Nanopore sequencer used for real-time microbial cell-free DNA analyses in septic patients. © Fraunhofer IGBI

Researchers from German Fraunhofer IGBI have used  next-generation sequencing (NGS) to diagnosis sepsis from tiny amounts of microbial DNA in the blood. 

Copyright BioEcho  Image: Plastic consumption comparison. 50 DNA preparations each (purified with EchoLUTION Tissue DNA Micro Kit (right) and the corresponding Silica Based Kit from Supplier Q (left)), were performed following the suppliers protocols and the plastics and harmful reagent waste collected. When using BioEcho Kits 70% plastics is saved compared to bind-wash-elute Kits, also not polluted with harmful reagents, which need to be disposed of at higher costs.

BioEcho develops single-spin and 96-well kits for the isolation of DNA from different starting materials. In contrast to common bind-wash-elute procedures, their proprietary EchoLUTION single-step technology avoids the use of inhibitory or harmful process reagents and does not require washing steps. 90% of the disposal costs are saved as well as more than 40% of the pipet tip consumption costs. The inhibitor-free DNA enables lowered time-to-result in enzyme-dependent genomic analyses such as PCR or NGS.

CTO Lars Nieba has taken over as interim CEO at Nordic Nanovectors after Eduardo Bravo’s sudden departure.

© NIAID

The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) has announced a €45m funding for the development of therapeutics and diagnostics to tackle coronavirus outbreaks.

© Immunocore Holdings plc.

With the financing led by General Atlantic, the British company wants to expand a novel platform and advance its ImmTAX pipeline to the clinic.

She was already serving as interim CEO since Nouscom founder Alfredo Nicosia retired in May 2019. Now, Marina Udier‘s appointment at the Basel-based immuno-oncology company has been made permanent.

© Vitamin C_Ulrike Leone/pixabay.com

High amounts of injected vitamin C may delay the growth of many types of tumours and boost the anticancer power of immune checkpoint therapies, report Italian oncologists.

Bicycles can be linked together as bi-specifics, which simultaneously bind to two different proteins to deliver dual pharmacology. © Bicycle Therapeutics plc

Roche AG‘s has paid US$30m upfront in a potential US$1.7bn deal to get access to Bicycle Therapeutics plc’s technology platform to target immune checkpoints.

ioNEURONS/glut express glutamatergic neuron-specific markers Copyright: Bit Bio

Widespread use of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) derived mature cell types is restricted by complex differentiation protocols and inefficient reprogramming methods. By applying a novel gene engineering approach, opti-oxTM, to cellular reprogramming these restrictions have been largely overcome. This proprietary technology enables precise reprogramming and homogeneous differentiation of entire stem cell cultures into any desired cell type.

Microglia/macrophage  activated form from rat cortex after traumatic brain injury (lectin staining with HRP). © wikimedia/Grzegorz Wicher
Researchers at Trinity College in Dublin have demonstrated that resetting brain-specific immune cells improves traumatic brain injury (TBI) recovery.