Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

London scientist hopes to improve diagnosis for Jeune syndrome

A London scientist is hoping a new study funded by children's charity Action Medical Research, will help to improve diagnosis and work towards new treatments for a rare, incurable genetic disorder called Jeune syndrome.

7 Sep 2011

Researchers discover new genetic defect that can lead to Leigh syndrome

In Leigh syndrome, infants are born apparently healthy only to develop movement and breathing disorders that worsen over time, often leading to death by the age of 3. The problem is that the mitochondria responsible for powering their cells can't keep up with the demand for energy in their developing brains.

7 Sep 2011

Breast cancer patients with BRCA1 mutation experience pCR after neoadjuvent chemotherapy

Nearly half of breast cancer patients carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation experience a complete pathological response (pCR) - the disappearance of all evidence of disease from the breast tissue and lymph nodes - regardless of disease stage after standard neoadjuvent chemotherapy, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

7 Sep 2011

Superbug structure deciphered

NDM-1, the enzyme responsible for antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," has had its structure deciphered by British scientists. NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1) emerged in India three years ago. It has the ability to break up, or hydrolyze, even carbapenems, the strongest class of antibiotics, making them ineffective, and has been found in a wide variety of pathogens. Antibiotic resistance is on the rise. More than 25,000 people in the European Union die every year from bacterial infections.

6 Sep 2011

Sperm donors may father over 150 children

Most sperm donors assume that they would father a few children. But with the news that some donors have fathered over 100 kids there have been calls for tighter regulation. It has been discovered that some sperm banks allow donors to father lots and lots of kids — one has over 150. And with these very large groups of half-siblings come risks: rare genetic conditions could be spread more widely through the gene pool, and children of the same donor could meet and, unbeknownst to them, commit incest.

6 Sep 2011

Gene variants that help regulate serotonin may serve as predictor of risk for PSTD symptoms

Data in a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry suggest that certain variants of a gene that helps regulate serotonin, may serve as a useful predictor of risk for symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a trauma.

6 Sep 2011

Biologists reveal why men's ring fingers are longer than their index fingers

Biologists at the University of Florida have found a reason why men's ring fingers are generally longer than their index fingers - and why the reverse usually holds true for women.

6 Sep 2011

AMT, NIH enter exclusive license agreement for use of AAV5-based gene therapy vectors

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) for use of adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5)-based gene therapy vectors for liver and brain indications.

6 Sep 2011

Lilly, QIAGEN partner to develop and commercialize companion diagnostic for JAK2 V617F

QIAGEN today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Eli Lilly and Company for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of a molecular companion diagnostic for an early stage investigational compound currently being developed by Lilly. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 6 Sep 2011

Researchers discover novel way to increase amounts of antibiotics

A novel way of increasing the amounts of antibiotics produced by bacteria has been discovered that could markedly improve the yields of these important compounds in commercial production. It could also be valuable in helping to discover new compounds. With the ever-growing threat from antibiotic resistance, these tools will be very useful in ensuring that we have enough of these useful compounds in the future.

5 Sep 2011

DiaGenic allots options to employees

According to the resolution by the Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2011, the Board of Directors in DiaGenic ASA today allotted options to DiaGenic employees. The share options have strike price of NOK 6.00 per share, which is set based on last week weighted share price + 10%. The options have life of 4 years and can be exercised after 3 years.

5 Sep 2011

Researchers discover gene mutation linked with lymphoedema, leukaemia

Researchers have discovered a gene that when mutated can cause lymphoedema (swollen limbs due to a failure of the lymph system), immune abnormalities, deafness and leukaemia.

5 Sep 2011

C. sporogenes bacterium could be used as vehicle to deliver drugs in frontline cancer therapy

A bacterial strain that specifically targets tumours could soon be used as a vehicle to deliver drugs in frontline cancer therapy. The strain is expected to be tested in cancer patients in 2013 says a scientist at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of York.

5 Sep 2011

Researchers discover group of mutations involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

An international team of researchers has found a group of mutations involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and showed that a group of certain drugs, already in clinical use to treat other diseases, can eliminate the cells carrying these mutations.

5 Sep 2011

Researchers discover new genetic defect that predisposes people to leukemia, myelodysplasia

A new genetic defect that predisposes people to acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplasia has been discovered. The mutations were found in the GATA2 gene. Among its several regulatory roles, the gene acts as a master control during the transition of primitive blood-forming cells into white blood cells.

5 Sep 2011

Study describes new class of anti-diabetic compound that targets unique molecular switch

In a joint study, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute and Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have established a new class of anti-diabetic compound that targets a unique molecular switch.

5 Sep 2011

Researchers help explain elusive mechanics of complex cell transport system

Every cell in the human body contains a complex system to transport essential cargoes such as proteins and membrane vesicles, from point A to point B. These tiny molecular motor proteins move at blistering speeds on miniature railways carrying components of the cell to their proper destinations.

3 Sep 2011

Researchers discover protein signals responsible for preserving anti-viral antibodies

Our immune system is capable of a remarkable feat: the ability to remember infections for years, even decades, after they have first been encountered and defeated. While the antibodies we make last only about a month, we retain the means of making them for a lifetime.

3 Sep 2011

Scientists discover highly conserved mechanism governing brain development

If you think today's political rhetoric is overheated, imagine what goes on inside a vertebrate embryo. There, two armies whose agendas are poles apart, engage in a battle with consequences much more dire than whether the economy will recover---- they are battling for whether you (or frogs or chickens) will have a forebrain.

3 Sep 2011

UCF, UF receive $5.5 million NIH grant for hemophilia research

At a time when research funding is hard to come by, a University of Central Florida and University of Florida partnership has landed almost $5.5 million in National Institutes of Health highly competitive grants for hemophilia research.

3 Sep 2011

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

London scientist hopes to improve diagnosis for Jeune syndrome

Researchers discover new genetic defect that can lead to Leigh syndrome

Breast cancer patients with BRCA1 mutation experience pCR after neoadjuvent chemotherapy

Superbug structure deciphered

Sperm donors may father over 150 children

Gene variants that help regulate serotonin may serve as predictor of risk for PSTD symptoms

Biologists reveal why men's ring fingers are longer than their index fingers

AMT, NIH enter exclusive license agreement for use of AAV5-based gene therapy vectors

Lilly, QIAGEN partner to develop and commercialize companion diagnostic for JAK2 V617F

Researchers discover novel way to increase amounts of antibiotics

DiaGenic allots options to employees

Researchers discover gene mutation linked with lymphoedema, leukaemia

C. sporogenes bacterium could be used as vehicle to deliver drugs in frontline cancer therapy

Researchers discover group of mutations involved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Researchers discover new genetic defect that predisposes people to leukemia, myelodysplasia

Study describes new class of anti-diabetic compound that targets unique molecular switch

Researchers help explain elusive mechanics of complex cell transport system

Researchers discover protein signals responsible for preserving anti-viral antibodies

Scientists discover highly conserved mechanism governing brain development

UCF, UF receive $5.5 million NIH grant for hemophilia research

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