GDT::Biotech::Trekker::Archive::Year 2005 | Biotech Trekker |
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Translational Scientists In Demand
TGen is the Translational Genomic Research Institute. The translational in TGen is about taking "genomic discoveries" and translating them into the "diagnosis and treatment of disease in a manner tailored to the individual." TGen will probably always be on the lookout for guru-level Translational Scientists. Biz.Yahoo.com:: New Stanford Master's Program Will Train Translational Scientists [28 December 2005, top] |
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New Jersey Funds Some Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The state of New Jersey awarded "$5 million in grants for stem cell research, including what is expected to be the first disbursements from a state for experiments on human embryonic stem cells. Three of the 17 grants involve human embryonic stem cells." New Jersey governor Richard Cody is quote saying: "This funding will hopefully set the stage for a new era in medical treatments that will ease the suffering of millions and ultimately save lives." NJ.us:: New Jersey Stem Cell Research Grants [17 December 2005, top] |
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TGen Interns Do Good; Don Ho Sings "Tiny stellcells"
Kudos to TGen interns Anne Lee and Albert Shieh. Lee and Shieh are high-school students who are going to do great things when they get to college. They received $100,000 and
they got to ring the Stock Market's closing bell as rewards
for "developing new software that more accurately analyzes
genetic data." The Biotech::Trekker is grateful TGen's
hometown is the Valley of the Sun.
TGen.org:: TGen Interns Take First Place in Prestigious Science Competition [Extra] These days Don Ho may be singing "Tiny stem cells..." instead of "Tiny bubbles..." Don Ho went to Thailand to have an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart. Ho had to go to Thailand because the new treatment that has not been approved in the United States. Ho's procedure involved "multiplying stem cells taken from his blood and injecting them into his heart in hopes of strengthening the organ." AP.org:: Don Ho Recovering From Stem Cell Procedure [10 December 2005, top] |
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UA's BIO5 Learning About the Corn Genome
Last week's posting was about the state of Iowa getting into biotechnology. I think corn when I think of Iowa, but they are doing some major work learning about the corn genome at the University of Arizona's BIO5 organization. Bio5.org:: UA/BIO5 Plant Scientists to Unravel Maize Genome [03 December 2005, top] |
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Iowa Wants To Be Innovative and Do Biotech
Iowa's governor, Tom Vilsack, wants his state to allocate $50 million to pay for research
based around the state's universities. Part of the funds would be
allocated to "create matching grants to help businesses develop new
products, focusing on biotechnology and advanced manufacturing."
Iowa will get the money thanks to tobacco industry.
Vilsack want to establish a task force on innovation and creativity because he says his "goal and my hope is that every worker in Iowa becomes more innovative and creative." What state governor doesn't have this as a goal? [26 November 2005, top] |
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Keeping an Eye On Chandler-based Cynexus Corp.
The Biotech::Trekker extends a Thank You to Chandler-based Cynexus Corporation for presenting at the November Tempe Techie Tuesday. Chad E. Kennedy, CEO and President, did an excellent job speaking about his company despite blarring music and an audience that consisted of a handful of people. Jeffrey P. Bade, the COO of Cynexus, also participated in the presentation. The following was copied from Cynexus.com.
"Cynexus Corporation is an emerging biotherapeutics
enterprise that is dedicated to the development and
commercialization of its breakthrough technology to
create high performance anti-inflammatory products.
The company is an outgrowth of several years of
advanced medical research and technology developed
in the labs of Dr. Stephen Massia of the Harrington
Department of Bioengineering at Arizona State University."
Biotech::Trekker hopes Cynexus experiences a never ending stream of successes. Cynexus.com:: Advancing Medical Realities of Tomorrow [19 November 2005, top] |
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Ghana Doing A Better Job Fighting HIV Infection
Cellegy Pharmaceuticals, a development stage biopharmaceutical company, is working on developing and commercializing prescription drugs for women's health care. The company's stock, which trades under the symbol CLGY, is a penny stock that has been falling toward zero. The company announced they are stopping a "late-stage study of its vaginal gel on preventing HIV infection in Ghana because of a lower-than-expected rate of transmission of the virus." The company's press release stated that the "estimated annual rate of HIV seroconversion in the Ghana study population was 3.7% at the time of trial initiation, but the observed annual rate was 1.2% eighteen months into the trial." Cellegy said the lower rate was "possibly due in part to counseling on HIV prevention and the distribution of condoms." This was bad news for the company, but good news for Ghana. Cellegy.com:: Cellegy Pharmaceuticals [12 November 2005, top] |
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Wisconsin Governor Okay With Human Cloning
It appears as though the state of Wisconsin has a stem cell "friendly" governor and this is good news for Wisconsin's scientists and biotechnologists. Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle vetoed legislation banning human cloning, saying it would criminalize research that could one day cure diseases such as Parkinson's. Doyle, a Democrat, said the potential medical benefits of stem cell research were more important than concerns over "cells in a dish." The governor's office issued a press release in which the following was stated.
"Specifically, AB 499 would not only prohibit human or
therapeutic cloning, but would make anyone who violated
the prohibition guilty of a class G felony, punishable
by up to 10 years in prison. It would also have established
a fine of $500,000 for any business caught violating the
prohibition, or if there was a financial gain by that business,
the fine would be double the amount of money received. Under
AB 499, any individual caught conducting human or therapeutic
cloning would be subject to a $250,000 find or double the
amount of any financial gain."
Wisconsin's governor is quoted saying:
"It is unfortunate that the United States Congress has so far
turned its back on stem cell research, refusing to support
important legislation to accelerate stem cell research. We
should not follow their example in Wisconsin. I hope that
this veto will send a clear message to the Legislature,
the scientific community, and to families who are hoping
and praying for cures: Wisconsin will remain at the forefront
of stem cell research."
I don't know what Arizona's position is on this subject. WI.us:: Governor Doyle Vetoes Assembly Bill 499 [05 November 2005, top] |
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Transplanting Neural Stem Cells In The Brain
The FDA approved what would be the first transplant of fetal stem cells into human brains.
"Doctors at Stanford University Medical Center can begin
the testing on six children afflicted with Batten disease,
a degenerative malady that renders its young victims blind,
speechless and paralyzed before it kills them."
The stems cells being used are not embryonic; instead, they are from "aborted fetuses, miscarriages, and other surgical processes."
"The stem cells to be transplanted in the brain aren't human
embryonic stem cells, which are derived from days-old embryos.
Instead, the cells are immature neural cells that are destined
to turn into the mature cells that makeup a fully formed brain."
Stem Cells, Inc. is developing a proprietary human neural stem cell product "HuCNS-SC" to treat Batten disease. CEO, Martin McGlynn, is quoted saying: "You cannot ask a mouse how it's feeling." StemCellsInc.com:: Receives Clearance to Initiate Phase I Clinical Trial of Neural Stem Cells to Treat Batten Disease
[Extra]
The University of California-San Francisco
has raised [22 October 2005, top] |
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Using Stem Cells To Treat Spinal Cord Injuries
Future biotech discoveries may help people with spinal cord injuries to "recover" from their injuries. In other words, a human-being who suffers from paralysis, with treatment, may see that paralysis reduced or eliminated. Naturally, lots of research is going on with respect to "repairing" spinal cord injuries. UCI.edu:: Adult human neural stem cell therapy successful in treating spinal cord injury [Extra] This not gotten lots of press, but it sounds promising.
"In an apparent major breakthrough, scientists in
Korea report using umbilical cord blood stem cells
to restore feeling and mobility to a spinal-cord
injury patient."
WorldNetDaily.com:: Adult stem cells restore feeling in paraplegic [15 October 2005, top] |
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BioBasics From the Flinn Foundation
The Flinn Foundation has established a "BioBasics" website. The motto is as follows. "Start here to learn about Arizona biosciences." It will someday probably be a significant resource, but as of 4 October 2005, the "Calendar" on the BioBasics home page contains dates from late-2004. IntraSight.net:: BioBasics: Home [Extra] On 29 September 2005, the Flinn Foundation posted an article about Professor Vicki Chandler, director of the BIO5 Institute and the University of Arizona, receiving the "NIH Director's Pioneer Award" from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Lots of good stuff is happening at UofA's BIO5 Institute. [Extra] Google Inc. announced that Shirley M. Tilghman, Princeton University's President and Professor of Molecular Biology, was "unanimously elected to join Google's Board of Directors. Dr. Tilghman is a world-renowned scholar, an exceptional teacher, and is respected worldwide for her pioneering research and advocacy of women in science." [08 October 2005, top] |
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Stem Cells Working In Mice
Stem cells continue to make the news on a daily basis. There are places around the world where scientists can do more with embryonic stem cells. All it takes is one major discovery and we jettison into the biotech world on our way to nanoworld. A common phrase these days is "the world is flat."
"Mice with severe spinal cord injuries regained much of
their ability to walk normally after getting injections
of stem cells taken from the brains of human fetuses."
WashingtonPost.com::
Stem Cell Injections Repair Spinal Cord Injuries in Mice
[Extra] Isotechnika Inc. said that a Phase III trial of its psoriasis drug had "met all primary and secondary endpoints." The company reported "ISA247 as a possible first line therapy for severe psoriasis while providing a side-effect profile not different from placebo." [01 October 2005, top] |
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Bio-Corn May Help Feed Hungry; Kudos To Orthologic
As of mid-September 2005, the world population approximated 6.5 billion people. Nearly 800 million
of these human-beings "suffer from protein-energy malnutrition,
which is a leading cause of death in children in developing countries."
Numerous developing countries grow corn; therefore, researchers are
seeking ways to "add" protein to corn.
"The new corn we have developed has two embryos in its kernel,
which is what doubles the content of protein and oil and reduces
the starch content. It could provide a good source of protein for
those that depend on grain as their primary source of nutrients."
Biotechnology may help allay world hunger. UCR.edu:: UCR Biochemist Goes to Washington with High-Protein Corn [Extra] Kudos to Tempe-based Orthologic, Inc.
"This study provides further support for our Chrysalin clinical
development program currently underway in fracture repair and
diabetic foot ulcer healing," said Dr. James Pusey, chief
executive officer of OrthoLogic. "In fracture repair, our
most advanced program, we are evaluating the efficacy and
safety of Chrysalin in the largest phase 3 fracture study
ever conducted, including 503 patients with wrist fractures.
We expect results of this study to be available in the first
half of 2006."
{Orthologic.com:: Study Shows Investigational Drug Chrysalin(R) Accelerates Blood Vessel Growth } [24 September 2005, top] |
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InNexus Biotechnology, Inc. Coming To Scottsdale
It was good news for the Valley of the Sun's emerging Bioindustry when InNexus Biotechnology, Inc. announced they were coming to Scottsdale. During May of 2005, InNexus announced a "multi-year collaborative research agreement with Mayo Clinic aimed at advancing the leading science of monoclonal antibody development, and for the creation of promising new medicines for cancer, cardiovascular disease and other difficult-to-treat diseases." Needless to say, we wish them great success. InNexusBiotech.com:: InNexus Teams with Mayo Clinic to Develop Antibodies Mailing address: InNexus Biotechnology, Inc. 1400 - 400 Burrard Street Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3G2 [as on 10 September 2005] InNexus Biotechnology is a publicly-held company whose stock trades on the OTC Bulletin-Board under the symbol IXSBF.OB. [Extra] On 14 September 2005, Isotechnika, Inc. announced the following. "Patients completing the 24 week Canadian Phase III SPIRIT trial were given the opportunity to continue therapy for an additional 36 weeks or to discontinue therapy. Of the patients who completed the 24 week trial 90% chose to continue treatment." The 90% retention rate is good news. Kudos to Isotechnika. {Isotechnika.com:: Press Release } [17 September 2005, top] |
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Virginia May Fund Stem Cell Research
Excellent example of short-term thinking.
"Despite the rhetoric from some, embryonic stem cell research
has brought no cures or treatments for anyone," said Victoria
Cobb, executive director of the Family Foundation, a socially
conservative group. "Taxpayers should not be forced to fund
something that is not only ethically questionable, but has
also failed to live up to the much-hyped promise."
"Embryonic stem cell research has brought no cures or treatments for anyone." -- Yet! And they won't if scientists are not funded to do research necessary to make discoveries. Another quote from a Virginia politician: "I want to take the science as far as possible, but I think the science is outstripping morals and values. I think we need some checks and balances on science." WashingtonPost.com:: Governor Pushes for Funding Of Stem Cell Research in Va. [10 September 2005, top] |
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Learning About Biotech Means Learning About Chemistry
If you want to do biotech, then learning about chemistry is required. In fact, "biochemistry" appears to be a key subject. I'm not a chemist; in fact, I'm chemically illiterate. I have a nice t-shirt that has a caffeine molecule on the front, but I don't wear it because I can't explain it. Hopefully the following website is still around when I decide to learn something about chemistry. 800MainStreet.com:: Introductory Chemistry
By the way, caffeine is a "bitter alkaloid
[03 September 2005, top] |
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Medical School Ethics are Important
This is not good and somewhat difficult to believe.
"A recent survey of medical students, more than one-third
of the respondents said medical ethics was not among their
required courses, and less than half knew of courses dealing
with bioterrorism or disaster preparedness."
Medical ethics are some of the most important ethics of all professions. Every class that every college student takes should include a healthy dose of ethics. This is especially true given the inter-disciplinary nature of the 21st century. [27 August 2005, top] |
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Arizona.edu Does Bio-Rice; Covance, PETA, Chandler
Rice is small. Compared to a human-being, rice is very, very, very small, but is it nano-scaled? In other words, how small will rice be in nano-world? What if a human-being can get perfect nutrition and perfect health and 100% satisfaction by eating just one grain of rice. Rice is full of calories, but you program your rice to keep your body at your desired weight. The University of Arizona is doing the future: "biotech, nanotech, space, robotics." [Kurzweil] The following was copied from the Arizona.edu domain. "The complete genetic code of the rice plant has been deciphered by researchers at The University of Arizona's plant sciences department and UA's BIO5 Institute and other members of an international consortium. The genome sequence is published in the current issue of Nature (Vol. 436, No. 7052)." Arizona.edu:: Revelations of Rice [Extra] This is really being saved for another day... A biotech wants to do business in Chandler located along the southeast section of Loop 101, but they are having problems with PETA. The PETA press release states: "Chandler should be showing Covance the door, not rolling out the red carpet. Covance has an abysmal record of animal abuse and threats to public health that shouldn't be welcomed by any city." PETA is "people for the ethical treatment of animals." I have also heard PETA referred to as "people eating tasty animals." If Chandler doesn't want Covance, then I am sure there are other cities who would be happy to have them move into town. {PETA.org:: PETA Calls On Chandler To Reject Covance} [side-bar] I have had a dog my entire life from Rusty to Lady to Iris to Harley and now Ray. [20 August 2005, top] |
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TGen and NAU Awarded Multi-million Dollar Grant
On 4 August 2005, the Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) issued a press release announcing the awarding of a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with Northern Arizona University (NAU) on "several projects." The projects include working on Sepsis and CAP, which are "among the top ten leading causes of death for most age groups worldwide." And, a project to "discover pathogen-specific DNA signatures" is being supported by publically traded Applied Biosystems. [06 August 2005, top] |
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Senate Majority Leader Supports Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
On 29 July 2005, Senate majority leader Bill Frist said he would support U.S. funding for embryonic stem-cell research. This news resulted in stem-cell stocks to spike upward. Let's use Palo Alto-based StemCells, Inc. as an example. 28 July 2005 close: $5.23 29 July 2005 open : $5.83 [+11.47%] 29 July 2005 high : $6.58 [+25.81%] 29 July 2005 close: $6.10 [+16.63%] Trading volume on 29 July 2005 was 34,413,945 versus an average of 3,329,670 over the last three months.
As of 29 July 2005,
StemCells, Inc. had a market value
of approximately
On 29 July 2005, StemCells, Inc.
reported second-quarter results: loss of StemCellsInc.com:: Home Page [30 July 2005, top] |
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San Diego-based Pfizer Reducing Research/Development Staffing
Biotechnology and "smart drugs" are going to be a big part of 22nd century life, but in 2005 it is tough to make money as evidenced by San Diego-based Pfizer, Inc. Pfizer has announced plans to eliminate some research and development positions. Some the San Diego-based R&D cuts will affect "research programs in oncology, virology, diabetes and obesity, and eye diseases." SignOnSanDiego.com:: Cost-conscious Pfizer set to announce staffing cuts [23 July 2005, top] |
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Parasites and Neglected Diseases
Cracking genetic code sequences is critical to the discovery and creation of "smart drugs." The following quote highlights the need for smart drugs.
"Researcher Professor Sanjeev Krishna from the
University of London said: "Treating sleeping
sickness is like a form of medical Russian Roulette
because you don't know who will be saved or killed
by the treatment available."
Scientists have discovered the genetic sequence for three parasites: Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi and leishmania major. The parasites contain between "8,000 and 12,000 genes, but have more than 6,000 in common." The press release about the discovery stated: "More than 500 million people are at risk for one or more of these diseases so the potential of the scientists' findings is huge, said the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative." BBC.co.uk:: Parasites' Genetic Code 'Cracked' [16 July 2005, top] |
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NCI Receives 2005 Bio-IT World Best Practices Award
Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) played a key role in helping the National Cancer Insitute (NCI) be one of the "six Grand Prize winners of Bio-IT World magazine's third annual Best Practices Awards." NCI's award was in the category of "Knowledge Management." Yesterday (08 July 2005), SGI's stock made a new 52-week low and many on Wall Street feel SGI is heading for a Chapter 11 ruling. SGI makes great products, but great products does not ensure corporate success. The NCI uses a Silicon Graphics Prism™ visualization system powered by Intel® Itanium® 2 processors and running the Linux® operating environment. SGI.com:: NCI Receives Bio-IT World Best Practices Award in Knowledge Management [09 July 2005, top] |
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TGen Receives 2005 Bio-IT Grand Prize Award
I sent the following posting to the Arizona Republic's blog at Pluggedin.AzCentral.com.
To: talkback@arizonarepublic.com Subject: TGen News: A1, not B6 01 July 2005 Arizona Republic reported on TGen being awarded the 2005 Bio-IT Grand Prize. Kudos to TGen. Zero is one of my favorite numbers, but I don't know why there was zero mention of TGen's good news on page A1. Instead, it was found on page B6 (bowls of the Valley and State section). I believe Ray Kurzweil when he teaches us that our future is "biotech, nanotech, and, ultimately, robotics." TGen does genes and biotech is all about genes. The potential of biotech and robotics explodes when we enter into the era of molecular nanotechnology. [Note: I'm not a scientist.] TGen stuff needs to be printed on page A1 because not everybody is "subscribed" to receive an email message every time TGen's posts a press release to TGen.org. "TGen Receives 2005 Bio-IT Grand Prize Award" (29 June 2005) http://www.tgen.org/news/index.cfm?pageid=57&newsid=645 Congratulations to TGen! Keep up the great work. Recent TGen press releases.
[02 July 2005, top] |
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FierceBiotech's List of 15 Top Biotech Companies
I joined the FierceBiotech mailing-list after they published a list of the top 15 biotech companies in the world. Three of the companies are in San Diego, CA; and, three companies are in Cambridge, MA. 11 of the 15 companies are in the U.S. and more than half of those (i.e. 6) are in California.
geographical data for the top emerging
biotech and pharmaceutical companies
--------------------------------------
California........ 6
Massachuesettes... 3
Washington........ 1
North Carolina.... 1
UK................ 1
France............ 1
Switzerland....... 1
Germany........... 1
Biz.Yahoo.com:: FierceBiotech Announces Third Annual List of 'Fierce 15' Companies of 2005 [Extra] Congratulations to TGen for being awarded $7.1 million for brain disease research. TGen's NIH award was "part of a greater $25 million grant that TGen will share with three other microarray centers that are part of the NIH Neuroscience Microarray Consortium supported by the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint." {TGen.org:: Press Release} [25 June 2005, top] |
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ASU Seeks More Biodesign Funding
On 17 June 2005, the Arizona Republic contained the following headline: "ASU seeking $107 million for biodesign." ASU is seeking Proposition 301 money to continue growing its Biodesign Institute. The Biodesign Institute at ASU is working on "harnessing the elegance of nature's designs." Current centers include the following.
Let's hope the Arizona Board of Regents say YES to ASU's financial requests. Biodesign.org:: Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University [18 June 2005, top] |
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InNexus Biotechnology May Relocate To the Valey of the Sun
The 27 May 2005 issue of the Phoenix Business Journal reported that Vancouver, BC-based InNexus Biotechnology is considering relocating its headquarters to Phoenix. The Business Journal indicated InNexus Biotechnology -- as it should -- was also looking at San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle. InNexus Biotechnology, Inc. was formed in 2001 and it is a publicly held British Columbia Corporation that trades on the OTC Bullentin Board under the symbol IXSBF.OB. InNexus Biotechnology is an "antibody-driven drug development company that has developed two technology platforms, SuperAntibody™ and TransMAbs™, which improve the potency of existing antibody products and create a novel class of antibody based drugs which penetrate into cells." InNexusBiotech.com:: Home Page [11 June 2005, top] |
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Arizona and Stem Cells Do Not Mix
On 24 May 2005, the House voted 238 to 194 to pass HR 810 (Stem-Cell Research). This bill "extends federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research beyond limits set by President Bush." The bill would allow the use of "frozen embryos that otherwise would be discarded by fertility clinics." Lawmakers in Arizona voted as follows.
Yes: Pastor (D), Grljalva (D), Kolbe (R)
No: Renzi (R), Franks (R), Shadegg (R), Hayworth (R), Flake (R)
[Extra] On 24 May 2005, the House voted 431 to 1 to pass HR 2520 (Umbilical-Cord Research). The bill supports the estblishment of a "registry of the blood of discarded umbilical cords, making stem cells from the blood available for medical treatments and research." Arizona lawmakers voted unanimously for passage of this bill. [31 May 2005, top] |
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East Valley Tribune Knows Stem Cells Important
The East Valley Tribune published an editorial in response to the House of Representatives preparing to "vote on bills easing President Bush's restrictions on federally funded stem-cell researchers." Kudos to the East Valley Tribune (EVT). The EVT editorial mentioned that stem cell research and discovery is going to happen regardless of what the United States does. EVT acknowledged that in the U.S., California, New Jersey and Massachusetts are taking the stem cell lead.
"Stem-cell science is coming. The question now is whether the vast
federally funded medical research establishment, with the expertise
and oversight it brings, will become irrelevant to that process."
EastValleyTribune.com::Editorial:: Stem-cell Surge [23 May 2005] [Extra] East Valley Tribune editorial from 26 May 2005: Stem-cell Stand Obstructive [24 May 2005, top] |
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Korean Scientists Clone Human Embryos
19 May 2005 Wired News article starts with: "Korean scientists have used cloned human embryos to derive tailor-made stem cells." The next day, 20 May 2005, Wired News reports that President George W. Bush will "veto any legislation that loosens federal restrictions in the United States on embryonic stem cell research." The article also quoted Bush saying the following: "The best way to honor this great champion of human freedom is to continue to build a culture of life where the strong protect the weak." {Wired.com:: Stem Cells Made to Order } [Extra] There are some politicians who are concerned about our President's failure to see into future. "House Republican leaders said they would support a research bill that encouraged harvesting the cells from umbilical cords." Stuff is going to happen in the stem cell world and it could be a major error if the United States of America takes away freedoms and opportunities from our scientists. [21 May 2005, top] |
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San Francisco Home To CIRM Headquarters
California's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee (ICOC) has selected San Francisco to be the headquarters for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). In other words, San Francisco becomes a major player in the world of stem cell research and discovery. About CIRM...
"CIRM was established in 2004 with the passage of Proposition 71, the
California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. The Institute is
responsible for disbursing $3 billion in State funds for stem cell
research to California universities and research institutions over
the next ten years and is governed by the ICOC."
Congratulations to San Francisco and Silicon Valley continues to morph into Biotech Valley. {CIRM.ca.gov:: ICOC Selects San Francisco Site For Permanent CIRM Headquarters }[Extra] Isotechnika announced it was granted approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to "go ahead with a Phase IIb kidney transplant trial for its lead immunosuppressive drug, ISA247." [Isotechnika has operations in Scottsdale.] [12 May 2005, top] |
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Arizona Says NO to Human Cloning
On 20 April 2005 the governor of Arizona signed HB 2221 into law. House Bill 2221 "prohibits the use of public monies for purposes of human cloning." {AzLeg.State.AZ.US:: HB 2221 }
[Extra]
Isotechnika announced it received a
"No Objection Letter" from Health Canada
for the "commencement of a Phase IIb kidney transplant trial for
its lead immunosuppressive drug, [30 April 2005, top] |
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Rice Fungus Genome Mapping is Important
Magnaporthe grisea is the "first pathogenic plant fungus to have its life-code mapped." Fungus is any of a major group of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing organisms usually classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts It is easy for some of us to forget the importance of rice when it comes to feeding the people of our world. The following list of quotes were obtained from a BBC news report.
Genetically-modified rice may help reduce (and longer term eliminate) world hunger. BBC.co.uk:: Rice Fungus Genome Mapped At Last [23 April 2005, top] |
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BetterHumans.com--On Hair Follicle Stem Cells
BetterHumans.com is an excellent resource and I make a mistake everytime I don't read their postings. Stem cells -- a huge issue these days -- could change the world given one (and it could be just one) major discovery. Stem cells from hair follicles may someday help extend our lives. {BetterHumans.com:: Brain Cells Built from Hair Stem Cells } [Extra] I missed the Orthologic Annual Meeting of the Shareholders on 15 April 2005. My schedule permitted me to attend, but I didn't. We will be a better Valley of the Sun if companies like Orthologic are successful. [Note: I am a small OLGC shareholder.] [16 April 2005, top] |
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Ray Thurston Helps TGen Fight Breast Cancer
On 04 April 2005, TGen announced that "Paradise Valley businessman and entrepreneur, Mr. Ray Thurston, has pledged $3 million to support three breast cancer research projects." Kudos to Mr. Thurston. The TGen press release quotes Mr. Thurston saying, "So many medical problems touch all of our lives. I was attracted to the focus that TGen has on compressing the time it takes to move discoveries from the laboratory into new diagnostics and treatments. I hope that the process of shrinking the timeline within a business framework might be of value to future TGen research projects." Mr. Thurston will be sharing some of his experiences with TGen along with his finanical support. The TGen press release also quoted TGen's Dr. Jeffrey Trent saying, "The new frontier in bringing the human genome project to patient application is the integration of complex information from genomic, medical, and computer studies--a field we call 'systems biology'." TGen.org:: $3 Million Donation Accelerates TGen Breast Cancer Research [10 April 2005, top] |
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California Stem Cell Report
A blog (weblog) has been created to help keep track of what's happening in California's stem cell world. {BlogSpot.com:: California Stem Cell Report } [Extra] Speaking California stem cells... "Three advocacy groups have filed a pair of lawsuits aimed at dismantling the $3-billion stem-cell-research institute that California voters approved in November. The suits allege that the institute's governance and conflict-of-interest rules do not comply with state law." [02 April 2005, top] |
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ORIEL: Online Research Information Environment for the Life Sciences
The Online Research Information Environment for the Life Sciences (ORIEL) project is "developing tools and procedures to promote access to and integration of a wide range of information resources in the life sciences." ORIEL is "funded by the EU (European Union) and coordinated by the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO)." One of the objectives of the ORIEL project is to "explore and further develop methods, technologies and protocols aimed at the integration, dissemination and exploitation of large, complex and disparate digital information resources." {ORIEL.org:: Software, Tools, Services - Open Source Software } [26 March 2005, top] |
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Ian Pearson Talks About DNA Computing
The ACM TechNews contained an item in which "British Telecom's resident futurist Ian Pearson predicts that computers synthesized from biological cultures will appear within a generation, and raises the possibility that computer intelligence will equal human intelligence after 2015." Ian is not alone with respect to this belief. Here is a quote from Pearson. "In 15 years time you could design a bacterium (similar to yoghurt) with the DNA in it to assemble circuits within its own cell. Because it's part of its DNA, it will be able to reproduce. So as long as you provide it with a food supply, this bacterium will become a quite large computer over a period of time. It will just breed."{BTinternet.com:: Ian Pearson's Guide to the Future } [19 March 2005, top] |
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Genetically Engineered Salmon May Be Coming to the US
Aqua Bounty Technologies has filed an application to the Food and Drug Administration that, if approved, would make salmon the "first genetically enhanced animal sold for consumption in the United States." The company states its "AquAdvantage™ salmon only produce the same proteins and hormones produced by other salmon: they are indistinguishable from standard salmon except for their increased growth rates." These genetically modified salmon "reach market size in approximately half the time it takes standard salmon grown under the same conditions." {AquaBounty.com:: Technology for Sustainability} [12 March 2005, top] |
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Tempe-Based Orthologic Hires a New CEO
Tempe-based Orthologic (an Orthobiologics company) announced that James M. Pusey is taking over as President and CEO of the company. Orthologic's next annual meeting is on 15 April 2005 so I am looking forward to seeing the company's new commander. { More... Press Release } [05 March 2005, top] |
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United Nations Leading Against Human Cloning
The United Nations has approved a resolution calling on nations to ban all forms of human cloning "incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life." Wired News reports the voting was 71-for versus 35-against with 43 abstentions. The United States was "happy" with the outcome of the vote. If the resolution passes the U.N. general assembly, then it will become a recommendation and not an international law. {Wired.com:: U.N. Panel: Anti-Clone Resolution } [26 February 2005, top] |
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TGen Tells Arizona To Look At California
The next to last page of the Business section in the Friday, 14 February 2005, Arizona Republic contained an short article titled: "TGen exec cites Calif. in push for biotech aid." GDT has been advocating that the Valley of the Sun needs to collaborate and partner with Silicon Valley because Silicon Valley remains a leader in high-tech and is one of the leaders in the biotech world. GDT guesses that the amount computing power in Silicon Valley drawfs that which exists in the entire state of Arizona. [It is a guess because I have no data to backup the claim.] GDT was glad to read that TGen "isn't likely to be threatened by an anti-cloning bill that passed Arizona's House of Representatives." TGen doesn't do stuff with stem-cells, but what if a stem-cell guru becomes available for TGen to recruit? TGen and the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University and a strong research school like the University of Arizona and Arizona's wealth of medical talent bodes well for the long-term high-tech, biotech, nanotech, robotic future of Arizona. But... Arizona politicians can prevent lots of good stuff from happening. The Arizona Republic story ends with a quote from Arizona governor Janet Napolitano. "We need to diversify Arizona's economy, we need to bring in young scientists from around the world." It is true that we need to bring scientists from all parts of our planet, but we need to be able to grow our own scientists, too. The governor speaks well, but is she a 21st century leader? GDT has doubts. [19 February 2005, top] |
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Therapeutic Cloning in UK is Legal and Growing
Professor Ian Wilmut and Kings College London scientists will clone early stage embryos to study motor neurone disease (MND). "MND is caused by the death of cells - called motor neurones - that control movement in the brain and spinal cord." Wilmut, a primary scientist in creating Dolly the sheep, has been granted a licence to clone human embryos for medical research by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. "Therapeutic cloning for research has been legal in the UK since 2001 and it would be only the second time the authority has given consent." {BBC.co.uk:: Dolly Expert is to Clone Embryos } [14 February 2005, top] |
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AzBiotech.net Renewed; Arizona May Say No to Human Cloning
The AzBiotech.net has been renewed for another year. This is an automatic confirmation for the renewal of the domain you registered with Gandi : AZBIOTECH.NET Your domain has been renewed for 1 year(s) without error. The new expiration date is now : 2006-04-03 07:46:02 [Extra::Some Arizona Politicians Against Human Cloning] Human cloning is going to happen; therefore, some politicians want to keep Arizona from being a leading participant in this market. {AzCentral.com:: Ban on Use of Arizona Funds for Human Cloning Advances } [05 February 2005, top] |
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Stem Cell Collection May Be Contaminated
It has been reported that many embryonic stem cells used for U.S. research are contaminated and may not be suitable to transplant into humans. This is just one of many stem cell stories making the news. What are stem cells? {NIH.gov:: Stem Cell Basics: Introduction } [Extra] The Wiley Foundation has announced that C. David Allis to Receive the Third Annual Wiley Prize in the Biomedical Sciences [29 January 2005, top] |
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Can Open Source Benefit Biotech?
Open Source works well in the computing world, but can it play a role in the biotech world? Wired.com:: Open-Source Biology Evolves
[Extra] During December of 2004 the Public Library of Science (PLoS) posted an article that started by stating: "only about 1% of newly developed drugs are for tropical diseases." Given this, the article goes on to ask if Open Source may be helpful with respect to helping fight tropical diseases. {Medicine:PLoSjournals.org:: Finding Cures for Tropical Diseases: Is Open Source an Answer? } [22 January 2005, top] |
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Genetic Savings and Clone
Cat cloning today... dog cloning coming soon. Genetic Savings and Clone is a "leading provider of pet gene banking and pet cloning services." The company was in the news late-2004 when someone from north-Texas paid $50,000 to have their kitty cloned. {SavingsAndClone.com:: Genetic Savings and Clone }[14 January 2005, top] |
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From Biocrops to the Chicken Genome
The use of biotechnology in agriculture continues to hold promise. A report issued last month (Dec. 2004) indicated that "global commercial value of biotech crops grown in the 2003-2004 crop year at US$44 billion, with 98 percent of that value produced in five countries - the United States, Argentina, China, Canada and Brazil - that grew one or more of four biotech-enhanced crops: soybeans, cotton, corn and canola." WhyBiotech.com:: Plant Biotechnology Goes Global with Research and Production in 63 Countries "If biotechnology is to contribute to the world's 21st century challenge of feeding a world of 10 billion people, all stakeholders in the science need to do a better job of explaining biotechnology's benefits, Dr. Norman Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and World Food Prize founder told the International Biotech Conference in Des Moines this week." "With available information and research, we can feed 10 billion people. But if we are going to be able to use the technology, we must first end the debate," Borlaug said, reminding the audience, "You can't win by being nice guys."
NCGA.com::
Better Communication Key to Biotechnology's Role in Feeding the World
[Extra] Sci-Tech-Today.com:: Chicken Genome Fill Crucial Knowledge [07 January 2005, top] |
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Welcome to Year 2005
Happy New Year! welcome to 2005. The 2004 Biotech Trekker has been archived. [01 January 2005, top] |
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Author: Gerald D. Thurman
[deru@deru.com] Last Modified: Saturday, 31-Dec-2005 07:25:00 MST Thanks for Visiting |