Genomics Sponsored by Nvidia
Celebration of postdocs transitions to virtual platform
For the first time ever, the National Postdoctoral Association will celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week from September 21-25 as a virtual, collaborative event among multiple institutions. Executive Director Tom Kimbis discusses how the organization is adapting to meet the challenges of COVID-19 to support and advocate for postdocs.  Discuss
Making CRISPR safer with new enzyme-based prediction tool
A new technique will help scientists choose the best available gene editing option for any given indication, making CRISPR technology safer, cheaper, and more effective. The tool is outlined in a September 7 article in Nature Biotechnology.  Discuss
Customized gene therapies successfully target rare eye diseases
Can gene therapies prove effective for the treatment of rare genetic diseases? One company may have found a solution that incorporates a high degree of customization, manufacturing expertise, and years' worth of knowledge.  Discuss
New CRISPR-repressor system improves efficiency of gene therapies
Researchers have developed a CRISPR-based system that can simultaneously provide transcriptional control and gene editing on demand to improve the efficacy of gene therapies. The details were published in Nature Cell Biology on September 3.  Discuss
New gene therapy destroys latent oral herpes in mice
Researchers recently reported that they were able to eliminate latent herpes simplex virus 1 in mice using a new gene editing technique that targets the root cause of oral herpes. The findings were published on August 18 in Nature Communications.  Discuss
Protein engineering creates highly potent experimental SARS-CoV-2 vaccine
A bioengineering technique that utilizes various naturally occurring sequences and de novo design of messenger RNA (mRNA) components was applied to develop an mRNA-based vaccine that could be highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, according to a new article published in Advanced Materials on September 2.  Discuss
Detecting SARS-CoV-2 in blood may be early indicator of severe disease
A blood test that measures SARS-CoV-2 RNA when patients are admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms can be a powerful diagnostic tool to predict how severe their disease will be, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases on August 28. Patients without viral RNA in their blood have a good chance at rapid recovery, concluded researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Danderyd Hospital.  Discuss
Study investigates pharmacogenomics of COVID-19 therapies
Human genetic variation may alter the interactions of drugs being used to treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms, resulting in a range of clinical responses -- from no effect to high toxicity in some patients, according to a study published in Nature Genomic Medicine on August 18.  Discuss
Molecular barcoding of DNA identifies rare mutations in stem cells
Scientists have developed a new next-generation sequencing technique using molecular barcodes that can accurately detect a single genetic mutation in a pool of 10,000 cells. The researchers applied the approach to CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to search for undesirable mutations caused by the platform. The research and methods were published in Genome Biology on August 24.  Discuss
ESMO recommends use of NGS for advanced cancers
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) released its first recommendations for the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) for patients with metastatic cancers. The guidance was published in the Annals of Oncology on August 25.  Discuss
Conferences
ESMO Virtual Congress 2020
September 14-29
Online
BioProcess International West
September 21-25
Online
BioProcess International
September 21-25
Online
National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 21-25
Online
ASGCT 2020 Policy Summit
September 23-25
Online
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