Genes News and Research

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Cells lose ability to defend against transposons as they age

Even in our DNA there is no refuge from rogues that prey on the elderly. Parasitic strands of genetic material called transposable elements - transposons - lurk in our chromosomes, poised to wreak genomic havoc. Cells have evolved ways to defend themselves, but in a new study, Brown University researchers describe how cells lose this ability as they age, possibly resulting in a decline in their function and health.

4 Feb 2013

Scientists track evolution of antibiotic resistance using automated device

With the discovery of antibiotics, medicine acquired power on a scale never before possible to protect health, save lives, and reduce suffering caused by certain bacteria. But the power of antibiotics is now under siege because some virulent infections no longer respond to antibiotic drugs.

4 Feb 2013

Investigators use genome analysis to eliminate lifetime drug prescription in two children

Using genome-wide analysis, investigators at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and the University of Montreal have potentially eliminated a lifetime drug prescription that two children with a previously unknown type of adrenal insufficiency had been receiving for 14 years.

4 Feb 2013

Study provides new insight on cancer prevention

Clear communication between cells is essential to every aspect of the body's internal function. But since cells can't talk, or send emails, how do they communicate?

4 Feb 2013

Presentation examines role of genes behind autism disorders

Autism spectrum disorders affect nearly 1 in 88 children, with symptoms ranging from mild personality traits to severe intellectual disability and seizures. Understanding the altered genetic pathways is critical for diagnosis and treatment.

4 Feb 2013

Study about plant altruism

We've all heard examples of animal altruism: Dogs caring for orphaned kittens, chimps sharing food or dolphins nudging injured mates to the surface. Now, a study led by the University of Colorado Boulder suggests some plants are altruistic too.

3 Feb 2013

Epidermal growth factor speeds recovery of blood-making stem cells after radiation exposure

Epidermal growth factor has been found to speed the recovery of blood-making stem cells after exposure to radiation, according to Duke Medicine researchers. The finding could open new options for treating cancer patients and victims of dirty bombs or nuclear disasters.

3 Feb 2013

Two new methods could accelerate development of improved antisense drugs

Powerful antisense drugs that target disease-associated genes to block their expression can be used to treat a broad range of diseases. Though antisense therapy has been proven effective, challenges remain in ensuring that the drugs reach their intended targets.

2 Feb 2013

Researchers create high-resolution map of gene regulatory elements in the brain

Future research into the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia, should greatly benefit from a first-of-its-kind atlas of gene-enhancers in the cerebrum (telencephalon).

2 Feb 2013

New drug to prevent early stages of Alzheimer's could enter clinical trials soon

A new drug to prevent the early stages of Alzheimer's disease could enter clinical trials in a few years' time according to scientists.

2 Feb 2013

Scientists report first generation of hiPSCs from patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young

Joslin scientists report the first generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with an uncommon form of diabetes, maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). These cells offer a powerful resource for studying the role of genetic factors in the development of MODY and testing potential treatments.

2 Feb 2013

Study shows how female steroid hormones can make changes to the breast genetic material

Melbourne scientists have discovered how female steroid hormones can make dramatic changes to the genetic material in breast cells, changes that could potentially lead to breast cancer.

2 Feb 2013

Cedars-Sinai healthcare professionals to mark National Wear Red Day

Hundreds of healthcare professionals at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute will wear red on Friday, Feb. 1, to mark National Wear Red Day. A few hours later, the new Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion will be lit with a projection of the red dress symbol that represents a public education program to boost women's awareness of heart disease.

1 Feb 2013

Brandeis University researchers to receive Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences

Deborah E. Wiley, Chair of The Wiley Foundation, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., announced today that the twelfth annual Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences will be awarded to Dr. Michael Young, Rockefeller University, Dr. Jeffrey Hall, Brandeis University (Emeritus), and Dr. Michael Rosbash, Brandeis University.

1 Feb 2013

Study investigates R1441G mutation of Parkinson's disease

A team from the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country came across a mutation of the LRRK2 gene in 2004, which is particularly prevalent among the population of Gipuzkoa. It is the R1441G mutation and is known as the Basque mutation.

1 Feb 2013

Notch protein responsible for activating GATA2 gene to generate hematopoietic stem cells

Researchers from the group on stem cells and cancer at IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute) have deciphered one of the gene regulation circuits which would make it possible to generate hematopoietic blood cells, i.e. blood tissue stem cells.

1 Feb 2013

Study demonstrates new fragile genomic sites responsible for chromosomal alterations in tumors

Cancer arises from the accumulation of mutations and structural changes in chromosomes, which in some cases give rise to combinations that favour the growth or expansion of the disease. In this context, chromosomes tend to lose or duplicate entire regions, although, the mechanisms that initiate these chromosomal abnormalities are not fully understood.

1 Feb 2013

Study expands and deepens biological and genetic links between CVD and schizophrenia

A new study, to be published in the Feb. 7, 2013 issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics, expands and deepens the biological and genetic links between cardiovascular disease and schizophrenia. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death among schizophrenia patients, who die from heart and blood vessel disorders at a rate double that of persons without the mental disorder.

1 Feb 2013

SINEUP allows scientists to target individual genes in cells to increase protein production

One of the most innovative biotechnologies of the last decade has recently been developed. SINEUP allows scientists, for the first time, to target individual genes in cells to knockup, or increase, the amount of protein they make. The technique will improve Protein manufacture, analyse the function of genes and engineer improved cell function.

From Cell Guidance Systems 31 Jan 2013

Gene variant boosts ulcer susceptibility in NSAID users

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the cytochrome P450 2C gene cluster influences the risk for peptic ulcer disease in people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a study reveals.

31 Jan 2013

Genes News and Research

Cells lose ability to defend against transposons as they age

Scientists track evolution of antibiotic resistance using automated device

Investigators use genome analysis to eliminate lifetime drug prescription in two children

Study provides new insight on cancer prevention

Presentation examines role of genes behind autism disorders

Study about plant altruism

Epidermal growth factor speeds recovery of blood-making stem cells after radiation exposure

Two new methods could accelerate development of improved antisense drugs

Researchers create high-resolution map of gene regulatory elements in the brain

New drug to prevent early stages of Alzheimer's could enter clinical trials soon

Scientists report first generation of hiPSCs from patients with maturity onset diabetes of the young

Study shows how female steroid hormones can make changes to the breast genetic material

Cedars-Sinai healthcare professionals to mark National Wear Red Day

Brandeis University researchers to receive Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences

Study investigates R1441G mutation of Parkinson's disease

Notch protein responsible for activating GATA2 gene to generate hematopoietic stem cells

Study demonstrates new fragile genomic sites responsible for chromosomal alterations in tumors

Study expands and deepens biological and genetic links between CVD and schizophrenia

SINEUP allows scientists to target individual genes in cells to increase protein production

Gene variant boosts ulcer susceptibility in NSAID users

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