Monthly Archives: June 2020

AMU scientist discovers proteins that form Cancer in liver – National Herald

Posted: June 23, 2020 at 12:50 am

An Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) zoologist, Dr Hifzur R. Siddique, has collaborated with Prof Keigo Machida of the University of Southern California, to discover the protein forming cancerous cells in the body, causing growth of tumour in the liver.

Their research could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the drug design and give a direction to the management strategy for this deadly disease.

The AMU scientist said that he had been working on these cells for a decade and has established a dedicated lab to initiate pioneer research on Cancer Stem Cells at AMU.

Dr Siddiqui elaborated through his paper that alcohol consumption and hepatitis infection lead to liver cancer formation through stem cell factor and generation of cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are rare cells found in the tumour which are responsible for cancer initiation recurrence, invasion and metastasis. Thus, these cells were considered as 'root cause' of almost all cancer.

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Stem cell therapies receive MRFF funding – Mirage News

Posted: June 23, 2020 at 12:50 am

Associate Professor Rebecca Lim has been awarded more than $470,000 from the Australian Governments Medical Research Future Fund to pursue research into stem cell therapies for liver disease.

A/Prof Lim leads the Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapies group at Hudson Institute. Together with Monash University, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Material Science and Engineering) and Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, she was awarded the $472,680 Department of Health funding to work on gastroenterology, regenerative medicine and cellular biology (including stem cells and tissue engineering).

The Stem Cell Therapies Mission is funded via the MRFF and will invest $150 million over nine years to develop innovative, safe and effective treatments accessible to all Australians who need them.

Congratulations also to our collaborators, the Australian and New Zealand Childrens Haematology Oncology Group (ANZCHOG), who were awarded three MRFF grants, totalling $1,965,011 for their studies on childhood brain cancer. The three trials were funded through the MRFF Clinical Trials Activity (Rare Cancers, Rare Diseases and Unmet Need) Childhood Brain Cancer Opportunity, which will enable ANZCHOG to continue to provide Australian children diagnosed with brain cancer access to innovative clinical trials.

CONNECT-1903 is an international study that will assess if treatment with lactrotrectinib is safe and can control the growth of tumours in children with high grade gliomas. The second international study is the MET-MED trial, examining if metformin can improve cognitive recovery in paediatric medulloblastoma patients. The final successful application, the TiNT Trial, is a phase II trial using trametinib (a promising MEK inhibitor) in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 associated progressive optic pathway gliomas. This trial was designed and developed by Australian and New Zealand researchers, essential for capacity building and leading innovative trial research in the paediatric oncology space.

Liver disease is responsible for one quarter of all organ transplants in Australia and represents a significant healthcare burden. The most common liver disease is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which itself is benign but in association with chronic inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; NASH), can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

By 2020, NASH will have replaced hepatitis C as the number one reason for liver transplantation. There is no cure for NAFLD/NASH. Alternatives are urgently needed for patients with end stage NAFLD/NASH who are not candidates for liver transplantation or for whom no donor is available.

The research team aim to develop a multivalent therapeutic for this complex disease based on extracellular vesicles (EV) released by amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC) that addresses fibrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and endogenous repair.

Preliminary research has shown that EVs released by hAECs are anti-fibrotic and support the differentiation of liver progenitor cells, promoting recovery of liver function in chronic liver disease.

The teams pilot data indicates that hAECs cultured on softer 3D microcarriers can significantly increase EV yield as well as biological potency compared to culture on traditional 2D tissue culture plastic.

They hypothesise that it is possible to tune the potency of hAEC-EVs by manipulating mechanotransduction through culture on softer microcarriers which are specifically functionalised to improve anti-fibrotic effects for NAFLD/NASH.

The aim is to

(i) Develop a novel method of hAEC-EV manufacturing for optimal EV yield and potency through the manipulation of microcarrier stiffness and functionalisation and;

(ii) Evaluate an oral formulation of hAEC-EVs against competitor treatments in preclinical mouse model of NASH.

The team brings combined expertise of hAEC and EV biology, materials science, NAFLD/NASH management and clinical translation to address this urgent unmet medical need.

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AMU scientist discovers proteins that form Cancer in liver (IANS Special) – Outlook India

Posted: June 23, 2020 at 12:50 am

AMU scientist discovers proteins that form Cancer in liver (IANS Special)

Aligarh (UP), June 22 (IANS) An Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) zoologist, Dr Hifzur R. Siddique, has collaborated with Prof Keigo Machida of the University of Southern California, to discover the protein forming cancerous cells in the body, causing growth of tumour in the liver.

Their research could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the drug design and give a direction to the management strategy for this deadly disease.

The AMU scientist said that he had been working on these cells for a decade and has established a dedicated lab to initiate pioneer research on Cancer Stem Cells at AMU.

Dr Siddiqui elaborated through his paper that alcohol consumption and hepatitis infection lead to liver cancer formation through stem cell factor and generation of cancer stem cells. Cancer stem cells are rare cells found in the tumour which are responsible for cancer initiation recurrence, invasion and metastasis. Thus, these cells were considered as ''root cause'' of almost all cancer.

At initial stage of therapy, the cancer cells are killed either by chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation. However, a few cells survive and they form tumour and cancer reappear after a gap some time interval.

He informed that annually, more than half million new cases of liver cancer patients are diagnosed and on 5-year survival rate is only 10-20 per cent till today against 91 per cent for breast cancer. Liver cancer is largely traced in developing or under developed countries where 80-83 per cent of patients are found.

The study was recently published in the prestigious journal, Nature Communications 11 (2020).

"Liver is considered as the powerhouse of the body. Due to the change in lifestyle, chronic alcohol consumption, Hepatitis virus infection, incidence of liver cancer is increasing by the day. However, exactly how these normal liver cells become cancerous is only partially understood," the scientist said.

Siddique and Machida discovered the molecular mechanisms of a cancer-causing protein, TBC1D15.

"This degrades P53, known as guardian of genome, and activates the cancer-causing notch path activation," he told IANS on Monday.

These cells were considered as root cause of almost all cancer. At initial stage of therapy, the cancer cells are killed either by chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation. However, a few cells survive and they form tumour and cancer reappears after a certain period.

In 2014, Siddique''s work on therapy-resistant cancer was selected as one of the three ''Featured Prostate Cancer Research'' work by the US department of Defence''s ''2014 Research Highlights'' section -- a rare achievement by any scientist.

--IANS

amita/rs/

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Stem cell study aims to fight the COVID-19 ‘storm’ – Cayman Compass

Posted: June 21, 2020 at 11:46 pm

Residents of the Caribbean know that between a tropical storm and a major hurricane, there is a world of difference. Both bring rain and winds, but weathering and surviving a hurricane requires much greater response and resilience.

Dr. Javier Perez Fernandez, a specialist in critical care medicine and pulmonology at Baptist Health South Florida, views COVID-19 infections in a similar way. While some hospitalised patients face a tropical storm, others are battling a category five hurricane.

Through a new stem-cell treatment, Perez says doctors at Baptist Health and Miami Cancer Institute hope to control the magnitude of COVID-19 storms and mitigate the viruss effects in the most severely affected patients.

As researchers worldwide work against the clock to fight the novel coronavirus, Perez views the stem-cell treatment as one with potential for widespread adoption, including in the Cayman Islands.

It converts this category five hurricane that you have inside into a tropical storm, Perez said, explaining that while the treatment cannot cure the virus, it may save lives.

The investigational drug, developed from sentinel or original cells attached to the umbilical cord, takes aim at another kind of storm, produced when the bodys immune system goes into overdrive.

A cytokine storm, seen in fatal COVID-19 cases, occurs when cytokine molecules are released by the body as an immune system response to fight infection. An excessive release of these molecules can result in hyperinflammation, organ failure and death.

With a stem cell injection, however, Perez says doctors have been able to control this cytokine storm and reduce COVID-19 impacts, such as respiratory distress.

As the cytokine storms really affect the lungs, mostly weve seen significant changes on oxygenation of people while we are delivering the cells, Perez said.

Weve seen very good responses on the patients that we have infused, and we have seen responses that lead to a reduction in the oxygen level [administered] by 50% of what they were using.

The studys results are still not ready to disclose, and Perez said the rate of research is contingent on the number of patients admitted to critical care units at partner facilities.

In that sense, he hopes the study will remain unfinished, due to a lack of severely ill patients.

I think the main limitation for faster development has been the lower number of patients that we have on intensive care units, he said.

The stem cell study has incorporated partners from several US universities, including Florida International University and University of South Dakota, and RESTEM, a California biotechnology company that develops treatments for degenerative and immune-system disorders.

Once the treatment has gone through the full development and approval process, Perez sees Cayman as one of the locations that could benefit from its use.

Well be absolutely happy [to bring] not only that treatment but any other form of treatment, to be there for the people of Cayman, Perez said.

During the 17 June press briefing, Caymans Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee mentioned another novel COVID-19 treatment, a steroid called dexamethasone, that is showing promise in the United Kingdom.

Its been shown to reduce deaths by up to a third and has already received approval for emergency use in the United Kingdom, Lee said, adding that he anticipates the drug will be approved and made available elsewhere.

The drug, developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, is the first treatment shown to aid severely ill COVID-19 patients. Similar to the stem-cell treatment being studied by Baptist Health, dexamethasone treatment aims to reduce the effects of cytokine storms and mitigate the potentially deadly impact of an uncontrolled immune-system response.

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The race is on to grow crops in seawater and feed millions – Wired.co.uk

Posted: June 21, 2020 at 11:46 pm

In December 2015, as representatives from United Nations member states were finalising what would become the Paris Agreement on climate change, Duncan Cameron stood before a crowd of delegates and warned them about an environmental catastrophe happening right beneath their feet.

A soil biologist and co-director of the University of Sheffields Institute for Sustainable Food, Cameron had long known that the amount of farmland capable of growing nutrient-rich crops was shrinking, but he didnt know how fast. For the previous year, Camerons team had analysed the scattershot data available on arable land loss, and what they found was disturbing: in the past four decades, the world lost up to one-third of its arable land to soil degradation and resulting erosion. Without alternatives, already fragile agricultural systems are on the verge of collapse, raising the prospect of a world filled with farms that cant grow enough food.

Its quite a terrifying amount, Cameron says. We hear that we can solve a lot of these problems in terms of food insecurity by wasting less and getting more efficient, but that isn't going to give us everything we need. Now, an emerging group of startups and researchers are convinced that answers to the impending food crisis may not lie on land at all instead theyre looking to the ocean and to feed future populations with crops grown on floating farms and fed by seawater.

These ambitious initiatives target a thorny mess of environmental and humanitarian issues freshwater and land scarcity, global hunger, crop security, and agricultures enormous carbon footprint amongst others but the scientific and logistical challenges they face are enormous. In a field where there are few easy answers, one problem looms above all others: what do we do about all the salt?

Soil scientists and farmers have waged war against salt for decades. As sea levels rise, salt levels are creeping up in the rivers and underground aquifers that irrigate fields particularly those low-lying areas close to vast river deltas. Across the world, farmland is drying out which raises salt levels and interferes with nutrient uptake and damages tissues. Excessive salt causes massive global crop loss an estimated 21.7 billion each year and that's expected to increase as factors like sea level rise and higher-intensity weather events driven by climate change push ocean water further into farmland, hitting the poorest coastal communities hardest.

Once there, salt requires significant resources to remove from soil the most common methods involve large amounts of freshwater, which is already scarce for an estimated four billion people worldwide sending researchers on a long-running race to find staple crops that can grow despite constantly increasing salinity. Several countries including China, India, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates have developed crop varieties that can withstand some soil salinity, but the real white whale is a staple crop that can thrive regardless of how much seawater is thrown at it.

In principle, it could be done, but it's complicated, says Exequiel Ezcurra, a plant ecologist at the University of California, Riverside who studies desert and ocean ecosystems. Ezcurra says that creating seawater-tolerant crops would require at least one, and possibly both, of the basic biological mechanisms plants like black mangroves have adapted to survive in salty waters. One mechanism is freshwater filtration in the roots, which for staple crops would require fundamentally altering the roots dermal tissue to keep salt out. The other is specialised glands in the leaves that excrete salt as the plant pumps seawater throughout its system.

Changing a staple crop to have either mechanism is a challenge so big, many researchers aim for far more modest gains in salt tolerance and arent yet gunning for crops that grow in straight seawater. Plant breeders have been working on salt-resistant crops for decades but in rice a crop notoriously sensitive to salinity even the most salt-resistant varieties cant cope with anything like the saltiness of seawater. I'm not saying that nobody will be able to do it. Probably somebody will at some point, Ezcurra says. I simply have never seen a patent or anybody being able to do that now.

Luke Young and Rory Hornby filed for a provisional patent in February for a technology they believe will break the seawater tolerance barrier. Young and Hornby are the cofounders of Agrisea, a Canadian startup thats working to develop gene-edited salt-tolerant crops with the goal of soon growing them in floating farms placed in sea-flooded plains or anchored directly in the ocean.

Agriseas proposed method involves first isolating stem cells from crops like rice, then using CRISPR gene editing technology to insert a DNA sequence specialised to the plant. The sequence targets one of eight different genes, each chosen because the only place in nature where all eight are switched on is in plants that have naturally adapted saltwater tolerance. The sequence alters how the gene expresses, then stem cells are grown into a full plant that produces its own seeds armed with the newly edited gene. Follow the same process for editing the remaining seven genes, and the Agrisea team says youll have a plant that can grow in the salty sea without fertiliser, freshwater, or pesticides.

Many researchers have edited single genes for salt tolerance, but editing a gene network is an approach Young and Hornby say are unique to Agrisea. But theyre not at the finish line yet.Thus far, Young and Hornby are working to grow rice plants in water one-third the salinity of seawater and plan to have small farms floating off the shores of Kenya and Grand Bahama Island by the end of the year. Young says that hes confident the process will work because similar strategies have been used in the past to gene edit plants for other traits and because I'm not proving something, I'm copying something. I'm copying what nature has already been able to do.

Julia Bailey-Serres, director of the Center for Plant Cell Biology at the University of California, Riverside, studies crop resilience and the molecular physiology of rice. She says that researchers routinely edit plants to knock out a genes function, but editing in a way that changes specific amino acids, which likely would be required for growing crops in the ocean, has only been done by a few researchers worldwide and not yet for the purposes of salt tolerance. That more granular type of editing will become more feasible in the future, she says, but I don't know if thats going to be in two years or 10 years.

Bailey-Serres adds that she would be excited to see Agrisea succeed and that any tolerance increases beyond one-third ocean salinity would be a huge win in places like Vietnam and Bangladesh where rice paddies are bombarded with seawater.

Agriseas approach to arable land scarcity relies on cracking the salt tolerance problem, but other teams are opting to sidestep the issue entirely. Floating farms that reduce demand for arable land have long been key to survival in many non-Western nations. These crops thrive in freshwater bodies like Myanmars Inle Lake, which locals have relied on for food possibly since as early as the nineteenth century in buoyant beds that bob along the surface as monsoons and floods sweep through. Floating farms have also gained interest in Western cities. Over the last few years, research groups and architectural firms in the UK, Spain, and Italy amongst others have produced designs for floating vertical farms and greenhouses that suck up seawater from the outside and desalinate it to nourish hydroponic crops grown inside.

These projects push crops out into the ocean, but Yanik Nybergs strategy is to bring the ocean in. Instead of making new space for crops offshore, Nybergs Scotland-based company Seawater Solutions takes degraded coastal farmland, seeds it with naturally salt-tolerant herbs like samphire and sea blite, then floods the area by removing seawalls or pumping in water from the ocean to create an artificial salt marsh. In this new wetland ecosystem, crops grow without fertilisers, pesticides, or freshwater. They also hold soil in place, preventing erosion, and feed on nitrates and carbon, both of which over-accumulate in waters near human populations due to factors like agricultural runoff and CO2 emissions. A solar-powered irrigation system recycles the remediated water back to its original source.

Seawater Solutions currently operates six marsh farms in Scotland and a handful of developing countries, including a nascent initiative to create a marsh farm in the middle of a desert in Malawi by tapping underground saltwater aquifers. These projects are small most around 10,000 square meters and are limited to global food markets that are much tinier than those for staple crops.

Duncan Cameron says that there isn't one right answer. Since the 2015 Paris climate talks, Camerons team has attacked arable land loss from a multitude of angles, including monitoring nutrients in soil, forecasting the agricultural impact of urban green spaces, and building a hydroponic greenhouse in Oman that relies on desalinated water pumped in from the ocean. Solving arable land scarcity will require novel approaches all focused around giving the worlds tired soil a much-needed break. We've got to take pressure off it somehow, he says.

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Researchers identify environmental components that affect gene expression in cardiovascular disease – The South End

Posted: June 21, 2020 at 11:43 pm

A research team led by Francesca Luca, Ph.D., associate professor of Wayne State Universitys Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, has published a study that annotated environmental components that can increase or decrease disease risk through changes in gene expression in 43 genes that could exacerbate or buffer the genetic risk for cardiovascular disease. Their results highlight the importance of evaluating genetic risk in the context of gene-environment interactions to improve precision medicine.

Interpreting Coronary Artery Disease Risk Through GeneEnvironment Interactions in Gene Regulation was published in Genetics, the journal of the Genetics Society of America.

The study, said Dr. Luca, also of the WSU Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, illustrates that combining genome-wide molecular data with large-scale population-based studies is a powerful approach to investigate how genes and the environment interact to influence risk of cardiovascular disease.

By identifying regions of DNA important for endothelial cell response to different common environmental exposures, the researchers discovered that caffeine can influence the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study demonstrates the potentially beneficial and/or detrimental effects of certain environmental exposures on the cardiovascular disease risk differ depending on individual DNA sequence.

The study focused on cardiovascular disease, Dr. Luca said, because it is the leading cause of death, both in the United States and worldwide. Also, the disease is highly multifactorial, with large contributions from both environmental and genetic risk factors. By treating endothelial cells under a controlled environment, we can discover how these genetic and environmental risk factors influence each other at the molecular level, she said. Our lab has developed expertise in cardiovascular research, with additional projects using endothelial cells to develop new assays to test the regulatory activity of genetic variants. The approach outlined in this paper can be applied to many different diseases; for example, our lab has also focused on how bacteria in the human gut affect gene expression in the colon, and also on the effect of psychosocial stress on asthma.

While the work identified regions of the genome important for how endothelial cells respond to the environment and can influence the risk of cardiovascular disease, the researchers do not yet know exactly which genetic variants are directly responsible. A former graduate student, Cynthia Kalita, developed an assay to test thousands of genetic variants for gene regulatory activity. The researchers can test the variants discovered in their study using that assay to validate and explore the mechanisms by which they exert their effects, Dr. Luca said. They also are developing computational/statistical methods that can yield better personalized risk scores.

We have extended our approach to study cardiomyocytes, which are the muscle cells of the heart. Healthy heart tissue is difficult to obtain, so we have collaborated with researchers at the University of Chicago to derive cardiomyocytes from stem cells, Dr. Luca said. This will allow us to shift our focus from the vasculature to the heart itself, where we can study diseases like cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias.

As the cost of DNA sequencing continues to decrease, Dr. Luca expects that genetic testing will play a greater role in preventive health care. To fully realize the potential of precision medicine, we need to consider both genetic and environmental risk factors of disease, and how they interact. While there are already direct-to-consumer tests that prescribe an individualized diet based on DNA, these products currently offer no demonstrated clinical value. However, with very large numbers of individuals for whom we have both DNA sequencing and information on diet and lifestyle, we may one day be able to offer better recommendations.

Others involved in the study included Anthony Findley, an M.D./Ph.D. student; Allison Richards, Ph.D., a research scientist; Cristiano Petrini, of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics; Adnan Alazizi, lab manager; Elizabeth Doman, of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics; Alexander Shanku, Ph.D., research scientist; Gordon Davis, of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics; Nancy Hauff, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Yoram Sorokin, M.D., professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Xiaoquan Wen, of the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Michigan; and Roger Pique-Regi, Ph.D., associate professor of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, and of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

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Surrozen reloads with $50M for final dash to the clinic, shines some light on lead Wnt-modulating candidates – Endpoints News

Posted: June 20, 2020 at 6:49 pm

Two rounds totalling $83 million have propelled Surrozen through preclinical proof-of-concept, culminating in two antibody candidates modulating the Wnt pathway for tissue regeneration. Now, the South San Francisco biotech is topping up $50 million to complete the sprint to the clinic.

One of the two IND candidates targets liver disease while the other will be initially positioned for inflammatory bowel disease. With the cash infusion, Surrozen can also pursue more discovery projects in different tissues and areas.

Our goal is to file IND applications in 2021 and 2022, CEO Craig Parker said in a statement, 5 and 6 years after the company first set out to catch and push a second wave of regenerative medicine.

Christopher Garcia and Roeland Nusse, two Stanford professors, provided some of the scientific legs for the company. Aside from its role in cancer, Wnt a portmanteau integrating Wingless and Int-1 signaling is also key to the control of cell development and regeneration, but the instability means they are hard to manufacture. As Nusse elucidated crucial aspects of Wnt biology, Garcia inspired the idea to activate or enhance response to endogenous Wnts, through either bispecific or antibody-based molecules.

While it has long been known that the Wnt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the maintenance and self-renewal of stem cells in a variety of tissues, scientists had been unable to overcome the technical challenges inherent in developing a therapeutic based on Wnt signaling, Nusse, the Virginia and Daniel K. Ludwig Professor of Cancer Research and Professor of Developmental Biology, said. I am hopeful that Surrozens approach to modulating the Wnt pathway, with the flexibility to address insufficient endogenous Wnt or insufficient receptors, may someday lead to therapeutics that have the potential to repair damaged tissue.

Claudia Janda, a postdoc at Garcias lab whos since moved on to the Princess Mxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, remains a scientific advisor alongside Princess Mxima director Hans Clevers and Stanfords Calvin Kuo.

Both tech platforms were represented in the lead nominated candidates.

SZN-043 was designed on SWEETS, or Surrozen Wnt signal enhancers engineered for tissue specificity. Through stabilizing the Frizzled receptors that Wnt proteins signal through, the compound was shown to stimulate hepatocyte proliferation in the liver and reduce fibrosis something that should be helpful in conditions like severe acute alcoholic hepatitis or even cirrhosis.

The possibilities are almost endless, with Surrozen spelling out potential applications in NASH and decompensated liver disease.

SZN-1326, meanwhile, was born out of SWAP (Surrozen Wnt signal activating proteins). The molecule binds to Frizzled receptors directly and should stimulate regeneration of intestinal epithelial cells. Researchers also noted anti-inflammatory effects in animal models.

It is still a ways from human data. But old investors are returning to take that leap with Surrozen, including The Column Group, Hartford Healthcare Trust and Horizons Ventures. Euclidian Capital and three other new believers are jumping on board.

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African farmers yearn for biotechnology in the face of climate change – Alliance for Science

Posted: June 20, 2020 at 6:46 pm

Southern Africa is on the receiving end of the devastating impact of climate change, driving millions into hunger.

A record 45 million people mostly women and children in the 16-nation Southern African Development Community are gravely food insecure following repeated drought, widespread flooding and economic disarray, according to the WFP.

Countries like Zambia have been the hardest hit, with 2.3 million people affected as a result of the drought experienced during the 2018/19 growing season. Recently, some parts of the country experienced extensive flooding, which submerged agricultural land.

The magnitude of the problem in this part of the world has reached unprecedented levels, creating a threat to peace, security and stability. At the centre of this catastrophe are the small-scale farmers.

Small-scale farmers in this part of the world are critical because they grow food for household consumption, as well generate income for their local communities.

It is against this backdrop that agricultural biotechnology is gaining support from researchers and small-scale farmers who are struggling to recover from floods and droughts. The most significant advantages of genetically modified (GM) crops to small-scale farmers include environmental protection,boosting food production andsustaining rural livelihoods.

In a telephone interview, Sunday Chileya, a smal-lscale farmer based in the northern part of Zambia, expressed worry over food security as a result of the floods that have wiped out his entire field.

I dont know how I am going to feed my family because everything that I planted has gone, Chileya said.

Chileya, who has some basic knowledge of agricultural biotechnology, said the adoption of the technology was the only solution, owing to recurring floods and droughts that have led to crop failure.

I have an idea of what agricultural biotechnology is and the benefits, so why not promote it to help farmers like me? he asked.

Chileya pointed out that there is need to promote the adoption of the technology if small-scale farmers like him are to continue surviving

The climate keeps changing and so should our ways of farming so that we can survive the effects of climate change, Chileya said.

Experts such as Dr. Kalaluka Munyinda, a University of Zambia (UNZA) lecturer and researcher, say agricultural biotechnology is a significant technology that will help small-scale farmers who have been adversely affected by climate change.

Agricultural biotechnology is safe, he said. We are now experiencing extreme events when it comes to the weather and we can use this technology to develop crop varieties that will withstand any weather pattern.

In order to adapt to and mitigate the devastating impact of climate change, there is a need to encourage the use of agricultural biotechnology, Munyinda said.

We are now experiencing situations where pests and diseases are appearing whether its warm or cold and they are spreading rapidly, Munyinda said.

He emphasized that agricultural biotechnology has significant advantages, contrary to the fears that have been created around the technology.

You see as result of using this technology the use of pesticides harmful to our environment is reduced, Munyinda said, noting that other biotech crops will reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers that contribute to a rise in greenhouse gases.

He reiterated that small-scale farmers are on the receiving hand of climate change.

Small-scale farmers feed us, he said, adding that 90 percent of the maize we consume is grown by small-scale farmers. So if they get affected we wont eat.

He said the Department of Crop Science at the University of Zambia has been working on maize, finger millet, cowpea and beans using biotechnology and he is hopeful that these will benefit small-scale farmers.

Benedict Tembo, an environmental reporter and editor at the Zambia Daily Mail, said agricultural biotechnology has benefits, contrary to the conspiracies peddled by certain groups with unknown agendas.

Fears that agricultural biotechnology is harmful are totally unfounded, he said. Right now, our region is facing the brunt of climate change and there is need to utilize technology that will help our farmers.

Tembo pointed out that Zambia and some other African countries are missing out on an opportunity to introduce pest-resistant Bt cotton, for example, to fight the pests and diseases that are prevalent in Zambia and other countries across the continent.

Agricultural biotechnology increases productivity, which means small-scale farmers will be able to take care of their families and strengthen their financial capacity, he said.

Tembocalled on journalists, who are on the frontlines in disseminating information to people, to report accurately on the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.

An enlightened journalist is an asset to society, which looks up to him/her for the provision of quality, accurate and timely information on the demystification of myths around biotechnology, he said.

Image: Shutterstock

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Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market 2020 Key Players, Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2026 – Cole of Duty

Posted: June 20, 2020 at 6:46 pm

New Jersey, United States,- The report is a must-have for business strategists, participants, consultants, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and other interested parties associated with the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market. It is also a highly useful resource for those looking to foray into the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market. Besides Porters Five Forces and SWOT analysis, it offers detailed value chain assessment, comprehensive study on market dynamics including drivers, restraints, and opportunities, recent trends, and industry performance analysis. Furthermore, it digs deep into critical aspects of key subjects such as market competition, regional growth, and market segmentation so that readers could gain sound understanding of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market.

The research study is a brilliant account of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors influencing the growth of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market. This will help market players to make appropriate changes in their approach toward attaining growth and sustaining their position in the industry. The Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market is segmented as per type of product, application, and geography. Each segment is evaluated in great detail so that players can focus on high-growth areas of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market and increase their sales growth. Even the competitive landscape is shed light upon for players to build powerful strategies and give a tough competition to other participants in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market.

The competitive analysis included in the report helps readers to become aware of unique characteristics of the vendor landscape and crucial factors impacting the market competition. It is a very important tool that players need to have in their arsenal for cementing a position of strength in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market. Using this report, players can use effective business tactics to attract customers and improve their growth in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market. The study provides significant details about the competitive landscape and allows players to prepare for future challenges beforehand.

Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market Segmentation

This market has been divided into types, applications and regions. The growth of each segment provides a precise calculation and forecast of sales by type and application, in terms of volume and value for the period between 2020 and 2026. This analysis can help you develop your business by targeting qualified niche markets. . Market share data are available at global and regional levels. The regions covered by the report are North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa and Latin America. Research analysts understand competitive forces and provide competitive analysis for each competitor separately.

Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market by Type:

YYYY

Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market by Application:

ZZZZ

Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market by Region:

North America (The USA, Canada, and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, the UK, and Rest of Europe)Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, and Rest of Asia Pacific)Latin America (Brazil and Rest of Latin America.)Middle East &Africa (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

The report answers important questions that companies may have when operating in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market. Some of the questions are given below:

What will be the size of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market in 2026?

What is the current CAGR of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market?

What products have the highest growth rates?

Which application is projected to gain a lions share of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market?

Which region is foretold to create the most number of opportunities in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market?

Which are the top players currently operating in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market?

How will the market situation change over the next few years?

What are the common business tactics adopted by players?

What is the growth outlook of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market?

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Get complete understanding of general market scenarios and future market situations to prepare for rising above the challenges and ensuring strong growth

The report offers in-depth research and various tendencies of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market

It provides detailed analysis of changing market trends, current and future technologies used, and various strategies adopted by leading players of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market

It offers recommendations and advice for new entrants of the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market and carefully guides established players for further market growth

Apart from hottest technological advances in the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market, it brings to light the future plans of dominant players in the industry

Table of Contents

Market Overview: This section comes under executive summary and is divided into four sub-sections. It basically introduces the Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals market while focusing on market size by revenue and production, market segments by type, application, and region, and product scope.

Competition by Manufacturers: It includes five sub-sections, viz. market competitive situation and trends, manufacturers products, areas served, and production sites, average price by manufacturers, revenue share by manufacturers, and production share by manufacturers.

Market Share by Region: It provides regional market shares by production and revenue besides giving details about gross margin, price, and other factors related to the growth of regional markets studied in the report. The review period considered here is 2015-2019.

Company Profiles: Each player is assessed for its market growth in terms of different factors such as markets served, gross margin, price, revenue, production, product specification, and areas served.

Manufacturing Cost Analysis: It is sub-divided into four chapters, viz. industrial chain analysis, manufacturing process analysis, manufacturing cost structure, and key raw materials analysis.

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Nanoparticles in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals Market 2020 Key Players, Share, Trend, Segmentation and Forecast to 2026 - Cole of Duty

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Agricultural Biotechnology Market Analysis and In-depth Research on Forecast 2018-2025 – 3rd Watch News

Posted: June 20, 2020 at 6:46 pm

Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market Research Report 20182025 is a historical overview and in-depth study on the current & future market of the Agricultural Biotechnology industry. The report represents a basic overview of the market status, competitor segment with a basic introduction of key vendors, top regions, product types and end industries. This report gives a historical overview of the market trends, growth, revenue, capacity, cost structure, and key drivers analysis.

The report is an exhaustive analysis of this market across the world. It offers an overview of the market including its definition, applications, key drivers, key market players, key segments, and manufacturing technology. In addition, the study presents statistical data on the status of the market and hence is a valuable source of guidance for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Additionally, detailed insights on the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and market shares for key vendors are presented in the report.

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The total market is further segmented based on company, country, and application/type for competitive landscape analysis. On the contrary, information on industry chain structure, emerging applications, and technological developments in the market makes the report a must-read document.

The report reveals detailed information about the global key players as well as some small players of the Agricultural Biotechnology sector.

Target Audience of the Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market in Market Study:Key Consulting Companies & AdvisorsLarge, medium-sized, and small enterprisesVenture capitalistsValue-Added Resellers (VARs)Third-party knowledge providersInvestment bankersInvestors

These insights help determine the strength of competition and take the necessary steps to obtain a leading position in the Agricultural Biotechnology industry.

Additionally, the research provides a detailed analysis of the key segments of the market with the help of charts and tables. An overview of each market segment such as type, application, and region are also provided in the report. These insights help in understanding the global trends in the Agricultural Biotechnology industry and form strategies to be implemented in the future.

The regional analysis of global Agricultural Biotechnology market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading/significant region across the world in terms of market share owing to the high disposable income coupled with rising trend of interior designing in the region. Whereas, Asia-Pacific is also anticipated to exhibit highest growth rate / CAGR over the forecast period 20182025

Our analysis involves the study of the market taking into consideration the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please get in touch with us to get your hands on exhaustive coverage of the impact of the current situation on the market. Our expert team of analysts will provide as per report customized to your requirement. For more connect with us at [emailprotected] or call toll free: +1-800-910-6452

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Key Market Segments

The key players profiled in this report includeBayer AG, Dowdupont Inc., Syngenta AG, BASF SE, Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd., Certis USA LLC, Evogene Ltd., KWS SAAT SE, Monsanto Company, Vilmorin & CIE, and so on.

The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study.

Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players.

The study clearly reveals that the Agricultural Biotechnology industry has attained remarkable growth since 20182025. This research report is prepared based on an in-depth analysis of the market by experts. As a final point, stakeholders, investors, product managers, marketing executives, and other professionals seeking unbiased data on supply, demand, and future forecasts would find the report valuable.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market Definition and ScopeChapter 2. Research MethodologyChapter 3. Executive SummaryChapter 4. Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market DynamicsChapter 5. Agricultural Biotechnology Market, by ComponentChapter 6. Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market, by ServicesChapter 7. Global Agricultural Biotechnology Market, by Organization SizeChapter 8. Agricultural Biotechnology Market, by VerticalChapter 9. Agricultural Biotechnology Market, by Regional AnalysisChapter 10. Competitive Intelligence

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Agricultural Biotechnology Market Analysis and In-depth Research on Forecast 2018-2025 - 3rd Watch News

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