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Study observes interaction between HLA-C and ERAP1 genes in psoriasis

Genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to psoriasis are reported in five papers published online this week in Nature Genetics. Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent skin disease, and one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, with a global prevalence of 2-3%.

19 Oct 2010

Researchers report breakthrough studies in liver cell transplantation

Two research teams from the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine (Okayama, Japan) have reported breakthrough studies in liver cell transplantation.

19 Oct 2010

Scientists complete genetic blueprints for 13 different strains of Lyme disease bacteria

Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have determined the complete genetic blueprints for 13 different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The achievement should lead to a better understanding of how genetic variations among strains may result in different courses of illness in people with Lyme disease, the most common tickborne disease in North America. The wealth of new genetic data will also help scientists develop improved ways to diagnose, treat and prevent Lyme disease.

19 Oct 2010

Study finds IAP enzyme maintains normal microbial population in gastrointestinal system

An enzyme that keeps intestinal bacteria out of the bloodstream may also play an important role in maintaining the normal microbial population of the gastrointestinal system.

19 Oct 2010

Novel bioelectric signals can cause stem cells to trigger melanoma-like growth in pigment cells

Biologists at Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences have discovered that a change in membrane voltage in newly identified "instructor cells" can cause stem cells' descendants to trigger melanoma-like growth in pigment cells. The Tufts team also found that this metastatic transformation is due to changes in serotonin transport. The discovery could aid in the prevention and treatment of diseases like cancer and vitiligo as well as birth defects.

19 Oct 2010

New clinical trial to treat brain cancer launched

Cancer Research UK and Cancer Research Technology the charity's development and commercialisation arm together with immatics biotechnologies have launched the first clinical trial of a promising cancer vaccine to treat glioblastoma, one of the most common forms of brain cancer.

19 Oct 2010

biOasis receives final report on Collaborative Research project from UBC

biOasis Technologies Inc. has received a final report detailing results achieved within the Collaborative Research project with The University of British Columbia (UBC) that was announced by the Company on June 2, 2009.

19 Oct 2010

Vitamin B12 may help protect against Alzheimer's disease

A new study shows that vitamin B12 may protect against Alzheimer's disease, adding more evidence to the scientific debate about whether the vitamin is effective in reducing the risk of memory loss. The research will be published in the October 19, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

19 Oct 2010

Study indicates vitamin D deficiency may increase lung transplant rejection

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a significant increase in lung transplant rejection, according to research conducted at Loyola University Health System (LUHS). These data were presented Monday at The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 2010 annual meeting in Toronto, Ontario.

19 Oct 2010

Visiting biotech leader urges policymakers to support Australian innovation

The future of the Australian biotechnology industry relies on support from policymakers to ensure an economic environment and public policy regime that encourages innovation, says Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Speaking ahead of AusBiotech 2010, Mr Greenwood believes that strong government support is needed to ensure the continued success of Australian biotech.

18 Oct 2010

Obese have impaired autonomic function which may lead to overeating

Research on obesity examining the role of hormones and the autonomic functions of the digestive system was presented at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American CoIlege of Gastroenterology.

18 Oct 2010

IBD patients with Vitamin D deficiency at greater risk of osteoporosis, osteopenia

Vitamin D deficiency puts patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at greater risk of osteoporosis, osteopenia and an overall higher rate of abnormal bone density, according to the results of a new study unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 75th Annual Scientific meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

18 Oct 2010

Beta carotene improves vision in people with Incurable Retinal Disease Retinitis pigmentosa: Report

Today's Scientific Program of the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) - Middle East-Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) Joint Meeting includes a report on beta carotene's ability to improve vision in people with certain incurable retinal diseases. The AAO-MEACO meeting-the world's largest, most comprehensive ophthalmic education conference-is in session October 16 through 19 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

18 Oct 2010

Atrium Medical receives Bio/Medical Council Business of the Year Award

The New Hampshire Bio/Medical Council held its 2nd Annual Awards Dinner on October 14, 2010 at the Wentworth-By-The-Sea Country Club in Rye, NH. During the evening, the Bio/Medical Council awarded Atrium Medical Corporation of Hudson, NH the NH Bio/Medical Council Business of the Year Award. In attendance to accept the award were Ted Karwoski, Chief Operating Officer and Steve Vail, Group VP of Global Marketing.

18 Oct 2010

Possibilities of genetics research, personalized medicine, and behavioral intervention

Personalized medicine - improving the fit between patient and treatment - has become a major focus of research in fields from cancer treatment to the psychopharmacology of mental disorders. Genetic studies have suggested that an individual's genetic makeup renders him either more or less sensitive to stressful social environments - but can an individual's unique genotype also determine the effectiveness of preventative or therapeutic behavioral interventions?

18 Oct 2010

Environment plays a key role in determining sexual over asexual reproduction

Evolutionary biologists at the University of Toronto (U of T) have found that environment plays a key role in determining whether a species opts for sexual over asexual reproduction.

18 Oct 2010

New imaging technique to study response of white blood cells to inflammation

Researchers at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine are using an innovative new imaging technique to study how white blood cells (called neutrophils) respond to inflammation, and have revealed new targets to inhibit the response.

18 Oct 2010

New tool could help researchers understand the neural basis of olfaction

Harvard University neurobiologists have created mice that can "smell" light, providing a potent new tool that could help researchers better understand the neural basis of olfaction.

18 Oct 2010

Researchers to identify protein-recycling mechanism of TB bacteria

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University have discovered a key difference in the way human cells and Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB, deliver unwanted proteins marked with a "kiss of death" sequence to their respective cellular recycling factories.

18 Oct 2010

Metabolon announces publication of metabolic analysis of biochemical changes in CF primary lung epithelial cells

Metabolon, Inc., the leader in global metabolomics, biomarker discovery and analysis, announces the publication of "Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Biochemical Pathways and Biomarkers Associated with Pathogenesis in Cystic Fibrosis Cells", in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

18 Oct 2010