Scientists have created the world's first synthetic life form in a landmark experiment that paves the way for designer organisms that are built rather than evolved. The controversial feat, which has occupied 20 scientists for more than 10 years at an estimated cost of $40m, was described by one researcher as "a defining moment in biology". Craig Venter, the pioneering US geneticist behind the experiment, said the achievement heralds the dawn of a new era in which new life is made to benefit humanity, starting with bacteria that churn out biofuels, soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and even manufacture vaccines.
The new organism is based on an existing bacterium that causes mastitis in goats, but at its core is an entirely synthetic genome that was constructed from chemicals in the laboratory. The single-celled organism has four "watermarks" written into its DNA to identify it as synthetic and help trace its descendants back to their creator, should they go astray. "We were ecstatic when the cells booted up with all the watermarks in place," Dr Venter told the Guardian. "It's a living species now, part of our planet's inventory of life."
The Editor opines that this incredible development will be seen as ranking alongside the discovery of fire, the wheel, the computer, and sliced bread, as a defining moment in human history.
The Most Powerful Investment Sector of the Twenty-First Century!
Now is the time to invest. InvestBio believes that biotech has the potential to create unprecedented wealth for its investors, and that the market will soon be flooded with biotechnology products. Biotech pipelines are deep, and there is a large aging population with the need for new and effective drugs. And while the industry is experiencing an increasing swell in talent as well as impressive revenue growth, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug approvals keep validating its momentum.
In its 50 years, biotechnology has produced many historical milestones, e.g.:
1953 introduction of the double helix
1966 the genetic code was cracked
1976 the first biotechnology company formed, Genentech
1982 the first biotech drug approved by FDA; human Insulin
1994 the fist breast cancer gene is discovered
2001 the complete sequence of human genome was published
2004 the FDA approved the first anti-angiogenic drug for cancer; Avastin.
Cancer patients, in particular, are benefiting from recent biotechnology developments. A decade ago there were less than a dozen oncology drugs in clinical trials, most of which were highly toxic chemotherapies. Today there are over 400 targeted biotech medicines, including cancer drugs (with minimal side effects), being tested. In 2004, four targeted cancer drugs were approved by the FDA: Avastin, Iressa, Tarceva and Ebitux. Wall Street recognized this and rewarded these biotech companies for their success. With new drugs and treatments popping up everyday, the future surely holds many more cures for patients as well as opportunities for investors. Even though the biotech sector is an extremely volatile, it has historically outperformed theoverall market. The American Stock Exchange Biotechnology Index (BTK) is an industry recognized indicator that presents the biotech sectors performance over time.
With the 2010 World Cup kicking off in less than four weeks, financial analysts at JP Morgan have crunched the numbers and come up with a bold conclusion – England will win football's biggest prize for the first time in 44 years. Matthew Burgess and Marco Dion made the claim this morning, as an illustration of how 'Quant methodology' (the use of mathematical data to evaluate investment opportunities) can be applied to the real world. Burgess and Dion took mathematical models created to assess stocks, and instead plugged in data on Fifa rankings, historical football results, and the latest bookmakers' odds. And despite concern over the state of Wayne Rooney’s groin, Ledley King's knee and Gareth Barry's ankle, the pair predicted in a note to City investors that the Three Lions would maul Spainin the final on 11 July, with Hollandcoming third. "Having developed a rather successful Quant Model over the years, we intend to introduce it to our readers and also use its methodology to apply it to a fruitful field for statistics: Football and the World Cup," they wrote. JP Morgan added that they believe Brazil to be the strongest team taking part in the tournament. However, due to the fixture schedule their model predicts overall victory for England – who will play Algeria, Slovenia and the USA in the group stages of the tournament. Based on today's odds at Betfair, England are third favourite to lift the trophy, with Spain the punters' top pick ahead of Brazil. Burgess and Dion also admitted that their work should be taken "with a pinch of salt", but insisted that the upcoming World Cup was "an ideal opportunity to light-heartedly explain quantitative techniques and demystify the typical Quant framework." Given that Quant methodology is used widely in the City, there could be red faces at JP Morgan (and a few concerned investors) if England should crash out of the tournament on 23 June in a shock defeat to Slovenia.
Craig Kieswetter Helps England Thrash Australia to Win WorldTwenty20!
For years, with each successive strategy document published, it has been an ECB mission statement that an ICC global event has to be won. Time and again there has been failure. Not now, though. At Kensington Oval, a sea of colour, noise and throbbing music, they overcame Australia to win the WorldTwenty20. Australia were not just beaten, they were annihilated, by seven wickets with 18 balls of the match remaining, their muscularity with the bat held at bay by England's all‑round excellence with the ball, and then, when Michael Clarke wanted some incisive bowling from his vaunted pace attack, utterly dominated by the England batting. Only twice, in chasing 148 to win, did England falter. Michael Lumb drilled a catch to mid-on towards the end of the first over of the reply and later Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter, man of the match, fell within an over of each other to leave two new batsmen together. By then, though, the damage had been done, for those two – Pietersen, in simply stupendous form and once more looking the genius we believe him to be, and Kieswetter, trusting his eye and instinct – had exposed how uncharacteristically timid the Australian batting had been, and all but sealed the match with an electric second wicket stand of 111 that came at almost 10 an over.
Ice-cream purveyors across the UK are bracing themselves for a weekend which promises to bring the warmest weather of the year so far. Southerly breezes, warm sunshine and dry weather are set to contribute to temperatures potentially as high as 27C in parts of the country, according to the Met Office. Sun-worshippers disappointed by a grey start to this morning in many places will be rewarded with sunshine through the weekend, said forecaster John Hammond. "It's going to be pretty warm, with temperatures getting well up into the mid-20s," he said. "The highest temperatures will come on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with highs of 25 and 26C, we might even see 27C in some spots.
And...the Hottest of the Hot Jobs can be found at Seltek Consultants :-
Job Ref:
7807
Position:
Business Development Manager
Category:
Strategic Sales
Salary:
€80,000 basic salary
OTE:
€120,000 p.a., car, bonus, healthcare, pension
Location:
France, Benelux
Description:
Summary: Would you like to work for one of Europe’s leading providers of genomic services? Do you have existing laboratory sales experience in France and/or Benelux? Do you have a background in genetics? If yes, then this position could be for you! The role will involve the development, maintenance and execution of strategic account plans, and provide forecasts and reports of sales activity. You will also participate in the development of the sales and marketing strategies of the company.
Why you should apply for this job? It's a highly autonomous role with an entrepreneurial company, which will give you the greatest chance to realise the limit of your potential!
Consultant:
Kristina Southcott
Job Ref:
7795
Position:
Account Manager
Category:
Key Account Management
Salary:
£45,000 basic salary
Package:
£85,000 OTE, car allowance, bonus, pension, healthcare
Location:
South East
Description:
Summary: A highly innovative life science company that has expanded very rapidly over the last five years is keen to recruit an Account Manager in the South East of the UK to support their growth. The role will involve developing sales of their technology with academic, biotech and pharmaceutical research departments in the region. You will be supported by an excellent marketing, applications and technical support group. You will be expected to be highly technically competent to demonstrate the systems and develop a strong sales pipeline.
Why you should apply for this job: This is a truly exceptional opportunity to join a leading company with tremendous plans for the future. The company has a extremely novel platform technology that is at the cutting edge of the genomic and proteomic research arena. They can offer a dynamic, growth orientated environment with genuine career opportunities and one of the best financial packages in the industry.
Consultant:
Scott Peacock
Job Ref:
7805
Position:
Strategic Account Manager
Category:
Sales
Salary:
£43,000 basic
Package:
£55,000 per annum, car, bonus, pension, healthcare
Location:
Southern Midlands
Description:
Summary: A leading brand in the life science industry is expanding within the UK and is keen to recruit a Strategic Account Manager who will focus purely on biotechnology and pharmaceutical accounts in the Oxford, M4, Herts region of the UK. The region has a number of key accounts that are well established alongside those that have great potential for further sales growth. You will be involved in developing tactical sales and marketing business plans to address market segmentation, new product or service introductions and pricing issues.
Why you should apply for this job: This is a high profile sales role with one of the most recognised companies within the life science market, and you will be backed up by a highly energetic and supportive manager. It's a brilliant opportunity for an existing account manager who is looking to step up into a more focused/strategic sales role within a high profile company.
Consultant:
Scott Peacock
Job Ref:
7809
Position:
European Marketing Manager
Category:
Marketing
Salary:
£38,000 basic salary
Package:
£45,000 p.a., car, bonus, pension, healthcare
Location:
South East
Description:
Summary: Do you have marketing experience? Do you have knowledge of product management? Do you speak French or another European language? If yes, this position could be for you! This is a superb opportunity to join a globally recognised life science company as a European Marketing Manager. You will be responsible for the development of the strategic marketing plan with the marketing team as well as the production of marketing literature and list pricing. You will also be involved in supporting distribution partners and delivering effective product launches.
Why you should apply for this job: This is a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk opportunity with a global whopper and a career ladder that knows virtually no limit!
Consultant:
Kristina Southcott
Job Ref:
7797
Position:
Technical Sales Specialist
Category:
Sales
Salary:
£35,000 basic
Package:
£45,000 OTE, car, bonus, pension, healthcare
Location:
London
Description:
Summary: A company which markets a highly respected brand within the genomic research arena is keen to recruit a Technical Sales Specialist to manage a number of accounts in South East London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex region due to the internal promotion of the existing person. Products will include molecular biology kits, instruments and services for this highly regarded life science company.
Why you should apply for this job:This is an extremely well looked after region that has a number of prestigious academic accounts and key pharmaceutical customers within it.
Summary: Do you have experience working in preclinical and phase II - IV business development? Do you have business development management experience in a clinical research organisation (CRO)? Do you have a proven track record of sales success in Europe? If yes, this position could be for you! A top ten clinical research organisation (CRO) is expanding, and is keen to recruit a European Business Development Director who will be responsible for growing phase II - IV studies within mainland Europe.
Why you should apply for this job: This is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing business that is investing in its organisation and expanding on a global basis. The role will operate across Europe and you will be expected to manage existing client relations as well as to develop new commercial relationships to grow the business.
Consultant:
Kristina Southcott
Job Ref:
7806
Position:
Manager, Clinical Research (Neuroscience)
Category:
Clinical Research
Salary:
High negotiable basic salary
Package:
Car allowance, bonus, healthcare, pension
Location:
UK
Description:
Summary: Do you have experience monitoring and managing clinical research projects? Do you have experience working on neuroscience projects? Would you like to work for one of the worlds leading clinical research organisations? If yes, this position could be for you! A top ten clinical research organisation (CRO) is expanding, and is keen to recruit a Manager of Clinical Research (neuroscience) who will be responsible for managing interdisciplinary clinical research projects.
Why you should apply for this job: This is an outstanding opportunity to join a growing business that is investing in its organisation and expanding on a global basis. The role will involve managing the clinical team, reviewing and developing protocols, approving CRFs and training CRAs on procedures.
Seltek's sales are at an 18 month high! With a new and exciting government in place, an economy that is poised to run rampant, optimism in the world at large positively boiling over, now is the time for your company to steal a march on your competitors, by recruiting one of Seltek's Hot Candidates!
Scientific Sales & Marketing Division
* Product Manager Anywhere! £60/65K Ref: 85332 * Global Product Manager M4 Corridor £56K Ref: 78738 * Business Development (Sales) France €55/65K Ref:105717
* N.European Business Manager Anywhere! £40/50K Ref: 106067
* Key Account Sales West Midlands £38/50K Ref: 105937
* Sales Executive Eastern England £35/45K Ref: 65064 * Senior Scientific Support South Coast £33K Ref: 106150 * Sales Specialist Scotland £32/50K Ref: 81578
* Technical Sales Specialist London £31/34K Ref: 87756
* Trainee Technical Support Anywhere! £26K Ref: 99901
* Trainee Sales Representative Anywhere! £17K Ref: 106076
*European BDM South East £45/60K Ref: 91284 *Medical Writer South East! £25K Ref: 106145
*Clinical Research Scientist Anywhere! £25K Ref: 97485
*Lead Scientific Specialist South East £open Ref: 106180
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