Business

Michella Filipowitz: Shaping a Future of Inclusion for Children with Disabilities

Published

4 days ago

September 15, 2024

Michella Filipowitz, a prominent model, business leader, and philanthropist, has dedicated her life to advocating for children with disabilities. Her personal story, shaped by her experiences as the mother of a child with autism, has driven her passion to build a more inclusive world where differences are not just accepted but celebrated.

Michella’s journey took a transformative turn when she became a single mother at the age of 23. Shortly after, her son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with autism at the age of three. “It was an unexpected and overwhelming moment,” Michella recalls. “No one in my family had dealt with anything like this before, but with my mother’s guidance, I was able to see Benjamin’s diagnosis not as a burden, but as a new way of understanding the world.”

Benjamin’s condition is categorized as a hidden disability. Though it’s not always obvious to others, his challenges—such as delayed speech—affect his everyday experiences. “It was difficult to watch him struggle while other kids seemed to develop so naturally,” Michella shares. “It made me realize how often children with disabilities are left out or misunderstood.”

This realization sparked a new mission for Michella: to create a world where children like Benjamin are given the same opportunities as their peers. “I knew I had to be part of the solution,” she says. “Our differences are what make us unique, and we should be embracing that, not hiding from it.”

Michella is also keenly aware of how quickly people judge others based on outward appearances. “We live in a time where everything is so public and visible, but that doesn’t mean we know the whole story,” she explains. “It’s important to have empathy and not make assumptions.”

Her advocacy work has centered on changing how schools and communities treat children with disabilities. Too often, children like Benjamin are segregated in special schools, which can further isolate them. Michella believes this approach is flawed. “Children with disabilities need to learn alongside their peers,” she says. “Only then can they grow up understanding that differences are normal, not something to be avoided.”

Her vision is clear: an education system where children of all abilities are taught together, learning to respect one another from an early age. “If we can instill the values of acceptance and understanding in kids while they’re young, we’ll build a much more inclusive society,” she says.

Michella’s commitment to helping families of children with disabilities goes beyond advocacy. She co-founded the DR Family Foundation with her fiancé to provide critical support to families who are struggling with the high costs of therapies, treatments, and education. “As a single mother, I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be,” she explains. “That’s why I wanted to help other families get the resources they need.”

The DR Family Foundation has already made a significant difference, helping families cover school expenses and other essential costs. The foundation’s next big initiative is creating a home for children from difficult backgrounds, offering them a safe and nurturing space where they can thrive. “It’s not just about providing shelter,” Michella says. “It’s about building a community where these children feel loved and supported.”

Reflecting on her journey with Benjamin, Michella speaks with gratitude. “He’s shown me that what others might see as a challenge is actually his strength,” she says. “His resilience and uniqueness are what make him so special, and I want to make sure other children have the opportunity to shine in their own way.”

Through her work, Michella envisions a world where children with disabilities are fully included in every aspect of life. She hopes that by advocating for inclusion and providing support through the DR Family Foundation, she can help create a brighter future for these children. “I want parents to know that they’re not alone,” she says. “With the right support, we can give our children the chance to live fulfilling, happy lives.”

Stay connected with Michella Filipowitz and her mission to create a more inclusive society for children with disabilities by following her on Instagram @princessmichella.

Business

Revolutionizing Single-Cell RNA-seq With Automated Cell Counters: Insights From Logos Biosystems

Published

8 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Rosario Farell

Despite its relative newness, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has become an essential component of modern biological research.

It can be used to characterize abnormal cell populations, discover and analyze rare cell cellular map networks, and discover subtle yet notable heterogeneities.

scRNA-seq has come a long way since its origins in next-generation sequencers from the late 1990s. While traditional sequencing methods measure a bulk of a cell population to determine its “average genome,” scRNA-seq is significantly more precise. It locates and extracts genomes from individual cells, using each cell to tell part of the genetic story of a greater whole.

Although single-cell sequencing provides valuable information, the process has several drawbacks depending on the method used.

For example, Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) uses a laser to isolate target cells from a complete solid tissue sample located on a microscope slide. This approach is quick, reliable, and also usable on intact tissues, but it requires the user to identify target cells through visual inspection of their morphology. Cells can also be damaged in the process.

Other methods, like Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) or Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), come with positives and negatives. Regardless of the approach, advancements in single-cell sequencing technology require significant time and investment, making access to newer and more efficient technologies a barrier to progress.

Overcoming Obstacles With Technological Advancement

When manually counting cells in scRNA-seq analysis, adequately going through each cell can take a huge amount of time and resources. This process also has a high margin of error, sometimes making it difficult to justify the effort.

Moreover, when cell counts are inaccurate for scRNA-seq analysis, overall data quality becomes less reliable, making the research outcomes less reliable and further exacerbating the original issues of time and cost.

With so much time and capital going toward this research, the data it produces should be worthwhile. However, the quality of the data ultimately relies on the quality of the sample before processing, which is where Logos Biosystems and their LUNA-FX7 Automated Cell Counter come in.

Enhancing Research Capabilities

Logos Biosystems is a leader in automated cell counting technology and scRNA-seq analysis and is known for developing the award-winning LUNA Cell Counter family.

Founded in 2008, the company has lived up to its motto of “seeing beyond the cell” by working to improve human health through imaging solutions that help researchers gather quality data in a timely fashion.

Their LUNA series of cell counters specializes in improving research accuracy and efficiency by allowing scientists to spend less time dealing with the monotony of cell counting and more time making valuable observations and implementing solutions.

The LUNA-FX7 Automated Cell Counter gives precise and reliable cell counts. It improves the quality of scRNA-seq analysis and takes less time than other automated counters.

This device has many invaluable features, such as increased size for sample throughput, an expanded cell concentration range, built-in QC software, validation slides for fluorescence, and brightfield to allow for daily QC monitoring and reporting.

Making Research Matter

Incorporating an automated cell counter like the LUNA-FX7 more broadly in scRNA-seq would improve research outcomes and accelerate scientific discoveries. Having machines take care of menial tasks frees up time for scientists and researchers to use their critical and creative thinking skills to push progress in their respective fields forward in ways machines couldn’t do alone.

Applications for automated cell counting technology are almost limitless, including research into developmental studies, immunology, oncology, neurobiology, diabetes, microbiology, and much more. Being able to quickly and precisely profile, identify, classify, and discover rare or new cell types from across the human body allows greater insight into these disciplines and what they can do for human health and growth.

The exciting future of single-cell RNA sequencing lies in the seamless integration of these automated technologies. As they become more widely adopted, they will pave the way for more innovative discoveries that could shape the understanding of biology and medicine. With technologies like Logos Biosystems’ LUNA-FX7, the question of whether the scientific community can see transformative discoveries is now mute as it continues to work to enhance precision and efficiency in cell evaluation, which is vital for scRNA-seq experiments to be successful to not only advance science but also improve human health and well-being on a global scale.