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Novel pipette technique for study of structural properties of tissues

A collaboration of French and Canadian researchers have found that sucking a portion of a spherical globule of cells into a tiny pipette provides information about the adhesion between cells and the elastic properties of the tissue. The method is a novel approach for the study of the structural properties of tissues, and should offer insights into processes such as embryonic development, tissue growth and cancer. A paper describing the research appears online in Physical Review Letters on May 24.

28 May 2010

Researchers discover bitter taste inhibitor

Researchers have discovered a chemical that specifically blocks people's ability to detect the bitter aftertaste that comes with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin. The key is a molecule known only as GIV3727 that specifically targets and inhibits a handful of human bitter taste receptors, according to a report published online on May 27th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.

28 May 2010

Study papers shows how nutrients affect gene expression

Awareness of the influence of our genetic variation to dietary response (nutrigenetics) and how nutrients may affect gene expression (nutrigenomics) is prompting a revolution in the field of nutrition. Nutrigenetics/Nutrigenomics provide powerful approaches to unravel the complex relationships among nutritional molecules, genetic variants and the biological system.

28 May 2010

Novel imaging system helps visualize and monitor cellular immune responses of transplanted tissue in real time

A group of "color-coded" laboratory mice are providing researchers with a novel way of tracking T-cells, enabling them to visualize and monitor the cellular immune responses of transplanted tissue in real time. The new imaging system is described in the June issue of Nature Medicine, which appears on-line this week.

28 May 2010

Helicobacter pylori's helical shape helps it colonize the stomach

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which lives in the human stomach and is associated with ulcers and gastric cancer, is shaped like a corkscrew, or helix. For years researchers have hypothesized that the bacterium's twisty shape is what enables it to survive - and thrive - within the stomach's acid-drenched environment, but until now they have had no proof.

28 May 2010

Amorfix, Aragen Bioscience collaborate to develop high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against targets for cancer

Amorfix Life Sciences and Aragen Bioscience, Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement to develop high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against a number of targets for cancer. Using its proprietary ProMIS(TM) computational platform discovery technology, Amorfix has identified several disease specific epitopes ("DSEs") on misfolded Fas receptor. Aragen will use those DSEs to generate highly specific monoclonal antibodies ("mAbs").

28 May 2010

Advocates urge Congress to reauthorize C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and NCBI

More than 60 adult donors, transplant recipients, family members and medical professionals from 25 states met with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill today to urge Congress for increased federal funding to grow and diversify the national registry of adult donors and publicly available cord blood units as part of the C.W. Bill Young Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory.

28 May 2010

New study provides cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness

A Nobel Prize-winning University of Utah geneticist discovered that bone marrow transplants cure mutant mice who pull out their hair compulsively. The study provides the first cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness, and points toward eventual new psychiatric treatments.

28 May 2010

Research finding could lead to first-ever target for drug therapy for lymphedema

A genetic mutation for inherited lymphedema associated with lymphatic function has been discovered that could help create new treatments for the condition, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Their findings are reported in the June issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

28 May 2010

NeoStem to present adult stem cell technologies at Stem Cell Investor & Executive Networking Conference

NeoStem, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company with operations in the U.S. and China, announced that the Company has been invited to present its adult stem cell technologies at the Stem Cell Investor & Executive Networking Conference Event (SCIENCE) in New York City on June 1, 2010. SCIENCE is designed to bring together investors with industry executives, visionary researchers and clinicians and other stakeholders to highlight opportunities and discuss advances in the stem cell field.

28 May 2010

Cardiac biomarkers help nephrologists manage fluid overload in dialysis patients: Study

Nephrologists must consider fluid overload effects when prescribing dialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. The fluid overload biomarker, N-terminal pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide, previously known as a "cardiac biomarker" in dialysis patients, is an important component of managing patients with kidney disease.

28 May 2010

BG Medicine announces data presentations on galectin-3 at Heart Failure Congress 2010

BG Medicine, Inc., a U.S. based, privately-held biomarker discovery and in vitro diagnostics company, announced today that there will be several data presentations regarding galectin-3 at the Heart Failure Congress 2010, the annual scientific meeting of the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, to be held in Berlin, Germany, on May 29th through June 1st. BG Medicine has developed and applied for FDA clearance of an in vitro diagnostic test to measure galectin-3 levels in plasma or serum.

28 May 2010

Small molecule ramps up interferon production in host cells, launching potent immune response

Many disease-causing microbes carry pumps that expel antibiotics, making the bugs hard to kill with standard drugs. Ironically, these same pumps could be the bugs' Achilles heel.

28 May 2010

Scientists study interaction between Notch signaling pathway and BCL6 gene to understand how cancer forms

A Florida State University College of Medicine researcher has discovered a new interaction between a cell signaling system and a specific gene that may be the cause of B-cell lymphoma. The finding suggests a similar interaction could be occurring during the development of other types of cancer, leading to further understanding of how cancer works — and how it might be stopped.

28 May 2010

Progenics presents preclinical data on novel monoclonal antibodies against toxins produced by C. difficile

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the presentation of preclinical data on novel monoclonal antibodies against toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). The monoclonal antibodies effectively neutralized the cell-killing activities of the toxins in vitro and significantly improved survival in a stringent animal model of C. difficile infection. C. difficile is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea in the United States and represents a growing global public health challenge.

28 May 2010

UT Southwestern researchers create 35 new rat "lines" with mutations in specific genes

For two decades, the laboratory mouse has been the workhorse of biomedical studies and the only mammal whose genes scientists could effectively and reliably manipulate to study human diseases and conditions.

28 May 2010

E. coli O157:H7 is rare in some wildlife species of California's Central Coast region: Researchers

The disease-causing bacterium E. coli O157:H7 is present but rare in some wildlife species of California's agriculturally rich Central Coast region, an area often referred to as the nation's "salad bowl," reports a team or researchers led by a UC Davis scientist.

28 May 2010

Regulus Therapeutics obtains rights to intellectual property covering methods for modulating microRNA-21

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. announced today that it has obtained exclusive rights from the University of Wuerzburg to intellectual property covering methods for modulating microRNA-21. Regulus scientists and collaborators have shown that microRNA-21, (miR-21), is dysregulated in mouse models of cardiac disease and fibrosis, and that antagonizing miR-21 with therapeutic oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 inhibits fibrosis and attenuates cardiac function in such models. Regulus is currently developing a microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-21 as an anti-fibrotic therapy.

28 May 2010

Bone marrow transplant cures excessive pathological grooming behavior in mice

Scientists earlier found that mice missing one of a group of core developmental genes known as the Hox genes developed an odd and rather unexpected pathology: the mutant animals groomed themselves compulsively to the point that they were removing their own hair and leaving self-inflicted open sores on their skin. Now, they've found a surprising connection between the Hoxb8 gene and the behavior that looks an awful lot like that of people with an obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder (OCD).

28 May 2010

CDP-choline may block skull and brain damage that result from alcohol consumption early in pregnancy

The dietary supplement CDP-choline, sold as a brain-boosting agent and under study for stroke and traumatic brain injury, may block skull and brain damage that can result from alcohol consumption early in pregnancy, Medical College of Georgia researchers report.

28 May 2010

Medical Science News

Novel pipette technique for study of structural properties of tissues

Researchers discover bitter taste inhibitor

Study papers shows how nutrients affect gene expression

Novel imaging system helps visualize and monitor cellular immune responses of transplanted tissue in real time

Helicobacter pylori's helical shape helps it colonize the stomach

Amorfix, Aragen Bioscience collaborate to develop high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against targets for cancer

Advocates urge Congress to reauthorize C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and NCBI

New study provides cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness

Research finding could lead to first-ever target for drug therapy for lymphedema

NeoStem to present adult stem cell technologies at Stem Cell Investor & Executive Networking Conference

Cardiac biomarkers help nephrologists manage fluid overload in dialysis patients: Study

BG Medicine announces data presentations on galectin-3 at Heart Failure Congress 2010

Small molecule ramps up interferon production in host cells, launching potent immune response

Scientists study interaction between Notch signaling pathway and BCL6 gene to understand how cancer forms

Progenics presents preclinical data on novel monoclonal antibodies against toxins produced by C. difficile

UT Southwestern researchers create 35 new rat "lines" with mutations in specific genes

E. coli O157:H7 is rare in some wildlife species of California's Central Coast region: Researchers

Regulus Therapeutics obtains rights to intellectual property covering methods for modulating microRNA-21

Bone marrow transplant cures excessive pathological grooming behavior in mice

CDP-choline may block skull and brain damage that result from alcohol consumption early in pregnancy

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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