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New methodology helps investigate unfolding of DNA

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers have developed a powerful new method to investigate the discrete steps necessary to turn on individual genes and examine how the process goes wrong in cancer and other diseases. The finding, based on seven years of research and described in the April 9 issue of Molecular Cell, allows scientists to investigate the unfolding of DNA, a process required for gene activation.

9 Apr 2010

Magnetic targeting may enhance effectiveness of stem cell therapies for heart injuries

Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have found in animals that infusing cardiac-derived stem cells with micro-size particles of iron and then using a magnet to guide those stem cells to the area of the heart damaged in a heart attack boosts the heart's retention of those cells and could increase the therapeutic benefit of stem cell therapy for heart disease.

9 Apr 2010

Recql5 identified as a tumor suppressor in GI tract

Recql5 is a member of the mammalian RecQ helicase family. Genetic mutations that result in loss of RecQ helicase activity give rise to disorders that are associated with cancer predisposition and premature aging, such as Bloom, Werner, and Rothmund-Thomson syndromes. This class of enzymes is best known for their role in maintaining the integrity of the genome to prevent oncogenic mutations.

9 Apr 2010

Bayer CropScience, Precision BioSciences modify plant genomes using DNE technology

Precision BioSciences Inc., announced today that Bayer CropScience and Precision BioSciences have successfully modified plant genomes using Precision's Directed Nuclease EditorTM technology.

9 Apr 2010

Five-year, $3.7M trial evaluates customized warfarin dosage based on patient genetics

A five-year, $3.7 million clinical trial will investigate how to balance the benefits and risks of warfarin, a drug that helps prevent potentially deadly blood clots.

9 Apr 2010

No link between dyslexia and lack of musical ability

There is no link between a lack of musical ability and dyslexia. Moreover, attempts to treat dyslexia with music therapy are unwarranted, according to scientists in Belgium writing in the current issue of the International Journal of Arts and Technology.

9 Apr 2010

IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C must be individualized and optimized for efficacy

The efficacy of interferon (IFN) therapy depends on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype, pretreatment viral load and early viral kinetics. Thus, IFN therapy must be individualized and optimized according to the virological and clinical status of each patient.

9 Apr 2010

"Nanovaccine" reverses diabetes

A new study, published online April 8 by Cell Press in the journal Immunity, describes a unique therapeutic "nanovaccine" that successfully reverses diabetes in a mouse model of the disease. In addition to providing new insight into diabetes, the research also reveals an aspect of the pathogenesis of the autoimmune response that may provide a therapeutic strategy for multiple autoimmune disorders.

9 Apr 2010

ChemoCentryx identifies novel drug candidate targeting ChemR23 chemoattractant receptor

ChemoCentryx, Inc., today announced that it has identified a novel drug candidate targeting the chemoattractant receptor known as ChemR23. This investigational new drug, designated CCX832, is an orally-administered small molecule antagonist of ChemR23, an important player in inflammatory disease.

9 Apr 2010

Immune system mouse models help study biology of T cells and their role in toxoplasmosis

Using T cells primed for the infectious disease toxoplasmosis, Whitehead Institute researchers have created novel mouse models of the immune system that more accurately reflect how immune cells actually respond to pathogens in their presence.

9 Apr 2010

Combination telaprevir treatment beneficial for retreatment of hepatitis C

A study co-authored by a Saint Louis University researcher found telaprevir, a protease inhibitor, combined with standard hepatitis C treatment, cures a significantly higher number of difficult-to-treat patients than standard treatment alone. The findings were published in the April issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

9 Apr 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR antagonists exert anti atherogenic effects in preclinical model of atherosclerosis

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today presented data from a preclinical study evaluating the mechanism of action of a Toll-like Receptor (TLR) antagonist in a preclinical model of atherosclerosis. The presentation entitled "A novel antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9 exerts anti atherogenic effects in ApoE-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis" (abstract P259) was made by Idera scientists at the American Heart Association conference "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2010 Scientific Sessions" being held April 8-10 in San Francisco, CA.

9 Apr 2010

Encouraging results from CCT's Phase I study of PDA-001 for treatment-resistant Crohn's Disease

Celgene Cellular Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation, today announced initial results from a Phase I multicenter safety study of PDA-001 in treatment-resistant Crohn's Disease. PDA-001 is an immunomodulatory therapy consisting of human placenta-derived cells obtained from CCT's proprietary processes.

9 Apr 2010

Fate Therapeutics to acquire Ottawa biotechnology company Verio Therapeutics

Fate Therapeutics, Inc. announced today a definitive agreement to acquire Verio Therapeutics Inc., a privately held biotechnology company based in Ottawa, Ontario, which is developing drug candidates targeting the activation of endogenous stem cells. Verio Therapeutics is advancing the work of several of Canada's leading stem cell scientists, including Michael Rudnicki, Ph.D., FRSC, and Lynn Arthur Megeney, Ph.D., who have made breakthrough discoveries relating to muscle and pancreatic regeneration.

9 Apr 2010

Raised levels of carbon dioxide in blood may lead to ‘near death experiences’

Near death experiences (NDEs), reported to include sensations such as life flashing before the eyes, feelings of peace and joy, and apparent encounters with mystical entities, may be caused by raised levels of carbon dioxide in the blood. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care investigated the unexplained events in 52 cardiac arrest patients.

8 Apr 2010

Combining antiangiogenic cancer therapy with oncolytic virotherapy leads to regression of tumors

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. announced today that a paper entitled "Antiangiogenic cancer therapy combined with oncolytic virotherapy leads to regression of established tumors in mice," co-senior authored by Dr. Richard Vile of the Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, and Dr. Kevin Harrington of the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK, was published in the online version of the Journal of Clinical Investigation on April 1, 2010.

8 Apr 2010

UBC doctoral candidate discovers a mechanism for silencing retroviruses

A University of British Columbia doctoral candidate has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for silencing retroviruses, segments of genetic material that can lead to fatal mutations in a cell's DNA.

8 Apr 2010

Potential toxicity of zinc nanoparticles in sunscreen products

Scientists are reporting that particle size affects the toxicity of zinc oxide, a material widely used in sunscreens. Particles smaller than 100 nanometers are slightly more toxic to colon cells than conventional zinc oxide. Solid zinc oxide was more toxic than equivalent amounts of soluble zinc, and direct particle to cell contact was required to cause cell death. Their study is in ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology, a monthly journal.

8 Apr 2010

Reliable immune monitoring tool for assessment of cancer vaccine-induced CD4+ T-cell response

A team of tumor immunologists in France and Switzerland has established an improved, reliable immune monitoring tool that allows for more accurate measurement of the number, subtype, and activity of cancer antigen-specific CD4+ T cells in cancer patients treated with therapeutic cancer vaccines. The new technology may significantly aid tumor immunologists around the world who are working to improve the effectiveness of this emerging and highly promising class of immune system-based cancer therapies.

8 Apr 2010

Enrollment completes for Inovio Biomedical's dose escalation phase I trial of cervical cancer vaccine

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that the company has completed enrollment of all subjects for its therapeutic cervical cancer vaccine (VGX-3100) phase I trial. VGX-3100 is a DNA vaccine targeting the E6 and E7 proteins of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, and is delivered via in vivo electroporation.

8 Apr 2010

Medical Science News

New methodology helps investigate unfolding of DNA

Magnetic targeting may enhance effectiveness of stem cell therapies for heart injuries

Recql5 identified as a tumor suppressor in GI tract

Bayer CropScience, Precision BioSciences modify plant genomes using DNE technology

Five-year, $3.7M trial evaluates customized warfarin dosage based on patient genetics

No link between dyslexia and lack of musical ability

IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C must be individualized and optimized for efficacy

"Nanovaccine" reverses diabetes

ChemoCentryx identifies novel drug candidate targeting ChemR23 chemoattractant receptor

Immune system mouse models help study biology of T cells and their role in toxoplasmosis

Combination telaprevir treatment beneficial for retreatment of hepatitis C

Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR antagonists exert anti atherogenic effects in preclinical model of atherosclerosis

Encouraging results from CCT's Phase I study of PDA-001 for treatment-resistant Crohn's Disease

Fate Therapeutics to acquire Ottawa biotechnology company Verio Therapeutics

Raised levels of carbon dioxide in blood may lead to ‘near death experiences’

Combining antiangiogenic cancer therapy with oncolytic virotherapy leads to regression of tumors

UBC doctoral candidate discovers a mechanism for silencing retroviruses

Potential toxicity of zinc nanoparticles in sunscreen products

Reliable immune monitoring tool for assessment of cancer vaccine-induced CD4+ T-cell response

Enrollment completes for Inovio Biomedical's dose escalation phase I trial of cervical cancer vaccine

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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