Day: April 19, 2023

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Reproductive Geneticists Gathered in Paris Present the First-Ever Whole Genome Sequencing Test in Embryos

  • Dr. Santiago Munné, a pioneer in preimplantation genetic diagnosis, presented the new test at the PGDIS Conference
  • The novel laboratory test will not only detect genes inherited from parents, but will also reveal new mutations that could lead to ‘de novo’ diseases such as autism

PARIS, April 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dr. Santiago Munné, a pioneer in preimplantation genetic diagnosis, presented the first whole genome sequencing test in embryos before delegates at the 20th Conference of the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society (PGDIS), held this week in Paris.

In his plenary address attended by over 300 experts, Dr. Munné, an internationally recognized trailblazer in reproductive genetics, presented validation data for GenomeScreen™, the test developed by the research team he leads at the biotechnology firm GenEmbryomics.

“We have known since we started working with embryo diagnostics back in 1993 that embryo selection would be key to pregnancy, especially in older patients. Over the last 30 years, our work has been focused on improving genetic embryo selection, though the definitive diagnostic approach—the one that provides the most information and the best outcomes—will doubtless be this one: whole genome sequencing of the embryo using just a few cells obtained from a biopsy. This test will open doors that we never knew existed,” says Munné of the work done at GenEmbryomics.

To understand the genome is to know everything about an embryo before transfer
GenomeScreen™ is a revolutionary new whole genome sequencing test for IVF embryos that has been described as “the most complete genetic test in IVF” by authorities at the PGDIS forum.

The test provides highly precise information on the genome sequence of the embryo and the genetic parents, offering families key preimplantation insights on embryo health and reproductive prognosis that can inform their decisions. Furthermore, this information will be invaluable to individuals born from IVF, as it will provide input on nutrigenomics or guidance on which medicines are most genetically suited to the patient.

“When we first started our research on embryo sequencing, our goal was to create a powerful, comprehensive tool that could equip fertility physicians with exhaustive data for precision screening,” recalls Dr. Nick Murphy, founder of GenEmbryomics. “Now that we have this tool and use it with 99% reliability, we are aware that this diagnosis not only provides information, but also substantially enhances the success of reproductive medicine,” adds Murphy.

Embryo sequencing will increase IVF success rates

Professor Munné, whose career as a leader in reproductive genetics spans over 20 years, has made enormous contributions to embryo selection and IVF treatment. With this test, he and his team of researchers solidify the role of genetic testing within reproductive medicine, increasing treatment success.

“The findings presented at the conference are the validation data for a test that will change embryo selection as we know it,” according to Munné. “Preimplantation genetic analysis with whole genome sequencing is a giant step forward: among other things, it will tell us which embryo will implant successfully, because we will know beforehand which one is truly healthy—the one that is free of diseases inherited from the parents or de novo illnesses, such as autism,” he concludes.

About GenEmbryomics
Founded by Dr. Nick Murphy in 2019, GenEmbryomics is a cutting-edge biotech company specializing in the genomic analysis of embryos to determine the most viable candidates for IVF implantation. Their work will lead to higher success rates in IVF cycles, thanks to their proprietary algorithms offering more accurate and efficient embryo selection based on each embryo’s whole genome.

For more information
Dulce Iborra Candela
+34 647942875
dulce@laembajadora.es

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8810850

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Abuja collapsed wall claims 2 lives, 4 rescued – FEMA

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed the death of two persons and rescue of four individuals at a collapsed wall in Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.

The Director-General of FEMA, Dr Abbas Idriss, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Idriss said: “Around between 10 a.m to 11 a.m., we received a distress call that there was a building collapse beside the United Bank for Africa Bank (UBA) at Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II.

“We quickly activated our rescue team to go there and on getting there they saw it was a wall that fell on artisans working around the area. So far six people were removed from the rabbles and two have died while four are in the hospital at the moment.

“It is a building under construction and they have eaten into the building next to them because it is not their building that fell it is the neighbour’s building that felt on them.”

The director-general said that theagency had been sensitising FCT residents on the need to abide by building approvals and the Abuja Master Plan.

He called on stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of granting building approvals in the FCT, like the Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services and other agencies, to ensure that they give proper approval and monitored constructions in all locations.

“That is the only way to guard against the situation because the approval supposed to be in phases as you give approval in phase one, when they do according to specification you now give them approval for the second phase that is how it should be.

“But if you give a blanket approval to just go and start the building they can build with whatever material they can. However, in this case like I said earlier, we are not talking about usage of inferior materials.

“It is because they extended their building and eating into the neighbourhood structure, which eventually collapsed on the artisans,” said the FEMA chief executive.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Doctors from france offering free facial surgery to cameroonians

Medical Doctors specialised in maxillofacial surgery are presently in Cameroon, at the Douala military hospital to handle cases of facial deformity and other diseases.

These medical doctors are from France trained under an organisation known as Norma Fund created and owned by former two indomitable lions: Roger Milla and Joseph Antoine Bell, are offering free consultation and free surgeries to patients.

Maxillofacial surgery is the surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck. These doctors say this can be caused by an infection on the face that was either neglected or not treated properly.

“We have so many other different diseases we treat like facial trauma and we use reconstruction techniques with local flaps. We are here in Cameroon to help those who have facial deformity without collecting any money from them. Those who had registered are being well attended to especially children from 6 months of age. We focus more on kids because it is very easy to treat their faces now that they are still young compared to already grown men or women. We equally want to advise parents to be keen in observing their babies after birth and act fast once they notice any changes in the child’s looks. Most parents are negligent and in the end, the innocent baby grows looking different from others,” Prof. Gleizal a maxillofacial surgeon from France explains.

The registration exercise ran from February 15 to April 10, 2023. These medical professionals have exactly 2 weeks to carry out free consultation and treatment.

“We have attended to so many persons already and most of them are waiting for their results while others are waiting for their treatment and we are hoping that we can attend to all of them,” Doctor Raisa Pitham said.

The beneficiaries of this operation say they are more than happy to have this opportunity.

“I am happy we are getting help from our own brothers and former footballers. This is great and I feel so happy being here today. I am proud of them and I pray others can follow these footsteps. Cameroon has great personalities here and abroad but because we are selfish, we do not give back to our nation like other footballers do,” Nelson Njumising who is one of the patients said.

This exercise started on April 17, 2023 and will run for 2 weeks.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

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President Akufo-Addo nominates new MCE for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has nominated Mr. Paul Andoh as the new Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for confirmation by the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly in the Western North Region.

The Municipality has been without an MCE for some months now due to the demise of its former MCE, Mr. Alfred Amoah in a ghastly accident at Apedwa near Tafo in the Eastern Region on July 12, 2022.

The nomination of Mr. Paul Andoh was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Joojo Rocky Obeng, the Western North Regional Minister.

Mr. Andoh described as a visionary political actor, was the 1st Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai constituency.

The Nominee, in this political career, served as a polling station chairman, Coordinator and Assemblyman for Zongo electoral area in Sefwi-Bekwai as well as chairman for Development Planning and Finance Committee at the Bibiani Municipal Assembly.

Source: Ghana News Agency

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MPLA wants periodic debates on common interest issues

MPLA party has defended periodic debates focused on the matters of common interest for the Angolan citizens.

The ruling party in Angola came up with this proposal during a debate held in National Assembly on Wednesday in Luanda.

The political organisation proposed debated on education, health, environment, technology, local governance, territory management, urban planning, protection of children, empowerment of women, among other matters of common interest.

According to the leader of the MPLA parliamentary group, Virgílio de Fontes Pereira, this will make plenary meetings and specialised working committees of the Parliament more dynamic, attractive and effective, “recalling the ágoras of ancient Greece”.

The MP was speaking at the 5th ordinary plenary meeting of the 1st legislative session of the National Assembly, dedicated to the appreciation and approval of the General State Account (CGE) for the 2020 fiscal year.

From what he called “Open Parliament”, the MPLA MP stressed the need to streamline the functioning of specialised work commissions, becoming more focused on dealing with the concerns of Angolan men and women, children, women, young people , churches, trade unions, communities, among others, without prejudice to their current traditional activity.

In its political declaration, the Parliamentary Group of the MPLA also stressed the need to reflect and study on the possibility of, with clear authorisation of the pecuniaries, publishing, in the various institutional mechanisms of the National Assembly, the suggestions, petitions and complaints of the citizens.

He said that this suggestion can help correct various behaviors of citizens and institutions.

He noted that the ideas presented aim to promote more inclusion and more dialogue in Parliament, “which is the House of the people, setting an example on the need not to lose focus on our Angolan nature and on the need for patriotic cohesion”.

According to the politician, only unity, cohesion, peace and orderly and responsible behavior will allow “the people’s will of Angolan men and women to assert itself without deceit or mystification”.

As for the General State Account (CGE) for fiscal year 2020, he highlighted the fact that the Executive continues to improve operational mechanisms that ensure greater coverage of reported data, greater transparency in the programming and execution of public expenditures, as well as the subjection to the increasing scrutiny of external control institutions.

He considered it unavoidable that the Covid-19 pandemic had made the financial year 2020 atypical, given the unpredictability surrounding its emergence, which forced the Executive to present a revised budget to the National Assembly.

This action, he said, provided the conditions “for the Executive to propose and implement a set of measures in various areas, in particular public health, ensuring not only the physical safety of people, but also the maintenance of the functioning of institutions and the survival of populations.

Source: Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

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Political stability in Angola attracts foreigners

The peace and political stability in Angola is at the root of the flow of illegal immigrants that daily violate the country’s borders, the Luanda provincial director of the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME), Randal Midoux Mouzinho, said Wednesday.

Speaking at the 47th anniversary of the SME on April 19 , Randal Mouzinho called for everyone’s commitment to control sea, river and land borders, with the aim to prevent the invasion of Angolan territory illegally.

The official added that the country is open to all foreigners who seek to contribute to Angola’s development, underlining that this contribution should be made legally.

According to the official, it is necessary to increase the levels of training and technical capacity of the SME specialists in all areas of activity, especially in public service, human rights, documentary fraud, issuing of identification and travel documents.

“The Directorate of the Ministry of Interior continues to make efforts to implement electronic passports and the system for refugees and asylum seekers, as well as the integrated system of the SME, relating to migration acts for foreigners, border control and the stay of foreign citizens in national territory,” Mouzinho said.

The event was celebrated under the slogan “SME 47 years – investing in modernisation to better serve

Source: Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)