Genes News and Research

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Scientists describe how HIV assemble at the membrane of infected cells and are released to attack healthy cells

Although recent advances have raised hopes that a protective vaccine can be developed, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains a major public health problem. Much has been learned about HIV-1, the virus that causes the disease.

13 Nov 2009

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves. Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that inactivation of a DNA repair gene called Hus1 efficiently kills cells lacking p53 -- a gene mutated in the majority of human cancers.

13 Nov 2009

New findings on human genome may be useful for developing specific AIDS drugs

The AIDS virus inserts its genetic material into the genome of the infected cell. Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center have now shown for the first time that the virus almost entirely spares particular sites in the human genetic material in this process. This finding may be useful for developing new, specific AIDS drugs.

13 Nov 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals proposes the first test of an orally administered RNA interference drug in humans

Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, has announced that it has filed its first IND (investigational new drug) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

12 Nov 2009

arGentis Pharmaceuticals to commence human clinical evaluation of ARG301 oral altered peptide ligand

arGentis Pharmaceuticals, LLC today announced that it will collaborate with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Memphis (VAMC) to initiate the first human clinical evaluation of an oral altered peptide ligand (APL), ARG301, in a Phase I study of Rheumatoid Arthritis patients.

12 Nov 2009

"Doctors Speak Out" series to discuss today's health issues

How can counting cancer cells in the blood make a difference in treatment? Can a potent hormone that fuels some breast cancers be used to fire back against the disease? These critical questions are being answered via innovative laboratory and clinical research underway at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. A renowned pharmacologist who discovered a leading treatment for cancer and a physician treating patients in cutting edge clinical trials will discuss these and other life-enhancing discoveries during Doctors Speak Out, a series of conversations with physicians and researchers on today’s most pressing health issues.

12 Nov 2009

Gene therapy increases muscle size and strength with no adverse effects in monkeys: MDA

Four macaque monkeys that received injections of genes for a protein called follistatin into upper leg muscles experienced pronounced and durable increases in muscle size and strength and no adverse effects, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) announced today. The findings could have implications particularly for injured and aging people worldwide; and for tens of millions experiencing muscle loss associated with cancer, AIDs and muscle diseases.

12 Nov 2009

Transplantation of hESC-derived OPCs spare spinal cord tissue in the cervical lesion site: Study

Geron Corporation today announced the publication of data showing that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), when transplanted into a rodent model of cervical spinal cord injury, reduced tissue damage within the lesion and improved recovery of locomotor function.

12 Nov 2009

Scientists report largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ

Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ. Their focus was the liver, and their massive database in both protein and transcript levels could become a roadmap for finding possible new biomarkers and treatments for liver disease.

12 Nov 2009

Scientists find way to disarm "undruggable" protein; discovery lays foundation for new kind of cancer therapy

Scientists have devised an innovative way to disarm a key protein considered to be "undruggable," meaning that all previous efforts to develop a drug against it have failed. Their discovery, published in the November 12 issue of Nature, lays the foundation for a new kind of therapy aimed directly at a critical human protein — one of a few thousand so-called transcription factors — that could someday be used to treat a variety of diseases, especially multiple types of cancer.

12 Nov 2009

Study: Mouse gene uncovers new strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease

A new study reveals that a previously undiscovered mouse gene reduces the two major pathological perturbations commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research, published by Cell Press in the November 12 issue of the journal Neuron, finds that the novel gene interacts with a key cellular enzyme previously linked with AD pathology, thereby uncovering a new strategy for treating this devastating disorder.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers identify mouse gene that reduces the accumulation Alzheimer's plaques and tangles

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) and colleagues have identified a novel mouse gene (Rps23r1) that reduces the accumulation of two toxic proteins that are major players in Alzheimer's disease: amyloid beta and tau. The amyloid and tau lowering functions of this gene were demonstrated in both human and mouse cells.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers find link between telomeres and longevity

A team led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found a clear link between living to 100 and inheriting a hyperactive version of an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres - the tip ends of chromosomes. The findings appear in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

12 Nov 2009

Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be associated with bipolar disorder in children

Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be responsible for bipolar disorder in children. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with pediatric bipolar disorder.

11 Nov 2009

First draft of the cassava genome complete

A team of academic, government and industry researchers has completed a first draft of the cassava (Manihot esculenta) genome. The project is an important first step in accelerating the pace of research on this subsistence crop and addressing some of the many limitations that face cassava farmers around the world.

11 Nov 2009

Researchers find link between two genes involved in cancer formation in humans

Researchers at Queen's University have found a link between two genes involved in cancer formation in humans, by examining the genes in worms. The groundbreaking discovery provides a foundation for how tumor-forming genes interact, and may offer a drug target for cancer treatment.

11 Nov 2009

Money-saving tips for healthy, beautiful hair

These days, saving a little money here and there is all the rage. Even small changes - carpooling to work or making coffee at home - can really add up. But when it comes to cutting back on hair care, many people might be hesitant to make significant changes for fear that it could impact their looks and the health of their hair. That's where a dermatologist can help.

11 Nov 2009

Sprycel holds hope for treating Src dependent ovarian cancer

The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.

11 Nov 2009

Scarab Genomics reduces the E. coli K-12 genome, optimizing it for recombinant DNA and protein production

Scarab Genomics has made a series of planned, precise deletions to the E. coli K-12 genome, reducing the genome by more than 15%. The multiple-deletion series (MDS™) strains eliminate non-essential genes, cryptic virulence genes, and sequences of recombinogenic and mobile insertion sequence (IS) DNA, while preserving robust growth in rich and minimal media.

10 Nov 2009

Veterans don't ask for psychological help

They've seen horrors, experienced constant threats and survived traumatic events. Canada's military personnel often come back home with memories they'd rather forget. It's not scientifically understood why some soldiers develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others don't. However, many veterans simply don't ask for psychological help.

10 Nov 2009

Genes News and Research

Scientists describe how HIV assemble at the membrane of infected cells and are released to attack healthy cells

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

New findings on human genome may be useful for developing specific AIDS drugs

Cequent Pharmaceuticals proposes the first test of an orally administered RNA interference drug in humans

arGentis Pharmaceuticals to commence human clinical evaluation of ARG301 oral altered peptide ligand

"Doctors Speak Out" series to discuss today's health issues

Gene therapy increases muscle size and strength with no adverse effects in monkeys: MDA

Transplantation of hESC-derived OPCs spare spinal cord tissue in the cervical lesion site: Study

Scientists report largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ

Scientists find way to disarm "undruggable" protein; discovery lays foundation for new kind of cancer therapy

Study: Mouse gene uncovers new strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease

Researchers identify mouse gene that reduces the accumulation Alzheimer's plaques and tangles

Researchers find link between telomeres and longevity

Malfunctioning circadian clock genes may be associated with bipolar disorder in children

First draft of the cassava genome complete

Researchers find link between two genes involved in cancer formation in humans

Money-saving tips for healthy, beautiful hair

Sprycel holds hope for treating Src dependent ovarian cancer

Scarab Genomics reduces the E. coli K-12 genome, optimizing it for recombinant DNA and protein production

Veterans don't ask for psychological help

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