Genetic Engineering News and Research

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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy emerges as fast, cost-efficient method for biomass analysis

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is emerging as a fast, cost-efficient method for identifying the total amount and specific compounds that comprise the inorganic component of biomass. Accurate and reliable analysis of these minerals, such as aluminum, calcium, iron, and silicon is essential, as this "ash" can cause problems when converting biomass to hydrocarbon biofuels, as described in a study published in Industrial Biotechnology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

12 Jan 2016

Scientists discover protein interaction that describes aggressive subtype of medulloblastoma

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Würzburg in Germany have identified a protein interaction that is a hallmark of an aggressive subtype of medulloblastoma and that may provide a new treatment strategy.

12 Jan 2016

Small differences in specific genetic variant could alter nicotine consumption

Nicotine is an addictive substance and genetic factors are known to play a role in smoking behaviors. Recently, a team of researchers at Penn State and the University of Colorado determined how small differences in a particular region of the mouse genome can alter nicotine consumption.

11 Jan 2016

Leading researchers reject proposed link between adeno-associated virus 2 and hepatocellular carcinoma

The conclusion drawn from a recent study that insertion of adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) into human DNA causes mutations leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was resoundingly rejected by leading researchers in the fields of gene therapy and molecular genetics.

7 Jan 2016

New CRISPR technology can be used to make designer babies

How should we handle the new CRISPR technology that can both advance science and medicine, but also be used to make designer babies? Scientist and author Paul Knoepfler tackles this and other difficult questions related to this revolutionary technology in his new book, GMO Sapiens: The Life-Changing Science of Designer Babies, targeted at a broad, lay audience.

7 Jan 2016

Antiscarring paste can halt fibrosis caused by radiation treatment

An antiscarring paste when applied to the skin of mice halts fibrosis caused by the radiation used in cancer therapy. That is according to a study led by researchers at Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center to be published tomorrow in the January edition of the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, or FASEB.

5 Jan 2016

Genetic modification in esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer

A genetic modification in the mucous membrane of the esophagus, the Barrett esophagus, can lead to esophageal cancer. If certain biomarkers are contained in these tissue alterations, so-called miDNA, these are extremely short DNA strands, it could be an indication that this preliminary stage of esophageal cancer indeed leads to cancer.

28 Dec 2015

Researchers identify liver-derived hormone that regulates sugar intake

We all love our sugar, especially during the holidays. Cookies, cake, and candy are simply irresistible. While sugar cravings are common, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our "sweet tooth" are not well defined.

24 Dec 2015

New $8.5M research grant aims to address patients affected by severe hemophilia A

People with hemophilia have prolonged abnormal bleeding as a result of trauma. Hemophilia A, also called factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency, is the most common form of the genetic disorder caused by missing or defective blood clotting protein called factor VIII.

23 Dec 2015

Researchers find mechanism that alters expression of key genes to make windows of stress-related neuroplasticity

Chronic stress can lead to changes in neural circuitry that leave the brain trapped in states of anxiety and depression. But even under repeated stress, brief opportunities for recovery can open up, according to new research at The Rockefeller University.

23 Dec 2015

Large doses of vitamin A reduce severity of gastrointestinal disease in mice

After observing that some gastrointestinal disease in premature human and mouse infants progresses only when certain immune system white blood cells go into inflammatory overdrive, Johns Hopkins researchers have found that giving large doses of vitamin A to mice converts those blood cells into inflammation suppressors and reduces the severity of the disease, compared to untreated mice.

22 Dec 2015

Adaptimmune begins Phase I/II study of affinity enhanced T-cell therapy targeting MAGE-A10 in NSCLC patients

Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc, a leader in the use of TCR engineered T-cell therapy to treat cancer, today announced that it has initiated a Phase I/II study of its affinity enhanced T-cell therapy targeting the MAGE-A10 cancer antigen in patients with locally advanced or metastatic (Stage IIIb or IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most prevalent type of lung cancer representing approximately 85 percent of lung cancers.

21 Dec 2015

Case Western scientist to lead a pair of studies to develop more effective treatment for CF

A scientist at Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing will lead a pair of studies to develop more effective treatment for symptoms of cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-threatening genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe.

18 Dec 2015

UT Southwestern researchers find potential mechanism to prevent epileptic seizures following TBI

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that halting production of new neurons in the brain following traumatic brain injury can help reduce resulting epileptic seizures, cognitive decline, and impaired memory.

18 Dec 2015

Scientists identify overlooked consequence of spatial separation of cells into nucleus, cytoplasm

Genetically identical cells do not always behave the same way. According to the accepted theory, the reason are random molecular processes - known as random noise. For decades this view has been underpinned by numerous experiments and theoretical models.

18 Dec 2015

New study suggests that musclin may promote muscle health

A new study in mice shows that exercise causes muscle to release a peptide that builds the muscle's capacity for energy production and increases physical endurance, allowing for longer and more intense exercise.

17 Dec 2015

Liver protein aids in accelerating growth of insulin-producing pancreatic 'beta' cells

More than a quarter of the 30 million people with diabetes in the United States depend on daily injections of insulin to maintain their blood glucose levels in a healthy range. Scientists are investigating many techniques to help treat or potentially even cure many of these patients by increasing the body's own insulin-producing pancreatic "beta" cells.

15 Dec 2015

New study examines antioxidant effects of pomegranate extract on cardiovascular risk factors

A new study assessing the antioxidant effects of pomegranate extract on cardiovascular risk factors and muscle function showed reductions in blood pressure and some atheroprotective benefits, but no effects on inflammation, oxidative strength, or muscle strength.

15 Dec 2015

Study: Brain cell death may trigger multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) may be triggered by the death of brain cells that make myelin, the insulation around nerve fibers, according to research on a novel mouse model developed by scientists from the University of Chicago and Northwestern Medicine. The death of these cells initiates an autoimmune response against myelin, the main characteristic of the disease, which leads to MS-like symptoms in mice.

14 Dec 2015

Commercialization of health and beauty can lead to Angelina Jolie syndrome

The politicization and commercialization of health issues in today's Western culture have led to growing healthism -- a peremptory idea of self-preserving behaviour. This approach criticizes everything that fails to fit into the glamorous standards of a beautiful, young and slim body.

13 Dec 2015

Genetic Engineering News and Research

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy emerges as fast, cost-efficient method for biomass analysis

Scientists discover protein interaction that describes aggressive subtype of medulloblastoma

Small differences in specific genetic variant could alter nicotine consumption

Leading researchers reject proposed link between adeno-associated virus 2 and hepatocellular carcinoma

New CRISPR technology can be used to make designer babies

Antiscarring paste can halt fibrosis caused by radiation treatment

Genetic modification in esophagus can lead to esophageal cancer

Researchers identify liver-derived hormone that regulates sugar intake

New $8.5M research grant aims to address patients affected by severe hemophilia A

Researchers find mechanism that alters expression of key genes to make windows of stress-related neuroplasticity

Large doses of vitamin A reduce severity of gastrointestinal disease in mice

Adaptimmune begins Phase I/II study of affinity enhanced T-cell therapy targeting MAGE-A10 in NSCLC patients

Case Western scientist to lead a pair of studies to develop more effective treatment for CF

UT Southwestern researchers find potential mechanism to prevent epileptic seizures following TBI

Scientists identify overlooked consequence of spatial separation of cells into nucleus, cytoplasm

New study suggests that musclin may promote muscle health

Liver protein aids in accelerating growth of insulin-producing pancreatic 'beta' cells

New study examines antioxidant effects of pomegranate extract on cardiovascular risk factors

Study: Brain cell death may trigger multiple sclerosis

Commercialization of health and beauty can lead to Angelina Jolie syndrome

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

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