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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

Study finds association between ERBB4 gene, LVOT malformations

A gene known to be important in cardiac development has been newly associated with congenital heart malformations that result in obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract. These are the findings from a study conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital and appearing in the journal Birth Defects Research Part A.

30 Apr 2011

IMPAKT 2011 conference to highlight new breast cancer studies

"The presentations at this year's IMPAKT reveal the innovative and diverse approaches that investigators are taking to identify the most encouraging new agents both before clinical evaluation and in early clinical studies. These range from ideas for novel clinical designs to the development of more sensitive and specific biomarkers and to data sharing that allows a more objective assessment of compounds prior to commitment of major clinical resources."

30 Apr 2011

Gene therapy approach using CD59 shows promise against AMD: Study

A gene therapy approach using a protein called CD59, or protectin, shows promise in slowing the signs of age-related macular degeneration, according to a new in vivo study by researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine.

30 Apr 2011

Health Canada grants SQI license to market IgX PLEX Celiac Panel

SQI Diagnostics Inc., a medical systems automation company focused on evolving laboratory-based autoimmune biomarker testing, today announced it has received a license from Health Canada permitting the Company to market its IgX PLEX™ Celiac Panel, a quantitative 4-plex panel, which will run on SQI's automated SQiDworks™ Diagnostics Platform.

29 Apr 2011

Researchers unravel mechanism behind sickle hemoglobin protection against malaria

The latest issue of the journal Cell carries an article that is likely to help solve one of the long-standing mysteries of biomedicine. In a study that challenges currently held views, researchers at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia, in Portugal, unravel the molecular mechanism whereby sickle cell hemoglobin confers a survival advantage against malaria, the disease caused by Plasmodium infection.

29 Apr 2011

Scientists develop novel genetic model of premature aging disorders

Working with a group of national and international researchers, scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed a new genetic model of premature aging disorders that could shed light on these rare conditions in humans and provide a novel platform for large-scale screening of compounds to combat these and other age-related diseases.

29 Apr 2011

Journal Blood publishes MacroGenics' DART antibody technology preclinical data

MacroGenics, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company that develops immunotherapeutics to treat autoimmune disorders, cancer and infectious diseases, today announced the publication in the journal Blood of preclinical data demonstrating potent inhibition of B-cell lymphoma through redirected T lymphocyte-mediated killing, using its bispecific DART antibody technology.

29 Apr 2011

Researchers report Avastin is effective as Lucentis for AMD treatment

Researchers are reporting results from the first year of a two-year clinical trial that Avastin, a drug approved to treat some cancers and that is commonly used off-label to treat age-related macular degeneration, is as effective as the Food and Drug Administration-approved drug Lucentis for the treatment of AMD.

29 Apr 2011

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation honors University Of Colorado researcher for preeclampsia study

A University of Colorado School of Medicine researcher, hoping to find the cause of preeclampsia in pregnant women, won a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Thursday which funds innovative global health and development projects.

29 Apr 2011

Lithium shows hope for Alzheimer’s disease

According to scientists Alzheimer’s disease, a progressively damaging motor neuron condition, could be treated by lithium, a naturally occurring element that is extremely inexpensive and already in use for other psychiatric disorders.

29 Apr 2011

Ramipril can effectively reduce risk of ESRD in obese patients

The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drug, ramipril, is particularly effective in lowering the risk of end-stage renal disease in obese patients, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

29 Apr 2011

Centocor Ortho Biotech receives FDA approval for Zytiga to treat prostate cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Zytiga in combination with prednisone to treat patients with late-stage castration-resistant prostate cancer who have received prior docetaxel.

28 Apr 2011

FDA accepts OncoMed's IND filing for OMP-18R5 in Phase 1 clinical trial for advanced solid tumors

OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a company developing novel therapeutics that target cancer stem cells or tumor-initiating cells, today announced that the FDA has accepted an IND filing for OMP-18R5, which allows OncoMed to commence Phase 1 clinical testing.

28 Apr 2011

Celgene non-GAAP total revenue increases 40% to $1.11 billion

Celgene Corporation: “The results for the quarter were outstanding and they reflect the ongoing momentum that Celgene is creating as we leverage our business model and position our Company for long-term success”.

28 Apr 2011

Simple blood test can diagnose early Parkinson's disease

In Parkinson's disease, the human body generates antibodies to combat the amyloid-producing protein alpha synuclein early in the course of the disease. A simple blood test that measures these antibodies can facilitate early diagnosis of the disorder, writes Ludmilla Morozova-Roche and her associates at Umeå University in Sweden in the latest issue of the journal PLoS One.

28 Apr 2011

Blood levels of inflammation-controlling protein linked to childrens' risk of developing diabetes

Decreasing blood levels of a protein that helps control inflammation may be a red flag that could help children avoid type 1 diabetes, researchers say.

28 Apr 2011

New control point for suppressing cancer cell growth

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have discovered new details of how cancer cells escape from tumor suppression mechanisms that normally prevent these damaged cells from multiplying. They also demonstrated a potential link between this cell proliferation control mechanism and the cognitive deficits caused by Down syndrome.

28 Apr 2011

Researchers begin approved drugs screening for clinical use against rare diseases

Researchers have begun screening the first definitive collection of thousands of approved drugs for clinical use against rare and neglected diseases. They are hunting for additional uses of the drugs hoping to find off-label therapies, for some of the 6,000 rare diseases that afflict 25 million Americans.

28 Apr 2011

Molecular Partners completes MP0112 phase I/IIa trials in wet AMD, DME

Molecular Partners AG, a leader in the development of next generation therapeutics, announced today that it has completed two phase I/IIa clinical trials with MP0112, its lead molecule targeting VEGF-A.

28 Apr 2011

Pfizer announces global launch of new child nutrition products

Pfizer Inc. today announced the global launch of its new advanced GOLD range of child nutrition products, developed to meet the changing nutritional and feeding needs of young children. The GOLD range of infant and follow-on formulas, and growing-up milks provides the right balance of high-quality nutrients needed to support ideal health, growth and development in growing children.

28 Apr 2011