Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

More findings on genetic complexity behind type 2 diabetes

Using a new method, diabetes researchers at Lund University, Sweden, have been able to reveal more of the genetic complexity behind type 2 diabetes.

5 Sep 2012

Phase 1b trial validates efficacy of Pulmatrix PUR118 to treat COPD

Pulmatrix, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company creating novel inhaled therapeutics, today announced top line results from a clinical study showing that the novel inhaled therapeutic, PUR118, demonstrated anti-inflammatory efficacy and was well-tolerated in two Phase 1b studies in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

5 Sep 2012

Fusion-negative prostate tumours display more aberrant DNA methylations

In about half of all prostate tumours, there are two genetic areas that are fused with one another. When this is not the case, the exact way cancer cells originate in prostate tumours was not clear until now.

5 Sep 2012

Baxter seeks FDA BLA approval for BAX 326 rFIX protein to treat hemophilia B

Baxter International Inc. today announced that the company has submitted a biologics license application to the United States Food and Drug Administration for approval of BAX 326, a recombinant factor IX (rFIX) protein being investigated for the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding episodes for patients over 12 years of age with hemophilia B.

From Baxter International Inc. 5 Sep 2012

Regular Fanconi anemia cells aren't sensitive to resveratrol

Fanconi anemia is a recessive genetic disorder affecting 1 in 350,000 babies, which leaves cells unable to repair damaged DNA. This lack of repair puts Fanconi anemia patients at high risk for developing a variety of cancers, especially leukemias and head and neck cancer.

5 Sep 2012

Drugs targeting protein TGF-β may be used to treat ovarian cancer

In the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center report that ovarian cancer cells activate the HOXA9 gene to compel stromal cells to create an environment that supports tumor growth.

5 Sep 2012

ImmusanT commences Nexvax2 clinical trials for celiac disease in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.

ImmusanT announced today that it has initiated clinical trials in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S. to evaluate Nexvax2, the first therapeutic vaccine for patients with celiac disease. Nexvax2 is designed to re-establish patients' tolerance to the toxic effects of gluten, a protein in wheat, barley and rye, and allow them to return to a normal diet.

5 Sep 2012

Motor coordination in children with sedentary lifestyles: an interview with Dr. Luis Lopes

The importance of an adequate motor coordination level in childhood has recently reemerged. In literature on motor skill development, the focus is mostly on the proficiency/competence level in movement skills. Motor competence/coordination can be defined as a person’s ability to execute different motor acts, including coordination of both fine and gross motor skills (Henderson & Sugden, 1992).

4 Sep 2012

Biokine, BioLineRx sign license agreement to develop and commercialize BL-8040 for AML

BioLineRx Ltd., a biopharmaceutical drug development company, announced today that it has signed an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with Biokine Therapeutics Ltd., a Clal Biotechnology Industries portfolio company, for the development and commercialization of BL-8040 (formerly BKT-140), a Phase II ready drug candidate for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as well as other types of hematological cancer.

4 Sep 2012

Ultrastable RNA nanoparticles may help treat cancer and viral infections

A new study by University of Kentucky researchers shows promise for developing ultrastable RNA nanoparticles that may help treat cancer and viral infections by regulating cell function and binding to cancers without harming surrounding tissue.

4 Sep 2012

A-kinase anchoring proteins influence levels of glucose in the body

Scientists from the United States and Sweden have discovered a new control point that could be important as a drug target for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

4 Sep 2012

Converting blood cells to a stem cell state: an interview with Elias Zambidis, M.D., Ph.D.

The primitive stem cell state we created is called an “induced pluripotent stem cell” (iPSC). iPSC are a new, unique, and artificially-created type of stem cell that were first described in 2006 by a Japanese scientist named Shinya Yamanaka.

4 Sep 2012

Morphological changes occur rapidly in response to cardiac injury

Cardiac injury leads to significant structural changes in the heart, including enlargement, excess formation of fibrous growth tissue, and abnormalities of the coronary vasculature. While associated factors have been targeted for therapeutic intervention, the results have been conflicting. Most studies have investigated these changes after six days of injury. However, advanced stages of remodeling have already begun by day seven following injury.

4 Sep 2012

Gene therapy approach restores ability to smell in mouse model of congenital anosmia

Scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health have restored the ability to smell in a mouse model of a human genetic disorder that causes congenital anosmia-the inability to smell from birth. The approach uses gene therapy to regrow cilia, cell structures that are essential for olfactory function.

3 Sep 2012

Missing link between bone marrow stem cells and human immune system

UCLA researchers have discovered a type of cell that is the "missing link" between bone marrow stem cells and all the cells of the human immune system, a finding that will lead to a greater understanding of how a healthy immune system is produced and how disease can lead to poor immune function.

3 Sep 2012

Scientists restore sense of smell in mice through gene therapy

Scientists have restored the sense of smell in mice through gene therapy for the first time -- a hopeful sign for people who can't smell anything from birth or lose it due to disease.

3 Sep 2012

Potential new COPD drug

A study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) has shown that a compound used in some skin creams may halt the progression of emphysema and reverse some of the damage caused by the disease. When the compound Gly-His-Lys (GHK) was applied to lung cells from patients with emphysema, normal gene activity in altered cells was restored and damaged aspects of cellular function were repaired.

1 Sep 2012

Targeted intervention improves safety of MRI scans for children with sickle cell disease

Jude Children's Research Hospital reports success using a targeted educational approach to teach young patients to remain motionless during MRI scans, making the process safer.

1 Sep 2012

Longer looks: Too many pills for dad; Genetic secrets; A supermarket's dietitian

Job burnout can strike workers in nearly any field, but a new study finds that doctors are at special risk. Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. physicians report at least one symptom of burnout, with doctors at the front line of care particularly vulnerable, the study found -- a significantly higher rate than among the general working population.

1 Sep 2012

Seven antibiotic-resistance genes swapped between human and soil bacteria

Soil bacteria and bacteria that cause human diseases have recently swapped at least seven antibiotic-resistance genes, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report Aug. 31 in Science.

1 Sep 2012

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

More findings on genetic complexity behind type 2 diabetes

Phase 1b trial validates efficacy of Pulmatrix PUR118 to treat COPD

Fusion-negative prostate tumours display more aberrant DNA methylations

Baxter seeks FDA BLA approval for BAX 326 rFIX protein to treat hemophilia B

Regular Fanconi anemia cells aren't sensitive to resveratrol

Drugs targeting protein TGF-β may be used to treat ovarian cancer

ImmusanT commences Nexvax2 clinical trials for celiac disease in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.

Motor coordination in children with sedentary lifestyles: an interview with Dr. Luis Lopes

Biokine, BioLineRx sign license agreement to develop and commercialize BL-8040 for AML

Ultrastable RNA nanoparticles may help treat cancer and viral infections

A-kinase anchoring proteins influence levels of glucose in the body

Converting blood cells to a stem cell state: an interview with Elias Zambidis, M.D., Ph.D.

Morphological changes occur rapidly in response to cardiac injury

Gene therapy approach restores ability to smell in mouse model of congenital anosmia

Missing link between bone marrow stem cells and human immune system

Scientists restore sense of smell in mice through gene therapy

Potential new COPD drug

Targeted intervention improves safety of MRI scans for children with sickle cell disease

Longer looks: Too many pills for dad; Genetic secrets; A supermarket's dietitian

Seven antibiotic-resistance genes swapped between human and soil bacteria

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Deciphering the Microbiome with The Microsetta Initiative

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices