Molecular Biology News and Research

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Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as learning how these interactions are regulated.

IRCM geneticists discover an unsuspected organization of pituitary cells

A team of geneticists at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montr-al (IRCM), directed by Dr. Jacques Drouin, made an unexpected discovery on hormone secretion. Contrary to common belief, the researchers found that pituitary cells are organized in structured networks. The scientific breakthrough was published yesterday by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

28 Jul 2011

All football players do not get chronic traumatic encephalopathy

Preliminary results from the first four brains donated to the Canadian Sports Concussion Project at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre, TorontoWesternHospital, reveal that two of the four former Canadian Football League (CFL) players suffered from a brain disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), while two did not show signs of CTE.

27 Jul 2011

Four-year study to test effectiveness of WHO Safe Childbirth program

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has been awarded a $14.1 million, four-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to test the effectiveness of an innovative checklist-based childbirth safety program in reducing deaths and improving outcomes of mothers and infants in 120 hospitals in India.

27 Jul 2011

Kadmon, Dyax enter license agreement for antibody phage display libraries

Dyax Corp. and Kadmon Corporation, LLC announced today that Dyax has granted Kadmon a non-exclusive license to Dyax's proprietary "gold-standard" antibody phage display libraries for the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies.

26 Jul 2011

UC San Diego receives NHLBI 'Program of Excellence in Glycosciences' grant

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have received a major 7-year, $18 million grant to begin translating emerging discoveries in the field of glycosciences into new discoveries and therapies related to heart, lung and blood diseases.

26 Jul 2011

UK regulators approve Europe's first clinical trial of plant-derived antibody for HIV

UK regulators have approved Europe's first clinical trial of a monoclonal antibody produced from genetically modified plants. This landmark decision sets the stage for the testing, in humans, of an anti-HIV product made from genetically modified tobacco plants. It will open the door for trials of additional plant-derived medicines treating a range of diseases.

22 Jul 2011

Microglia prune connections between neurons

Gardeners know that some trees require regular pruning: some of their branches have to be cut so that others can grow stronger. The same is true of the developing brain: cells called microglia prune the connections between neurons, shaping how the brain is wired, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Monterotondo, Italy, discovered.

22 Jul 2011

Cell biologists identify infection mechanism of adenoviruses

Mucosal epithelia do not have any receptors on the outer membrane for the absorption of viruses like hepatitis C, herpes, the adenovirus or polio, and are thus well-protected against pathogenic germs. However, certain viruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus HIV, still manage to enter the body via the mucous membrane.

21 Jul 2011

Majority of people in the U.S., Europe express desire to seek early diagnosis of AD

Results of an international survey reveal that over 85% of respondents in the five countries surveyed say that if they were exhibiting confusion and memory loss, they would want to see a doctor to determine if the cause of the symptoms was Alzheimer's disease. Over 94% would want the same if a family member were exhibiting the symptoms.

21 Jul 2011

Clinical study of anti-HIV antibody made from genetically modified tobacco plants

Pharmaceuticals can be produced by plants. Antibodies that have been produced in tobacco plants will now for the first time be tested in a clinical study.

21 Jul 2011

Genetic ID introduces new 96-well extraction kit for isolation of pure DNA

Genetic ID, the global leader in GMO identification, introduces its new FAST ID 96-Well Extraction Kit for isolation of exceptionally pure DNA from a variety of agricultural and food products.

21 Jul 2011

LabCorp extends expiration of tender offer for Orchid Cellmark common stock

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings today announced that LabCorp is extending until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 12, 2011, LabCorp's previously announced cash tender offer for all outstanding shares of the common stock of Orchid Cellmark Inc.

18 Jul 2011

Study sheds light on the way antibodies distinguish between different 'biomarkers'

A new research paper sheds light on the way antibodies distinguish between different but closely related 'biomarkers' - proteins which reveal information about the condition of the human body.

15 Jul 2011

Reproductive steroids may play a role in occurrence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in women

A recent multi-center study determined that women with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) had a greater number of seizures during anovulatory cycles-menstrual cycles where an egg is not released-than in cycles where ovulation occurs. According to the study publishing today in Epilepsia, a journal of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), reproductive steroids may play a role in GTCS occurrence.

14 Jul 2011

genOway acquires worldwide exclusive license for RMCE technology from bluebird bio for genetically modified rodents

genOway and bluebird bio report today genOway acquisition of an exclusive worldwide license for the RMCE technology (developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the field of genetically modified rodents.

12 Jul 2011

Scientists discover mechanism that enables developing cancer cells to sustain abnormal growth

Scripps Research Institute scientists have discovered a basic mechanism that can enable developing cancer cells to sustain abnormal growth. The finding is expected to lead to the targeting of this mechanism with drugs and diagnostic techniques.

8 Jul 2011

Cortisol hormone controls bile acid recycling process

Nature sees to it that we do not have "too much choler" in our body. A delicately equilibrated regulation system ensures that there is always exactly the right amount of bile in the gallbladder. When we are hungry, our body releases a hormone called cortisol, which is a glucocorticoid. Hepatic cells receive this hormone signal through their cortisol receptors and respond by filling the gallbladder with bile in preparation of the imminent food intake.

8 Jul 2011

Researchers identify cellular origin of malignant glioma

Using a mouse genetic system co-developed by researchers at the University of Oregon and Stanford University, a research team led by UO biologist Hui Zong has isolated the cellular origin for malignant glioma, a deadly human brain cancer.

8 Jul 2011

Oxford Gene Technology sequencing workshop attracts over 130 delegates

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), provider of innovative clinical genetics and diagnostic solutions to advance molecular medicine, recently announced details of its new targeted sequencing service as part of a workshop at the European Society of Human Genetics Conference (ESHG 2011) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

From Oxford Gene Technology 7 Jul 2011