Academic Research News Website “Futurity” Features SigSci Senior Scientist Gene Godbold’s Work
December 8, 2021 • An article posted on the academic research news website “Futurity” today highlights the work of SigSci Senior Scientist Gene Godbold. Gene has been working on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded project led by Rice computer scientist Todd Treangen with the goal of cataloging mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Gene’s latest work discusses nine of the many of reported genetic mutations and deletions in the Omicron variant’s spike protein that may make the variant more resistant to both natural and vaccine-induced antibodies. From the article: “The project has allowed the team to aggregate a wealth of … MORE
Houston Public Media Interviews Gene Godbold About Research on Omicron Variant
December 3, 2021 • SigSci Senior Scientist Gene Godbold was interviewed by Houston Public Media today about his research on the Omicron variant’s transmissibility and its ability to evade vaccine protections. In the interview Godbold says “the takeaway message is … MORE
The omicron variant appears to have arisen in Africa, perhaps Botswana, and was first detected by the viral sequencing efforts of neighboring South Africa in November of 2021. The changes in Spike protein, relative to other variants, have concerned virologists … MORE
Ms. Jan Newton Joins Signature Science’s Managers Committee
Newton previously served as President of AT&T Texas. AUSTIN, TEXAS – September 23, 2021 – Signature Science, LLC is pleased to announce the election of Ms. Jan Newton to its Managers Committee. Her career includes over 30 years of executive experience … MORE
SigSci Scientists Co-author Study Published in “Journal of Proteomics”
Abstract We present an efficient protein extraction and in-solution enzymatic digestion protocol optimized for mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies of human skin samples. Human skin cells are a proteinaceous matrix that can enable forensic identification of individuals. We performed a systematic optimization of proteomic sample preparation for a protein-based human forensic identification application. Digestion parameters, including incubation duration, temperature, and the type and concentration of surfactant, were systematically varied to maximize digestion completeness. Through replicate digestions, parameter optimization was performed to maximize repeatability and increase the number of identified peptides and proteins. Final digestion conditions were selected based on the parameters that … MORE
HORIZON Newsletter – September 2021
Looking Ahead to ISHI 32 on September 14–16 in Orlando, FL Signature Science is attending the upcoming ISHI Conference with two of our scientist presenting their latest work. Curt Hewitt, Ph.D. will be speaking on the topic “A Proteos Program Retrospective: … MORE
Standardized protocols aimed at RNA virus detection will be validated and optimized using a nanopore sequencing platform. AUSTIN, TEXAS – September 9, 2021 – Signature Science, LLC was awarded a one-year contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) … MORE
skater: An R package for SNP-Based Kinship Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation
SNP-based kinship analysis with genome-wide relationship estimation and IBD segment analysis methods produces results that often require further downstream processing and manipulation. A dedicated software package that consistently and intuitively implements this analysis functionality is needed. MORE
AUSTIN, TEXAS – July 27, 2021 – Signature Science, LLC will support Rice University’s recently awarded contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop the Harvest Variants software for integrated, collaborative variant tracking of SARS-CoV-2. Under … MORE
Trace Explosives Sampling for Security Applications (TESSA) Study
The detection of trace amounts of explosive materials is critical to the security at mass transit centers (e.g., airports and railway stations). In a typical screening process, a trap is used to probe a surface of interest to collect and … MORE
Horizon: Validating Verogen’s ForenSeq® Kintelligence FGG Workflow
The Center for Advanced Genomics is validating the Verogen ForenSeq® Kintelligence workflow for the NDIS-approved MiSeq FGx® Sequencing System, targeting a fall 2021 offering to clients. ForenSeq Kintelligence is a new integrated forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) solution targeting forensically relevant … MORE