Chromosome News and Research RSS Feed - Chromosome News and Research

In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes. Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiled many times around proteins called histones that support its structure.

Chromosomes are not visible in the cell’s nucleus—not even under a microscope—when the cell is not dividing. However, the DNA that makes up chromosomes becomes more tightly packed during cell division and is then visible under a microscope. Most of what researchers know about chromosomes was learned by observing chromosomes during cell division.

Each chromosome has a constriction point called the centromere, which divides the chromosome into two sections, or “arms.” The short arm of the chromosome is labeled the “p arm.” The long arm of the chromosome is labeled the “q arm.” The location of the centromere on each chromosome gives the chromosome its characteristic shape, and can be used to help describe the location of specific genes.
Results of ibrutinib Phase 2 study in patients with mantle cell lymphoma published in NEJM

Results of ibrutinib Phase 2 study in patients with mantle cell lymphoma published in NEJM

Pharmacyclics, Inc. today announced that The New England Journal of Medicine published results of a Phase 2 study evaluating the investigational oral Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib in patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma online. [More]
Men with haplogroup I of Y chromosome have 50% greater risk of developing heart disease

Men with haplogroup I of Y chromosome have 50% greater risk of developing heart disease

University of Leicester scientists have discovered a potential genetic contributor to the increased risk of heart disease among men. [More]
Genomic instability in new molecular pathway may predict worse outcomes in breast cancer patients

Genomic instability in new molecular pathway may predict worse outcomes in breast cancer patients

A new molecular pathway involving the gene ZNF365 has been identified and abnormalities in that pathway may predict worse outcomes for patients with breast cancer, according to data published in Cancer Discovery, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. [More]
European Commission amends marketing authorisation for Celgene's REVLIMID

European Commission amends marketing authorisation for Celgene's REVLIMID

Celgene International Sàrl was today notified that the European Commission has amended the marketing authorisation for REVLIMID. This decision means that REVLIMID is now approved to treat patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia due to low or intermediate-1 risk myelodysplastic syndromes associated with an isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality when other therapeutic options are insufficient or inadequate. [More]
Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for MDP Syndrome

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for MDP Syndrome

National Paracycling Champion Tom Staniford has an extremely rare condition which, until now, has puzzled his doctors. He is unable to store fat under his skin - yet has type 2 diabetes - and suffered hearing loss as a child. Now, thanks to advances in genome sequencing, an international research team led by the University of Exeter Medical School has identified Tom's condition and pinpointed the single genetic mutation that causes it. [More]

Pew Charitable Trusts selects NYU professor as Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences

Fei Li, an assistant professor in New York University's Department of Biology, has been selected as a Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts. [More]
Sequenom CMM completes build-out, validation of additional lab facility in Raleigh-Durham, NC

Sequenom CMM completes build-out, validation of additional lab facility in Raleigh-Durham, NC

Sequenom, Inc., a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, the Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine, has completed the build-out and validation of an additional laboratory location in Raleigh-Durham, NC, and is now processing patient samples commercially. [More]
ARIAD Pharmaceuticals initiates ponatinib Phase 2 trial in adult patients with metastatic GIST

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals initiates ponatinib Phase 2 trial in adult patients with metastatic GIST

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of the Phase 2 trial of Iclusig (ponatinib) in adult patients with metastatic and/or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors. [More]

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Uterine leiomyomata, or fibroids, are benign tumours that nevertheless affect the health of millions of women. They may cause, for instance, pain, bleeding and infertility. Fibroids are also the most common reason for a hysterectomy; for example, some 8,000 hysterectomies are made in Finland each year. [More]
Researchers demonstrate how young genes acquire essential functions

Researchers demonstrate how young genes acquire essential functions

Researchers from UConn and other institutions in the U.S. and abroad have shown how a relatively young gene can acquire a new function and become essential to an organism's life. [More]

Duke researchers find novel way to repair gene responsible for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Using a novel genetic 'editing' technique, Duke University biomedical engineers have been able to repair a defect responsible for one of the most common inherited disorders, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, in cell samples from Duchenne patients. [More]
Research provides insights into potential new strategies to detect, treat and prevent breast cancer

Research provides insights into potential new strategies to detect, treat and prevent breast cancer

New research provides critical insights into how normal breast precursor cells may be genetically vulnerable to develop into cancer. The research is published June 4th in the inaugural issue of Stem Cell Reports, an open-access journal from the International Society of Stem Cell Research published by Cell Press. [More]
Research lays foundation for genetic test to identify hip dysplasia in newborns

Research lays foundation for genetic test to identify hip dysplasia in newborns

Research from Thomas Jefferson University is laying the foundation for a genetic test to accurately identify hip dysplasia in newborns so that early intervention can be initiated to promote normal development. [More]

Lung cancer patients are likely to fare better if treated with targeted therapy than with chemotherapy

Thousands of patients with an advanced form of lung cancer that carries a specific dysfunctional gene are likely to fare better if treated with a targeted therapy than with traditional chemotherapy, report Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers and a team of international collaborators. [More]

Radiotherapy: First choice treatment for low-grade glioma

In a large, international, randomized trial, initial radiotherapy was compared to temozolomide chemotherapy. A statistically significant difference between the two treatment strategies was not observed for progression-free survival, although radiotherapy was numerically favored. However, molecular tumor characterization may allow the treatment approach to be personalized and one or the other treatment modality to be selected. [More]

Medical researchers identify genetic marker associated with sporadic breast cancer

Medical researchers at the University of Alberta have pinpointed a genetic marker for sporadic breast cancer - one of a handful identified to date in Caucasians. [More]
More evidence of high oxidative stress levels found in Down syndrome neurons

More evidence of high oxidative stress levels found in Down syndrome neurons

Down syndrome, the most common genetic form of intellectual disability, results from an extra copy of one chromosome. Although people with Down syndrome experience intellectual difficulties and other problems, scientists have had trouble identifying why that extra chromosome causes such widespread effects. [More]
Loss of Merlin protein leads to abnormal growth of tumours

Loss of Merlin protein leads to abnormal growth of tumours

A study led by researchers from Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry has for the first time revealed how the loss of a particular tumour suppressing protein leads to the abnormal growth of tumours of the brain and nervous system. [More]

Researchers demonstrate how EGF accelerates division of cell nucleus

Biologists at Heidelberg University have discovered new approaches for the treatment of cancer. They investigated how a special signalling molecule, the epidermal growth factor (EGF), stimulates the separation of chromosomes in the cell. The researchers were able to demonstrate that EGF accelerates the division of the cell nucleus, i.e. mitosis, as well as boosts precision in chromosome segregation. [More]

Echevarne to distribute Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test in Spain

Natera, a leading innovator in prenatal genetic testing, and Echevarne, a leading clinical analysis laboratory in Spain, today announced the signing of a distribution agreement for Echevarne to offer Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test, Panorama, through its facilities in Spain. [More]