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Variations in BRCA2 and CHEK2 genes can increase lung cancer risk, study finds

New research confirms a vulnerability to lung cancer can be inherited and implicates the BRCA2 gene as harboring one of the involved genetic mutations.

3 Jun 2014

Scientists uncover early steps of totipotency in sperm precursors

In the body, a skin cell will always be skin, and a heart cell will always be heart. But in the first hours of life, cells in the nascent embryo become totipotent: they have the incredible flexibility to mature into skin, heart, gut, or any type of cell.

20 May 2014

New insight into germline EGFR T790M mutation in familial non-small cell lung cancer

Two studies are providing new insight into germline epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation in familial non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The findings suggest the need for tailored approaches for early detection and treatment, as well as for genetic testing to identify carriers.

24 Mar 2014

LMU researchers identify genetic mutations that result in overproduction of cortisol

An international team of researchers led by an endocrinologist at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich has identified genetic mutations that result in uncontrolled synthesis and secretion of the stress hormone cortisol.

28 Feb 2014

Novel HER2 mutation identified in familial lung adenocarcinomas

Researchers have identified a novel germline mutation in the transmembrane domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene in familial lung adenocarcinomas.

24 Jan 2014

New book provides cutting-edge methods for generating and characterizing mouse cancer models

The laboratory mouse is an important model for addressing questions in cancer biology. In recent years, the questions have become more refined, and mouse models are increasingly being used to develop and test cancer therapeutics.

12 Dec 2013

Multiplicom launches MID kit for Illumina MiSeq and MASTR kits for MODY, ADH and HCM

Multiplicom NV, a specialist in the development, production and commercialization of innovative molecular genetic tests based on massively parallel sequencing, today announces that it is launching a CE/IVD labeled MID kit for Illumina MiSeq together with three new germline mutation detection MASTRTM kits enabling the identification of individuals at risk for maturity onset diabetes of the young, autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

2 Dec 2013

Researchers study role of small non-coding RNAs expressed in the human male germline

Researchers from the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain, have studied the role of a peculiar class of small non-coding RNAs that are mainly expressed in the human male germline.

22 Nov 2013

Curie-Cancer inks partnership agreements with Meiogenix to develop SpiX technology

Curie-Cancer, the body responsible for developing Institut Curie's industry partnership activity, today announces two three-year partnership agreements with Meiogenix, a French SME. Meiogenix develops SpiX technology under license from Institut Curie and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique.

19 Nov 2013

Offspring born to stressed mothers show stress-induced changes

Children of survivors of extremely stressful life events face adjustment challenges of their own, as has been most carefully studied among the children of Nazi Death Camp survivors. This "intergenerational" transmission of stress response has been studied predominately from the psychological perspective. However, recent research points to biological contributions as well.

5 Nov 2013

Next-generation sequencing may help discover genetic changes that might lead to cancer

A pilot study led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute and the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare shows that, even for patients with advanced and rapidly transforming cancer, researchers can find potential therapeutic targets using the latest advances in genomic sequencing.

31 Oct 2013

BRCA1/2 mutations may alter endometrial, ovarian function

Scientists have detected significant differences in endometrial thickness and hormone levels in women with and without BRCA1/2 mutations that may play a role in cancer susceptibility or development.

22 Oct 2013

Pan-Cancer Initiative: Patterns Emerge Across Diverse Tumor Types

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27 Sep 2013

Scientists identify enzyme mutation that occurs in castration-resistant prostate cancer

The mutation occurs in the androgen-synthesizing enzyme 3βHSD1 in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), according to research published online today in Cell. This mutation enables the tumor to make its own supply of androgens, a hormone that fuels the growth of the prostate cancer.

30 Aug 2013

BTNL2 gene mutation that impacts immune function increases risk of prostate cancer

A team of researchers led by Janet Stanford, Ph.D., of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center has discovered that mutations in the gene BTNL2, which encodes a protein involved in regulating T-cell proliferation and cytokine production - both of which impact immune function - increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

30 Aug 2013

DeNovoGear software uses statistical probabilities to help identify genetic mutations

Concealed within the vastness of the human genome, (comprised of some 3 billion base pairs), mutations are commonplace. While the majority of these appear to have neutral effect on human health, many others are associated with diseases and disease susceptibility.

26 Aug 2013

Researchers identify important component for regulating stem cell niches

Proper tissue function and regeneration is supported by stem cells, which reside in so-called niches. New work from Carnegie's Yixian Zheng and Haiyang Chen identifies an important component for regulating stem cell niches, with impacts on tissue building and function. The results could have implications for disease research. It is published by Cell Stem Cell.

15 Jul 2013

Ambry Genetics introduces BRCA1 and BRCA2 analysis

Ambry Genetics announced today the launch of BRCA1 and BRCA2 analysis as part of their comprehensive cancer-testing menu. Two genes will be offered as a stand alone test comprising of full gene sequencing and deletion/duplication analyses in addition to being incorporated as part of multiple hereditary cancer panels that test cancer susceptibility genes using next-generation sequencing technology.

14 Jun 2013

SV Bio receives CLIA certification for in silico diagnostics laboratory

Silicon Valley Biosystems today announced that it has received Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment certification from the California Department of Public Health for its in silico diagnostics laboratory.

13 Jun 2013

Scientists report new way of tackling cancer and predicting tumor virulence

A new way of tackling cancer and predicting tumor virulence are has been reported by a team of scientists from the Institut Albert Bonniot de Grenoble including researchers from CNRS, Inserm and Université Joseph Fourier, in collaboration with clinical physicians and anatomopathologists from the CHU de Grenoble, with the support of the Institut National du Cancer, the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and the Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer.

26 May 2013