at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel, promoting world peace from between the sheets.

Let the Wiki win: And it was this date in 1995 when the first wiki a webpage that can be edited by users became a thing, with the launch of Ward Cunninghams WikiWikiWeb.

This is: Howard Cosell (1918-1995) the blustery, popular and influential radio and television sportscaster/print journalist of the mid-20th century, who also enjoyed a successful acting career (mostly playing himself) would have been 102 years old today.

Equal sign: Steinem, cofounder of the Womens Media Center.

Also born on March 25 were educator William Wait (1839-1916), who invented a writing system for the blind that predated Braille; Great Necks own Eileen Ford (1922-2014), co-founder of the Ford Modeling Agency; British anthropologist Dame Mary Douglas (1925-2007), a leading scholar of anthropological classifications; iconic American novelist and short-story writer Flannery OConnor (1925-1964); and retired American astronaut Jim Lovell Jr. (born 1928), steady hand at the wheel of the treacherous Apollo 13 mission.

No Ms.-taking her: And take a bow, Gloria Marie Steinem the American journalist and social/political activist, whose name has long been synonymous with feminism, turns 86 today.

Send well wishes for the Ms. magazine cofounder, the originator of historys most-overused meme and all the other March 25 innovators to editor@innovateli.com and please include a story tip or calendar item. Remember, failure is not an option (second-most-overused meme).

About our sponsor: Nixon Peabody is an international law firm with an office in Jericho that works with clients who are building the technologies and industries of the future. We have the experience necessary to drive your business forward and help you negotiate risks and opportunities related to all areas of business and the law, including startup work, private placements, venture capital and private equity, IP and licensing, labor and immigration and mergers and acquisitions.

BUT FIRST, THIS

Scoping mechanism: Applied DNA Sciences is not naming names, but a new research agreement with a global top-20 pharmaceutical company promises a giant leap forward for its LineaRX spinoff, according to the Stony Brook-based biotech.

Applied DNA a leader in polymerase chain reaction-based DNA manufacturing for product-authenticity solutions, nucleic acid-based biotherapeutic development and other cutting-edge uses said this week the new collaboration would evaluate the full scope of the companys linear DNA platform, already an increasingly useful tool in everything from the COVID-19 fight to textile supply-chain security.

The best may be yet to come, according to Applied DNA President and CEO James Hayward, who noted particular interest from the unnamed Big Pharma partner in potential expansions of its modified T-cell therapeutic programs, key to treating blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma. This agreement validates our linear DNA platform strategy and evidences growing interest in our manufacturing platform, Hayward said, noting attention from the highest tier of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Jeffrey Reynolds: Island integrator.

Welcome to Long Island: One of the regions leading community organizations has scored a chunky grant to support assistance programs for recent U.S. immigrants.

The Mineola-based Family & Childrens Association has earned a $139,209 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation a New York City-based nonprofit on a mission to meet the health needs of statewide residents and communities earmarked for the FCAs Newcomers Resource Center, which is being created to guide recent arrivals and immigrants already living here toward becoming successful members of the Nassau County community.

Featuring referral services, counseling, school advocacy, legal guidance, vocational training, short-term childcare services and more, the Newcomers Resource Center will be a game-changer for new residents struggling to find their way on Long Island, according to FCA President and CEO Jeffrey Reynolds. We look forward to seeing life-changing opportunities present themselves for these families, Reynolds said.

TOP OF THE SITE

One-stop coronavirusing: Welcome to your Pandemic Primer, a running log of Long Island-flavored innovations and breakthroughs from the COVID-19 front.

Plans in motions: Businesses around the world were caught flatfooted by the WFH restrictions of the global pandemic but not Nixon Peabody.

Coming soon: The National Guard will pitch in as emergency hospitals rise on the Stony Brook University and SUNY Old Westbury campuses.

VOICES

Pandemic squared: COVID-19 affects all, but for public relations professionals who must still create non-coronavirus messaging without seeming oblivious or insensitive the challenge is double. Media maestro David Chauvin weighs in with advice for marketers of every stripe.

STUFF WERE READING

Under fire: From the New York Times, the importance of leadership in a crisis, according to military brass whove been there.

Underwhelmed: From NBC News, why the U.S. military would do more good in the coronavirus fight with a different commander-in-chief.

Udder-whelmed: From Atlas Obscura, the birth of cowcohol vodka made from whey, a common dairy-production byproduct.

RECENT FUNDINGS

+ Diligent Robotics, a Texas-based AI company building socially intelligent workforce robots, raised $10 million in Series A funding led by DNX Ventures, with participation from True Ventures, Ubiquity Ventures, Next Coast Ventures, E14 Fund, Promus Ventures and Grit Ventures.

+ Honorlock, a Florida-based online proctoring service for educational institutions to protect academic integrity in online assessments, raised $11.5 million in Series A funding led by Neil Sequeira from Defy Partners.

+ E25Bio, a Massachusetts-based developer of rapid diagnostic tests, raised $2 million in financing. Khosla Ventures made the investment.

+ ZincFive, an Oregon-based provider of nickel-zinc batteries and solutions, raised $13.1 million in Series C funding. The round was led by 40 North Ventures.

+ RoadRunner Recycling, a Pennsylvania-based technology platform built for commercial recycling, raised $28.6 million in Series C financing co-led by e.ventures and Greycroft, with additional participation from Franklin Templeton, Adams Capital Management and FJ Labs.

+ Quit Genius, a California-based personalized digital therapeutic platform for addictions, raised an additional $11 million in Series A funding led by Octopus Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, Startup Health, Triple Point Ventures, Serena Ventures and Venus Williams, among others.

BELOW THE FOLD

Make it so: A Next Generation marathon might cheer you up.

Dont worry: Why stressing out over COVID-19 is the last thing you should do.

Be happy: Yale Universitys popular happiness course, now online and free.

And watch some TV: Comforting shows to stream your way through the pandemic.

Also keeps you chill: Nixon Peabody, one of the amazing firms that support Innovate LI, has launched a multidisciplinary Coronavirus Response Team to help your business weather the storm. Real-time legal updates and other pandemic resources are just a click away.

More here:
No. 486: On mega-moons, linear DNA and innovative immigrant services and yes, lots of coronavirus stuff - Innovate Long Island

Rating: NNNN

Witch Prophet begins her sophomore LPwith a question that feels more relevant than ever: Where do we go from here when the whole world is falling through darkness and we cannot see the light?

Ayo Leilani turns her focus to her family and draws inspiration from her Ethiopian/Eritrean heritage as well as mythology and biblical stories. Across the albums 10 tracks each named after a family member Leilani, alongside co-producer Sun Sunand a host of contributing artists, carves out space to reflect on familiar history and to try and unravel the knotty feelings of love and pain that go hand-in-hand with this reflection.

DNA Activation works best as a unit. Each song has a similarly hazy soundscape that mixes R&B, hip-hop and jazz sounds while the voice of Leilani, who sings in English, Amharic and Tigrinya, surfs lightly above. But cohesion doesnt mean uniformity: Tesfayis an assured, enlivening track thanks to a delicious pairing of a playful bassline and the confident wails of Karen Ngs saxophone, a welcome addition on a few of the albums tracks. Darshanand Etmet(the latter featuring Brandon Valdiviaon flute)are downtempo hip-hop tracks made for late-night hangs with whoever you define as family.

On nearly every song, Leilani clings with purposeto a phrase and repeats it like a mantra ora reminder: Oh my god (Elsabet) orBow down to the queen (Makda). On Ghideon, a song named after Leilanis father, each repeated cut down feels like the swing of an axe as it chops off a limb of the family tree.

DNA Activation is a warmly hypnotic escape that arrives when we need it most. It also serves as a reminder that family can sustain you even when the world is falling through darkness.

Top track: Tesfay

@LStanely24

Continue reading here:
Review: Witch Prophet's DNA Activation shows the power of family in dark times - NOW Magazine

A burglar who snuck into a student home is now behind bars after his DNA was discovered on the airbag of a stolen Audi.

On May 10 last year, Gary Hearn targeted a student property on Ashleigh Grove in Jesmond, Newcastle, stealing a range of items including a laptop, decks, a Bose speaker and a sports bag.

He then fled the scene at around 8.30pm in an Audi A4 belonging to one of the students.

Later that night, as he was driving around in the stolen car, the 35-year-old crashed into a taxi on Grasmere Avenue, in Walker. But despite causing considerable damage to the Ford Tourneo, Hearn once again fled the scene.

In the meantime, the student had returned home to find his front door ajar and reported the burglary, with an investigation launched by officers.

It wasnt long before detectives located the stolen Audi which had been abandoned on Parsons Avenue, in Walker. The forces Scientific Support Unit carried out forensic tests on the airbag which came back as a match to Hearn.

Hearn, of Oban Gardens, Byker, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on March 16 where he pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

He was sentenced to 35 months - almost three years - behind bars.

Detective Sergeant David Lumsden, of Northumbria Police, said: Hearn has shown himself to be nothing more than an opportunistic thief he showed a blatant disregard for the law and for other peoples possessions.

Burglary is an intrusive crime that can have a lasting impact on those who fall victim to it, as well as the wider community as a whole. Thats why we will continue to work hard every day to ensure criminals like Hearn are caught and brought to justice.

The rest is here:
Burglar who fled Jesmond home in stolen Audi caught out by DNA on airbag - Chronicle Live