Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. Since this RNA also facilitates the formation of DNA at telomeres-a process that can protect aging cells and destabilize tumor cells-manipulating its expression may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases.

1 Sep 2009

New gene therapy vector developed for transferring therapeutic DNA to a cell's nucleus

A research report featured on the cover of the September 2009 print issue of The FASEB Journal describes how Australian scientists developed a new gene therapy vector that uses the same machinery that viruses use to transport their cargo into our cells. As a result of this achievement, therapeutic DNA can be transferred to a cell's nucleus far more efficiently than in the past, raising hopes for more effective treatment of genetic disorders and some types of cancers.

1 Sep 2009

Tel Aviv University researcher devises mathematical formula for protecting the genetic privacy

Last year, after a published paper found serious security holes in the way DNA data is made publicly available, health institutes in the United States and across the world removed all genetic data from public access.

1 Sep 2009

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

In the new print issue of Nature Genetics, scientists in Singapore and Germany report that mutations in the PYCR1 gene cause the rare genetic condition that results in premature skin aging and that is known as "wrinkly skin syndrome."

1 Sep 2009

Illumina delivers its first individual genome sequence to Dr. Hermann Hauser

Illumina, Inc. today announced that it has delivered Hermann Hauser’s genome sequence. Dr. Hauser, Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners Ltd, is the first consumer to purchase Illumina’s individual genome sequencing service working with his physician, Michael Nova, MD, of Pathway Genomics.

From Illumina, Inc. 31 Aug 2009

Celladon announces completion of patient enrollment for Phase 2 CUPID clinical trial

Celladon Corporation and Momentum Research, Inc. today announced completion of enrollment of the phase 2 double-blind portion of the Calcium Up-regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease (CUPID) trial. Momentum Research is Celladon’s consulting and management organization with clinical expertise in the development of cardiovascular products and trials.

31 Aug 2009

Research reveals the reason why some patients with Ewing's sarcoma do not respond to chemotherapy

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have shed new light on Ewing's sarcoma, an often deadly bone cancer that typically afflicts children and young adults. Their research shows that patients with poor outcomes have tumors with high levels of a protein known as GSTM4, which may suppress the effects of chemotherapy. The research is published online today in the journal Oncogene.

31 Aug 2009

Researchers demystify polar body analysis reproduction technique

Three out of ten women who undergo polar body diagnosis go on to have a child. The extensive technique of polar body analysis (PBA) is described by researchers in reproductive medicine at Lübeck in an article in the current edition of Deutsches Ärtzeblatt International, in which they present three successful cases and one failure.

31 Aug 2009

Study reveals that downregulation of IRF-8 gene causes gum diseases, arthritis and osteoporosis

Investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery, collaborating with researchers from other institutions, have contributed to the discovery that a gene called interferon regulator factor-8 (IRF-8) is involved in the development of diseases such as periodontitis (gum disease), rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. The study, which will be published online August 30, ahead of print, in the journal Nature Medicine, could lead to new treatments in the future.

31 Aug 2009

New molecular sensor could identify zinc-related diseases

Scientists have developed a new molecular sensor that can reveal the amount of zinc in cells, which could tell us more about a number of diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The research, published today in Nature Methods, opens the door to the hidden world of zinc biology by giving scientists an accurate way of measuring the concentration of zinc and its location in cells for the first time.

30 Aug 2009

Antibiotic functioning as an off switch being developed for gene therapy of Parkinson's disease

A common antibiotic can function as an "off switch" for a gene therapy being developed for Parkinson's disease, according to University of Florida researchers writing online in advance of September's Molecular Therapy.

29 Aug 2009

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

Genetic variants in a region on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children, according to research published in the August 28 issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

28 Aug 2009

Research study associates KIAA0319 gene on Chromosome 6 with variability in language abilities

A new candidate gene for Specific Language Impairment (SLI) has been identified by a research team directed by Mabel Rice from the University of Kansas, in collaboration with Shelley Smith, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Javier Gayán of Neocodex, Seville, Spain.

28 Aug 2009

Study on basic mechanisms that control fertility in worms may help to know how some woman regain their fertility after cancer treatment

Scientific dogma has long asserted that females are born with their entire lifetime's supply of eggs, and once they're gone, they're gone. New findings by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, published online Aug. 27 in Science, suggest that in nematode worms, at least, this does not hold true.

28 Aug 2009

Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives $11.2 million NIH grant to study genes associated with longevity

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a five-year, $11.2 million grant to study the impact of damage to DNA on aging and disease. Research funded by this grant, and conducted by a consortium of scientists, could reveal the role of genome maintenance systems in delaying aging and will begin to explore novel interventions to maintain health in old age.

28 Aug 2009

Study reveals the mechanisms of sodium tungstate in treating diabetes

The molecular mechanisms of tungstate activity in diabetes have been uncovered. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Genomics have identified the pathways through which sodium tungstate improves pancreatic function and beta cell proliferation.

28 Aug 2009

NIH awards $3.5-million grant to Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Consortium for research on fatal genetic disorders

In a victory for families who dug into their own pockets to fund new research, the National Institutes of Health has awarded a $3.5-million grant to the Boston-based Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Consortium to prepare a gene therapy for human clinical trials in a bid to halt the fatal genetic disorder.

28 Aug 2009

Abbott to partner with Pfizer to develop a companion diagnostic test for non-small cell lung cancer

Abbott announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer Inc to develop a molecular diagnostic test intended to screen non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors for the presence of gene rearrangements.

28 Aug 2009

AVI BioPharma's peptide-conjugated PMO chemistry to be discussed at two upcoming scientific meetings

AVI BioPharma, Inc., a developer of RNA-based drugs, today announced that Hong Moulton, Ph.D., Director of Discovery Research, will give oral presentations highlighting improved analogues of AVI's phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) chemistry at two upcoming scientific meetings.

28 Aug 2009

Medical journal article highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers for treating patients with non-healing wounds

Cardium Therapeutics today reported that a recent medical journal article highlights the challenges facing healthcare providers with respect to finding optimal treatments for patients with non-healing wounds.

28 Aug 2009

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

New gene therapy vector developed for transferring therapeutic DNA to a cell's nucleus

Tel Aviv University researcher devises mathematical formula for protecting the genetic privacy

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

Illumina delivers its first individual genome sequence to Dr. Hermann Hauser

Celladon announces completion of patient enrollment for Phase 2 CUPID clinical trial

Research reveals the reason why some patients with Ewing's sarcoma do not respond to chemotherapy

Researchers demystify polar body analysis reproduction technique

Study reveals that downregulation of IRF-8 gene causes gum diseases, arthritis and osteoporosis

New molecular sensor could identify zinc-related diseases

Antibiotic functioning as an off switch being developed for gene therapy of Parkinson's disease

Genetic variants on chromosome 9q may influence asthma development in Mexican children

Research study associates KIAA0319 gene on Chromosome 6 with variability in language abilities

Study on basic mechanisms that control fertility in worms may help to know how some woman regain their fertility after cancer treatment

Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives $11.2 million NIH grant to study genes associated with longevity

Study reveals the mechanisms of sodium tungstate in treating diabetes

NIH awards $3.5-million grant to Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy Consortium for research on fatal genetic disorders

Abbott to partner with Pfizer to develop a companion diagnostic test for non-small cell lung cancer

AVI BioPharma's peptide-conjugated PMO chemistry to be discussed at two upcoming scientific meetings

Medical journal article highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers for treating patients with non-healing wounds

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