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Study sheds light on molecular mechanisms of genital and urinary tract abnormalities

Scientists have learned how a gene widely known for precisely positioning and sculpting various organs also controls the speed of cell division, a finding that could be useful for understanding the explosive growth of cancer cells or why increasing numbers of children are being born with genital and urinary tract malformations.

2 Jun 2010

EMBL scientists identify two small RNA molecules that ensure red blood cell production

Red blood cells, the delivery men that take oxygen to cells all around the body, have short lives. To keep enough of them in circulation, the human body produces around 2 million of these cells every second - even more in response to challenges like severe blood loss. In a study published today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Monterotondo, Italy, and EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, UK, have identified two small RNA molecules which ensure that enough red blood cells are produced efficiently, by fine-tuning a number of different genes involved in this process.

2 Jun 2010

New model reveals molecular basis of multiple hereditary exostoses

Children born with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE) suffer from abnormal growths on their bones. These bony protrusions stunt their growth and can cause pain and disfigurement.

2 Jun 2010

New technique transforms iPS cells into natural tumor killers

A technique for producing natural killer T (NKT) cells, known for their role in suppressing tumor growth, has been successfully demonstrated for the first time using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Developed by researchers at RIKEN, Japan’s flagship research institution, the technique opens the door to effective new cell-targeted treatments for cancer.

1 Jun 2010

Research team confirms gene mutation associated with serious forms of leukaemia

The University of Navarra, together with the University of Oxford and three other European centres, are taking part in a project to discover the origin of myelodysplasia, an ailment with a predisposition to develop into leukaemia. In the work, patients from 19 hospitals in the north of Spain - including the University Hospital of Navarra - were analysed, as well as from England, Italy, Sweden and Germany.

1 Jun 2010

Socioeconomic factors predict ADHD-medication in Swedish schoolchildren

A major study of more than a million children has found strong links between receiving medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and limited maternal education, single parent families and welfare benefits, according to the June issue of Acta Paediatrica.

1 Jun 2010

MediSapiens completes $1M seed round investment for personalized cancer medicine software

MediSapiens, world's first software company for personalized cancer medicine in oncology clinics and drug development, completed $ 1 million (EUR 0.8 million) seed round investment from Veraventure, ETFIII advised by Eqvitec Partners, VTT Ventures and Lifeline Ventures.

1 Jun 2010

Karolinska Institutet researchers produce human stem cells without using animal substances

For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been cultured under chemically controlled conditions without the use of animal substances, which is essential for future clinical uses. The method has been developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and is presented in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

31 May 2010

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of gene expression in the largest reported group of kidney transplant recipients who have not rejected the transplant kidneys even though they stopped taking anti-rejection drugs. This finding may help identify other transplant recipients who could safely reduce or end use of immunosuppressive therapy. In 2008, more than 80,000 people in the United States were living with a kidney transplant.

31 May 2010

Scientists identify new susceptibility genes in genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Scientists from Singapore, China and USA have identified three new susceptibility genes in a genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study, led by the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), a biomedical research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Centre, identified genetic risk factors of NPC that advance the understanding of the important role played by host genetic variation in influencing the susceptibility to this cancer.

31 May 2010

Various aspects of consumer genetics to be discussed at 2nd Annual Consumer Genetics Conference

At the 2nd Annual Consumer Genetics Conference taking place in Boston from June 2-4 at the Hynes Convention Center, these issues will be addressed and preeminent leaders from varying areas of expertise will provide perspectives on these crucial topics that are shaping the way we approach clinical medicine and helping to improve patient outcomes.

29 May 2010

RNAi therapy shuts down gene critical to RSV, prevents virus replication

John DeVincenzo, MD, professor and researcher in the Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), has proven for the first time that a totally new concept in drug design can be used to treat human disease. Dr. DeVincenzo, who also serves as a children's infectious diseases specialist at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, conducted his study at the Children's Foundation Research Center, a UT Health Science Center partner located at Le Bonheur.

29 May 2010

Preimplantation Factor essential for pregnancy to succeed: Study

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine and their colleagues at the Society for the Investigation of Early Pregnancy have helped clarify the function of a unique protein called Preimplantation Factor, which is produced by healthy embryos to direct embryo attachment and help the mother adapt to pregnancy.

29 May 2010

Exposure in womb to BPA, DES increase offspring's risk of breast cancer

Exposure in the womb to chemicals like Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) can increase an offspring's risk of breast cancer, researchers at Yale School of Medicine report in a study published in current issue of Hormones and Cancer, a journal of The Endocrine Society.

29 May 2010

Life Technologies acquires majority stake in Geneart

Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of innovative life science solutions, announced today that it has concluded its tender offer and acquired a majority stake in Geneart AG, the global leader of the synthetic gene market segment. The combination of Geneart with Life Technologies' resources and commercial capabilities creates a well-capitalized synthetic biology company with advanced technology and production capabilities, providing products to fuel innovation in this emerging field.

28 May 2010

Researchers discover bitter taste inhibitor

Researchers have discovered a chemical that specifically blocks people's ability to detect the bitter aftertaste that comes with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin. The key is a molecule known only as GIV3727 that specifically targets and inhibits a handful of human bitter taste receptors, according to a report published online on May 27th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication.

28 May 2010

New study provides cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness

A Nobel Prize-winning University of Utah geneticist discovered that bone marrow transplants cure mutant mice who pull out their hair compulsively. The study provides the first cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness, and points toward eventual new psychiatric treatments.

28 May 2010

Research finding could lead to first-ever target for drug therapy for lymphedema

A genetic mutation for inherited lymphedema associated with lymphatic function has been discovered that could help create new treatments for the condition, say researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Their findings are reported in the June issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

28 May 2010

UT Southwestern researchers create 35 new rat "lines" with mutations in specific genes

For two decades, the laboratory mouse has been the workhorse of biomedical studies and the only mammal whose genes scientists could effectively and reliably manipulate to study human diseases and conditions.

28 May 2010

Bone marrow transplant cures excessive pathological grooming behavior in mice

Scientists earlier found that mice missing one of a group of core developmental genes known as the Hox genes developed an odd and rather unexpected pathology: the mutant animals groomed themselves compulsively to the point that they were removing their own hair and leaving self-inflicted open sores on their skin. Now, they've found a surprising connection between the Hoxb8 gene and the behavior that looks an awful lot like that of people with an obsessive compulsive spectrum disorder (OCD).

28 May 2010

Genes News and Research

Study sheds light on molecular mechanisms of genital and urinary tract abnormalities

EMBL scientists identify two small RNA molecules that ensure red blood cell production

New model reveals molecular basis of multiple hereditary exostoses

New technique transforms iPS cells into natural tumor killers

Research team confirms gene mutation associated with serious forms of leukaemia

Socioeconomic factors predict ADHD-medication in Swedish schoolchildren

MediSapiens completes $1M seed round investment for personalized cancer medicine software

Karolinska Institutet researchers produce human stem cells without using animal substances

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

Scientists identify new susceptibility genes in genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Various aspects of consumer genetics to be discussed at 2nd Annual Consumer Genetics Conference

RNAi therapy shuts down gene critical to RSV, prevents virus replication

Preimplantation Factor essential for pregnancy to succeed: Study

Exposure in womb to BPA, DES increase offspring's risk of breast cancer

Life Technologies acquires majority stake in Geneart

Researchers discover bitter taste inhibitor

New study provides cause-and-effect link between immune system cells and mental illness

Research finding could lead to first-ever target for drug therapy for lymphedema

UT Southwestern researchers create 35 new rat "lines" with mutations in specific genes

Bone marrow transplant cures excessive pathological grooming behavior in mice

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