The University of Montana

Partnership with University of Montana drives the implementation of next-generation sequencing and forensic investigative genetic genealogy in identifying human remains // QIAGEN provides instruments, kits and training for building the first Indigenous-owned DNA database and identifying African American human remains // Collaboration underlines QIAGEN’s leading position in the use of next-generation sequencing for forensic applications and human identificationMissoula, Montana, and Venlo, the Netherlands, July 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QIAGEN (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced a partnership with the Snow Molecular Anthropology Lab at the University of Montana in the fields of human identification and forensics. The partnership aims to provide forensic services for missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) and unidentified human remains (UHRs) using DNA technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG). Within this long-term partnership, QIAGEN supports the Snow Molecular Anthropology Lab with a MiSeq FGx sequencing system, training, ForenSeq Kintelligence kits and the ForenSeq Kintelligence HT System. These tools will be used by the Snow Lab, in partnership with both the non-profit group Ohkomi Forensics, in building the first indigenous-owned DNA database with the ForenSeq Kintelligence HT system and the Principal Research Group collaborators in identifying the remains of 95 African American individuals unearthed during construction in Sugar Land, Texas (Sugarland 95 DNA project). “Our collaboration with the Snow Lab exemplifies QIAGEN's commitment to advancing forensic science and giving answers to victims and their families,” said Richard Price, Vice President and head of the HID and Forensics business at QIAGEN. “With our MiSeq FGx and the ForenSeq Kintelligence workflows, we provide forensic scientists with a complete next-generation sequencing solution for identifying human remains, ensuring accurate results and respectful handling of sensitive cases.” Ohkomi Forensics, an NGO founded by University of Montana PhD student and Blackfeet tribal descendent Haley Omeasoo aims to provide forensic services to families affected by the MMIP epidemic which refers to higher incident rates of violent crimes and disappearances among indigenous people, particularly women and girls, in North America. Ohkomi Forensics will develop the first Indigenous-owned DNA database for the Blackfeet Nation while integrating culturally sensitive practices, using QIAGEN’s ForenSeq Kintelligence HT workflow. Haley Omeasoo stated: “The Blackfeet tribe is trying to identify family members, but, like many others affected by the MMIP epidemic, we’re struggling to find answers. ‘Ohkomi’ means to “to use one’s voice” in Blackfeet. I started Ohkomi Forensics because I wanted to use my voice to help my people, and using ForenSeq Kintelligence HT allows us to observe our cultural practices while we respectfully identify and rematriate our loved ones using modern technologies.” Additionally, Dr. Meradeth Snow, Associate Professor and Co-Chair of Anthropology at the University of Montana and collaborator with the Principal Research Group, will continue work on the identification of remains from the Sugar Land 95 DNA project. It involves the discovery of 95 unmarked graves of African American individuals who were part of the convict leasing system in Texas, a practice in the late 19th and early 20th century where prisoners were leased out to perform labor, often in brutal conditions, as a means of continuing forced labor post-slavery. Dr. Snow noted, “The DNA analysis and bioinformatics required for a project like this can be very challenging. The ForenSeq Kintelligence workflow was designed for challenging samples, addresses concerns about misuse of genetic information, and streamlines the analysis, allowing us to quickly and easily scale our efforts to provide answers to families more efficiently, while maintaining the highest ethical standards possible.” QIAGEN’s NGS and FIGG technology used in its MiSeq FGx instrument and ForenSeq Kintelligence workflow can deliver results from severely degraded or contaminated DNA and challenging samples, which are common in forensics. Even when immediate family references are not available, the unique genetic profiles generated with these technologies provide valuable investigative leads. The workflows are designed for easy adoption into the forensic lab to make the FIGG technique readily accessible to solve more cases, bringing closure to affected families. About Forensic Anthropology at the University of Montana The Anthropology Department at the University of Montana aims to teach, conduct research, and provide professional services to the community to advance the understanding of the human condition and its relevancy to an increasingly diverse world. The Forensic Anthropology wing within the department focuses on skeletal analysis and (bio)archaeological techniques, with expertise in forensic anthropology, ancient DNA, forensic DNA and skeletal analysis. The department features the Snow Molecular Anthropology Lab, focused on analyzing ancient and degraded DNA for anthropological and forensic purposes. The facilities include both a dedicated ancient and degraded DNA laboratory and a modern DNA lab. About QIAGEN’s forensics and human identification portfolio QIAGEN has a leading position in the human identification and forensics market, having pioneered the introduction of commercial DNA purification kits for forensic casework samples in the late 1990s. Today, its comprehensive portfolio includes solutions for processing sexual assault samples, identifying missing persons, age estimation and tissue identification, anthropology research and kinship testing. After the acquisition of Verogen in 2023, QIAGEN is the only company to offer a complete and integrated range of forensic solutions using PCR, dPCR, and NGS technologies. Its solutions for sample collection and preparation, assay set up and quantification, sequencing, bioinformatics and a genealogy database support law enforcement and forensic researchers through every step in the human identification pipeline For more information on QIAGEN’s forensic solutions, visit: https://www.qiagen.com/us/applications/human-identity-and-forensics. About QIAGEN QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to gain valuable molecular insights from samples containing the building blocks of life. Our sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies make these biomolecules visible and ready for analysis. Bioinformatics software and knowledge bases interpret data to report relevant, actionable insights. Automation solutions tie these together in seamless and cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN provides solutions to more than 500,000 customers around the world in Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare) and Life Sciences (academia, pharma R&D and industrial applications, primarily forensics). As of March 31, 2024, QIAGEN employed more than 5,900 people in over 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at https://www.qiagen.com. Forward-Looking Statement Certain statements contained in this press release may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. To the extent that any of the statements contained herein relating to QIAGEN's products, timing for launch and development, marketing and/or regulatory approvals, financial and operational outlook, growth and expansion, collaborations, markets, strategy or operating results, including without limitation its expected adjusted net sales and adjusted diluted earnings results, are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, risks associated with management of growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations, regulatory processes and dependence on logistics), variability of operating results and allocations between customer classes, the commercial development of markets for our products to customers in academia, pharma, applied testing and molecular diagnostics; changing relationships with customers, suppliers and strategic partners; competition; rapid or unexpected changes in technologies; fluctuations in demand for QIAGEN's products (including fluctuations due to general economic conditions, the level and timing of customers' funding, budgets and other factors); our ability to obtain regulatory approval of our products; difficulties in successfully adapting QIAGEN's products to integrated solutions and producing such products; the ability of QIAGEN to identify and develop new products and to differentiate and protect our products from competitors' products; market acceptance of QIAGEN's new products and the integration of acquired technologies and businesses; actions of governments, global or regional economic developments, weather or transportation delays, natural disasters, political or public health crises, and its impact on the demand for our products and other aspects of our business, or other force majeure events; as well as the possibility that expected benefits related to recent or pending acquisitions may not materialize as expected; and the other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Item 3 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F. For further information, please refer to the discussions in reports that QIAGEN has filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: QIAGEN N.V.Category: Corporate

Scientists have developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee, a specialist pollinator of conservation concern. Scientists at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university research partners developed a near chromosome-level genome for the Mojave poppy bee, a specialist pollinator of conservation concern, according to a recent Journal of Heredity paper. Putting together the Mojave poppy bee genome is part of the Beenome100 project, a first-of-its-kind effort to create a library of high-quality, highly detailed genome maps of 100 or more diverse bee species found in the United States. Beenome100 is a collaborative undertaking led by ARS and the University of Illinois, with collaboration of researchers across ARS and universities in the United States and Canada. The expectation is that these genomes will help researchers answer the big questions about bees, such as what genetic differences make a bee species more vulnerable to climate change or whether a bee species is likely to be more susceptible to a pesticide. Restricted to the eastern Mojave Desert, the Mojave poppy bee (Perdita meconis) is a solitary, mining bee of the Andrenidae family that specializes in pollinating the Las Vegas bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) and the dwarf bearpoppy (Arctomecon humilis) -- the latter being protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act as of 1979. The poppies are found primarily in gypsum soil deposits, which are rare and scattered throughout the region. The Mojave poppy bee and Las Vegas bearpoppy are also being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Both species will be evaluated for potential declining populations and vulnerability to extinction due to climate change and to habitat loss from urban development and mining in their native region. Researchers assembled the genome or genetic map that will help further to understand the Mojave poppy bee's biological traits. "The genome, with additional genetic sampling of individuals, will also potentially give us insights into the genetic basis for host-plant specialization, susceptibility to pesticides, and susceptibility to drought and climate tolerance," said Rena Schweizer, a research entomologist at the ARS Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research Unit in Logan, Utah. In particular, the Mojave poppy bee is capable of weathering drought years by remaining in the ground in stasis -- a phenomenon called diapause. The trait is not well understood by researchers and, by having its genome sequenced, they may be able to learn about the genes and regulatory pathways that make the adaptation possible. They will also use the genome to assess the species' genetic health, find insights into how bees can be specialists or generalists, and look what the tradeoffs are in terms of a bee's long-term fitness. "It could also lead to us finding genetic signatures of decline," said Schweizer. "By studying this one bee's genome, we might be able to help conserve the bee better and identify other species that are in decline using genetic information." To develop the genome of the small and mighty bee, researchers isolated DNA from a single, small male specimen. This genome assembly, according to Schweizer, is impressive given that the bee is tiny (a male bee averages five to seven millimeters in length). Researchers collected the specimen in the field in a remote wilderness location. "What is also remarkable about this research is that the specimen used for the genome was collected in non-ideal preservation methods," said Schweizer. "We still obtained high-quality DNA from a field-collected specimen due to technological advancements in sequencing technology and learned more about this unique bee. We hope that our research will set the groundwork for developing genomes of other bee species." The detailed, high-resolution map of the reference genome is available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's database. The researchwas done in collaboration with the University of Montana, Utah State University, and the ARS Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit in Hilo, Hawaii.

University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. Mark Grimes, a biology professor in UM's Division of Biological Sciences, said they have induced stem cells to become the cell type that normally makes up human craniofacial cartilage. Stem cells can replicate themselves and also develop into different types of cells. "The cells that normally give rise to this type of cartilage are called neural crest cells," Grimes said. "We found a novel method for generating craniofacial organoids from neural crest cells." Organoids are a simplified, miniature version of an organ that mimic the architecture and gene expression of the organ. "Organoids are a good model for certain human tissues that we can study in ways that are not possible using tissue from human beings," he said. Grimes said there is a critical unmet need for new methods to regenerate human cartilage for the 230,000 children born annually in the U.S. with craniofacial defects. Growing cartilage in the laboratory also could lead to effective treatments to repair craniofacial cartilage damage due to injuries. The researchers studied gene expression data at the RNA and protein level to reveal how cartilage cells arise from stem cells. They revealed that stem cells communicate in the early stages to become elastic cartilage, which makes up human ears. To accomplish this, the team used extensive analysis of biological markers and machine-learning pattern-recognition techniques to understand the cell signaling pathways involved when cells differentiate into cartilage. It is difficult to reconstruct natural features such as a person's ears, nose or larynx with current plastic surgery techniques, and transplanted tissue is often rejected without immunosuppressants. "To use patient-derived stem cells to generate craniofacial cartilage in the laboratory, you need to understand the human-specific differentiation mechanisms," Grimes said. "Our aim is to develop a protocol for craniofacial cartilage generation for transplantation using human stem cells." The research was published in the journal iScience. Besides Grimes, contributing UM authors include Lauren Foltz, Nagashree Avabhrath and Jean-Marc Lanchy. Other authors are Bradly Peterson of Missoula's Pathology Consultants of Western Montana and Tyler Levy, Anthony Possemato and Majd Ariss of Cell Signaling Technology of Danvers, Massachusetts.