Genetic News and Research

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Pre-mRNA that codes for inflammatory protein identified

In a discovery that upends a longstanding tenet of human biology, University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have shown that a key process in gene regulation can occur in human platelets, unique cells that are unusual because they don't have a nucleus (anucleate).

11 Aug 2005

Genes interact with behavior to affect how well people move

Genes can keep elderly people from benefiting equally from exercise, no matter how much effort they expend, according to research findings published in today's (Aug. 10) Journal of the American Medical Association.

11 Aug 2005

Researchers find drug targets for treating metabolic syndrome

Ongoing studies by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center and other institutions have uncovered the biochemical basis of many of the factors contributing to what is known as the metabolic syndrome, suggesting potential new drug targets for treating the condition.

11 Aug 2005

Contrast-enhanced MRI is better than SPECT in detecting heart damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

SPECT nuclear medicine studies are currently the most common way to look for myocardial damage in these patients; however; a new study, published in the August issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology, found that MRI is a more comprehensive examination than SPECT.

10 Aug 2005

Certain gene variation associated with better mobility for older individuals who exercise

Older individuals with a certain gene variation who exercise are less likely to develop mobility limitations than individuals without the gene variation, according to a study in the August 10 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

10 Aug 2005

Placental tissue could feasibly provide an abundant source of cells with the same potential to treat diseases as embryonic stem cells

Routinely discarded as medical waste, placental tissue could feasibly provide an abundant source of cells with the same potential to treat diseases and regenerate tissues as their more controversial counterparts, embryonic stem cells, suggests a University of Pittsburgh study to be published in the journal Stem Cells and available now as an early online publication in Stem Cells Express.

10 Aug 2005

Firefly protein lets researchers monitor molecule known as IKK (for IKappa kinase) linked to cancer

Scientists have used a glowing protein from fireflies to observe the activity of a molecule that is an important target for new drugs to treat cancer, autoimmune diseases and several other disorders.

9 Aug 2005

Latest findings on aspirin resistance

Treatment failures occur with any drug and aspirin is no exception. Evidence is growing that some people will not respond to the anti-coagulant action of aspirin and the drug will not protect against cardiovascular events despite its regular intake.

9 Aug 2005

Testing for the activity of certain genes can predict response to chemotherapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer patients could find out whether they will respond positively to chemotherapy treatment by testing for the activity of certain genes.

9 Aug 2005

MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating oogenesis

Researchers at Northwestern University and Carnegie Mellon University have found that a recently described class of molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating oogenesis, the process by which females make eggs.

9 Aug 2005

DDT resistance in flies carries no cost

For those concerned with the troublesome effects of genetic resistance to drugs and pesticides, the conventional wisdom of evolution offers a reassuring word: In the absence of the original chemical threat, most resistance mutations would cause a disadvantage to their hosts and might be expected to quickly leave the genetic landscape once the use of a drug or insecticide is suspended or withdrawn.

9 Aug 2005

Study results reaffirm cyclin D1 as a candidate target for molecular therapeutic control of breast tumor development

For about a decade, scientists have recognized that many cases of hereditary breast cancer result from a mutation of a specific gene called BRCA1, which, in its normal state, helps keep tumor formation in check. About five to 10 percent of breast cancer cases arise from these genetic miscues, about half of which are linked to the abnormal functioning of BRCA1.

9 Aug 2005

Dolly the sheep, and now Snuppy the puppy - what's next?

Since the first animal, Dolly the sheep, was cloned in 1996, scientists been able to clone pigs, cattle, mice, rabbits, horses and cats.

8 Aug 2005

High intakes of dairy foods and lactose may increase the risk of ovarian cancer

An analysis of 21 studies that have investigated the link between ovarian cancer and the consumption of milk products and lactose has found some support for the hypothesis that high intake is associated with increased cancer risk.

7 Aug 2005

Protein p53 is the "guardian" of our genome

When DNA damage is present, p53 stops cell division and gives the cell enough time to repair it. If the damage is irreparable, the protein sets off programmed cell death and protects the cells from degeneration.

7 Aug 2005

Discovery may lead to new diagnostic tests for immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)

Defects in a single gene can result in two immune system disorders that leave affected individuals vulnerable to frequent or unusually severe infections, according to new findings reported in the August issue of Nature Genetics.

4 Aug 2005

Scientists have a plan to prevent bird flu pandemic

According to scientists the H5N1 strain of bird flu circulating in Asia which could mutate into a lethal strain and cause a pandemic, could be contained.

4 Aug 2005

Researchers pinpoint specific cause of defects in motor learning in Fragile X patients

While researchers have long known the genetic defect underlying Fragile X syndrome, they are still tracing how that defect creates the complex mix of mental retardation, hyperactive behavior, attention deficits, and other problems in the disorder.

3 Aug 2005

Bone marrow-derived cells fail to meet high expectations says Bonn study

Adult stem cells taken from bone marrow are the "shooting stars" of their field. Many research scientists have been speculating that the cells might be able to pass through the blood into diseased organs and replace defective tissue. Such cells are seen as the potential key to the treatment of certain muscle diseases.

3 Aug 2005

Scientist have found an unexpected effect of the interaction of PTEN and p53 genes in early stage prostate cancer

Prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death for men in the United States, is caused by changes in several tummor suppressor genes including PTEN and p53. Up to 70 percent of men with prostate cancer have lost one copy of the PTEN gene at the time of diagnosis, and p53 is absent in a high number of patients with advanced prostate cancer.

3 Aug 2005

Genetic News and Research

Pre-mRNA that codes for inflammatory protein identified

Genes interact with behavior to affect how well people move

Researchers find drug targets for treating metabolic syndrome

Contrast-enhanced MRI is better than SPECT in detecting heart damage in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Certain gene variation associated with better mobility for older individuals who exercise

Placental tissue could feasibly provide an abundant source of cells with the same potential to treat diseases as embryonic stem cells

Firefly protein lets researchers monitor molecule known as IKK (for IKappa kinase) linked to cancer

Latest findings on aspirin resistance

Testing for the activity of certain genes can predict response to chemotherapy for breast cancer

MicroRNAs play an important role in regulating oogenesis

DDT resistance in flies carries no cost

Study results reaffirm cyclin D1 as a candidate target for molecular therapeutic control of breast tumor development

Dolly the sheep, and now Snuppy the puppy - what's next?

High intakes of dairy foods and lactose may increase the risk of ovarian cancer

Protein p53 is the "guardian" of our genome

Discovery may lead to new diagnostic tests for immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)

Scientists have a plan to prevent bird flu pandemic

Researchers pinpoint specific cause of defects in motor learning in Fragile X patients

Bone marrow-derived cells fail to meet high expectations says Bonn study

Scientist have found an unexpected effect of the interaction of PTEN and p53 genes in early stage prostate cancer

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