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New whitepaper examines main strategies employed to optimise target enrichment for NGS assays

Oxford Gene Technology, provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine, has produced a free whitepaper titled ‘The importance of enrichment assay choice and optimisation for confident variant detection.’ The paper investigates the main strategies employed to optimise target enrichment for next generation sequencing assays, assisting researchers to make informed decisions when designing studies.

From Oxford Gene Technology 30 Nov 2013

Genetics and cardiovascular drugs: an interview with Nancy Lurker, CEO of PDI and Paul Kinnon, CEO of Transgenomic, Inc.

People inherit different versions of any particular gene, and some genes affect how patients process and metabolize medicines. This especially holds true for people with cardiovascular (CV) disease. They may be fast, slow or non-metabolizers and might also react badly (with serious adverse events) to certain drug therapies or not at all.

27 Nov 2013

Natural compound coumarins exhibit anti-inflammatory as well as anticoagulant activities

New methods for the laboratory-scale synthesis of coumarin-based drugs were developed in a recent study completed at the University of Eastern Finland. In his doctoral thesis, Lic. Phil. Juri Timonen also developed new analytical methods for the fast identification of natural and non-natural coumarins.

26 Nov 2013

Novel urinary antigen test boosts S. pneumoniae CAP detection

Research published in the European Respiratory Journal shows that addition of a serotype-specific urinary antigen detection test to existing diagnostic methods can increase the detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae community-acquired pneumonia by over a third.

25 Nov 2013

A High-speed, User-friendly Microplate Reader

An interview with Ville Hasslahti, discussing an advanced microplate reader that can cover a whole plate in 15 seconds or less.

From Hidex Oy 21 Nov 2013

DNA vaccine demonstrates potential to prevent and treat deadly MERS coronavirus

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that preclinical testing of a DNA synthetic vaccine for the virulent Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS) induced robust and durable immune responses, demonstrating the potential for a SynCon DNA vaccine to prevent and treat this deadly virus.

20 Nov 2013

Serametrix launches new MDSC-based blood test for cancer patients

Serametrix Corporation has announced the launch of an important new blood test for cancer patients. The test measures a patient's level of circulating Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) that are known to decrease anti-tumor immunity and are associated with poor survival rates in cancer patients.

20 Nov 2013

New range of recombinant Fab monoclonal antibodies launched by BBI Solutions at Medica 2013

BBI Solutions, a world leader in immunoassay development and contract manufacturing, recently launched its unique range of Recombinant Fab Monoclonal Antibodies at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry’s (AACC) Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, on July 28-August 31, 2013, in Houston, Texas.

19 Nov 2013

Volition’s NuQ-5mc assay detects 75% of patients with colorectal cancer

VolitionRx Limited, a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests for different types of cancer, today announces the publication of preliminary data from an ongoing independent trial of one of its NuQ assays.

8 Nov 2013

New zebrafish technique finds potential treatments for multiple diseases

Skeletal muscle has proved to be very difficult to grow in patients with muscular dystrophy and other disorders that degrade and weaken muscle. Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital's Stem Cell Program now report boosting muscle mass and reversing disease in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, using a "cocktail" of three compounds identified through a new rapid culture system. Adding the same compounds to stem cells derived from patients' skin cells, they then successfully grew human muscle cells in a dish.

8 Nov 2013

Hologic's Aptima HPV 16 18/45 genotype assay gets FDA approval for use on Panther system

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and surgical products, with an emphasis on serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Aptima HPV 16 18/45 genotype assay for use on the Company's fully automated Panther system.

From Hologic, Inc. 8 Nov 2013

EKF Diagnostics to introduce upgraded POC analyzer and new sTNFr1 test kit at Medica 2013

EKF, announces it will be premiering two novel diagnostic tests at Medica 2013, 20th to 23rd November, Düsseldorf, Germany.

From EKF Diagnostics 8 Nov 2013

New 4th generation HIV assays now available to improve screening for HIV infection

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings announced today the availability of a 4th generation HIV antigen/antibody combination assay and a new diagnostic algorithm that improves screening for HIV infection.

6 Nov 2013

One Lambda gets CE mark approval in Europe for C1qScreen assay

One Lambda Inc., part of Thermo Fisher Scientific and a leading producer of in vitro diagnostic products for the human leukocyte antigen transplant community, has received CE mark approval in Europe for its C1qScreen assay.

6 Nov 2013

Interim data from Phase 1B trial of an investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in patients with previously-treated NSCLC announced by Merck

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced the presentation of interim data from a Phase 1B trial (PN001) evaluating MK-3475, an investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, in patients with previously-treated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The data were presented today by Dr. Edward Garon, Director of Thoracic Oncology, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, at the 15th World Conference on Lung Cancer in Sydney, Australia (Abstract #2416).

31 Oct 2013

Reinnervate, Oncotest and SBH partner to offer 3D tumour cell screening services

3D cell culture company Reinnervate Ltd today announced partnerships with two oncology-focussed CRO's to offer 3D tumour cell screening services. The CROs, Oncotest GmbH (Freiburg, Germany) and SBH Sciences (Natick, MA, USA) will both offer a new service for clients wishing to try out cancer 3D cell culture screening for the first time or who wish to evaluate new tumour types in their models.

31 Oct 2013

Cellectricon to demonstrate Cellaxess technology at Neuroscience 2013

Cellectricon, a leading provider of advanced cell-based screening technologies and services, will be presenting new data at Neuroscience 2013, 9-13 November, San Diego (USA).

From Cellectricon 31 Oct 2013

ATS and ACCP release five recommendations for tests, procedures in pulmonary medicine

A list released today identified five commonly performed tests and procedures in pulmonary medicine that may not always be necessary. The list, part of the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely® campaign, was produced by a collaborative task force assembled by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

30 Oct 2013

New pulmonary medicine list includes five recommendations to improve patient care and outcomes

A list released today identified five commonly performed tests and procedures in pulmonary medicine that may not always be necessary. The list, part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, was produced by a collaborative task force assembled by the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians.