ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Ambry Genetics (Ambry) has created an online portal to enable more patients and families to participate in research through the AmbryShare program. With this simplified portal, Ambry has streamlined the research consent process to make cohort recruitment easier for clinicians at the time of sample collection for clinical testing.

Patients now have the flexibility to e-consent from home, or a mobile device during their office visits. An individual can also enroll themselves and submit a sample to the program independently, whether or not their clinician orders a clinical test at Ambry.

The new e-consent portal is one more example of the companys mission to use AmbryShare to remove the red-tape that has been slowing down scientific progress.

The data-sharing program is currently focused on the genomics of autism and prostate cancer, and Ambry is actively seeking research partners for those initiatives.

We've created a simple way for patients to participate in crowd-sourced research, said Brigette Tippin Davis, PhD, Ambrys Director of Emerging Genetic Medicine. If your family is impacted by disease, we are empowering you to make a real difference. AmbryShare freely enables researchers worldwide to put your de-identified genomic DNA to work to find treatments, keeping your privacy protected at the same time.

Since March 2016, Ambry has provided researchers with de-identified aggregated data from whole exome sequencing on a large cohort of affected patients with the intention of aiding and accelerating scientific research at no cost to the public. This data will ultimately help clinicians create more tailored treatments through enhanced understanding of human disease.

For more information and to enroll in AmbryShare, visit the AmbryShare portal here.

ABOUT AMBRY GENETICS

Ambry Genetics is both College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified. Ambry leads in clinical genetic diagnostics and genetics software solutions, combining both to offer the most comprehensive testing menu in the industry. Ambry has established a reputation for sharing data while safeguarding patient privacy, unparalleled service, and responsibly applying new technologies to the clinical molecular diagnostics market. For more information about Ambry Genetics, visit http://www.ambrygen.com.

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Ambry Genetics Launches New Site for Cohort Recruitment - Yahoo Finance

We hear the terms genetics and genomics being used in countless scientific studies as well as more mainstream news reports. But despite the two words sounding similar, genetics and genomics refer to two very different things. Do you know the difference between these two terms? What separates genetics from genomics and vice versa? Here is how you can find out in one minute.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Watch the original video:What is the Difference Between Genetics and Genomics?

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Video: Understand the difference between genetics and genomics in 1 minute - Genetic Literacy Project

According to an international team of researchers led by University College London and Kings College London, the discovery of a molecular switch that causes the mucosal inflammatory diseases ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, and celiac disease, could lead to effective new treatments for these autoimmune conditions. The discovery is reported in the journal PLoS Genetics.

According to Soderquest et al, T-bet plays an important role in coordinating the bodys immune responses. Image credit: Werbe Fabrik.

For the first time, researchers have a specific target for the treatment of these life-changing conditions by identifying an immune molecule called T-bet (TBX21) as the key control point that regulates the genetic risk in specific diseases.

Our research outlines a specific focus for the development of new treatments for these diseases which have such a profound effect on sufferers, explained Kings College London Professor Graham Lord, co-senior author on the study.

In the study, Prof. Lord and his colleagues examined how genetic variation affects T-bet binding to DNA, as a key regulatory mechanism in the immune response.

Genome-wide association studies have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may be causative for autoimmune diseases, the researchers said.

The majority of these polymorphisms are located within non-coding distal regulatory elements.

It is considered that these genetic variants contribute to disease by altering the binding of regulatory proteins and thus gene expression, but whether these variants alter the binding of lineage-specifying transcription factors has not been determined.

The researchers found that T-bet binding sites are specifically enriched in genetic variants associated with the mucosal autoinflammatory diseases.

They also identified genetic variants that alter T-bet binding and gene expression.

We show that SNPs associated with the mucosal inflammatory diseases Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease, but not rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis, are enriched at T-bet binding sites, the authors said.

Furthermore, we identify disease-associated variants that alter T-bet binding in vitro and in vivo.

Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms may predispose individuals to mucosal autoimmune disease through alterations in T-bet binding, they said.

Other disease-associated variants may similarly act by modulating the binding of lineage-specifying transcription factors in a tissue-selective and disease-specific manner.

_____

K. Soderquest et al. 2017. Genetic variants alter T-bet binding and gene expression in mucosal inflammatory disease. PLoS Genet 13 (2): e1006587; doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006587

Link:
'Molecular Switch' that Causes Mucosal Autoimmune Diseases Discovered - Sci-News.com

LUMBERTON

The first national health conference of its kind is coming to Southeast Texas this weekend.

On Saturday, the Pathway to Freedom Health Conference will focus on natural health and wellness.

There will be multiple speakers on topics from basic nutrition and natural health support to spirituality, genetics and functional health.

Attendees can also shop with different vendors. Tickets are $37 and details can be found by clicking this link.

The conference is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lumberton ISD Performing Arts Center (103 South LHS Drive in Lumberton). Doors open at 8 a.m.

See more here:
Lumberton health conference to focus on nutrition, genetics - KBTV Fox 4 Beaumont

Scientists at the University of British Columbia have genetically engineered a mouse that does not become addicted to cocaine, adding to the evidence that habitual drug use is more a matter of genetics and biochemistry than just poor judgment.

The mice they created had higher levels of a protein called cadherin, whichhelps strengthen synapses between neurons.

[After injecting cocaine into mice, researchers found that]the normal mice almost always gravitated to the cocaine-associated compartment, while the mice with extra cadherin spent half as much time there indicating that these mice hadnt formed strong memories of the drug.

By preventing the synapses from strengthening, we prevented the mutant mice from learning the memory of cocaine, and thus prevented them from becoming addicted,says graduate student and co-author Andrea Globa.

A diagram showing synapses in the reward circuit of mice when exposed to cocaine: on left, a normal mouse, and on right, a mouse with increased levels of cadherin. Credit: University of British Columbia.

Their finding provides an explanation for previous studies showing that people with substance use problems tend to have more genetic mutations associated with cadherin and cell adhesion. As studies such as this one illuminate the biochemical underpinnings of addiction, it could lead to greater confidence in predicting who is more vulnerable to drug abuse and enable people to act on that knowledge.

[The study can be found here.]

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post:Scientists create mouse that resists cocaines lure

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Drug addiction may be fueled by genetics, not just poor judgment - Genetic Literacy Project

GERALD PIDDOCK

Last updated15:27, February 20 2017

Supplied

Dairy Solutionz will be looking to market their heat tolerant dairy genetics in tropical countries as well as New Zealand.

Bull semen that produces dairy cows capable of performing in tropical countries has been released by Waikato company Dairy Solutionz.

The three bulls from the new Kiwipole breed - Slick Pathos, Slick Eros and his brother Slick Himeros - are believed to be the world's first homozygous "slick"dairy type bulls available for export semen sales.

The bulls will transmit the heat tolerance associated with the "slick gene" to all of their daughters. This gene allows cattle to perform in hot and humid conditions, with maintained and even improved milk production.

The three bulls are set to become the fathers of a new generation of dairy cows bred to produce high volumes of milk in tropical climates and make a difference to the world's estimated 270 million tropical dairy cow population.

READ MORE: *Using technology to grow company's 'golden goose *NZ demo farm in Colombia set to go *Dairying the Kiwi way in South America

The slick genes the Kiwipole bulls have passed on to their daughters willbetter regulate body temperature while maintaining milk yield under heat stress.

Dairy Solutionz recently launched the breed at the Tulare World Ag Expo event in California, in partnership with STGenetics.

Dairy Solutionz chief executive Derek Fairweather said the launch was a chance to showcase the genetics to farmers who run North America's large scale mega-dairies.

"It's not a solution for the whole of America, there's niche climates and conditions where it's got a role but it's a pretty compelling value proposition and the science is in behind it."

Heat stress was a significant issue in the United States among cattle, he said.

"You're either incurring a lot of costs to moderate the environment and it gets over 100 degrees fahrenheit (37degC)pretty frequently and that's pretty hot."

He also met with farmers from Nigeria, Ethiopia and Mexico who were interested in the genetics.

"We have got a really good solution for them. It's exciting, it's nice to have a world first."

Research from the University of Florida showed that heat tolerant cows could generate up to four litres more milk a day with a calving interval improvement of almost two months.

While the breed hadbeen designed for tropical conditions overseas, it could become sought-after in New Zealand to help farmers breed herds that couldremainedproductive in hot and humid summers, Fairweather said.

"We can breed the heat tolerance into pretty much pure-bred animals. So, we are fast approaching being able to provide leading, high-genetic index bulls that also have the heat tolerance, to the New Zealand market."

Fairweather said the genetics could also make a big impact in South American, African, Indian and Pakistan markets.

Philippines supplier Dave Hayman has exported New Zealand dairy cows to the Philippines and has used the Kiwipole bull semen, with calving taking place soon.

"In the Philippines, it's a tough climate for dairy production, and these genetics will make the progeny of the New Zealand live heifers that we imported, more robust and productive."

-Stuff

View original post here:
Kiwi company launches new heat tolerant dairy genetics - Stuff.co.nz

Niche Animal Genes Image Credit: Niche

Warrior, hunter, gatherer, or breeder? What does your tribe lack? Theres a delicate balance to maintain in this game of survival

Too few gatherers and your hunters starve as they stalk their prey. Warriors who cant move quickly might not reach enemies in time to protect the tribe. Your gatherers must have the proper skill to acquire as much food as quickly as possible. Breeders can pass on the best or the worst genes to their brood, so being selective about who mates with whom is imperative. And dont forget, even your best specimens will eventually grow old and die, so you have to always keep the line going!

This is Niche: a genetics survival game. In this turn-based strategy game, you must strategically breed the best animals for the survival of the community. The objectives for your furry wards are to explore your island, find food, kill predators, and grow your tribe. Climate change and illness can wipe out your best specimens if youre not careful, and resource management is always at the forefront of your best strategies. If your animals cant eat, they cant do their jobs!

Where the game gets especially interesting is its genetics features. Animals can be good at picking berries, be able to move quickly, have a strong attack, be able to smell predators and prey, as well as have physically attractive characteristics, like different fur color, eye color, spots, stripes, antlers, etc. You have to worry about dominate and recessive genes, mutation, and even the problems that arise from incest.

Though it may sound complicated, Niches in-game menu makes it simple. You can always open an animals traits and genetics and see what they have you might want to pass on to a new spawn or what animals you may want to avoid letting others mate with so they dont pass on something detrimental to the group.

The game lends itself to a few different playstyles. There are those who want to explore the unknown, build the biggest tribe, breed the strongest or fastest animals, or want to do all of the above. There are several different biomes the animals can explore, such as grass, jungle, and water biomes. The islands in the game also have varying difficulties and complexities, so players can challenge themselves as much as they like.

Niche isnt only about being the strongest or the fastest, but having your tribe adapt to new opportunities, threats, and environments in order to survive. The game is truly unique and is one using a great combination of attractive game design and interesting biology. When I talked to Philomena Schwab, game designer, and marketing lead at Niche, she explained that she couldnt decide if she wanted to study biology or game design. This juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous interests blended beautifully into the creation of Niche.

Schwab doesnt work alone, though, and has explained that around this prototype, a crowd of biology nerds gathered and have been hard at work ever since. Their expertise and input are conspicuous as the team aimed to create a world that inspired its players not only to survive, but to create their own species, adapt them to their environment, and to base all their decisions on real genetics. As explained in the game description on Steam, players are introduced to the scientific mechanics of genetics (featuring dominant-recessive, co-dominant inheritance, etc). The game also features the five pillars of population genetics (genetic drift, genetic flow, mutation, natural selection, sexual selection). What sounds complicated is surprisingly user friendly. All knowledge is interwoven with the game-mechanics. This creates the effect of learning by playing.

Image Credit: Niche

What has stood out to me about the game throughout its development (other than the innovative gameplay experience itself) is the devotion of its fans already. On the Niche Facebook group, (which is closed to supporters and early-access players), there is an outpouring of praise and support of the game already. Niche has already inspired player artwork from sketches to digital paintings to sculptures. Additionally, the developers are also very engaged with the Facebook group, responding to and even sometimes implementing player suggestions, which just gets fans more excited to play and share strategies and discuss what theyd like to see come next. With such a solid following already, its exciting to imagine where this game will go.

Niche Family Tree Image Credit: Niche

This game got started on Kickstarter, and some of the many promises made to backers are the inclusion of prehistoric genes and interspecies breeding, so those updates are still on the horizon, along with streamlining of the game itself and scores of new features as production and development continues. They succeeded in pulling in nearly 5X of their $15,000 ask, raising $72,375 from 2,838 backers.

The game is available in its current form through Steam Early Access and full release is slated for July.

Read more here:
Genetics and gaming, a strategist's dream - Geektime - Geektime

Lilac field detail from Peter Doigs Untitled (2001-02). Photograph: Dacs 2017

Bacon to Doig This ambitious survey of modern British art drawn from a rich private collection ranges from Freud to Perry, Hepworth and Hockney, and should be an exciting view of the art of our place and times. National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, 18 February31 January 2018

Genecraft Artists and scientists collaborate to create art that uses the latest genetic research as its subject and even material. BOM, Birmingham, 22 February13 May

Places of the Mind John Singer Sargent and Paul Nash are among the stars of this examination of British watercolour art from 1850 to 1950. British Museum, London, 23 February27 August

Sidney Nolan in Britain This powerful Australian artist who painted Ned Kelly had to come to Britain to succeed, this exhibition shows. Pallant House, Chichester, 18 February4 June

Park Seo-bo Abstract paintings inspired by Korean calligraphy and philosophy. White Cube, Masons Yard, London, until 11 March

Claude Landscape With Aeneas at Delos (1672)

Claude creates an eerily beautiful dream of ancient history in this painting inspired by Virgils Latin poem the Aeneid. The figures are really just part of an abstracted composition, in which watery blue light and calmly proportioned architecture work together like a softly played cello concerto, sustaining a mood of sombre nostalgia. National Gallery, London

A shot from Richard Mosses new video work Incoming, which opened this week at the Barbicans Curve gallery. Mosse filmed migrants from Syria and elsewhere with a military thermal-imaging camera. Does an artwork that sets out to challenge documentary tropes end up aestheticising human suffering by rendering it mere spectacle? wondered the Guardians Sean OHagan. The tension between the wilfully unreal textural beauty of the film and it is pure texture, from start to finish and the human tragedy it records is undoubtedly part of its power.

Wolfgang Tillmanss Tate Modern show opened to a five-star review from Adrian Searle

and the artist himself talked to us about his career and political activism

Kate Connolly met the gold-fixated artist Joe Ramirez in his Berlin studio

Olafur Eliasson told us about his cultural highlights, from Adam Curtis to Rebecca Solnit

Rowan Moore champions the under-threat University of Durham building Dunelm House

Photographer Tom Atwood told us about his best shot: the director of Grease by his LA swimming pool, accompanied by a horse and goat

Hairdresser to the homeless Mark Bustos talked us through the photos of his work

Anish Kapoor is one of the artists who have signed up to an art coalition to fight rightwing populism

Frances Spalding wrote about Joan Eardley, the late British painter who is (very slowly) gathering acclaim

Sothebys has hired forensic scientists amid a wave of forgeries

And the auction house has also said postwar German artists are currently defining the market

A Hockney print that hung in a Bradford chippy is going on sale

Childrens illustrator Dahlov Ipcar died aged 99 here are some of her best works

The Bodleians new exhibition shows that the power of volcanoes will never lie dormant

Laura Cumming reviewed the RAs exhibition of Russian revolution-era art

A Parmigiano painting could go overseas if the UK doesnt find nearly 25m for it

Vandals have targeted a display of multifaith artworks at Gloucester Cathedral

Book now for Guardian members events: a private view of the Robots exhibition at the Science Museum in London, a private view of Never Going Underground: The Fight for LGBT+ Rights at the Peoples History Museum in Manchester, and a private view of the Deutsche Brse Photography Foundation prize at the Photographers Gallery in London.

Our A-Z of Readers Art series continues were now asking for your artworks on the theme of Q is for Quality. Submit them here.

To follow us on Twitter: @GdnArtandDesign.

Visit link:
Genetics, calligraphy and British watercolours the week in art - The Guardian

Niche Animal Genes Image Credit: Niche

Warrior, hunter, gatherer, or breeder? What does your tribe lack? Theres a delicate balance to maintain in this game of survival

Too few gatherers and your hunters starve as they stalk their prey. Warriors who cant move quickly might not reach enemies in time to protect the tribe. Your gatherers must have the proper skill to acquire as much food as quickly as possible. Breeders can pass on the best or the worst genes to their brood, so being selective about who mates with whom is imperative. And dont forget, even your best specimens will eventually grow old and die, so you have to always keep the line going!

This is Niche: a genetics survival game. In this turn-based strategy game, you must strategically breed the best animals for the survival of the community. The objectives for your furry wards are to explore your island, find food, kill predators, and grow your tribe. Climate change and illness can wipe out your best specimens if youre not careful, and resource management is always at the forefront of your best strategies. If your animals cant eat, they cant do their jobs!

Where the game gets especially interesting is its genetics features. Animals can be good at picking berries, be able to move quickly, have a strong attack, be able to smell predators and prey, as well as have physically attractive characteristics, like different fur color, eye color, spots, stripes, antlers, etc. You have to worry about dominate and recessive genes, mutation, and even the problems that arise from incest.

Though it may sound complicated, Niches in-game menu makes it simple. You can always open an animals traits and genetics and see what they have you might want to pass on to a new spawn or what animals you may want to avoid letting others mate with so they dont pass on something detrimental to the group.

The game lends itself to a few different playstyles. There are those who want to explore the unknown, build the biggest tribe, breed the strongest or fastest animals, or want to do all of the above. There are several different biomes the animals can explore, such as grass, jungle, and water biomes. The islands in the game also have varying difficulties and complexities, so players can challenge themselves as much as they like.

Niche isnt only about being the strongest or the fastest, but having your tribe adapt to new opportunities, threats, and environments in order to survive. The game is truly unique and is one using a great combination of attractive game design and interesting biology. When I talked to Philomena Schwab, game designer, and marketing lead at Niche, she explained that she couldnt decide if she wanted to study biology or game design. This juxtaposition of seemingly incongruous interests blended beautifully into the creation of Niche.

Schwab doesnt work alone, though, and has explained that around this prototype, a crowd of biology nerds gathered and have been hard at work ever since. Their expertise and input are conspicuous as the team aimed to create a world that inspired its players not only to survive, but to create their own species, adapt them to their environment, and to base all their decisions on real genetics. As explained in the game description on Steam, players are introduced to the scientific mechanics of genetics (featuring dominant-recessive, co-dominant inheritance, etc). The game also features the five pillars of population genetics (genetic drift, genetic flow, mutation, natural selection, sexual selection). What sounds complicated is surprisingly user friendly. All knowledge is interwoven with the game-mechanics. This creates the effect of learning by playing.

Image Credit: Niche

What has stood out to me about the game throughout its development (other than the innovative gameplay experience itself) is the devotion of its fans already. On the Niche Facebook group, (which is closed to supporters and early-access players), there is an outpouring of praise and support of the game already. Niche has already inspired player artwork from sketches to digital paintings to sculptures. Additionally, the developers are also very engaged with the Facebook group, responding to and even sometimes implementing player suggestions, which just gets fans more excited to play and share strategies and discuss what theyd like to see come next. With such a solid following already, its exciting to imagine where this game will go.

Niche Family Tree Image Credit: Niche

This game got started on Kickstarter, and some of the many promises made to backers are the inclusion of prehistoric genes and interspecies breeding, so those updates are still on the horizon, along with streamlining of the game itself and scores of new features as production and development continues. They succeeded in pulling in nearly 5X of their $15,000 ask, raising $72,375 from 2,838 backers.

The game is available in its current form through Steam Early Access and full release is slated for July.

See the rest here:
Genetics and gaming, a strategist's dream - Geektime

DNA Lifestyle Coach isnt the only company hoping to turn our genetics into a lifestyle product. In the past decade, DNA sequencing has gotten really, really cheap, positioning genetics to become the next big consumer health craze. The sales pitcha roadmap for life encoded in your very own DNAcan be hard to resist. But scientists are skeptical that weve decrypted enough about the human genome to turn strings of As, Ts, Cs and Gs into useful personalized lifestyle advice.

Millions of people have had genotyping done, but few people have had their whole genome sequenced, said Eric Topol, a geneticist at Scripps in San Diego. Most consumer DNA testing companies, like 23andMe, offer genotyping, which examines small snippets of DNA for well-studied variations. Genome sequencing, on the other hand, decodes a persons entire genetic makeup. In many cases, there just isnt enough science concerning the genes in question to accurately predict, say, whether you should steer clear of carbs.

DNA Lifestyle Coach joins a growing list of technology companies attempting to spin DNA testing results into a must-have product.

A sample of a DNA Lifestyle Coach customers diet recommendations provided by a customer. Credit: Gizmodo.

Its not going to happen overnight, but we believe that DNA will become an integrated part of everyday life, said Helix co-founder Justin Kao. The same way people use data to determine which movie to see or which restaurant to eat at, people will one day use their own DNA data to help guide everyday experiences.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post:The Next Pseudoscience Health Craze Is All About Genetics

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'Netflix for genetics': Will DNA-based lifestyle guides become the latest health craze? - Genetic Literacy Project