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NEP successfully inserts specific doses of anti-cancer gene into leukemia cells

For the first time, researchers have found a way to inject a precise dose of a gene therapy agent directly into a single living cell without a needle.

18 Oct 2011

Two genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to severe dengue

Researchers in South East Asia have identified two genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to severe dengue. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research, Singapore, offers clues to how the body responds to dengue infection.

18 Oct 2011

Scientists discover a way to accurately map typhoid outbreaks in the city

In the mid-nineteenth century, John Snow mapped cases of cholera in Soho, London, and traced the source of the outbreak to a contaminated water pump. Now, in a twenty-first century equivalent, scientists funded by the Wellcome Trust working in Kathmandu, Nepal, have combined the latest in gene sequencing technology and global positioning system (GPS) case localisation to map the spread of typhoid and trace its source.

18 Oct 2011

National award encourages bio-science student researchers

A key challenge for the bio-sciences sector is to keep its best research graduates in science and in Australia. The national student awards recognise and encourage promising research students and raise awareness of biosciences research translation and applications.

17 Oct 2011

Gut bacteria shown to affect statin efficacy in some people

The team led by a Duke University scientist has identified three bile acids produced by gut bacteria that were evident in people who responded well to a common cholesterol-lowering drug called simvastatin. The finding, published Oct. 13, 2011, in PLoS One, demonstrates how gut bacteria can cause inherent differences in the way people digest, metabolize and benefit from substances such as drugs.

17 Oct 2011

Women on birth control may be dating sexually boring but otherwise caring men: Study

There are some known side effects of birth control pills and these include nausea, vomiting, cramps, bloating and even hair growth. However a new study suggests another possible side effect women might experience while taking the pill: picking up men who are not so sexually satisfying. The study was published the Oct. 12 issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

16 Oct 2011

Molecular switch activates anti-viral innate immune response

When a thief breaks into a bank vault, sensors are activated and the alarm is raised. Cells have their own early-warning system for intruders, and scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Grenoble, France, have discovered how a particular protein sounds that alarm when it detects invading viruses.

15 Oct 2011

Functional MRI examines brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol

A low level of response (LR) to alcohol reflects at least in part a low brain response to alcohol and carries significant risk for the later development of alcoholism. This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol while they performed a cognitive task.

15 Oct 2011

New research on link between APOL1 gene variants and kidney disease in African Americans

Compared to European Americans, African Americans are four to five times more likely to develop kidney failure. Also, family members of African Americans with kidney failure have an increased risk of developing kidney failure, which suggests that genetics may play a role in this skewed risk between races.

15 Oct 2011

Researchers use online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits

Researchers used an anonymous online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits. Results identified three groups, two of which drank at fairly high levels. The group with higher levels of impulsivity and aggression appears most at-risk for future alcohol problems.

15 Oct 2011

Myths and misconceptions about diabetes

November is designated American Diabetes Month and while raising awareness this month about preventing diabetes is important, focusing on proper treatment is just as important for those living with the disease.

15 Oct 2011

Scientists uncover vast new gene regulatory network linked with cancer

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and two other institutions have uncovered a vast new gene regulatory network in mammalian cells that could explain genetic variability in cancer and other diseases.

15 Oct 2011

Lifestyle factors and nutritional patterns reduce early causes of childhood allergy

Today, about one in four European children suffer from allergy, which makes this disease the non-infectious epidemic of the 21st century. Evidence suggests that lifestyle factors and nutritional patterns, such as breastfeeding, help to reduce the early symptoms of allergy.

15 Oct 2011

ApoPharma receives FDA approval for Ferriprox to treat transfusional iron overload

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Ferriprox (deferiprone) to treat patients with iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients with thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder that causes anemia, who had an inadequate response to prior chelation therapy.

15 Oct 2011

Penn researchers demonstrate sound-processing deficits in mice brains with mutated dysbindin gene

Recent studies have identified many genes that may put people with schizophrenia at risk for the disease. But, what links genetic differences to changes in altered brain activity in schizophrenia is not clear. Now, three labs at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have come together using electrophysiological, anatomical, and immunohistochemical approaches - along with a unique high-speed imaging technique - to understand how schizophrenia works at the cellular level.

14 Oct 2011

Researchers identify gut bacteria bile acids linked to effectiveness of statin drugs in lowering cholesterol

Statins can be effective at lowering cholesterol, but they have a perplexing tendency to work for some people and not others. Gut bacteria may be the reason.

14 Oct 2011

Researchers demonstrate that iPS stem cells may be used for gene therapy

This research, published on Oct. 12 on the Nature review website, provides evidence of a major concept could pave the way for the future use of these stem cells to treat humans, through perspective gene therapies.

14 Oct 2011

Women to benefit from new TFRI ovarian cancer initiative

Women throughout the world will benefit from a new, pan-Canadian Terry Fox Research Institute (TFRI) initiative that aims to change the way in which ovarian cancer is diagnosed and managed.

14 Oct 2011

Nature publishes Sangamo's gene correction strategy for A1AT deficiency

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGMO) announced the publication of a preclinical study demonstrating highly specific, functional correction of the alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT) gene defect in patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using zinc finger nucleases.

14 Oct 2011

Micromet receives FDA feedback on blinatumomab registration for R/R ALL

Micromet, Inc. today outlined a clinical development plan intended to support U.S. registration of its lead product candidate blinatumomab in patients with B-precursor relapsed/refractory (r/r) acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

14 Oct 2011

Genetic News and Research

NEP successfully inserts specific doses of anti-cancer gene into leukemia cells

Two genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to severe dengue

Scientists discover a way to accurately map typhoid outbreaks in the city

National award encourages bio-science student researchers

Gut bacteria shown to affect statin efficacy in some people

Women on birth control may be dating sexually boring but otherwise caring men: Study

Molecular switch activates anti-viral innate immune response

Functional MRI examines brain activation in individuals with low and high LRs to alcohol

New research on link between APOL1 gene variants and kidney disease in African Americans

Researchers use online survey to examine drinking patterns and personality traits

Myths and misconceptions about diabetes

Scientists uncover vast new gene regulatory network linked with cancer

Lifestyle factors and nutritional patterns reduce early causes of childhood allergy

ApoPharma receives FDA approval for Ferriprox to treat transfusional iron overload

Penn researchers demonstrate sound-processing deficits in mice brains with mutated dysbindin gene

Researchers identify gut bacteria bile acids linked to effectiveness of statin drugs in lowering cholesterol

Researchers demonstrate that iPS stem cells may be used for gene therapy

Women to benefit from new TFRI ovarian cancer initiative

Nature publishes Sangamo's gene correction strategy for A1AT deficiency

Micromet receives FDA feedback on blinatumomab registration for R/R ALL

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