Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Study of early stage breast cancer patients identifies women at low risk of breast cancer mortality

Kaiser Permanente researchers are presenting results of a large epidemiologic study of a unique breast cancer test at the 27th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The KP study shows the test can identify patients with early stage disease who are at low risk of breast cancer death at 10-years.

13 Dec 2004

Newly discovered genetic defect might represent an important risk factor for major depression

A newly discovered genetic defect might represent an important risk factor for major depression, a condition which effects 20 million people in the U.S., according to Duke University Medical Center researchers.

13 Dec 2004

First gene therapy for skin cancer

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have successfully tested the first gene therapy for skin cancer, using a mouse model for the disease xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP.

13 Dec 2004

Using precise, radioactively labeled genetic probes, researchers study cancer gene activity from outside the body

Using precise, radioactively labeled genetic probes, researchers at Jefferson Medical College have seen cancer gene activity from outside the body in laboratory mice. The probes, which work by attaching to genetic codes copied from an active cancer gene, may someday aid physicians and scientists in cancer detection and in determining the appropriate treatment for a cancer.

13 Dec 2004

Defect in one of nature's oldest proteins may be an underlying cause in human miscarriages

University of Rochester scientists studying a vital protein called Serum Response Factor (SRF) in mice have learned new and unexpected facts about SRF's role in early cardiovascular development, and how a defect in this gene may be an underlying cause in human miscarriages.

8 Dec 2004

Zarnestra, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, can help treat high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients

An oral targeted therapy gentle enough to be used by patients in their 70s or 80s is showing benefit in treating high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a pre-leukemic disorder that can progress to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

7 Dec 2004

Human parathyroid gland most likely evolved from the gills of fish

The human parathyroid gland, which regulates the level of calcium in the blood, probably evolved from the gills of fish, according to researchers from King's College London.

6 Dec 2004

New clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans

Researchers have unlocked new clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans. One of the keys to this species of bacteria is its production of streptokinase (SK), an enzyme that activates plasminogen, the blood clot-dissolving protein in humans.

6 Dec 2004

Novel mutagenesis screen used to identify genetic suppressors of thrombosis

Researchers using a novel sensitized ENU (N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, a carcinogen-induced animal tumor model established to grow malignant and benign tumors) mutagenesis (induction of mutation) screen in laboratory mice have developed a promising approach to genetic screening that can increase the likelihood of identifying dominant suppressors of thrombosis.

6 Dec 2004

New advances in sickle cell disease

Excruciating pain episodes, recurrent pneumonias, strokes, severe infections, chronic hemolytic anemia, and secondary pulmonary hypertension are common complications of sickle cell disease, a life-threatening inherited defect in blood that causes normally disc-shaped red blood cells to take on a sickle shape.

6 Dec 2004

Electrochemical DNA chip that is able to detect DNA at very low concentrations

Toshiba Corporation has announced the development of a highly sensitive electrochemical DNA chip that is able to detect DNA at very low concentrations, a capability that will support advances in gene detection and analysis for individual treatment regimes, and the monitoring of healthy individuals for any predisposition to certain diseases.

6 Dec 2004

Important genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Two Hershey, Pa., researchers were part of a team that has uncovered what may be an important genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

6 Dec 2004

Scientist develops way to deliver promising genetic tool into living cells

By exploiting an HIV protein that readily traverses cell membranes, Carnegie Mellon University scientists have developed a new way to introduce a gene-like molecule called a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) directly into live mammalian cells, including human embryonic stem (ES) cells.

6 Dec 2004

Family history not age greatly affects breast cancer risk

CancerBACUP has published the results of a survey revealing that more over 50s believe that family history - not age - greatly affects breast cancer risk.

6 Dec 2004

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

A European research team is seeking to overcome the early setbacks suffered by the promising new field of ‘gene therapy’ by developing a revolutionary delivery technique, known as ‘episome vectors’. This breakthrough could pave the way to treating hereditary diseases by injecting the body with healthy versions of damaged genes.

6 Dec 2004

Next-generation therapeutics with the potential to successfully treat Lou Gehrig's disease

The hopes of many that ALS (commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) will one day be a disease of the past, studied in medical textbooks, conquered by the dedication of those who have worked tirelessly to eradicate it might be realized in our lifetime.

6 Dec 2004

New drug can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec

A team of prominent researchers led by Charles Sawyers, M.D. and Moshe Talpaz, M.D., presented compelling clinical findings today showing that a new drug, BMS-354825, can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec (the frontline therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML).

5 Dec 2004

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Modern research is delving deep into the human genome to find the answers to medical mysteries and, hopefully, cures for the most deadly diseases. According to four new studies presented during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology

5 Dec 2004

Bcl-6 oncogene - genetic target for lymphoma treatment

Results from a pre-clinical study show that the gene designated Bcl-6 is an oncogene -- that is, one with the potential to cause a normal cell to become cancerous -- but that certain peptide inhibitors can in effect inactivate it, according to a study to be presented today during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).

5 Dec 2004

Autophagy is also cell's second line of defense against invading pathogens such as strep

Cells give up their secrets slowly. Just when you think that all major cellular systems are understood, along comes a surprise. The latest is about autophagy, a major pathway for degrading and recycling within cells.

4 Dec 2004

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Study of early stage breast cancer patients identifies women at low risk of breast cancer mortality

Newly discovered genetic defect might represent an important risk factor for major depression

First gene therapy for skin cancer

Using precise, radioactively labeled genetic probes, researchers study cancer gene activity from outside the body

Defect in one of nature's oldest proteins may be an underlying cause in human miscarriages

Zarnestra, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, can help treat high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome patients

Human parathyroid gland most likely evolved from the gills of fish

New clues in understanding why group A streptococci (GAS) has a range of bacterial afflictions in humans

Novel mutagenesis screen used to identify genetic suppressors of thrombosis

New advances in sickle cell disease

Electrochemical DNA chip that is able to detect DNA at very low concentrations

Important genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Scientist develops way to deliver promising genetic tool into living cells

Family history not age greatly affects breast cancer risk

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

Next-generation therapeutics with the potential to successfully treat Lou Gehrig's disease

New drug can successfully treat patients who have become resistant to Gleevec

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Bcl-6 oncogene - genetic target for lymphoma treatment

Autophagy is also cell's second line of defense against invading pathogens such as strep

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production