Awesome! I can't wait to see just how much effect this project has had in the future!

Realities & Opportunities for Genomics in Addressing Healh Disparities

Scientific Interest Group on Genomics & Health Disparities from the NIH National Human Genome Research Institute with Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D., Director, NHGRI

In this hour long video pay attention to the color coded charts at the 25-30 minute mark.

https://www.genome.gov/video/genome-tv-live

"Unprecedented achievement” enables clinical trials of promising anti-cancer molecule

In 1986 a team of Japanese scientists isolated an organic compound called a polyether macrolide from the marine sponge, Halichondria okadai. The molecule was dubbed Halichondrin B and initial animal tests revealed it conferred extraordinary anti-cancer activity.

In 1992 scientists finally figured out how to synthesize the halichondrin molecule. Unfortunately, the process was still incredibly complicated, and only very small quantities could be produced. "In 1992, it was unthinkable to synthesize a gram quantity of a halichondrin, but three years ago we proposed it to Eisai," Harvard professor Yoshito Kishi explains. "Organic synthesis has advanced to that level, even with molecular complexity that was untouchable several years ago."

A newly published paper outlines the incredible new achievement, synthesizing 11.5 grams of the halichondrin molecule, dubbed E7130. This mind-bindingly complex molecule has 31 chiral centers, with the researchers suggesting there are around 4 billion different incorrect ways this molecule could be orientated.

"It's a really unprecedented achievement of total synthesis, a special one," says co-author Takashi Owa. "No one has been able to produce halichondrins on a 10-gram scale. One milligram, that's it. They have completed a remarkable total synthesis, enabling us to initiate a clinical trial of E7130."

More at: https://newatlas.com/chemical-synthesis-anti-cancer-molecule-harvard/60205/

Doctors Are Turning to Artificial Intelligence to Diagnose Cancer Patients

Genetic testing gets most of the attention when it comes to matching cancer patients to specific treatments. But the vast majority of diagnostic information used in selecting a cancer treatment today comes not from those tests, but from under the microscope of the pathologist, who examines tissue biopsies taken during surgery. Stanley Robboy, vice-chair for diagnostic pathology at the Duke University Cancer Center, spoke with Newsweek's David H. Freedman about how artificial intelligence is improving diagnoses-and why some doctors are reluctant to embrace it.

https://www.newsweek.com/2019/07/26/doctors-a...cer-patients-1449319.html

Coating immune cells in nanoparticles helps seek and destroy rogue [metastatic] cancer cells

[. . .]

The Vanderbilt team developed a way to seek and destroy these circulating cancer cells. The creation is called TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), and is made up of two proteins attached to the surface of lipid nanoparticles, along with an adhesion receptor called E-selectin. Once these nanoparticles are injected into the bloodstream, the E-selectin allows them to stick to white blood cells called leukocytes. These immune cells are already on the prowl for attackers like cancer, but the TRAIL coating makes them far more effective killers.

"Collisions between the TRAIL-coated leukocytes and cancer cells in the bloodstream are happening constantly," says Michael King, lead researcher on the study. "We've tested this both in the bloodstream and in hundreds of blood samples from cancer patients being treated in clinics across the country. In all cases, within two hours, the viable cancer cells are cleared out. This has worked with breast, prostate, ovarian, colorectal and lung cancer cells."

More at: https://newatlas.com/cancer-metastasis-trail-nanoparticles/60751/