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I wonder if it is a person's individual genetic makeup that determines whether the use of Statins can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. I haven't a clue, but I would think THAT would make an interesting study? LOL..JMHO
Later,
W2P
More recently there have been some significant questions raised as to the effectiveness of Statins in Alzheimers, but it is receiving a considerable amount of attention:
http://www.alzheimersupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/ID/2130
Later,
W2P
Arch...And given that this company specializes in CNS disorders and has done collaborative work in Parkinson's and Alzheimers disease, DNAPrint's patent pending Statin classifiers might be a valuable asset. Remember this information that was posted awhile back?
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/63/72185.htm
Statins Fight Alzheimer's Disease
Cholesterol Drugs Reduce Dangerous Substances in the Brain
By Jeanie Lerche Davis
WebMD Medical News Archive Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
on Monday, April 21, 2003
April 21, 2003 -- Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs could help prevent Alzheimer's disease, new research shows.
Preliminary findings of this potential new treatment appear in the April issue of the Archives of Neurology.
In the study, a group of Texas researchers build on previous research showing that statins used to treat cholesterol imbalances have reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, little has been known about the mechanism through which this happens.
This group of researchers speculates that statins lower the amount of cholesterol byproducts and dangerous proteins in the brain that are thought to contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Recent studies have indicated that blood levels of these substances are higher in people with Alzheimer's disease and that these levels could be an indication of brain cell death.
In their study, the Texas researchers examined the effects of three statin drugs and another lipid-lowering drug (niacin) on blood levels of cholesterol and these proteins in patients with Alzheimer's disease who had had no history of heart disease.
During the six-week study, 44 patients took one drug -- either a statin or niacin. Their blood was measured at the start, periodically throughout the study, and at the end.
Those taking statins had 21% lower levels of the cholesterol byproduct and 25% lower total cholesterol, reports Gloria Lena Vega, PhD, of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Those taking niacin only had 10% reduced levels of the cholesterol byproduct.
Further studies are needed to determine if long-term statin therapy would slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, writes Vega.
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W2P
Arch...You said:
The letter of intent was signed some time ago---June I think. We know that there was a lot of talk that went on before that letter was signed. I just wonder how long? LOL
I think for this long:
April 10, 2003
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=SH&Date=20030410&Category=NEWS&A....
The company, which currently seeks to match medicines already on the market to a person's genetic makeup, has hired a new president and chief executive officer to lead its new focus.
Richard Gabriel replaces Tony Frudakis, who founded the research and development company and is keeping his roles as board member and chief science officer.
DNAPrint's board of directors recently approved the switch, which has been months in the works.
The new medicines that the company hopes to acquire will be sold alongside compatibility tests that will predict individual results, based on a person's genetic data.
"We're sort of shifting our focus to not just genetic tests but pharmaceutical products that will be coupled with genetic tests," Frudakis said. "It's sort of a new breed in the pharmaceutical industry."
Of course, months in the works, going back from April 10, 2003 puts us right back to the time of the announcement of the ADMIXMAP Platform, the introduction of the technology at the IBM Life Sciences Conference, and the request for the increased share authorization to 1.5 billion shares.
Personally, I think it's been in the works for that long, but that there was a lot of organizational work that needed to be done at DNAPrint before this type of agreement could be possible.
I will admit I was starting to have my doubts about Richard and Monica. But I am very impressed with the latest moves, and if they are able to complete this deal, we will be sitting VERY nice, IMHO.
Later,
W2P
Don't think this has been posted. Scroll down to Item 26.
http://www.dnaresource.com/08-272004%20Summary.pdf
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W2P
goliath...It means that the target identification and initial drug development work through Phase I were done by another company, and Biofrontera has purchased a license to take the drug from Phase II through to market. They basically own the rights to the drug now.
Likely there is a royalty agreement allowing the initial developer to share some of the profits when/if it reaches commericalization.
Hope this helps...
W2P
Don't know how many noticed the new Market Maker that appeared last week on Level II. The symbol is HDSN. Couldn't find anything on them last week, but did run across this tonight:
http://www.hudsonsecurities.com.au/hudson/index_new.asp
Later,
W2P
frog...Allow me to point out a couple of flies in your ointment.
Your argument is classic "Efficient Market Theory" (dates back to the 60's BTW...how old did you say you were? lol).
According to that theory, "...markets are efficient and current, meaning that prices always reflect all information..." The problem is that under that theory, it is impossible to beat the market because prices already incorporate and reflect all relevant information. So if you accept the Efficient Market Theory, there is NO SUCH THING as a "Value" stock. Morningstar will be very disturbed to here that BTW...lol
I'm surprised your buddy spook hasn't taken issue with your position as most of the opposition to this theory comes from the technical analysts, although as a Fundamentalist, I have a problem with it as well.
The biggest argument against the efficient market theory is that many investors base their expectations on past performance. And stock markets (and individual stocks) are very often driven by investor sentiment and expectation. Witness the drop in a security's price when it fails to meet "expectations" of the analysts.
In a global sense you might argue that THE MARKET is Efficient, but certainly in a micro sense, and particularly with OTCBB stocks, undervalued companies are everywhere. If you look around you can find find them. That's what EVERY Value Fund Manager is paid to do, and their success is the best evidence that the Efficient Market Theory, as applied to individual stocks, is "bunk". JMHO, as always...
Later,
W2P
stockboy...Don't know about a direct connection to pharmacogenetics, but Genelex, the subject company in one of the stories has been a resaler of AncestryByDNA almost from the outset...in other words, DNAP and Genelex have a longstanding business relationship.
Later,
W2P
OT: mingwan0...LOL You are simply amazing! Nice find. Almost seemed as if I was sitting there when the deal was done!
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W2P
Theo...How about this for a financial theory.
According to the PR, this investment makes Biofrontera a $51 Million company, of which we'll own 52+-%. So we are going to be able to show an additional $25 Million on our balance sheet (52% of $26 Million - the current value of Biofrontera, and 52% of the $25 Million we have committed to provide.
It's kinda like taking $25 Million out of one pocket and putting it in the other...lol But in addition, you now will own 52% of a small molecule drug pipeline, and 52% of the development agreements Biofrontera has with companies like Shering.
Not bad for a company that only a year and a half ago had $10 grand in cash.
JMHO, of course.
W2P
LOL I should have known...gone for a couple of days without being able to check a computer. Last time this happened was June 2003!
So if I'm not mistaken, we are about to go from a company that was near bankrupt a year and a half ago, to owning a 52+-% stake in a $26 Million Bio Pharma Company ($51 Million if you add DNAPrint's investment according to the PR).
JMHO...if this is one of the steps Dr. Frudakis referred to last summer, and he also said that they needed to escape the OTC, restructure their shares, do it in a way that didn't alienate existing shareholders, and couple the whole thing with their graduation to becoming a Pharma company, seems like the stage is set for a merger and recapitalization at some point.
I know everyone thinks of reverse split when they think of restructuring, but IMO, and MO ONLY, merger and recap makes more sense given today's developments.
Should be interesting to watch though...I HOPE! LOL
Later,
W2P
Interesting News from PRB Pharmaceuticals:
http://www.prbpharmaceuticals.com/news/attachment/News_BotanicalExtract_072904.pdf
Of course, someone we all know is their CMO and Head of Research and Development:
Hector J. Gomez, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Head of Research and Development
Dr. Gomez has over twenty years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. From 1994-1999, as President and CEO of Transcend Therapeutics, a biotechnology company in Cambridge, MA, Dr. Gomez defined its strategic planning and oversaw its implementation. He led the transition from a private to a public company (IPO). He was also CEO of Zengen, Inc., a private Biotech Company in California. Before joining Transcend, he was Vice President of Medical Affairs for Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA, where he was responsible for planning and implementing the Pre-Clinical, Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs departments. Prior to that he was a senior executive for two large pharmaceutical companies: Executive Director, Cardiovascular for Ciba-Geigy in Summit, NJ, and before that, Senior Director, Cardiovascular Clinical Research for Merck in Rahway, NJ. Dr. Gomez received an M.D. from the National University of Colombia, and a Ph.D. from Marquette University and a Diploma in Clinical Pharmacology from Tulane University.
BTW, PRB Pharmaceuticals manufactures Vira 38 in the US.
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W2P
ifida...You left off the last paragraph:
Finally, the proposed studies will increase our understanding of the role of molecular markers for defining population stratification and admixture in pharmacogenetic studies. The proposed studies should add substantial new information about antihypertensive pharmacogenetics, and could influence how antihypertensive medications are prescribed in the future.
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W2P
DNAPrint and AIM's discussed during this May 04 Presentation:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:5oU-J4P1l74J:www.aslme.org/media/ppt/dna_04/ossorio_051504.ppt+...
Later,
W2P
Win...Thanks. eom
Win...Great, does the paper have a website and can you tell us the name of the paper?
TIA,
W2P
stak...Glad to hear you're OK. That had to be your worst nightmare.
And yes, DNAPrint is doing important research. It's time for the FDA to get the hell out of the way, and time for Gabriel to stop hiding in the closet and take this fight to the streets.
Did you see the Boston Globe article? The one with the female Dr. from Brigham and Women's Hospital making those stupid comments about that heart disease drug for African Americans?
I mean, THEY STOPPED THE TRIALS BECAUSE THE DRUG WAS SOOOOOOO EFFECTIVE THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS UNETHICAL TO GIVE ONE GROUP A PLACEBO!!!!!!! And when asked to comment, all this DOCTOR can say is something stupid about the inherent danger of implying that ancestry has anything to do with it!!!!!! Apparently she's never heard of the Hippocratic Oath:
"I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.
I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.
I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help."
Yep, it's time...
Later,
W2P
Hey ATKINS...good to see you posting! Haven't talked to you in awhile. Hope all is well with you.
Take Care,
W2P
frog...The Option only comes into consideration if DNAPrint wishes to "license" the technology. Orchid/Beckman has no recourse should DNAPrint choose to commercialize the products in-house...
Later,
W2P
Arch...This is way OT, but out of curiosity, did you happen to know Doc T in his youth? Like I said, just curious...
Later,
W2P
Wow, another nice article. If you don't stop this Arch, you're going to burn the place down! lol I particularly liked this part:
The IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences Clinical Genomics Solution reflects IBM’s deep commitment to advancing healthcare and life sciences and leverages cutting-edge work by IBM Research as well as companies such as the Mayo Clinic and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.
Information-based medicine is the use of IT to cross-reference clinical information -- such as patient records, family histories and lab tests -- with knowledge about the human genome. By understanding illnesses on the molecular level, including gene variations linked to disease or drug response, doctors may be able to make more precise diagnoses and tailor treatment decisions. Similarly, drug makers can work to develop more targeted treatment therapies and identify potential clinical trail participants more effectively.
Compare that text to this from the Moffitt Research Agreement announced last March. There seems to be tremendous overlap here:
Moffitt physicians and scientists are teaming with DNAPrint to identify genetic variants that underlie poor patient response to various chemotherapies, and to implement new clinical tests at the Center combining these variants with other biomarkers from gene-expression, proteomics and epidemiological research. The aim of the tests will be to predict patient chemotherapy response from the DNA before the commencement of the chemotherapy, so that patients with a genetic proclivity for poor or non-response can be spared from exposure to ineffective therapy. With the newly signed agreement, both organizations have teamed to make an important stride towards their goal of enabling a more personalized, safe and effective modality of cancer treatment for our current generation of cancer patients.
The program is multi-faceted and presently defines study in several cancer areas and clinical programs. Research will draw from several ongoing clinical trials and epidemiology research projects underway at the Center. A primary area of focus for the program is colorectal cancer, where DNAPrint will work with primary investigator Dr. Timothy Yeatman, Moffitt’s Associate Center Director for Clinical Investigations. DNAPrint will implement its proprietary ADMIXMAP genetic discovery platform to define gene sequences predictive for response to two anti-cancer treatments, XELOX and XELIRI. Though representing current FDA-approved therapies for metastatic colon cancer, approximately 50% of patients fail to respond and given the poor prognosis associated with non-response, there is a dire need for tools capable of predicting response before hand. The study design will aim to first discover and then evaluate the predictive power of predictive Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers in tandem with biomarkers from gene expression chip and proteomics research currently under way at Moffitt. The first colon cancer study will involve 100 patients. Other phases of this particular project will permit a retrospective alignment of genetic risk and epidemiologic factors, and prospective evaluation of chemotherapy response prediction in the setting of GLP and FDA approved clinical trial setting.
So from the meeting we know that we're going to be involved in 24 clinical trials at Moffitt starting in September? Hmmmmmmmmmm.......
Now, I wasn't able to attend the meeting. If some of you that were there would be so kind, could you confirm what was reported about the trials? I'd REALLY appreciate it, and would prefer to hear it from multiple sources if possible.
Thanks,
W2P
Arch...And this one is a ROARING fire, IMO. Great read! Thanks for the efforts.
Later,
W2P
Grateful...Say it's so:
IBM products used in the project include: DB2 database software running on AIX-based P690 servers, which will be used for Mayo's centralized clinical dataware; WebSphere integration software; DiscoveryLink data-federation software; and DDQB data abstraction engine software. However, as the project progresses, Flaada expects software from other yet-to-be-identified technology vendors to also be used. Eventually, IBM hopes to make similar solutions based on the Mayo/IBM developments available to other medical researchers and providers, he says.
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W2P
MONEYPIG...Great post, thanks. Sounds like Ancestry 3.0 may be coming some time this month...
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W2P
eb0783...Monday evening. eom.
frog...Tony believes that the BIG money is in becoming a pharmaceutical themselves. Bear in mind that their business model for the Ovanome classifier alone, anticipates generating peak year income of $16 million, and to continue at that pace for several years. His point, though, is that that sum pales in comparison to the hundreds of millions or billions that could be made with laser guided drugs.
Secondly, you said:
On the other hand, a side benefit of the effort to create a classifier also renders other information. Information that can, if discovered early in the development process, actually influence the eventual drug. Perhaps making it more 'universal' in scope or conversely, more finely targeted to a specific trait or population group. While this is a beneficial outcome to the patients and the industry, it does not necessarily have a viable business application. It is obvious that while such a service would be beneficial to a drug manufacturer, if there is no associated classifier there will be no revenue stream for DNAP.
I would point out that in order to market a drug that is "finely targeted" to a specific trait or population group, you will absolutely need the classifier to identify the patient (target) from amongst the general population. In fact, the classifier would have to be a part of the FDA submission for approval to market the drug.
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W2P
eb0783/gcbr...Boy do I wish I had been able to attend the meeting. lol
I would have asked the obvious follow-up that no one seems to have considered, and it's the reason I posted that text from the Moffitt Agreement.
The question is, if DNAPrint will be starting clinical trials on a total of 24 drugs in September, how is that going to be paid for??? CERTAINLY, DNAPrint is not in a financial position to support TWENTY FOUR clinical trials. Heck, I remember the 10K talking about needing $250K just to do the Ovanome trial if necessary.
So I see one of two possible scenarios:
1) They're going to be coming into the money to support the trials - doubtful IMO
2) The Principal Investigators (perhaps with some support from DNAP or another third party) are going to provide the funding.
And in the second case, the next question becomes will we be generating revenues from genotyping and running our platform?
That's what I meant...lol
Later,
W2P
eb0783...You said:
I would suggest some of you email them and request that the presentation be posted on the web sight for all to see -- Sarbanes-Oxley ya know.
Was there something in that presentation that we'd all enjoy seeing?
TIA,
W2P
Cosmic...
From the Moffitt Agreement:
3. FUNDING - Neither Party is obligated to fund the research of the other Party. Hence, Company and Moffitt shall each be responsible for their own expenses incurred in the performance of the Projects, unless otherwise agreed to in writing. Moffitt makes no representations that they will fund any clinical trials that may ensue from the Projects. Funding for the clinical trials will be dependent upon each Principal Investigator's ability to financially support such trials and or support from Company or another third party.
Funding for the research itself is on Moffitt and DNAPrint. The trials, however, are the responsibility of the Principal Investigator along with "support" from the Company or another third party (a pharma company perhaps?) if necessary.
Should be some interesting PR's coming out over the next month...
Later,
W2P
Becoming more relevant?
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:SMDsS3kr608J:www.csis.org/tnt/031104.pdf+Dr.+Tony+Frudakis&....
Biometrics and Counter-Terrorism
A Roundtable hosted by CSIS Transnational Threats Initiative
November 4, 2003
Biometrics and counter-terrorism was the key topic at a CSIS Biometrics Roundtable held on November 4, 2003. The roundtable hosted by the Transnational Threats Initiative, brought together speakers from corporate, academic, and the government communities to discuss the impact of biometrics on both terrorism and civil liberties.
Biometrics are an important security instrument as America and the world adapt to asymmetric warfare and the widespread use of fraudulent identification documents. The roundtable addressed civil liberty concerns that arise with the widespread use of biometrics technology, a sensitive political issue on which America has been largely silent. While there has been much discussion on biometric applications, very rarely have there been detailed efforts to address the constitutional implications of the technology.
In his keynote remarks, Jeff Jonas, founder and chief scientist of Systems Research and Development discussed the issue of identity in the age of asymmetric threat.
The first panel addressed future biometrics applications with highlights on homeland defense, intelligence surveillance, and forensic technology. Panel members included John Woodward, Director of the Biometrics Management Office at the Department of Defense, Dr. Tony Frudakis, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder of DNAPrint Genomics, Barry Hodge, President of AcSys Biometrics Corporation and Dr. Andrew Kirby, Senior Physical Scientists, Intelligence Technology and Innovation Center at the CIA.
The second panel addressed biometrics and the implications of civil liberties. Panel members included Dr. Margaret Johnson, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University, David Harris, President and Founder of Biometrics Council, Dr. Catherine Lotrionte, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and Dr. Anthony Arend, Professor of Government at Georgetown University.
The host of that event was the Transnational Threats Initiative. More information on that effort can be found here:
http://www.csis.org/tnt/
While organized crime is not a new phenomenon today, some governments find their authority besieged at home and their foreign policy interests imperiled abroad. Drug trafficking, links between drug traffickers and terrorists, smuggling of illegal aliens, massive financial and bank fraud, arms smuggling, potential involvement in the theft and sale of nuclear material, political intimidation, and corruption all constitute a poisonous brew—a mixture potentially as deadly as what we faced during the cold war.
R. James Woolsey
Former Director of Central Intelligence and
Transnational Threats Initiative Steering Committee Member
The Transnational Threats Initiative Steering Committee and Members List contains some interesting names. You'll recognize several of them as members and advisors to the Biological Threats Council, of which Tony Frudakis is an Advisory Member:
Steering Committee
Leadership
The project is chaired by William Webster, former Director of the CIA and FBI. CSIS Senior Adviser Arnaud de Borchgrave serves as Project Director, CSIS Senior Analyst Thomas Sanderson as the Deputy Director with CSIS Senior Adviser Robert Kupperman and CSIS Director of Studies Erik Peterson as Co-Directors.
Members
Hon. Duane Andrews: Former Assistant Secretary of Defense
Ms. Zoe Baird: President, John and Mary Markle Foundation
Hon. Robert C. Bonner: Former Administrator, DEA, currently Commissioner, U.S. Customs Service (on leave)
Hon. William Cohen: Former United States Senator, former Secretary of Defense, and currently Chairman and CEO, Cohen Group
Mr. Charles Connolly: Former CSO, Merrill Lynch
Hon. John Deutch: Former Director, CIA and currently Institute Professor, Department of Chemistry, MIT
Mr. Richard Fore: Chairman, Fore Property Company
Hon. Robert Gates: Former Director CIA and currently President, Texas A&M
Hon. Carol Hallett: Former Commissioner, U.S. Customs Service and current Vice Chairman, Aviation Safety Alliance Carmen Group and Senior Advisor, Air Transportation Association
Admiral James R. Hogg: U.S. Navy (Ret.) and currently Director, Strategic Studies Group, Naval War College
Hon. Fred Ikle: Former Under Secretary of Defense and currently Distinguished Scholar, CSIS
Dr. David Kay: Corporate Vice President-Homeland Security, SAIC
Hon. Stuart Knight: Former Director, Secret Service
Hon. Jon Kyl: United States Senator (R - AZ)
Dr. Walter Laquer: Distinguished Scholar, CSIS
Hon. Patrick Leahy: United States Senator (D - VT)
Mr. Ronald A. Marks: Director, Federal Business Development, Sytegra Federal
Hon. William McCollum: Former U.S. Representative (R - FL) and currently Partner, Baker & Hostetler, LLP
General Edward C. Meyer: Former Chief of Staff, U.S. Army and currently Chairman, Mitretek Systems Inc.
Hon. Sam Nunn: Former United States Senator
Mr. Oliver ("Buck") Revell: Former Associate Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation and currently President, Revell Group International, Inc.
Hon. Donald Rumsfeld: U.S. Secretary of Defense (on leave)
Hon. James R. Schlesinger: Former Secretary of Defense, former Secretary of Energy, former CIA Director, and currently Senior Advisor, Lehman Brothers, Inc.
Hon. William Sessions: Former Director, FBI and currently Partner, Holland & Knight, LLP
Admiral William D. Smith: U.S. Navy (Ret.) and Senior Fellow, Center for Naval Analyses
Lt. General Edward Soyster: Former Director, DIA and currently Vice President-International Operations, Military Professional Resources, Inc.
Hon. Richard Thornburgh: Former Attorney-General, former Governor of Pennsylvania and currently Counsel, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
Hon. William Webster: Senior Partner, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
Hon. Curt Weldon: U.S. Representative (R - PA)
Now THAT is quite a group...
Later,
W2P
mingwan0...And of course, there was this from the PR last week:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040722/flth027_1.html
Statistical tools soon to be added will allow investigators to use Analysis of Molecular Variance to determine whether there is a systematic difference in the expression of an anthropometric trait that can be measured from the photograph in one database sample set versus the international average, or versus another group. DNAPrint has already filed patent applications on the use of digital photograph databases and databases of biographical data with BioGeographical Ancestry admixture data.
I wonder how definitively some of those anthropometric traits can be inferred based strictly on knowledge of admixture percentages? Perhaps more definitively than we imagine...
Later,
W2P
OT: Grateful, did you receive my e-mail? eom
Mike Tiernan...Gee, looks like material that could go in a new BOOK...or something...lol
Later,
W2P
Repeat of an old post, but interesting given today's announcements. Be sure to scroll to the bottom:
Posted by: worktoplay
In reply to: None Date:5/1/2004 12:29:58 PM
Post #of 15833
This is interesting. From the DNAWitness.net website:
DNA Witness 2.5 - About the Test
Markers:
The DNA Witness test for BGA determination is built on 176 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), pronounced “snips”. SNPs are single base changes in the same location of the genetic code found in a population. SNPs result from mutations that usually arose thousands of years ago and are stably passed down through generations. SNPs are primarily bi-allelic where one parent donates one allele and the other parent donates the second allele. At a given SNP that is a variation including “G” and “A” there are three possible genotypes, “GG”, GA”, and “AA”. There are thought to be over four million SNPs in our human genomes, so why settle on 176 for DNA Witness?
The SNPs chosen for DNA Witness were found to be Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs), that is, they exhibited a significant difference in allele frequency among different population groups. Thousands of SNPs were tested during the development of DNA Witness until the list AIMs was narrowed down to the 176 most informative SNPs that were robust and reproducible.
An example of a well-known AIM is found in the Duffy gene and is referred to as FY-Null. At this marker the frequency of one allele is .9999 for Sub-Saharan Africans, where the allele frequency in Native Americans, East Asians, and Europeans is close to zero. This sort of stark contrast is rare but there are several markers with greater than .5 delta values in allele frequency between different populations.
Populations:
The four parental populations consist of Sub-Saharan Africans, East Asians, Native Americans, and Europeans. Ninety samples from each of these four groups were genotyped to determine the allele frequencies at each marker. Obviously there are other population groups on the planet, but we felt that these four groups gave us a good starting point.
The Sub-Saharan African parental population consisted of individuals from Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo. The European parental population was from Western Europe. The East Asian parental group was from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The Native American parental group was from mainland Mexico.
Statistics:
A maximum likelihood calculation is used to determine the most likely population group(s) that the individual is affiliated with and at what percentage that affiliation is. For example, a tested person may be 75% European and 25% Native American.
The results are plotted for you on a standard bar graph depicting the most likely outcome and intervals of 2x confidence around those values. We also provide you with a triangle plot that is a bit less intuitive at first glance but depicts the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) and the 2, 5, and 10X confidence contours surrounding the MLE.
Geopolitical:
The main continental groups for which the percentages are reported can be highly informative. In most cases you can eliminate 2 or 3 of the 4 main continental groups. For instance, if the result reads “92% European and 8% East Asian”, the donor of that DNA sample is excluded from being Native American, East Asian, or Sub-Saharan African in appearance. But does this mean the person is Caucasian?
We have been assembling and will continue to assemble our geopolitical database consisting of individuals that we have tested, their BGAs, and their self reported ancestry. The admixture profile from the donor of a DNA sample at a crime scene can be compared to this database to help investigators understand what possible population groups may have that profile. Obviously, there are many smaller sub-populations in the world and individuals who share traits from two or more of the major continental populations but we are trying to include as many different examples as possible and multiples of any one example.
This database adds another level of information that may prove useful in an investigation. For instance, there are individuals in the database who self describe as American Indian but their admixture of Native American on DNA Witness is low. The individual may appear to be Caucasian but may live on a reservation. If your jurisdiction contains a reservation, you would not want to discount the fact that your suspect may be living on a reservation. Following that same logic, Middle East samples can have a high level of European admixture and therefore, you would not want to exclude people from the Middle East as suspect just because the result was high European admixture and only focus on Caucasians.
Photo DB:
One of our goals is to establish a photo database of individuals from around the world linked to their BGA. Preliminary studies have indicated that a comprehensive photo database could be extremely useful in providing an investigator with an idea of what someone with a particular BGA profile might look like. Obviously, the true donor of a sample from the crime scene will not be pictured but if the investigator has 100 photos of people with BGA’s within a close range to their crime scene sample, it gives them an idea about the level of variation among the population around that BGA. We are currently seeking organizations that can help build this database rapidly. Ideally, this organization would already be taking digital mug shots and could collect a mouth swab from the subject. If you think your organization would like to participate, please send an email to forensics_info@dnaprint.com
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W2P
Mike...Interesting. I didn't realize Dr. Kittles had left Howard University, but apparently he is now at Ohio State working on virology and immunology:
Author biographies
Mark D. Shriver received his Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, USA. In 1999, he moved to the Department of Anthropology at the Pennsylvania State University, USA, and is now Associate Professor of Anthropology and Genetics. His research focuses on human population genomics, particularly on its applications to admixture mapping of genes for common traits and diseases, and genomic scans for signatures of natural selection.
Rick A. Kittles received his Ph.D. in biological sciences from the George Washington University in Washington DC, USA. In 1998, he went to Howard University, Washington DC, USA, where he served as Co-Director of Molecular Genetics and helped to establish the National Human Genome Center at Howard University. His research focuses on prostate cancer genetics and genetic variation in the African diaspora. Currently, he is Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics at the Ohio State University Medical Center, USA.
Later,
W2P
mingwan0...I guess I just have to get a different sleep pattern...lol I've been checking the "Trends in Genetics" site every day for weeks waiting for this, but once again, you got there first!
Thanks,
W2P
stakddek...What a great PR and shareholder letter. Thanks for posting it.
BTW, did you forward this to DNAPrint Investor Relations? If not, you should.
Thanks,
W2P
Mike...I actually sent an email to DNAPrint about a year ago with a similar suggestion.
Many married couples, out of shear curiosity, have their babies' sex tested. I don't know the current market for such testing, but I think the curiosity of soon-to-be parents may represent a potential market for your products. The ad might say something like (It looked much better with the formating and different colored text, but you'll get the picture...lol):
Having a Baby? Wondering about whether to paint the nursery PINK or BLUE?
Allow us to suggest a couple of other options:
- Maybe you should paint it hazel to match her eyes, or red to match his hair.
- Maybe it should be forest green in honor of his African ancestors, or Icelandic blue for her Nordic roots.
- Or maybe a rainbow of colors to celebrate the diversity of every new born child.
It's a NEW World. You have NEW Options. If you're curious about your baby's eye color or hair color; whether he or she will look more like Mommy or Daddy, Grandma or Grandpa, we can help paint the portrait.
- DNAPrint genomics -
900 Cocoanut Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Anyway, the idea would be to make up tri-pod 8-1/2 x 11 cardboard advertisements with tear-off instructions, or a pocket folder containing instructions for how to go about ordering the test. These could be placed on tables in the waiting rooms of OB/GYN offices and clinics. You might even share a bit of the profits with the Doctors since their permission and/or assistance would be required. This could be easily test marketed in a few local clinics. If successful, it could be expanded.
Never heard back though...lol
Later,
W2P
cosmic/Slopster...More from the TWST:
TWST: What should the next 24 months hold as far as DNAprint being a success?
Dr. Frudakis: Revenues will continue to grow. We will begin to make more of an impact on serial murder and serial killer cases in the forensics space. We will be putting together partnerships with other companies to help us realize the power of our forensics program...
Progress indeed...
Later,
W2P