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Abigail Wexner Research Institute
Located in the heart of Cleveland, Ohio, the Abigail Wexner Research Institute has played an important role in the advancement of medicine and research. Through funding the development of groundbreaking projects and programs, the Institute has made a positive impact on the health of the community. The Institute’s research programs focus on identifying causes of health problems and developing cures. Its programs focus on genetics, neurology and medicine, and are designed to provide the public with scientific knowledge about diseases and their causes.
Genetic research can sequence the whole genome of mom, dad and baby from the Neonatal ICU in 25 hours
During the last 10 years, there has been a significant improvement in the ability to diagnose genetic diseases. The Human Genome Project was started 30 years ago, and has since helped scientists to better understand the makeup of a person’s DNA.
Today, many experts are still debating whether it is necessary to have the genome of newborns sequenced. There are cases where parents find out that their baby is suffering from a genetic condition. This can be a positive development for their child, as it provides them with a better understanding of what symptoms to expect. It also gives them the chance to prevent or treat the condition.
According to research by the Rady Institute of Genetic Medicine, the process of genome sequencing is “transformative” and can save children from many conditions. The cost for standard sequencing is around $10,000.
COVID-19 testing challenges at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Among the challenges of the current infectious disease epidemic, one that’s affecting the Nationwide Children’s Hospital is the testing of COVID-19. This Coronavirus, or Corona virus, is circulating in the United States, and hospitals are receiving patients from all 50 states. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, located in Columbus, Ohio, is involved in both research and clinical testing.
One of the most exciting areas of research at Nationwide Children’s is gene therapy. The Abigail Wexner Research Institute already has an FDA-approved clinical-scale gene therapy operation. However, with the emergence of new therapies in the biopharma industry, Nationwide Hospital began receiving requests for early-stage clinical products.
A number of labs are involved in testing to identify COVID-19 in individuals, and there are several assays that can detect antibodies, some of which may help protect against infection. However, some of these assays don’t necessarily show if a person has neutralizing antibodies.
Alcyone Therapeutics is a biotechnology company
Located in the heart of Lowell, MA, Alcyone Therapeutics is a biotechnology company with a mission to develop life-changing therapies for children. This company has a number of unique technologies, including a next-generation precision delivery platform that shows tremendous potential to overcome a fundamental challenge in the development of CNS therapies.
Alcyone Therapeutics has developed a novel gene-based therapeutic platform that integrates four novel technologies into a single, optimized solution for central nervous system dosing and delivery. It uses an X-chromosome reactivation technology that activates a healthy version of the MECP2 gene. This gene is associated with Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disease. This gene has been found to be the most significant contributor to the syndrome, and almost all cases are caused by mutations.
CEO of Whitebarn Associates
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Leslie Wexner has achieved tremendous success in the business world. His company, L Brands, includes Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. He has donated over $100 million to Ohio State University. He is also a long-time member of the Board of Trustees at Ohio State.
Wexner also received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship, presented by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. He has also donated a significant amount of money to various organizations around the world.
Wexner was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Ohio State University in December 2005, and reappointed to the Board in 2009. His gift will be allocated to James Cancer Hospital, the Solove Research Institute, and the James Cancer Hospital Academic Medical Center.
Impact on children
During her 25 years as a board member of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Abigail Wexner has contributed to the transformation of the hospital into one of the nation’s premier pediatric health care programs. In addition, she has been a champion for children and families. She has also been a philanthropist and the wife of L Brands founder Les Wexner.
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of the nation’s most distinguished centers for research. The institute supports clinical research and translational research to advance knowledge and create new diagnostics and therapeutics. The institute currently occupies 525,000 square feet across three buildings.
The Abigail Wexner Medical Center has been led by Chief Executive Officer Steve Allen, MD. During his tenure, the institute has increased its annual research budget to $190 million. Allen also has led efforts to improve Nationwide Children’s. One initiative is a 12-story research building that will be completed in 2022. This research building will be the fourth in a series of research facilities that will be built at Nationwide Children’s.
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