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Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Alnylam collaborate to develop microRNA-based attenuated influenza viruses

Mount Sinai School of Medicine has completed an exclusive option agreement with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a leading RNAi therapeutics company, for intellectual property related to RNAi applications in vaccine development. These new applications of RNAi technology define opportunities for the advancement of novel vaccines in infectious disease.

18 Jun 2010

Possible mechanism identified for how lithium treats bipolar disorder

Lithium has been established for more than 50 years as one of the most effective treatments for manic depression, clinically termed bipolar disorder. However, scientists have never been entirely sure exactly why it is beneficial.

18 Jun 2010

Positive results from Phase I clinical trial of GLYX-13 presented at NCDEU meeting

Naurex Inc., a clinical stage company developing innovative treatments for depression and other CNS disorders, today reported that it presented data at the NCDEU 50th Anniversary Meeting showing that its novel mechanism compound GLYX-13 appeared safe in a Phase I trial. GLYX-13 is a glycine site functional partial agonist selective modulator of the NMDA receptor that is being developed initially for use in depression as adjunctive therapy.

17 Jun 2010

Scientific American publishes article on "rebirth" of DNA vaccines

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that Scientific American magazine has published in its July issue an article entitled "DNA Drugs Come of Age." The article was co-authored by Dr. David Weiner, Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, and Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, at the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Matthew Morrow, a post-doctorate research fellow at University of Pennsylvania.

17 Jun 2010

AMP raises ethical, laboratory practice concerns in whole genome sequencing at SACHGS meeting

Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) presented public comments to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society (SACHGS) meeting focused on whole genome sequencing. In anticipation of advances in sequencing and its incorporation into clinical practice, AMP raised ethical and laboratory practice concerns for the Committee's consideration.

17 Jun 2010

FDA seeks public input on regulation of laboratory-developed tests

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced plans to hold a public meeting on July 19-20, 2010, to discuss how the agency will oversee laboratory-developed tests (LDTs).

17 Jun 2010

Alzheimer's disease may damage brain

Alzheimer's disease has long been studied primarily as a disease of neurons. But researchers have now shown how the disease may be damaging the brain by choking off blood flow. In experiments published June 10 in Neuron, scientists at Rockefeller University reveal that amyloid-β, which builds up around brain cells in Alzheimer's patients, interacts with a common blood clotting agent to increase clotting in the arteries that feed the brain.

17 Jun 2010

Research studies may lead to future development of cell transplant therapy for ALS

The University of California, San Diego, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Life Technologies Corporation today announced the initiation of studies which may lead to the future development of cell transplant therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Currently, there is only one FDA-approved pharmaceutical addressing this lethal disease, which affects approximately 30,000 people in the United States.

17 Jun 2010

Experimental vaccine for Marburg hemorrhagic fever prevention shows promise for accidental exposures

An experimental vaccine developed to prevent outbreaks of Marburg hemorrhagic fever continues to show promise in monkeys as an emergency treatment for accidental exposures to the virus that causes the disease. There is no licensed treatment for Marburg infection, which has a high fatality rate.

17 Jun 2010

Researchers identify first genetic risk factors for development of CM in Angolan children

Malaria, caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum, remains one of the main causes of death worldwide. An international team of researchers lead by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, IGC, scientist Carlos Penha-Gonçalves, has identified the first genetic risk factors for the development of cerebral malaria in Angolan children, a severe manifestation of malaria infection.

17 Jun 2010

Fertility drugs cause multiple and premature births

The widespread use of fertility drugs, not just high-tech laboratory procedures, plays a major role in causing multiple births and contributes to the problem of premature birth in the United States, experts said today at the March of Dimes National Communications Advisory Council luncheon.

17 Jun 2010

Gamma-Dynacare to implement SQI's SQiDworks diagnostics platform

SQI Diagnostics Inc., a medical systems company focused on evolving laboratory-based biomarker testing, today announced that Gamma-Dynacare Medical Laboratories, one of Canada's largest providers of laboratory services, has agreed to put into operation SQI's SQiDworks(TM) platform, and to purchase SQI's multiplexed IgXplex(TM) Rheumatoid Arthritis consumables to meet its commercial needs.

17 Jun 2010

Smokeless tobacco affects normal function of CYP-450 family of enzymes: Report

Far from having adverse effects limited to the mouth, smokeless tobacco affects the normal function of a key family of enzymes found in almost every organ in the body, according to the first report on the topic in ACS' monthly journal Chemical Research in Toxicology. The enzymes play important roles in production of hormones, including the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone; production of cholesterol and vitamin D; and help the body breakdown prescription drugs and potentially toxic substances.

17 Jun 2010

Research findings could lead to less invasive treatments for ALL

A team of researchers from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Universit- de Montr-al have defined for the first time the mechanism behind three cancer-causing genes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Published in the journal Genes and Development, the findings offer insight on the complex interaction between the genes and their contributions to leukemia, thereby providing the foundation for the design of targeted therapies.

17 Jun 2010

New independent study demonstrates clinical accuracy of Masimo noninvasive and continuous hemoglobin monitoring

Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry™ and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, announced today that a new independent study demonstrating the clinical accuracy of Masimo noninvasive and continuous hemoglobin (SpHb) monitoring was presented this week at the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA) Annual Congress in Helsinki, Finland.

16 Jun 2010

InfraReDx to demonstrate LipiScan coronary imaging system during CCC Symposium

InfraReDx, Inc., an innovative medical device company focused on developing novel diagnostic imaging technologies to accurately identify and characterize diseased tissues, today announced that its LipiScan Coronary Imaging System will be featured at the 13th Annual Live Symposium of Complex Coronary & Vascular Cases being held at The Mount Sinai Medical Center of New York, from June 16-19, 2010.

16 Jun 2010

Stress-related psychiatric disorders more common among women: Study

There may be a biological reason why depression and other stress-related psychiatric disorders are more common among women compared to men. Studying stress signaling systems in animal brains, neuroscience researchers found that females are more sensitive to low levels of an important stress hormone and less able to adapt to high levels than males.

16 Jun 2010

Life Technologies forms GIBCO Cell Therapy Systems

Life Technologies Corporation today announced the formation of GIBCO® Cell Therapy Systems (CTS™), which will offer the life science industry's widest array of products to support cell therapy applications, including regenerative medicine. Specifically designed to help cell therapy practitioners accelerate the transition from research to clinical applications, the product portfolio will include a broad and deep offering of Invitrogen devices and reagents.

16 Jun 2010

Geochemists discuss new ways to tackle problems associated with greenhouse gas

As carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere rise, policy makers and scientists are looking at new ways to tackle the problems associated with the greenhouse gas. One method under much discussion is carbon capture and storage, otherwise known as carbon sequestration. CCS, a newly developing technology, involves injecting carbon dioxide underground to remove it from the Earth's atmosphere.

16 Jun 2010

Predictive Biosciences completes $25M Series C financing round

Predictive Biosciences, a commercial stage, fully-integrated developer of novel molecular diagnostic cancer assays and a provider of anatomic pathology laboratory products and services, today announced the completion of a $25 million Series C round of growth capital financing. New investor ProQuest Investments led the round, joined by all current investors: Flybridge Capital Partners, Highland Capital Partners, Kaiser Permanente Ventures and New Enterprise Associates.

16 Jun 2010