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UNC researchers show how a genetic mutation disables molecular switch and causes autism

Last December, researchers identified more than 1,000 gene mutations in individuals with autism, but how these mutations increased risk for autism was unclear. Now, UNC School of Medicine researchers are the first to show how one of these mutations disables a molecular switch in one of these genes and causes autism.

7 Aug 2015

USC researchers develop yeast model to study gene mutation that disrupts DNA duplication

Researchers at USC have developed a yeast model to study a gene mutation that disrupts the duplication of DNA, causing massive damage to a cell's chromosomes, while somehow allowing the cell to continue dividing.

7 Aug 2015

New fly model developed to study motor neuron degeneration

Researchers at the Babraham Institute and University of Massachusetts Medical School in the United States have developed a new model to study motor neuron degeneration and have used this to identify three genes involved in the neurodegeneration process. These findings could have relevance for understanding the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other forms of motor neuron disease (MND).

7 Aug 2015

Researchers develop new technology to track DNA-protein binding in live cells

Researchers have developed a new technology that precisely marks where groups of regulatory proteins called transcription factors bind DNA in the nuclei of live cells.

7 Aug 2015

NFIX protein drives NSC differentiation toward oligodendrocytes

An international team of researchers has shown that NFIX, a protein that regulates neuronal stem cell activity (NSC), also has a role in driving NSC differentiation toward oligodendrocytes, a type of glial cell. These cells produce the myelin that surrounds and protects neurons.

7 Aug 2015

WPI awarded NIH grant to explore ways to turn genetic tables against cancer

Taking aim at the fundamental biology of cancer cells, the National Institutes of Health has awarded $747,000 to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a three-year research project to explore the molecular mechanisms associated with the genetic mutations and chromosome instability observed in all cancer cells.

7 Aug 2015

Lund University researchers discovered 'main switch' that regulates cell invaginations

Lack of microinvaginations in the cell membrane, caveolae, can cause serious diseases such as lipodystrophy and muscular dystrophy. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now discovered a "main switch" that regulates the formation of these invaginations.

7 Aug 2015

UC Davis study finds higher survival rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer

Combing data collected on thousands of California ovarian cancer patients, UC Davis researchers have determined that almost one-third survived at least 10 years after diagnosis.

7 Aug 2015

Results of IPC survey identifying 21 psoriasis research priorities published in British Journal of Dermatology

The British Journal of Dermatology has published online the results of an International Psoriasis Council (IPC) survey identifying 21 psoriasis research priorities. The results will also appear in a future print edition of the journal.

6 Aug 2015

Vtesse reports preliminary results from VTS-270 Phase 1 trial for treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C

Vtesse, Inc. announced preliminary results today from an open-label Phase 1 clinical trial with VTS-270 (a formulation of (2-hydroxypropyl)-beta-cyclodextrin) for treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

6 Aug 2015

University of Zurich professor recognized with 2015 Vallee Young Investigator Award

Martin Jinek, a professor at the University of Zurich's Department of Biochemistry, was presented with the 2015 Vallee Young Investigator Award. The international prize is awarded to young researchers for outstanding achievements in biomedicine and carries USD 250,000 in prize money.

6 Aug 2015

Metformin drug has impact on blood fat levels

Besides affecting the blood sugar levels, the substance Metformin, also has an impact on blood fat levels. This was elucidated by an interdisciplinary team of the German Center for Diabetes Research headed by Dr. Rui Wang-Sattler of the Helmholtz Zentrum München. Especially the harmful LDL cholesterol can be reduced.

6 Aug 2015

Discovery may lead to new ways to diagnose, treat brain cancer

Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have uncovered a link between the genomes of cells originating in the neural crest and development of tumors — a discovery that could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat cancer.

6 Aug 2015

Penn researchers identify major genetic factor that keeps moles in non-cancerous, no-growth state

Moles are benign tumors found on the skin of almost every adult. Scientists have known for years that a mutation in the BRAF gene makes them start growing, but until now haven't understood why they stop. Now, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a major genetic factor that keeps moles in their usual non-cancerous, no-growth state.

6 Aug 2015

Genetic test may help identify better treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients

A genetic test for PIK3CA mutations may help to identify patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who are less likely to benefit from combination anti-HER2 therapy, according to a study published in The Oncologist on August 5, 2015.

6 Aug 2015

Diets high in sodium could be a novel risk factor in development of multiple sclerosis

Here's another reason to put the salt shaker down: New research in mice shows that diets high in sodium may be a novel risk factor in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) by influencing immune cells that cause the disease. Although this research does implicate salt intake as a risk factor, it is important to note that dietary salt is likely just one of the many environmental factors contributing to this complex disease, and very much influenced by one's genetic background.

6 Aug 2015

Genetic News and Research

UNC researchers show how a genetic mutation disables molecular switch and causes autism

USC researchers develop yeast model to study gene mutation that disrupts DNA duplication

New fly model developed to study motor neuron degeneration

Researchers develop new technology to track DNA-protein binding in live cells

NFIX protein drives NSC differentiation toward oligodendrocytes

WPI awarded NIH grant to explore ways to turn genetic tables against cancer

Lund University researchers discovered 'main switch' that regulates cell invaginations

UC Davis study finds higher survival rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer

Results of IPC survey identifying 21 psoriasis research priorities published in British Journal of Dermatology

Vtesse reports preliminary results from VTS-270 Phase 1 trial for treatment of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C

University of Zurich professor recognized with 2015 Vallee Young Investigator Award

Metformin drug has impact on blood fat levels

Discovery may lead to new ways to diagnose, treat brain cancer

Penn researchers identify major genetic factor that keeps moles in non-cancerous, no-growth state

Genetic test may help identify better treatment option for HER2-positive breast cancer patients

Diets high in sodium could be a novel risk factor in development of multiple sclerosis

New biosensors detect efficient microbial workers that produce chemical, pharmaceutical commodities

Circadian factors, host gender could help understand microbiome and its effect on inflammatory bowel disease

Findings by Joslin scientists may lead to early detection, treatment of complications in type 1 diabetes

Rice University scientists identify genetic mechanism that allows bacteria to resist antibiotics

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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