uBiome Joins Google, SpaceX, and Oculus as 2016 World Technology Award Finalist
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 08, 2016 -- Microbial genomics leader, uBiome, joins Google, SpaceX, and Oculus as finalists in the World Technology Awards. uBiome is one of just six company finalists in the Health & Medicine category. Over 1,000 nominations were received across all categories.
In addition to uBiome, companies nominated as finalists in this year’s awards include Google, SpaceX, Oculus, and SolarCity. Individuals include Melinda Gates, Leonardo Dicaprio, James Dyson, John Oliver, John Kerry, Jeff Bezos, and Ban Ki Moon.
The World Technology Awards are presented by the World Technology Network (WTN), a curated membership community comprising the world’s most innovative individuals and organizations in science, technology, and related fields.
Finalists were selected by the WTN’s Fellows, who are past winners of the World Technology Awards. Fellows of the WTN include entrepreneur Elon Musk, artist and activist Ai Weiwei, and geneticist Craig Venter.
uBiome uses next generation high-throughput DNA sequencing to identify thousands of microorganisms on and in the human body. The uBiome analysis also determines the relative abundance of different microbes and provides citizen scientists with a list of their microbes, how they compare to others, and diet and lifestyle suggestions.
uBiome’s Gut ExplorerTM Kit includes everything individuals need to send samples of their gut microbes to the uBiome laboratory for comprehensive analyses.
Recent estimates suggest that an individual has as many microbial cells as they do human cells.Microorganisms in the gut play a critical supporting role in digestion and the synthesis of vitamins, while other microbes are associated with a range of conditions such as autoimmune disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and skin conditions.
Although uBiome is perhaps best known for its work on the gut microbiome, the company also provides microbiome testing for four other sites on the human body – mouth, nose, genitals, and skin. The company has recently launched SmartGut™, the world’s first sequencing-based clinical microbiome test – a doctor-ordered, insurance-reimbursable test, processed in uBiome’s CAP-accredited lab – that is indicated for patients with chronic bowel issues.
Each year, World Technology Awards are presented to individuals who and organizations that have been outstanding innovators in the technology arena. Winners receive awards for conducting innovative and impactful work, with the greatest likely long-term significance, in the fields of science, technology, and other related disciplines. Awards are made in ten categories: Biotechnology, Communications Technology, Energy, Environment, Finance, Health & Medicine, IT Hardware, IT Software, Materials, and Space.
The WTN and its members are focused on exploring what is imminent, possible, and important in and around emerging technologies. The membership of the WTN is made up of over 1,000 individuals, including scientists, entrepreneurs, financiers, journalists, academics, and policymakers. It also includes over 200 organizations and companies, located in over 60 countries.
The World Technology Awards will be announced on Thursday, December 8th in the Chandler Auditorium at the headquarters of the Los Angeles Times.
Founded in 2012, uBiome is the world’s leading microbial genomics company. uBiome is funded by Y Combinator, Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and other leading investors.
uBiome’s mission is to explore important research questions about the microbiome and to develop accurate and reliable clinical tests based on the microbiome.
For more information on the World Technology Awards: http://www.wtn.net/summit-2016
Contact:
Julie Taylor
julie(at)ubiome(dot)com
Ph: +1 (415) 212-9214
Julie Taylor, uBiome, http://www.ubiome.com, +1 (415) 275-2461, [email protected]
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