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Researchers pace embryonic heart with laser

Scientists at Case Western Reserve University and Vanderbilt University found that pulsed light can pace contractions in an avian embryonic heart, with no apparent damage to the tissue. The work, "Optical pacing of the embryonic heart," will be published in the advanced online issue of Nature Photonics on Aug. 15, 2010.According to the scientists, this non-invasive device may prove an effective tool in understanding how environmental factors that alter an embryo's heart rate lead to congenital defects. It may also lead to investigations of cardiac electrophysiology at the cellular, tissue and organ levels, and possibly the development of a new generation of pacemakers.

16 Aug 2010

MeCP2 protein regulates properties of psychostimulant drugs: Research

When a certain protein is mutated or missing, symptoms of the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome arise, causing a gradual loss of brain function during early development.This fact led Duke University Medical Center researchers to test a theory that the protein might also contribute to nerve-cell connection (synapse) changes in a fully formed adult mouse brain when exposed to psychostimulant use.

16 Aug 2010

Scientists replace human gene to preserve photoreceptor function in retinal degeneration

The easy accessibility of the eye and the established link between specific genetic defects and ocular disorders offer hope for using gene therapy to provide long-term therapeutic benefit. Two reports in the current issue of Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., describe the effective replacement of a human gene to preserve photoreceptor function in a mouse model of severe retinal degeneration. The articles are available free online.

16 Aug 2010

Inovio Pharmaceuticals 2010 second quarter net loss decreases

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.Total revenue was $1.1 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $2.5 million and $2.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

16 Aug 2010

New T cell engineering approach can improve success rate of immune-cell therapies

Clinical trials using patients' own immune cells to target tumors have yielded promising results. However, this approach usually works only if the patients also receive large doses of drugs designed to help immune cells multiply rapidly, and those drugs have life-threatening side effects. Now a team of MIT engineers has devised a way to deliver the necessary drugs by smuggling them on the backs of the cells sent in to fight the tumor. That way, the drugs reach only their intended targets, greatly reducing the risk to the patient.

16 Aug 2010

Childhood brain tumor survivors may be vulnerable to physical declines associated with aging: Study

A large study focused on documenting the strength and fitness of childhood brain tumor survivors has found that many face health challenges as they age. The study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators showed that although most participants were young adults in their 20s, many functioned like people in their 60s, making them less likely to live independently or attend college.

16 Aug 2010

Adverse effects in childhood lead to immune impairment later in life

The emotional pains we suffer in childhood can lead to weakened immune systems later in life, according to a new study.Based on this new research, the amount of this immune impairment even enhances that caused by the stress of caregiving later in life."What happens in childhood really matters when it comes to your immune response in the latter part of your life," explained Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychology and psychiatry at Ohio State University. She explained her work at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Diego.

16 Aug 2010

Scientists discover new signaling pathway to reduce tumour growth in glioblastoma multiforme

Malignant gliomas are the most common subtype of primary brain tumor - and one of the deadliest. Even as doctors make steady progress treating other types of solid tumor cancers, from breast to prostate, the most aggressive form of malignant glioma, called a glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, has steadfastly defied advances in neurosurgery, radiation therapy and various conventional or novel drugs. But an international team of scientists, headed by researchers at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, reports in the August 15 issue of Genes & Development that they have discovered a new signaling pathway between GBM cells - one that, if ultimately blocked or disrupted, could significantly slow or reduce tumor growth and malignancy.

16 Aug 2010

Researchers discover genetic alterations responsible for Kabuki syndrome

Using a new, rapid and less expensive DNA sequencing strategy, scientists have discovered genetic alterations that account for most cases of Kabuki syndrome, a rare disorder that causes multiple birth defects and mental retardation. Instead of sequencing the entire human genome, the new approach sequences just the exome, the 1-2 percent of the human genome that contains protein-coding genes.

16 Aug 2010

CD31 positive cells have potential for treating peripheral artery disease: Research

Isolating cells from a patient's blood or bone marrow that nourish blood vessels may be a safer and less arduous route to treatment of cardiovascular disease than obtaining rare stem cells, according to research from Emory University School of Medicine. In recent clinical trials, doctors in several countries have tested the ability of a patient's bone marrow cells to repair damage, such as heart attacks and peripheral artery disease, created by problems of blood flow.

16 Aug 2010

Soligenix’s net loss for second-quarter 2010 decreases to $1,577,000

Soligenix, Inc., a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today its financial results for the second quarter of 2010.

13 Aug 2010

CRF announces additional featured trials to be presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2010

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation has announced that in addition to the previously announced late breaking clinical trials and first reports, a series of additional featured trials will be presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2010 scientific symposium. These trials will focus on a wide range of significant topics in interventional cardiovascular medicine. TCT 2010 will take place September 21 - 25 in Washington, DC.

13 Aug 2010

Trubion Pharmaceuticals signs definitive merger agreement with Emergent BioSolutions

Trubion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Emergent BioSolutions Inc., in which Emergent has agreed to acquire Trubion. Under the terms of the agreement, each share of Trubion common stock will be converted into the right to receive an upfront payment of $1.365 per share in cash and 0.1641 shares of Emergent BioSolutions common stock.

13 Aug 2010

Pro-Pharmaceuticals second-quarter net loss applicable to common stock decreases to $2.5 million

Pro-Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developer of therapeutics that target Galectin receptors to treat cancer and fibrosis, today reported its financial results for the second quarter and the first six months ended June 30, 2010. These results are included in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which has been filed with the SEC.

13 Aug 2010

Aeolus completes $1.0M financing to initiate human clinical studies of AEOL 10150 for cancer

Aeolus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has completed a $1.0 million financing with two existing institutional shareholders, both of which are affiliates of Xmark Opportunity Partners, LLC.

13 Aug 2010

Study finds Olaparib can reduce tumor size in ovarian cancer women

Understanding the underlying genetic weakness of certain types of cancer may lead to targeted therapy and provide the key to effective treatment, a new study suggests. An international consortium of researchers has shown that an investigational drug, Olaparib, can reduce the size of tumors in women with advanced hereditary ovarian cancer with BRCA gene mutations.

13 Aug 2010

Chronic pain affects higher proportion of women than men: Research

Women experience chronic pain longer, more intensely and more often than men, according to a psychologist who works with both men and women dealing with diseases and conditions that leave them suffering.

13 Aug 2010

OXiGENE reports $2.5M net income for second-quarter 2010 vs. $5.3M net loss for same period in 2009

OXiGENE, Inc., a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to treat cancer and eye diseases, reported financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010, and presented an update on recent clinical and corporate progress.

13 Aug 2010

RPA70 associated with SUMO-specific protease facilitates DNA repair: Research

A team of investigators led by a physician-scientist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has shown for the first time that the small protein SUMO can team up with the replication protein A (RPA) complex to facilitate DNA repair. The study is published in the Aug. 13 edition of the journal Molecular Cell.

13 Aug 2010

Astex and MMRC commence Phase II clinical trial of AT7519 CDK inhibitor in multiple myeloma

Astex Therapeutics, the UK-based biotechnology company developing targeted therapies for oncology and virology, and the Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium announced today the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, AT7519, to treat patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. The trial is designed to investigate both single agent and combination activity of AT7519 with bortezomib (Velcade®).

13 Aug 2010

Cell News and Research

Researchers pace embryonic heart with laser

MeCP2 protein regulates properties of psychostimulant drugs: Research

Scientists replace human gene to preserve photoreceptor function in retinal degeneration

Inovio Pharmaceuticals 2010 second quarter net loss decreases

New T cell engineering approach can improve success rate of immune-cell therapies

Childhood brain tumor survivors may be vulnerable to physical declines associated with aging: Study

Adverse effects in childhood lead to immune impairment later in life

Scientists discover new signaling pathway to reduce tumour growth in glioblastoma multiforme

Researchers discover genetic alterations responsible for Kabuki syndrome

CD31 positive cells have potential for treating peripheral artery disease: Research

Soligenix’s net loss for second-quarter 2010 decreases to $1,577,000

CRF announces additional featured trials to be presented at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics 2010

Trubion Pharmaceuticals signs definitive merger agreement with Emergent BioSolutions

Pro-Pharmaceuticals second-quarter net loss applicable to common stock decreases to $2.5 million

Aeolus completes $1.0M financing to initiate human clinical studies of AEOL 10150 for cancer

Study finds Olaparib can reduce tumor size in ovarian cancer women

Chronic pain affects higher proportion of women than men: Research

OXiGENE reports $2.5M net income for second-quarter 2010 vs. $5.3M net loss for same period in 2009

RPA70 associated with SUMO-specific protease facilitates DNA repair: Research

Astex and MMRC commence Phase II clinical trial of AT7519 CDK inhibitor in multiple myeloma

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