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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).

Two more genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease discovered

An international team of scientists has identified two more genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. The findings are reported in the online edition of the journal Nature Genetics.

7 Sep 2009

Cancer drug could restore memory deficits in Alzheimer's patients

A drug now used to treat cancer may also be able to restore memory deficits in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study conducted by scientists at Columbia University Medical Center, which appeared in the September issue of The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease: Volume 18:1.

7 Sep 2009

ChromoCure forges co-development agreement for chromosomal scanner system

ChromoCure, Inc. announced today it executed a Technology Co-Development Agreement with its primary cell preparation and application technology supplier. The co-development agreement calls for the joint-development of a fully integrated chromosomal scanner system for nation-wide distribution to pathology and related cancer detection labs.

5 Sep 2009

Genta closes second tranche offering of common stock and convertible notes

Genta Incorporated (OTCBB: GNTA) announced today that the Company has closed a second tranche of a previously announced offering with institutional investors to place Units consisting of 30% of Common Stock and 70% of Unsecured Subordinate Convertible Notes totaling $7 million in gross proceeds before fees and expenses.

5 Sep 2009

New role discovered for sphingosine-1-phosphate

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have discovered a new role for the bioactive lipid messenger, sphingosine-1-phosphate, or S1P, that is abundant in our blood - a finding that could lead to a new generation of drugs to fight cancer and inflammatory disease.

5 Sep 2009

Researchers identify new molecular switch that produces cancer cells

A team of Syracuse University researchers discovered a second molecular switch within the Mixed Lineage Leukemia protein complex that they believe could be exploited to prevent the overproduction of abnormal cells that are found in several types of cancer, including leukemia.

4 Sep 2009

Dr Lluis Quintana-Murci from the Institut Pasteur in France honoured with the Debiopharm Life Sciences Award

Debiopharm Group, SA (Debiopharm), a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, today presented the 'Debiopharm Life Sciences Award' to Dr Lluis Quintana-Murci from the Institut Pasteur in France, for his outstanding innovative research in the emerging field of evolutionary genetics of infection.

4 Sep 2009

New Promega GoTaq qPCR Master Mix features increased reliability

Now real-time PCR methods can detect even smaller changes and rare events with the new Promega GoTaq qPCR Master Mix. The new GoTaq qPCR Master Mix frequently delivers earlier cycle thresholds than SYBR Green I. The advanced functionality gives scientists both increased reliability and reproducibility compared to the performance of existing real-time reagent systems.

4 Sep 2009

Clinical trial of Novartis MF59 swine-flu vaccine elicits a strong immune response

Results from the first swine-flu vaccine trials taking place in Leicester reveal a strong immune response after just one dose.

4 Sep 2009

Genetic cause of progressive hearing loss discovered

A team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute has discovered a genetic cause of progressive hearing loss. The findings will help scientists better understand the nature of age-related decline in hearing and may lead to new therapies to prevent or treat the condition.

4 Sep 2009

Two new antibodies for targeting HIV virus discovered

Researchers at and associated with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), at The Scripps Research Institute, and at the biotechnology companies Theraclone Sciences and Monogram Biosciences have discovered two powerful new antibodies to HIV that reveal what may be an Achilles heel on the virus. They published their work in Science this week.

3 Sep 2009

Y chromosome may be responsible for a range of sex disorders

The unique mechanism behind the evolutionary survival of the human Y chromosome may also be responsible for a range of sex disorders, from failed sperm production to sex reversal to Turner Syndrome.

3 Sep 2009

RanBP9 protein targeted for developing new Alzheimer's drugs

"N60" might not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Alzheimer's disease, but thanks to researchers from the United States, South Korea and France, this might change. That's because these researchers have found that the N60 section of a protein called "RanBP9" might be the key that unlocks an entirely new class of Alzheimer's drugs, and with them, hope. In a research report published online in The FASEB Journal, these scientists describe how the N60 fragment of the RanBP9 protein increases the production of the amyloid beta protein, which is present in excessive amounts in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.

3 Sep 2009

Second-quarter 2009 operating highlights announced by Helicos Biosciences

Helicos BioSciences Corporation (NASDAQ: HLCS) announced today its operating highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and other recent developments following the filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009.

3 Sep 2009

SuperGen to present at two upcoming investment conferences

SuperGen, Inc., a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies, today announced that James S.J. Manuso, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, will present at two upcoming investment conferences.

3 Sep 2009

Study assesses protective capabilities of DNA vaccines against SIV

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that data generated from a pre-clinical collaborative study by National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Inovio scientists were published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in a paper entitled: “DNA vaccination in rhesus macaques induces potent immune responses and decreases acute and chronic viremia after SIVmac251 challenge.”

3 Sep 2009

ODAC calls for randomized study of Vion's Onrigin injection for treatment of the elderly AML patients

VION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: VION) today announced the results of the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) Meeting at which data for its lead oncology therapeutic Onrigin(TM)(laromustine) Injection were presented for the indication of remission induction treatment for patients sixty years of age or older with de novo poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

3 Sep 2009

New Marketing Authorization Application for Rhucin submitted to the EMEA by Pharming

Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announced that it has submitted the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for Rhucin for the treatment of acute attacks of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).

3 Sep 2009

Clinical research paper on 2D gel electrophoresis for identifying protein biomarkers

Transgenomic, Inc. and Power3 Medical Products, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PWRM) today announced the advance on-line publication of a clinical research paper entitled "Abnormal Serum Concentrations of Proteins in Parkinson's Disease" in the scientific journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.

3 Sep 2009

Interim Phase II data of Cotara reveals signs of efficacy in GBM patients

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported that clinical investigators are presenting interim Phase II data showing that its brain cancer agent Cotara(R) appeared well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging signs of efficacy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer.

3 Sep 2009