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Category Archives: Epigenetics

What is schizophrenia? Common myths and misconceptions around the mental illness – The Mirror

Posted: July 27, 2022 at 2:55 am

In England, approximately one adult in every 100 lives with a schizophrenia diagnosis. Despite this, there are several myths and misconceptions surrounding the mental health condition

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Society has evolved in many ways, but certain things continue to remain taboo. Schizophrenia is one mental health condition that's been stigmatised and misunderstood.

Every year on National Schizophrenia Awareness Day, which is marked on July 25, the charity Rethink Mental Illness aims to break the stigma around the diagnosis and raise awareness on what it's like to live with the illness.

Dr John Read , professor in clinical psychology at the University of East London and editor of the scientific journal Psychosis and author of Models of Madness: Psychological, Social and Biological Approaches to Psychosis (Routledge), explains the most common myths and misconceptions around schizophrenia.

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Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental health condition which causes a range of psychological symptoms.

Some symptoms of the condition including hallucinations - hearing or seeing things that do not exist outside of the mind - delusions, muddled thoughts, disinterest in everyday activities, withdrawing from people and social isolation.

Doctors often describe the illness as a type of psychosis, which means a person may not always be distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.

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Here are six common myths and misconceptions about schizophrenia, according to expert Dr John Read.

There is a common perception that those with schizophrenia have a tendency towards violence. Dr Read explains that having schizophrenia does not make someone more violent than other people.

However, they are more at risk of harming themselves, he says: "It does make them more likely to commit suicide and be the victims of violent crimes."

It's often believed that there is a strong genetic component for schizophrenia. However, Dr Read reveals there's little evidence to back up this theory.

He explains: "Researchers have been looking for "schizophrenic" genes for 50-years. What they should be focussing on is epigenetics, the science of how our social environment turns our genes on and off."

Though a common belief suggests that schizophrenia is not related to adverse events in childhood, many studies have proven otherwise.

Studies show that child abuse and bullying are strongly predictive of psychosis in later life. Dr Reads adds:"Adults diagnosed with schizophrenia have often experienced some form of trauma as a child and or adult."

Having schizophrenia doesn't mean that someone has split personality - that is dissociative identity disorder. Both of these are two different mental health conditions.

Schizophrenia is a form of psychosis, usually characterised by hallucinations and/or delusion and other symptoms of psychosis.

There is no evidence for the theory that schizophrenia is caused by an overactive dopamine system, except for those people who might be on antipsychotic drugs, which can cause overactivity.

In most cases, schizophrenia is caused by adverse life experiences, both in childhood and adulthood.

Schizophrenia is a long-term condition, but it is treatable and many people can recover from the condition - even if they may have relapses of symptoms occasionally - if given proper psychological therapy and social support.

If schizophrenia is well managed, it's even possible to reduce the chance of severe relapses.

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What gene changes and blood could tell us about the opioid crisis – UCI News

Posted: July 19, 2022 at 2:14 am

Irvine, Calif., July 14, 2022 The role of gene alterations resulting from childhood adversity in adults addicted to heroin and a search for blood tests to predict addiction vulnerability are part of sweeping research that scientists are launching at the University of California, Irvine.

The nearly $3.5 million five-year project to understand the opioid crisis is a collaboration of the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine, as well as the Irvine Center for Addiction Neuroscience. The National Institute on Drug Abuse is funding the work through an initiative to encourage research innovation.

Researchers will examine how early-life adversity influences epigenetics, or experience-induced changes in gene expression, and how they affect the likelihood of adult addiction.

We want to see how these epigenetic alterations interact with the heroin experience and if there are sex differences in these processes, said lead principal investigator Stephen Mahler, associate professor of neurobiology & behavior and a fellow in the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.

For example, what happens upon using opioid drugs might be different between people who had scarcity of resources or chaotic environments as children and those who didnt, Mahler said. This could account for why some people become addicted to these drugs, while others dont.

He noted that earlier research shows opioid-addicted women were more likely than men to have experienced stressful circumstances as children, such as those resulting from growing up amid early-life adversity.

Examining the bloods capacity for revealing the propensity for addiction and other mental disorders is also part of the study. This work centers on extracellular vesicles, which are cell-produced droplets containing proteins and microRNAs. Researchers will compare these vesicles in blood samples and cerebral spinal fluid of rodents to learn if those in the blood hold clues about an individuals risk of addiction or other mental disorders. If so, it could mean blood screening can provide information about the brain that helps prevent and treat addiction and related conditions.

Gaining a better understanding of an individuals epigenetics and brain activity opens up powerful new possibilities, said Mahler. As an example, if someone suffers a broken leg and it is determined they are susceptible to addiction, they can be given an alternative treatment for pain. For people already dependent on opioids, we may be able to develop precise treatments that target the genetic activity causing the addiction.

Numerous other inquiries will also take place as part of the research project. Serving as principal investigators are Christie Fowler, associate professor of neurobiology & behavior and fellow, CNLM; Vivek Swarup, assistant professor of neurobiology & behavior; and Dr. Tallie Z. Baram, distinguished professor of pediatrics, anatomy & neurobiology and neurology, Danette Shepard Professor of Neurological Sciences, and fellow, CNLM. Marcelo Wood, professor of neurobiology & behavior and fellow, CNLM, is co-investigator.

Nearly 50,000 people nationwide died from opioid-related overdoses in 2019, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It calls opioid misuse and addiction a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare.

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About UCIs Brilliant Future campaign:Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence instudent success, health and wellness, research and more. TheSchool of Biological Sciences and School of Medicine play a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/school-of-biological-sciences/ andhttps://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-medicine/.

About the University of California, Irvine:Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nations top 10 public universities byU.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. Its located in one of the worlds safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange Countys second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.For more on UCI, visitwww.uci.edu.

Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.

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Epigenetics Is The Key To Treating Complex Diseases; Dr. Nirmalya Saha Is Using It To Unlock Cancer Treatment And More – EconoTimes

Posted: July 19, 2022 at 2:14 am

Written by: James Carnell

Dr. Nirmalya Saha

If all the DNA molecules that make up a single person were lightbulbs, epigenetic modulators would be the light switch. While it is factual that our DNA plays a large role in our personal makeup, overall health, and body functionality, the picture is much more complex. Even while in utero, developing fetuses can experience epigenetic changes that play a major role in what that future persons makeup will be. While many of these changes are a normal part of development and will continue to happen over time, epigenetic modulators can also trigger internal changes that are linked to serious diseases, such as cancer.

As a molecular biologist, Dr. Nirmalya Saha has dedicated his career to understanding the role epigenetic changes play in Leukemia and how these complex factors present themselves throughout the course of specific cancers. While his work is largely focused on the oncology space, Dr. Saha recognizes just how powerful epigenetics can be. If these light switches can cause disease in an otherwise healthy person, they might just be the secret to fighting a disease once it has become a reality.

Dr. Sahas Impact on the Epigenetics Space

Though the importance of epigenetics is becoming more widely known, often emphasized by new studies and medical research advancements, many professionals in the molecular biology field have begun to examine its role in certain body functions. For Dr. Saha, the focus has been on developing an understanding of how important the epigenetic regulator PRMT5 is in Acute Myeloid Leukemia as well as unpacking the dynamic between SETDB1 and suppressing Leukemia. These studies are about more than understanding a complex relationship; they are about finding a solution for diseases that take lives.

Acute Leukemia with MLL rearrangement makes up about 5-10% of cases in adults and a shocking 70% of cases in infants. This disease straps those affected with a devastating prognosis and low chances of survival. With Dr. Sahas research, its becoming more likely that science can create a novel inhibitor molecule to treat the disease and offer patients a better outlook. Even if his work stopped here, with this subset of patients, it would be extraordinary, but it goes much further.

The Future of Epigenetics

Epigenetic therapies can fight against many forms of cancer, completely revolutionizing the toolkit doctors and patients have access to when battling different types of the disease. If these therapies are effective for one subset of diseases, there is so much potential to develop similar therapies for a plethora of disease categories. The work Dr. Saha and other molecular biologists are doing right now will be the difference between a future patient living and dying, growing old to see their families flourish or being taken too soon.

Aside from treating diseases, epigenetics plays a large role in understanding how each body works on an individual level, almost providing a fingerprint of each person. Armed with this knowledge, epigenetic researchers are making leaps and bounds in the space of personalized medicine. If we can determine how a persons body will react to different factors, its possible to mitigate potential dangers and get ahead of medical problems before they even start.

The Future of Dr. Saha

Though he has already provided astounding research, advancing the molecular biology field and propelling medical capabilities, Dr. Saha does not seem to be slowing down. As his research uncovers more powerful information, he is reminded of why he started this career to begin with: to help people.

Today, Dr. Saha is a committed teacher and mentor, working in the Department of Pathology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His work has been featured in renowned publications such as BBA-Reviews on Cancer, Stem Cell Reports, and BMC Genomics. As an active member of the American Association of Cancer Research and the Sigma Xi Honor Society, Dr. Saha will continue on his path to saving lives through research.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes

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Heatstroke stresses the body years after the original heat illness – University of Florida

Posted: July 19, 2022 at 2:14 am

This summer, huge swaths of the U.S. have already faced record-breaking heat waves. Heat kills more people than any other extreme weather event, and deadly heat waves are getting longer and hotter as the climate warms.

Staying cool and informed is essential. So we spoke with Thomas Clanton, a professor of applied physiology and kinesiology at the University of Florida and an expert in the effects of heat on the body, about how to recognize heat illness and the long-term consequences of this kind of stress.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you notice signs of heatstroke in a person, call 911 immediately.

It's a really broad spectrum. At the lowest end is heat exhaustion, and on the more extreme end we have heatstroke. The difference is really the presence of neurological symptoms in heatstroke. Throughout the spectrum, mild to severe injury to liver, heart, kidney and muscle can be present. So, you can have heat exhaustion and you're probably still thinking pretty well, but you know you're hot. You try to get out of the heat and you're functional. However, heatstroke victims can go unconscious, lose motor control or become delirious, so their ability to respond is limited.

Clinically, a person would be diagnosed with heatstroke if they have a temperature above 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and also exhibit central nervous system symptoms.

Other signs that people notice include pallor (paleness) of the skin. Whereas profuse sweating is a normal reaction to heat, at the extremes of heatstroke the sweat response doesn't work as well, and the skin can become dry. If you begin to notice these signs, get into the shade, drink plenty of water and move to a reclined position. If ice bags or wet towels are available, place them under the arms, on the neck and along the groin regions. If any unusual neurological symptoms develop, get medical assistance immediately.

A lot of times people in the heat exhaustion range may not know they are getting heat illness. I think that's one of the concepts worth emphasizing. Besides just feeling hot, an individual may feel a little woozy or just not themselves. When this occurs, and they are not well hydrated, they can move quickly to conditions of heatstroke. Heatstroke can develop rapidly and it often mistaken for just normal overheating and exhaustion, so it pays to be aware of the clinical symptoms and to act quickly.

Absolutely. A buddy can get help, call the ambulance, right? And you can help each other stay healthy. Coaches can play this role during workouts and team players up. I play golf in the summer, and my partner and I make sure each other drinks plenty of water and stays in the shade whenever possible. We bring wet towels for our shoulders. These techniques are really effective and pretty simple.

We rightfully worry about people dying from heatstroke. But the evidence in the last few years is extremely good that some people who experience heatstroke may have medical consequences that can affect them the rest of their life.

The field has documented changes in the immune system of humans and animals years after a heatstroke. Heatstroke victims also have a greater frequency of developing chronic heart disease and kidney diseases later in life.

In the animals I study,we see evidence of epigenetic changesthat likely explain some of these long-term effects. Epigenetics is kind of cellular memory. So at a cellular level, cells have their own way of remembering if they've been exposed to severe stresses in the environment, which can help them respond over time by altering their cellular responsiveness. Cells imprint this memory by using enzymes that chemically tag their DNA. This memory is often helpful and can be adaptive, but can also be maladaptive if the stress is severe.

We certainly see strong epigenetic signals in the hearts, immune cells and skeletal muscle of mice one month after heatstroke. The mice look fine, their hearts look fine, but later they begin to develop metabolic disorders and other secondary effects. We believe that many of these epigenetic changes are maladaptive and make the animals less able to withstand additional stresses in their environment or to fight off other chronic forms of disease. Once we understand this in our animal models, we hope to develop approaches in humans that will help them ward off the development of these long term consequences to severe heat exposures.

Eric Hamilton July 18, 2022

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Omega Therapeutics Announces FDA Clearance of IND Application for OTX-2002, First Omega Epigenomic Controller, for MYC Driven Hepatocellular Carcinoma…

Posted: July 19, 2022 at 2:14 am

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Omega Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OMGA) ("Omega"), today announced that it has received clearance of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase 1/2, first-in-human, clinical study of OTX-2002 for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OTX-2002, an Omega Epigenomic Controller (OEC), is designed to downregulate c-Myc (MYC) expression pre-transcriptionally through epigenetic modulation while potentially overcoming MYC autoregulation.

"We are thrilled to obtain clearance to advance OTX-2002 into the clinic and are excited about the prospects of what this new class of medicines may mean for patients in need," said Mahesh Karande, President and Chief Executive Officer of Omega Therapeutics. "This is an important milestone for our company, representing our first program to receive FDA clearance to enter the clinic and the first ever clinical trial to evaluate an epigenomic controller. This new class of programmable mRNA therapeutics leverages our groundbreaking science and has broad potential applicability in many therapeutic areas."

About OTX-2002

OTX-2002 is a first-in-class Omega Epigenomic Controller in development for the treatment of HCC. OTX-2002 is an mRNA therapeutic delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and is designed to downregulate MYC expression pre-transcriptionally through epigenetic modulation while potentially overcoming MYC autoregulation. The MYC oncogene is associated with aggressive disease in up to ~70% of patients with HCC. An IND application for OTX-2002 has been cleared by the FDA.

About Omega Therapeutics

Omega Therapeutics, founded by Flagship Pioneering, a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering the first systematic approach to use mRNA therapeutics as a new class of programmable epigenetic medicines. The company's OMEGA Epigenomic Programming platform harnesses the power of epigenetics, the mechanism that controls gene expression and every aspect of an organism's life from cell genesis, growth, and differentiation to cell death. Using a suite of technologies, paired with Omega's process of systematic, rational, and integrative drug design, the OMEGA platform enables control of fundamental epigenetic processes to correct the root cause of disease by returning aberrant gene expression to a normal range without altering native nucleic acid sequences. Omega's modular and programmable mRNA medicines, Omega Epigenomic Controllers, target specific epigenomic loci within insulated genomic domains, EpiZips, from amongst thousands of unique, mapped, and validated genome-wide DNA-sequences, with high specificity to durably tune single or multiple genes to treat and cure diseases through Precision Genomic Control. Omega is currently advancing a broad pipeline of development candidates spanning a range of disease areas, including oncology, regenerative medicine, multigenic diseases including immunology, and select monogenic diseases, including alopecia.

For more information, visit omegatherapeutics.com, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding our product candidate pipeline, including efficacy, trial design, regulatory submissions, approvals and timing thereof, the launch of a clinical trial of OTX-2002 and timing thereof, and the filing of future IND applications and timing thereof. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the novel technology on which our product candidates are based makes it difficult to predict the time and cost of preclinical and clinical development and subsequently obtaining regulatory approval, if at all; the substantial development and regulatory risks associated with epigenomic controller machines due to the novel and unprecedented nature of this new category of medicines; our limited operating history; the incurrence of significant losses and the fact that we expect to continue to incur significant additional losses for the foreseeable future; our need for substantial additional financing; our investments in research and development efforts that further enhance the OMEGA platform, and their impact on our results; uncertainty regarding preclinical development, especially for a new class of medicines such as epigenomic controllers; the fact that our product candidates may be associated with serious adverse events, undesirable side effects or have other properties that could halt their regulatory development, prevent their regulatory approval, limit their commercial potential, or result in significant negative consequences; the impact of increased demand for the manufacture of mRNA and LNP based vaccines to treat COVID-19 on our development plans; difficulties manufacturing the novel technology on which our OEC candidates are based; our ability to adapt to rapid and significant technological change; our reliance on third parties for the manufacture of materials; our ability to successfully acquire and establish our own manufacturing facilities and infrastructure; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for lipid excipients used in our product candidates; our ability to advance our product candidates to clinical development; and our ability to obtain, maintain, enforce and adequately protect our intellectual property rights. These and other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and our other filings with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change.

Contacts

Investor contact: Kevin MurphyArgot Partners212.600.1902[emailprotected]

Media contact: Jason BracoLifeSci Communications646.751.4361[emailprotected]

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Genetics proposes, epigenetics disposes: how our approach to human health changes in the 21st century and how CRISPR-Cas is involved – Digital Journal

Posted: June 22, 2022 at 2:35 am

Los Angeles, California, United States 06-16-2022 (PR Distribution)

Change your lifestyle and you will initiate a chain of biochemical changes that will imperceptibly but steadily help you and, possibly, all your descendants until the end of their lifeon Earth. This quote belongs to German neurophysiologist P.Spork, who considers epigenetics the breakthrough science that will spearhead progress in the 21st century.

The Greek prefix epi-means over or upon; in other words, we are dealing with something that goes above genetics. It is hardly possible to overestimate the role epigenetic mechanisms play in embryonic development: specialized cells of an adult body grow from embryonic cells sharing the same DNA. Scientists think that genetic activity responds to external stimuli, such as stress levels, physical activities, and diurnal rhythms.

In case epigenetics has already done its dirty deed, it is still possible to use the molecular scissors of the CRISPR/Cas gene editing system, first described by Japanese scientist Y. Ishino.

In nature, CRISPR/Cas is the adaptive immune system used by bacteria to countervarious pathogens. It has the following work principle: once a bacterium gets attacked by a virus,its specialized Cas proteins quickly cut out parts of the virus and insert them into the CRISPR cassette in a certain order.The purpose of this process is to learn the face of the enemy and develop a specialized immune response.

Soon, scientists started to hope they could use the CRISPR-Cas9 system of Streptococcus bacteria to edit genomes of other organisms and fight genetic disorders. CRISPR-Cas9 is already used for treating various diseases. In spring 2020, scientists reported on the first intraretinalinjection of a modified virus to a patient suffering from Leber congenital amaurosis (a disease that causes blindness). The new method involves point base editing of RPE65 gene mutations [8]. Twoyears ago, The New England Journal of Medicinepublished the results of the firstsuccessful editing of ?-Thalassemia sickle cell anemia mutations.

For discovering the CRISPR/Cas9 genetic scissors and their potential for point editing, E. Charpentier (France) and J. Doudna (USA) were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

It seems that genetic or epigenetic research can hardly be imagined without information technologies. We know bioinformatics methods are commonly used in computational epigenetics in addition to experimental studies; given the explosive growth of epigenomic data sets, computational methods are starting to play a greater role.

For instance, experimental ChIP-on-chip, ChIP-seq, and bisulfite sequencing methods are applied for genome-wide mapping of epigenetic data. They all generate large amounts of dataand demand effective ways of processing and quality control. On the one hand, big data is ofimmense help to scientists. Back in the day,complete genome sequencing took years and required millions of dollars. The next-generation sequencing method can provide the sameresults for $1200 within 24 hours.

On the other hand, some experts have a somewhat skeptical attitude to big data, as researchers simply cannot keep up with the enormous volumes of information. Besides, the use of supercomputers overhauls the work of scientists. In 2015, Italian biologist F.Mazzocchi noted that classical scientific methods are getting outdated in the age of data and supercomputing, with theories, hypotheses, and discussions becoming obsolete. Scientists no longer search formodels, while correlations offered by big data are replacing causality. M. Frick warns his colleagues against putting too much trust in the machine. He claims that data-driven science will or would find many spurious connections. Data-driven science could easily lead toapophenia and a wild outbreak of hornswoggling.

Only time will tell how justified these concerns are. Yet one thing is already crystal clear: there will be no going back to the old ways because treatment of the most complex diseases is on the verge of a breakthrough.

About the Author

Rustam Gilfanov is an IT entrepreneur and a venture partner of the LongeVC fund.

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Zenith Epigenetics Triple Negative Breast Cancer Clinical Data Highlighted in an Oral Discussion at the American Society of Clinical Oncology…

Posted: June 22, 2022 at 2:35 am

CALGARY, Alberta, June 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zenith Epigenetics Ltd. (Zenith or the Company) announced today that the data from its Phase 2 Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer (mTNBC) clinical trial combining ZEN-3694 + Pfizer Inc.s Talzenna (talazoparib) was highlighted at an oral session Optimizing Targeted Therapies in Advanced Breast Cancer: Building on Past Success. The discussant presented the novel concept of administering ZEN-3694, a bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitor (BETi), to sensitize resistant mTNBC tumors to talazoparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (PARPi), and the clinically meaningful response rate and manageable safety profile of the combination from the Phase 2 study. Selection of an abstract for an oral discussion is a very competitive process with only 24 of the more than 125 accepted abstracts selected for this presentation format. The poster can be viewed on Zenith Epigenetics website (Poster) and the discussion can be viewed on the ASCO website (Discussion).

The data from the Phase 2 trial demonstrate that the ZEN-3694 plus talazoparib combination regimen, with a clinically meaningful response rate of 32% in a defined population, has the potential for treating patients whose tumors do not harbor germline mutations in BRCA1/2, said Dr. Philippe Aftimos, a principal investigator and medical oncologist at The Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium. This combination is active with a manageable safety profile and warrants continued clinical evaluation. Zenith has expanded the Phase 2 trial to continue to evaluate the combination in an additional 120 mTNBC patients (NCT03901469).

In conjunction with ASCO, Zeniths TNBC poster was also awarded the GRASP Advocate Choice Award and selected to be discussed at theGRASPPoster Walkthroughs. GRASP, which standsfor Guiding Researchers and Advocates for Scientific Partnerships,is a patient-led organization that brings together patients, clinicians, and researchers to exchange ideas and learn from each other to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. GRASP Poster Walkthroughs are small group discussions of selected posters presented at scientific conferences such as ASCO.

We are very pleased that the data from our mTNBC clinical study, conducted in collaboration with Pfizer, was well received and recognized at ASCO, said Don McCaffrey, CEO of Zenith Epigenetics. The combination regimen of ZEN-3694 + talazoparib has shown promising clinical activity in a mTNBC patient population with significant unmet need. We continue to advance this program toward registration and are committed to bring an important therapy to these patients.

About Zenith and ZEN-3694

Zenith Epigenetics Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zenith Capital Corp., is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other disorders with significant unmet medical need. Zenith Epigenetics is developing various novel combinations of BET inhibitors with other targeted agents. The lead compound, ZEN-3694, is in clinical development for various oncologic indications, specifically:

About Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer with low survival rates. TNBC accounts for about 10-15%of all breast cancers and it differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that it tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options, and tends to have a worse prognosis. The termtriple-negative breast cancerrefers to the fact that the cancer cells have only low or no amount of the receptors ER, PR, and HER2. Approximately 75,000 women in the US, Japan and the major EU countries are diagnosed with TNBC each year.

About ZEN-3694 + Talazoparib Combination

In the United States, talazoparib is currently approved under the brand name TALZENNA, which is a PARP inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. ZEN-3694, in combination with talazoparib, is being developed for targeting tumors that do not have a germline BRCA mutation which represent approximately 89% of TNBC tumors. Preclinical and clinical data has shown that BET inhibition may reduce the levels of DNA repair proteins such as BRCA1/2 and RAD51 and thus create synthetic lethality in wildtype BRCA1/2 TNBC tumors when combined with PARP inhibition.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations & Communications

Zenith EpigeneticsPhone: 587-390-7865Email: info@zenithepigenetics.comWebsite:www.zenithepigenetics.com

This news release may contain certain forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. In particular, this news release includes forward looking information relating to the Companys development activities involving ZEN-3694 in combination with Pfizers PARP inhibitor Talzenna, and other targeted agents used in precision oncology, as well as other planned PARPi based combination therapy clinical trials in other tumor types. Our actual results, events or developments could be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We can give no assurance that any of the events or expectations will occur or be realized. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions and risk factors including those discussed in our most recent MD&A which are incorporated herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Zenith disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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The relationship between P16INK4A and TP53 promoter methylation and the risk and prognosis in patients with oesophageal cancer in Thailand |…

Posted: June 22, 2022 at 2:35 am

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The relationship between P16INK4A and TP53 promoter methylation and the risk and prognosis in patients with oesophageal cancer in Thailand |...

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Omega Therapeutics (OMGA) Research Analysts’ Weekly Ratings Changes – Defense World

Posted: June 13, 2022 at 2:13 am

A number of firms have modified their ratings and price targets on shares of Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ: OMGA) recently:

Omega Therapeutics stock opened at $3.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 15.23 and a current ratio of 15.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $177.05 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.77. Omega Therapeutics, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $1.98 and a fifty-two week high of $31.41. The stocks fifty day moving average is $3.85 and its two-hundred day moving average is $8.97.

Omega Therapeutics (NASDAQ:OMGA Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 10th. The company reported ($0.44) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.57) by $0.13. The company had revenue of $0.14 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Omega Therapeutics, Inc. will post -2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Omega Therapeutics, Inc operates as a development-stage biopharmaceutical company. Its OMEGA Epigenomic Programming platform is designed to coopt nature's operating system by harnessing the power of epigenetics, the mechanism for gene control and cell differentiation. The company is developing omega epigenomic controller (OEC) candidates to up-regulate the expression of HNF4a, a transcriptional master regulator as a potential way to restore liver-cell function in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases; to control the expression of genes that have been strongly linked to cell-growth inhibition in patients with diabetes and other conditions to restore the capacity for corneal regeneration; to down-regulate expression of the CXCL1, 2, 3, and IL-8 gene cluster; to control expression of genes implicated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to halt or reverse disease progression and improve disease outcomes; to down-regulate the expression of SFRP1, a protein that inhibits hair growth; and to treat non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

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Plant biologist nominated for prestigious early career award – University of Georgia

Posted: June 13, 2022 at 2:13 am

UGAs Schmitz named finalist for 2022 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists

University of Georgia faculty member Robert Schmitz was recently chosen as a finalist for a national award for young scientists. The Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists is the worlds largest unrestricted prize honoring early career scientists and engineers.

Schmitz is a plant biologist who performs groundbreaking research on plant epigeneticsthe chemical modifications to DNA and associated proteins that alter gene expressionto unlock new methods to increase agricultural sustainability and food security. He found that some plant epigenetic mechanisms differ from those of animals, and that this unique mode of epigenetic modification impacts plant evolution and can inform crop breeding.

His discoveries in the epigenetics of maize offer plant breeders targets in the maize genome to improve crop performance, such as overall yield or resistance to disease. Schmitzs work, as described in the Blavatnik Awards finalists announcement, has set in motion the discovery and creation of new plant biotechnology that could help feed the world.

The honorees were chosen from a highly competitive pool of 309 nominees from 150 leading universities and scientific institutions from 38 states across the United States.

From the announced group of finalists, three winnersin life sciences, chemistry, and physical sciences and engineeringwill be named on June 29, each receiving $250,000 as a Blavatnik National Awards Laureate.

I am thankful for this recognition and grateful to past and present lab members that have advanced our understanding of plant epigenetics, said Schmitz, who holds a UGA Foundation Professorship of Plant Sciences and is the Lars G. Ljungdahl Distinguished Investigator. We are fortunate to work alongside so many great colleagues in the department of genetics at the University of Georgia.

Three independent jurieseach representing one of the award categoriesselected the finalists and will determine the winning laureates. Laureates must be faculty-level scientific researchers, 42 years of age or younger, and are nominated to the competition by their university or research institution.

At his initial hire as an assistant professor, Bob was clearly a rising star in the field of epigenetics, said Nancy Manley, Distinguished Research Professor and head of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of genetics. This award reflects what we know alreadythat his creativity, productivity and leadership while a faculty member at UGA have more than borne out that early promise, and promise even more great things in the future.

This is an extraordinary honor and I would like to acknowledge the Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists for recognizing the importance of agricultural research as part of their life sciences portfolio, Schmitz said.

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