TMBC Monthly Newsletter, May/June 2018, V17
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Every month The Microbiome Coalition (TMBC) will bring you the latest in research, news and information to keep you up to date on the microbiome industry.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions for content.
Follow us on Twitter, @TMBCoalition
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Microbiome in the Spotlight
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The Microbiome Coalition is Coming to Town!
TMBC will be hosting a series of informal networking events this coming Fall through early 2019 to bring the microbiome communities together in San Diego, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C.
These events are meant to help the community connect, chat, share a beverage and hopefully learn more about what the community envisions for TMBC and the future of the microbiome.
Stay tuned for further information about dates and locations. if you are interested in sponsoring an event in one of these cities, or your city if is not listed and you'd like us to visit, please get in touch at
info@themicrobiomecoalition.com
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Biomica, Evogene’s Newly Established Subsidiary, Announces Therapeutic Areas of Focus
Biomica, an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing innovative microbiome-based therapeutics utilizing Evogene's Computational Predictive Biology (CPB) platform, recently announced its focus on the development of therapies for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, immuno-oncology, and GI-related disorders. Full press release
here
Evelo Biosciences Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering
Evelo Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: EVLO) recently announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 5,312,500 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share, before underwriting discounts and commissions. Full press release
here
Thryve Secures $1.4 Million Funding to Expand Personalized Probiotics and Individual Microbiome Testing
Thryve, a provider of high quality microbiotics and microbiome testing, announced recently that it has secured $1.4 million in funding. Participating investment firms include PivotNorth Capital, Unilever Ventures, Darling Ventures, Candela Paramount, Abstract Ventures and Joyance Partners. Full article
here
Scioto Biosciences Closes $1.8M in Series A Financing, Receives NIH and State of Indiana Grants Funding
Indianapolis-based Scioto Biosciences Inc. has closed a $1.8 million round of funding and has also been awarded nearly $400,000 in grants from the National Institutes of Health and the state of Indiana. The preclinical stage company says it will use the funds to further the development of its microbiome platform technology. Full article
here
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Gut microbiota utilize immunoglobulin A for mucosal colonization
Researchers have been trying to understand how a strain of the gut bacterium
Bacteroides fragilis
can persist for years in the ever-changing environment of the gut. In exploring the bacterium’s stable existence in the gut, it was found that IgA was critical. The bacterium coated its cell surfaces with sugars that bind IgA in large numbers. In this case, IgA caused the microbes to clump together along the gut lining and penetrate the protective mucus layer, allowing them to cozy right up to the gut’s cells. Without IgA, the microbes fail to permanently colonize the gut. Full article
here
Evaluating the information content of shallow shotgun metagenomics
There presently exists no cost-efficient method for precisely characterizing the species and genes present in microbial communities. In this paper, the researchers evaluated the information content of shallow shotgun sequencing and describe a library preparation protocol that enables shallow shotgun sequencing at approximately the same per-sample cost as 16S. Although deep whole-genome shotgun sequencing remains the gold standard for high-resolution human microbiome analysis, they recommend that researchers consider shallow shotgun sequencing as an alternative to 16S for performing large-scale human microbiome research studies. Full article
here
Metabolic products of the intestinal microbiome and extremes of atherosclerosis
Researchers at Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute have shown a novel relationship between the intestinal microbiome and atherosclerosis, one of the major causes of heart attack and stroke. This was measured as the burden of plaque in the carotid arteries. Full article
here
Biocodex Microbiota Foundation Awards Grants to Two Innovative Researchers in the Microbiome Field
North American Dr. Singh and Fernandez will use the grants from the Biocodex Research Foundation to field new research that examines dietary interactions with the gut microbiome in gastrointestinal disorders Full article
here
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Clinical Manifestation of C. Difficile Infections
In a recent video, four physicians highlight common symptoms that help clinicians diagnose Clostridium difficile infection. In 2017 there were clinical practice guideline revisions, and these physicians walk through the changes in a short panel discussion. Full video
here
Federal partners Release Interagency Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research
A group of 23 U.S. government agencies, including the National Science Foundation, have joined to produce the Interagency Strategic Plan for Microbiome Research, which outlines the objectives, structure and principles for coordinated research in this important field of study. The Microbiome Interagency Working Group's five-year strategic plan recommends three areas of focus for collaborative, transformative work:
(1) Supporting interdisciplinary, collaborative research to enable a predictive understanding of the function of microbiomes in diverse ecosystems in order to enhance public health, improve food and environmental security, and grow new bioeconomy product areas.
(2) Developing platform technologies to generate critical insights and improve access to and sharing of microbiome data collected across ecosystems.
(3) Expanding the microbiome workforce through educational opportunities, citizen science and public engagement.
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Director of Microbiome Research, Janssen R&D
As Director of Microbiome Research, reporting into the Global Head of the Janssen Human Microbiome Institute, you will give guidance and mentorship to members of the team, and make your microbiome expertise available across the organization. As Director you will be the primary responsible for driving several of their research projects towards and through product development stage, and for identifying additional internal and external beneficial partnerships. In addition, you will formulate, design and oversee execution of microbiome research strategies. Learn more
here
Application Software Engineer, Whole Biome
Whole Biome is currently seeking an applications developer to build beautiful tools for laboratory and data science teams. This position will be responsible for the successful development, testing, documentation and deployment of web and cloud-based applications that enable rich access to their data analytics platform for their lab and clinical scientists. Learn more
here
Research Associate in Protein Sciences, Second Genome
Second Genome is seeking a highly-motivated protein scientist to join a multidisciplinary research team. This position will play an important role in the discovery and development of next generation protein-based therapeutics. They value team players who can thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment and are willing and eager to learn new technologies. Learn more
here
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ASM Microbe 2018
This conference showcases the best microbial sciences in the world, and provides a one-of-a-kind forum to explore the complete spectrum of microbiology from basic science to translation and application. Eight tracks allow you to narrow in on your scientific niche, and connect with the experts in your field. Atlanta, GA. June 7-11.
https://www.asm.org/index.php/asm-microbe-2018
The Microbiome Movement, Drug Development Summit
This conference
is a forum that focuses exclusively on the development and commercialization of microbiome-based therapeutics; with case-studies from target discovery all the way through to clinical trial development, manufacturing, and beyond. Boston, MA. June 20-22.
http://microbiome-summit.com
7th International Human Microbiome Congress 2018
This microbiome meeting that will focus on the latest science developments, as well as a strong industry-led session on bringing microbiome technology to the marketplace. Killarney, Ireland. June 26-28.
http://apc.ucc.ie/ihmc-2018/
Kenneth Rainin Foundation’s 2018 Innovations Symposium
The 7th annual symposium is titled “
Basic Science, The Patient – Have You Two Met?
” This event brings together researchers, trainees and clinicians to encourage dialogue and build bridges that enhance Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) research. San Francisco, CA. July 16-17.
http://krfoundation.org/symposium/welcome/
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Microbiome Awards, Fellowships, and Prizes
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Foundation Calls for U.S. Researchers to Study Microbiomes in the Gut-Brain Axis
The Biocodex Microbiota Foundation is looking for young academics in the United States to submit proposals to research microbiota within the gut-brain axis. The total grant amount is $50,000, and the deadline to submit an application is August 17, 2018. Learn more
here
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Consider joining the coalition. Members of TMBC participate on our committees, attend our events, generate networking and business development opportunities and, most importantly, contribute to the growth and success of a unique organization that is positioned to ensure that public opinion and policy pave the way for microbiome based therapeutics, diagnostics and direct-to-consumer services and products.
Membership Categories
• Sole proprietor (legal, consulting, other)
• Academic and clinical institutions
• Patient advocacy groups • Industry/trade associations
• Corporations (pharmaceutical, diagnostic,bioinformatics, other)
Benefits of Membership
• Shape the Future of Microbiome Policy
• Curated research library
• Monthly newsletter
• White papers
• Extended network
• Job listings
• Event listings
See our
flyer
for more details
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Promoting Greater Understanding of the Role
of the Microbiome in Human Health and Wellness
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