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Brain uses a mechanism to filter out distracting thoughts to focus on single information

The human brain is bombarded with all kinds of information, from the memory of last night's delicious dinner to the instructions from your boss at your morning meeting. But how do you "tune in" to just one thought or idea and ignore all the rest of what is going on around you, until it comes time to think of something else?

19 Nov 2009

Microarray analysis can identify chromosome abnormalities in children with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

Researchers at Signature Genomic Laboratories, which performs diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities, recently showed that microarray analysis can identify small DNA alterations in individuals with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a rare and poorly characterized genetic disorder.

19 Nov 2009

New photocontrolled molecular switch regulates paralysis in living organisms

In an advance with overtones of Star Trek phasers and other sci-fi ray guns, scientists in Canada are reporting development of an internal on-off "switch" that paralyzes animals when exposed to a beam of ultraviolet light. The animals stay paralyzed even when the light is turned off. When exposed to ordinary light, the animals become unparalyzed and wake up.

19 Nov 2009

NanoString Technologies to investigate molecular networks with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a molecular barcoding detection system, today announced that it is collaborating with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard to investigate molecular networks involved in immune response and other important biological processes.

From NanoString Technologies 19 Nov 2009

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have uncovered the genetic identity of a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody, a discovery that sheds new light on infection control and immune disorders. The discovery is such a crucial part of immunology that UAB researchers, in conjunction with Japanese researchers, are asking that the gene linked to this antibody receptor be renamed to better describe its role in early immune responses.

19 Nov 2009

New study sheds light on potassium pore dynamics and serves as an important foundation for research

The December 2009 issue of the Journal of General Physiology (JGP) contains a paper by Christopher Ahern (The University of British Columbia, Vancouver) and colleagues that explores pore mutation effects in Shaker and other K+ channels using in vivo nonsense suppression technology. The study will be published online November 16 (www.jgp.org).

19 Nov 2009

Precision BioSciences: EPO revokes Cellectis’ European Patent No. EP 1485475

Yesterday, the European Patent Office (EPO) revoked previously granted claims of Cellectis’ European Patent No. EP 1485475 during an oral hearing in an opposition proceeding initiated by Precision BioSciences. As a result of the opposition, Cellectis’ previously granted claims to single-chain meganucleases, including those derived from I-CreI, were revoked in their entirety. Claims to hybrid meganucleases were cancelled or severely restricted.

19 Nov 2009

Possible new approach to slow the progression of cognitive decline in Down's syndrome

A study by neuroscientist William C. Mobley, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues at Stanford University Medical School has demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing the inevitable progression of cognitive decline found in Down's syndrome.

19 Nov 2009

BIMR wins a GO grant from the National Institute of Mental Health

Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the California Bipolar Foundation (CBF) to post-doctoral research fellow Dr. Illyas Singec at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (BIMR), a research team headed by Dr. Evan Snyder (along with co-investigators Drs. Dieter Wolfe and Lawrence Brill), was able to accumulate sufficient preliminary data to win an extremely competitive Grand Opportunities (GO) grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to explore the molecular basis of Bipolar Disorder (BPD).

19 Nov 2009

New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

Recent advances in cancer therapeutics have led to the discovery of biomarkers that can predict patient response to certain drugs. Screening for mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGRF) prior to non-small cell lung cancer treatment, for example, has been shown to indentify patients who are likely to respond to treatment with erlontinib. This maximizes the drug's impact, and spares patients who are not likely to benefit from being subjected to potentially debilitating side effects.

19 Nov 2009

European Patent Office upholds Cellectis' EP 1 485 475 patent

Cellectis S.A., the French genome engineering specialist, has announced that the European Patent Office has today upheld European Patent EP 1 485 475 owned by Cellectis and relating to the invention of engineering methods for meganucleases. This method is based on the genetic fusion of meganuclease modules to obtain hybrid meganucleases.

19 Nov 2009

Study: EP4 agonist may reduce gastric bleeding and inflammation

Over 300 million patients use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the world to treat pain, arthritis, fever and other diseases. Nearly 30% of the users suffer from gastric lesions and bleeding.

19 Nov 2009

Unique life science-focused application for social media site launched

Sigma-Aldrich® today announced the launch of a unique life science-focused application for the social media site, Facebook. Developed and marketed by Sigma® Life Science, the 'What's Your Favorite Gene?' application is the first and currently only application of its kind available on Facebook, and provides a platform that can enable scientists and researchers to network with each other and facilitate discussion based on their favorite genes, identifiable via gene functionality and biological pathways.

19 Nov 2009

Queen’s University Belfast to study individualized radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer

Individualised radiotherapy treatment based on a person’s genetic make up could soon become a reality, according to Breast Cancer Campaign.

19 Nov 2009

Researchers develop new device with nano-sized features to grab cancer cells

Just as fly paper captures insects, an innovative new device with nano-sized features developed by researchers at UCLA is able to grab cancer cells in the blood that have broken off from a tumor.

19 Nov 2009

New mathematical model may hasten drug development for Parkinson's Disease

Australian scientists have significantly advanced our understanding of dopamine release from nerve cells, findings that should speed the development of more effective drugs for treating Parkinson's Disease.

19 Nov 2009

Protein content of women's saliva changes with advancing age, describe scientists

In a step toward using human saliva to tell whether those stiff joints, memory lapses, and other telltale signs of aging are normal or red flags for disease, scientists are describing how the protein content of women's saliva change with advancing age.

19 Nov 2009

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Viruses are well known for attacking humans and animals, but some viruses instead attack bacteria. Texas A&M University researchers are exploring how hungry viruses, armed with transformer-like weapons, attack bacteria, which may aid in the treatment of bacterial infections.

19 Nov 2009

Chronic hepatitis B seems to progress faster in men, report scientists

Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women. Their study has been published online in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication.

19 Nov 2009

Covance and Rules-Based Medicine enter into biomarker alliance and services agreement

Covance Inc., a leading provider of drug development services, announced today that it entered into a biomarker alliance and services agreement with Rules-Based Medicine, Inc. (RBM), a leading provider of multiplexed protein biomarker testing to the pharmaceutical industry.

19 Nov 2009

Medical Science News

Brain uses a mechanism to filter out distracting thoughts to focus on single information

Microarray analysis can identify chromosome abnormalities in children with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

New photocontrolled molecular switch regulates paralysis in living organisms

NanoString Technologies to investigate molecular networks with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

New study sheds light on potassium pore dynamics and serves as an important foundation for research

Precision BioSciences: EPO revokes Cellectis’ European Patent No. EP 1485475

Possible new approach to slow the progression of cognitive decline in Down's syndrome

BIMR wins a GO grant from the National Institute of Mental Health

New biomarkers can predict patients' response to certain drugs

European Patent Office upholds Cellectis' EP 1 485 475 patent

Study: EP4 agonist may reduce gastric bleeding and inflammation

Unique life science-focused application for social media site launched

Queen’s University Belfast to study individualized radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer

Researchers develop new device with nano-sized features to grab cancer cells

New mathematical model may hasten drug development for Parkinson's Disease

Protein content of women's saliva changes with advancing age, describe scientists

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Chronic hepatitis B seems to progress faster in men, report scientists

Covance and Rules-Based Medicine enter into biomarker alliance and services agreement

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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