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SRQ DAILY Apr 30, 2019

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"The goal is to figure out a way to create a very simple and efficient cancer test, like a thermometer."

- Joel Welin, LECOM Bradenton
 

[Science + Technology]  Cancer-Detecting Beagles On Track To Change Visits to the Doctor
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com

The LECOM Bradenton chapter of the Student American Osteopathic College of Family Physicians (SACOFP) hosted a half dozen beagle puppies on its campus last week as part of an event to introduce students and faculty to the ongoing research they’ve been conducting with BioScentDX, a research and product development facility in Myakka City founded by breeder, trainer and researcher Heather Junqueira. Prior to BioScentDX, Junqueira was breed manager at Southeastern Guide Dogs, and trained diabetic alert dogs for the nonprofit. After losing a relative to cancer, she now trains beagles and basset hounds to use their adept canine scent to detect cancer cells. 

Dogs are known to have 300 million smell receptors, compared to humans who have 5 million, but beagles have even more of an advantage. “Beagles have an even more of a refined set of brain lobe and olfactory sensors than other breeds,” says Joel Welin of LECOM. Beagles also have an advanced Jacobson's Organ, which is a bundle of nerve receptors in the roof of their mouths to store and recall aromatic memories. Knowing this, Junqueira has trained her litter to pick up on minute changes in human biomarkers including hormones, proteins and other organic compounds. ​The results are still considered experimental at this time, but the canines are currently testing at above 95% accuracy in identifying the scent of cancerous cells.

“The beagles are responding positively whenever they find that scent,” says Welin. “But nobody knows exactly what it is that they’re smelling.” So far, the dogs have been trained on breast cancer from already-diagnosed patients—cells purchased from various medical supply companies across the country. They respond “yes or no” to a line of tin cans—one filled with the swatch of cloth saturated with cancerous cell scent that they must sniff out, and sit down for—in order to receive a treat and a verbal reward from Junqueira.

Now, anyone can purchase and send in their own tests for screening from the BioScentDX clinical screening kit. By breathing in a fiber mask to produce a condensate, the samples are then taken to LECOM’s campus for research. “What LECOM does is extract the compounds, or biomarkers, from these masks to form a solution to try to identify what the dogs may be smelling” says Welin. “If they can isolate what it is that the dogs are responding positively to, then they may be able to expand their capabilities to detect other varieties of cancer such as melanoma, lung and prostate. The theory is that there is a common molecule in all cancers.”

LECOM's medical students, along with professor Thomas Quinn, DO, are volunteering their assistance in a joint research venture to develop an affordable, convenient, non-invasive way of screening for cancer and other life threatening diseases. The hope is to deliver a cost-effective, scalable testing application for the early detection of cancer. “The goal is to figure out a way to create a very simple and efficient cancer test, like a thermometer you’d exhale your biomarkers onto,” says Welin. “Much like a pharmacy pregnancy test, it would either hit positive or negative to show your results almost immediately.”

This could potentially arm scared or stubborn patients, who may not particularly enjoy going to the doctor’s for their annual check-up, with the opportunity to detect and seek help to eradicate a fatal disease before it spreads. 

Pictured: LECOM Bradenton students under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Quinn, with Heather Junqueria and a litter of beagle puppies at BioScentDX.

Tours and screening kits to participate can be requested for the ongoing study and funding of further research. Learn more about BioScentDX.

[ShopTalk]  Shop With Soul
Brittany Mattie, brittany.mattie@srqme.com

Now that the touristed crowds of St. Armand’s shopping have dissipated a bit, and spring is in full swing with sunny temps on the rise, now deems the perfect time to check out the new lifestyle-clothing boutique just off the busy circle. Celebrating its grand opening in March, Modern Soul Boutique took hold in a beautiful modern space, where “refined spirit meets the free spirit.” Whether a girlboss looking for a professional, yet feminine work outfit, or an adventure-seeker looking for her a trendy travel ensemble for an upcoming trip, here has the goods. Dresses, cardigans, kimonos, plenty of jumpsuits, matching sets, basket bags, intimates, face masks, Salty Cali jewelry, Wyeth hats and Salt + Sea candles, stop by this little Lido Key shop and meet your new spring fling.  

Photo courtesy of Modern Soul Boutique, 59 South Blvd of the Presidents, Sarasota, 941-650 6808, @modernsoul_boutique.

[Government]  Manatee County Accepting Applications for Myakka City Fire Control District

Manatee County is accepting applications for three fire commission seats to serve the Myakka City Fire Control District. Each appointed commissioner will fill a four-year term. The District operates two staffed fire stations: one located on Wauchula Road in the village of Myakka City and the second station on State Road 70 located near Verna Bethany, Verna and Panther Ridge. The Fire Board oversees the fire district with the authority to spend money, incur debt and hire qualified fire personnel. The Board meets on a monthly basis at a location, date and time that is agreed upon by the board members.
Myakka residents may inquire as to seat and residency requirements by contacting Myakka City Fire Chief Dan Cacchiotti at 941-322-6525 or email at dpcacchiotti@myakkafire.org. Applications are due May 13 and can be found online at the website below. 

Manatee County Advisory Board Applications

[Architecture]  Goker Wilson Joins Schimberg Group Design Firm

Selma Göker Wilson (INT’L ASSOC. AIA, RIBA, TMMOB) recently joined Schimberg Group, a Sarasota-based, award-winning architecture and interior design firm which focuses on commercial, cultural and high-end residential projects. Göker Wilson, hired as project manager, has an international background, having lived in Turkey, Japan, Syria and the UK. She trained as an architect at Sheffield University in the UK, and is licensed in both the UK and Turkey. Göker Wilson’s professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Turkish Chamber of Architects and Engineers. She is also a member of the United States Institute for Theater Technicians, and the Sarasota Architecture Foundation. 

Schimberg Group

[Business]  Allegiant's Kristina Vorndran Earns CRPC Designation

Allegiant Private Advisors, an independent, fee-based firm offering fiduciary-level financial planning and investment advisory services, has announced that Paraplanner Kristina (KJ) Vorndran, CFP, CRPC, has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation. The CRPC program focuses on the entirety of the retirement planning process, encompassing pre-and post-retirement needs from sources of retirement income including personal savings and employer-sponsored retirement plans to income taxes, retirement cash flow, Medicare, asset management and estate planning.

The Allegiant Private Advisors team is comprised of professionals with a combined total of over 100 years of industry experience. Vorndran joined in 2016 as a wealth management intern, before formally joining the firm as a full-time financial planning assistant, and then being promoted to paraplanner in 2019. She is also currently pursuing a Master's of Science in Personal Financial Planning. 

Allegiant Private Advisors



[TODAY]  THEATER: The Wonder Years , February 6 – June 2

Take a musical ride through the Boomer Years! From the early days of Howdy Doody through the rebelliousness of The Beatles singing “She Loves You” on Ed Sullivan, television helped shape and reflect the Boomer journey. Featuring the greatest hits from Boomers’ experience.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]  THEATER: Wednesday's Child , April 3 – May 24

A world premiere from Mark St Germain, when a young surrogate mother is found dead, a police investigation explodes the lives of everyone who knew her. As Detective aleece Valez and Walt Dixon begin to put the pieces together, secrets surface, alibis weaken, and lies are uncovered. This dramatic new play explores motherhood, passion, and the thin line between right and wrong.

Florida Studio Theatre, 1241 North Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Bazaar Birthday Bash , May 1

Celebrate The Bazaar’s one year birthday with live music by Kaleidogroove, free beer from JDub’s, smoothies from Cha Cha Coconuts and cupcakes from Bad Girls Baking Co-Op. Also find art demos, great shopping, food truck and more surprises.

[SOON]  BUSINESS: Hear Me Roar Women in Business Leadership and Awards Luncheon , May 2, 10:30am-1pm

Join us for the 2019 Hear Me Roar Awards and Leadership Luncheon taking place on Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 10:30am to 1pm at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota in Sarasota. Every year, this incredibly powerful event features a nationally-recognized keynote speaker, a noted luminary who has made a significant impact in their field and the announcement of the winners of this year’s 2019 Women in Business Competition. We are thrilled to announce this year's Keynote Speaker Geralyn Lucas, author, breast cancer survivor and inspirational speaker and this year's 2019 Trailblazer Award Recipient, Journalist and Civil Rights Activist Dorothy Butler Gilliam. Stories collected over the course of the past year's Women in Business initiative will be shared along with the announcement of the 2019 inductees into the Women in Business Leadership Circle who will engage in the science and art and mentorship through regional programming aimed to empower women—from 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th-grade girls in Sarasota and Manatee counties to professionals looking to expand their capacity for leadership. Tickets online through March 25.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Evolving/Revolving , May 2 – May 5

"Evolving/Revolving" is becoming SCD's annual homage to the 'upbringing' of Sarasota Contemporary Dance. The final performance of the season will be comprised of diverse, new works by past company collaborators and/or dancers as well as works brought back by popular demand. This year's production will feature Gerri Houlihan, Pamela Pietro, and an aerial work by SCD Co-Founder, Rachael Inman.

Jane B. Cook Theatre, FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Phoebe Hunt and the Gatherers , May 2

Named one of the ‘Top 10 New Country Artists you Need to Know’ by Rolling Stone Country, Phoebe Hunt is an accomplished Americana instrumentalist with foundations in jazz and swing music.  Phoebe is skilled at taking seemingly disparate elements and pulling them together in a dazzling kaleidoscope of lush, coherent sound and rhythm patterns. The result is music that swells, crashes, and breathes organically under Phoebe’s soulful, plaintive voice.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Run4Love FUN-K , May 4

Run and honor the LGBTQ+ history, at the Ringling Bridge. The Fun-K welcomes everyone just wear your silliest light-up, glowing, flashing, blinking costumes and show up!  Get some cool stuff, including a limited-edition T-shirt of the first-ever Harvey Milk Run4Love! Participants 21+ will also get a free beer alongside some great food offerings from The Overton Restaurant.

JD Hamel Park, JD Hamel Park, Bayfront Dr., Sarasota

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: Plena Adentro , May 4

Plena’s origins can be traced back to the changes in society caused by Puerto Rico’s transfer from Spanish to U.S. rule, and the abolition of slavery which caused displaced colonial sugar cane workers to seek economic opportunities in the growing cities of the island. While it is important to study Plena given the popularity of its folkloric style, it is equally as important because it is a living tradition that is still an active part of Puerto Rico today, marking important occasions in the lives of our people, from birth to death, and even street protests.

Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center , 525 Kumquat Ct., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber of Fleet Street , May 4 – June 1

This murder and revenge in 19th Century London has shocked audiences. Unjustly imprisoned for 15 years, barber Sweeney Todd returns to take his revenge on the judge who took him from his family. When he partners with Mrs. Lovett and opens a barber practice above her meat pie ship, Todd’s need for vengeance increases. Their notoriety soars until Todd comes face to face with the judge. This thrilling theatrical treat is Sondheim at his very best.

Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota

[SOON]  THEATER: Tomorrow's Voices Today , May 5

Witness a choral festival incorporating more than 200 singers of all ages. Maestro Caulkins inspires music-making at the highest levels, planting seeds that will ripen throughout students’ lives with an eclectic program from classics to contemporary. Key Chorale’s 6th annual collaboration with the Sarasota County Schools will feature Pine View, Venice and North Port High School choirs performing separately and alongside Key Chorale.

Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice

[SOON]  FESTIVAL: Harvey Milk Festival , May 9 – May 11

The photo exhibition, at the Art Center Sarasota from May 9-11 is intended to showcase American LGBTQ+ history from the 1890s to the times of Harvey Milk. May 10-11, located at 500 Tallevast Rd, presents the BASSment which offers the community a safe space and diverse platform to inspire the youth. May 11 starts off with a brunch at Stage Restaurant following the Harvey Milk Music Festival which celebrates the 10 year anniversary by presenting music at HD Jamal Park.

Various locations , Various locations

[SOON]  PERFORMANCE: An Afternoon of Operetta , May 12

Two centuries after the beginnings of operetta - a form of opera with light music and subject matter - it continues to delight audiences worldwide. Our production showcases the work of favorite composers Gilbert & Sullivan, Franz von Suppe' and Jacques Offenbach. Revel in the glorious melodies featurning soloists, chorus and instrumentalists.

Sarasota Opera HOuse , 61 NOrth Pineapple Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]  HEALTH: Relay for Life Sarasota , May 18

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement to end cancer. Money raised from Relay For Life helps the American Cancer Society save lives by funding ground breaking research to discover cancer’s causes and cures and help people facing cancer today with free programs and services. People form teams and raise money together leading up to the event. Then, everyone comes together for a night of fun that celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to cancer, and unites us in our commitment to fight back against the disease.

Van Wezel , 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL

[SOON]  FOOD: Morton's Market 50th Anniversary Party , May 19

Join Morton's Market to celebrate their 50 Year Anniversary. Food & Fun! Live music & raffle prizes! All proceeds to benefits the Morton Culinary Education Fund.

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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