Sunday, December 23, 2012

OpGen announces sequence assembly and finishing of first reference genome of domestic goat

OpGen announces sequence assembly and finishing of first reference genome of domestic goat [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 23-Dec-2012
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Contact: Dan Budwick
dan@purecommunicationsinc.com
973-271-6085
Pure Communications Inc.

Whole genome mapping technology plays integral role in international study

Gaithersburg, Md.December 23, 2012 OpGen, Inc. today announced its ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System technology was used in combination with next-generation sequencing (NGS) to produce the first, high-quality reference genome of the domestic goat. The study, which was led by BGI-Shenzhen and Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences was published online today in Nature Biotechnology. The paper, titled Sequencing and automated whole-genome optical mapping of the genome of a domestic goat (Capra hircus), demonstrates the value, efficiency and cost effectiveness of OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping in de novo assemblies of large, complex genomes.

"This independent technology provides not only the validation of the genome sequencing, but also provides the large-scale chromosome structure information that cannot be detected by sequencing," said Xun Xu, Deputy Director, BGI-Shenzhen. "The experience in these genome assembly projects shows that the physical whole genome map should be the standard for any reference genome to be assembled in the future."

Goats are an important economic resource in many developing countries around the globe, including China and India. However, despite their agricultural and biological importance, breeding and genetic studies of goats have been hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome sequence. The goat genome is the first high-quality reference genome for small ruminate animals and may help to advance the understanding of distinct ruminant genomic features from non-ruminant species.

Although generating draft assemblies from NGS is relatively easy, finishing a sequence to the chromosome level is still difficult and costly. The findings show that a single NGS platform, when combined with Whole Genome Mapping, can produce a finished assembly much faster and less expensively than other currently available mapping strategies such as bacterial artificial chromosome (BACs) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This approach sets the gold standard in large genome de novo assembly, eliminating the need for genetic maps which can be very time consuming.

"By incorporating Whole Genome Mapping, we were able to overcome the limitations of NGS' short read scaffolds to produce long super-scaffolds and finish the assembly to the near chromosome level," said Wen Wang, Deputy Director, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and an author of the paper. "We could not have completed the project without OpGen's technology."

In the study, OpGen's ARGUS system produced 100,000 single molecule restriction maps in three hours. This resulted in 30 times the physical coverage of the goat genome. The company's Genome Builder software generated long super-scaffolds by combining single molecule map data with sequence scaffolds generated by NGS and subsequent assembly. Specifically, the metric of assembly (N50) was improved eightfold by combining Whole Genome Mapping with NGS over NGS alone.

"While we continue to demonstrate the value of Whole Genome Mapping for assembly, quality control and validation of microbial genomes, we are pleased to expand its applications as a critical, complementary technology enabling investigators to provide complete and accurate long-range genomic information in complex, de novo projects," said Richard Moore, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of OpGen and an author of the paper. "This paper is the first of many we expect to be published over the next year which will validate OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping technology as a solution for the de novo assembly of the spectrum of genomes from microbes to mammals."

###

About ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System

OpGen's ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System is the only commercially available technology that can provide a high-resolution, complete visual map of a whole genome and individual chromosomes. The company's unique single molecule analysis technology provides a whole genome view that complements genome assembly and enables scientists to identify highly repetitive regions, tandem repeats and translocations that are very difficult to identify and clarify with sequencing alone. Sequencing projects can now be finished and validated with less investment in time, cost and computational effort.

About OpGen, Inc.

OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in providing rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company's ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System, GenomeBuilder and MapIt Services provide high-resolution, whole genome maps for sequence assembly and finishing, strain typing and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. OpGen's powerful technology dramatically improves the quality of data and time-to- results by providing sequence information from single DNA molecules more rapidly and less expensively than previously possible. The company is dedicated to positively influencing individual healthcare outcomes, advancing scientific research and enhancing public health by delivering precise, actionable information and results to customers in the life science and healthcare communities. OpGen's customers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.

OpGen Contacts:

Michael Farmer
Director, Marketing
(240) 813-1284 office
mfarmer@opgen.com

Dan Budwick (Media)
Pure Communications, Inc.
(973) 271-6085


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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


OpGen announces sequence assembly and finishing of first reference genome of domestic goat [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 23-Dec-2012
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Dan Budwick
dan@purecommunicationsinc.com
973-271-6085
Pure Communications Inc.

Whole genome mapping technology plays integral role in international study

Gaithersburg, Md.December 23, 2012 OpGen, Inc. today announced its ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System technology was used in combination with next-generation sequencing (NGS) to produce the first, high-quality reference genome of the domestic goat. The study, which was led by BGI-Shenzhen and Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences was published online today in Nature Biotechnology. The paper, titled Sequencing and automated whole-genome optical mapping of the genome of a domestic goat (Capra hircus), demonstrates the value, efficiency and cost effectiveness of OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping in de novo assemblies of large, complex genomes.

"This independent technology provides not only the validation of the genome sequencing, but also provides the large-scale chromosome structure information that cannot be detected by sequencing," said Xun Xu, Deputy Director, BGI-Shenzhen. "The experience in these genome assembly projects shows that the physical whole genome map should be the standard for any reference genome to be assembled in the future."

Goats are an important economic resource in many developing countries around the globe, including China and India. However, despite their agricultural and biological importance, breeding and genetic studies of goats have been hindered by the lack of a high-quality reference genome sequence. The goat genome is the first high-quality reference genome for small ruminate animals and may help to advance the understanding of distinct ruminant genomic features from non-ruminant species.

Although generating draft assemblies from NGS is relatively easy, finishing a sequence to the chromosome level is still difficult and costly. The findings show that a single NGS platform, when combined with Whole Genome Mapping, can produce a finished assembly much faster and less expensively than other currently available mapping strategies such as bacterial artificial chromosome (BACs) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This approach sets the gold standard in large genome de novo assembly, eliminating the need for genetic maps which can be very time consuming.

"By incorporating Whole Genome Mapping, we were able to overcome the limitations of NGS' short read scaffolds to produce long super-scaffolds and finish the assembly to the near chromosome level," said Wen Wang, Deputy Director, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and an author of the paper. "We could not have completed the project without OpGen's technology."

In the study, OpGen's ARGUS system produced 100,000 single molecule restriction maps in three hours. This resulted in 30 times the physical coverage of the goat genome. The company's Genome Builder software generated long super-scaffolds by combining single molecule map data with sequence scaffolds generated by NGS and subsequent assembly. Specifically, the metric of assembly (N50) was improved eightfold by combining Whole Genome Mapping with NGS over NGS alone.

"While we continue to demonstrate the value of Whole Genome Mapping for assembly, quality control and validation of microbial genomes, we are pleased to expand its applications as a critical, complementary technology enabling investigators to provide complete and accurate long-range genomic information in complex, de novo projects," said Richard Moore, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer of OpGen and an author of the paper. "This paper is the first of many we expect to be published over the next year which will validate OpGen's Whole Genome Mapping technology as a solution for the de novo assembly of the spectrum of genomes from microbes to mammals."

###

About ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System

OpGen's ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System is the only commercially available technology that can provide a high-resolution, complete visual map of a whole genome and individual chromosomes. The company's unique single molecule analysis technology provides a whole genome view that complements genome assembly and enables scientists to identify highly repetitive regions, tandem repeats and translocations that are very difficult to identify and clarify with sequencing alone. Sequencing projects can now be finished and validated with less investment in time, cost and computational effort.

About OpGen, Inc.

OpGen, Inc. is a leading innovator in providing rapid, accurate genomic and DNA analysis systems and services. The company's ARGUS Whole Genome Mapping System, GenomeBuilder and MapIt Services provide high-resolution, whole genome maps for sequence assembly and finishing, strain typing and comparative genomics in the life sciences market. OpGen's powerful technology dramatically improves the quality of data and time-to- results by providing sequence information from single DNA molecules more rapidly and less expensively than previously possible. The company is dedicated to positively influencing individual healthcare outcomes, advancing scientific research and enhancing public health by delivering precise, actionable information and results to customers in the life science and healthcare communities. OpGen's customers include leading genomic research centers, biodefense organizations, academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology companies. For more information, visit www.opgen.com.

OpGen Contacts:

Michael Farmer
Director, Marketing
(240) 813-1284 office
mfarmer@opgen.com

Dan Budwick (Media)
Pure Communications, Inc.
(973) 271-6085


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/pci-oas122012.php

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How to Use Foursquare to Market Your Business & Reach a New ...

 How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

When we think of social media and business, the first few things to come to mind are Facebook and Twitter. Yet, there is one mobile app that tends to get overlooked by businesses: Foursquare. True, it doesn?t have the same numbers that the likes of Facebook and Twitter can boast, but what it does have is a dedicated audience which has made over three billion check-ins.

Regardless of whether you?re a retailer or not, any business can use Foursquare and getting yourself set up is easy. The only thing it needs is you to get involved.

Why Foursquare?

While it has a web presence, Foursquare has been growing quite steadily over the last few years, and offers some unique opportunities for businesses and brands. With over 25 million users globally and 31% of mobile users active on social networks using Foursquare, it has an engaged community and a passionate user base.

Foursquare?s main strength comes from its users, the power of personal recommendation and sharing on different social media sites. By seeing where their friends are going and the places they regularly frequent, they would be more likely to visit if the recommendation is positive. Foursquare doesn?t get the same attention as Facebook or Twitter, but this presents you with a better opportunity to develop customer loyalty through deals. While Facebook has released its new ?nearby? function for its app, Foursquare is still the king of check-in and location.

With over 40 million venues and one million businesses to check-in to, there?s a lot of potential to make Foursquare work for you.

Foursquarestats How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

Getting started

The first thing a business should do is to claim a location as your own, and inform Foursquare that you are the official owner of this particular space. By claiming this space, it will ensure that your business will appear on the map. There are two ways you can add your business onto Foursquare: The first is to visit Foursquare?s website and access its search engine. Type in the name of your business and if it appears, clicking the ?Claim here? link will allow you to claim ownership.

Alternatively, you can do this through the app as well, if the location doesn?t have an owner, or you can ring or mail Foursquare to verify your location.

If you can?t find your business on Foursquare search, you will need to add it manually. After signing in, head to the ?Add venue? section. Here you will be able to add the name, address, location, contact details and category your business falls under. It?s recommended that you provide as much information as possible so that people can easily find it when they?re in the area.

Claimyourbusiness 765x450 How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

Create a Foursquare page

Alongside a mobile presence, Foursquare also allows you to create a web presence which allows you to manage all your locations in one place. Users can choose to follow pages, which will mean their updates will appear in the ?Friends? section. This is handier for those businesses with multiple locations who want to inform users of deals in multiple locations.

Each web page allows for a banner, sized 860 x 130, to be placed at the top of your page. Alongside your profile photo, you can place links to your website and other social media profiles underneath your description.

CNN 765x450 How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

As well as showing all the different places your business is located, a page administrator can leave tips at your locations and other places too. This gives you the ability to leave messages for your followers informing them of check-in specials, deals, coupons and announcements relating to your business. These updates can be filtered so that they are only shared with specific locations or with the entirety of your company. This allows you to create local updates, and make them more relevant to specific followers.

All updates can have images added onto them (which is encouraged) as well as be cross posted to Facebook and Twitter to ensure maximum exposure. These updates will appear on each follower?s news feed, but can only be accessed through desktop. As of yet, there is no way to post updates via the app.

One thing to note its that not all Foursquare pages have physical locations, meaning products or people can communicate with followers without claiming a place.

HM 765x430 How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

Offering specials

One of the main pulls of Foursquare is the offering of deals and specials, giving users a reason to visit your business and can help you get new customers and followers. The type of offer you want to make available depends on the type of company you run, but the most popular ones would be offering the mayor of your location a discount, rewarding people for their first check-in, an offer when you check-in with friends, and an offer if you check-in to the same location numerous times. You can offer more than one special at a time, which allows you to reward both new and regular customers.

Different specials work for different businesses so you should test out different specials and see what works for your business. If you?re unsure, it?s worth testing out two different offers against each other to see which one gets the most ROI. Through this and promotion via local updates and other social media channels, you can get the word out there.

Specials 765x429 How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

Adding tips & lists

Another factor that contributes to Foursquare?s success is the inclusion of tips for a specific locale. Tips allow users to find out more about a location, whether they recommend it and what other useful information they should keep in mind when they?re there. With 30 million insider tips available on the app, it?s a feature that users have taken to heart.

Tips aren?t just limited to just users, businesses can write up their own versions to ensure that users know everything they have to offer as well as give the company some personality.

What you should aim for is to become an authority on your area by providing tips about other locations close by. If you?re a cafe, you could recommend the park nearby as a great place to enjoy your latte. If you?re a sporting venue, you can inform followers where the dedicate fans like to visit first before they go to a game. Think about what your company has to offer and tie it into the places around you. Doing this will make your business more accessible to new and regular customers and hopefully allow other businesses to leave tips about you too.

When you have a collection of tips, the next step you should take is to turn them into curated lists for your fans to follow and contribute to. Lists are usually focused on specific locations or topics and can be very useful when you?re trying to build awareness of your business.

A popular list will give it more exposure without requiring users to follow you so look at tips from other businesses and start putting together different lists. Usually, it?s best to focus on your area, especially if you?re based in a large city, but there?s nothing to say that you can?t create a citywide list which would come in handy for tourists and visitors.

Foursquare badges

One of the most popular features of Foursquare is the ability to earn badges when they check-in at various locations. Foursquare incorporates its own built-in badges such as the adventurer badge and the mayor badge, but businesses and brands can also apply to have their own custom badges included.

However, demand is very high for custom badges, and Foursquare is very selective in the kind of badges it approves. Also, Foursquare?s minimum badge commitment is three months at $25,000 per month, making it a costly venture.

Once you?ve got your idea and plan in place for your custom badge, the next step is pitching the idea to Foursquare. All applications must be submitted through Foursquare?s business page, where you will be asked to complete on online form.

Creatingbadges How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

To submit a custom badge application to Foursquare, go to the Foursquare Partner Badge Inquiry page and select ?Partner Badge? under ?badge type.? Enter your first and last name in the appropriate box, then enter your business email address underneath.

Outline your idea for the badge campaign in the space provided. To get the attention of the approval team, your idea must be solid, easy to communicate, and in line with the key elements Foursquare is looking for in a custom badge.

Type the name of the badge in the box below the idea for the badge. Keep it short and straightforward, explaining why you think the badge will encourage positive behaviours and activities. Foursquare is more likely to approve badges that provide opportunities nationwide and that are clear about what users must do in order to achieve the badge. Check the box next to the type of business you represent, then click ?Submit.?

szlogo How to use Foursquare to market your business & reach a new audience

This article is published in association with SimplyZesty, a digital marketing agency.

Source: http://thenextweb.com/entrepreneur/2012/12/23/how-to-use-foursquare-to-market-your-business-reach-a-new-audience/

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Video: Bells toll for lives lost in Newtown

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Source: http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/50274862/

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Federal judge blocks Missouri law to deny birth control coverage

(Reuters) - A federal judge on Friday blocked a new Missouri law that requires health insurers to offer plans that exclude contraception coverage if employers or individuals object to birth control on moral or religious grounds.

U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig granted a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of the law, writing that it appears to conflict with the new federal health care law.

Republican lawmakers in Missouri drafted the law in response to President Barack Obama's policy of requiring insurers to cover birth control for free as part of the new federal health care law, even if they work for a church or other employer that has a moral objection.

State lawmakers in September overrode a veto by Democratic Governor Jay Nixon to enact the law.

The Missouri Insurance Coalition, a nonprofit whose members include health insurers that do business in the state, asked the judge to block the state law, arguing that it conflicts with federal law and is therefore invalid.

Fleissig wrote that the coalition is likely to succeed on that claim "given what appears to be an irreconcilable conflict" between the federal and state laws.

At a hearing, the judge wrote, the Missouri Department of Insurance "could offer no response to how there would not be a direct conflict" between the federal and state laws if an insurer offered a health insurance plan "that acquiesced to an employer's decision not to offer contraceptive coverage."

She is expected to schedule a hearing on a preliminary injunction.

(Reporting By Corrie MacLaggan; editing by Todd Eastham)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/federal-judge-blocks-missouri-law-deny-birth-control-035843144.html

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Monday, November 19, 2012

The New Bridge : Cascade creative writing students reap what they ...

Home > Cascade > Cascade creative writing students reap what they?ve sown

Erik Burlingame, Cascade Editor
November 18, 2012
Filed under Cascade, News

CASCADE ? Students of Cascade campus? creative writing program are to share their seasonal yield of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction at the 3rd-annual Harvest of the Word recital.

The recital is open to the public and will be held in the Cascade cafeteria on Friday, November 30th, from noon to 3p.m.

Refreshments will be provided.

Drop-ins are welcomed.

For further information, contact Gardner Mein at?gardner.mein15@pcc.edu

Source: http://www.pccnewbridge.com/news/2012/11/18/cascade-creative-writing-students-reap-what-theyve-sown/

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

South African President Congratulates Somalia on Its New Cabinet

You Are Here: Home ? Africa ? South African President Congratulates Somalia on Its New Cabinet

Flag of South AfricaPresident Jacob Zuma has extended "hearty congratulations" to the new Somali ministers, the government and the people of the Federal Republic of Somalia, following the recent endorsement by the Somali Parliament of that country?s new Cabinet.

"This marks a new dawn for a state embarking on nation building, reconciliation, economic recovery and capacitating of various government institutions, which will in turn translate itself into practical democratic gains on the ground," said Zuma.

He said South Africa commended Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shiridon, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and the Somali Federal Parliament in their decision to assemble a Cabinet.

"The ministerial appointments give hope to the people of Somalia, as well as the international community, that Somalia is indeed on the road to recovery.

"The Cabinet will also play a critical role in executing the vision developed by President Mohamoud that will serve as a foundation upon which Somalis will rebuild their country together with essential international partners, including South Africa," said Zuma.

The South African government remained committed to strengthening its relations with the government of Somalia and developing strong collaboration and interaction between the two countries and peoples at various levels, especially at the ministerial level now that the new Cabinet has been confirmed.

Source: SAnews

African News from NetNewsPublisher.com


Source: http://www.netnewspublisher.com/south-african-president-congratulates-somalia-on-its-new-cabinet/

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Spanish police protest govt cuts hitting them

A police officer wears a hat with a banner reading, "Urban guards in conflict" during a protest against government?s austerity measures and the elimination of their Christmas bonus pay, one of 14 paychecks that most Spanish civil servants get each year, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A police officer wears a hat with a banner reading, "Urban guards in conflict" during a protest against government?s austerity measures and the elimination of their Christmas bonus pay, one of 14 paychecks that most Spanish civil servants get each year, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Police march holding a banner reading, "work as they pay you, work as they treat you" during a protest against government?s austerity measures and the elimination of their Christmas bonus pay, one of 14 paychecks that most Spanish civil servants get each year, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A police officer marches carrying a banner reading, "National police fights for its rights" during a protest against the government?s austerity measures and the elimination of their Christmas bonus pay, one of 14 paychecks that most Spanish civil servants get each year, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Police march holding union flags and a banner reading, "all the police united against the financial cuts" during a protest against government?s austerity measures and the elimination of their Christmas bonus pay, one of 14 paychecks that most Spanish civil servants get each year, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

MADRID (AP) ? Police officers from across Spain are protesting the government austerity measures affecting them, including frozen pensions and the elimination of their Christmas bonus.

More than 5,000 people paraded Saturday to the Interior Ministry building in Madrid, blowing whistles and shouting slogans.

Jose Maria Benito, a spokesman for Spain's Unified Police Union, said "we are here to tell the government that security has to be its priority."

Benito said police were worried that budget cuts meant that working conditions were more precarious, that law enforcement equipment was not adequate and that the 15,000 officers who had left the force were not being replaced.

He said "in socially convulsive times, we need an adequate police response."

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-11-17-Spain-Financial%20Crisis/id-1f22a69dc4f54545a325235f819c860b

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