Genetic News and Research

RSS

Scientists explore link between SCN10A and cardiac arrhythmia risk

Although genome-wide association studies have linked DNA variants in the gene SCN10A with increased risk for cardiac arrhythmia, efforts to determine the gene's direct influence on the heart's electrical activity have been unproductive. Now, scientists from the University of Chicago have discovered that these SCN10A variants regulate the function of a different gene, SCN5A, which appears to be the primary gene responsible for cardiac arrhythmia risk.

21 Mar 2014

Scientists unlock one of mysteries of modern genetics

Scientists at Indiana University have unlocked one of the mysteries of modern genetics: how acquired traits can be passed between generations in a process called epigenetic inheritance. The new work finds that cells don't know to silence some genes based on information hardwired into their DNA sequences, but recognize heritable chemical marks that are added to the genes. These chemical tags serve as a form of molecular memory, allowing cells to recognize the genes and remember to silence them again in each new generation.

21 Mar 2014

Researchers identify steps by which cell removes RNA from cytoplasm

RNA encodes the proteins that play a key role in cellular reproduction, but the manner in which cells regulate its removal once these proteins are synthesized remains a mystery. One piece of this mystery has been solved as researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who have identified the steps by which a cell removes RNA from the cytoplasm.

21 Mar 2014

Researchers identify genetic defect that causes a subset of irritable bowel syndrome

Is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) caused by genetics, diet, past trauma, anxiety? All are thought to play a role, but now, for the first time, researchers have reported a defined genetic defect that causes a subset of IBS. The research was published in the journal Gastroenterology.

21 Mar 2014

New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease

Many diseases are the result of either variations in the genome or reversible chemical changes to DNA, known as the epigenome. New data obtained by Johns Hopkins scientists show a connection between genetic variants and epigenetic information.

20 Mar 2014

Detection of genetic abnormalities could improve effectiveness of colon cancer screening

A non-invasive test that includes detection of the genetic abnormalities related to cancer could significantly improve the effectiveness of colon cancer screening, according to research published by a team of scientists including David Ransohoff, MD, professor of medicine at the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center member.

20 Mar 2014

Researchers find how Dom34 protein keeps defective genetic material from gumming up cellular works

Using a powerful data-crunching technique, Johns Hopkins researchers have sorted out how a protein keeps defective genetic material from gumming up the cellular works. The protein, Dom34, appears to “rescue” protein-making factories called ribosomes when they get stuck obeying defective genetic instructions, the researchers report in the Feb. 27 issue of Cell.

20 Mar 2014

New curricula is essential to train internists to manage menopausal symptoms

The number of menopausal women is projected to reach 50 million by 2020. With changing views on appropriate therapies to control symptoms and new treatments available and on the horizon, most internists lack the core competencies and experience to meet the needs of women entering menopause, according to a provocative Commentary published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

20 Mar 2014

New technology uses nano-flares to catch metastatic breast cancer cells early on

When cancer spreads from one part of the body to another, it becomes even more deadly. It moves with stealth and can go undetected for months or years. But a new technology that uses "nano-flares" has the potential to catch these lurking, mobilized tumor cells early on.

20 Mar 2014

Genetic testing may help select women with ER+ breast cancer for extended hormone therapy

Genetic analyses of results from 1125 postmenopausal women being treated for oestrogen responsive breast cancer have shown that some of them are more likely than others to have a late recurrence of their cancer and might benefit from ten years of hormone therapy rather than five.

19 Mar 2014

Scientists describe gut bacteria that cause sepsis in preterm infants

Researchers studying intestinal bacteria in newborns have characterized the gut bacteria of premature infants who go on to develop sepsis, a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by bacteria in the bloodstream.

19 Mar 2014

Researchers discover potential new therapeutic target for controlling high blood sugar

A UT Southwestern Medical Center study has identified a new potential therapeutic target for controlling high blood sugar, a finding that could help the estimated 25 million Americans with type 2 diabetes.

19 Mar 2014

Bipolar disorder and epilepsy could be linked

A preliminary study adds to evidence that bipolar disorder and epilepsy may be different expressions of common pathways.

19 Mar 2014

Genomic analysis to study cancer in dogs can help develop new therapies for human cancers

Using genomic analysis to study cancer in dogs can help develop new therapies for humans with cancer, according to a proof-of-concept study led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

19 Mar 2014

Inner-ear membrane uses tiny pores to mechanically separate sounds

Even in a crowded room full of background noise, the human ear is remarkably adept at tuning in to a single voice - a feat that has proved remarkably difficult for computers to match.

19 Mar 2014

Restless legs syndrome alters expression of critical gene during fetal development of brain

In a study published online in Genome Research, researchers of the Helmholtz Zentrum München und the Technische Universität München have demonstrated that a common genetic variant associated with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) alters the expression of a critical gene during fetal development of the brain.

19 Mar 2014

Neurexin proteins play key role in formation of synaptic connections

Neuroscientists and bioengineers at Stanford are working together to solve a mystery: how does nature construct the different types of synapses that connect neurons -- the brain cells that monitor nerve impulses, control muscles and form thoughts.

19 Mar 2014

USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery to integrate genome data with patient care

The USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery is partnering with California based Omicia, Inc, to make analyzing a patient's genome as routine as performing a blood test.

19 Mar 2014

Lung cancer cells use novel mechanism to block detection by natural killer cell

The immune system plays a pivotal role in targeting cancer cells for destruction. However, tumor cells are smart and have developed ways to avoid immune detection.

19 Mar 2014

Amgen announces results from Phase 3 TESLA Trial of evolocumab in patients with HoFH

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) today announced that the Phase 3 TESLA (Trial Evaluating PCSK9 Antibody in Subjects with LDL Receptor Abnormalities) trial evaluating evolocumab met its primary endpoint of the percent reduction from baseline at week 12 in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

19 Mar 2014

Genetic News and Research

Scientists explore link between SCN10A and cardiac arrhythmia risk

Scientists unlock one of mysteries of modern genetics

Researchers identify steps by which cell removes RNA from cytoplasm

Researchers identify genetic defect that causes a subset of irritable bowel syndrome

New tool pinpoints genetic sources of disease

Detection of genetic abnormalities could improve effectiveness of colon cancer screening

Researchers find how Dom34 protein keeps defective genetic material from gumming up cellular works

New curricula is essential to train internists to manage menopausal symptoms

New technology uses nano-flares to catch metastatic breast cancer cells early on

Genetic testing may help select women with ER+ breast cancer for extended hormone therapy

Scientists describe gut bacteria that cause sepsis in preterm infants

Researchers discover potential new therapeutic target for controlling high blood sugar

Bipolar disorder and epilepsy could be linked

Genomic analysis to study cancer in dogs can help develop new therapies for human cancers

Inner-ear membrane uses tiny pores to mechanically separate sounds

Restless legs syndrome alters expression of critical gene during fetal development of brain

Neurexin proteins play key role in formation of synaptic connections

USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery to integrate genome data with patient care

Lung cancer cells use novel mechanism to block detection by natural killer cell

Amgen announces results from Phase 3 TESLA Trial of evolocumab in patients with HoFH

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Latest News