Latest news with #DNAsequencing
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Health
- Zawya
From genome to action: Building Sierra Leone's next generation of genomic leaders for public health resilience beyond mpox
Sierra Leone has taken an important step in strengthening its public health system by hosting a two-week national workshop on DNA sequencing and bioinformatics from August 4 to August 15, 2025 in Freetown. The training, held under the theme 'From Genome to Action: Enhancing Mpox Surveillance through Sequencing and Bioinformatics in Sierra Leone,' was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). It focused on building the country's capacity to track and understand diseases through genomic science, with mpox as a key focus, but also extending to other infectious diseases. The training served as a mentorship program for 16 young scientists, 15 of whom had already received foundational genomics training with WHO support. This advanced phase transitioned them to mid-level genomic experts capable of sophisticated data analysis and interpretation to inform real-time public health interventions. The sessions were practical and hands-on, covering: DNA sequencing: learning how to read and understand genetic material using Illumina platforms. Bioinformatics analysis: interpreting genetic information to see how diseases spread and change. Data stewardship: submitting results to international databases to support global knowledge. Outbreak analytic: turning genetic information into actions that help control outbreaks. The comprehensive program went beyond mpox, also covering diseases like Ebola, COVID-19, Lassa fever, HIV, and antimicrobial resistance. It also introduced broader tools that allow scientists to study different types of pathogens at once. Already, the Central Public Health Reference Laboratory (CPHRL) is applying these skills in HIV-2 research. 'This is mentorship in motion. We're growing future genomic leaders from within,' said Doris Harding, Laboratory Lead at the National Public Health Agency (NPHA). As of August 18, 2025, Sierra Leone had sequenced 10.1% (522 out of 5,154) of its confirmed mpox cases, meeting both national and continental targets of 8–10%. This progress shows how far the country has come, but also highlights the need to maintain momentum. By training participants from start to finish - sample collection to reporting, the workshop not only boosted mpox surveillance but also set the stage for sustainable genomic monitoring systems. 'This is sustainability in action – building resilient systems by empowering the laboratory pillar,' emphasized Dr. Ameh George, WHO Representative to Sierra Leone. Participants shared how the training had impacted them: 'We are deeply grateful for this investment in capacity building. The opportunity has not only enriched our professional knowledge but has also given us confidence to contribute meaningfully to research and health systems,' said Abu Bakarr Sawaneh from Connaught lab. Vidalyn Folorunso, a Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer from CPHRL added, 'Let us keep practicing, applying the knowledge gained, and making good use of it in our institutions.' Allan Campbell, CPHRL Lead&DNA Sequencing Training Lead, highlighted the lasting benefits: 'This mentorship-driven model not only meets today's needs but also builds a pipeline of future genomic experts. By empowering local scientists with the ability to lead using data and speed, Sierra Leone is strengthening its role in regional and global health security—whether in Mpox, HIV, cancer, antimicrobial resistance, or Ebola.' Walter Oguta, WHO AFRO EPI Analytics Specialist&Bioinformatics Training Lead, underscored the bigger picture: 'The workshop was a pivotal step in embedding genomic science into Sierra Leone's health system. By training a new generation of scientists, the country is now better positioned to respond to outbreaks with data-driven precision.' The August 2025 workshop stands as a milestone in Sierra Leone's public health journey. By combining mentorship, advanced training, and a focus on sustainability, it has built a new generation of scientists ready to lead the country's response to present and future health threats. This effort marks the beginning of a stronger, data-driven foundation for health security in Sierra Leone. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization - Sierra Leone.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) Surprises With Q2 Sales
Genomics company Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) beat Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q2 CY2025, but sales fell by 3% year on year to $1.06 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.36 per share was 64.4% below analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy Illumina? Find out in our full research report. Illumina (ILMN) Q2 CY2025 Highlights: Revenue: $1.06 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.05 billion (3% year-on-year decline, 1% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.36 vs analyst expectations of $1.01 (64.4% miss) Adjusted Operating Income: $252 million vs analyst estimates of $221.3 million (23.8% margin, 13.8% beat) Management raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $4.50 at the midpoint, a 5.9% increase Operating Margin: 20.2%, down from 40.5% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 19.3%, up from 4.5% in the same quarter last year Organic Revenue fell 3% year on year (-6.2% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $16.88 billion Company Overview Pioneering the ability to read the human genome at unprecedented speed and affordability, Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) develops and sells advanced DNA sequencing and microarray technologies that allow researchers and clinicians to analyze genetic variations and functions. Revenue Growth A company's long-term sales performance can indicate its overall quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but many enduring ones grow for years. Regrettably, Illumina's sales grew at a mediocre 5% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years. This fell short of our benchmark for the healthcare sector and is a rough starting point for our analysis. We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within healthcare, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. Illumina's performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 1.4% annually. We can dig further into the company's sales dynamics by analyzing its organic revenue, which strips out one-time events like acquisitions and currency fluctuations that don't accurately reflect its fundamentals. Over the last two years, Illumina's organic revenue averaged 1.3% year-on-year declines. Because this number aligns with its two-year revenue growth, we can see the company's core operations (not acquisitions and divestitures) drove most of its results. This quarter, Illumina's revenue fell by 3% year on year to $1.06 billion but beat Wall Street's estimates by 1%. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to remain flat over the next 12 months. This projection doesn't excite us and suggests its newer products and services will not catalyze better top-line performance yet. Today's young investors likely haven't read the timeless lessons in Gorilla Game: Picking Winners In High Technology because it was written more than 20 years ago when Microsoft and Apple were first establishing their supremacy. But if we apply the same principles, then enterprise software stocks leveraging their own generative AI capabilities may well be the Gorillas of the future. So, in that spirit, we are excited to present our Special Free Report on a profitable, fast-growing enterprise software stock that is already riding the automation wave and looking to catch the generative AI next. Adjusted Operating Margin Illumina has been an efficient company over the last five years. It was one of the more profitable businesses in the healthcare sector, boasting an average adjusted operating margin of 22.4%. Looking at the trend in its profitability, Illumina's adjusted operating margin decreased by 5 percentage points over the last five years, but it rose by 1.8 percentage points on a two-year basis. Still, shareholders will want to see Illumina become more profitable in the future. This quarter, Illumina generated an adjusted operating margin profit margin of 23.8%, up 1.6 percentage points year on year. This increase was a welcome development, especially since its revenue fell, showing it was more efficient because it scaled down its expenses. Earnings Per Share We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) for the same reason as long-term revenue growth. Compared to revenue, however, EPS highlights whether a company's growth is profitable. Sadly for Illumina, its EPS declined by 10.3% annually over the last five years while its revenue grew by 5%. However, its adjusted operating margin actually improved during this time, telling us that non-fundamental factors such as interest expenses and taxes affected its ultimate earnings. Diving into the nuances of Illumina's earnings can give us a better understanding of its performance. As we mentioned earlier, Illumina's adjusted operating margin expanded this quarter but declined by 5 percentage points over the last five years. Its share count also grew by 6.1%, meaning the company not only became less efficient with its operating expenses but also diluted its shareholders. In Q2, Illumina reported adjusted EPS at $0.36, down from $1.09 in the same quarter last year. This print missed analysts' estimates. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects Illumina's full-year EPS of $3.42 to grow 30.2%. Key Takeaways from Illumina's Q2 Results We were impressed by how significantly Illumina blew past analysts' full-year EPS guidance expectations this quarter. We were also happy its revenue narrowly outperformed Wall Street's estimates. On the other hand, its EPS missed. Overall, this print was mixed. Investors were likely hoping for more, and shares traded down 1.7% to $101.03 immediately after reporting. So do we think Illumina is an attractive buy at the current price? If you're making that decision, you should consider the bigger picture of valuation, business qualities, as well as the latest earnings. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free. 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RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
A new way to identify pathogens
New Zealand farmers use well over 3,000 tonnes of pesticide annually. But a new genomic study has discovered a way to potentially cut that by 80%. Using DNA sequencing technology, Lincoln University scientists believe it's possible to stop mass applications and instead switch to a targeted approach. Currently the project - led by Lincoln University Associate Professor Dr Chris Winefield - is focusing on vineyards. Photo: Supplied - Chris Winefield
Forbes
02-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Gene Therapy For Inherited Disease In Infants
As newborn screening and rapid DNA sequencing become routine, we are poised to catch and treat ... More inherited diseases at their earliest stages. Today, we can intervene in the first days or weeks of life. Tomorrow, we will intervene before birth. For the first time, we are witnessing therapies that can fundamentally alter the course of inherited disease lifelong. The most recent breakthrough describes treating inherited disease in infants. In a case in Nature Medicine, a premature baby with a devastating genetic epilepsy syndrome achieved a 60% reduction in life-threatening seizures following treatment with an experimental therapy. This is the first installment in a two-part series describing the opportunities for correcting inherited defects before and immediately after birth. These therapies have provided a chance for those inherited diseases to be treated. Part 1 focuses on the treatment of a newborn. In contrast, Part 2 examines novel applications in the uterus as fetuses before they are born. Today, doctors can spot many genetic changes long before they cause problems. Sometimes, this is done through a noninvasive blood test from the mother during pregnancy or from a tiny drop of blood taken from a newborn's heel. These samples are analyzed using powerful genetic sequencing tools to search for signs of hundreds of inherited diseases quickly and accurately. With the help of artificial intelligence, doctors can screen for hundreds of conditions rapidly and accurately, making early detection more accessible than ever before. My new book explores how these breakthroughs are changing the lives of children and adults alike. For some families, this early detection is life-changing. In a recent case, a newborn began having seizures just days after birth. Using rapid genome sequencing to look for changes in the baby's DNA, they searched for anything that might explain the symptoms. They found a mutation in a gene known to cause a rare form of severe epilepsy. The ongoing electrical chaos caused by the mutation impairs brain development. The seizures can also cause delays or regressions in motor skills, language, and social interaction. Additionally, many suffer from sensory issues, losing the ability to track objects visually or respond to sounds. The discovery of the mutated gene allowed them to move quickly to the next step: targeted treatment. More tools than ever before are available to address the root cause when a concerning genetic change is detected. In this case, they used an innovative therapy designed to "quiet" the faulty gene, aiming to reduce the baby's seizures. In the reported case, the preterm infant receiving the therapy saw seizure frequency plummet from 20–25 hourly events to just 5–7. Current data showed that the therapy's effects waned after 4–6 weeks due to declining concentrations of the medicine, requiring repeat injections. The therapy proved safe over 20 months, and 19 treatments were performed, with no severe side effects observed. There is also strong clinical evidence of this treatment being effective in multiple animal models, though there are still challenges. Finding optimal dosing intervals for preterm infants is particularly challenging, as their rapid growth can significantly affect drug metabolism. Furthermore, frequent dosing risks overwhelming infant systems, while longer intervals may allow seizures to reappear and jeopardize developmental progress. Early trials indicate that monthly infusions might help maintain therapeutic levels. Safety is also a top priority as these therapies advance. While early trials have not reported organ toxicity or immune reactions, the long-term effects of chronic treatment with this therapy in developing brains remain uncertain. Prolonged exposure could disrupt key cognitive development processes. Still, the implications are profound. This case is more than a single success—it signals a paradigm shift. As newborn screening and rapid DNA sequencing become routine, we are poised to catch and treat inherited diseases at their earliest stages. Today, we can intervene in the first days or weeks of life. Tomorrow, we will intervene before birth. These kinds of breakthroughs are no longer a distant dream. Science and medical research are still pushing the cutting edge. Already, fetal surgeries have corrected structural defects in utero or the womb. The next leap is here: treating inherited disorders at the molecular level before a child is even born. The following story in this series will highlight the first successful use of gene therapy to treat spinal muscular atrophy before birth. The impact is profound for these children and their families. Early intervention can prevent irreversible damage, offering the potential for a normal childhood and a dramatically improved quality of life. As costs fall and technology improves, all newborns could soon have their DNA sequenced, enabling targeted treatments at the earliest and most effective stage. Over time, this approach will expand access, reduce the burden of inherited disease, and reshape the future of human health care. One profound question remains: If we correct a genetic error in a child, will that change be passed on to future generations? For now, most therapies target the body's somatic cells, not the germline—but as our tools improve, the possibility of heritable cures edges closer, raising hope and new ethical questions. As we stand at the frontier of precision neurology, cases like this illuminate a path forward. For families facing rare genetic epilepsies, this medicine offers more than seizure control. They provide a lifeline to cognitive and developmental gains previously deemed unattainable. While larger trials are needed, the era of disease-modifying therapies for pediatric brain disorders has unequivocally begun. Part 2 will delve into how correcting genetic errors before birth could rewrite the trajectory of inherited diseases.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PacBio (NASDAQ:PACB) Beats Expectations in Strong Q1
Genomics company Pacific Biosciences of California (NASDAQ:PACB) reported Q1 CY2025 results beating Wall Street's revenue expectations , but sales fell by 4.3% year on year to $37.15 million. Its non-GAAP loss of $0.15 per share was 20.5% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy PacBio? Find out in our full research report. Revenue: $37.15 million vs analyst estimates of $35.3 million (4.3% year-on-year decline, 5.2% beat) Adjusted EPS: -$0.15 vs analyst estimates of -$0.19 (20.5% beat) Operating Margin: -1,155%, down from -210% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $339 million 'We are off to a solid start to the year, highlighted by a full quarter of shipments of the Vega platform, record consumables revenue and improved non-GAAP gross margin,' said Christian Henry, President and Chief Executive Officer. Pioneering what scientists call "HiFi long-read sequencing," recognized as Nature Methods' method of the year for 2022, Pacific Biosciences (NASDAQ:PACB) develops advanced DNA sequencing systems that enable scientists and researchers to analyze genomes with unprecedented accuracy and completeness. Reviewing a company's long-term sales performance reveals insights into its quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but many enduring ones grow for years. Luckily, PacBio's sales grew at a decent 11.1% compounded annual growth rate over the last five years. Its growth was slightly above the average healthcare company and shows its offerings resonate with customers. We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within healthcare, a half-decade historical view may miss recent innovations or disruptive industry trends. PacBio's recent performance shows its demand has slowed as its annualized revenue growth of 6.6% over the last two years was below its five-year trend. This quarter, PacBio's revenue fell by 4.3% year on year to $37.15 million but beat Wall Street's estimates by 5.2%. Looking ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 10.2% over the next 12 months, an improvement versus the last two years. This projection is noteworthy and implies its newer products and services will fuel better top-line performance. Unless you've been living under a rock, it should be obvious by now that generative AI is going to have a huge impact on how large corporations do business. While Nvidia and AMD are trading close to all-time highs, we prefer a lesser-known (but still profitable) stock benefiting from the rise of AI. Click here to access our free report one of our favorites growth stories. PacBio's high expenses have contributed to an average operating margin of negative 256% over the last five years. Unprofitable healthcare companies require extra attention because they could get caught swimming naked when the tide goes out. It's hard to trust that the business can endure a full cycle. Analyzing the trend in its profitability, PacBio's operating margin decreased significantly over the last five years. The company's two-year trajectory also shows it failed to get its profitability back to the peak as its margin fell by 300 percentage points. This performance was poor no matter how you look at it - it shows its expenses were rising and it couldn't pass those costs onto its customers. PacBio's operating margin was negative 1,155% this quarter. The company's consistent lack of profits raise a flag. We track the long-term change in earnings per share (EPS) for the same reason as long-term revenue growth. Compared to revenue, however, EPS highlights whether a company's growth is profitable. PacBio's earnings losses deepened over the last five years as its EPS dropped 1.8% annually. We tend to steer our readers away from companies with falling EPS, where diminishing earnings could imply changing secular trends and preferences. If the tide turns unexpectedly, PacBio's low margin of safety could leave its stock price susceptible to large downswings. In Q1, PacBio reported EPS at negative $0.15, up from negative $0.26 in the same quarter last year. This print easily cleared analysts' estimates, and shareholders should be content with the results. Over the next 12 months, Wall Street expects PacBio to improve its earnings losses. Analysts forecast its full-year EPS of negative $0.70 will advance to negative $0.69. We were impressed by how significantly PacBio blew past analysts' revenue expectations this quarter. We were also glad its EPS outperformed Wall Street's estimates. Zooming out, we think this was a good print with some key areas of upside. Investors were likely hoping for more, and shares traded down 2.5% to $1.16 immediately following the results. So do we think PacBio is an attractive buy at the current price? When making that decision, it's important to consider its valuation, business qualities, as well as what has happened in the latest quarter. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it's free. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
