Creighton University- Admissions, Courses, Fees, and More

September 19, 2013, 8:55 am

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Basic Information:
There is no university in the country like Creighton University in terms of size, the array of professional and graduate programs offered, and the strong commitment to Catholic and Jesuit ideals and values. Founded in 1878 and one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Creighton is a vibrant and diverse learning community. The University is located in Omaha, Neb.

Nationally recognized for providing a challenging and balanced educational experience, the University offers a rigorous academic agenda with a broad range of disciplines, providing more than 7,700 undergraduate, graduate and professional students with degree programs that emphasize education of the whole person -- academically, socially and spiritually.

Undergraduate Programs:
The Department of Biology at Creighton University is committed to providing an excellent undergraduate biology program encompassing both breadth and depth of biological understanding. The mission at Creighton University is to provide students with the opportunity to develop: an understanding and appreciation of biological unity and diversity; competence in analytical, investigative and communication skills appropriate to the biological discipline; the ability to recognize and formulate effective responses to moral and ethical issues with biological dimensions. Creighton biology majors are also graduates with a broad liberal art education and compete successfully for jobs in the general economy. Alumni of the Biology department include physicians, dentists, deans of medical and graduate schools, research scientists, environmental analysts, nature center interpreters and teachers, as well as archbishops and presidents of major companies.

The Medical Anthropology at Creighton University major is designed to provide a usable skill set for health and health care in an increasingly complex world through taking seriously the important factor of culture. This cultural approach to health and health care makes the program unique and complementary with other health-related programs. With its emphasis on fieldwork and cultural analysis in light of biomedical knowledge, the program furthers the excellence of future healthcare professionals. The major also promotes strategies for equitable access to effective health care both domestically and globally.

Undergraduate Tuition: $30,848/year. Students can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA.

Graduate Programs:
Creighton offers a master’s of science degree and PhD in Biomedical Sciences. The course of study will focus almost exclusively on participating and conducting medical and healthcare-related research—students are placed in research laboratories during the first semester. Students have access to Creighton University’s renowned research facilities and laboratories and have opportunities to collaborate with and learn from Creighton’s nationally recognized faculty. The program is flexible and can be customized in a number of fields, including: Biochemistry and Bioorganic Chemistry; Bone Biology; Cancer Biology; Cell and Developmental Biology; Molecular Biology and Gene Regulation; and Neurobiology and Physiology.

For students looking to continue a career as a clinical anatomy teacher, incorporate clinical anatomy teaching into an academic career, or work in any number of healthcare professions, the Clinical Anatomy Master of Science (M.S.) through Graduate, Adult and Professional Studies at Creighton will provide the knowledge, skills and experience needed. Students will also be prepared to continue graduate studies or to pursue a medical degree. Courses included are human gross anatomy and neuroanatomy, pathology, surgery, radiology and embryology. Students have the opportunity to dissect the human body, attend autopsies and surgeries, and participate in case-based discussions. The program begins in August and takes 18 months to complete, including attending summer session the first year.

Creighton offers a master’s degree in Clinical and Translational Science. The field of Clinical & Translational Science seeks to find the quickest, most efficient route for the results of research to translate into new therapies, tools, and patient care practices in order to improve the quality of healthcare. The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at Creighton University is committed to the development of cutting-edge multidisciplinary clinical and translational research programs in a manner that builds upon current science strengths to help bring about an era of personalized medicine. The Center is a new and innovative resource to support and advance education, collaboration and research in clinical and translational science by pooling existing strengths and expertise together. The goal is to increase the number, quality and diversity of clinical and translational researchers and to promote research and intellectual exchanges among a diverse set of professionals who elicit novel approaches to area healthcare priorities. Additionally, the program seeks to foster long-term, bi-directional relationships with academic and community partners. An integral part of this commitment is to identify, educate, and create a mentored environment for developing the next generation of clinical and translational researchers into independent investigators as well as to engage the community in clinical research efforts.

The Medical Anthropology graduate program is coordinated by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, at Creighton's College of Arts and Sciences. All courses are delivered online. However, incoming students are required to participate in a four-day on-campus orientation before taking the first course. The Medical Anthropology program is designed to provide a usable skill set for health and health care in an increasingly complex world through taking seriously the important factor of culture. This cultural approach to health and health care makes the program unique and complementary with other health-related programs. With its emphasis on fieldwork and cultural analysis in the light of biomedical knowledge, the program furthers the excellence of healthcare professionals. The program promotes strategies for equitable access to effective health care both domestically and globally.
The master’s and doctoral programs in Medical Microbiology and Immunology through the Graduate, Adult and Professional Studies at Creighton provides excellent preparation for a career as a university professor, leading scientist with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and/or a scientist within a government agency. Students can choose among several programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, and will acquire a breadth of knowledge in the major disciplines of microbiology and then concentrate in a research area such as: Virology; Cellular and Molecular Immunology; Microbial Pathogenicity; Infectious Diseases; Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Microbial and Molecular Genetics; Microbial Physiology or Epidemiology; and Prions and Multiple Sclerosis.

Graduate Tuition: $14,080. Students can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA.

Statistics:
Applied - 5,106
Admitted - 3,973 78%
Enrolled total - 977
Full Time: - 975
Part Time - 2

Standards:
Test - 25th % - 75th %
SAT Reading - 520 - 640
SAT Math - 550 - 660
SAT Writing - 510 - 620
ACT Composite - 24 - 30
ACT English - 24 - 31
ACT Math - 24 - 29
ACT Writing 7 9

Retention / Graduation:
Retention rate - 88%
4-year graduation rate - 64%
6-year graduation rate - 75%

Other Information:
Nine Schools and Colleges

College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, Graduate School, and Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Professions and University College.

Student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1.

More than 96 percent of our undergraduate students are employed, volunteering or attending graduate or professional school within eight months of graduation.

Undergraduate Programs and Majors:
Biology (BS)
Medical Anthropology

Graduate Programs:
Biomedical Sciences (MS/PhD)
Clinical Anatomy (MS)
Clinical and Translational Science (MS)
Medical Anthropology (MA)
Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MS/PhD)

Dual Degree Programs:
Clinical Anatomy (MS/MD)
Clinical and Translational Sciences (MS/MD)

Application Deadlines:
Undergraduate: December 1st for scholarship consideration
Graduate: Varies based on program.
Students should apply online at: http://admissions.creighton.edu/ for undergraduate admission and https://www.creighton.edu/gradschool/adm...mission.

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Institute of Applied Medicine and Research (IAMR), Ghaziabad - By Shivani Sharma

September 23, 2013, 1:16 am

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The institute is located on the outskirts of Ghaziabad, on the national Delhi-Meerut highway, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. IAMR was found in the year of 2000 with the chairman being Shree R.K. Gupta and has completely 13 years successfully so far. It has 3 other sister institutions, out of which one is located in Meerut city and the other two are located in Ghaziabad itself. The institute is affiliated to CCS university, Meerut (formerly Meerut university).

The main attractions of the college are its Biotechnology, Microbiology and Physiotherapy division. The separate building for biotechnology department consists of well-acquainted classrooms in the form of lecture theatres and fully-equipped labs out of which the major ones are Recombinant DNA Technology Lab, Microbiology Lab, Biotechnology Lab, Plant tissue culture lab etc. The main attraction of the labs are PCR machines though and the other devices are constantly upgraded, for instance, just recently, the labs were upgraded from the conventional and time consuming pH-meter to a pH pen which proved very effective, accurate and faster.

IAMR is a 'well known' institute for its research and being developed as a center for advancing career in modern biology. The admission procedure usually requires a written exam followed by an interview. IAMR has always been kind enough to provide seats to the student. Thus the admission procedures are fairly nice to go through.

Currently, there are 3 programmes being carried out in the institute in the biotechnology division, i.e. Integrated M.Tech in Biotechnology which is a 5-year engineering course, B.Sc. Biotechnology Honors (3-year Bachelor Program- UG) and M.Sc. biotechnology (2 year Master Program- PG). While the latter two courses focus on the core biotechnology and its theoretical aspects, the former course i.e. Int. M.Tech. Biotechnology focuses on the technical aspects of the study of this science. The syllabus is designed as such as students don’t face problems while preparing for competitive exams like GATE and NET-JRF after completion of degree.

The institute keeps on organizing events to keep students active in co-curricular activities. A number of other colleges also send their students to participate in these activities. Main among these events are GENETIX and BioFest which are held annually. The annual college fest is the center of attraction for all the students as it provides the opportunity to showcase their other skills, for instance, singing, dancing etc.

The institute has been in run for a good amount of time and is expected to run for extended periods of time mainly because of the fairly simple admission procedures and the attractive yet informative courses it offers! If a student wishes to know more about the college, they can either contact the author or just simply visit, http://www.iamrgzb.com. I hope IAMR proves to be a destination for you to pursue your further education. The place is worth your kind visit.

Published by Jessica on behalf of Ms. Shivani Sharma

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Northwestern University- Admissions, Courses, Fees, and More

September 24, 2013, 9:18 am

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Basic Information:
Northwestern University (NU) is a private research university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago in Illinois, United States. Northwestern has 12 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees.

Northwestern was founded in 1851 by John Evans, for whom Evanston is named, and eight other lawyers, businessmen and Methodist leaders to serve the people of a region that had once been known as the Northwest Territory. Instruction began in 1855; women were admitted in 1869. Today, the main campus is a 240-acre (97 ha) parcel in Evanston, along the shores of Lake Michigan. The university's law and medical schools are located on a 25-acre (10 ha) campus in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. In 2008, the University opened a campus in Education City, Doha, Qatar with programs in journalism and communication. In academic year 2010-2011, Northwestern enrolled 8,397 undergraduate and 7,870 graduate and professional students.

Northwestern has one of the largest university endowments in the United States, valued at $7.1 billion in 2012. One of only 62 institutions elected to the Association of American Universities (1917), Northwestern was awarded more than $500 million in research grants in 2010–2011, placing it in the first tier of the major research universities in the United States by the Center for Measuring University Performance. Its schools of management, engineering, and communication, for example, are among the most academically productive in the nation. Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and remains the only private university in the conference. The Northwestern Wildcats compete in 19 intercollegiate sports in the NCAA's Division I.

Undergraduate Programs:
One of Northwestern University’s Weinberg College's most popular majors, a major in Biological Sciences prepares students for a variety of positions: in research and education; in medical and other health professions; in pharmaceutical, genetic testing, and other biomedical companies; and in government agencies. The undergraduate life sciences major offered in Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences is the Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with concentration in one of five areas: biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology, neurobiology, physiology, and plant biology. Important strengths of the program include a particularly sophisticated introductory course and a diverse set of advanced courses based in part or in whole on primary scientific literature. There are also outstanding opportunities for undergraduate students to join a faculty member's research group and carry out independent laboratory research.

Northwestern University was among the first schools to recognize the value of a biomedical engineering background. The biomedical engineering program provides biomedical training that is quantitative, emphasizes problem-solving and design, and treats phenomena from the molecular to the systems level. Biomedical engineers at Northwestern are trained to apply engineering techniques to the analysis of biological systems, providing full integration of biology and engineering. As part of the BME program, students receive thorough pre-professional training. This prepares them for not only medical and dental schools but also jobs in biomedical industries and hospitals. The biomedical engineering industry offers the possibility of developing, testing and marketing products ranging from medical lasers and pacemakers to pharmaceuticals and beyond.
Students are required to take either the SAT or ACT with writing.

Undergraduate tuition: $41,592/year. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. Students should complete the FAFSA to apply for financial aid.

Graduate Programs:
The purpose of Northwestern University's doctoral degree program in biomedical engineering is to produce graduates who are qualified to fill research positions at the highest levels in private industry and in government laboratories, to teach in this field at universities, and to perform and direct original research on the staffs of universities, hospitals or companies. Students entering the program with a degree in a field other than biomedical engineering, e.g., traditional areas of biology, civil engineering, etc., are expected to concentrate their elective course work in their deficient areas. Students in the biomedical engineering (BME) doctoral program study approximately equal portions of engineering, life sciences, and mathematics. Biomedical engineering is by its nature very diverse and thus some breadth is required. Students, however, are expected to develop depth and understanding in one particular area of engineering and one of the life sciences. The areas of mathematical development are also somewhat flexible, with some breadth expected, but should be appropriate for the student's area of study. The portion of a student's effort in engineering, life sciences, and mathematics depends on her/his previous background. Master’s programs are available, either with or without a thesis requirement.

Northwestern University offers a graduate program in Genetic Counseling. Northwestern is fully accredited by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) and enrolls approximately 12 students per year. The program is 18 months long. Students are enrolled for six ten-week quarters; three academic quarters their first year (Fall, Winter, Spring), one summer quarter and two academic quarters their second year (Fall and Winter). Students graduate in mid-March, which is earlier than many other genetic counseling programs. Many of our students feel that this early graduation date gives them a jump start on the job search and a competitive edge over other graduates. The curriculum is designed to emphasize the scientific and medical aspects of the profession, along with the counseling and psychosocial aspects. Students begin their clinical rotations during the winter quarter of the first year. Early clinical placements allow the students to quickly apply and reinforce the concepts they learn in the classroom. In addition, Northwestern has a strong research component, requiring a written thesis and oral defense.

Northwestern University's Master of Science in Biotechnology Program (MBP) offers the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Biotechnology degree in 15 months (five quarters) or 21 months if a student opts to participate in an Industrial Internship. The primary mission of the MBP is to prepare biologists, chemists, and engineers for careers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The MBP is distinguished from other M.S. in Biotechnology programs by the integration of biology and engineering, combined with extensive hands-on research (ca. 1000 hr over four quarters) in Northwestern University faculty laboratories. The pool of research preceptors currently includes more than eighty faculty members in various departments throughout Northwestern.

Graduate tuition: $41,592/year. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans. Some graduate students may be eligible for financial aid in the form of teaching and research assistanships.

Statistics:
Applied - 27,528
Admitted - 6,367 - 23%
Enrolled total - 2,127
Full Time: - 2,127
Part Time - 0

Standards:
Test - 25th % - 75th %
SAT Reading - 680 - 750
SAT Math - 700 - 780
SAT Writing - 680 - 770
ACT Composite - 31 - 33
ACT English - 32 - 35
ACT Math - 30 - 35
ACT Writing - 8 - 10

Retention / Graduation:
Retention rate - 97%
4-year graduation rate - 87%
6-year graduation rate - 95%

Undergraduate Programs and Majors:
Biological Sciences (BA)
Biomedical Engineering (BS)

Graduate Programs:
Biomedical Engineering (MS/PhD)
Genetic Counseling
Biotechnology (MBP/MS)
Dual Degree Programs:
Medical Scientist Training Program (MS/PhD)

Application Deadlines:
Undergraduate: November 1st, early decision; February 1st, regular decision
Undergraduate applicants can apply online via the Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/Login
Graduate: Varies based on program.

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Florida State University- Admissions, Courses, Fees, and More

September 24, 2013, 10:45 am

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Basic Information:
The Florida State University (commonly referred to as Florida State or FSU) is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation. The university comprises 15 separate colleges and 39 centers, facilities, labs and institutes that offer more than 300 programs of study, including professional programs. Florida State was officially established in 1851 and is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in the state of Florida. Florida State University was declared in 2010 to be a "Budget Ivy" university by the Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College. In 1935 Florida State University was awarded the first chapter of Phi Beta Kappa in Florida and is among the ten percent of American universities to have earned a chapter of the national academic honor society.

Florida State University is one of two Florida public universities to qualify as a "preeminent university" by Florida senate bill 1076, signed in 2013. As a result of this legislation, the preeminent universities now receive additional funding that is intended to improve the academics and national reputation of higher education within the state of Florida. As one of Florida's primary graduate research universities, Florida State University awards over 2,000 graduate and professional degrees each year. In 2007, the Florida Legislature allowed Florida State and the University of Florida to charge 40% higher tuition than other institutions in the State University System of Florida.

The Florida State University is also home to nationally ranked programs in many academic areas, including the sciences, engineering, social policy, film, music, theater, dance, visual art, business, political science, psychology, social work, medicine, and law. Florida State is home to Florida's only National Laboratory – the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and is the birthplace of the commercially viable anti-cancer drug Taxol. The university is also known for its undergraduate study abroad options: according to Uni in the USA, "the large numbers of students that study abroad nicely compliment the students that study here from abroad."

Undergraduate Programs:
The Department of Biological Science offers an undergraduate biology major. Although not required to do so by the department, biological science majors may choose to concentrate their biology elective hours in a particular sub-discipline of biology (i.e., "academic track"). Academic tracks are defined as groupings of departmental courses within a traditional or contemporary sub-discipline of biology that may be used to tailor the degree requirements to student interests. Currently, the Department of Biological Science offers seven academic tracks in the following sub-disciplines of biology: Cell and Molecular Biology; Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science; Marine Biology; Physiology and Neuroscience; Plant Sciences; Pre-professional Health Sciences (including medicine, veterinary medicine, optometry, dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy and physician's assistant); and Zoology.

The Program in Marine Biology prepares undergraduate students to enter the workforce or graduate school in a marine-related field in basic or applied science, from conservation to natural resource management. The highlight of the program is an undergraduate research experience that provides hands-on internships in marine biology with a marine scientist as a mentor. The goal is to increase the student’s awareness of the critical importance of our ocean and coastal ecosystems and the challenges faced by those interested in protecting their health and ensuring their sustainability. Never was the need for this kind of training more keenly felt than when the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in the spring of 2010. Only students who have declared biology as a major can apply to the Program in Marine Biology and Living Marine Resource Ecology. Students typically apply during their sophomore year. It is easy to do. Just fill out the online application form and hit “send.”

Undergraduate tuition: $3800/year in-state; $17,544/year out-of-state. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Students should complete the FAFSA annually to be eligible for aid.

Graduate Programs:
The Florida State University Department of Biological Science offers Masters and Doctoral degree training in a broad range of biological research areas. The graduate is organized into three divisions, Cell and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Neuroscience; each division conducts its own admissions and guides its students to the completion of their degrees. Students are selected from a competitive applicant pool and supported for the duration of their studies with stipends and tuition waivers. During their training, students have access to excellent laboratory research facilities and opportunities for field and marine studies. Recent graduates of the program have been very successful in obtaining academic, research, industrial, and professional positions nationally and internationally. We strongly encourage direct contact between potential applicants and individual faculty in the program to explore mutual interests in research training opportunities.

Florida State University and Florida A&M College of Engineering offer a graduate program in Biomedical Engineering. Currently, biomedical engineering is the most rapidly growing graduate engineering discipline in the U.S. The overall goal of this program is to implement education and research in biomedical engineering that will prepare graduates for industrial, governmental, and academic careers in the bioengineering, biotechnology, and related professions. The graduate program in biomedical engineering (BME) promotes a special emphasis in cellular and tissue engineering. Advanced engineering, medical, chemistry, physics, and biology students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills that will allow them to contribute to improved technology in health and medical care and to solve real-world engineering problems in biology and medicine, both in educational and industrial settings.

The Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences at the Florida State University College of Medicine is designed to train modern biomedical scientists who take advantage of genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and other contemporary approaches to address questions of developmental, cell, and molecular biology related to human health. The Program is appropriate for students with majors in biochemistry, biology or other health-related fields. Three broad areas of research are emphasized: development, neuroscience and the molecular basis of human disease. Research rotations during the first year allow students to make an informed choice of the research area and major professor with whom they will conduct their Ph. D. work. A core curriculum of the fundamentals, the choice of electives from other departments and intellectual interaction with faculty and post doctoral fellows, encourage graduate students to mature into independent scientists.

Graduate tuition: $8421/year in-state; $22853/year out-of-state. All students admitted to the Biological Sciences and Biomedical Sciences programs receive full financial support, including a stipend and tuition reimbursement.

Statistics:
Applied - 28,313
Admitted - 16,561 58%
Enrolled total - 6,135
Full Time: - 6,105
Part Time - 30

Standards:
Test - 25th % - 75th %
SAT Reading - 550 - 650
SAT Math - 560 - 640
SAT Writing - 0 - 0
ACT Composite - 25 - 28

Retention / Graduation:
Retention rate - 92%
4-year graduation rate - 47%
6-year graduation rate - 71%

Undergraduate Programs and Majors:
Biological Sciences (BS)

Graduate Programs:
Biological Sciences (MS/PhD)
Biomedical Engineering (MS/PhD)
Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

Application Deadlines:
Undergraduate:
Graduate: December 1st
Applications are available online at: http://admissions.fsu.edu/

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nice

September 26, 2013, 4:08 am

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DISCLAIMER: Although this forum contains useful information on several topics, provides answers to your questions, it is not a substitute for an experts advice. We take no responsibility for accuracy of information provided and do not endorse any research, advice or products. Before following any advice consult a professional. In case some post damages your benefits or violate your rights, please report it and we'll remove it. Full Disclaimer and Privacy Policy. | Contact us | Mobile Version

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University of South Florida- Admissions, Courses, Fees, and More

September 6, 2013, 11:07 am

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Basic Information:
The University of South Florida is a high-impact, global research university located in beautiful Tampa Bay on Florida's spectacular west coast. It is one of the largest public universities in the nation, and among the top 50 universities, public or private, for federal research expenditures. The university is one of only four Florida public universities classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities, a distinction attained by only 2.3 percent of all universities.

With over 230 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialty and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine, there's something for everyone at USF. The university offers a dynamic learning environment that inspires innovation, creativity and collaboration and is focused on student success. More than 2,000 distinguished scholars, researchers and expert teachers, nearly all holding PhDs or the highest degrees in their fields, make up the USF faculty – including the 2012 U.S. Professor of the Year.

At USF Tampa, over 30,400 undergraduates, more than 8,400 graduates, over 550 Doctor of Medicine candidates and more than 1,500 non-degree-seeking students make up the total campus enrollment of over 41,000. The students are a diverse group, coming from every state, every U.S. territory and more than 150 countries around the world. International students make up 5 percent of the total student population.
Students at USF Tampa, are high academic achievers. New freshmen for the Fall 2012 semester had an average high school GPA of 3.94, an average SAT score of 1209, and average ACT score of 27. Fifty percent of new freshmen graduated in the top 20 percent of their class, and 86 percent are Bright Futures Scholarship recipients. Twenty-five students in the 2012 freshman class are National Merit Scholars, four are National Achievement Scholars and 15 are National Hispanic Scholars.
The university's faculty are world-class scholars. Instructional faculty at USF Tampa number more than 1,500. Eighty-six percent of full-time faculty hold terminal degrees in their field. The university has 50 endowed chairs and 30 endowed professorships.

Undergraduate Programs:
The school of biological sciences at the University of South Florida offers undergraduate degrees through two divisions, the division of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology and the division of Integrative Biology. The Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology (CMMB) has responsibility for the education of undergraduate students in core cell biology, molecular biology, genetics and microbiology topics as well as more specialized areas that require detailed knowledge of these subjects. To accomplish this mission, CMMB offers curricula that will lead to Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Microbiology. Courses are designed to meet the needs to students majoring in other science disciplines as well as non-science areas. The CMMB faculty members are dedicated to excellence in this mission.

Research and teaching in the Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology division emphasizes cellular processes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes with an increasing focus on biotechnology and preparing students for professional careers in the areas of cell biology, microbiology and molecular Biology. Faculty research interests include: Molecular pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance of microbes; structural and computational biology; the biology of aging, gene expression and genomic instability.

Research and teaching in the Integrative Biology Division emphasizes organismal interactions and adaptations to the environment. We take a modern interdisciplinary approach to understand the interactions at many levels from cells to organisms to populations to communities to landscapes. Faculty research interests include: marine and freshwater ecology; restoration ecology; population ecology; plant-animal interactions; community ecology; plant systematics; conservation biology; ecotoxicology; biomechanics and functional morphology; environmental microbiology; microbial physiology; and gene transfer.

The department of chemistry offers a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. Biomedical Sciences is designed to fulfill many of the admissions requirements for professional schools in the Health Sciences (e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry). Students contemplating graduate study should pursue a major in the discipline of their interest, such as Biology, Chemistry, or Microbiology.

Undergraduate Tuition: $211.19/credit hour resident; $575.01/non-resident. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid.

Graduate Programs:
The Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology offers master’s degrees and doctoral degrees in Cell and Molecular Biology. The master’s degree can either be thesis based or non-thesis based. They also offer a non-thesis based master’s degree in microbiology through the department.

The Biomedical Engineering Initiative represents a joint venture between the College of Medicine and College or Engineering. This initiative is a natural extension of the current biomedical engineering expertise present at USF, and will serve and enhance the development of the large cluster of more about 300 businesses that manufacture medical products in the region. The Initiative is designed to leverage the strengths of the region's related enterprise to create innovative and novel solutions, technologies and products that address current societal needs and improve the quality of life for Florida's citizens.

The M.S. pre-professional program in Medical Sciences, within the College of Medicine, has been developed to provide a novel interdisciplinary and concentrated program of study that is designed for students interested in either future doctoral or professional programs in the biomedical sciences and who value the interdisciplinary approach. The program integrates several disciplines and topics including the subject areas of anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, histology, microbiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology and physiology. These medically-oriented subject areas have been integrated to provide a solid foundation in the medical sciences. The rigorous program is designed to allow students to demonstrate their full academic ability and suitability for future careers in healthcare in either academic or clinical environments. The interdisciplinary nature of the program promotes a broad intellectual focus that is required of current and future health-care professionals. In addition to the typical subject matter, the majority of the courses integrate modern teaching methods with extensive student participation designed to improve their written, oral and presentation skills that are also important components of their future professional development. Graduates of the program are anticipated to continue their professional development at medical and dental schools together with a variety of other healthcare professional programs. Students in this track take selected pre-clinical medical school courses and are able to complete the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Medical Sciences within one year.

The M.S. research program in Medical Sciences, within the College of Medicine, offers several concentrations, which consists of basic/molecular science credits, with medical relevance. This program is designed to prepare students for future educational or research endeavors in graduate education or other professional programs.

Graduate Tuition: $431.43/credit hours residents; $877.17/credit hour non-residents. Graduate students are eligible for financial assistance in the form of research and teaching assistantships, as well as through fellowships.

Graduate admission requires a minimum B average for undergraduate work, as well as GRE scores, and letters of recommendation.

Undergraduate Programs and Majors:
Microbiology (BS)
Cell Biology, Microbiology, and Molecular Biology (BS)
Integrative Biology (BS)
Biomedical Science (BS)

Graduate Programs:
Cell and Molecular Biology (MS/PhD)
Microbiology (MS)
Biomedical Engineering (PhD)
Medical Science (PhD)
Bioinformatics (MS)
Biotechnology (MS)
Bioethics (MS)
One-year Medical Masters (MS)

Dual Degree Programs:
MD/PhD

Application Deadlines:
Undergraduate: Accepted on a rolling basis beginning in October
Graduate: Varies by program; fellowship deadline February 1st
Apply online at: https://secure.vzcollegeapp.com/usf/default.aspx?cid=87&ltid=1

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Roche-Biogen gain FDA breakthrough status for leukemia drug Gazyva

November 3, 2013, 8:09 am

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Roche and their partner Biogen Idec have just achieved the FDA ‘breakthrough’ designation for their cancer drug GA101, now named Gazyva, a month ahead of the FDA’s stated decision date of December 20th. Gazyva, which was developed by the Roche-owned Genentech, is a successor to Roche’s multi-billion dollar selling drug Rituxan (rituximab) and is designed to treat patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Both of these drugs are CD20 monoclonal antibodies but Phase III clinical data shows that, in combination with the chemotherapeutic drug chlorambucil, Gazyva was more effective than Rituxan in extending survival of CLL patients without any worsening of their cancer and Gazyva plus chlorambucil was more than twice as effective as chlorambucil alone in effecting progression-free survival. The news is all the more welcome to Roche as biosimilars from other companies are likely to begin to eat into sales of Rituxan. Industry analysts estimate that Gazyva will be worth $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion a year to Roche at peak sales.

As anti-CD20 antibodies, GA101 and rituximab target cancer cells. However, pre-clinical data already indicated that GA101 was more effective than rituximab in harnessing the immune system in fighting tumour progression in in vitro assays, particularly in terms of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). This enhanced ADCC activity has been linked to the decreased ability of GA101 to fix complement relative to rituximab. In serum, complement blocks rituximab-induced natural killer (NK) cell activation but not GA101-induced ADCC. In SU-DHL4 and RL xenografts in vivo models, GA101 was strongly anti-tumourigenic and effected complete tumour remission in the SU-DHL4 model. Its overall efficacy was superior to both rituximab and ofatumumab, another approved anti-CD20 antibody, and it remained able to control tumour progression in animals that had been pre-treated with rituximab whereas the tumours were resistant to second-line treatment rituximab treatment. Meanwhile, Phase II data on GA101 was positive in terms of both efficacy and safety of the drug.

The Phase III data on cancer-free survival has ensured the drug’s breakthrough designation for CLL, but Roche and Genentech are confident it will have applicability in other blood cancers. Medical chief Hal Barron stated: "We have spent 20 years researching blood cancer medicines, and we will continue to study Gazyva to assess its efficacy in other types of blood cancers."

Sources
HERTER, S. et al., 2013. Preclinical Activity of the Type II CD20 Antibody GA101 (Obinutuzumab) Compared with Rituximab and Ofatumumab In Vitro and in Xenograft Models. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 12(10), pp. 2031-2042

KERN, D.J. et al., 2013. GA101 induces NK-cell activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity more effectively than rituximab when complement is present. Leukemia & lymphoma, 54(11), pp. 2500-2505

MORSCHHAUSER, F.A. et al., 2013. Obinutuzumab (GA101) monotherapy in relapsed/refractory diffuse large b-cell lymphoma or mantle-cell lymphoma: results from the phase II GAUGUIN study. Journal Of Clinical Oncology: Official Journal Of The American Society Of Clinical Oncology, 31(23), pp. 2912-2919

RADFORD, J. et al., 2013. Obinutuzumab (GA101) plus CHOP or FC in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma: results of the GAUDI study (BO21000). Blood, 122(7), pp. 1137-1143

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche...2013-11-01 [Accessed 3 November 2013].

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche...2013-07-24 [Accessed 3 November 2013].

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BIO International Convention | June 23rd -26th, 2014 | San Diego

November 3, 2013, 8:52 am

≫ Next: Panama Disease - A Growing Threat to Worldwide Banana Production

≪ Previous: Roche-Biogen gain FDA breakthrough status for leukemia drug Gazyva

Organisers: Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)

Dates: June 23rd -26th, 2014

Location: San Diego Convention Centre, San Diego, California, USA

Website: http://convention.bio.org/

The very detailed website gives all the necessary information on abstract submission, fees, registration, conference agenda, hotel, exhibitions and other important facts.

Purpose of the conference

The key elements of the event are listed as education, networking and BIO Business Forum partnering. 1,600 companies will be showcasing technologies, products and services in the BIO Exhibition. One third of BIO attendees come from outside the U.S.A, offering a truly international perspective and bringing together life science leaders and policy makers from around the globe. Many networking events are scheduled, facilitating the forging of new connections.
The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry, with 16500 attendees in 2012. It features keynotes and sessions from key policymakers, scientists, CEOs, and celebrities. Past speakers include President George W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Tony Blair, Michael J. Fox, Sir Elton John, Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and General Colin Powell. The Convention also features the BIO Business Forum (One-on-One Partnering), hundreds of sessions covering biotech trends, policy issues and technological innovations, and the world's largest biotechnology exhibition - the BIO Exhibition.
In 2012, attendees came from thousands of organisations ranging from leading biotech companies, top 25 pharma companies, top 20 CROs and CMOs, more than 300 academic institutions including the major research labs and government agencies and the leading consultants and service companies.

Important dates

Registration opens January 2014.
Housing opened on October 16, 2013
2014 BIO International Convention Call for Sessions was opened September 5 and closed October 14, 2013; grading process for submissions closes in late 2013
International Market Briefings Call for Sessions is taking place from October 14 through November 4, 2013.

Attendee Key Technologies and Product Categories:
 Plant & Animal Made Pharmaceuticals
 Gene/Cell Therapy
 Bioinformatics
 Genomics/Genetics
 Biomanufacturing
 Medical Devices
 Cell Biology
 Nanotechnology
 Clinical Research & Lab Services
 Platform Technologies
 Chemistry
 Stem Cell Research
 Drug Delivery
 Tech Transfer
 Drug Discovery & Development

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Panama Disease - A Growing Threat to Worldwide Banana Production

November 4, 2013, 3:48 pm

≫ Next: ICABT 2013 | December 29-30th 2013 | Kuala Lumpur

≪ Previous: BIO International Convention | June 23rd -26th, 2014 | San Diego

A variant of the fungal plant disease Fursarium wilt or Panama disease, which has been causing serious damage to banana crops in South-East Asia, has been found to have spread to Jordan, according to a new study in the journal Plant Disease. Panama disease is caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc). This development increases concerns that banana crops worldwide could be under threat, with the potential for devastating economic and human cost in areas including Latin America and Africa.

In the previous century, Foc ravaged banana plantations in Latin America, which were based on the ‘Gros Michel’ cultivar. This cultivar was replaced by Cavendish cultivars, which were resistant to Foc. However, in 1992 a new Foc variant termed tropical race 4 (TR4) was identified in South-East Asia which affects the Cavendish clones. TR4 has spread throughout the region and concern has grown that it may spread to other regions including Latin America and Africa. In Africa, bananas represent a vital dietary component and any threat to bananas would have huge consequences in terms of food security in the region.

The outbreak in Jordan was confirmed to be TR4 by the research group of Dr. Gert Kema of Plant Research International B.V/ Wageningen University in the Netherlands in collaboration with the University of Florida and centres in Jordan including Plant Protection (NCARE) and the University of Jordan. Selective culturing techniques followed by total DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were employed by the Dutch group on the Jordanian samples and the disease-causing agent was confirmed as TR4 after comparison to control samples. The researchers point out that this is the first confirmed outbreak of TR4 affecting Cavendish cultivars outside South-East Asia and is the most northerly outbreak. Some 80% of Jordanian banana plantations are now affected by Panama disease. Dr Kema is concerned at what this spread represents in terms of international banana cultivation and has stated that "A concerted international approach is now needed to prevent the spread of Panama disease and, in the worst-case scenario, contain it."

Sources

GARCIA, F.A., ORDONEZ, N., KONKOL, J., ALQASEM, M., NASER, Z., ABDELWALI, M., SALEM, N.M., WAALWIJK, C., PLOETZ, R.C. and KEMA, G., 2013. First Report of Fusarium oxysporumf. sp.cubenseTropical Race 4 associated with Panama Disease of banana outside Southeast Asia. Plant Disease, 2013: DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-09-13-0954-PDN

Wageningen University and Research Centre. "Banana disease spreading: Panama disease spreads among bananas again." ScienceDaily, 4 Nov. 2013. [Accessed 4 Nov. 2013].

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ICABT 2013 | December 29-30th 2013 | Kuala Lumpur

November 5, 2013, 2:24 pm

≫ Next: ICFEB 2014 | March 12th-14th 2014 | Penang, Malaysia

≪ Previous: Panama Disease - A Growing Threat to Worldwide Banana Production

2013 International Conference on Agriculture and Biotechnology (ICABT 2013)

Organisers:
Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society

Dates: 29th-30th December 2013

Location: Coronade Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Website: http://www.icabt.org/

The website gives all the necessary information on fees, registration, conference agenda, hotel, exhibitions and other important facts. Registration is currently open.

Important dates:
Notification of acceptance of submitted papers: 30thOctober 30, 2013
Authors' Registration: Before 20th November, 2013
Final paper submission: Before 20th November, 2013

Purpose of the conference:
To provide a platform for researchers, engineers, academics and industrial professionals from all over the world to present their research results and development activities in Agriculture and Biotechnology

Topics to be covered in conference sessions:
Topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:
Advanced Machine Systems
Agricultural Biotechnology
Agricultural Ergonomics
Agricultural Production and Food Safety
Agricultural systems
Agricultural waste management
Agro-industry
Animal Agriculture in the Globe
Animal Health & Welfare
Animal Protein and fibre products
Aquaculture and Biosystems Research
Biological natural resource engineering
Bio-machine systems
Bioprocess and Biosystems
Biotechnology for Livestock, Pests and Aquaculture
Biochemical Engineering
Biotechnology
Product Engineering in the Bio Industries
Self-organisation in the Bio-sciences and elsewhere
Delivery of the final product
Biotechnology applied to production of new and better quality food
Physical chemistry and thermodynamics for life sciences and biotechnology
Improvement of environmental remediation processes
Food process technology and engineering
The impact of bio-based polymeric materials
Biochemical and bio-molecular engineering
Bioengineering and biomedical engineering
Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
Energy and environment
Forest product processing
Milk product processing

Publication opportunity:
All ICABT 2013 papers will be published in the journal IPCBEE, ISSN: 2010-4618), and included in the Engineering & Technology Digital Library, and indexed by Ei Geobase(Elsevier), Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, EBSCO, CABI, CNKI (中国知网), WorldCat, Google Scholar,Cross ref, and sent for review by Compendex and ISI Proceedings.

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ICFEB 2014 | March 12th-14th 2014 | Penang, Malaysia

November 5, 2013, 2:41 pm

≫ Next: Delivery of siRNA across the blood brain barrier .. Need Help !!

≪ Previous: ICABT 2013 | December 29-30th 2013 | Kuala Lumpur

2014 5th International Conference on Food Engineering and Biotechnology – ICFEB 2014

Organisers: Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society

Dates: 12th-14th March, 2014

Location: The Gurney Resort Hotel & Residences Penang, Malaysia

Website: http://www.icfeb.org/index.html
The website gives all the necessary information on fees, registration, conference agenda, hotel, exhibitions and other important facts. Registration is currently open.

Important dates:
Paper Submission (Full Paper): Before 20th November 2013
Notification of Acceptance: 10th December 2013
Final Paper Submission: Before 30th December, 2013
Authors' Registration: Before 30th December, 2013
Academic Official Visit (Half Day): 14th March 2014

Purpose of the conference
To promote research and developmental activities in Food Engineering and Biotechnology and promote scientific information interchange between researchers, developers, engineers, students, and practitioners working in Malaysia and abroad.

Topics to be covered in conference sessions:

Topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to:

Microbiology
Microorganism technology
Bioremediation of polluted sites
Agricultural Biotechnology
Food Biotechnology
Environmental Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Industrial Biotechnology
Medical Biotechnology
Nano Biotechnology
Marine Biotechnology
Animal biotechnology
Plant biotechnology
Bioinformatics
Enzyme Engineering
RNA and DNA structure and sequencing
Gene regulation
Gene expression databases
Biomedical Computational drug discovery
Protein and gene delivery systems
Cell and tissue engineering
Artificial organs and implants
Bio-MEMS and micro bioreactors
Medical and biological devices
Biosensors and molecular diagnostics
Drug screening and pharmaceutical synthesis
Biocatalysis, organocatalysis and nanobiotechnology
Biological and biomedical imaging
Biomimetic and self-assembled materials
Nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and nanoporous materials for bio-applications
Nanoparticle sequestration in biomolecules
Heat, mass transfer and fluid flow in food processing
Plant design using conceptual design techniques
Food properties including thermal, chemical and mechanical properties
Food microstructure development and characterization
Food biotechnology
Electronics and instrumentation in food industry
Food engineering education
Control and system engineering for food industry
Heat, mass transfer and fluid flow in food processing
Food microstructure development and characterization
Mathematical modelling and software development for food processing purposes
Application of artificial intelligence in food engineering research and in industry
Food biotechnology
Thermal processing
Non-thermal food processing
Separation and purification processes for food production
Food engineering education
Plant design using conceptual design techniques
Mathematical modeling and software development for food processing purposes

Publication opportunity:
All ICABT 2013 papers will be published in the journal IPCBEE, ISSN: 2010-4618), and included in the Engineering & Technology Digital Library, and indexed by Ei Geobase(Elsevier), Ulrich's Periodicals Directory, EBSCO, CABI, CNKI (中国知网), WorldCat, Google Scholar,Cross ref, and sent for review by Compendex and ISI Proceedings.

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Delivery of siRNA across the blood brain barrier .. Need Help !!

November 6, 2013, 8:02 am

≫ Next: Are Human Genes Patentable?

≪ Previous: ICFEB 2014 | March 12th-14th 2014 | Penang, Malaysia

Hi! my supervisor wants me to use exosomes in our model and I am trying to follow the method of Nat. Protocols El-Andaloussi et al 2012 and Alvarez-Erviti Nat Biotech 2011 but I am not getting any silencing in the brain and I have just seen these comments in you tube and in this blog talking about fraud and saying that this papers should be retracted! who should I trust? does anybody know other protocol for brain delivery of siRNAs using exosomes? I am quite desperate! any advice would be greatly appreciated!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9kL-R-7E8
http://metamodern.com/2011/03/22/across-...-exosomes/

Cheers
Ana

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Are Human Genes Patentable?

November 7, 2013, 12:04 am

≫ Next: Zerenex Phase II data open way for broader indications from FDA

≪ Previous: Delivery of siRNA across the blood brain barrier .. Need Help !!

Myriad Genetics, pioneer in molecular diagnostics lost its long fought battle to retain its patent protection on the gene BRCA1 and BRCA2 in June 2013 following the Supreme Court’s judgment stating that the isolated gene or gene sequences are not patentable for they are all naturally occurring. The verdict also stated that the synthetic DNA/ manmade DNA like cDNA and genetically engineered gene sequences are patentable.

The link between breast cancer and the genes BRCA 1 and BRCA2 was established in early 90’s by Myriad genetics and the company got its patent protection over these two genes from US patent and Trade Office. This triggered a legal battle between Myriad genetics, US Patent and Trade office, University of Utah Research Foundation on the one side and many associations like American Civil Liberties Union, Public patent foundation, Association for Molecular Pathology, ACMG, Breast cancer Action and Women’s Health Collective groups as opponents with the later groups appealing to the court to remove the patent protection of Myriad genetics over the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes claiming that genes cannot be patented.

Starting in May 2009 over several appeals in Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit and hearings in the following years the verdict of Supreme Court in June 2013 “Naturally present human gene or gene sequences cannot be patented just because it is identified and isolated”, proves to have severe impact on industries and organizations involved in the development of innovative medicine, science and technology, biotechnology community and its principles of patenting. Though denied US patent protection on BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes, Myriad genetics still possess the patents of the genes approved by Canadian IPO.

A similar verdict appeared in the district court of California on 3rd November 2013, in a case filed by Ariosa diagnostics against Sequenom diagnostics for its patent over its gene testing facility for Down’s syndrome. The verdict “natural phenomenon are not patentable” is not in favor of Sequenom diagnostics impacting the stocks held by the firm initiating the company to appeal in Court of Appeals for Federal Circuit.

The ultimate verdict that human genes cannot be patented will definitely be a game changer in the future prospects of biotechnology.

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Zerenex Phase II data open way for broader indications from FDA

November 7, 2013, 6:12 am

≫ Next: BRSV spread in cattle can be controlled

≪ Previous: Are Human Genes Patentable?

Shares in the company Keryx Biopharmaceuticals' received a 20% boost this week following further positive results for its (CKD) drug Zerenex. Zerenex passed a Phase II trial on non-dialysis-dependent patients, opening up the possibly of broader indications for the drug when the FDA make a final decision on it in June of next year.

Zerenex is designed to treat hyperphosphatemia. This is a common problem among patients with CKD as one of the functions of the kidneys is to excrete excess dietary phosphate; therefore patients with CKD can suffer from phosphate overload and hyperphosphatemia. Hyperphosphatemia is a risk factor for vascular calcification, cardiovascular mortality, left ventricular hypertrophy, and CKD progression in CKD patients.

Zerenex passed phase III trials measuring reduction in serum phosphorous in end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis versus placebo earlier this year, leading to a boost in share prices. However, concerns had been growing that emerging generic competitors for Zerenex in dialysis patients, including Renvela (Sanofi) and Fosrenol (Shire), could erode its value. The latest Phase II results are on a less critically ill cohort of 149 anaemic, non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients. Significant reductions in their serum phosphorous and increases in their iron were observed over 12 weeks. Keryx are hopeful that these results will prompt the FDA to give the drug a labelled indication to treat a broader population of less critical CKD patients with iron-deficiency anaemia. Zerenex has tertiary benefits that Keryx are anxious to emphasise, including reduced need for intravenous iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, which could help to distinguish it from its emerging generic competitors. However, Zerenex may still fact problems in being given New Chemical Entity status from the FDA as its active ingredient is very similar to that in Ferriseltz (Otsuka). Thus generic competition issues may become a problem for Keryx sooner than they would like.

Sources

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/keryx...2013-11-05 [Accessed 7 November 2013].

http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/keryx...2013-01-28 [Accessed 7 November 2013].

GONZALEZ-PARRA, E., TUÑÓN, J., EGIDO, J. and ORTIZ, A., 2012. Phosphate: a stealthier killer than previously thought? Cardiovascular Pathology: The Official Journal Of The Society For Cardiovascular Pathology [Cardiovasc Pathol], 21(5), pp. 372-81.

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BRSV spread in cattle can be controlled

November 7, 2013, 11:26 am

≫ Next: CRISPR – A Revolution in Gene editing

≪ Previous: Zerenex Phase II data open way for broader indications from FDA

A study published this week in the journal Veterinary Record from a research group in the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science suggests that the prevalence of respiratory diseases in cattle could be controlled. The study examined incidence of infection of cattle herds in Norway with the bovine respiratory synctial virus (BRSV), which is a major cause of respiratory infection in cattle.

BRSV is an enveloped, negative sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the pneumovirus genus and Paramyxoviridae family. Alone, this virus causes severe disease in calves. It also predisposes calves to secondary infections with bacteria including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, resulting in bovine respiratory disease complex. This is the major cause of feed-lot cattle morbidity and mortality. It is reckoned it can cause losses to the cattle industry approaching $1 billion annually, with deaths to cattle along with reduced feeding efficiency, reproductive impact and milk production loss, as well as costs of vaccinations and treatments. On an immunological level, BRSV infection inhibits the CD8 T cytotoxic cell response and promotes a Th2 response, which can in turn further dampen the Th1 response. There have been some promising developments in terms of safe, stable, attenuated virus vaccine candidates. However, the epidemiology and evolution of the virus and the mechanisms by which it establishes infection are not fully understood.

The current Norwegian study looked at 134 herds. The herds were tested twice at intervals of six months and were classified as BRSV-positive if at least one animal between 150 and 365 days old tested positive for antibodies against BRSV. While the prevalence of positive herds at both samplings was high, at 34 per cent and 41 per cent, respectively, there was variation between regions. Importantly, negative herds were found in close proximity to positive herds and some of these remained negative even when new infections arose nearby, implying that it is possible to avoid herd infection even in proximity to infected herds nearby. In addition, one third of the herds that originally tested positive managed to get rid of the virus and tested negative on the next test.

The authors of the study suggest that prevalence and impact of BRSV could be reduced by employing effective surveillance of herds and putting a high biosecurity focus on the negative herds. Research on mechanisms of BRSV infection are therefore even more imperative.

Sources

GERSHWIN, L.J., 2012. Immunology of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection of cattle. Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, 35(3), pp. 253-257

KLEM, T.B., GULLIKSEN, S.M., LIE, K.- I. , LOKEN, T.,OSTERAS, O., and STOKSTAD, M., 2013. Bovine respiratory syncytial virus: infection dynamics within and between herds. Veterinary Record, 2013; DOI: 10.1136/vr.101936

SACCO, R.E. et al., 2013. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Cattle. Veterinary pathology, 2013

SARMIENTO-SILVA, R., NAKAMURA-LOPEZ, Y. and VAUGHAN, G., 2012. Epidemiology, molecular epidemiology and evolution of bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Viruses, 4(12), pp. 3452-3467

Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. "The prevalence of colds and pneumonia in cows can be controlled." ScienceDaily, 5 Nov. 2013. [Accessed 7 Nov. 2013]

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CRISPR – A Revolution in Gene editing

November 7, 2013, 10:58 pm

≫ Next: 3rd Biotechnology World Congress | February 10th-12th, 2014 | Dubai

≪ Previous: BRSV spread in cattle can be controlled

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat Sequences (CRISPR) discovered in the year 1987 by Japanese scientists is no more a junk DNA. Yes, CRISPR is identified as an apt tool to cut and edit DNA which is a significant breakthrough in the field of genetic engineering, exciting gene scientists.

CRISPR when initially identified by scientists did not get its importance and was just left out as a junk DNA. Later the fact that CRISPR acting as a bacterial (prokaryotic) immune system fascinated the researchers which led to the detailed study. CRISPR being present as short direct repeats in bacteria and archaea was found to play the role of immune system enabling the prokaryotes to exhibit acquired immunity towards the foreign bodies like phages and plasmids. A part of the foreign DNA coined as spacers is embedded between the regions of CRISPR and stored as memory region which enabled the resistance of bacteria towards future attack by the foreign body.

It was found that CRISPR uses an enzyme called CRISPR associated enzyme (CAS) to chop of the genome of the phage molecule invading the bacteria and this unique property brought CRISPR into the lime light enabling various studies on this interesting piece. Finally, the collaborated work on CRISPR by research team from university of California, Berkeley headed by prof. Jennifer Doudna and the research team from Umea university Sweden headed by prof. Emmanuelle Charpentier ended up with a fascinating outcome that “CRISPR along with CAS9 enzyme can be employed to edit precisely any part of a genome”.

The whole act of editing a genome requires a CRISPR, a programmed RNA molecule and CAS9. With the help of the programmed RNA, CRISPR identifies the target region on the genome and CAS9 cuts the two strands of the DNA enabling the deletion of the sequences from the target region and allowing the insertion of the copied DNA into the target region. This method of gene editing is appreciated by all the gene scientists for its accuracy and flawlessness and is considered to revolutionize the field of genetic engineering.

Following the discovery by Prof. Doudna and team many other scientists tried gene editing using CRISPR in other species in a hierarchy from yeast to mice involving worms, flies and fish. The findings from the application of CRISPR system of gene editing in human cells by the researcher George Church from Harvard University inferred the positive outcomes in human medicine development.

The CRISPR-CAS9 gene editing system is very precise which enables even nucleotide level correction and hence it is outstanding from the existing methods of DNA cutting like the Zinc fingers, Talens and the use of restriction enzymes. Scientists are looking forward to develop gene therapies for various disorders like cancer, Down syndrome, Huntington’s disease and sickle cell anemia and are also discussing the possibility to treat HIV infection using this type of gene editing. They are also focusing on germ cell level gene correction and embryo level gene correction which may bring up some controversy.

From now, DNA scientists can rely on CRISPR-CAS9 tool to edit any region of human genome precisely.

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3rd Biotechnology World Congress | February 10th-12th, 2014 | Dubai

November 8, 2013, 10:37 am

≫ Next: Latest Developments in Biotechnology Firms this Month | November 2013

≪ Previous: CRISPR – A Revolution in Gene editing

3rd Biotechnology World Congress

Organisers: Eureka Science Ltd. and Higher Colleges of Technology

Dates: February 10th-12th, 2014

Location: Dubai Women’s College, Dubai, UAE

Website: http://biotechworldcongress.com/index.php

The website gives all the necessary information on abstract submission, fees, registration, conference agenda, hotel, exhibitions and other important facts.

Purpose of the conference
The conference aims to clarify the translational nature of biotechnological research. There will be emphasis on both the basic science as well as its applications in industry and academia. Latest researches, business development, strategic alliances, partnering trends, product opportunities, growth business models and strategies, licensing and pharmaceutical biotechnology (e.g. vaccines, CNS, cancer, antibodies), medical biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, protein engineering, plant and environmental technologies, transgenic plant and crops, bioremediation, and microbial diversity research will be the subjects of discussion.

Important dates
Early Bird Registration: 30th September, 2013
Last date for accommodation request: 25th December, 2013
Last date of abstract submission for Lecture and Poster Presentation: 31st December, 2013
Last date of article submission for the Conference Proceedings: 12th February, 2014
Final Deadline for Registration: Registration forms received after 30th December 2013 will be processed as on-site and confirmations may not be sent.

Speakers

Plenary speakers
Ferid Murad (USA): NOBEL LAUREATE
Edmond Fischer (USA): NOBEL LAUREATE
Robert Huber (Germany): NOBEL LAUREATE

Invited speakers
Business Development: Su-Fen Yang (Taiwan)
Medical Biotechnology: Maher S. Amer (USA); Sherif M. Karam (United Arab Emirates); Tai-Horng Young (Taiwan)
Other Areas: Paolo Benanti (Italy); William H. Redd (Italy)
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Takeshi Imai (Japan); Mariusz Skwarczynski (Australia)
Plant and Environment: Chinnaiya Namasivayam (India)

Session speakers
Joachim Venus (Germany); Y.L. Gong (China); Mahmoud Ali Halablab (Lebanon); Laszlo Pusztai (Hungary); Ewa M Cukrowska (South Africa); K. Strzalka (Poland)

Topics:

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: biopharmaceuticals discovery (CNS, cancer, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune); vaccines; antibodies; protein engineering.

Plant and Environment: transgenic plants and crops; bioremediation; microbial diversity; bio-monitoring; photosynthetic microorganisms, cyanobacteria and microalgae; translational genomics and Genomics-assisted Breeding

Industrial and Manufacturing: bio-fuels; energy crops (cellulosic ethanol industry); industrial enzymes; bioprocess engineering and optimization.

Medical Biotechnology: biopharmaceutical manufacturing; diagnostics; imaging; pharmacogenomics (personalized medicine); microarray technology; biomarkers.

Business Development: strategic alliances; partnering trends; product opportunities; growth; business models and strategies; licensing; merger and acquisitions; outsourcing; venture capital and financing; intellectual property.

Regenerative Medicine: stem cells, gene therapy; tissue engineering; cell based therapy; cell cultivation.

Marine Biotechnology: Environment applications of Marine Biotechnology; Marine Natural Products; Bioproducts and Bioactive Compounds; Marine Microbiology and Biodiversity; Marine-based Drug Discovery & development; Genomics and Proteomics of Marine Organisms; Aquatic Microbial Ecology.

Other areas: Food; Bio-safety; Systems Biology, Clinical Research/clinical trials; bioethics; nanobiotechnology.

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Latest Developments in Biotechnology Firms this Month | November 2013

November 11, 2013, 2:32 am

≫ Next: Biocon Academy - Biocon's new Venture

≪ Previous: 3rd Biotechnology World Congress | February 10th-12th, 2014 | Dubai

Biotechnology sector irrespective of its boon and bane always secures a space in the news section. With many biotechnology firms operating globally, everyday either one or few of these companies makes in the news for its new innovations, novel therapeutics and its approval, shares, growth and expansion and so on. Here’s some collective news on happenings in different biotechnology firms this month.

Can-Fite, an Israeli public company found in the year 2000 which is into the development of oral bioavailable drugs of small molecules for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases and cancer has recently carried out agreements with 10 well progressed Pharma and biotech companies with regard to the commercialization of its product CF 101 developed to treat autoimmune inflammation disease and is looking forward to the result from its phase IIb clinical study in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The global market of therapeutics of rheumatoid arthritis is expected to rise from 12 billion dollars to 20 billion dollars in 2020 which will be significant for the growth of the can-Fite. Elseiver Business Intelligence has ranked the study of the drug CF 101 as the top autoimmune and anti inflammation project.

Piper Jaffery, a leading investment bank and asset management firm head quartered in Minneapolis is looking forward to diversify its biotechnology research area following the absorption of Mr. Josh Schimmer into the organization as Managing Director and senior research analyst who will concentrate on small and mid scale biotechnology firms dealing with therapeutics, its marketing and partnership strategies.

Plandai Biotech a research firm dealing with live plant extracts for a decade is stepping into the medical marijuana field with a new technology in hand to derive cannabis plant extracts with a focus to increase the bioavailability and purity of the extract. Plandia Biotech formed its subsidiary Cannabis Biosciences Inc exclusively to test and study the extract from the plant cannabis. The firm also claims that they could be able to obtain the psychoactive molecule from Cannabis which substantiates the medicinal property of the plant. Already the medicinal value of the plant triggered the idea of legalizing the use of the plant. In another 3 years the medical marijuana industries are likely to touch 9 billion dollars from the existing value of 1.3 billion dollars.

Natick biotech karyopharm therapeutics dealing with the drugs that boosts proteins (natural tumor suppressors), in a public offering raised $109 million.

Biotechnology market is as competitive as its innovations and there is no stop for research works and new innovations in this field.

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Biocon Academy - Biocon's new Venture

November 11, 2013, 11:27 pm

≫ Next: Gene analysis - Identification homologous genes - Need Answer plz!!

≪ Previous: Latest Developments in Biotechnology Firms this Month | November 2013

Biocon the biggest Asian conglomerate has unveiled its new venture Biocon Academy on 11th November 2013 with the key objective to groom the science talents (graduates) in India enabling them to work in the field of Life sciences efficiently.

The state of the art center of Excellence for Advanced Learning in Applied Biosciences is a joint collaboration of Biocon and Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), USA. KGI is one of its kind institutes in Southern California offering education in biosciences exclusively and supports research and discoveries in the field of life sciences operating with a sole objective of increasing the number of skilled hands in life sciences industry. Biocon is privileged to be associated with KGI in preparing skilled professionals to serve the Biotech industry of India.

Biotech industry in India is growing constantly recording a 20% rate of increase over a decade and the worth of India’s Biotech industry is estimated to be about 11 billion dollars. As a result the demand for human resources by the life sciences industry in India is increasing with the growth of the industry. In the present scenario there is lack of efficient hands to serve the biotech industry needs which triggered the projection of Biocon Academy by Biocon. The team Biocon observed that in spite of 40K students being graduated in Biotech every year in India majority of them struggle to build a successful career in biotechnology. The reason for this condition is ruled out to be insufficient practical skills (the most desired trait to excel in a biotech industry) and lack of industrial knowledge and exposure.

Biocon academy will groom these science talents with adequate practical skills and industrial exposure making them the best professionals to cater the life science industry in India and around the world. The course offered by Biocon academy is specially designed with the modules like Technical Skills, Professional skills and Industrial expert Mentorship covering the areas in Molecular Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Development, Biopharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Control, CMC Regulations of Pharmaceuticals, Introduction to US FDA and European Laws & Regulations, Fermentation Principles, Mammalian Cell Biotechnology, Bioseparation Engineering & Science and the Professional Skills Development.

Key Features of the Program:

Experts from Biocon and other Biotech firms will deliver lectures
Online lectures by KGI faculty
Industrial Training
Students will receive “Biocon KGI certificate in Bio-Sciences” on successful completion of the course.
Step into Biocon Academy and step out as the most wanted skilled professional by Biotech sectors in India and around the globe.

Who can enroll?

Students graduated in BE/ B.Tech/ MSc. Biotechnology, Industrial Biotechnology, MSc Microbiology, MSc Biochemistry, MSc Biology and B.Pharm with 71 percentage of marks and above.

Duration of the course: 16 weeks, Full time

Course Fee: Rs. 6 lakhs and Biocon will support the merit students with 75% scholarship and will assist all the students in accessing educational loans from banks.

Program structure: 30 students per batch and four batches a year.

First batch starts in January 2014

Last Date to apply online: 6th December 2013

Biocon Academy is a contribution by Biocon to develop “the best professionals” to support the growing life science industry.

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Gene analysis - Identification homologous genes - Need Answer plz!!

November 12, 2013, 1:53 pm

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What are the steps in identification homologous genes between Arabidopsis and tomato. I need to identify the homologous genes in tomato, do multiple alignment, build phylogenetic tree, and find analyze synteny.

2) What kind of alignment should I used, NJ or ML?
3) How to identify synthenic block for my gene of interest
4) is it acceptable if I BlastP the amino acid sequence from Arabidopsis as a query and the first hit has E-value of 9e-19 and 42% of identity?

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