Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Precise immune disturbances leading to Coeliac disease: More insight

New research has identified four aspects of immune system disturbance which lead to the development of coeliac disease. Nearly 40 different inherited risk factors which predispose to the disease have now been identified. These latest findings could speed the way towards improved diagnostics and treatments for the autoimmune complaint that affects 1 in 100 of the population, and lead to insights into related conditions such as type 1 diabetes.

28 Feb 2010

For people who carry common gene variants, smoking increases risk of aneurysm

For people who carry common gene variants, cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk that a blood vessel in the brain will weaken and balloon out - called an aneurysm - which could be life-threatening if it ruptures, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2010.

27 Feb 2010

MLL cancer cells rely on normal protein to proliferate

Researchers have found that one particularly aggressive type of blood cancer, mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), has an unusual way to keep the molecular motors running. The cancer cells rely on the normal version of an associated protein to stay alive.

27 Feb 2010

Gene signature may help identify risk of colon cancer recurrence

A gene signature, first identified in mouse colon cancer cells, may help identify patients at risk of colon cancer recurrence, according to a recent study by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center researchers.

26 Feb 2010

CAMH signs licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics to market new genetic test

For the second time in as many months the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has signed a licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics Inc. to market a new genetic test.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 26 Feb 2010

Mutations in MeCP2 cause autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome

A paper published online today in Molecular Cell proposes that Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) impacts the entire genome in neurons, rather than acting as a regulator of specific genes. Mutations in MeCP2 cause the autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome as well as some cases of neuropsychiatric problems including autism, schizophrenia and learning disabilities.

26 Feb 2010

Prevention of heart attacks: Resveratrol appears to exhibit broader action than aspirin

With the realization that half of the people experiencing a sudden mortal heart attack were taking aspirin on the day of their demise, and the fact that higher-than-recommended doses of aspirin are needed to prevent blood clot formation in coronary arteries, coupled with an announcement that the red wine molecule resveratrol (rez-vair-ah-trawl) may protect from sudden mortal heart attack in a superior fashion to aspirin, suggests re-evaluation of cardiology's current instruction regarding prevention of heart attacks, says Nate Lebowitz MD, cardiologist with the Advanced Cardiology Institute in Ft. Lee, New Jersey.

26 Feb 2010

imaGenes GmbH passes certification process to qualify as Roche NimbleGen CSP for DNA Methylation Analysis

Roche NimbleGen is pleased to announce that imaGenes GmbH, located in Berlin, Germany, has passed the certification process to qualify as a Roche NimbleGen Certified Service Provider for DNA Methylation Analysis. imaGenes is a solution provider for functional genomics and proteomics with a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality services for molecular life sciences.

26 Feb 2010

Genetic factors influence likelihood of developing PTSD

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda resulted in the mass killing of up to one million people over the course of about 100 days. Although the exact death toll is unknown, experts estimate that as much as 20% of the country's entire population was murdered. There can be no doubt or surprise then that some of the survivors developed posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, an anxiety disorder that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatizing event, such as abuse, war, or natural disaster.

26 Feb 2010

Schizophrenia: Insight into late development of symptoms

In reports of two new studies, researchers led by Johns Hopkins say they have identified the mechanisms rooted in two anatomical brain abnormalities that may explain the onset of schizophrenia and the reason symptoms don't develop until young adulthood. Both types of anatomical glitches are influenced by a gene known as DISC1, whose mutant form was first identified in a Scottish family with a strong history of schizophrenia and related mental disorders. The findings could lead to new ways to treat, prevent or modify the disorder or its symptoms.

26 Feb 2010

BPA exposure during pregnancy may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring

Here's more evidence that "safe" plastics are not as safe as once presumed: New research published online in The FASEB Journal suggests that exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy leads to epigenetic changes that may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring. BPA, a common component of plastics used to contain food, is a type of estrogen that is ubiquitous in the environment.

26 Feb 2010

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, GSN sign agreement to test Parental Support technology

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Gene Security Network announced that they have signed an agreement to conduct a clinical trial of GSN's advanced preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) technology, Parental Support™.

26 Feb 2010

New research using MRI shows that childhood stress can lead to structural brain changes

New research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows that childhood stress such as abuse or emotional neglect, in particular when combined with genetic factors, can result in structural brain changes, rendering these people more vulnerable to developing depression. The study led by scientists at Trinity College Dublin has just been published in the international scientific journal, Neuropsychopharmacology.

25 Feb 2010

LGL awards first three grants from POC fund for research in immunotherapy, schizophrenia and heart disease

London Genetics Limited, an expert in the use of pharmacogenetics in clinical drug discovery and development, has awarded the first three grants from its proof-of-concept (POC) fund. The awards, to teams at Imperial College London and University College London, are for research in the areas of immunotherapy, schizophrenia and heart disease.

25 Feb 2010

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

An international research team led by Columbia University Medical Center successfully used mouse embryonic stem cells to replace diseased retinal cells and restore sight in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa. This strategy could potentially become a new treatment for retinitis pigmentosa, a leading cause of blindness that affects approximately one in 3,000 to 4,000 people, or 1.5 million people worldwide.

25 Feb 2010

Scientists one step closer to innovative drug delivery

A team of scientists led by Dr Simon Richardson at the University of Greenwich has got a step closer to one of the holy grails of drug delivery.

25 Feb 2010

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

In ongoing work to identify how genes interact with social environments to impact human health, UCLA researchers have discovered what they describe as a biochemical link between misery and death. In addition, they found a specific genetic variation in some individuals that seems to disconnect that link, rendering them more biologically resilient in the face of adversity.

25 Feb 2010

Life Technologies adds SOLiD PI System to sequencing solutions portfolio

Life Technologies Corporation today announced plans for the Applied Biosystems SOLiD™ PI System, a new highly accurate, flexible and easy-to-use genomic analysis platform that will bring next-generation sequencing within the grasp of all life science research laboratories worldwide. Early customer adoption of the SOLiD PI System is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.

24 Feb 2010

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

Transgenomic, Inc. announced today that it has licensed on an exclusive U.S. basis intellectual property from IntegraGen SA that will enable Transgenomic to develop and commercialize a genetic test designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Under the agreement Transgenomic will develop the test in the Company's CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, and anticipates launching the new test in the second quarter of 2010. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

24 Feb 2010

QR Pharma awarded patent covering use of Posiphen and analogs in treatment of DS

QR Pharma, Inc., a developer of novel drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD), announced today that it was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,625,942, a "Method of Treating Down Syndrome" by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The '942 patent covers use of Posiphen and analogs to treat cognitive impairments associated with Down Syndrome (DS). This patent valuably expands upon the original Posiphen and analog patent that claims composition of matter and use of compounds to lower amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and thereby treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

24 Feb 2010

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Precise immune disturbances leading to Coeliac disease: More insight

For people who carry common gene variants, smoking increases risk of aneurysm

MLL cancer cells rely on normal protein to proliferate

Gene signature may help identify risk of colon cancer recurrence

CAMH signs licensing agreement with US-based Athena Diagnostics to market new genetic test

Mutations in MeCP2 cause autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome

Prevention of heart attacks: Resveratrol appears to exhibit broader action than aspirin

imaGenes GmbH passes certification process to qualify as Roche NimbleGen CSP for DNA Methylation Analysis

Genetic factors influence likelihood of developing PTSD

Schizophrenia: Insight into late development of symptoms

BPA exposure during pregnancy may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, GSN sign agreement to test Parental Support technology

New research using MRI shows that childhood stress can lead to structural brain changes

LGL awards first three grants from POC fund for research in immunotherapy, schizophrenia and heart disease

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Embryonic stem cells for replacement of diseased retinal cells and restoration of sight

Scientists one step closer to innovative drug delivery

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

Life Technologies adds SOLiD PI System to sequencing solutions portfolio

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

QR Pharma awarded patent covering use of Posiphen and analogs in treatment of DS

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

Exploring the role of confocal-based high-content imaging in advancing core facilities

Transforming Cardiovascular Care: Insights from Mina Makar at AstraZeneca

Clue's CEO Rhiannon White on the Future of Femtech and PCOS