Quantum dot-labelled polymer beads by suspension polymerisation

CdSe quantum dots with polymerisable ligands have been incorporated into polystyrene beads, via a suspension polymerisation reaction, as a first step towards the optical encoding of solid supports for application in solid phase organic chemistry

Employing “FDAlabel” Database to Extract Pharmacogenomics Information from FDA Drug Labeling to Advance the Study of Precision Medicine

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) focuses on how genomics and genetic variants (inherited and acquired) affect drug response. A better understanding of the association between genetic markers and individual phenotypes may improve therapy by enhancing drug efficacy, safety, and advance precision medicine. The FDALabel database (https://rm2.scinet.fda.gov/druglabel/#simsearch-0) was developed from the FDA\u27s Structured Product Labeling (SPL) repository to allow users to perform full-text and customizable searches of the labeling section {e.g. Boxed Warning, Warning and Precautions, Adverse Reaction (AR) sections}. In this study, 48 known biomarkers were used to query PGx relevant contents from the FDALabel database, including Indication, Clinical Pharmacology, Clinical Studies, and Use in Specific Populations. As a result, we identified 162 drugs out of 1129 small molecule drugs with PGx biomarker information. Furthermore, statistical analysis, pattern recognition, and network visualization were applied to investigate association of drug efficacy and severe ARs with PGx biomarkers and subpopulation. The results indicated that these drugs have a higher association with certain ARs in specific patient subpopulations (e.g., a higher association between CYP2D6 poor metabolizers and ARs caused by drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disoders ), and cover a broad range of therapeutic classes (e.g., Psychiatry, Cardiology, Oncology, and Endocrinology). FDALabel database (free publicly available) provides a convenient tool to navigate and extract PGx information from FDA-approved drug. The knowledge gained from these drugs and biomarkers in this study will enhance the understanding of PGx to advance precision medicine

Response of chickpea genotype to Phytophthora root rot, PRR (Phytophthora medicaginis)

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) of chickpea is endemic and widespread in northern NSW and southern QLD and can cause total yield loss as it did in 2012 in a crop of PBA Boundary near Moree. As there are no in-crop control measures for PRR, avoidance of high risk paddocks and varietal selection are the only cost effective management tools available to growers. Current commercial varieties differ in their resistance to P. medicaginis, with Yorker having the best resistance (MR), PBA HatTrick, Flipper, Jimbour, Kyabra having a lower level (MR-MS) and PBA Boundary having the least resistance (MS). Since 2007, trials have been conducted to quantify losses caused by PRR in current and advanced breeding lines. In 2012 we also included elite germplasm incorporating very high levels of resistance from a wild relative of chickpea, Cicer echinospermum