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MOTHandRUST is 13 years old
29 November 2023 
MOTHandRUST turned 13 years old on November 4th! As the founder, I can't help but wonder if this coming year will be difficult due to this infamous number... I don't wonder too long however, as I am not a particularly suspicious person.Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13Historically, much of the western world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Europe has viewed the number 13 as unlucky. Hence, the 13th floor of some buildings are omitted.Tetraphobia, the fear of the number 4China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as in some other East Asian and South East Asian countries, have traditionally see the number 4 as being the unlucky number. Therefore, it is not uncommon for some buildings here to omit floors with numbers that include the digit 4. Some also omit floor 13 for good measure.Heptadecaphobia fear of the number 17You do you might notice that the elevator goes straight from the 16th to the 18th floor in some buildings in Italy. Indeed, it is the number 17 that is unlucky.Well, our 4th year was a very good one, so perhaps our 13th will be as well. And also our 17th year. Onwards!Posted in: MandR news -
The first Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology has been awarded
8 November 2023 
"It's a very high honor for me to have been selected for this prize. The research we're being recognized for, people worldwide in almost every biology and biochemistry laboratory use our chemistry in one way or another," said Dr. Caruthers.This autumn, Dr. Marvin H. Caruthers of the University of Colorado, Boulder, has won the inaugural Richard N. Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology for developing an efficient, automated technology for synthesizing DNA. The ability to synthesize genetic information has ultimately changed the face of medicine and paved the way for the genetics revolution.The Merkin Prize, created by the Merkin Family Foundation and administered by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, recognizes technologies that have improved human health, and carries a $400,000 cash award. Nominations from around the globe were evaluated by a selection committee composed of eight scientific leaders from academia and industry in the US and Europe, as well as jury chair Dr. Harold Varmus, Nobel laureate."Dr. Caruthers' work demonstrates the type of technology used in the life sciences that impacts patients' care and has significantly advanced healthcare for millions, the purpose of the prizes," said Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO of Heritage Provider Network, one of the country’s largest physician founded and physician owned integrated healthcare systems.The logo and branding for this prize was proudly developed by MOTHandRUST.Nominations for the 2024 Merkin Prize will open in September 2023. Visit merkinprize.org for more information.Posted in: science MandR work