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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Platinum and light together fight cancer

Researchers continue to search for cancer treatments that effectively destroy tumor cells while protecting surrounding healthy tissue and the body. One intriguing approach involves photoactivated drugs: an inactive precursor would be administered, then the diseased tissue could be irradiated to convert the drug into its cytotoxic form locally.

14 Sep 2010

Molecule microRNA-21 enhances growth and survival of existing lung cancer

A tiny molecule that spurs the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer could become a player in fighting the disease, say researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center, who published a study on how the molecule behaves in mice in the Sept. 14 issue of Cancer Cell.

14 Sep 2010

$Cell Therapeutics to appeal FDA decision on pixantrone NDA for relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL$

Cell Therapeutics to appeal FDA decision on pixantrone NDA for relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it intends to appeal the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's previously disclosed decision regarding the pixantrone New Drug Application ("NDA") to treat patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ("NHL").

14 Sep 2010

NIH awards QuantaLife $6 million to build platform for detecting MRSA infections

QuantaLife, a new life science tool company developing the third generation of PCR, has received an NIH grant totaling ~$6 million over 5 years for the development of rapid, cost-effective technology for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. The grant, from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), part of the National Institutes of Health, will fund the project.

14 Sep 2010

Transgenomic expands EU distribution of SURVEYOR Scan K-RAS CE IVD mutation detection kit

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced that it completed the requirements for CE IVD labeling and has significantly expanded distribution of its SURVEYOR® Scan K-RAS mutation detection kit throughout most of the European Union. The SURVEYOR Scan K-RAS CE IVD kit is a member of Transgenomic's family of mutation detection kits, which features proprietary SURVEYOR endonuclease technology.

14 Sep 2010

AskBio enters patent license agreement with Pfizer for HCV therapy

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc., a privately-owned clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced today it has entered into a patent license agreement with Pfizer, Inc. granting Pfizer access to certain proprietary gene-delivery platform technologies developed by AskBio, for use in developing novel therapies for patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

14 Sep 2010

Pharmacyclics reports $9.3 million increase in total revenue for 2010 fiscal year

Pharmacyclics, Inc. today reported financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter which ended June 30, 2010.

14 Sep 2010

Myopia and Glaucoma genes identified

In global studies of more than 40,000 people from countries around the world, including Australia, researchers have found the genes responsible for two of the most common eye disorders - short-sightedness or myopia and glaucoma. The scientists believe this could open new diagnostic and management options.

13 Sep 2010

Genomas awarded method patent for PhyzioGenomics Technology

Genomas®, a biomedical company advancing DNA-Guided Medicine, has been awarded US Patent 7,747,392, entitled Physiogenomic Method for Predicting Clinical Outcomes of Treatment in Patients by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

13 Sep 2010

Vical's TransVax CMV vaccine achieves key endpoints in Phase 2 trial in immunocompromised HCT recipients

Vical Incorporated announced today the achievement of key efficacy, immunogenicity and safety results in a Phase 2 trial, establishing its TransVax™ cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine as the first to provide evidence of protection in immunocompromised hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients, and defining a potential pathway for further development.

13 Sep 2010

Cyclacel reaches SPA agreement with FDA for sapacitabine Phase 3 trial in AML

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapies that target the various phases of cell cycle control for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, today announced that it has reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) on the design of a pivotal Phase 3 trial for the Company's sapacitabine oral capsules as a front-line treatment in elderly patients aged 70 years or older with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are not candidates for intensive induction chemotherapy.

13 Sep 2010

Scientists find low levels of bacteria in fields sprayed with swine manure

That swine manure sprayed on to fields adds valuable nutrients to the soil is well known. But what is not known is whether all that manure is bringing harmful bacteria with it.

13 Sep 2010

Myconostica presents data of MycAssay for Pneumocystis detection

Myconostica Ltd, the UK-based medical diagnostic company developing and commercialising rapid and highly specific tests for life-threatening fungal infections, today presented positive data from a multi-centre prospective evaluation of MycAssay Pneumocystis, the Company's CE marked diagnostic product for detection of Pneumocystis DNA in respiratory samples.

13 Sep 2010

Scientific advances in glycomics

The glycome, encompassing all of the complex sugars produced by an organism, is comprised of multiple families of molecules whose function in the human body is often determined by the structure, composition, and placement of the attached sugars, as explored in a comprehensive look at the field of glycomics in a group of key articles in OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The relevant articles are available free online at www.liebertpub.com/omi.

13 Sep 2010

Cell quality control mechanism research paves way for new understanding of neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists from The Scripps Research Institute have solved a long-standing mystery of how cells conduct "quality control" to eliminate the toxic effects of a certain kind of error in protein production. The findings may lead to a better understanding of a host of neurodegenerative diseases.

13 Sep 2010

Genotoxic effects of exposure to disinfection by-products in indoor swimming pools

Swimming in indoor chlorinated pools may induce genotoxicity (DNA damage that may lead to cancer) as well as respiratory effects, but the positive health effects of swimming can be maintained by reducing pool levels of the chemicals behind these potential health risks, according to a new study published in a set of three articles online September 12 ahead of print in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP).

13 Sep 2010

Scientists discover gene associated with myopia

Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common eye disorder in the world and becoming more common, yet little is known about its genetic underpinnings.Scientists at Duke University Medical Center, in conjunction with several other groups, have uncovered a gene associated with myopia in Caucasian people from several different regions, including Dutch, British and Australian subjects.

13 Sep 2010

Inovio Pharmaceuticals achieves promising results in VGX-3100 Phase I study

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that it has achieved best-in-class immune responses in its Phase I dose escalation study of VGX-3100, its DNA vaccine to treat pre-cancerous cervical dysplasias and cervical cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.

13 Sep 2010

Scientists discover SNP association with primary open-angle glaucoma risk

Scientists at deCODE genetics and academic colleagues from Iceland, China, Sweden, the UK and Australia today report the discovery of the most important single-letter variation (SNP) in the sequence of the human genome yet associated with risk of primary open-angle glaucoma. This is the most common form of glaucoma and a major cause of blindness worldwide.

13 Sep 2010

Good Start Genetics to develop pre-pregnancy genetic test with completed $18M Series A financing

Good Start Genetics, Inc., today announced the completion of an $18 million Series A financing. The proceeds of this financing will be used to complete the development and launch of the Company's pre-pregnancy genetic test, which utilizes advanced DNA sequencing technology to screen for a panel of genetic disorders including those recommended by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG).

10 Sep 2010