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ISCO, Scripps Research Institute collaborate in study of parthenogenetic stem cells

International Stem Cell Corporation, announced today that it is collaborating with renowned stem cell researcher Jeanne F. Loring, Ph.D., and the Scripps Research Institute (La Jolla, CA) to study parthenogenetic stem cells and potentially therapeutic cells that can be derived from them.

19 Nov 2009

DxNA announces successfull evaluation of its GeneSTAT PCR system

DxNA, a molecular diagnostics company headquartered in St. George, Utah, announced today that the DxNA GeneSTAT PCR system has successfully completed evaluation studies under the direction of a California laboratory supported by the Joint FAO/IAEA Programme in Food and Agriculture.

19 Nov 2009

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, known for their capacity to proliferate indefinitely and differentiate into almost all types of cells including hepatocytes, have raised the hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure. There have been several protocols available for hepatic fate specification from ES cells, however, most of the protocols currently used result in low yield or purity of functional hepatocytes. Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to facilitate the hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, little is know about whether VPA could induce the hepatic differentiation of ES cells.

19 Nov 2009

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

Visually impaired people appear to be fearless, navigating busy sidewalks and crosswalks, safely finding their way using nothing more than a cane as a guide. The reason they can do this, researchers suggest, is that in at least some circumstances, blindness can heighten other senses, helping individuals adapt.

19 Nov 2009

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

Medical Science News

ISCO, Scripps Research Institute collaborate in study of parthenogenetic stem cells

DxNA announces successfull evaluation of its GeneSTAT PCR system

Embryonic stem cells raise hope of cellular replacement therapy for liver failure

UCLA study: Structural changes in brain may help offset vision loss and strengthen other senses

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

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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