BOVITA: a first overview on genome-wide genetic diversity of Italian autochthonous cattle breeds

Analysis of genomic data is increasingly becoming part of the livestock industry and is an invaluable resource for effective management of breeding programs in small populations. The recent availability of genome-wide SNP panels allows providing background information concerning genome structure in domestic animals, opening new perspectives to livestock genetics. BOVITA was established to join local efforts and resources for the genomic characterization of Italian local cattle breeds. Despite the growing diffusion of some cosmopolite specialized breeds, several autochthonous breeds are still bred in Italy. The main aim of the BOVITA is to investigate the genomic structure of Italian local cattle breeds, to provide information on their genetic status that will be useful for the management of the genetic variability, as a contribution to biodiversity conservation and prioritization actions. A total of about 800 animals (20-32 per breed) belonging to thirty Italian cattle breeds (Agerolese, Bar\ue0-Pustertaler, Burlina, Cabannina, Calvana, Chianina, Cinisara, Garfagnina, Italian Brown, Italian Holstein, Italian Simmental, Marchigiana, Maremmana, Modenese, Modicana, Mucca Pisana, Pezzata Rossa d\u2019Oropa, Piedmontese, Pinzgau, Podolica, Pontremolese, Pustertaler, Reggiana, Rendena, Romagnola, Rossa Siciliana, Sarda, Sardo-Bruna, Sardo-Modicana and Ottonese-Varzese) and two cosmopolitan breeds (Charolaise and Limousine) genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 v2 BeadChip array were collected for the analysis. The genotypes of several breeds were detected in the frame of the project, whereas for some breeds these data are derived by previous studies. The dataset will be analyzed to: study several aspects of population genetic diversity, multi-dimensional scaling plot, population structure, linkage disequilibrium, and runs of homozygosity. In addition, comparative analysis of conserved haplotypes will be conducted to identify genomic segments under selection pressure. Such information also provides important insights into the mechanisms of evolution and is useful for the annotation of significant functional genomics regions. Data analysis will also be useful to select SNPs suitable for parentage test and breed genetic traceability. The analysis of the data will pinpoint the genetic distinctiveness of Italian breeds. Moreover, the obtained results contribute to a better characterization of history and genetic structure of Italian cattle breeds

Defining the Critical Hurdles in Cancer Immunotherapy

ABSTRACT: Scientific discoveries that provide strong evidence of antitumor effects in preclinical models often encounter significant delays before being tested in patients with cancer. While some of these delays have a scientific basis, others do not. We need to do better. Innovative strategies need to move into early stage clinical trials as quickly as it is safe, and if successful, these therapies should efficiently obtain regulatory approval and widespread clinical application. In late 2009 and 2010 the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), convened an "Immunotherapy Summit" with representatives from immunotherapy organizations representing Europe, Japan, China and North America to discuss collaborations to improve development and delivery of cancer immunotherapy. One of the concepts raised by SITC and defined as critical by all parties was the need to identify hurdles that impede effective translation of cancer immunotherapy. With consensus on these hurdles, international working groups could be developed to make recommendations vetted by the participating organizations. These recommendations could then be considered by regulatory bodies, governmental and private funding agencies, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to facilitate changes necessary to accelerate clinical translation of novel immune-based cancer therapies. The critical hurdles identified by representatives of the collaborating organizations, now organized as the World Immunotherapy Council, are presented and discussed in this report. Some of the identified hurdles impede all investigators, others hinder investigators only in certain regions or institutions or are more relevant to specific types of immunotherapy or first-in-humans studies. Each of these hurdles can significantly delay clinical translation of promising advances in immunotherapy yet be overcome to improve outcomes of patients with cancer

Dispositivo microfluidico di mescolamento convettivo

L’invenzione consiste in un dispositivo atto a produrre mescolamento di fluidi su scala microscopica. Il dispositivo è caratterizzato da una geometria atta a promuovere la generazione di vortici che facilitano il mescolamento all’interno di un canale curvo in determinate condizioni di esercizio con una bassa perdita di carico. Problema risolto: mescolamento convettivo passivo che favorisce reazioni chimiche a fronte di una bassa perdita di carico