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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).

Stanford researchers discover tissue-specific target in pathogen

A tumor-causing maize fungus with the unsavory-sounding name "corn smut" wields different weapons from its genetic arsenal depending on which part of the plant it infects. The discovery by Stanford researchers marks the first time tissue-specific targeting has been found in a pathogen.

19 Apr 2010

New insights into yeast cells may help identify cancer cells and stem cells development: Study

Yeast cells decide whether to have sex with each other within two minutes of meeting, according to new research published today in Nature. One of the authors of the study, from Imperial College London, says the new insights into how yeast cells decide to mate could be helpful for researchers looking at how cancer cells and stem cells develop.

19 Apr 2010

Amgen announces results from pivotal Phase 3 "408" trial of Vectibix

Amgen today announced detailed results from a new biomarker analysis of the pivotal Phase 3 "408" trial of Vectibix® (panitumumab) plus best supportive care compared to BSC alone. The analysis used massively parallel, next-generation sequencing technology to investigate whether mutations in nine genes known to be mutated in colorectal cancer, including the previously unanalyzed exon 3 mutation of the KRAS gene, are predictive of response to Vectibix in metastatic colorectal cancer.

19 Apr 2010

Cell Therapeutics receives feedback regarding proposed filing of MAA for pixantrone

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it met with and received feedback from the rapporteurs and the European Medicines Agency's medical reviewers regarding a proposed filing of a Marketing Authorization Application for pixantrone in the European Union to treat relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

19 Apr 2010

Study shows long-term effect of vitamins and calcium supplements in breast cancer reduction

Vitamins and calcium supplements appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010.

19 Apr 2010

Teen drinking increases the risk for breast cancer

What are the chances of you developing breast cancer if you have been drinking alcohol regularly as a teenager? Very high indeed as per the findings of a study called “Growing Up Today” conducted on 6,899 women from the time they were 9 to 15 year old till they turned 18 to 27 years old.

18 Apr 2010

MedImmune to present ten abstracts at American Association for Cancer Research meeting

MedImmune today announced that ten abstracts on progress being made in various oncology programs will be presented during the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington, DC from April 17 to 21.

17 Apr 2010

NVIC participates in NVAC-sponsored meeting to discuss the U.S. vaccine safety system

The National Vaccine Information Center participated in a meeting sponsored by the federal National Vaccine Advisory Committee and facilitated by The Keystone Center April 11-13 in Salt Lake City to discuss strengthening the U.S. vaccine safety system.

17 Apr 2010

NSF Faculty Early Career Development Award for Zhihao Zhuang

Zhihao Zhuang, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Delaware, has won the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award.

17 Apr 2010

Illumina announces first named family DNA sequence

Illumina, Inc. today announced that it has sequenced the DNA of John, Judy, Anne and Paul West, the first publicly named family to have their DNA sequenced to full coverage by the company.

From Illumina, Inc. 17 Apr 2010

Researchers receive honorary Doctor of Medicine degrees

Two genetics researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have been awarded prestigious honorary Doctor of Medicine degrees by European scientific institutions.

17 Apr 2010

GeoVax Labs Labs announces 1-for-50 reverse stock split

GeoVax Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company that creates, develops, and tests innovative HIV/AIDS vaccines, today announced it will implement a 1-for-50 reverse stock split effective following the close of business on April 27, 2010. After the reverse stock split, the Company will be authorized to issue up to 40 million shares of stock, of which approximately 15.7 million shares will be outstanding.

17 Apr 2010

Tikcro Technologies reports net loss of $1.8M for fourth-quarter 2009

Tikcro Technologies Ltd. today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

17 Apr 2010

DNA modification can define early onset glioblastoma

A class of brain tumor that tends to emerge in younger patients but is less aggressive than others can be identified by examining DNA methylation of a specific set of genes, scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and colleagues with The Cancer Genome Atlas report today online at Cancer Cell.

16 Apr 2010

RUCDR is poised to become a world leader in human disease and genome studies

Despite the continuing, crippling effects of a nationwide recession, a genetics research laboratory on Rutgers' Busch Campus is experiencing an economic boom.

16 Apr 2010

Positive interim data from Idera Pharmaceuticals' Phase 1 trial of IMO-2125 TLR9 agonist presented at 45th EASL

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that positive interim data from a Phase 1 clinical trial of IMO-2125, a Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, in null responder patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL).

16 Apr 2010

Embryos with two mums to remove the risk of hereditary diseases: new research

New research published in the journal Nature, could pave the way to world’s first genetically modified human baby. The research involves making embryos with genes from one man and two women. There are hundreds or families around the world who are left childless or have serious ill babies because they carry genes for hereditary illnesses. This research may bring hope to such couples. According to scientists on the team, within the next three years these women will be able to avail such techniques. There has been skepticism regarding ethical issues attached to making of “designer babies”.

16 Apr 2010

Trans-urethral prostate hyperthermia treatment offers 100% response rate

According the Dr. Friedrich Douwes, Medical Director of St. George Hospital in Bad Aibling, Germany, president of the German Oncological Society and the author of several hundred scientific articles and books, trans-urethral prostate hyperthermia has a 100% initial response rate.

16 Apr 2010

Certain genetic variations linked to tooth decay, periodontitis

Certain genetic variations may be linked to higher rates of tooth decay and aggressive periodontitis, according to two recently published papers by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and their collaborators.

16 Apr 2010

Findings shed light on pathogenesis behind human mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

A typical human cell contains hundreds of mitochondria-energy-producing organelles-that continually fuse and divide. Relatively little is known, however, about why mitochondria undergo this behavior.

16 Apr 2010