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May 17, 2021
Oxford University and Oracle Partner to Speed Identification of COVID-19 Variants
• The partnership will enable global genomic sequencing and examination through a specialist platform developed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to help mitigate the impact of potentially dangerous COVID-19 variants.
Photo: Oracle Cloud Manages COVID-19 Vaccination Program in the United States. Image provided by & copyright © ORACLE.
OXFORD, England and AUSTIN, Texas, May 16, 2021 — The emergence of more infectious variants of the COVID-19 virus is threatening to slow the global recovery and potentially thwart current vaccine immunity. To help governments and medical communities identify and act on these variants faster, Oxford University and Oracle have created a Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) combining Oxford’s Scalable Pathogen Pipeline Platform (SP3) with the power of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). This initiative builds on a Wellcome Trust-funded consortium including Public Health Wales, the University of Cardiff, and Public Health England.
“This powerful new tool will assist public health scientists in research establishments, public health agencies, healthcare services, and diagnostic companies around the world. It would help them in further understanding of infectious diseases, starting with the coronavirus,” said Derrick Crook, Professor of Microbiology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford.
“The Global Pathogen Analysis System will help to establish a global common standard for assembling and analyzing this new virus, as well as other microbial threats to public health. It adds a new dimension to our ability to process pathogen data. We are excited to partner with Oracle to further our research using this cutting-edge technology platform,” added Crook.
First used for tuberculosis, SP3 has been repurposed to unify, standardize, analyze, and compare sequence data of SARS-CoV-2, yielding annotated genomic sequences and identifying new variants and those of concern. SP3’s processing capability has been enhanced with extensive new development work from Oracle, enabling high performance and security plus 7/24 worldwide availability of the SP3 system in the Oracle Cloud. The SP3 system will now deliver comprehensive and standardized COVID-19 analyses within minutes of submission on an international scale. GPAS would share the results with countries around the globe in a secure environment.
“The opportunity of applying systematic examination for genetic variants in a range of pathogens will have major benefits for global public health. This program, with Oracle as a partner, takes us a step closer to this goal,” said Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford.
Coupled with the extensive machine learning capabilities in the Oracle Cloud, collaborating scientists, researchers, and governments worldwide can process, analyze, visualize, and act on a vast collection of COVID-19 pathogen data for the first time. It includes identifying variants of interest and their potential impact on vaccine and treatment effectiveness. For example, analytics dashboards in the system will show which specific strains spread more quickly than others and whether genetic features contribute to increased transmissibility and vaccine escape. Already, Oxford has processed half the world’s SARS-CoV-2 sequences, more than 500,000 in total.
“There is a critical need for global cooperation on genomic sequencing and examination of COVID-19 and other pathogens,” said Oracle Chairman and CTO Larry Ellison. “The enhanced SP3 system will establish a global standard for pathogen data gathering and analysis, thus enabling medical researchers to understand better the COVID-19 virus and other microbial threats to public health.”
The next step will be to extend this service to all pathogens while simultaneously collaborating with scientists from research establishments, public health agencies, and private companies to ensure this work can support decision-making on pandemic response strategies worldwide.
The platform will be free for researchers and non-profits to use worldwide.
Oxford is world-famous for research excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Its work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a vast network of partnerships and collaborations. Its research’s breadth and interdisciplinary nature sparks creative and inventive insights and solutions.
Sources: Oracle & Oxford University
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 11:59 AM | View the original post
Miss Universe MEXICO, Andrea Meza, crowned 69th Miss Universe.
Photo: Andrea Meza, Miss Universe Mexico 2020, is crowned Miss Universe after the 69th Miss Universe Competition on May 16, 2021, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The new winner will move to New York City, where she will live during her reign and become a spokesperson for various causes alongside The Miss Universe Organization. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
HOLLYWOOD, FL (May 17, 2021) - Miss Universe Mexico Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe live on FYI and Telemundo last night from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Andrea will use her year as Miss Universe to advocate for women’s rights and against gender-based violence.
After a National Costume Competition, rounds of interviews, a preliminary competition, and the live Finals, Andrea was crowned with the Mouawad Power of Unity Crown, presented to her by outgoing Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi.
“I am so honored to have been selected among the 73 other amazing women I stood with tonight,” said Miss Universe Andrea Meza. “It is a dream come true to wear the Miss Universe crown, and I hope to serve the world through my advocacy for equality in the year to come and beyond.” Andrea Meza, 26, is from Chihuahua City and represented her home country, Mexico, as Miss Universe Mexico, in the 69th annual Miss Universe competition. Andrea has a degree in software engineering and is an activist, and currently works closely with the Municipal Institute for Women, which aims to end gender-based violence. She is also a certified make-up artist and model who is passionate about being active and living a healthy lifestyle. She enjoys extreme sports in her free time, including rappelling and sandboarding. Andrea is also the official Tourism Brand Ambassador for her hometown, Chihuahua, promoting the best tourist attractions and rich culture her home offers.
“It is certainly emotional to see the crown begin a new journey tonight with Andrea,” said Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization. “After a year unlike any other, I am so grateful for the extra months we got to spend with Zozi, and I know Andrea will reign with strength, ambition, and grace.”
The inspiring show was hosted by Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez and actress and model Olivia Culpo, with an electrifying performance by Grammy-nominated artist Luis Fonsi. Miss Universe 2017 Demi- Leigh Tebow, Miss USA 2019 Cheslie Kryst, and Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the show throughout the night.
At this year’s Miss Universe competition, women representing 74 countries competed in multiple categories. The show aired in over 190 countries and territories across the globe. Andrea will move to New York City to represent the brand and various philanthropic organizations during her reign.
The Mouawad MISS UNIVERSE Power of Unity Crown, crafted from 18-karat gold, is set with more than 1,725 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds. These hundreds of diamonds are in intricate interplays of motifs of petals, leaves, and vines, representing communities across the seven continents whose bonds unite them in the exact purpose of empowering one another. The crown’s centerpiece is a shield cut golden canary diamond weighing a magnificent 62.83ct. In harmony with the diamonds surrounding it, it inspires the crown’s name, the Power of Unity.
Following countries entered the top 10:
- Jamaica - Miqueal-Symone Williams
- Dominican Republic - Kimberly Jimenez
- India - Adline Castelino
- Peru - Janick Maceta
- Australia - Maria Thattil
- Puerto Rico - Estefania Soto
- Thailand - Amanda Obdam
- Costa Rica - Amanda Obdam
- Mexico - Andrea Meza
- Brazil - Julia Gama
Photo: Adline Castelino, Miss Universe India 2020, top 5, taking her final walk on stage before the conclusion of the 69th Miss Universe Competition on May 16, 2021, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Photographer: BENJAMIN ASKINAS. Image provided by & copyright © The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
Source: The Miss Universe Organization, New York.
|GlobalGiants.Com|
Edited & Posted by the Editor | 8:33 AM | View the original post
