Genes News and Research

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Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis contributes to biology and drug discovery

The results of the largest international study to date into the genetic basis of rheumatoid arthritis shed light on the biology of the disease and provide evidence that large-scale genetic studies can assist in the identification of new drugs for complex disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

26 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

An international team of researchers in Mexico and the United States has uncovered a new genetic clue that contributes to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly the elevated risk among Mexican and other Latin American populations.

26 Dec 2013

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

Researchers from the Boston area, Mexico, and Norway have completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations. The study identified recurrent genetic mutations not previously found in cervical cancer, including at least one for which targeted treatments have been approved for other forms of cancer.

25 Dec 2013

FDA extends PDUFA Priority Review action date for UC indication of Takeda's vedolizumab

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc., today announced that the United States Food & Drug Administration has extended the Prescription Drug User Fee Act Priority Review action date for the ulcerative colitis indication of Takeda's investigational biologic, vedolizumab.

24 Dec 2013

Schizophrenia brain marker matches genetic risk

Polygenic risk for schizophrenia correlates with neural inefficiency in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, say researchers.

24 Dec 2013

Study finds link between genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to influenza vaccine

A new study has identified a link between certain genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to an influenza vaccine. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that testosterone levels may partially explain why men often have weaker responses to vaccines than women.

24 Dec 2013

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Changes to a gene called LZTR1 predispose people to develop a rare disorder where multiple tumors called schwannomas form near nerve pathways, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Genetics and led by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

24 Dec 2013

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Researchers have developed a method to create a comprehensive library of mutations across all genes in the mouse genome. This library can be used to examine the role of every gene in different cell types.

23 Dec 2013

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

The role of microRNAs is fundamental for the correct moment-to-moment adjustment in the expression of target genes. "Before this study, we already knew that these small molecules could be packaged into small vesicles and exported to the extracellular space, to be later captured by other cells and in this way play an important role in intercellular communication," explains CNIC researcher Carolina Villarroya, the first author on the study.

23 Dec 2013

Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome at increased risk for aortic aneurysm

Patients with the connective tissue disorder Loeys-Dietz syndrome are at high risk for aortic aneurysm. LDS results in the presence of missense mutations within either of the genes encoding receptors for TGF-β. LDS-associated mutations are predicted to reduce TGF-β signaling; however, aortic tissue samples from LDS patients indicate that TGF-β signaling may be enhanced.

22 Dec 2013

Manipulating epigenetic mechanism may promote cell death in pediatric brain cancer

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, the university hospital (Hospital de Cl-nicas de Porto Alegre, HCPA) and the Children's Cancer Institute (Instituto do C-ncer Infantil do Rio Grande do Sul, ICI-RS) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, have shown that manipulating an epigenetic mechanism, which regulates gene expression, may promote cell death and favor maturation towards less malignant-prone phenotypes in pediatric brain cancer cell lines.

22 Dec 2013

Six common diseases arise from DNA changes, finds new research

Many rare disorders are caused by gene mutation, like sickle cell anemia. Yet until now the underlying genetic cause of more common conditions - for example, rheumatoid arthritis - has evaded scientists for years.

22 Dec 2013

Intrexon enters into definitive agreement to acquire Medistem

Intrexon Corporation, a leader in synthetic biology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, for approximately $26 million, San Diego-based Medistem, Inc. a pioneer in the development of Endometrial Regenerative Cells, universal donor adult stem cells that stimulate new blood vessel formation and are capable of generating different tissues including heart, brain, pancreas, liver, bone, cartilage and lung.

21 Dec 2013

Researchers discover way to identify artemisinin-resistant malaria

An international team of researchers has discovered a way to identify, at a molecular level, malaria-causing Plasmodium falciparum parasites that are resistant to artemisinin, the key drug for treating this disease.

20 Dec 2013

Study supports mounting evidence that inflammation may be the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis

Saint Louis University researchers have analyzed the microbiomes of people with chronic rhinosinusitis and healthy volunteers and found evidence that some chronic sinus issues may be the result of inflammation triggered by an immune response to otherwise harmless microorganisms in the sinus membranes.

20 Dec 2013

UC Irvine scientists find that reprogramming of liver 'clock' may contribute to metabolic disorders

A high-fat diet affects the molecular mechanism controlling the internal body clock that regulates metabolic functions in the liver, UC Irvine scientists have found. Disruption of these circadian rhythms may contribute to metabolic distress ailments, such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers reveal how metabolic system breaks down in obesity

Researchers at University of Michigan have illuminated an aspect of how the metabolic system breaks down in obesity. The findings provide additional evidence that a drug entering clinical trials at the university could reverse obesity, Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease in humans.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers identify molecular link between liver cancer, obesity, alcoholism, and hepatitis

Obesity, alcoholism, and chronic hepatitis all increase the risk of getting liver cancer, which is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Obesity in particular is driving a significant increase in liver cancer in the United States.

20 Dec 2013

Takeda to acquire exclusive license to develop Natrogen's Natura-alpha compound

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Natrogen Therapeutics International, Inc. jointly announced today an agreement whereby Takeda will acquire an exclusive license to develop Natrogen's Natura-alpha compound as well as an option to acquire Natrogen. Natura-alpha is a synthetic small molecule oral compound that is believed to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, which may help to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation. Natura-alpha is currently in Phase 2 development for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

20 Dec 2013

BeiGene doses first patient in Phase 1 study of BGB-283

BeiGene (Beijing), Co., Ltd., today announced dose administration for the first patient in a Phase 1 study of BGB-283 in patients with B-RAF or K-RAS mutations. BGB-283 is an investigational, oral, selective, potent second generation inhibitor of B-RAF, making it a targeted therapeutic candidate to potentially treat and bring benefit to patients with cancers that harbor BRAF mutations and/or aberrations in the RAS-MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway.

20 Dec 2013

Genes News and Research

Genetics of rheumatoid arthritis contributes to biology and drug discovery

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

FDA extends PDUFA Priority Review action date for UC indication of Takeda's vedolizumab

Schizophrenia brain marker matches genetic risk

Study finds link between genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to influenza vaccine

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome at increased risk for aortic aneurysm

Manipulating epigenetic mechanism may promote cell death in pediatric brain cancer

Six common diseases arise from DNA changes, finds new research

Intrexon enters into definitive agreement to acquire Medistem

Researchers discover way to identify artemisinin-resistant malaria

Study supports mounting evidence that inflammation may be the cause of chronic rhinosinusitis

UC Irvine scientists find that reprogramming of liver 'clock' may contribute to metabolic disorders

Researchers reveal how metabolic system breaks down in obesity

Researchers identify molecular link between liver cancer, obesity, alcoholism, and hepatitis

Takeda to acquire exclusive license to develop Natrogen's Natura-alpha compound

BeiGene doses first patient in Phase 1 study of BGB-283

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