Genetic News and Research

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Stem cells from patients offer model, drug-discovery platform for early-onset form of Alzheimer's

Harvard stem cell scientists have successfully converted skins cells from patients with early-onset Alzheimer's into the types of neurons that are affected by the disease, making it possible for the first time to study this leading form of dementia in living human cells. This may also make it possible to develop therapies far more quickly and accurately than before.

5 Mar 2014

Researchers identify eight neural subnetworks in mammalian cerebral cortex

The mammalian cerebral cortex, long thought to be a dense single interrelated tangle of neural networks, actually has a "logical" underlying organizational principle, reveals a study appearing Feb. 27 in the journal Cell.

4 Mar 2014

Plymouth University doctor wins national award for animal testing alternative

Dr. Gyorgy Fejer from Plymouth University School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences has received a national award for his work developing the lab-based creation of a type of mouse cell line which could be used in place of live animals for research related to infectious diseases.

4 Mar 2014

Oxford Gene Technology announces acquisition of Cytocell

Oxford Gene Technology, a provider of innovative genetics research solutions, today announced the acquisition of Cambridge-based Cytocell Limited, a leading provider of DNA technology for the detection of gene rearrangements related to inherited genetic disease and cancer.

From Oxford Gene Technology 4 Mar 2014

Research discovery advances efforts to replace damaged heart muscle

In a study that began in a pair of infant siblings with a rare heart defect, Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a key molecular switch that regulates heart cell division and normally turns the process off around the time of birth. Their research, they report, could advance efforts to turn the process back on and regenerate heart tissue damaged by heart attacks or disease.

4 Mar 2014

Novel scaffold protein regulates mu opioid receptor induced signaling activation

Researchers found initial confirmation that a novel scaffold protein previously unassociated with the mu opioid receptor (MOR) regulates MOR-induced signaling activation.

4 Mar 2014

Microgravity may suppress tumors, study reveals

In space, things don't always behave the way we expect them to. In the case of cancer, researchers have found that this is a good thing: some tumors seem to be much less aggressive in the microgravity environment of space compared to their behavior on Earth. This observation, reported in research published in February by the FASEB Journal, could help scientists understand the mechanism involved and develop drugs targeting tumors that don't respond to current treatments. This work is the latest in a large body of evidence on how space exploration benefits those of us on Earth.

4 Mar 2014

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

In an advance for HIV vaccine research, a scientific team has discovered how the immune system makes a powerful antibody that blocks HIV infection of cells by targeting a site on the virus called V1V2.

4 Mar 2014

LUNGevity Foundation awarded grant to develop educational materials on immuno-oncology

LUNGevity Foundation is honored to announce a grant of $250,000 from Bristol-Myers Squibb for the development of educational materials on immuno-oncology. Progress in understanding lung cancer and treatment approaches has accelerated dramatically in the past several years after many slow decades.

4 Mar 2014

Research: Microbes living in gut help drive development of intestinal tumors

It is not only genetics that predispose to bowel cancer; microbes living in the gut help drive the development of intestinal tumors, according to new research in mice published in the March issue of The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

4 Mar 2014

Biostatistics provides clues to understanding autism: an interview with Dr Knut M. Wittkowski, The Rockefeller University

The incidence of autism spectrum disorders has increased sharply since it was first described 60 years ago. Today, ASD affects more than 1% of all children in the U.S. and about half of them develop a life-long disability.

3 Mar 2014

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

Since 2009, the eight states (Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin) participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Maximizing Enrollment program have worked to streamline and simplify enrollment systems, policies, and processes for children and those eligible for coverage in 2014. ... States [focused] on five key areas: 1) applications, 2) eligibility determinations, 3) renewals and transfers, 4) notices, and 5) business processes.

3 Mar 2014

RainDance Technologies closes $16.5 million Series E financing round

RainDance Technologies, Inc., an innovative genomics tools company making molecular testing of complex diseases more standardized and readily available, today announced that it has closed a $16.5 million Series E financing round extension. New investors include GE Ventures and Northgate Capital; all existing financial investors also participated in this round of financing.

3 Mar 2014

Scientists map key elements of immune overreaction triggered by influenza virus infection

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have mapped key elements of a severe immune overreaction—a "cytokine storm"—that can both sicken and kill patients who are infected with certain strains of flu virus.

3 Mar 2014

3D structure of enzyme helps defend against bacteria

An essential weapon in the body's fight against infection has come into sharper view. Researchers at Princeton University have discovered the 3D structure of an enzyme that cuts to ribbons the genetic material of viruses and helps defend against bacteria.

3 Mar 2014

Deficient hygiene routines make it difficult to eradicate multi-resistant bacterium

A previously unknown multi-resistant bacterium has been sticking around at a Swedish University Hospital for ten years.

3 Mar 2014

Researchers underscore the need to curb designer drug use

In the span of a decade, Canada has gone from ecstasy importer to global supplier of the illegal party drug.

3 Mar 2014

New web portal to speed discovery of genes responsible for rare disorders

A new web portal - called PhenomeCentral - is being launched today to connect clinicians and scientists worldwide in an effort to speed the discovery of genes responsible for rare disorders.

3 Mar 2014

Researchers find unusual mutation strongly linked to rare liver cancer that affects teens

In the race for better treatments and possible cures, rare diseases are often left behind. In a collaboration of researchers at The Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the New York Genome Center (NYGC), an unusual mutation has been found that is strongly linked to one such disease: a rare liver cancer that affects teens and young adults.

3 Mar 2014

Study establishes innovative approaches to improve vision of young children with brain tumor

Robert Avery, DO, MSCE, of Children's National Health System and colleagues are establishing innovative approaches with technology and medication to improve the vision of young children who have visual pathway glioma, a type of brain tumor.

3 Mar 2014

Genetic News and Research

Stem cells from patients offer model, drug-discovery platform for early-onset form of Alzheimer's

Researchers identify eight neural subnetworks in mammalian cerebral cortex

Plymouth University doctor wins national award for animal testing alternative

Oxford Gene Technology announces acquisition of Cytocell

Research discovery advances efforts to replace damaged heart muscle

Novel scaffold protein regulates mu opioid receptor induced signaling activation

Microgravity may suppress tumors, study reveals

New findings point the way toward potentially more effective HIV vaccine

LUNGevity Foundation awarded grant to develop educational materials on immuno-oncology

Research: Microbes living in gut help drive development of intestinal tumors

Biostatistics provides clues to understanding autism: an interview with Dr Knut M. Wittkowski, The Rockefeller University

Research roundup: Medicaid peer support; doctor Jokes; ACA's asset rules for coverage

RainDance Technologies closes $16.5 million Series E financing round

Scientists map key elements of immune overreaction triggered by influenza virus infection

3D structure of enzyme helps defend against bacteria

Deficient hygiene routines make it difficult to eradicate multi-resistant bacterium

Researchers underscore the need to curb designer drug use

New web portal to speed discovery of genes responsible for rare disorders

Researchers find unusual mutation strongly linked to rare liver cancer that affects teens

Study establishes innovative approaches to improve vision of young children with brain tumor

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

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