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Scientists discover gene mutation responsible for CDG

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has discovered the gene mutation responsible for a condition in which eye and brain development is severely disrupted in affected infants.

16 Jul 2010

Enzyme mTOR regulates autophagy: Study

Cells that consume parts of themselves can stop this process autonomously as well. This was discovered by NWO researcher Judith Klumperman's group, in collaboration with colleagues from the National Institute of Health in Washington. The self-cannibalism is part of the normal digestive process of the cell, but also a survival mechanism in times of famine. This is what makes it difficult for doctors to 'starve out' cancer cells, for instance. The research results were published on 6 June in Nature.

15 Jul 2010

New research focuses on calcium channels in lysosome membrane

In cells, as in cities, disposing of garbage and recycling anything that can be reused is an essential service. In both city and cell, health problems can arise when the process breaks down.

15 Jul 2010

Research provides better understanding of drugs used to treat, prevent cardiovascular disease

Using chemical labeling and mass spectrometry-based techniques, Mark Chance, PhD, director of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics and professor of physiology and biophysics; Sayan Gupta, PhD, instructor at the Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics; and a research team from the University of Oxford, for the first time, were able to take a high resolution picture of the open state of a K+ channel, allowing them to comparatively analyze gating mechanisms important to heart function and nerve signaling - in addition these techniques have already permitted Case Western investigators to gain a deeper understanding of G-protein coupled receptors.

14 Jul 2010

Integra LifeSciences launches DuraGen Plus Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation announced today the launch of DuraGen Plus® Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix, an absorbable and sutureless collagen onlay indicated as a dura substitute for the repair of dura mater.

9 Jul 2010

New method enhances delivery of DNA payloads into cells

Chang Lu and his chemical engineering research group at Virginia Tech have discovered how to "greatly enhance" the delivery of DNA payloads into cells. The description of their work will be featured on the cover of Lab on a Chip (issue 16), the premier journal for researchers in microfluidics.

9 Jul 2010

Research could lead to remote stimulation of cells to treat cancer or diabetes

Clusters of heated, magnetic nanoparticles targeted to cell membranes can remotely control ion channels, neurons and even animal behavior, according to a paper published by University at Buffalo physicists in Nature Nanotechnology.

7 Jul 2010

TWINCORE researchers develop new model approaches for HCV research

The hepatitis C virus is highly specialised. We humans are its natural hosts. The only other living organisms that could be infected with the hepatitis C virus in the lab are chimpanzees. Nevertheless it is - from the viewpoint of the virus - highly successful: around 170 million people are chronically infected with the virus. And with the chronic infection the risk of developing liver cancer also increases.

7 Jul 2010

Scientists discover nanoparticle to deliver DNA with minimum toxic effect

In lab experiments, the researchers have found that this device, a vector, is able to deliver DNA deeply enough into a cell to allow genetic material to be activated - a critical step in gene therapy. This vector is between 2 - and 10 times more effective than other experimental materials, according to the research.

7 Jul 2010

Novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth, metastasis in ER-positive breast cancer discovered

A multi-disciplinary team of international researchers from Ghent University in Belgium, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in the US, Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, and INSERM in France have uncovered a novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth and metastasis in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

6 Jul 2010

Parkinson's Disease Foundation awards $1.2M for research programs

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is pleased to announce awards totaling $1.2 million for research projects designed to understand the cause(s) of and find a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD).

2 Jul 2010

Research shows promising targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes patients

Named for the furballs whose astonishing fecundity made them stars in early Star Trek episodes, the tribbles protein, first identified in fruit flies, aids in regulating many cell processes in humans. Joslin Diabetes Center researchers now have identified mechanisms triggered by a variant of the tribbles gene that cause trouble in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells—and that offer a promising target for therapies for people with type 2 diabetes, even if they don't carry that gene variant.

2 Jul 2010

InNexus develops IXS312 small protein fragment as topical therapy for AMD, diabetic retinal dysplasia

InNexus Biotechnology Inc., a drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL™) technology, today announced that it has developed IXS312(VEGF), an antibody fragment with activity against the growth factor VEGF for planned use in ocular treatments.

30 Jun 2010

Shrink Nanotechnologies, Lydall enter technology integration and development agreement

Shrink Nanotechnologies, Inc., an innovative nanotechnology company developing products and licensing opportunities in the solar energy production, medical diagnostics and sensors, and biotechnology research and development tools businesses, announced today that it has entered into a technology integration and development agreement with Lydall, Inc..

29 Jun 2010

Phadia's four new EliA autoimmune antibody assays receive FDA clearance

Today Phadia announced that it has received FDA 510 (K) clearance for four new EliA autoimmune antibody assays. These new assays will provide physicians with additional tools needed to aid in the diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome. The newly available EliA assays, anti-cardiolipin (aCL) IgG/IgM and anti-B2-glycoprotein 1 (anti-B2-GP1) IgG/IgM, have proven to be essential, sensitive, and specific markers to aid in the diagnosis of APS.

25 Jun 2010

Mutation in ion channel that changes its dynamics is implicated in epilepsy: Scientists

In 2004, Washington University in St. Lous researcher Jianmin Cui was handed a puzzling clue to the structure of an ion channel his lab had been studying for five years.

24 Jun 2010

Spanish scientists propose human amniotic membrane as new tool for repairing damaged articular cartilage

Spanish scientists have proposed using human amniotic membrane as a new tool for repairing damaged human articular cartilage, which heals very poorly because of its low capacity for self-repair. Their research, published in the journal Cell and Tissue Banking, shows that the cellular density of the cartilage synthesised could be greater than that of the body's own natural cartilage.

23 Jun 2010

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council awards £1.2 million to Bilayer Platform project

Scientists at the University of Southampton and Birkbeck College, University of London are developing a platform consisting of an array of artificial cell membranes that will enable more efficient testing of potential new drugs.

23 Jun 2010

NHLBI funds nine research grants to determine safety and efficacy of red blood cell transfusions

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, is funding nine research grants to determine if the safety and efficacy of red blood cell transfusions vary depending on how long the cells have been stored. One of the grants supports the first large, multi-center, randomized clinical trial to compare outcomes in heart surgery patients who receive transfusions of red blood cells that have been stored for shorter or longer amounts of time.

22 Jun 2010

Expression of BCRP in RA patients may indicate higher disease activity, predict resistance to DMARDs

The expression of a transporter protein called the Breast Cancer Resistance Protein in rheumatoid arthritis patients may indicate higher disease activity and could be a barrier to the effectiveness of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, according to the results of a study presented today at EULAR 2010, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Rome, Italy.

18 Jun 2010

Membrane News and Research

Scientists discover gene mutation responsible for CDG

Enzyme mTOR regulates autophagy: Study

New research focuses on calcium channels in lysosome membrane

Research provides better understanding of drugs used to treat, prevent cardiovascular disease

Integra LifeSciences launches DuraGen Plus Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix

New method enhances delivery of DNA payloads into cells

Research could lead to remote stimulation of cells to treat cancer or diabetes

TWINCORE researchers develop new model approaches for HCV research

Scientists discover nanoparticle to deliver DNA with minimum toxic effect

Novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth, metastasis in ER-positive breast cancer discovered

Parkinson's Disease Foundation awards $1.2M for research programs

Research shows promising targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes patients

InNexus develops IXS312 small protein fragment as topical therapy for AMD, diabetic retinal dysplasia

Shrink Nanotechnologies, Lydall enter technology integration and development agreement

Phadia's four new EliA autoimmune antibody assays receive FDA clearance

Mutation in ion channel that changes its dynamics is implicated in epilepsy: Scientists

Spanish scientists propose human amniotic membrane as new tool for repairing damaged articular cartilage

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council awards £1.2 million to Bilayer Platform project

NHLBI funds nine research grants to determine safety and efficacy of red blood cell transfusions

Expression of BCRP in RA patients may indicate higher disease activity, predict resistance to DMARDs

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