Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Toxic proteins explain memory loss in Alzheimer's patients

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a molecular mechanism -- a tiny protein attacking nerve cells -- that could explain why the brain damage in early Alzheimer's disease results in memory loss and not other symptoms such as loss of balance or tremors.

1 Dec 2004

Salmonella pathogen uses molecular hydrogen to grow and become virulent

New research, headed by microbiologists from the University of Georgia, show for the first time that Salmonella – a widespread and often deadly bacterial pathogen – use molecular hydrogen to grow and become virulent.

29 Nov 2004

Indoprofen may lead to new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy

A drug withdrawn from pharmacy shelves over 20 years ago may point the way to a new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, a muscle-wasting and often life-threatening childhood disease.

29 Nov 2004

Avastin plus Folfox4 chemotherapy significantly extends survival in second-line metastatic colorectal cancer

Genentech and Roche today announced that a randomized Phase III study of Avastin™ (bevacizumab) plus the FOLFOX4 chemotherapy regimen (oxaliplatin/5-FU/leucovorin), compared to FOLFOX4 alone, in second-line metastatic colorectal cancer patients achieved its primary endpoint of improving overall survival.

29 Nov 2004

Computer program helps decode cancer

Researchers at the University of Newcastle, Australia have developed a computer program that implements a novel algorithm, which will aid in the identification of specific cancer causing genes.

29 Nov 2004

New possibilities for the use of VEGF in the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

ALS is an incurable, paralyzing neurodegenerative disorder that strikes 5 persons in every 100,000. The disease commonly affects healthy people in the most active period of their lives − without warning or previous family history.

29 Nov 2004

New research may lead to treatments for atherosclerosis

Scientists are one step closer to deciphering the molecular signaling process controlling innate immunity with the discovery that a molecule called IRAK1 regulates the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Because atherosclerosis patients often have elevated IL-10 levels, IRAK1 may be a viable target for developing therapeutics for atherosclerosis.

29 Nov 2004

New research into nicotine addiction

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded a $2.1 million contract to Perlegen Sciences, Inc., to investigate the human genome for DNA variations and candidate genes associated with nicotine addiction.

24 Nov 2004

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have given "blind" nerve cells the ability to detect light, paving the way for an innovative therapy that could restore sight to those who have lost it through disease.

24 Nov 2004

Study links a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer

Cytogen Corporation today announced the publication of a study linking a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer.

24 Nov 2004

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Together with an international research team, researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed an effective method for the screening and identification of genes that under normal conditions suppress cancer growth.

24 Nov 2004

Genetic defect boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco

A genetic defect, which slows the liver's capacity to clear nicotine from the body, boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco, finds research in Tobacco Control. The effects are particularly strong in new, young smokers, the study shows.

24 Nov 2004

Experimental compound prevents cholesterol gallstone disease

A promising experimental compound prevents cholesterol gallstone disease in mice by stimulating the biochemical pathway that controls bile acid secretion by the liver, according to new studies by Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers.

23 Nov 2004

Discovery of gene mutation in fruit flies that alters sensitivity to crack cocaine

Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and New York University have discovered a gene mutation in fruit flies that alters sensitivity to crack cocaine and also regulates their internal body clock.

23 Nov 2004

FDA approves Tarceva (erlotinib)

OSI Pharmaceuticals and Genentech have announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved, after priority review, Tarceva (erlotinib) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen.

20 Nov 2004

Brain imaging shows differences in people at risk for Alzheimer's

Using brain imaging, researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have found clear differences in brain function between healthy people who carry a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and those who lack the factor.

20 Nov 2004

Overexpression of a protein called Down Syndrome Critical Region 1 (DSCR-1) reduces tumor growth

Scientists have found that overexpression of a protein called Down Syndrome Critical Region 1 (DSCR-1) blocks the formation of new blood vessels and thus reduces tumor growth. Therapeutics based on this finding may potentially lead to new cancer treatments.

19 Nov 2004

Researchers find mutations in a multifunctional protein cause Parkinsonism

A team of researchers at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. and colleagues in Canada and Germany have discovered a gene and six mutations of it that cause symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

18 Nov 2004

New genetic test has proven useful as a prognostic tool for ovarian cancer

The identification of a gene expression profile using microarray technology may help clinicians better determine the prognosis of patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer and may eventually help provide targeted therapies for this hard-to-treat disease, according to a study led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC).

18 Nov 2004

Understanding the signals that delay the spread of follicular lymphoma could provide new therapeutic targets

Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), have created a model that predicts the survival of follicular lymphoma patients based on the molecular characteristics of their tumors at diagnosis.

18 Nov 2004

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Toxic proteins explain memory loss in Alzheimer's patients

Salmonella pathogen uses molecular hydrogen to grow and become virulent

Indoprofen may lead to new treatments for spinal muscular atrophy

Avastin plus Folfox4 chemotherapy significantly extends survival in second-line metastatic colorectal cancer

Computer program helps decode cancer

New possibilities for the use of VEGF in the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

New research may lead to treatments for atherosclerosis

New research into nicotine addiction

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Study links a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Genetic defect boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco

Experimental compound prevents cholesterol gallstone disease

Discovery of gene mutation in fruit flies that alters sensitivity to crack cocaine

FDA approves Tarceva (erlotinib)

Brain imaging shows differences in people at risk for Alzheimer's

Overexpression of a protein called Down Syndrome Critical Region 1 (DSCR-1) reduces tumor growth

Researchers find mutations in a multifunctional protein cause Parkinsonism

New genetic test has proven useful as a prognostic tool for ovarian cancer

Understanding the signals that delay the spread of follicular lymphoma could provide new therapeutic targets

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