Scientific discoveries: Recent breakthroughs that could change the world – The Week

Scientists in many fields have been getting little attention over the last two years or so as the world focused on the emergency push to develop vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. But labs and researchers have remained busy, recently reporting a dizzying series of major discoveries and achievements:

Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California announced in December that they had produced the first fusion reaction that created more energy than was used to start it. The long-elusive achievement marked a major breakthrough in harnessing the process that fuels the sun. "This milestone moves us one significant step closer" to "powering our society" with zero-carbon fusion energy, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.

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Fusion involves pushing together two nuclei of a lightweight element, such as hydrogen, at a colossal speed, forcing them to fuse. The leftover mass is converted into an enormous amount of energy, according to Einstein's formula E = mc2. Unlike fission, in which atoms are split, fusion requires small amounts of ordinary fuel the amount of hydrogen in a glass of water could provide enough energy for one person's lifetime and does not create much radioactive waste, which is why it's been called "the holy grail for the future of nuclear power."

Popular Science magazine this year named NASA's James Webb Space Telescope the Innovation of the Year in aerospace technology. Unlike the Hubble space telescope, which scanned the heavens from low Earth orbit, the Webb telescope is camped hundreds of thousands of miles farther out, sitting in Earth's shadow, where it ispermanently blocked from sunlight. Its view further protected by a multi-layer sunshield, it sits at the temperature (-370 degrees Fahrenheit) best suited for its infrared sight.

As a result, Popular Science says, the $10 billion JWST "can see deep into fields of forming stars. It can peer 13 billion years back in time at ancient galaxies, still in their nursery. It can peek at exoplanets, seeing them directly where astronomers would have once had to reconstruct meager traces of their existence. It can teach us about how those stars and galaxies came together from primordial matter, something Hubble could only glimpse."

A group of Yale scientists reported in the journal Nature this summer that they succeeded in reviving cells in the hearts, liver, kidneys, and brains of pigs that had been lying dead in a lab for an hour. The researchers accomplished the feat by using a device much like a heart-lung machine to pump a custom-made solution, dubbed OrganEx, into the pigs' bodies. The pigs' hearts started beating and sent the solution through their veins.

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The pigs weren't revived, but their organs started functioning again, and they "never got stiff like a typical dead pig," The New York Times reported. The researchers, according to the Times, hope their breakthrough eventually will help increase the supply of human organs available for transplant by letting doctors get viable organs from bodies long after death. The technology also might be useful in limiting damage to hearts from heart attacks, and to brains from strokes.

The researchers say their goals are to one day increase the supply of human organs for transplant by allowing doctors to obtain viable organs long after death. And, they say, they hope their technology might also be used to prevent severe damage to hearts after a devastating heart attack or brains after a major stroke.

U.S. public health officials have long warned Americans to brace for another possible COVID-19 surge as winter hits and families gather for the holidays. Indeed, the nation is facing a "tripledemic," with COVID-19 cases rising, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) overloading many hospitals, and the 2022-23 flu season building into what could be the worst in a decade. As of early December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had already recorded 4,500 flu deaths.

Fighting the flu represents a new challenge every year because influenza viruses are constantly evolving. Some years, the vaccines are effective. Sometimes they miss the mark. But now Scott Hensley at the University of Pennsylvania and his colleagues have created a flu vaccine based on mRNA molecules the same technique Moderna, and Pfizer, along with its partner BioNTech, used to make their widely used COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine has produced antibody responses against all 20 known strains of influenza A and B in tests on mice, with the effectiveness lasting four months. The results were similar in tests on ferrets, fueling hopes the universal vaccine could work in humans, too.

If you've watched Armageddon or Deep Impact or some other movie about an asteroid threatening to wipe out life on Earth, relax. NASA this year proved with its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission that it has the ability to deflect a giant space rock off a collision course with our planet. NASA sent the 1,100-pound DART spacecraft slamming into a 525-foot-diameter asteroid, Dimorphos, at 14,000 miles per hour to see whether the impact force would be enough to change its trajectory.

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Dimorphos, which didn't actually threaten Earth, was orbiting around a larger parent asteroid, Didymos, every 11 hours and 55 minutes before the crash. After DART slammed into Dimorphos on Sept. 26, astronomers clocked its orbit time at 11 hours and 23 minutes, 32 minutes shorter than before, signaling a significant change in its path. "All of us have a responsibility to protect our home planet. After all, it's the only one we have," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "This mission shows that NASA is trying to be ready for whatever the universe throws at us."

Artificial intelligence is opening up new possibilities for businesses and households, and now new text-to-image generators are giving everyone from artists to urban planners to reconstructive surgeons a new tool to help them visualize ideas. DALL-E 2, which Open AI released in July, looks at hundreds of millions of captioned images to turn text prompts written by users into images.

Mark Chen, the lead researcher on DALL-E 2, told The Atlantic that image generators like DALL-E 2 aim to "democratize" art. "This is the most exciting new technology in the AI space since natural-language translation," Atlantic deputy editor Ross Anderson said.

Malaria, found in more than 90 countries, kills an estimated 627,000 people every year. Vaccines could help reduce or eliminate the toll, but scientists have struggled to develop a highly effective one. This year, though, the technology used to create mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has helped a research team led by George Washington University develop two experimental mRNA vaccine candidates that are highly effective in reducing malaria infection and transmission, according to a study published in December in npj Vaccines, an open-access scientific journal in the Nature Portfolio.

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"Malaria elimination will not happen overnight but such vaccines could potentially banish malaria from many parts of the world," says Nirbhay Kumar, a professor of global health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

Scientists reported progress on several fronts in the battle against cancer. A team led by Chris Jones, a professor of Pediatric Brain Tumor Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research, worked with the company BenevolentAI touse artificial intelligence tools to come up with a new drugcombination to fight diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, an incurable childhood brain cancer. The proposed combination extended survival in mice by as much as 14 percent and has been tested in a small group of children.

In another potential breakthrough, Dr. Luis A. Diaz Jr. of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center wrote a paper published in June in the New England Journal of Medicinedescribing a treatment that resulted in complete remission in all 18 rectal cancer patients who took the drug. "I believe this is the first time this has happened in the history of cancer," Dr. Diaz said.

Scientists from Stanford University successfully injected human nerve cells into the brains of newborn lab ratsand found that they formed connections with the animals' own brain cells, guiding their behavior, according to a study published in the journal Nature. The human cells wound up making up one-sixth of the rats' brains. The cluster, known as a brain organoid, then develops in ways similar to a human brain, which could help researchers understand more about schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. "It's definitely a step forward," says Paola Arlotta, a prominent Harvard University brain organoid researcher who wasn't involved in the study.

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Some bioethicists are uneasy about the implications of putting human cells into rats. "It raises the possibility that you're creating an enhanced rat that might have cognitive capacities greater than an ordinary rat," said Julian Savulescu, a bioethicist at the National University of Singapore. But Dr. Sergiu Pasca, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford who developed the transplant technique, says the human brain organoids, made from stem cells, stop developing after a few months. "No matter how long we keep them in a dish, they still do not become as complex as human neurons would be in an actual human brain," Pasca says.

In experiments at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, researchers created mouse embryos inside a bioreactor that were made up of stem cells cultured in a Petri dish no egg, no sperm. The embryos developed normally, starting to elongate on day three and developing a beating heart by day eight. It was the first time scientists ever managed to grow fully synthetic mouse embryos outside the womb.

The experiment marked a leap in the study of how stem cells form various organs, and how mutations result in developmental diseases. "It also raises profound questions about whether other animals, including humans, might one day be cultured from stem cells in a lab," according to STAT News. "As soon as the science starts to move into a place where it's feasible to go from a stem cell population in a Petri dish all the way through to organ development which suggests one day it will be possible to go all the way to creating a living organism it's a pretty wild and remarkable time," said Paul Tesar, a developmental biologist at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine who wasn't involved in the study.

A 53-year-old man became the fifth personto be cured of HIV followinga stem cell transplant he received shortly after being diagnosed with the disease. The "Dusseldorf patient," who was also diagnosed with a severe form of blood cancer, received a bone marrow transplant 10 years ago that gave him HIV-resistant stem cells, according toThe Washington Post. He has been off anti-retroviral medication for four years with no trace of the virus in his body.

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"It's really cure, and not just, you know, long-term remission," saidDr. Bjorn-Erik Ole Jensen. Stem cell transplants are considered high-risk and normally reserved for people diagnosed with cancer. The Dusseldorf patient was only the third to receive the treatment and be cured of HIV. For now, the treatment will likely continue to be reserved for cancer patients,but it "shows it's not impossible it's just very difficult to remove HIV from the body."

With five cases of HIV having been cured, scientists are hopeful for the future."Following our intensive research, we can now confirm that it is fundamentally possible to prevent the replication of HIV on a sustainable basis by combining two key methods," including anti-retroviral medication and stem-cell transplants,Jensen said.

Scientists have found a way to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and convert it to baking soda to be stored in the sea. In a recent study, researchers also found a way to make carbon capture more efficient by using a hybrid of existing methods. "This material can be produced at very high capacity very rapidly," according to the study's lead authorArup SenGupta. "This simple ability to capture CO2 at a high quantity, in a small volume of material, is a unique aspect of our work."

Baking soda is also safe to store in the ocean. "Higher alkalinity also means more biological activity; that means more CO2 sequestration," SenGupta explained. In turn, the ocean can act as an "infinite sink" with an "immense capacity for accessible CO2 storage lasting hundreds to thousands of years," as described byStuart Haszeldinefrom the University of Edinburgh.

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However, to truly be effective carbon capture needs to be expanded.Myles Allenfrom the University of Oxford added that it will only reach "the scale it needs to happen is if it's made a licensing condition of continuing to sell fossil fuels."

Researchers successfully created live baby mice withtwo male parents. According to new research, this was done by manipulating the chromosomes of a male stem cell, turning it into a female egg cell."This is the first case of making robust mammal oocytes from male cells," remarkedKatsuhiko Hayashiof Kyushu University, who lead the research.

While the vast majority of the mice pups did not survive, the few that did grew up normally and were fertile adults. The genetic manipulation required to create the embryos is "a significant advance with significant potential applications," according toKeith Latham, a developmental biologist at Michigan State University. It could be used to treat or prevent genetic disorders, or even help same-sex couples have biological children. "What I can say is only about the technological side,"Hayashi toldNew Scientist. I think in theory it is possible."

Updated April 28, 2023: This article has been updated throughout to reflect the most recent advancements.

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Scientific discoveries: Recent breakthroughs that could change the world - The Week

Research Associate job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 338029 – Times Higher Education

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated, scientifically curious, and creative postdoctoral research associate with a strong interest in mammalian brain development, specifically the role of posttranscriptional modifications in neuronal and glial subtype specification to join Setsuko Sahara in collaboration with Engene Maleyev lab at Kings College London (https://devneuro.org/cdn/group-overview.php?groupID=87). This 3 year-post is funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

The Sahara lab studies the mechanisms regulating the self-renewal potential of cortical progenitors and the ability of multipotent cells to differentiate into different types of progenitors, neurons and glia (Ramos et al 2020). The successful applicant will pursue research projects to understand how a vast diversity of cortical projection neurons and glia emerge from a limited number of progenitors during development. We will address this question by interrogating the molecular mechanisms in mouse cortical development. These include RNA biology, in vivo manipulation of gene expression, cell and molecular biology, imaging and bioinformatics.

Applicants should have an undergraduate degree and a PhD (awarded or soon to be awarded) in neuroscience, stem cells, development, or RNA biology. Prior experience with transcriptomics, related bioinformatics and cell sorting techniques, ES cell-based neuronal differentiation (2D or 3D), or RNA biology-related techniques is an advantage. Candidates from other disciplines or model organisms but are motivated to switch to the field of mammalian neuroscience/neurogenesis will be welcomed to apply if they demonstrate high flexibility and a good track record.

The lab is based at the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology (CDN) and the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at King's College London (KCL), with easy access to various areas of expertise from molecular and stem cells biology, synapse biology, in vivo imaging, behavioural studies and clinical research. This provides a stimulating environment and extensive training opportunities for the proposed project.

For more information, please contact setsuko.sahara@kcl.ac.uk.

This post will be offered ona fixed-termcontract to 30/09/2025 (or theend of the project date)

This is a full-time post 100 % full time equivalent

Key responsibilities

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

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Research Associate job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON | 338029 - Times Higher Education

A novel Alzheimer’s disease prognostic signature: identification and … – Nature.com

Alzheimers disease (AD) is often regarded as one of the primary causes of dementia and frailty. The signs of the illness begin with mild memory issues and proceed to cognitive impairment, dysfunctions in complex daily tasks, and several other domains of cognition. By the time AD is clinically recognized, neuronal loss and neuropathologic abnormalities have devel- oped in several brain locationst1,2. AD is a degenerative and irreversible brain disease that impairs memory, cognition, and, eventually, the ability to perform even the most basic activities. Injury appears to begin in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, two areas of the brain critical for memory formation3. Additional brain regions are harmed as more neurons die, and brain tissue is substantially reduced in the latter stages of AD. While numerous variables, like as genetics and lifestyle, impact a persons risk of acquiring AD, age is by far the most important4. The condition is rare before the age of 65, and the recurrence grows in subsequent decades, with a 2433% probability of having the disease by the age of 855.Given the pessimistic projections for the AD population and its associated socioeconomic costs between 2030 and 2050, scientific and clinical research in the field of AD is currently focusing on the early detection of the transitional phase between normal aging, moderate cognitive impairment, and dementia6,7. Throughout the preceding three decades, much has been learnt about the molecular basis of the condition, stressing the potential for developing biomarkers for diagnosis, risk assessment, clinical trials, therapeutic targeting, and discovering novel pharmaceutical targets8,9.

AD is a complex disease that is unlikely to be successfully treated with a single medication or other intervention. Modern pharmacotherapeutic strategies are focused on supporting patients in maintaining mental capacities, regulating behavioral manifestations, and delaying development, hence decreasing the appearance of sickness symptoms10,11. All currently known treatments work by altering the levels of particular neurotransmitters in the brain, principally acetylcholine (ACh) and glutamate. Although this helps with symptoms, it is not a total cure for the condition12. With the growth of bioinformatics, a lot of evidence-based evidence has been gathered. Computation and prediction based on relevant information can give certain alternative suggestions for future clinical diagnosis and therapy and drug research.

Because glutamine (Gln) is the most prevalent amino acid in circulation, cultured tumor cells use it quickly. Gln is commonly used in cellular aerobic glycolysis to maintain TCA flux or as a source of citrate for lipid synthesis in reductive carboxylation13. Furthermore, glutaminolysis enhances proliferative cell survival by decreasing oxidative stress and preserving the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. Gln serves as an energy source for both tumor and immunological cells14. However, it appears that inflammatory antitumor immune cells, particularly macrophages, do not rely on or even reject Gln metabolism. M2 macrophages are more dependent on Gln than naive macrophages, but decreased Gln metabolism can generate pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages15. As a result, Gln metabolism may be a target for converting tumor-associated macrophages from M2 to M1, hence increasing the anti-tumor inflammatory immune response.

Furthermore, Gln metabolism is important in Th1 cell differentiation and effector T cell activation. These data imply that inhibiting Gln metabolism may be able to restructure TME and boost immunotherapy effectiveness. Some pattern recognition receptors in AD can form huge multiprotein complexes known as inflammasomes. When inflammasomes combine, they create membrane holes and process proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in pyroptosis, a kind of inflammatory cell death16. Innate immune signaling and inflammasome activation are important preventive mechanisms against AD17. Their activation, however, must be strictly managed, since excessive activation can cause neuroinflammation and brain injury. Potential treatment methods for AD have included balancing the hosts innate immune response18. Although targeting Gln metabolism in conjunction with immunotherapy is incredibly promising in AD, the landscape of Gln metabolism in tumor microenvironment (TME) is yet unknown. As a result, we conducted this work to conduct a comprehensive review of GlnMgs and immunotherapy in AD.

In biological research, gene expression analysis is becoming increasingly significant. The Accelerating Medicines Partnership- AD programs availability of high-throughput transcriptome sequencing data and clinical annotation allows us to investigate the altered transcriptional and related molecular pathways implicated in AD. Several research have used gene expression information acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to investigate the molecular pathways involved in the development of AD19,20. The results of these bioinformatics analyses provide intriguing insights for understanding the pathophysiology and processes of AD from several perspectives. However, no study has used bioinformatics to determine whether GlnMgs are im- portant for AD development. As a result, the goal of this work was to examine the AD-related GEO via the lens of the GlnMgs (Fig.1).

Framework. The data of AD patients were obtained from GEO databases, and then the GlnMgs were matched to carry out difference analysis and risk model construction, respectively.aGSE132903 was used as the main body and GSE63060 was used to verify the model with good grouping, and GlnMgs related to the prognosis of AD patients were obtained.aThen, GO, KEGG and GSEA analyses were performed with multiple databases to obtain the functions related to GlnMgs.aLast, the immune cells, function and RNA changesawere analyzed.

Among the 26 GlnMgs, all were significantly different except for CPS1, GLUD1, CAD, SLC38A1,GMPS (Fig.2a). Some genes cluster in the treat group and some in the control group. Treat: PHGDH, CTPS2, LGSN, GLYATL1, GLUL, ASL, ARHGAP11B. Control: MECP2, NR1H4, NIT2, PFAS, GLS2, GLS, ASNS, PPAT, GFPT1, ASNSD1 (Fig.2b) (Table S2).

Principal component analysis. (a) GlnMgs. (b) Expression of GlnMgs in clusters.

We calculated the chromosomal positions of GlnMgs and visualized them in circles (Fig.3a) (Table S3).aThen, in order to clarify the expression of these genes, we conducted correlation analysis of these genes (Fig.3b,c).

Expression of GlnMgs. (a) Expression of GlnMgs on sequences. (b,c) The correlation between GlnMgs and related genes.

The immune environment is extremely essential in the onset and progression of AD. CIBERSORT was used to examine the immune cell components in adipose tissue. We built barplot and corplot to show the results of immune cells (Fig.4a,b). Then, in order to clarify the expression of these genes, we conducted correlation analysis of these genes and immune cells (Fig.4c).

Expression of Immune cells. (a,b) Expression of immune cells in different clusters. (c) Correlation between GlnMgs and immune cells.

When the clustering variable (k) was set to 2, the intragroup correlations were the strongest and the intergroup correlations were the smallest, indicating that AD patients could be divided into two groups based on GlnMgs (Fig.5a). Based on this cluster, we also discussed the expression of the GlnMgs in different clusters. CTPS2, ARHGAP11B, and NR1H4 were not significantly different between the two groups (Fig.5b,c). According to the PCA results, patients with varying risks were divided into two groups (Fig.5d). Based on the previous results, we also analyzed the results of immune cell infiltration according to different clusters (Fig.5e,f).

Cluster analysis. (a) Consensus clustering matrix. (b,c) Expression of the GlnMgs in different clusters. (d) PCA. (e,f) Immune cell infiltration of different clusters.

The GlnMgs were used to conduct the enrichment analysis. The MF mainly involves atp dependent dna dna annealing activity, beta galactoside cmp alpha-2-3-sialyltransferase activity, gomf phosphatidylinositol-3-4-5-trisphosphate binding. The BP mainly involves cell fate specification, atrioventricular canal development, neuron fate specification (Fig.6a). The pathways analysis showed that the notch signaling pathway, primary immunodeficiency, renin angiotensin system were enriched (Fig.6b).

Enrichment analysis for DEGs. (a) GO. (b) KEGG. (a) Barplot graph for GO enrichment (the longer bar means the more genes enriched; q-value: the adjusted p-value). (b) Barplot graph for KEGG pathways (the longer bar means the more genes enriched).

To establish an approximation scale-free topology for the network, a soft-thresholding power was applied (Fig.7a). The genes with the highest variance were grouped and integrated into nine co-expression modules (Fig.7b). The relationship between module eigengene and clinical characteristics was investigated using Pearsons correlation analysis (Fig.7c). The turquoise module was shown to be highly connected with the Group attribute (i.e. AD and ND) and to have the greatest association (Fig.7d) (Table S4).

Co-expression module construction. (a) Soft threshold power mean connection and scale-free fitting index anal- ysis. (b) Clustering of dendrograms According to dynamic tree cutting, the genes were sorted into distinct modules using hierarchical clustering with a threshold of 0.25. Each color represents a separate module. (c) Heatmap of correlations between module eigengenes and clinical characteristics. (d) Gene scatterplot in the turquoise module.

To establish an approximation scale-free topology for the network, a soft-thresholding power was applied (Fig.8a). The co-expression modules were formed by clustering the variance genes (Fig.8b). Pearsons correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between module eigengene and clinical characteristics (Fig.8c). The module was shown to be strongly linked with the Group characteristic (i.e. AD and ND) and to have the greatest association (Fig.8d) (Table S5).

Cluster construction of co-expression modules (a) Soft threshold power mean connection and scale-free fitting index analysis. (b) Dendrogram clustering (c) Heatmap of correlations between module eigengenes and clinical characteristics. (d) Gene scatterplot in the grey module.

DEGs, grey module genes (WGCNA), and GlnMgs overlapping as well. A total of 34 genes were crossed (Fig.9a) (Table S6). The Boxplots depicted the residual expression patterns of these genes in AD (Fig.9b).aThere are some differences in the proportions of the four different modes (Fig.9c). As seen in Fig.6e, the GlnMgs diagnostic capacity in distinguishing AD from control samples revealed a satisfactory diagnostic value, with an Areas under the curve (AUC)aof RF: 0.784, SVM: 0.759, XGB: 0.788, and GLM: 0.666 (Fig.9d). An AUC of 0.784 (95% CI 0.6550.896) in GSE132903, an AUC of 0.815 (95% CI 0.7340.895) in GSE63060 (Fig.9e) (Table S7).

(a) Identification of GlnMgs with a venn diagram. (b,c) Residualaexpression patterns. (d) AUC of train group. (e) AUC of test group.

The hub gene in the XGB model predicted three drugs. These include ME-344, METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE, NV-128(Table 1). In addition, we predicted all interacting genes for drug and gene relationships (Table 2).

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A novel Alzheimer's disease prognostic signature: identification and ... - Nature.com

Ocean Biomedical (NASDAQ: OCEA) Announces New Glioblastoma Results Validating Profound Tumor Suppression with Anti-Chi3L1 Antibody – Yahoo Finance

Ocean Biomedical, Inc.

Results published in peer-reviewed Cancer Research share novel insights into Chi3L1s role in modulating Glioma stem cells and reinforces the potential therapeutic impact of Anti-Chi3L1

Providence, RI, April 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Biomedical (NASDAQ: OCEA), a biopharma company working to accelerate the development and commercialization of scientifically compelling assets from research universities and medical centers, announced today that its Scientific Co-founder, Jack A. Elias, MD, published new findings in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research that detail the mechanisms behind the role of chitinase 3-like-1 (Chi3L1) in the growth of glioblastoma tumors, providing further evidence of the potential impact of Oceans anti-Chi3L1 antibody in suppressing severe glioblastoma tumor growth.

Results of the research conducted at the Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Plasticity at the Lifespan Health System and Brown University, showed that an independent team led by molecular neuroscientist Nikos Tapinos, MD, PhD, was able to uncover new data on the efficacy of Ocean Biomedicals anti-Chi3L1 antibody in human glioblastoma implanted mouse models, resulting in clear reduction in glioblastoma tumor growth.

The paper also revealed groundbreaking insights into the mechanisms underlying stem cell differentiation in glioma stem cells, and how that differentiation process is altered by Ocean Biomedicals cancer therapeutic candidate. In two different study approaches, treatment with anti-Chi3L1 antibody in vivo resulted in over 60% reduction of human glioblastoma growth, and significant survival benefit. This can be seen in the MRI evaluations of the human tumors in the brains of mice (which appear in red) and the quantitation of tumor volume from these scans (see figures). This represents a medical breakthrough in understanding how the most aggressive glioblastoma tumors are formed, and how patients diagnosed with this challenging disease might possibly be treated.

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This is a completely new way of thinking about how to treat this tumor. Glioblastoma is so challenging partly because the cells adapt to the environment constantly but if you block Chi3L1 they cant seem to acquire the more aggressive mesenchymal phenotype. It gives us a clear path forward to being able to address glioblastoma with this novel approach, said Dr. Nikos Tapinos MD, PhD, Director of the Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics and Plasticity, and last author on the paper.

This targeted research data builds on prior discovery work by Dr. Jack A. Elias, who is the former Dean of Medicine and Biology, and Senior Vice President for Health Affairs at Brown University and former Chair of Medicine and Chief of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine at Yale University and Yale-New Haven Hospital. Over the last year, Dr. Elias has published discoveries about the roles of CHI3L1 in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of cancers. He has also previously revealed discoveries that demonstrate that the metastasis of malignant melanoma cells can be inhibited by targeting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI) such as PD-1 and CTLA-4 and their ligands. The novel approach to tumor suppression being advanced by Ocean Biomedical is focused on simultaneously impacting multiple cancer pathways including those mediated by PD-1, CTLA4 by controlling CHi3L1, PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, other immune checkpoint inhibitors, and T-cell co-stimulators. It has been known for a long time that optimal antitumor responses frequently require the simultaneous administration of more than one therapy.

We are excited that, step by step, we are gaining a deeper understanding of the multiple effects that CHi3L1 has in oncogenesis, commented Dr. Elias, This antibody is very effective every time we put it into an appropriate modeling system we get exciting results such as the findings in these two human-mouse GBM studies. Glioblastoma is a major area of unmet medical need, and these new studies are highly encouraging because they open the door to a new way of treating this devastating cancer.

We are pleased to see our glioblastoma candidate being validated by Dr. Tapinos and his team, and we hope this will be another step in moving us towards filing an IND for Glioblastoma, said Elizabeth Ng, CEO of Ocean Biomedical.

Oceans Chairman and co-founder, Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria added, There are so many challenges around finding effective treatments for glioblastoma, and we are working to advance this new approach that we believe can give hope to patients with glioblastoma, and can also be extended to potential therapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and other forms of cancer.

Prior research has established that elevated Chi3L1 levels are associated with many cancers, including glioblastoma, and may be targeted therapeutically. Recent studies from Ocean Biomedical have demonstrated that CHI3L1 is a critical regulator of a number of key cancer-causing pathways, highlighting its ability to inhibit tumor cell death (apoptosis), its inhibition of the expression of the tumor suppressors P53 and PTEN and its stimulation of the B-RAF protooncogene. Most recently Dr. Eliass research team has discovered that CHI3L1 is a master regulator of ICPI, including key elements of the PD-1 and CTLA4 pathways. In accord with the importance of these pathways, Ocean has also generated antibodies: 1.) a monoclonal antibody against CHI3L1, 2.) bispecific antibodies that simultaneously target CHI3L1 and PD-1, and 3.) a new bispecific antibody that simultaneously targets CHI3L1 and CTLA4. The impressive ability of these bispecific antibodies to control primary and metastatic lung cancer in murine experimental modeling systems have been discussed in detail in an earlier article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, and this expanded approach in Frontiers in Immunology.

Suren Ajjarapu, an Ocean Biomedical Director commented, Were proud to be collaborating with some of our nations top scientists to move these important programs forward, and we are confident that each advancement will add long term value for our shareholders and for the doctors and patients who need innovative new treatments.

Discussing the future direction of his work Dr. Tapinos said, Now we know which proteins are expressed in response to Chi3L1, which are different in different subpopulations of cells, with Chi3L1 common to all of them. They just receive it in different ways and upregulate different pathways. Knowing the drivers for this heterogeneity, this is the holy grail for glioblastoma.

About Ocean Biomedical

Ocean Biomedical, Inc. (Ocean Biomedical or the Company) is a Providence, Rhode Island-based biopharma company with an innovative business model that accelerates the development and commercialization of scientifically compelling assets from research universities and medical centers. Ocean Biomedical deploys the funding and expertise to move new therapeutic candidates efficiently from the laboratory to the clinic, to the world. Ocean Biomedical is currently developing five promising discoveries that have the potential to achieve life-changing outcomes in lung cancer, brain cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and the prevention and treatment of malaria. The Ocean Biomedical team is working on solving some of the worlds toughest problems, for the people who need it most.

To learn more, visit http://www.oceanbiomedical.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information included herein and in any oral statements made in connection herewith include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as estimate, plan, project, forecast, intend, will, expect, anticipate, believe, seek, target, or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: the expected timing and success of investigational new drug (IND) filings for our initial product candidates; statements regarding the expected timing of our IND-enabling studies; the frequency and timing of filing additional INDs; expectations regarding the availability and addition of future assets to our pipeline; the advantages of any of our pipeline assets and platforms; the potential benefits of our product candidates; potential commercial opportunities; the timing of key milestones for our programs; the future financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future strategy and operations; and statements about industry trends and other companies in the industry. These forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified herein, and on the current expectations of the Companys management, and they are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions.

Any discoveries announced by the Company are based solely on laboratory and animal studies. Ocean Biomedical has not conducted any studies that show similar efficacy or safety in humans. There can be no assurances that any treatment tested by the Company will prove safe or effective in humans, and any clinical benefit of any such treatment is subject to clinical trials and ultimate approval of its use in patients by the FDA. Such approval, if granted, could be years away.

Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside the control of the Company that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include but are not limited to: recently transitioning to operating as a NASDAQ-listed public company with a limited operating history; our ability to successfully complete our pre-clinical trials and for those trials to produce positive results; our ability to timely file and obtain approval of INDs from the FDA in the future; the timing of the initiation, progress and potential results of our planned pre-clinical studies and clinical trials and our research programs; our ability to access additional product candidates from research universities and medical centers; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; the commercializing of our product candidates, if approved; our product development and marketing strategy; our ability and the potential to successfully manufacture and supply our product candidates for clinical trials and for commercial use, if approved; future strategic arrangements and/or collaborations and partnerships, and the potential benefits of such arrangements; our assessment that the early observations from our pre-clinical studies are encouraging; the potential for IND-enabling studies and future clinical trial results to differ from initial results or from our pre-clinical studies; regulatory developments in the United States and other countries; difficulties in managing our growth; our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for financing and our ability to obtain capital; the sufficiency of our existing and anticipated capital to fund our planned operating expenses; our ability to retain the continued service of our key personnel and to identify, hire and retain additional qualified professionals; the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and product candidates; the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights, product candidates and our pipeline; our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; the pricing, coverage and reimbursement of our product candidates, if approved; developments relating to our competitors and our industry, including competing product candidates and therapies; changes in the markets in which the Company competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution, or regulatory changes; changes in domestic and global general economic and market conditions; risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and response, including supply chain disruptions; the risk that the Company may fail to keep pace with rapid technological developments to provide new and innovative products and services or make substantial investments in unsuccessful new products and services; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to the Companys business; the risk of cyber security or foreign exchange losses; the risk that the Company is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property; the risk that the Company may not be able to develop and maintain effective internal controls; the ability to develop, license, or acquire new therapeutics; the risk that the Company will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; and those factors discussed in the Companys filings with the SEC.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that are described in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and which are described in the Risk Factors section of the Companys definitive proxy statement filed by the Company on January 12, 2023, and other documents to be filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC and which are and will be available at http://www.sec.gov. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made by us. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Companys assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this filing. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

Ocean Biomedical Investor RelationsOCEANIR@westwicke.com

Ocean Biomedical Media RelationsOCEANPR@westwicke.com

Kevin KertscherCommunications Director

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Ocean Biomedical (NASDAQ: OCEA) Announces New Glioblastoma Results Validating Profound Tumor Suppression with Anti-Chi3L1 Antibody - Yahoo Finance

Matthews, Wise to receive ARA’s Gold Medal at 2023 Laureates … – Rice News

At the Association of Rice Alumnis 2023 Laureates Awards ceremony May 4, the group will bestow its highest honor the Gold Medal Award to Kathleen Shive Matthews and Scott W. Wise 71.

The annual ceremony will also honor several prominent alumni with the Distinguished Alumni Award and several members of the Rice community with the Meritorious Service Award.

Kathleen Shive Matthews

For nearly five decades at Rice, Matthews has set the highest standard for impactful research, mentorship and inclusive leadership. The Stewart Memorial Professor Emerita of BioSciences has dedicated her career to scientific discovery and expanding opportunities for women and minorities in STEM.

Matthews, who obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, joined Rice in 1972 as a founding member of the biochemistry department, where she conducted groundbreaking research on protein-DNA interactions underlying gene regulation. Her contribution to the field for more than five decades is noteworthy, as evidenced by her 170-plus publications, her service on numerous scientific committees and boards, and her impressive awards from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, to name just a few.

A thoughtful and engaging leader, Matthews chaired the biochemistry department from 1987 to 1995 and served as dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences from 1998 to 2009. Simultaneously, she helped found the Keck Center for Computational Biology and the Gulf Coast Consortia, which support many successful graduate student and postdoctoral training and research programs in Houston. After her tenure as dean, she continued to instill a sense of wonder in her students and provide guidance to both young and seasoned faculty, including as a founding fellow for the Center for Teaching Excellence. Notably, she helped create the NSF-sponsored ADVANCE program to increase the pipeline, presence and promotion of women in science and was instrumental in securing permanent support with creation of the Office of Faculty Development. Upon her retirement, Matthews became Rices faculty ombuds, a position held by a retired faculty member and reporting directly to the president.

Throughout her career, Matthews has expressed her love for Rice in tireless service to the students, faculty and staff, as well as alumni and retirees. As one nominator noted, Dr. Kathleen S. Matthews is one of Rice Universitys finest treasures.

Scott W. Wise 71

Throughout his decades of service, including as Rices former chief investment officer and as alumni trustee, Wise has stewarded the university through a period of transformative growth and impact.

Wise earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Rice in 1971 and a Master in Accounting degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973. As a pitcher on the Rice baseball team, Wise was a four-year letterman and co-captain and posted the lowest earned run average in the Southwest Conference in 1970. During his 31-year career at Rice, including over 20 years as vice president for investments and treasurer at Rice, he was responsible for the management and oversight of all investment matters. From 2009-2010, he also served as the founding president of the Rice Management Co. By the end of his tenure, Rices endowment assets had grown from approximately $1 billion in 1989 to more than $4 billion. In 2010, Wise was recruited by TIAA to become founding president of Covariance Capital, an investment management company for nonprofit clients. For the last seven years, Wise has served as CEO and CIO for the Cullen Foundation, which supports health care, educational and civic initiatives in the Houston area, including at Rice.

Having previously served on the ARA Board of Directors, Wise became president of the ARA in July 2013 and later was selected as an alumni trustee. He has also served as a university associate of Will Rice College, a lecturer in the Jones School, a member of the Rice Owl Club board and a co-chair of his 50th class reunion. Wise chaired a number of search committees during his Rice tenure and recently served as a member of the presidential search committee that recommended to the Board of Trustees the appointment of Reginald DesRoches as Rices eighth president. Avid supporters of Rice Athletics and the arts, Wise and his wife, Geraldina Interiano Wise 83 85, are present at a myriad of Rice events and are enthusiastic ambassadors for the university.

In addition to Wises remarkable commitment to Rice, he is also active in the Houston community, sitting on the boards for the Houston Grand Opera Endowment, the Houston Symphony Endowment and several other institutions. As one nominator noted, Wise is a model for what graduates of Rice University should aspire to become.

Gilda Barabino 86

Barabino is a globally renowned bioengineering researcher and leader known for producing innovative health solutions and advancing engineering education. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana before becoming the first African American woman at Rice and just the fifth in the entire country to earn a doctorate in chemical engineering.

Barabino currently serves as the second president of Olin College of Engineering, where she is dedicated to educating the next generation of engineering innovators. Previously, she served as dean of the Grove School of Engineering at the City College of New York, where she developed programs to increase access to engineering education. She also held academic and administrative appointments at Emory University, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Northeastern University.

As an engineer, Barabino is known for integrating engineering innovation and entrepreneurship to solve medical challenges. Her research in the biomechanics of blood flow and thrombosis was foundational in the field, and her seminal research in sickle cell disease has informed current technologies and formed the basis for novel therapies. She is equally admired for promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM, as well as increasing the participation of minority women and men in entrepreneurial activities and interdisciplinary team science. Leading on a global stage, Barabino founded the National Institute for Faculty Equity and is a past president and chair of the board of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Barabino serves on multiple boards and advisory boards for universities across the United States, and she has received many of the highest honors in academia, including being elected to the AAAS, the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine.

Sandra K. Johnson 88

A pathbreaking engineer, leader and innovator, Johnson exemplifies the unconventional wisdom and entrepreneurial mindset that are advancing technology and bringing distinction to Rice.

Johnson earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, both in electrical engineering, from Southern University and Stanford University, respectively. In 1988, she became the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in electrical engineering from Rice. Upon graduating from Rice, Johnson began her tenure at IBM, serving for more than 25 years in various capacities, including as a researcher, a business development executive with assignments in the Middle East and Africa, and chief technology officer for IBM Central, East and West Africa. Her research and management responsibilities have ranged from Linux performance and WebSphere database development to Java server performance teams. Notably, she was part of the team that developed the prototype for IBMs Scalable Parallel Processor, the base machine for the world-famous Deep Blue chess-playing machine.

After retiring from IBM in 2014, Johnson became CEO of SKJ Visioneering LLC, a technology consulting company, and Global Mobile Finance Inc., a fintech startup company, both based in North Carolinas Research Triangle Park. A true trailblazer in her field, she has authored or co-authored over 80 publications and is a Master Inventor with over 40 issued and pending patents. Her numerous awards include being named an Electrical and Electronics Engineers Fellow, an Association for Computing Machinery Distinguished Engineer and a member of the IBM Academy of Technology, which consists of the top 1% of IBMs 250,000 technical professionals. Throughout her journey as an engineer, startup executive and author, Johnson has remained committed to mentoring and inspiring young people with her education, career and personal experiences.

Andy Karsner '89

Karsner is a leading conservationist, venture capitalist, innovation strategist, energy entrepreneur and diplomat. With more than three decades of commercial, philanthropic and public service leadership that touches every continent and spans every natural resource, he has helped accelerate and scale the worlds response to energy transition and climate change.

Karsner is a senior strategist at X (formerly Google X), the innovation lab of Alphabet Inc., and chairs Manifest Energy, a clean technology development and investment firm he founded in 2008. He is regularly called upon by world leaders and leading corporations in energy, natural resources, semiconductors and cloud computing for his experience and strategic insight.

From 2006 to 2008, Karsner served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, responsible for policy, regulation and Americas applied science National Labs and multibillion-dollar research, development and commercialization. More recently, he served as managing partner of Emerson Collective and co- founded Elemental, with Laurene Powell Jobs, as an investment and philanthropic platform dedicated to scalable, equitable market-based solutions for energy, food, water and climate. In 2017, he helped cofound Nia Tero a leading global NGO advocating for indigenous peoples.

Karsner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Rice and a Master of Arts degree from Hong Kong University. Through all of his high-profile international accomplishments, including advising and serving in the governance of numerous universities, nonprofits and privately held companies, Karsner remains connected to Rice, advising the university on its energy and climate strategy and its distinct work to advance economics and material science. He was described as a force of nature by one nominator, and another described him as relentless in the pursuit of achieving consequential solutions the world requires to address climate change (and) security, and uplift the human condition.

Eric Nelson 83

Throughout his 30-plus-year career in the United States Foreign Service, Nelson has distinguished himself in service to his country and in his advocacy of democracy, equality and human rights.

Nelson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Rice in 1983 and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988. After graduating from Rice, he volunteered for the Peace Corps in Liberia in West Africa, kicking off a long and dedicated career in public service that includes serving in Islamabad; Milan; Mexico City; Frankfurt, Germany; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Washington. He has held several senior management and diplomatic positions, including deputy chief of mission in Costa Rica, consul general in Munich and executive director at the Department of State, supporting three secretaries of state and accompanying them to 70 countries. From 2019 to 2022, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nelson is now the U.S. Ambassador in Residence at the George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies in Germany, guiding the institutes strategy to address regional, transnational and global challenges.

Throughout his award-winning career, Nelson has been a champion for peace and equality and social and economic progress. As a founding director of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies (GLIFAA), he championed fair treatment for LGBT foreign service employees. He has worked for the empowerment and well-being of others, including through his advocacy for a youth leadership program in Bosnia and Herzegovina and his promotion of innovative technology such as the monitoring of air quality by U.S. embassies abroad.

As one nominator described Nelson, his commitment to making our world a better place reflects well on who he is as a person and brings honor and distinction to the larger Rice community.

Ikhlas Sabouni 81 87

An accomplished architect, devoted teacher and pathbreaking leader in higher education, Sabouni exemplifies excellence in her decadeslong commitment to her profession and her students.

As dean of the School of Architecture at Prairie View A&M University, Sabouni has helped transform a small, unaccredited department of architecture that was within the College of Engineering and Architecture into a well-recognized, autonomous school. Sabouni, who was the first female dean of architecture in Texas among the states eight schools of architecture, has led the school through several reaffirmations of accreditation and increased its enrollment fourfold. She initiated new programs in construction science, community development and digital media arts, in addition to establishing two service and research centers in the School of Architecture.

A champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, Sabouni is devoted to promoting architecture as a career choice to the many students she has taught, supported, interacted with and ultimately inspired. A devoted teacher, she has established several scholarship endowments to support her students' financial needs and worked to ensure that students have job opportunities upon graduating.

Sabounis tremendous service to the architecture community extends to the local, regional and national levels. She is a member of multiple boards and has earned numerous awards. She received a Master of Architecture degree in 1981 and a doctorate of architecture degree in 1987 from Rice, where she won the William Dunlap Darden Award in Architecture for her outstanding doctoral dissertation.

As one nominator summarized, Sabouni has used the education, the cultivation of values, habits and attitudes to teach students, to administer in an increasingly effective and efficient manner, promote the architecture profession and serve the greater community in ways that only a dedicated architect can do.

Donald Bowers 91

Known widely for his wisdom, kindness, equanimity and thoughtful leadership, Bowers has demonstrated an extraordinary passion for service that continues to sustain Rices excellence while inspiring the next generation of Rice leaders.

A native Houstonian, Bowers earned his bachelor's degree in managerial studies from Rice and an MBA with a concentration in banking and finance from Sam Houston State University. He is vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, where he leads its Industry Outreach Program and serves as corporate secretary for the Houston Branch Board of Directors. A dedicated mentor, Bowers has served on the Center for Career Development Alumni Advisory Board and the Initiative for Students Commission, hosted numerous externships and internships, and led student leadership experiences through the Doerr Institute for New Leaders. As a former athlete, Bowers has remained a staunch supporter of the Rice football program, has mentored athletes through the Student Athlete Leadership Development Program and spearheaded efforts to establish the O.J. Brigance Courage Award.

Bowers commitment to Rice extends to the highest levels of alumni leadership, including as the president of the Association of Rice Alumni and in a variety of executive capacities in the Association of Rice University Black Alumni. Elected to the Rice Board of Trustees in 2018, he served the presidentially appointed Task Force on Slavery, Segregation and Racial Injustice, chaired the Building and Grounds Committee and led efforts in the redesign of the Academic Quadrangle and Founders Memorial. He also serves on the Baker Institute Board of Advisors and supports a range of philanthropic causes at Rice spanning scholarships, the Owl Club and the Black Student Association.

John R. Eldridge 75

An engaging alumnus, parent, career mentor and advocate of the humanities and the arts, Eldridges contributions to Rice are deep and span decades.

Eldridge earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Rice in 1975, before doing community service work and then graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1980. Over his exemplary 40-year career in environment law, he has won numerous accolades working for top international clients, while also managing his substantial pro bono and public service efforts. Eldridge was recently named a knight in Frances National Order of Merit for his brilliant career and efforts to grow relations between France and the United States.

Utilizing his professional strengths, he has for years chaired Rices Humanities Advisory Board, where he helped advocate for the upcoming Susan and Fayez Sarofim Hall for student arts. He has served diligently to advance the mission of Rices Center for Career Development, serving as chairman of its advisory board since 2016. He meets regularly with Rice students about careers, and his law firm Haynes Boone has hosted externships for many years.

Proud Rice parents of Graham 16 and Will 16, Eldridge and his wife, Annette, have been active leaders in Rices Parent Leadership Council, in addition to serving as community associates at Lovett College for over a decade. They routinely earn the award for best community associates, and Eldridge was vital to making Lovetts 50th anniversary celebration a success. Their considerable generosity extends to financial support spanning the humanities, the Rice Annual Fund, Fondren Library, fellowships and more. Eldridges nominators praised him as insightful and intelligent, but also so progressive and kind and applauded his tireless service and support.

Andrea Galindo

A dedicated staff member, volunteer and founding member of Rices Mariachi Luna Llena, Galindo has made incredible strides to raise cultural awareness not only of mariachi music but of Mexican culture throughout campus and the broader Houston community.

Galindo, who earned her bachelors and masters degrees in biology, is a pre-award specialist in Rices Office of Sponsored Research and Compliance, as well as an active associate at Wiess College, where she won Associate of the Year twice. Since Mariachi Luna Llenas founding in 2013, she has served as a lead singer and guitar player, helping cement the mariachi as a pillar of Rice culture on campus. Over her decade of involvement with the group, Galindo has performed at an array of public events, including at local schools, the Miller Outdoor Theater and the Houston Rodeo. She also sang the national anthem several times at professional sporting events, including Houston Astros and Rockets games.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Galindo spent considerable energy and effort to keep the mariachi going, organizing Zoom meetings, keeping up with current and past members, and, as one nominator noted, serving as the glue that has held together the mariachi family through the years. Additionally, she serves as an instructor for the Rice Salseros and is a familiar face at the weekly Spanish Tables at Wiess College.

In her extraordinary efforts to build up those around her, Galindo has fulfilled the ideals of Rice in cultivating a diverse and welcoming community of future researchers, artists and leaders.

Frank Jones 58 61

Jones, the Noah Harding Professor of Mathematics, has invested his entire academic and professional life in making Rice a better institution and Rice students better people. One nominator summarized Jones as a legend who has inspired countless generations of students through his decades of mathematics instruction at Rice.

After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemical engineering at the then-Rice Institute in 1958, Jones completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at Rice in 1961, winning the Sigma Xi Award for proficiency in research at the doctors degree level.

A member of the Rice faculty since 1962, Jones has received several awards for his commitment to excellent teaching. He received his first George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching in 1968, then won again in 1972, 1973, 1978, 1985 and 1990. In 1980 and 1991, Jones received Rices highest teaching honor, the George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Additionally, he is a two-time winner of the Nicolas Salgo Distinguished Teacher Award, receiving it in 1977 and 1994. Jones was also named the 2007 Texas Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Joness extraordinary teaching ability is matched by his dedication to encouraging and mentoring the hundreds of students he has taught over the years. He welcomes the opportunity to interact with his students anytime they reach out to him, spending as much time as needed with each student, in person or virtually, to maximize their learning experience. As one nominator described Jones, he has the rare and wonderful combination of giving superb classes, with apparently effortless, beautiful and clear lectures, and caring deeply about his students as people.

Tamara Siler 87

Siler, who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Rice, has dedicated her professional life to strengthening the Rice undergraduate community by recruiting, admitting and enrolling top scholars from historically excluded backgrounds.

As the deputy director of admission, access and inclusion at Rice, Siler serves as a senior leader in the Office of Admission and plays a vital role in mentoring staff in the fundamentals of the evaluation process at Rice and the importance of diversity and inclusion to the university. Recognized nationally as a thought leader in admissions, she is a sought-after speaker and has served as a former board member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and a past president of the Texas Association for College Admission Counseling. She currently serves as a College and University Resource Committee member for International Baccalaureate-North America.

A consummate ambassador, Siler has recruited hundreds of faculty, staff and students to support on-campus programming, while engaging numerous Rice alumni in the effort to increase diversity at Rice. She supports many affinity groups, including the Association of Rice University Black Alumni and Rice Pride, where she helps organize the annual Pride Parade, and her devotion to her beloved Brown College is legendary.

Whenever she is not working passionately to move Rice forward, Siler is giving back to the community as a leading performer for local theater. As one nominator summarized, All these talents that she has cultivated over the years communicator, connector, singer and actor have contributed to making Rice an excellent and bold university. Her presence at Rice has been invaluable.

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Matthews, Wise to receive ARA's Gold Medal at 2023 Laureates ... - Rice News

GeneTether Therapeutics Inc. Announces Fiscal Year 2022 … – TheNewswire.ca

Vancouver, BC - TheNewswire - April 27, 2023 - GeneTether Therapeutics Inc., (together with its wholly-owned subsidiary GeneTether, Inc., GeneTether or the Company) (CSE:GTTX), an early-stage genetic medicine company focused on developing its disruptive proprietary platform technology to significantly increase the efficiency of DNA insertion into the genome, announced today the filing of its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 and reported on corporate highlights from 2022. All dollar amounts are presented in the United States dollar, unless otherwise noted. Complete financial statements along with related management and discussion and analysis can be found in the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval, the electronic filing system for the disclosure documents of issuers across Canada, at http://www.SEDAR.com.

Commenting on the Companys progress, CEO Roland Boivin said, as previously announced, given the persistent weakness in the global capital markets, we have recently decided to significantly reduce the development of our GeneTether platform technology and conduct a review of strategic alternatives focused on maximizing shareholder value. Our disciplined approach to conserving cash and optimizing our cash runway position will serve us well as we embark on this crucial phase. Despite that, we have been able to make important progress that we believe will provide strategic advantages as we continue to explore our options. Finally, I would like to reiterate that our current cash position, which stood at $1,796,000 as of December 31, 2022 and our minimal cash burn rate, allow us the flexibility to explore investments in new technologies or add value to our GeneTether platform to increase the potential for M&A or collaboration opportunities.

R&D and Intellectual Property

Despite the challenging global markets conditions in 2022, GeneTether achieved R&D progress of its proprietary GeneTether platform:

In March 2023, the Company announced the results of a series of experiments conducted by a highly specialized contract research organization that confirmed the efficacy of its GeneTether technology in binding Lacl-Cas9 fusion proteins to template DNA. This validation specifically highlights the high level of template binding efficiency of the GeneTether platform, which is a crucial component of the Companys strategy to enhance gene editing efficiency. Further, cell-based experiments, conducted internally, as well as by third parties, confirmed that a GeneTether LacI-Cas9 fusion protein retains the ability to recognize and cut DNA when compared to unmodified Cas9. These studies were performed using several cell types and gene targets.

In October 2022, the Company announced pivoting RD efforts towards advancing its in-house programs versus outsourcing most activities, which would allow the Company to preserve cash and exert greater control over experimental designs and development protocols. Subsequently in February 2023, the Company announced the decision to scale back development of the GeneTether platform technology and explore strategic alternatives that will optimize shareholder value. This decision has been mainly driven by the current state of the global capital markets, which are experiencing persistent weakness.

On May 24, 2022, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted patent #11,339,385 entitled Modified Nucleic Acid Editing Systems for Tethering Donor DNA related to its GeneTether platform technology. The claims cover a composition of matter for tethering a donor DNA template to a fusion protein of a nuclease and the lac repressor DNA binding domain, in particular the donor DNA includes the lac operator sequence. The patent term is scheduled to expire on July 14, 2040.

On May 11, 2022, a research paper co-authored by the Companys co-founder, Geoffrey Sargent, Ph.D. and titled Seamless Gene Correction in the Human Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Locus by Vector Replacement and Vector Insertion Events was published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Genome Editing. This publication describes novel HDR products and the subsequent derivation of seamless gene correction of the W1282X CFTR mutation in human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Completion of Initial Public Offering and Concurrent Private Placement (the Offering)

On March 29, 2022, the Company announced that it closed its Offering of Units at a price of C$0.60 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4,500,000. Each Unit consists of one Common Share, and one Common Share purchase warrant (Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.72 until March 29, 2025. Including the compensation to the agent in connection with the Offering, the total estimated cash share issuance cost in connection with the Offering was approximately $600,000 (C$751,000).

Financial Results

The Companys total assets as at December 31, 2022 were approximately $1,944,000, including approximately $1,796,000 in cash. Net and comprehensive loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 were approximately $1,715,000 and 1,916,000, respectively.

About GeneTether

Founded by EGB Ventures founder and managing partner, William J. Garner, M.D., and veteran gene editing researcher, R. Geoffrey Sargent, Ph.D., GeneTether is focused on developing its disruptive proprietary platform technology to significantly increase the efficiency of DNA insertion into the genome for gene correction and complementation strategies. The Companys wholly-owned platform technology uses a proprietary method to tether donor DNA templates to the genome editing complex, making the template readily available for use during the genome editing repair stage. The Company is leveraging its platform technology to develop curative therapies for the treatment of rare genetic diseases. GeneTethers proof of concept study demonstrated an approximately 7x higher gene editing efficiency as compared to the same gene editing payload without application of GeneTethers technology.

For more information, visitwww.genetether.com.

Contacts:

Roland Boivin, CEO

(833) 294-4363 ext. 1

roland@genetether.com

Jean Jen, CFO and Corporate Secretary

(833) 294-4363 ext. 2

jean@genetether.com

Forward-Looking Disclaimer

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause GeneTethers actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this document include the expectation that the Company will significantly advance its research and development plan, the expectation that the Company will develop collaboration opportunities with other genetic medicines companies or develop M&A opportunities, and all other statements that are not statements of historical fact.

Although GeneTether believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the Companys ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the ability of GeneTether to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of GeneTether to obtain and retain all applicable regulatory approvals and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under the heading Risk Factors in the Companys final prospectus dated March 21, 2022.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

The Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service has approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

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GeneTether Therapeutics Inc. Announces Fiscal Year 2022 ... - TheNewswire.ca

Cell Isolation Technology Market to Eyewitness Increasing Revenue Growth during the Forecast Period by 2029 – openPR

Cell Isolation Technology

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The research report includes specific segments by region (country), company, Type, and Application. This study provides information about the sales and revenue during the historical and forecasted period. Understanding the segments helps identify the factors that aid the market growth. The Cell Isolation Technology research report provides information about the market area, which is further subdivided into sub-regions and countries/regions. In addition to the market share in each country and sub-region, this report chapter also contains information on profit opportunities.

The Cell Isolation Technology research report is an expert's analysis that mainly includes companies, types, applications, regions, countries, etc. Also, the reports analyse sales, revenue, trade, competition, investment, and forecasts. Industrial Analytics market research covers COVID-19 impacts on the upstream, midstream, and downstream industries. Also, this study offers detailed market estimates by emphasising statistics on several aspects covering market dynamics like drivers, barriers, opportunities, threats, and industry news & trends.

The future of cell isolation technology is an exciting area of development in biotechnology. Cell isolation involves separating specific cells from a complex mixture of cells in order to study them or use them for therapeutic purposes. Advances in cell isolation technology are essential for developing new treatments and therapies for a wide range of diseases.

One key area of development for the future of cell isolation technology is the use of microfluidics. Microfluidics involves using tiny channels and valves to manipulate small volumes of fluids. This technology can enable the isolation of individual cells with high precision and throughput, making it a powerful tool for studying rare cell populations and developing personalized medicine.

Another area of development is the use of magnetic cell isolation. This technology uses magnetic beads coated with antibodies to selectively isolate specific cells from a mixture. Magnetic cell isolation can be highly specific and efficient, enabling the isolation of rare cell populations with high purity.

In conclusion, the future of cell isolation technology looks incredibly promising, with the potential to transform the way we approach biotechnology and healthcare. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more innovative uses of cell isolation technology, enabling the development of new treatments and therapies for a wide range of diseases.

Overview of the market:The report presents the overview of the market with the production of the cost, dispatch, application, use volume and arrangement. The Cell Isolation Technology research report offers significant bits of information into the business focus from the early stage including some steady techniques chalked out by perceptible market pioneers to develop a strong foothold and development in the business. Moreover, the important areas of the Cell Isolation Technology market are also assessed on the basis of their performance.

This Cell Isolation Technology research report delivers key insights and gives clients a competitive advantage through a detailed report This report focuses on the key global players, defining, describing, and analyzing the market value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans over the next few years. Also the report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, competitive Landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunities analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, area marketplace expanding, and technological innovations.

The report provides an in-depth assessment of the growth and other aspects of key countries (regions), such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, among others. It also sheds light on the progress of key regional, including those in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

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Segmentation Analysis of the market The market is segmented on the basis of the product, type, end users and application. Segmentation is considered to be the most vital part of the report which helps the reader to understand the market in prcised way.

By ManufacturersThermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Merck

BD Biosciences

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

Terumo BCT

GE Healthcare

Stemcell Technologies

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

By TypeCentrifugation

Flow Cytometry

Cell Electrophoresis

By End usersStem cell research

Cancer research

Tissue regeneration

In-vitro diagnostics

Others

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Geographical SegmentationNorth AmericaSouth AmericaAsia and PacificMiddle East and AfricaEurope

Reasons to buy ReportThe report offers in depth analysis of the market by providing the definition, application and classifications.The SWOT analysis and strategies of each vendor in the market in provided in the report.The offers comprehensive insights into current industry trends, trend forecast and growth drivers.The report provides a detailed overview of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis and key market strategies to gain competitive landscape.

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Deep Research Reports is digital database of syndicated market reports for global and China industries. These reports offer competitive intelligence data for companies in varied market segments and for decision makers at multiple levels in these organizations.

This release was published on openPR.

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Cell Isolation Technology Market to Eyewitness Increasing Revenue Growth during the Forecast Period by 2029 - openPR

Aspect Biosystems, Novo Nordisk Partner to Develop Bioprinted … – BioPharm International

Aspect Biosystems and Novo Nordisk A/S have announced a collaboration, development, and license agreement to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics.

On April 12, 2023, Aspect Biosystems and Novo Nordisk A/S announced a collaboration, development, and license agreement to develop bioprinted tissue therapeutics designed to replace, repair, or supplement biological functions inside the body with the aim of delivering a new class of truly disease-modifying treatments for diabetes and obesity, according to a release.

The agreement states that Novo Nordisk will receive an exclusive, worldwide license to use Aspects bioprinting technology to develop up to four products for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. Meanwhile, Aspect will receive initial payments of US$75 million, including an upfront payment, research funding, and an investment in the form of a convertible note. According to the press release, Aspect is also eligible to receive up to US$650 million in future development, regulatory, commercial and sales milestone payments per product, as well as tiered royalties on future product sales.

We are thrilled to partner with Novo Nordisk, a global leader and pioneer in the fight against diabetes and chronic diseases, to create breakthrough therapeutics that could transform the lives of millions of people around the world, said Tamer Mohamed, chief executive officer, Aspect Biosystems, in a press release. This partnership leverages Aspects full-stack tissue therapeutic platform, talented team and bold vision, and reinforces our strategy to create bioprinted tissue therapeutics through partnerships with global industry leaders while also advancing our internal therapeutic pipeline.

A new platform technology from Aspect may allow for the development of a novel class of cell-based medicine designed to be biologically functional, encapsulated to be immune-protective, and suitable for surgical implantation. For Novo Nordisk, their team has developed expertise to differentiate stem cells into a wide array of cells that may be used to replace damaged and lost cells which could lead to a specific disease, like insulin-producing beta cells in type 1 diabetes, or manufacturing capabilities to produce the cells at scale.

The goal of the partnership is to create implantable bioprinted tissues to replace, repair, or supplement biological functions. Further, these tissues will be designed to be allogeneic, which means the cells used are derived from a single source to increase the practicality of future large-scale manufacturing.

Novo Nordisk has built strong capabilities when it comes to producing functional and highly pure therapeutic replacement cells at the highest quality and at scale, said Jacob Sten Petersen, corporate vice president and head of Cell Therapy R&D, Novo Nordisk, in a press release. Collaborating with Aspect Biosystems adds an important component to our strategy to develop comprehensive cell therapy products. We are excited to co-develop solutions for cell therapy delivery that could lead to life-changing treatments for those living with a serious chronic disease.

Source: Aspect Biosystems

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Aspect Biosystems, Novo Nordisk Partner to Develop Bioprinted ... - BioPharm International

Seres Therapeutics Announces $250 Million Debt Financing with … – BioSpace

Company to receive proceeds of $110 million upon closing of the agreement

Financing to support commercial launch of VOWST and fund pipeline development

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRB), a leading microbiome therapeutics company, today announced that it has entered into a new $250 million senior secured debt facility (Term Loan Facility) provided by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree). The Company drew the first tranche of $110 million at closing, with three additional tranches available. These additional tranches include $90 million that will be available in two tranches of $45 million each based upon the achievement of certain applicable VOWST sales targets, and an additional $50 million will be available to the Company at Oaktrees discretion to support potential future business development activities.

Of the $110 million advanced by Oaktree at closing, approximately $53 million retires outstanding debt, and after deducting fees and expenses, the net proceeds to the Company are approximately $50 million. The Term Loan Facility carries an interest rate equal to the three-month secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) plus 7.875%, with the interest rate capped at 12.875% per annum. The Term Loan Facility is expected to mature six years from funding and carries an initial interest only period for the first three years, which may be extended to six years based upon the achievement of certain VOWST sales targets.

This flexible debt offering from Oaktree provides Seres with support for the upcoming commercial launch of VOWST, the first orally administered microbiota-based therapeutic to prevent recurrence of C. difficile Infection (CDI) in adults following antibacterial treatment for recurrent CDI (rCDI), as well as for the advancement of Seres additional microbiome therapeutic candidates, including SER-155. Oaktree is one of the top capital providers for innovative biopharma companies, and we look forward to working closely together, said David Arkowitz, Chief Financial Officer at Seres.

With the approval of VOWST, Seres has firmly established itself as a leader in the exciting microbiome therapeutics field. We see a tremendous opportunity for VOWST and Seres multiple innovative pipeline programs to fill significant unmet medical needs across a variety of therapeutic areas. We are delighted to be collaborating with the Company during its next phase of growth and playing a role in bringing an entirely new treatment modality to patients, said Aman Kumar, Co-Portfolio Manager of Life Sciences Lending at Oaktree.

Oaktree is a leading provider of debt and royalty financing for the global life sciences industry. Since 2020, funds managed by Oaktree have committed over $3.0 billion across 31 investments for companies across the healthcare spectrum.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC acted as sole structuring agent to the Company. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Seres. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP served as legal counsel to Oaktree.

About Seres Therapeutics Seres Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: MCRB) is a commercial-stage company developing novel microbiome therapeutics for serious diseases. Seres lead program, VOWST, obtained U.S. FDA approval in April 2023 as the first orally administered microbiota-based therapeutic to prevent recurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in adults following antibacterial treatment for recurrent CDI and is being commercialized in collaboration with Nestl Health Science. Seres is evaluating SER-155 in a Phase 1b study in patients receiving allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to reduce incidences of gastrointestinal infections, bloodstream infections and graft-versus-host disease as well as additional preclinical stage programs targeting Infection Protection in medically compromised patients. The Company is also conducting research to inform further development of microbiome therapeutics for ulcerative colitis.

For more information, please visit http://www.serestherapeutics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including the receipt of future funding tranches; future business development activities; the achievement of sales milestones; and other statements which are not historical fact.

These forward-looking statements are based on managements current expectations. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: we have incurred significant losses, are not currently profitable and may never become profitable; our need for additional funding; our limited operating history; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; our unproven approach to therapeutic intervention; the lengthy, expensive and uncertain process of clinical drug development; our reliance on third parties and collaborators to conduct our clinical trials, manufacture our product candidates and develop and commercialize our product candidates, if approved; and our ability to retain key personnel and to manage our growth. These and other important factors discussed under the caption Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), on March 7, 2023, and our other reports filed with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Any such forward-looking statements represent managements estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230427005329/en/

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Initiation of scutellum-derived callus is regulated by an embryo-like … – Nature.com

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Initiation of scutellum-derived callus is regulated by an embryo-like ... - Nature.com