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Researcher receives 2014 Japan Prize in Life Sciences for extraordinary work in the field of epigenetics

C. David Allis, a pioneer in the field of epigenetics whose discovery that chemical modifications of DNA-packaging proteins play a key role in regulating the activity of individual genes, will be awarded the 2014 Japan Prize in Life Sciences. The announcement, by the Japan Prize Foundation, was made at a press conference in Tokyo this morning.

29 Jan 2014

Johns Hopkins researchers reveal how non-CpG methylation may contribute to Rett Syndrome

In normal development, all cells turn off genes they don’t need, often by attaching a chemical methyl group to the DNA, a process called methylation. Historically, scientists believed methyl groups could only stick to a particular DNA sequence: a cytosine followed by a guanine, called CpG. But in recent years, they have been found on other sequences, and so-called non-CpG methylation has been found in stem cells, and in neurons in the brain.

28 Jan 2014

GenePeeks receives patent for developing innovative algorithms to create hypothetical "digital babies"

GenePeeks, Inc., a genetic technology company focused on pre-conception risk prediction, announced today it has been issued patent No. 8,620,594, titled "Method and System for Generating a Virtual Progeny Genome," by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

28 Jan 2014

South Korean lung SCC genetic secrets revealed

Close examination of DNA taken from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in South Korean patients has identified a gene fusion that may be targeted by current treatments, scientists say.

27 Jan 2014

EKF Diagnostics announces major breakthrough for PointMan DNA enrichment technology

EKF, announces a major breakthrough for its PointMan DNA enrichment technology for potential use in future cancer testing and treatment.

From EKF Diagnostics 22 Jan 2014

Research provides important new information about transmission of human leishmaniasis

Research involving scientists at the University of York has provided important new information about transmission of human leishmaniasis, a group of infectious diseases which kills more than 100,000 people a year.

18 Jan 2014

IRCM researchers show importance of DNA architecture in controlling activity of genes

A study conducted by Marie Kmita's team at the IRCM, in collaboration with Jos-e Dostie at McGill University, shows the importance of the chromatin architecture in controlling the activity of genes, especially those required for proper embryonic development.

17 Jan 2014

Researchers explore possible effects that diet have on gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms

In "Epigenetics: A New Link Between Nutrition and Cancer", a recent article from Nutrition and Cancer: An International Journal, a publication of Routledge, researchers explore the possible effects that diet can have on gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.

13 Jan 2014

Study shows wide-ranging variation in patterns of X chromosome inactivation in female mice

Producing brightly speckled red and green snapshots of many different tissues, Johns Hopkins researchers have color-coded cells in female mice to display which of their two X chromosomes has been made inactive, or “silenced.”

10 Jan 2014

Life Technologies, Quest Diagnostics sign multi-year license and supply agreement

Life Technologies has completed a multi-year license and supply agreement with Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, that gives Quest rights to develop molecular tests on the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing platform. Under the agreement, Quest may use the platform and related consumables to independently develop new tests for numerous areas of their business.

From Quest Diagnostics 10 Jan 2014

Researchers examine genetic variants associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Contrary to a common belief, researchers have shown that genetic regions associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes were unlikely to have been beneficial to people at stages through human evolution.

10 Jan 2014

Illumina signs multi-year licensing agreement with Quest Diagnostics

Illumina, Inc. today announced it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, related to the use of Illumina's next-generation sequencing technology for clinical laboratory testing.

From Illumina, Inc. 9 Jan 2014

Study reveals epigenetic changes also play a role in breast cancer risk

Breast cancer runs in families; however, genetic predisposition (such as being BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers) explains only a portion of this observation.

8 Jan 2014

Special publication details breakthrough research on causes of vascular disease

The world's leading voices in the fight against Pulmonary Hypertension have compiled a special publication detailing the breakthrough research into the causes of this debilitating vascular disease.

6 Jan 2014

Fluidigm announces universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing

Fluidigm Corporation today announced a universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing that runs on its C1TM Single-Cell Auto Prep System. This workflow streamlines targeted, whole exome and whole genome sequencing in heterogeneous cell populations and enables researchers to discover and screen somatic mutations, such as SNP, small indels, and translocations.

24 Dec 2013

Study reveals why people are predisposed to cardiovascular disease and death

A genetic trait known to make some people especially sensitive to stress also appears to be responsible for a 38 percent increased risk of heart attack or death in patients with heart disease, scientists at Duke Medicine report.

19 Dec 2013

Report: Screen all endometrial cancer patients for Lynch syndrome

A recent article by Norris Cotton Cancer Center researchers published in the January 2014 issue of the journal Clinical Chemistry reviews the scientific evidence that warrants screening all endometrial cancers for Lynch syndrome. Next to colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer is the most common form of cancer in women with Lynch syndrome.

12 Dec 2013

Researchers take closer look at genetically engineered mouse models and human cancer samples

Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA have taken a closer look at existing mouse models of cancer, specifically comparing them to human cancer samples. These genetically engineered mouse models (which usually either overexpress a cancer-causing gene-or "oncogene"-or carry a deletion for a "tumor suppressor" gene) have been extensively used to understand human cancer biology in studies of drug resistance, early detection, metastasis, and cancer prevention, as well as for the preclinical development of novel targeted therapeutics.

6 Dec 2013

Genetics and cardiovascular drugs: an interview with Nancy Lurker, CEO of PDI and Paul Kinnon, CEO of Transgenomic, Inc.

People inherit different versions of any particular gene, and some genes affect how patients process and metabolize medicines. This especially holds true for people with cardiovascular (CV) disease. They may be fast, slow or non-metabolizers and might also react badly (with serious adverse events) to certain drug therapies or not at all.

27 Nov 2013

Dysregulation of epigenetic marks may play role in chronic kidney disease, shows study

The research of physician-scientist Katalin Susztak, MD, PhD, associate professor of Medicine in the Renal Electrolyte and Hypertension Division, at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, strives to understand the molecular roots and genetic predisposition of chronic kidney disease.

26 Nov 2013