Blockchain Press Releases
NEC laboratories advances therapeutic cancer vaccine research with new AI model Attentive Variational Information Bottleneck
HEIDELBERG, Germany, July 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — NEC Laboratories Europe and NEC Laboratories America have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) model called Attentive Variational Information Bottleneck (AVIB), which advances the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines. AVIB builds on previous discoveries to predict the binding between different proteins and molecules, which is a crucial part in the human immune system’s ability to recognize and fight cancer. More specifically, it allows biotechnologists to predict the binding between T-cell receptors and antigens presented on the surface of cancer cells.
NEC’s immune profiling technology, NEC Immune Profiler, and NEC Neoantigen Prediction System use bioinformatics and machine learning to analyze the DNA and RNA of cancer patients to identify neoantigens originating from cancer mutations. Neoantigens can be used to develop personalized therapeutic cancer vaccines that teach the patient’s immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. However, not all neoantigens that are presented on the surface of cancer cells have the same probability of binding to T-cell receptors that trigger the immune response needed to destroy cancer cells.
Dr. Pierre Machart, Senior Research Scientist at NEC Laboratories Europe, explains: “Almost any neoantigen arising from cancer mutations has some potential to elicit an immune response and be used in the design of an immunotherapy cancer vaccine. But identifying the neoantigens that are most effective can be extremely challenging.”
Given that T-cell receptors vary greatly, testing which neoantigens are recognized by T-cell receptors is an even more challenging problem. Dr. Anja Moesch, Research Scientist at NEC Laboratories Europe, said: “When it comes to cancer, it is essential to intervene as quickly as possible. Until recently, biotech companies would usually develop immunotherapies by testing in a wet lab which neoantigens are presented on the surface of a patient’s cancer cells and if they could be recognized by the patient’s T-cells.” Machine learning approaches have helped automate this two-step process, but there are still large gaps in the capabilities of machine learning that prevent effective vaccines from being quickly created. Continues Moesch, “AVIB can help to close this gap, allowing biotechnologists to significantly reduce the time needed to develop personalized cancer immunotherapy.”
Recent advances in immunotherapy have, in part, been driven by machine learning methods that can predict the presentation of neoantigens on the surface of cancer cells. However, progress slowed because machine learning models are unable to predict reliably what T-cell receptors would recognize neoantigens. That is due to the limited amount of publicly available training data for machine learning models and the high complexity of molecules that need to be analyzed.
AVIB represents a first step towards predicting the likelihood that T-cell receptors will recognize neoantigens on the surface of cancer cells. For cancer immunotherapy, this allows biotechnologists to better rank the most effective vaccine elements by considering the presentation of neoantigens on a patient’s cancer cells and their binding with T-cells. Dr. Martin Renqiang Min, Department Head of Machine Learning at NEC Laboratories America, said: “By using AVIB, we can improve the ranking of neoantigens which constitutes a therapeutic vaccine formula. We can do this not only based on whether they are presented on the surface of cancer cells, but also based on the predicted probability that they will be recognized by the patient’s T-cells. This can greatly improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy.”
AVIB’s ability to predict whether T-cells will recognize neoantigens also opens the door for potential T-cell therapy – considered a major advancement in immunotherapy. Using this approach, T-cells can be directly engineered with T-cell receptors to bind with neoantigens on a patient’s cancer cells, triggering their destruction.
About NEC Laboratories America
NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs) is the US-based center for NEC Corporation’s global network of corporate research laboratories. Their diverse research groups collaborate with industry, academia and governments to provide disruptive solutions to complex problems. A leader in the integration of IT and network technologies with more than 100 years of expertise, NEC provides a combination of products and solutions that cross-utilize the company’s experience and global resources to meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers.
For more information, visit https://www.nec-labs.com.
About NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH
NEC Laboratories Europe research and develop cutting-edge technology to create innovative social solutions. Located in Heidelberg, Germany, major research areas of NEC Laboratories Europe include artificial intelligence, blockchain security, 5G and 6G networks, and IoT platforms. These technologies promote NEC Group solutions for a better society in the fields of digital health, safer cities, public services and communication infrastructure.
For more information visit https://www.neclab.eu.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nec-laboratories-advances-therapeutic-cancer-vaccine-research-with-new-ai-model-attentive-variational-information-bottleneck-301886429.html
ABU DHABI, UAE, May 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Venom, an innovative layer-0 and layer-1 blockchain network capable of hosting projects at massive scale, has continued to expand its offerings, this time forming a strategic partnership with KuCoin Ventures, the investment arm of KuCoin, a leading global crypto exchange.
The partnership follows on the heels of Venom’s launch into mainnet and the listing of the VENOM token on KuCoin.
One of the most anticipated new blockchain projects, the Venom network, has continued to make inroads across the blockchain industry following its launch into mainnet earlier this year. Venom has drawn attention due to its unique capabilities as both a layer-0 and layer-1 blockchain. The network is powered by Mesh technology, which allows it to communicate seamlessly and at great speed with other, independent networks.
Built to be capable of hosting massive platforms and projects, specifically global payment systems and CBDCs, Venom has emerged as one of the most promising new networks, with capabilities that could revolutionize what is possible in global commerce.
Now, the network has put itself in a prime position to further expand and integrate with other blockchain projects by reaching an agreement with KuCoin, one of the industry’s largest exchanges. KuCoin is one of the top-ten cryptocurrency exchanges with a daily trading volume of well over $500 million.
The new partnership would involve Venom receiving investment support for its VENOM token, while also providing enhanced visibility for projects integrated with the Venom blockchain on KuCoin. KuCoin Ventures will also provide support and resources during and after Venom projects on-boarding process.
Reached for comment on the new partnership, Venom Foundation CEO Christopher Louis Tsu had this to say: “This new partnership with KuCoin Ventures, the investment arm of KuCoin exchange, which is one of the industry’s largest and most important exchanges, marks a new chapter for the Venom network. This will open a lot of new doors for Venom and set the stage for collaborative work that will redefine this industry and allow Venom to reach its full potential. We are all very eager to see this come to fruition and what lies ahead for both us and KuCoin Ventures.”
About Venom:
Venom is a cutting-edge layer-0 and layer-1 network, seamlessly communicating and integrating with other independent networks through its innovative Mesh technology. The Venom ecosystem is anchored by a masterchain, which manages the overall network state and consensus, while workchains — an unlimited number of autonomous chains — host user accounts, smart contracts, and decentralized applications. Mesh technology revolutionizes inter-chain communication, optimizing interactions without compromising speed or unparalleled scalability. With a robust technology stack that ensures rapid finality, comprehensive security, stability, and user-friendly interfaces, Venom is the ideal network for hosting CBDCs and other large-scale platforms. Learn more at https://venom.foundation/
About KuCoin:
Launched in September 2017, KuCoin is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange with its operational headquarters in Seychelles. As a user-oriented platform with a focus on inclusiveness and community action reach, it offers over 800 digital assets and currently provides Spot trading, Margin trading, P2P Fiat trading, Futures trading, and Staking to its 30 million users in more than 200 countries and regions. In 2023, KuCoin was named one of the Best Crypto Exchanges by Forbes and recognized as a highly commended global exchange in Finder’s 2023 Global Cryptocurrency Trading Platform Awards.
Learn more at https://www.kucoin.com.
Contact for Venom foundation:
Email: [email protected]
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2409905/Venom_Foundation.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/venom-and-kucoin-ventures-forge-strategic-partnership-302142400.html
A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, known as the Blockchain Integrity Act, seeks to address concerns surrounding the use of cryptocurrency mixers and tumblers. The proposed legislation aims to regulate these privacy-enhancing tools, which are often used to obscure the origins of cryptocurrency transactions.
The bill, if passed into law, would impose strict regulations on the operation of cryptocurrency mixers and tumblers within the United States. These tools, which allow users to mix their funds with those of other users to obfuscate the transaction trail, have raised concerns among law enforcement agencies and regulators due to their potential use in money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities.
Under the Blockchain Integrity Act, operators of cryptocurrency mixers and tumblers would be required to register with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Failure to register or comply with these requirements could result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
The proposed legislation also seeks to empower law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities that operate unregistered cryptocurrency mixers and tumblers. By enhancing regulatory oversight and enforcement capabilities, the bill aims to safeguard the integrity of the blockchain ecosystem and prevent the illicit use of cryptocurrencies.
However, critics argue that the Blockchain Integrity Act could stifle innovation in the cryptocurrency space and infringe on individuals’ privacy rights. They contend that while cryptocurrency mixers and tumblers can be used for illicit purposes, they also serve legitimate privacy-enhancing functions, such as protecting users’ financial privacy and security.
The introduction of the Blockchain Integrity Act reflects growing concerns among policymakers about the potential risks associated with cryptocurrencies and their use in illicit activities. As lawmakers continue to grapple with these issues, it remains to be seen how the regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies will evolve in the United States and around the world.
Source: cointelegraph.com
The post Proposed US Blockchain Integrity Act would ban crypto mixers for 2 years appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
The government-owned KfW Bank, based in Germany, is delving further into its plans to issue digital bonds leveraging blockchain technology. This move underscores the institution’s commitment to exploring innovative financial solutions in the digital age.
The proposed digital bond issuance is poised to mark a significant milestone for KfW, as it seeks to embrace the transformative potential of blockchain technology. By tokenizing bonds on a blockchain platform, KfW aims to streamline the issuance process, enhance transparency, and optimize operational efficiency.
One of the key advantages of digital bonds lies in their potential to reduce the reliance on intermediaries and streamline the entire bond lifecycle. Through blockchain-based tokenization, KfW aims to automate various aspects of bond management, including interest payments and maturity settlements, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing operational costs.
Moreover, digital bonds have the potential to enhance liquidity in the secondary market, allowing investors to trade bonds seamlessly on digital asset exchanges. This increased liquidity could attract a broader range of investors, thereby diversifying KfW’s investor base and potentially lowering borrowing costs.
In addition to the issuance of digital bonds, KfW is also exploring the integration of blockchain technology into other areas of its operations. By leveraging blockchain for various use cases, such as trade finance and supply chain management, KfW aims to unlock new efficiencies and drive greater transparency across its ecosystem.
Overall, KfW’s foray into blockchain-based digital bonds underscores its commitment to innovation and its recognition of the transformative potential of blockchain technology. As the institution continues to explore and implement blockchain solutions, it is poised to stay at the forefront of digital innovation in the financial sector.
Source: ledgerinsights.com
The post Government-owned KfW elaborates on blockchain digital bond plans appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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