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Biotech August 19, 2019

Mapping scattered pictures, in the corners of our mind

By GREGORY ZELLER // Straight from the hippocampus (and the horse’s mouth) comes a new research paper in the journal Science, highlighting landmark innovations in human brain mapping. Published Aug. 16 by the peer-reviewed academic journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, “Hippocampal Sharp-Wave Ripples Linked to Visual Episodic Recollection in Humans” carries a heavy title but a simple synopsis: real-time mapping of specific brain neurons that fire when humans form visual…

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Biotech October 30, 2018

Applied DNA makes its bed, U.S. retailers to jump in

By GREGORY ZELLER // Inspired by Applied DNA Sciences’ molecular-tagging technology, a global textiles manufacturer is climbing into bed with the “circular economy.” Actually, India-based GHCL Ltd. has already bedded the so-called circular economy (referencing a regenerative system in which waste and emissions are minimized by narrowing energy and material loops, mostly through recycling and manufacturing upgrades). The manufacturer is knee-deep in recycled materials, including entire linen lines formulated from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (you may…

Biotech October 16, 2018

At LineaRX, putting the horsepower behind the CAR T

By GREGORY ZELLER // Marking a big step in the war against cancer, a Stony Brook-based startup has initiated pre-clinical development of a non-viral, plasmid-free chimeric antigen receptor modified T-cell manufacturing platform. In English: A novel platform designed to develop and manufacture new pharmaceutical treatments, including treatments for different forms of cancer. The tech comes from LineaRx Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that officially spun off from Stony Brook-based Applied DNA Sciences in September. Noting…

Biotech September 28, 2018

International partners looking to grow pot-tagging biz

By GREGORY ZELLER // Two months after introducing the world’s first DNA-based cannabis-tagging system, a Stony Brook biotech and its Canadian partner are looking to increase their stash of legal-marijuana growers. Supply-chain security and product-authentication specialist Applied DNA Sciences and Canadian pharmaceutical-solutions provider TheraCann International Benchmark Corp. this week announced an upgraded system designed to accommodate different sizes and type of growers – particularly larger-volume cannabis and hemp growers. The next generation of TheraCann International’s…

Biotech September 18, 2018

With new spinoff, biotech goes all-in on DNA sales

By GREGORY ZELLER // A Stony Brook biotech with a growing international reputation for supply-chain security has spun off a new company focused on DNA modification and production. Stony Brook-based Applied DNA Sciences on Tuesday announced the formation of LineaRx Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary that will concentrate on commercializing the parent company’s extensive experience in the design, manufacture and chemical modification of DNA by large-scale polymerase chain reaction – big news for scientists working…

Biotech September 10, 2018

For lupus patients, a possible ACE in the hole

By GREGORY ZELLER // A common pharmaceutical treatment for hypertension could be the key to preserving brain function in lupus patients. So says data published this month in the Journal of Experimental Medicine by an international team of scientists led by the redoubtable Betty Diamond, head of the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research’s Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases and a professor of molecular medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine…

Biotech July 24, 2018

For Applied DNA, ETCH Biotrace may be a pot of gold

By GREGORY ZELLER // Just six months after announcing a partnership to develop a new molecular-tracking system, a Long Island biotech and a Canadian medical-marijuana supplier are launching the world’s first cannabis tagging system. Stony Brook-based supply-chain, anti-counterfeiting, anti-theft and product-authentication specialist Applied DNA Sciences and Calgary-based pharmaceutical-solutions provider TheraCann International Benchmark Corp. on Tuesday announced the launch of ETCH Biotrace, which leverages Applied DNA’s CertainT platform to tag, test and track cannabis plants “in…