Category Archives: Genetic Engineering

CALGARY, AB and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 6, 2022 /CNW/ - Willow Biosciences Inc. ("Willow" or the "Company") (TSX:WLLW) (OTCQB: CANSF), a leading biotechnology company focused on revolutionizing industrial manufacturing of pure, consistent and sustainable ingredients along with Inscripta, a global leader in automated, CRISPR-based gene editing technology, announced today that Willow has incorporated the Onyx Genome Engineering Platform into its strain engineering workflows.

Willow Biosciences Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Willow Biosciences Inc.)

Having previously been a part of Inscripta's early access program, Willow has a deep appreciation for the value that automated, parallel genome editing capability brings, especially to a lean biotech company. The integrated and intuitive interface of the benchtop Onyx instrument uses best-in-class gene editing technology, enabling scientists to rapidly perform multiplexed, whole genome CRISPR edits at the push of a button.

The Onyx platform will further accelerate Willow's genetic editing capabilities and throughput and positively impact timelines for the commercial development of its FutureGrownmolecules and subsequent reduction in time to market. Incorporation of the Onyx platform into Willow's proven workflow will enable its team to engineer strains more rapidly, giving researchers back invaluable time to focus on intelligent library design and data analysis.

"Technology advancements such as next generation sequencing have enabled researchers to read genetic information at incredible speed and depth. Inscripta's technology now enables researchers to write genetic information with the same speed and with unparalleled precision, a combination that promises endless possibilities. Willow is thrilled to seamlessly integrate Inscripta's automated, high-throughput gene editing platform to shorten our development cycles and empower our scientists to effectively harness the tremendous potential of the entire genome" said Dr. Trish Choudhary, Vice President of Research & Development at Willow Biosciences.

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"The future of the synthetic biology economy is dependent on both large and small companies innovating under increasing pressure to deliver better products, faster, and often with less resources. Willow is a great example of how a lean, yet highly innovative organization can rapidly integrate and utilize the Onyx platform," said Dr. Nandini Krishnamurthy, Vice President of Microbial Business Unit at Inscripta. "We are looking forward to working with the team at Willow to further increase their strain performance while shortening development timelines."

About Willow Biosciences Inc.

Willow develops and produces high-purity ingredients for the personal care, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. Willow's FutureGrownbiotechnology platform allows large-scale production with sustainability at its core. Willow's R&D team has a proven track record of developing and commercializing bio-based manufacturing processes and products to benefit our B2B partners and their customers.

For further information, please visit http://www.willowbio.com.

About Inscripta

Inscripta is a life science technology company enabling scientists to solve some of today's most pressing challenges with the first benchtop system for genome editing. The company's automated Onyx platform, consisting of an instrument, consumables, assays, and software, makes CRISPR-based genome engineering accessible to any research lab. Inscripta supports its customers around the world from facilities in Boulder, Colorado; San Diego and Pleasanton, California; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

To learn more, visit Inscripta.com and follow @InscriptaInc. Or contact

Michael B. GonzalesVice President, Marketingmichael.gonzales@inscripta.com415.308.6467

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements including opinions, assumptions, estimates and the Company's assessment of future plans and operations, and, more particularly, statements concerning: Willow's ability to expand genetic editing capabilities and throughput and positively impact timelines for the commercial development of its FutureGrownmolecules; and the business plan of the Company. When used in this news release, the words "will," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intent," "may," "project," "should," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are founded on the basis of expectations and assumptions made by the Company which include, but are not limited to: the success of Willow's strategic partnerships, including the development of future strategic partnerships; the financial strength of the Company; the ability of the Company to fund its business plan using cash on hand and existing resources; the market for Willow's products; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain applicable licences; the ability of the Company to obtain suitable manufacturing partners and other strategic relationships; and the successful implementation of Willow's commercialization and production strategy, generally. Forward-looking statements are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties, and although the Company believes that the expectations represented by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will be realized. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, risks associated with: the biotechnology industry in general; the success of the Company's research and development strategies; infringement on intellectual property; failure to benefit from partnerships or successfully integrate acquisitions; actions and initiatives of federal and provincial governments and changes to government policies and the execution and impact of these actions, initiatives and policies; competition from other industry participants; adverse U.S., Canadian and global economic conditions; adverse global events and public-health crises, including the current COVID-19 outbreak; failure to comply with certain regulations; departure of key management personnel or inability to attract and retain talent; and other factors more fully described from time to time in the reports and filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities. Please refer to the Company's most recent annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for additional risk factors relating to Willow, which can be accessed either on Willow's website at http://www.willowbio.com or under the Company's profile on http://www.sedar.com.

Any financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained in this document regarding prospective financial performance, financial position, cash balances or revenue is based on assumptions about future events, including economic conditions and proposed courses of action based on management's assessment of the relevant information that is currently available. Projected operational information contains forward-looking information and is based on a number of material assumptions and factors, as are set out above. These projections may also be considered to contain future-oriented financial information or a financial outlook. The actual results of the Company's operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. Actual results will vary from projected results. Readers are cautioned that any such financial outlook and future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Cision

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Cision

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WILLOW BIOSCIENCES INCORPORATES INSCRIPTA'S ONYX PLATFORM TO EXPAND STRAIN ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES AND THROUGHPUT - Yahoo Finance

Jurassic World: Dominion is hyperbolic Hollywood entertainment at its best, with an action-packed storyline that refuses to let reality get in the way of a good story. Yet just like its predecessors, it offers an underlying cautionary tale of technological hubris thats very real.

As I discuss in my book Films from the Future,Stephen Spielbergs 1993 Jurassic Park, based on Michael Crichtons 1990 novel, didnt shy away from grappling with the dangers of unfettered entrepreneurship and irresponsible innovation. Scientists at the time were getting closer to being able to manipulate DNA in the real world, and both book and movie captured emerging concerns that playing God with natures genetic code could lead to devastating consequences. This was famously captured by one of the movies protagonists, Dr. Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum, as he declared, Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didnt stop to think if they should.

In the latest iteration of the Jurassic Park franchise, society is coming to terms with the consequences of innovations that were, at best, ill-conceived. A litany of coulds over shoulds has led to a future in which resurrected and redesigned dinosaurs roam free, and humanitys dominance as a species is under threat.

At the heart of these films are questions that are more relevant than ever: Have researchers learned the lesson of Jurassic Park and sufficiently closed the gap between could and should? Or will the science and technology of DNA manipulation continue to outpace any consensus on how to use them ethically and responsibly?

The first draft of the human genome was published to great fanfare in 2001, setting the stage for scientists to read, redesign and even rewrite complex genetic sequences.

However, existing technologies were time-consuming and expensive, placing genetic manipulation out of reach for many researchers. The first draft of the human genome cost an estimated US$300 million, and subsequent whole-genome sequences just under $100 million a prohibitive amount for all but the most well-funded research groups. As existing technologies were refined and new ones came online, however, smaller labs and even students and DIY bio hobbyists could experiment more freely with reading and writing genetic code.

In 2005, bioengineer Drew Endy proposed that it should be possible to work with DNA the same way that engineers work with electronic components. Much as electronics designers are less concerned with the physics of semiconductors than they are with the components that rely on them, Endy argued that it should be possible to create standardized DNA-based parts called biobricks that scientists could use without needing to be experts in their underlying biology.

Endys and others work was foundational to the emerging field of synthetic biology, which applies engineering and design principles to genetic manipulation.

Scientists, engineers and even artists began to approach DNA as a biological code that could be digitized, manipulated and redesigned in cyberspace in much the same way as digital photos or videos are. This in turn opened the door to reprogramming plants, microorganisms and fungi to produce pharmaceutical drugs and other useful substances. Modified yeast, for example, produces the meaty taste of vegetarian Impossible Burgers.

Despite increasing interest in gene editing, the biggest barrier to the imagination and vision of the early pioneers of synthetic biology was still the speed and cost of editing technologies.

Then CRISPR changed everything.

In 2020, scientists Jennifer Doudna and Emanuelle Charpentier won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their work on a revolutionary new gene-editing technology that allows researchers to precisely snip out and replace DNA sequences within genes: CRISPR.

CRISPR was quick, cheap and relatively easy to use. And it unleashed the imagination of DNA coders.

More than any previous advance in genetic engineering, CRISPR enabled techniques from digital coding and systems engineering to be applied to biology. This cross-fertilization of ideas and methods led to breakthroughs ranging from using DNA to store computer data to creating 3D DNA origami structures.

CRISPR also opened the way for scientists to explore redesigning entire species including bringing back animals from extinction.

Gene drives use CRISPR to directly insert a piece of genetic code into an organisms genome and ensure that specific traits are inherited by all subsequent generations. Scientists are currently experimenting with this technology to control disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Despite the potential benefits of the technology, gene drives raise serious ethical questions. Even when applied to clear public health threats like mosquitoes, these questions are not easy to navigate. They get even more complex when considering hypothetical applications in people, such as increasing athletic performance in future generations.

Advances in gene editing have also made it easier to genetically alter the behavior of individual cells. This is at the heart of biomanufacturing technologies that reengineer simple organisms to produce useful substances ranging from aviation fuel to food additives.

Its also at the center of controversies surrounding genetically engineered viruses.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been rumors that the virus that causes COVID-19 resulted from genetic experiments gone wrong. While these rumors remain unsubstantiated, theyve renewed debate around the ethics of gain-of-function research.

Gain-of-function research uses DNA editing techniques to alter how organisms function, including increasing the ability of viruses to cause disease. Scientists do this to predict and prepare for potential mutations of existing viruses that increase their ability to cause harm. However, such research also raises the possibility of a dangerously enhanced viruss being released outside the lab, either accidentally or intentionally.

At the same time, scientists increasing mastery over biological source code is what has allowed them to rapidly develop the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines to combat COVID-19. By precisely engineering the genetic code that instructs cells to produce harmless versions of viral proteins, vaccines are able to prime the immune system to respond when it encounters the actual virus.

Prescient as Michael Crichton was, its unlikely that he could have envisioned just how far scientists abilities to engineer biology have advanced over the past three decades. Bringing back extinct species, while an active area of research, remains fiendishly difficult. However, in many ways, our technologies are substantially further along than those in Jurassic Park and the subsequent films.

But how have we done on the responsibility front?

Fortunately, consideration of the social and ethical side of gene editing has gone hand in hand with the sciences development. In 1975, scientists agreed on approaches to ensure that emerging recombinant DNA research would be carried out safely. From the get-go, the ethical, legal and social dimensions of the science were hard-wired into the Human Genome Project. DIY bio communities have been at the forefront of safe and responsible gene-editing research. And social responsibility is integral to synthetic biology competitions.

Yet as gene editing becomes increasingly powerful and accessible, a community of well-meaning scientists and engineers is unlikely to be sufficient. While the Jurassic Park movies take dramatic license in their portrayal of the future, they do get one thing right: Even with good intentions, bad things happen when you mix powerful technologies with scientists who havent been trained to think through the consequences of their actions and havent thought to ask experts who have.

Maybe this is the abiding message of Jurassic World: Dominion that despite incredible advances in genetic design and engineering, things can and will go wrong if we dont embrace the development and use of the technology in socially responsible ways.

The good news is that we still have time to close the gap between could and should in how scientists redesign and reengineer genetic code. But as Jurassic World: Dominion reminds moviegoers, the future is often closer than it might appear.

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'Jurassic World' scientists still haven't learned that just because you can doesn't mean you should real-world genetic engineers can learn from the...

The US Food and Drug Administration has been considering whether to approve a Covid-19 vaccine produced by Novavax, an American biotechnology company.

This vaccine was given approval by the European Medicines Agency in December and has already been widely used across Europe.

It was also approved by the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, in February.

Here we consider how the Novavax vaccine works, how it compares to other vaccines and how significant it might be in the fight against Covid-19.

The Novavax vaccine is a recombinant protein-based vaccine, which means that it involves genetic engineering technology and uses cells to produce the coronavirus spike protein.

In the case of the Novavax shot, an insect virus called a baculovirus is genetically engineered with a gene for the spike protein.

This baculovirus, Novavax explains in an online briefing document, are used to infect a type of moth cells called Sf9 cells.

The baculovirus multiplies inside the moth cells and the gene for the spike protein produces a type of genetic material called mRNA.

This mRNA causes the moth cells to produce large amounts of the coronavirus spike protein.

The proteins are purified and arranged around a tiny nanoparticle, which the company says helps your immune system recognise the target spike.

Novavax mixes these with an adjuvant, a substance that stimulates the immune system, which in this case comes from tree bark.

Once a person is injected with the vaccine, the immune system reacts against the spike proteins, resulting in a response that is protective in the event that the person is infected with the coronavirus.

The longest-established form of vaccine consists of the virus in a weakened form that is usually unable to cause disease.

In rare instances, particularly in people with compromised immune systems, such vaccines have led to illness.

Valneva, a French company, has developed a Covid-19 vaccine based on the inactivated coronavirus, although this has faced regulatory hurdles.

A later development was to use dead forms of the pathogen. While the risk of causing disease is eliminated, some such vaccines have not stimulated enough of an immune response.

The virus has to be grown in culture, which is easier for some than others, said Ian Jones, professor of virology at the University of Reading, so this can act as a technical hurdle for production.

People ride a New Jersey bus after the US government announced it would no longer enforce a mask mandate on public transport. Reuters

A third type of vaccine involves genetic engineering and results in the production of proteins from the pathogen. They include the Novavax shot and are quite widespread, Prof Jones said.

There are some for influenza. The vaccine for shingles, thats a single recombinant protein. They have a very good safety record, he said.

The technology behind recombinant protein vaccines is longer established than that used in the mRNA Covid-19 injections (such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna), and the viral vector vaccines (such as Oxford-AstraZeneca and Janssen or Johnson & Johnson shots).

While mRNA and viral vector vaccines use newer technology, these vaccines have been extensively tested and found to be safe, with only rare serious side effects.

With billions of doses of different types of Covid-19 vaccine already administered around the world, it raises the question of whether we need any more vaccines.

The commonsense thing is that the more options available, the better. I know the vaccine has proved safe and effective in Europe, said David Taylor, professor emeritus of pharmaceutical and public health policy at University College London.

Prof Taylor said that, theoretically, being able to identify very specific proteins that produce an immune response, as is the approach with recombinant protein vaccines, was the ideal approach, although in practice that was not always the case.

Prof Jones said the coronavirus was still circulating and continued to cause serious illness in some people, so vaccines were still needed.

He said the Novavax vaccine might be more appealing to people who had concerns about receiving some of the existing Covid-19 injections, for example because they were based on newer technology.

They may feel reassured that this version is using a technology that has been established for many other things," Prof Jones said. "There will be a class of individuals who feel happier with this form of vaccine."

Updated: June 07, 2022, 9:36 PM

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What is the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine? - The National

Thus far, researchers have not identified ancestral viruses that could have plausibly given rise to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19so says a new report from the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins (SAGO) of Novel Pathogens set up by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report, however, notes that "the current available data on the closest related SARS-like viruses and susceptibility of many animal species to SARS-CoV-2 suggest a zoonotic source." Assuming a natural outbreak, horseshoe bats are a likely reservoir of the virus in the wild, although it could also have passed through an unknown intermediate species before infecting humans.

An alternative hypothesis is that the COVID-19 virus somehow escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, whose researchers were known to be experimenting with coronaviruses. Although three of the 27 members of the SAGO objected to consideration of the "lab leak" theory for the possible origin of the COVID-19 virus, the report states that "it remains important to consider all reasonable scientific data that is available either through published or other official sources to evaluate the possibility of the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into the human population through a laboratory incident."

Interestingly, a Chinese team reported the results of testing 1380 samples taken from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, where the outbreak was first identified. None of the samples from 188 live animals sold as meat detected the presence of the COVID-19 virus, but the researchers did find it in 73 samples from the ground, sewer wells, and various containers. "Skeptics of the natural origin theory maintain the market cluster could merely be a superspreader event touched off when a person infected with a lab-escaped coronavirus visited it," noted Science back in February.

Further investigation into the lab leak hypothesis would require that the Chinese government provide "access to and review the evidence of all laboratory (both in vitro and in vivo studies) with coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2-related viruses or close ancestors." Going forward, the SAGO would like to obtain more information about "the nature of the studies performed before the first reported COVID-19 cases in Wuhan and whether they involved reverse engineering or gain-of-function, genetic manipulation or animal studies with strains of SARS-like CoV."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus sent two letters in February to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and National Health Commission head Ma Xiaowei asking for any updates with respect to ongoing studies focused on the origins of the COVID-19 virus. However, the SAGO report notes that the Chinese government and researchers have "not provided any information related to studies conducted evaluating the laboratory hypotheses as a possible introduction into the human population."

The SAGO reports that it will remain open to "any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses," including the lab leak hypothesis.

The Chinese government's continued stonewalling of independent investigations of the origin of the COVID-19 virus strongly suggests that it has something to hide.

Link:
COVID-19 'Lab Leak' Origin Theory Merits Further Investigation, Says New WHO Report - Reason

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common and potentially dangerous virus for which no vaccine currently exists despite decades of effort from the scientific community. Associate Professor of Biomolecular Engineering at the Baskin School of Engineering Rebecca DuBois has set out to address this pressing need. To fund her innovative approach to the development of an RSV vaccine, DuBois has been awarded the prestigious and highly competitive National Institutes of Health Research Project Grant (RO1).

RSV causes contagious cold-like symptoms that can develop into serious lung problems and lead to hospitalizations, especially in young children and older populations each year, 3 million children under five years old are hospitalized from RSV and 64 million total people are affected worldwide.The five-year, $3.8 million grant will be shared with DuBoiss collaborator Ralph Tripp at the University of Georgia and will build on both researchers' years of work studying RSV. Their overall aim is to validate their RSV vaccine in pre-clinical trials.

Theres a huge need this is a really important gap in our vaccine schedule to protect children, said DuBois, whose experience with her childs severe RSV fueled her to take on this research. I think the NIH study section reviewers liked that it's a totally different strategy than what everyone else is taking.

DuBoiss lab focuses on bioengineering the commonly overlooked RSV G protein, used by the virus to attach to host cells, to expose its vulnerable points so the hosts body can fight back.

In previous work, they have found that a region, called the central conserved domain and just 40 amino acids long, can be engineered to evoke an protective immunogenic response from the host. Additionally, a recent paper from the DuBois lab determined that this altered protein is still recognized by the bodys immune system and therefore could be effective in a vaccine.

I think since RSV has been such a difficult virus to create a vaccine for, we're innovative in that we are using structural biology to learn more about this protein and make changes to it using protein engineering to improve its immunogenicity, said Maria Juarez, a third-year Ph.D. student in the DuBois lab. Thats something that our lab has really spearheaded.

Targeting this specific region of the G protein, which remains unchanged as the virus mutates, is a cutting-edge technique in vaccine development that may allow a vaccine to continue its effectiveness as the virus mutates.

By whittling down our vaccine to this important and conserved part, and designing it so [the antigen] is exposed to our immune system in a better way, we can refocus the antibody response it wont get distracted by all the parts that arent conserved, DuBois said. Its a more strategic way to do vaccine design, instead of just targeting the whole protein and choosing one strain to target.

Juarez and the others in the DuBois lab will continue to experiment with ways to ensure that the surface of their engineered protein is structured in a way to provoke the strongest immune response. Juarez also noted that the techniques she is using to engineer the protein are cheaper and less time intensive than other methods, making future production of the vaccine scalable so it can eventually be used commercially around the world.

Once DuBoiss group has developed their vaccine, they will send it to Tripps lab to test if it creates a strong antibody response in pre-clinical models. The group expects the first vaccines to be tested in pre-clinical models by the end of 2022.

This project differs from other RSV vaccine efforts, some of which are in phase III clinical trials, in the method it uses to evoke a protective immune response. The large majority of other researchers focus on the RSV F protein, which fuses the virus and host cell membranes together to get the viruss genetic information into cells.

Eventually, the researchers anticipate that their vaccine could be combined with one that uses the F protein in order to create an even more robust immune response.

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Prestigious $3.8M NIH grant awarded to biomolecular engineering professor to develop an RSV vaccine - University of California, Santa Cruz

Samsung launches Solve for Tomorrow

Samsung has launched the inaugural edition of Solve for Tomorrow, a new youth-centric national education and innovation competition, which invites Indias brightest young minds to come up with innovative ideas in the areas of Education, Environment, Healthcare and Agriculture. Support will include mentoring by industry experts and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi). For details visit http://www.samsung.com/in/solvefortomorrow

The Learn Fest 2022

Teacher skilling platform OrangeSlates has announced the second edition of The Learn Fest 2022 to be held on June 25 and 26. The theme this time is Taking NEP 2020 into classrooms. Educators interested in participating can register at https://LearnFest.OrangeSlates.com

RGCB opens applications

The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), an autonomous institution of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, invites applications from GAT-B qualified candidates for its M.Sc. Biotechnology programme for the academic year 2022-24. The course offers specialisations in Disease Biology, Molecular Diagnostics & DNA Profiling, and Genetic Engineering. Applicants must also have 60% aggregate in their Bachelors degree in any branch of Science, Engineering or Medicine. Last date is June 30. Visit https://rgcb.res.in/msc2022.php for details

MindBox launches summer courses

MindBox has announced the launch of its design and coding led summer courses, which include2D Animation, Multimedia Design, Graphic Design Photoshop, Digital Design SketchUp, AI with Python among others. For details, visit https://mindboxindia.com/

Free mock test series for CLAT

Edtech startup Oliveboard has announced a free mock test series for CLAT aspirants (2022) to help them prepare for the exam. The Oliveboard Mock Test is currently live and can be accessed on the website/app until the exam day.

Holberton partners with Jigsaw Academy

The U.S.-based ed-tech company Holberton has partnered with Jigsaw Academy to offer a PG Certificate in Full Stack Development. Holberton will provide the projects, platform, tools and services while Jigsaw will deliver the programme from the Holberton platform and also provide mentoring support to the students.

IET India Scholarship Award

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has opened applications for the sixth edition of the IET India Scholarship Award, with a combined prize money of Rs 10 Lakhs. The programme aims to reward and celebrate individual excellence and innovation among undergraduate engineering students in ACITE and UGC approved institutes and national institutes in India. For more information, please visit https://scholarships.theietevents.com/#!

Webinar on Management Education

EduCrack will host a webinar at 6.00 p.m. on June 11 to guide students who want to opt for an MBA. Rammohan, Chief Knowledge Officer, EduCrack, will talk about various specialisations and the career options these will lead to. Those interested can join through https://bit.ly/3mw9zaN

Applications open up Rishihood University

Rishihood University (RU) invites applications for its 2022 intake commencing September 2022. At the UG level, the University offers degrees in Design, Visual Arts, Psychology, Education, Leadership among others. Minor specialisations include Computer Science, Law, Media and Sanskrit with electives like Sustainable Development and Creative Writing. At the PG level, programmes include PG Diploma in Leadership, , MA in Interdisciplinary Humanities and Research, MBA, MBA (Entrepreneurship) and M.Design. For details call 1800 120 6631 (toll-free) or visit https://apply.rishihood.edu.in/

WWI entrance exams in June

Whistling Woods International (WWI) has announced the dates for the June round of entrance examinations for the 2022 intake. The last date to register is June 18 and the exams will take place from June21-24. The institute offers degree, post-graduate, and diploma programmes under an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD). For details of programmes offered and to apply, visit http://www.whistlingwoods.net

MyCoolGuru launched

MyCoolGuru, a career tech platform, was launched recently. It will offer online and offline courses, list tutors, trainers and counsellors, have notes and questions for exam prep and guidance from industry mentors. Operating through a membership model, it has on boarded 300 tutors and curated over 100 study materials across 25 courses. More details at http://www.mycoolguru.com

Graduation Day celebrated

Saveetha Engineering College celebrated its 15th and 16th Graduation Days earlier this month. Among the dignitaries present were Prof. K.K. Aggarwal, Chairman NBA; S. Suresh Babuji, Joint Director & Head of Office, MSME DI Chennai; Dr. N. M. Veeraiyan, Founder President & Chancellor SIMATS; Dr. S. Rajesh, Director SEC; and Dr. N. Duraipandian, Principal, and the heads of various departments. Over 900 students from the 2019 batch and 830 students from the 2020 batch received their degrees.

Partnerships

Vivekanand Education Societys College of Arts, Science and Commerce (Autonomous) has partnered with GlobalGyan Academy of Management Education to launch new autonomous courses, including undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Students who have completed their Class 12 exam, from any stream, board and institute, are eligible to apply. For more, visit https://ves.ac.in/

The Karnataka State Education Department and EMBIBE, an AI-powered personalised adaptive learning platform, have entered into a partnership to make available Karnataka Board curriculum in the local language. The objective is to provide students with quality digital education and 3D content for Science and Maths in their language. The platform caters to Classes 6 to 12 and to Engineering and Medical entrance exams.

Crimson Education has partnered with Nxt Venture Labs LLP for EpicQuest, a young entrepreneurial leader in-residence programme. The four-week programme is exclusively designed for Indian high school students; to guide and prepare them via hands-on exposure to effective global business management practices, and entrepreneurial leadership training. EpicQuest will continue till July 4. Each group will consist of 10 students between the ages of 14 to 16 years. For more information, visit https://www.crimsoneducation.org/in/

Lovely Professional University invites applications its B.Tech CSE (AI & Data Engineering) in association with Futurense Technologies. by the university.

Eligibility: 65% aggregate in 10+2 (with Physics, Mathematics and English); qualification in LPUNEST and interview by Futurense Technologies.

Details at https://bit.ly/3HeocZF

Environment Studies course

Augustana University, the U.S., has opened applications of its Environment Studies course for the Spring 2023 intake. The university offers merit-based scholarships of $15,000 to $25,000 for candidates from India, depending on their academic qualifications. For more details, visit https://bit.ly/3aOurHG

IIM-Bangalore in the PIR 2022

IIM-Bangalore features in the top category (Level 5) in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) 2022. The Indian quartet of IIM-Bangalore, SPJIMR, XLRI, and Woxsen Business School has achieved the highest level of the PIR as Pioneering Schools. The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) is a rating conducted by students and for students to assess the positive impact of business schools.

World Environment Day celebrated

Smiling Tree celebrated World Environment Day along with Leelawanto Saraswati Vidya Mandir School. Students were encouraged to become green warriors, take care of the environment and inspire others to do so.

Noida International University organised a poster making and essay competition on the theme Only One Earth. The aim was to create awareness about climate change and encourage students to take action. Over 70 students from NIUs 12 schools participated.

Orchids The International School has partnered with Citizens Association for Child Rights (CACR), a development partner of UNICEF for WASH, to sensitise its students to environmental issues like waste segregation.

Celebrating diversity

The student-initiated campaign Yaadhum Manamae Yaavarum Kaelir by the Department of Public Relations, Stella Maris College, celebrated its valedictory with a walkathon conducted at Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar. The event was inaugurated by Santhtosh Pratha, actor and mixed martial arts athlete, and S. Nelson, ACP Adyar. Theatre Akku also staged a Tamil play Komaligal that threw light on issues such as gender inequality and intersectional abuse.

Sanskriti team develops electric Buggy

A team of six students (Thokchom, Satish, Monu, Deepak, Jivan, and Akhilesh) from Sanskriti University has developed an electric Buggy, for travelling in sandy and off-road terrain. The team was led by Prof. Anshuman Singh, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

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News from the world of education - June 10, 2022 - The Hindu

image:Journal focusing on the understanding, prediction, and prevention of acts of violence. Through research papers, roundtable discussions, case studies, and other original content, the Journal critically examines biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, racial view more

Credit: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers

In response to the historical devastation of mass shootings in the United States, including the recent mass shooting of 19 innocent children in Uvalde, TX, Violence and GenderEditor-in-ChiefMary Ellen O'Toole, PhDhas issued an immediate call to action for superior gun control laws and legislation.

Weve waited long enough, says Dr. OToole, Editor-in-Chief. This political football must stop. Our children are being killed and the laws must be changed now. We can no longer normalize these behaviors or expect our children to be the victims on the front lines. The research is clear and we must continue to stay educated, relentless, and vigilant in our quest for the future of our country.

In support of Dr. OTooles mission, Violence and Gender is providing free access to the following special issues spanning themes including gun ownership, beliefs about gun control and gun ownership, gun policy, among others.

Special Issue on Gun Violence: Part I

Special Issue on Gun Violence: Part II

Gun violence against our families and our children must be addressed aggressively, echoes Mary Ann Liebert, Publisher of Violence and Gender and president and CEO of the company that bears her name. The current recommendations for gun control reformation are pitiful given the extent of the loss of lives weve seen in schools. Legislators, policy makers, educators, and civilians who refuse to acknowledge the extent of the problem of gun violence should subscribe to Violence and Gender and educate themselves by reading the published, academic research on systematic gun violence in our country. The research is clear and journals such as Violence and Gender couldnt be more important to support real and lasting change. We must remain educated and informed to collectively make the best decisions for our families and our future.

Emphasizing this call to action, Dr. Anna Satterfield, Deputy Editor adds: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in the United States in 2020, there were 45,222 firearm-related deaths of which 54 percent were suicides and 43 percent were homicides.Despite various versions of enacted laws to reduce gun violence, laws and regulations continue to miss the mark of what we understand about those that use firearms as weapons.Until we actively enforce a balance between effective gun control laws and effective gun violence prevention/intervention and risk-reduction programs, the United States will remain an outlier in firearm-related deaths compared to other countries.

About the Journal

Violence and Genderis the only peer-reviewed journal focusing on the understanding, prediction, and prevention of acts of violence. Through research papers, roundtable discussions, case studies, and other original content, the Journal critically examines biological, genetic, behavioral, psychological, racial, ethnic, and cultural factors as they relate to the gender of perpetrators of violence. Led by Editor-in-Chief Mary Ellen O'Toole, PhD, Forensic Behavioral Consultant and Senior FBI Profiler/Criminal Investigative Analyst (ret.), Violence and Gender explores the difficult issues that are vital to threat assessment and prevention of the epidemic of violence. Violence and Gender is published quarterly online with Open Access options and in print. Complete tables of content and a sample issue may be viewed on theViolence and Genderwebsite.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishersis a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative medical and biomedical peer-reviewed journals, including Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, and Journal of Women's Health. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industrys most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firms more than 100 journals, newsmagazines, and books is available on theMary Ann Liebert, Inc., publisherswebsite.

Violence and Gender

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

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An immediate call to action from the editorial leadership of Violence and Gender - EurekAlert

The new Genetic Technology Bill aims to make food more nutritious and reduce our reliance on pesticides.

Image: BPM MEDIA)

Genetically-engineered food will be produced in the UK under new Government plans to deliver on the promise of Brexit .

The new Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill aims to make food more nutritious and reduce our reliance on pesticides.

The Bill, set out at the Queen's Speech, will allow gene-edited plants to be treated differently to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

GMOs have strict rules that only one is grown commercially in the EU.

But genetic-engineering is said to pose fewer risks.

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Gene-editing has the potential to improve the sustainability and productivity of farming and animals could also be less vulnerable to disease, experts have noted.

The use of gene editing had been hampered by a European Court of Justice ruling in 2018 that technology had to be regulated in the same way as genetic modification.

The Bill aims to remove unnecessary barriers inherited from the EU to enable the development and marketing of precision bred plans and animals which will drive economic growth and position the UK as the leading country to invest in agri-food research and innovation, officials said.

The National Farmers Union welcomed the new legislation when the draft bill was open to consultation from experts.

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At the time, NFU vice president, Tom Bradshaw said: New precision breeding techniques, such as gene editing, could protect crops and animals from pests and disease, help deliver net zero and allow farmers to produce more home-grown food.

However, he did mention the importance of analysing the implications for trade with the EU and promoting confidence among the public.

Scientists raised concerns earlier this year the the draft bill went through a consultation, with 63% of academic institutions fearing there could be a risk to human health or the environment with gene editing.

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Genetically-engineered food to be produced in the UK under new post-Brexit plans - The Mirror

Renowned scientist Jay Keasling encouraged the University of NebraskaLincolns spring graduates to find and develop their passions, help others pursue their passions, and take bigchances.

Full list of graduates | Featured grads | Program

Keasling, Philomathia Professor of Alternative Energy at the University of California, Berkley, and a Husker alumnus, delivered the undergraduate commencement address, Live Your Passion, May 14 at MemorialStadium.

Keasling recalled taking his first genetics course at the university in 1984, which reinforced his fascination with genetic engineering and led him down the career path he is still on today engineering microbes to produce therapies to fight diseases such as malaria and producing more environmentally friendly chemicals than those made frompetroleum.

People often ask me what my hobby is, and I somewhat embarrassingly say my job, said Keasling, who is also a senior faculty scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and chief executive officer of the Joint BioEnergy Institute. I know this might sound lame to you, but its really true. Its a very special privilege that I get up every morning and can do my hobby forwork.

Keasling, who is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Inventors, said he didnt choose his career because it was easy or would make him a lot of money, but because it fascinates and challenges him and he might be able to move the needle on making the planet a better place. He urged the graduates to take a similarapproach.

Keasling said everyone can find a passion and pour their spare time into it, even if its not ones work. He encouraged the graduates to pick something that is difficult to master and that makes them happy andproud.

Keasling said he was inspired by thoughtful teachers, professors and mentors. He asked the graduates to try to be a positive inspiration to someoneelse.

If you can inspire just one person to be the best person they can be or to see a career path that they did not know about or to be a force for good, that will be a positive multiplier in the world, hesaid.

Keasling told the graduates that hardly anything of value is achieved without taking big risks. He emphasized that he has failed far more often than he has succeeded, and that is the case for most of the successful people he knows. He encouraged the graduates to take chances while they are young and have less tolose.

When you leave here today, start taking risks, he said. Dont be afraid to fail if you do, you will learn and you will have successes later. And given the audience I am speaking to, many of those big risks will turn into high payoffs for you andsociety.

Keasling closed his address by saying that everything he has accomplished in life has been in collaboration with wonderful people family, mentors, colleagues and students and that people are the graduates greatest resource. He instructed the graduates to treat people as they would want to be treated, share credit with them and try to emulate the best mentors theyve had at theuniversity.

Keasling also received an honorary Doctor of Science during the undergraduateceremony.

Terry L. Fairfield, former president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation, received the Nebraska Builder Award for exceptional service to the state and university during theceremony.

Pinnacle Bank Arena hosted a ceremony for students earning graduate and professional degrees May 13; Memorial Stadium hosted a ceremony for undergraduates May 14; and the Lied Center for Performing Arts hosted a ceremony for law graduates May14.

Marco Barker, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at Nebraska, gave the address at the graduate and professional degree ceremony May 13 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. He shared his journey to becoming a diversityengineer.

I see diversity engineering as applying critical thinking, analysis, rigorous calculations of scenarios, experimentation with trying new solutions to solve one of the worlds greatest challenges of fostering belonging, inclusion, togetherness and community, he said. There is no doubt that we are polarized right now and that we are not taking the time to learn from one another, listen to one another and to show love to oneanother.

Barker shared four life lessons he has learned: to not to be defined by one moment or anyone else; to be part of the solution; to look beyond ones bubble and remain curious; and that mattering is one of humanitys deepestneeds.

One of our largest issues is that we have lost our human connection to understand, empathize and love, he said. To head toward better connectivity, we have to be open and ask questions and be inquisitive. Even ask yourself today, graduates: How did I get here? Whos here or not here with me? These can often reveal things about us that we do notrealize.

Barker emphasized that much is expected of the new graduates. He said they are well-positioned to go into the world and do two things solve problems using their academic superpowers and act in a way that ensures that people and interactionsmatter.

Sara Howard, policy adviser for First Five Nebraska and a former state senator, spoke to the law graduates May 14 at the Lied Center for PerformingArts.

Chancellor Ronnie Green presided over the commencement exercises, during which 2020 and 2021 graduates were also celebrated. About two dozen returned to cross the stage in front of family andfriends.

To each of our graduates: We are very proud of your accomplishments and thankful for your contributions, Green said. You have raised our level of critical thinking and creative activity as a world-leading institution of higher education, adding to the legacy of the people who have earned their advanced degrees fromNebraska.

The university conferred a record 3,612 degrees during the May commencement ceremonies. The 3,523 graduates are from 58 countries; 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and more than 250 Nebraskacommunities.

The May graduating class earned 131 new Juris Doctor degrees, 602 other new graduate and professional degrees and 2,879 new baccalaureate degrees. The university has awarded 310,614 degrees since it was founded in1869.

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Keasling tells graduates to pursue passions, inspire others - Nebraska Today

SAN DIEGO, May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Poseida Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PSTX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company utilizing proprietary genetic engineering platform technologies to create cell and gene therapeutics with the capacity to cure, today announced updates and financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

Poseida Therapeutics (PRNewsfoto/Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.)

"2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year for the Company, as we work to demonstrate the differentiation of our CAR-T programs in the clinic and advance our wholly owned and partnered gene therapy programs towards IND-enabling studies," said Mark Gergen, Chief Executive Officer of Poseida. "We now have three clinical CAR-T programs recruiting and enrolling, including two allogeneic product candidates, P-MUC1C-ALLO1 and P-BCMA-ALLO1 for solid tumors and multiple myeloma, respectively, as well as our P-PSMA-101 autologous CAR-T program for metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer. As we and the industry navigate current market dynamics, we are focused on efficient resource utilization and prioritization, including our decision in the first quarter to reduce autologous manufacturing capacity as we focus on the emergence of our allogeneic CAR-T programs. Additionally, we are fortunate to be advancing our platform technologies with partners such as Takeda, and we continue to evaluate other partnership opportunities that may allow us to pursue more opportunities and get access to resources and non-dilutive capital."

Program Highlights

CAR-T ProgramsThe Company currently has three ongoing CAR-T programs in the clinic. These include two allogeneic CAR-T programs progressing in Phase 1 clinical trials: P-BCMA-ALLO1, which is being evaluated in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM), and P-MUC1C-ALLO1, which is being evaluated in a wide range of solid tumors derived from epithelial cells, including breast and ovarian cancers. These programs are moving forward with planned clinical data updates in each allogeneic program in the second half of 2022. The Company is also advancing its autologous P-PSMA-101 product candidate being developed to treat patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in an ongoing Phase 1 dose escalation trial.

Gene Therapy ProgramsThe Company is advancing multiple gene therapy programs in liver-directed diseases, including its wholly owned P-OTC-101 program for the in vivo treatment of the urea cycle disease caused by congenital mutations in the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) gene. The Company is currently determining the best path forward for this program and will update expected timing on program advancement once that evaluation is complete.

Story continues

The Company is also advancing its P-FVIII-101 program partnered with Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (Takeda), which is in development for the in vivo treatment of Hemophilia A. P-FVIII-101 utilizes piggyBac gene modification delivered via lipid nanoparticle and has demonstrated stable and sustained Factor VIII expression in animal models.

Financial Results for the First Quarter 2022

RevenuesRevenues were $1.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, consisting of revenue earned from the collaboration and license agreement with Takeda that the Company entered into in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to no revenue for the same period in 2021.

Research and Development ExpensesResearch and development expenses were $48.9 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $29.1 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily related to a $8.1 million expense related to the Company's decision to discontinue future manufacturing at one of the Company's autologous contract manufacturers, as well as an increase in personnel expenses due to an increase in headcount, which included a $0.7 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, an increase in external costs related to the Company's clinical stage programs due to an increased number of clinical trials ongoing, including enrollment, manufacturing and license fees for the P-PSMA-101 Phase 1 clinical trial, the P-BCMA-ALLO1 Phase 1 clinical trial and P-MUC1C-ALLO1 Phase 1 clinical trial, and an increase in external costs related to the Company's preclinical stage programs.

General and Administrative ExpensesGeneral and administrative expenses were $9.5 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022, compared to $8.4 million for the same period in 2021. The increase was primarily related to an increase in personnel expenses due to an increase in headcount, which included a $0.7 million increase in stock-based compensation expense.

Net LossNet loss was $58.1 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022 compared to net loss of $38.3 million for the same period in 2021.

Cash PositionAs of March 31, 2022, the Company's cash and cash equivalents balance was $183.5 million.

About Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.

Poseida Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to utilizing our proprietary genetic engineering platform technologies to create next generation cell and gene therapeutics with the capacity to cure. We have discovered and are developing a broad portfolio of product candidates in a variety of indications based on our core proprietary platforms, including our non-viral piggyBac DNA Delivery System, Cas-CLOVER Site-specific Gene Editing System and nanoparticle- and AAV-based gene delivery technologies. Our core platform technologies have utility, either alone or in combination, across many cell and gene therapeutic modalities and enable us to engineer our portfolio of product candidates that are designed to overcome the primary limitations of current generation cell and gene therapeutics. To learn more, visit http://www.poseida.com and connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things, the potential benefits of Poseida's technology platforms and product candidates, Poseida's plans and strategy with respect to developing its technologies and product candidates, Poseida's ability to prioritize and utilize its resources efficiently and expected benefits from any such prioritization, and anticipated timelines and milestones with respect to Poseida's development programs and manufacturing activities. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Poseida's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with development and regulatory approval of novel product candidates in the biopharmaceutical industry and the other risks described in Poseida's filings 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. Poseida undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.

Selected Financial Data

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

Revenues:

Collaboration revenue

$

1,435

$

Total revenue

1,435

Operating expenses:

Research and development

48,850

29,095

General and administrative

9,546

8,369

Total operating expenses

58,396

37,464

Loss from operations

(56,961)

(37,464)

Other income (expense):

Interest expense

(1,077)

(838)

Other expense, net

(19)

(12)

Net loss before income tax

(58,057)

(38,314)

Income tax expense

Net loss

$

(58,057)

$

(38,314)

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.93)

$

(0.62)

Weighted-average shares of common stock, basic and diluted

62,555,915

61,981,081

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA

March 31,

2022

December 31,

2021

Cash and cash equivalents

$

183,489

$

206,325

Total assets

248,152

269,309

Total liabilities

144,450

113,098

Total stockholders' equity

103,702

156,211

Cision

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SOURCE Poseida Therapeutics, Inc.

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Poseida Therapeutics Provides Updates and Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2022 - Yahoo Finance