July 23, 2008
| Bio-IT World

Top Headlines

Little b Helps Overcome Complexity in Biomodels
TODAY | Harvard Medical School | A new computer language for modeling biological phenomenon can “think” like cells and molecular mechanisms think, thereby simulating the dynamics of biological phenomenon. more
Making Genetic Testing Useful
TODAY | MIT Technology Review | A new $31 million project that will revisit large epidemiological studies could have a broad impact on public-health recommendations and could also provide new targets for drug development. more
Open-Source Biomodels: Molecules First, Then the World
TODAY | Wired | Both a language and a program, "little b" gives systems biologists an infrastructure for building and sharing models of cellular activity. more

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Roche Acquires Private U.S. RNAi Company
TODAY | Reuters | Roche Holding said it has acquired Mirus Bio Corp, a privately held U.S. company that focuses on RNAi or gene silencing as a way to fight disease, for $125 million (62.4 million pounds). more
Making Genentech Disappear
TODAY | Forbes | Roche's offer to buy the 44 percent of biotech bellwether Genentech that it does not already own could dramatically change the landscape of the U.S. biotechnology industry. more
Roche's Genentech Bid Underscores Dash for Biotech
| Reuters | Roche Holding AG's $43.7 billion bid to buy out the remainder of Genentech Inc. highlightsdrugmakers' growing reliance on biotech products as conventional medicines are cannibalized by generics. more

White Papers & Special Reports

definiens briefingon-76Next-Generation Technologies Revolutionizing Oncology and Diagnostics
underwritten by Definiens

This “Briefing On” collection of Bio-IT World features, commentaries and analysis, presents some of the latest thinking on high-throughput technologies that are being applied to the fields of research and drug discovery, with particular emphasis on oncology, diagnostics and imaging technologies. Download now at no charge compliments of the underwriting sponsor, Definiens. Download This Free Paper



gq nxt gen seq

This Bio•IT World Briefing On “Next-Generation Sequencing,” underwritten by GenomeQuest, Inc.,
presents a selection of feature stories, interviews,commentaries, conference reports, and editorials on the emergence, opportunities, and challenges posed by high-throughput sequencing. Covered in this collection: the launch of new platforms from Applied Biosystems and Helicos; new applications of nextgen sequencing; the rise of personal genomics; and informatics solutions to vexing problem of managing the vast volumes of next-gen data.  Download now 



metaminerMetaMiner™ Cystic Fibrosis Report
Sponsored by GeneGo

This paper discusses the MetaMiner™ (CF) data analysis platform for a broad range of CF researchers designed to:

1. Easily assemble important biological and chemical experimental data available today in cystic fibrosis research.
2. Visualize key mechanisms leading to the disease through pathway maps and network models.
3. Provide the CF community a “one stop shop” tool for uploading and analyzing experimental data in a disease-centered interface.
Download Now

 





Expert Comment

Is Informed Consent as Ethical as It Could Be?

By Karl E. Peace

March 17, 2008 | The article New England IRB on Ethical Issues in Recruiting Patients, in the March 3, 2008, issue of eCliniqua served as a reminder to those involved with the execution of clinical trials of the importance of exercising due diligence to ensure that all aspects of clinical trial conduct are ethical.

I would like to bring to the attention of readers of eCliniqua some of my thoughts about making the informed consent process more ethical.  Many are aware, particularly in Phase III confirmatory proof of efficacy trials, that the determination of sample size carries with it an efficacy imperative.  That is, in order to confirm a question regarding efficacy of a compound, it is imperative that the sample size of the trial be large enough to provide a priori a high probability (large power) that the question will be answered. Read more.

Bio-IT World encourages readers to share their opinions on issues of interest to the life sciences community. To submit a commentary for consideration, contact Kevin Davies.

Life Science Webcasts & Podcasts

GenoLogicsgenologics 2 translational
Enabling Translational Research Informatics

Learn about the challenges facing life sciences research labs to manage their translational research data:

  • The trends for organizations to adopt informatics solutions for translational research.
  • The unique requirements with managing complex data and workflow.
  • What labs should consider when reviewing informatics solutions for translational research.
  • Which life sciences research organizations are successfully adopting an informatics solution.

Download Now



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Bio-IT Briefs

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Job Openings

Assistant Editor (Science Writer)~Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), Needham, MA, 
Cambridge Healthtech Institute seeks an assistant editor (science writer) who is an ambitious, dependable journalist who can fulfill a range of writing and editorial duties for a series of eNewsletters covering various aspects of the biopharmaceutical industry in addition to CHI’s flagship publication, Bio-IT World magazine.  This is a superb opportunity to make important contributions to the growth and success of a multimedia science publishing group, while gaining invaluable experience in multiple facets of the publishing industry.   Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, including 3 writing samples (attached in Word or PDF format), salary history or requirements, and resume to kdavies@healthtech.com. For a detailed description of the Assistant Editor position, please click here.

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center: IT Business Analyst III
The Hutchinson Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Pacific Northwest. Through our Tumor Research Initiative, we are finding new ways to detect tumors at an early stage.  We are presently seeking an experienced IT Business Analyst to assess technology needs for the Tumor Research Initiative, and to identify and design improvements to computer based systems.  For more information please visit www.fhcrc.org and search for Job# AD-21465

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