Monthly Archives: May 2022

Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg found that inversions in the human genome are more common than previously thought, which impacts our understanding of certain genetic diseases.

Our DNA serves as a blueprint for the cellular machinery that allows cells, organs, and even whole organisms to work. However, mutations in our DNA can cause genetic illnesses. Point mutations at a single site, as well as deletions, duplications, and inversions, are examples of such DNA mutations.

Inversion refers to a piece of DNA inverting its orientation in the genome. Because inversions are more difficult to analyze than other forms of mutations, they are poorly understood. Scientists from EMBL Heidelberg, working with colleagues from the University of Washington in the United States and Heinrich Heine University Dsseldorf in Germany, have determined that inversions are one of the most common mutational processes in humans.

The researchers uncovered how inversions are formed and investigated in detail a set of 40 inversions that form recurrently in the genome, where the DNA sequence flips back and forth. These flip-flopping inversions typically lie in regions linked to the development of certain human diseases called genomic disorders.

We found that inversions form at a much higher rate than previously thought. In humans, at least 0.6% of the genome repeatedly changes direction, making inversion one of the fastest mutational processes in humans, said Jan Korbel, EMBL Senior Scientist and Head of Data Science. At these sites, the genome is not stable the direction of the DNA code continues to switch back and forth.

These unstable areas are home to the many essential human genes. Scientific studies of long-distance gene regulation or epigenetics must now take into account this flipping behavior of genomic regions.

Artistic interpretation of inversions in the human genome. Credit: Isabel Romero Calvo/EMBL

Inversions are also relevant for the development of human diseases, such as developmental delays in children or neuropsychiatric disorders in adults. Despite their importance, these regions have been very difficult to study before because of their complexity. Showing that these inversions indeed flip-flop back and forth required a new set of computational methods, said Tobias Marschall, Director of the Institute of Medical Biometry and Bioinformatics and the Heinrich Heine University Dsseldorf. We can now provide human geneticists with a new tool to understand the origin of disease in their patients.

Evan Eichler, group leader at the University of Washington, said: We showed for the first time that inversions can be associated with rare genomic rearrangements found in pediatric autism, developmental delay, and epilepsy. The question now is why? We hypothesize that certain configurations at the flanks of the inversions either predispose or protect individuals and their offspring from disease-associated rearrangements. This could have a practical application in the clinic, where it could be used to identify families at risk for developing these disorders.

Reference: Recurrent inversion polymorphisms in humans associate with genetic instability and genomic disorders by David Porubsky, Wolfram Hps, Hufsah Ashraf, PingHsun Hsieh, Bernardo Rodriguez-Martin, Feyza Yilmaz, Jana Ebler, Pille Hallast, Flavia Angela Maria Maggiolini, William T. Harvey, Barbara Henning, Peter A. Audano, David S. Gordon, Peter Ebert, Patrick Hasenfeld, Eva Benito, Qihui Zhu, Human Genome Structural Variation Consortium (HGSVC), Charles Lee, Francesca Antonacci, Matthias Steinrcken, Christine R. Beck, Ashley D. Sanders, Tobias Marschall, Evan E. Eichler and Jan O. Korbel, 6 May 2022, Cell.DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.04.017

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Horrifying Discovery: Scientists Find That DNA Mutations Are More Common Than Previously Thought - SciTechDaily

Excision BioTherapeutics

SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Excision BioTherapeutics Inc., a biotechnology company developing CRISPR-based therapies intended to cure viral infectious diseases, today announced that preclinical and bioinformatic data showing robust and specific editing of HIV proviral DNA with EBT-101 will be featured in an upcoming poster presentation at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) 25th Annual Meeting, which is taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

EBT-101 is a unique, clinical-stage, in vivo CRISPR-based therapeutic designed to functionally cure HIV infections after a single intravenous infusion. It employs an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 and dual guide RNAs targeting three sites within the HIV genome. Bioinformatic analyses featured in the ASGCT poster compare these EBT-101 target sites against the human reference genome and show no identical matches. Moreover, there are no candidate off-target sites in the human reference genome with only one or two differences from EBT-101 target sites, and only a single candidate off-target site with three differences. These findings predict a lack of off-target activity for EBT-101, which has been confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies showing HIV excision without unintended editing.

Taken together, the data being presented at ASGCT highlight the key advantages of Excisions novel therapeutic approach, said TJ Cradick, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Excision and lead author on the poster. By leveraging our in-silico design platform, we carefully crafted EBT-101 to minimize viral escape and off-target effects by cutting at three target sites that are specific to the HIV genome. Latent viral reservoirs were eradicated in in multiple disease models and resulted in functional cures in transgenic mice. We are now working to build on these results through the advancement of EBT-101s recently initiated Phase 1/2 clinical trial, and look forward to discussing our program with the scientific community at the upcoming ASGCT meeting.

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The ASGCT poster, entitled, EBT-101 achieves robust CRISPR-based editing of HIV proviral DNA without detectable off-target effects, will be presented today from 5:30 6:30 PM ET during the Hematologic and Immunologic Disease II poster session (Board No. TU-205). The poster was authored in collaboration with researchers from institutions including Temple University and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. A copy of the poster will be posted to the Excisions website following its presentation at the meeting.

About EBT-101

EBT-101 is a unique, in vivo CRISPR-based therapeutic designed to functionally cure HIV infections after a single intravenous infusion. It employs an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 and dual guide RNAs targeting three sites within the HIV genome. This novel approach enables the excision of large portions of the HIV genome, thereby minimizing potential viral escape. EBT-101 is being evaluated in clinical trials and is the only therapeutic candidate in history to achieve functional cures of HIV in animal models.

About Excision BioTherapeutics, Inc.

Excision BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing CRISPR-based therapies as potential cures for viral infectious diseases. Excision unites next-generation CRISPR nucleases with a novel gene editing approach and has become the first and only company in history to cure HIV with a therapeutic in an animal model. EBT-101, the companys lead program intended to cure HIV with a single IV infusion, is being evaluated in clinical trials. Excisions pipeline includes one-time potential cures for Herpes Virus, JC Virus, which causes PML, and Hepatitis B virus. The Companys foundational technologies were developed in the laboratories of Dr. Kamel Khalili at Temple University and Dr. Jennifer Doudna at University of California, Berkeley. For more information, please visit http://www.excision.bio.

Contacts:

InvestorsJohn FrauncesLifeSci Advisors917-355-2395jfraunces@lifesciadvisors.com

MediaRobert Flamm, Ph.D.Burns McClellan, Inc.212-213-0006 ext. 316 / 364rflamm@burnsmc.com

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Excision BioTherapeutics to Present Preclinical and Bioinformatic Data Showing Robust and Specific Editing of HIV Proviral DNA with EBT-101 at the...

SAN FRANCISCO - May 16, 2022 - (

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The Ministry of the Economy launches a strategic initiative aimed at assessing the Luxembourg start-up ecosystem in order to identify further steps to bring the ecosystem towards a next level of development over the upcoming years.

The Luxembourg start-up ecosystem has been on a constant rise over the past decade. In its latest mapping (www.startupluxembourg.com/why-luxembourg/ecosystem-mapping), Luxinnovation, the Luxembourg's national innovation agency, identified more than 500 start-ups active in developing and offering innovative digital and data driven solutions, mostly in the key fields of economic diversification.

Luxembourg has an established history of empowering innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to implement their vision and contribute to economic diversity through regional and globally competitive enterprises.Given Luxembourg's central position in the European single market, highly advanced legislative and regulatory frameworks and competitive digital infrastructure, the start-up ecosystem attracts innovative professionals and start-up companies from all over the world.

In order to gain a more granular view of the Luxembourg start-up ecosystem and its international positioning, an assessment and a benchmarking will start in May. This assessment and benchmarking will provide a thorough qualitative and quantitative understanding of the Luxembourg start-up ecosystem, based on data analysis, information gathered from the start-up community and interviews with key stakeholders. The study will provide relevant comparisons with international peers, highlighting potential future development opportunities as well as ecosystem success factor strengths and gaps.

Startup Genome, a leading research and policy advisory organization specialized in the analysis of start-up ecosystems was chosen to carry out this assessment and benchmarking in close collaboration with the dedicated team at the Ministry of the Economy and at Luxinnovation. In this process, Startup Genome will leverage its experience of over 200 ecosystems worldwide and the knowledge and data gathered through its yearlyGlobal Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER).

Within the context of the study and in order to collect the feedback from the start-up community, Startup Genome will reach out to entrepreneurs with a dedicated survey. Start-ups and entrepreneurs willing to take the survey and give their input can find more information on http://www.startupluxembourg.com.

The results of the study as well as a consultation process with key stakeholders of the ecosystem will be taken into account for the elaboration of a strategic roadmap for the further development of the Luxembourg start-up ecosystem.

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Startup Genome and the Ministry of the Economy Launch a Study to Assess and Benchmark the Luxembourg Star - Benzinga

Indore (Madhya Pradesh)

Even after being the worst hit by Covid-19, Indore will have to wait for more to get the genome sequencing machine as the government has decided to get the machine installed in Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal first.

The decision has surprised the city officials as Bhopal already has the facility of genome sequencing at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).At present, samples of Covid-19 patients in Indore are being sent to National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi and AIIMS, Bhopal for genome sequencing to know about the variant of the prevalent coronavirus.

The Centre has allotted five genome-sequencing machines to the state in December 2021 on the ground that the samples collected in Madhya Pradesh for Covid testing were sent to Delhi for genome sequencing, and it took 10 to 15 days to get reports.

These five machines were to be installed in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa and Gwalior cities. These machines considerably help shorten the detection time of variants.

MGM Medical College was supposed to deposit the funds for the machine but it couldnt be done due to lack of funds. Now, the machine will be installed in Hamidia Hospital and MGM Medical College, Indore will have to wait for more for the machine, sources said.

However, the MGM Medical College administration believes to get the machine in the next phase.

We have also applied with the government for the genome sequencing machine to be installed in MGM Medical College. We believe that we will get the machine soon, Dean of MGM Medical College Dr Sanjay Dixit said.

Indore was the worst hit by Covid-19 but gets variant reports in 15-20 days

Indore was the worst hit by Covid-19 and adds the highest number of cases in the states tally.

As many as 207951 cases were found positive in the city and as many as 1461 patients lost their lives. As many as nine cases of Omicron were also tested positive in Indore but the samples were tested by a private laboratory.

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Indore: Even after being the worst hit by Covid-19, no end to Indores wait for a genome sequencing machine - Free Press Journal

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Android app deals of the day: EZ Voice Notes, Jumanji, Galaxy Genome, and more - 9to5Toys

Bionano Genomics

For the first time at this conference, Bionano will exhibit all of its cytogenetic research solutions: OGM solutions, NxClinical software and laboratory services

In a dedicated OGM scientific session, six presentations will illustrate the application of Bionanos OGM in prenatal and postnatal testing, constitutional disease, and cancer

Dr. Soheil Shams, chief informatics officer of Bionano, will present a scientific session on Analytical Tools to Support Detection of Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Using Cytogenomic Scar Markers

Dr. Alex Hastie, vice president of clinical affairs at Bionano, will host a sponsored vendor presentation on integrating OGM and next generation sequencing (NGS) for a comprehensive analysis of the genome

Following the conference, Bionano will host a user spotlight event at an OGM center of excellence at the Georgia Esoteric Molecular Laboratory at Augusta University

SAN DIEGO, May 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionano Genomics, Inc. (BNGO), pioneer of optical genome mapping (OGM) solutions on the Saphyr system and provider of NxClinical software, the leading solution for visualization, interpretation and reporting of genomic data, today announced that it is participating in-person at the American Cytogenomics Conference (ACC). In addition to having six presentations that highlight the application of OGM in clinical genetics research, Bionano will host a user spotlight event at Augusta University, a center of excellence for OGM.

ACC is a biennial conference that brings together industry and academic professionals to discuss new technologies and advances in the field of cytogenetics. ACC sessions will take place May 15-18, 2022, in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Bionano will exhibit its complete portfolio of products and services relevant to the cytogenetics research community for the first time, including OGM solutions, NxClinical software and laboratory services. Multiple attendees from both Bionanos scientific and commercial teams will participate in the conference.

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Dr. Solheil Shams, chief informatics officer at Bionano, will present on the utilization of three new measures of genomic instability available in NxClinical v6.2 software to detect homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) in solid tumors. In a spotlight talk immediately following the OGM scientific session, Dr. Alex Hastie, Bionanos vice president of clinical affairs, will present examples of research where OGM may complement next generation sequencing (NGS) to potentially provide a more comprehensive analysis of the genome, for applications in genetic disease and cancer.

At the conclusion of ACC, Bionano will host an interactive tour of an OGM center of excellence at the Georgia Esoteric Molecular Laboratory at Augusta University, where Dr. Ravindra Kohle will demonstrate an OGM workflow and provide a tutorial on data interpretation for chromosomal aberrations.

Scientific presentations and poster sessions from Bionano and collaborators include:

Title

Presenters/Authors

Presented

Analytical Tools to Support Detection of Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) Using Cytogenomic Scar Markers

Shams S

May 16, 2022 8:30-8:45 AM

Comparative Benchmarking of Optical Genome Mapping to Chromosomal Microarray Reveals High Technological Concordance in CNV Identification and additional Structural Variant Refinement

Pang AWC, Barseghyan H, Chaubey A, Hastie A

May 16, 202210:30-10:45 AM

Optical Genome Mapping as a Potential Tier1 Test for Postnatal Chromosomal Disorders Results of Multi-Institutional Validation Study of 331 Retrospective Clinical Samples

Iqbal M, Broeckel U, Levy B, Skinner S, Sahajpal N,Rodriguez V, Stence A, Awayda K, Scharer G, Skinner C, Stevenson R, Bossler A, Nagy P, Kolhe R

May 16, 202210:45-11:00 AM

Optical Genome Mapping for Prenatal Diagnostic Testing

Sahajpal N, Mondal A, Fee T, Hastie A, Chaubey A, DuPont B, Kohle R

May 16, 202211:00-11:15 AM

Optical Genome Mapping Analysis of FMR1 Expansions in Fragile X Syndrome

Barseghyan H, Muggli M, Ramandi B, Miller N, Zhang D, Lam E, Wang J, Wang T, Lee J, Pang AWC, Sadowski H, Hastie A, Oldakowski M

May 16, 202211:15-11:30 AM

Optical Genome Mapping Workflow for Identification and Annotation of Variants in Hematological Malignancy

Clifford B, Hauenstain J, Pang AWC, Chaubey A, Hastie A

May 16, 202211:30-11:45 AM

Capture-Based Transcriptome Sequencing (RNA-Seq) and Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) Enhance Detection of Newly Described Molecular Subtypes of Pediatric B-lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)

Raca G, Kovach A, Doan A, Ostrow D, Yellapantula V, Ji J, Schmidt R, Biegel J, Bhojwani D

May 16, 202211:45 AM-12:00 PM

Find More Answers: Integrating NGS and OGM for a Comprehensive Analysis of the Genome

Hastie A

May 16, 2022 12:00-12:30 PM

GDA-Cyto: Infinum Arrays Propel Cytogenomics Laboratories to New Heights

Saul D, Hagan J

May 16, 2022 12:30-1:45 PM

All presentations and poster sessions will be held in the Santee Ballroom, rooms E-H. The presentations will be made available on the Bionano Genomics website once presented at the conference. More details on ACC can be found here.

The lineup of content that will be presented on Bionanos solutions at ACC this year is world class. What makes our participation unique this year, is that we will have the combination of OGM products and our NxClinical software for attendees to view. We are focused on addressing their needs and now we can show them how, in person. After the show, we will be hosted at Augusta University where several scientists and cytogeneticists will join us for a hands-on experience of the journey that Dr. Ravi Kohles lab has taken to become an OGM center of excellence, said Erik Holmlin, PhD, president and chief executive officer of Bionano.

About Bionano Genomics

Bionano Genomics is a provider of genome analysis solutions that can enable researchers and clinicians to reveal answers to challenging questions in biology and medicine. The Companys mission is to transform the way the world sees the genome through OGM solutions, diagnostic services and software. The Company offers OGM solutions for applications across basic, translational and clinical research. Through its Lineagen business, the Company also provides diagnostic testing for patients with clinical presentations consistent with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Through its BioDiscovery business, the Company also offers an industry-leading, platform-agnostic software solution, which integrates next-generation sequencing and microarray data designed to provide analysis, visualization, interpretation and reporting of copy number variants, single-nucleotide variants and absence of heterozygosity across the genome in one consolidated view. For more information, visit bionanogenomics.com, lineagen.com or biodiscovery.com

Forward-Looking Statements of Bionano Genomics

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, potentially, and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes and are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, projections, outlook, analyses or current expectations concerning, among other things, the potential contribution of our OGM and software solutions in the analysis of genetic diseases and cancer or the use of software solutions for homologous recombination repair deficiency (HRD) detection. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include the risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the global economy; general market conditions; changes in the competitive landscape and the introduction of competitive technologies or improvements in existing technologies; changes in our strategic and commercial plans; our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund our strategic plans and commercialization efforts; the ability of medical and research institutions to obtain funding to support additional studies, adoption or continued use of our technologies; the ability of our OGM, NxClinical software and laboratory services solutions to offer the anticipated benefits for and contributions to pre and postnatal genomic analysis, cancer research, structural variant analysis as well as other areas of research; future study results contradicting the results reported in the presentations given and posters made available at ACC; and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business and financial condition in general, including the risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and in other filings subsequently made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made and are based on managements assumptions and estimates as of such date. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events or otherwise.

CONTACTS

Company Contact: Erik Holmlin, CEO Bionano Genomics, Inc. +1 (858) 888-7610 eholmlin@bionanogenomics.com

Investor Relations: Amy Conrad Juniper Point +1 (858) 366-3243 amy@juniper-point.com Source: Bionano Genomic

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Bionano Genomics Announces Participation at the 2022 American Cytogenomics Conference (ACC) and a User Spotlight Event at Augusta University, a Center...

As the Covid-19 virus (coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread and claim victims worldwide, its origins remain unknown. Each scientific community puts forward its own theory, with some suggesting the virus may have leaked out of a laboratory.

Another theory, based on recent studies of the Wuhan wet market in China, along with others carried out in Cambodia, Laos, Japan, China, and Thailand, posits that an ancestral virus in rhinolophus bats went on from infecting wild and/or domestic animals to humans. Indeed, in these different studies, several viruses with genetic sequences very similar to SARS-CoV-2 were isolated in these bats.

Though it has been shown some bat species have hosted these coronaviruses naturally, the wild or domestic animal (or animals) that acted as a bridge between them and humans the missing link remains unidentified. Pangolins were first suspected, but now appear to have been collateral victims rather than one of these much-talked-about missing links. A coronavirus genome sequence detected in pangolins was indeed related to that of SARS-CoV-2, but the rest of the genome was too distant from it genetically to back the hypothesis.

Moreover, the pangolins hosts in which the viruses that were genetically close to SARS-CoV-2 were found had mostly been confiscated at live-animal markets, at the end of the supply chain. As a result, they had been in lengthy contact with other animal species. It is very likely they were infected along this supply chain rather than in their natural environment. Mink farms were also suspected of being an intermediate host in China.

Lastly, pangolins and rhinolophus bats do not share the same habitat, making it highly unlikely there was any contact between the two species in which the virus jumped from one to the other. On the other hand, civets and raccoon dogs could be an intermediate source of SARS-CoV-1). Rodents or primates could also carry pathogens with zoonotic potential, such as hantaviruses which can cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome or filoviruses, which include the Ebola virus. The latter is passed on to humans through wild animals, in particular bats, antelopes, and primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas, then spreads among humans, mainly by direct contact with blood, secretions and other bodily fluids from infected people. The average case fatality rate is around 50%.

In 2013, initial cases of disease from the Ebola virus were detected in West Africa. The rise of these cases led to over 10,000 deaths, mainly in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Activities such as hunting, animal-handling or eating meat from wild animals therefore create the conditions for viruses to spread from animals to humans a potentially devastating phenomenon called spillover.

The ZooCov project has sought to define and quantify this risk in Cambodia. For almost two years and right from the start of the pandemic it has adopted a One Health approach to explore whether and how pathogens such as coronaviruses can be passed on to humans from wild animals that are hunted and eaten.

Indeed, in South-East Asia, wild animals are regularly traded, and bushmeat is customarily eaten. This eating habit is often opportunistic. In some communities, it complements a low-protein diet. It can also be frequent and targeted. In Cambodia, 77% of 107 families interviewed in the ZooCov project said they had eaten bushmeat in the past month.

Use for medicinal purposes is also widespread. In Vietnam, an analysis of records of the Vietnamese authorities confiscating pangolins and related by-products between 2016 and 2020 reported 1,342 live pangolins (6,330 kg), 759 dead pangolins or pangolin carcasses (3,305 kg), and 43,902 kg of pangolin scales.

Yet this consumption also has a cultural and social dimension that is still not properly understood. Among the well-off and often in big cities people sometimes eat bushmeat out of a desire for social status, and a belief that eating it endows them with the physical or physiological attributes of the animal. They also sometimes eat bushmeat out of rejection of industrially produced meat, considered unhealthy. Animals are widely reared to meet this demand and the demand for fur production.

In the Stung Treng and Mondolkiri provinces of Cambodia, where protected forest areas remain, researchers surveyed more than 900 people living on the edge of these forests to determine the structure of the illegal bushmeat trade. Statistical analyses are underway to identify the people most at risk of contact with wildlife thus with such pathogens. We already know those exposed are mostly young middle-class men, and that some communities are more exposed than others. Sociological studies have also helped better grasp todays context: the legal framework, the profiles of players in the trade, their motives and deterrents in trade and consumption of wild animals, and how the context has changed with each different health crisis (bird flu, Ebola, SARS-CoV-1, etc.).

These successive crises seem to have scarcely affected the habits of these communities. Beyond regularly eating bushmeat, one fourth of the families surveyed said they still hunted or ensnared wild animals, and 11% claimed to sell bushmeat or wild animals. Furthermore, in the same areas of study, over 2,000 samples taken from wild animals trafficked or eaten for subsistence bats, rodents, turtles, monkeys, birds, wild pigs, etc. were analysed. Some of these samples tested positive for coronaviruses and scientists at the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) are currently sequencing their genome in a bid to learn more about their origin, evolution, and zoonotic potential. Finally, researchers collected blood samples from over 900 people from the same region to find out whether they had been in contact with a coronavirus or coronaviruses. These analyses are still underway, but what we do know is that these people had not been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 when the survey was conducted.

If the Covid crisis has taught us anything, it is the importance of detecting such emergences early in order to nip the pathogens in the bud. While many questions remain about the way cases emerge, there are just as many questions about the monitoring systems that should be set up to track them. The results of the ZooCov project will be used to develop a system for detecting spillover of zoonotic viruses early, particularly by strengthening the system for monitoring wildlife health that is already in operation in Cambodia, which was set up by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Other large-scale projects in research and development will help us understand, detect, and prevent these phenomena of emerging cases.

The authors would like to thank Cambodias Ministry of Health, its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and its Ministry of Environment, as well as all the projects partners: Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Flora and Fauna International (FFI), Institut de Recherche pour le Dveloppement (IRD), Hong Kong University (HKU), the GREASE network, International Development Enterprise (iDE), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment (ELIE), BirdLife International, Jahoo, and World Hope International.

Translated from the French by Thomas Young for Fast ForWord.

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On the trail of the origins of Covid-19 - The Conversation

An international team of researchers, including one from The University of Western Australia, has successfully unravelled the genomes of 418 unique samples of rapeseed from across the globe to identify traits that breeders can use to improve crop yield.

The study Genomic selection and genetic architecture of agronomic traits during modern rapeseedBreeding published in Nature Genetics, follows a four-year collaboration between the scientists from Australia, China and the United States.

Professor Jacqueline Batley, from UWAs School of Biological Sciences and The UWA Institute of Agriculture, who is an author on the paper, said that rapeseed, known as canola in Australia, is the second most important oil-producing crop worldwide.

Which means that breeders are looking at ways that they can generate plants with the desired characteristics or traits that will allow them to minimise crop losses and maximise crop yields, Professor Batley said.

While the adaption, yield and quality of canola have all considerably improved in recent decades due to intensive breeding the genetics underlying desirable traits such as the architecture of the plant, seed weight and oil content have remained unclear because these are controlled by multiple genes.

Working together, the research team unravelled the genomes of 418 diverse rapeseed accessions from different geographical locations representing global genetic diversity. In doing so, they were able to identify the genes behind 56 traits that were modified during rapeseed improvement.

This provided us with insights into the genetic control of these important traits, Professor Batley said.

Taken together, our study revealed a landscape of genomic variation for diverse varieties and artificial selection or adaptation during rapeseed breeding. The results are a real insight into the make-up of rapeseed and should help accelerate future breeding for crop improvement.

Professor Batley said the complex genetic sequencing generated in the ground-breaking study will not only be an indispensable resource for genome-assisted rapeseed breeding but also a valuable database for other scientists conducting research on rapeseed.

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Unravelling the genetic keys to improve canola crop yield - University News: The University of Western Australia