Nucleic Acid News and Research

RSS

Experimental oligonucleotide-based drug stimulates human immune system to fight infections

An experimental single-stranded oligonucleotide-based drug, MGN1703, comprised only of natural DNA components, stimulates the human immune system to fight infections and attack cancer cells without causing the harmful side effects associated with similar compounds that also contain non-natural DNA components.

8 Apr 2015

Penn Med's BLINKER Team named one of 16 finalists in NIH 'Follow that Cell Challenge'

James Eberwine, PhD, the Elmer Holmes Bobst Professor of Systems Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, was named one of 16 finalists in the first phase of the Follow that Cell Challenge funded by the National Institutes of Health. The competition was run by crowdsourcing company Innocentive and 687 designated "solvers" entered initially.

2 Apr 2015

NYUCD receives NIH grant to develop POC test to detect HIV antibodies and viral RNA

New York University College of Dentistry has received a sub-award in the amount of $335,000 from a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant from the National Institutes of Health to complete the development of a fully automated self-confirming assay that can simultaneously detect HIV/AIDS antibodies and viral RNA from the AIDS virus in a single specimen.

29 Mar 2015

Globavir, BioManguinhos partner to jointly evaluate PanGlob RT-PCR Dengue diagnostic assay

Globavir Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to treat infectious diseases, has announced a partnership with BioManguinhos, a division of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, for a joint evaluation of Globavir's PanGlob RT-PCR Dengue diagnostic assay.

23 Mar 2015

Los Alamos scientists develop new method for metagenomic analysis

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new method for DNA analysis of microbial communities such as those found in the ocean, the soil, and our own guts.

19 Mar 2015

Kalorama Information: Budding market for digital PCR reached 175 million in 2014

Kalorama Information estimated the budding market for digital PCR reached 175 million in 2014. The market research publisher said companies will be looking to provide products to increase research and diagnostics in diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.

13 Mar 2015

Study supports use of ThyraMIR, ThyGenX Thyroid Oncogene Panel to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis

PDI, Inc. subsidiary, Interpace Diagnostics, announced today new data supporting the use of combination platform testing with ThyraMIR, the first and only microRNA expression classifier, and ThyGenX Thyroid Oncogene Panel, a DNA and RNA mutational analysis, to improve thyroid cancer diagnosis.

11 Mar 2015

New TAU study may offer hope to people diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme

There are no effective available treatments for sufferers of Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive and devastating form of brain tumor. The disease, always fatal, has a survival rate of only 6-18 months.

25 Feb 2015

Pioneering Separations Company Quad Technologies Set To Revolutionize Cell Isolation Following Successful Investment

Quad Technologies Inc (“Quad”), developer of a novel separation technology, has formally announced its entry into the cell separation market.

19 Feb 2015

University of Tokyo researchers reveal how TLR9 binds to pathogen DNA

University of Tokyo researchers have elucidated how Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) binds to pathogen DNA, activating the innate immune system. This discovery is vital for the design of new antiviral, antibacterial, allergy and other drugs targeting TLR9.

10 Feb 2015

USF scientists develop handheld sensor to debunk fraudulent seafood species claims

Scientists at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science have developed a handheld sensor capable of debunking fraudulent seafood species claims, helping to ensure that consumers are get what they pay for.

5 Feb 2015

Cell-penetrating nanoparticles can efficiently transport oligonucleotide drugs into cells

Therapeutic oligonucleotide analogs represent a new and promising family of drugs that act on nucleic acid targets such as RNA or DNA; however, their effectiveness has been limited due to difficulty crossing the cell membrane.

31 Jan 2015

Plasma EGFR mutation cfDNA predicts advanced lung cancer outcome

Monitoring plasma cell-free DNA levels of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations may indicate prognosis for patients with lung adenocarcinoma after EGFR–tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, research suggests.

28 Jan 2015

EGFR mutations, ALK translocations not mutually exclusive in NSCLC

Researchers from the Republic of Korea have found that epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocations can occur concomitantly in a proportion of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.

12 Jan 2015

QIAGEN's circulating tumor DNA test CE-IVD marked to assess genomic mutation NSCLC patients

QIAGEN announced today the CE-IVD marking of its novel liquid biopsy-based companion diagnostic that analyzes circulating nucleic acids obtained from blood samples to assess an important genomic mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of this cancer.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 12 Jan 2015

DiaCarta raises $8 million in Series A financing from BVCF

DiaCarta, Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company raised $8 million in Series A financing from BVCF (BioVeda China Fund). Proceeds from Series A financing will be used to expand the product portfolio and support global commercialization. Dr. Weixin Xu of BVCF will join DiaCarta board of directors.

9 Jan 2015

Roche announces launch of cobas Liat System for on-demand testing in different settings

Roche today announced the launch of the cobas Liat System—a fast, compact , easy to use, molecular diagnostic platform, designed for on-demand testing in physician clinics, pharmacies and hospital lab settings.

16 Dec 2014

Focus Diagnostics' Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV Direct Kit receive FDA clearance

As the 2014-2015 flu season begins, Focus Diagnostics, the products business of Quest Diagnostics, today announced that its Simplexa Flu A/B & RSV Direct Kit has received FDA clearance for eight additional influenza strains. These strains may pose significant potential health risks and may be circulating this winter.

From Quest Diagnostics 9 Dec 2014

Studies presented at ASH meeting compare new, standard-of-care treatments for blood clots

Studies presented at the 56th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition compare new and standard-of-care treatments for blood clots and further illuminate clot risks in vulnerable populations, such as cancer patients.

8 Dec 2014

Researchers develop low-cost, electricity-free device for detecting DNA of infectious pathogens

Diagnosing HIV and other infectious diseases presents unique challenges in remote locations that lack electric power, refrigeration, and appropriately trained health care staff. To address these issues, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed a low-cost, electricity-free device capable of detecting the DNA of infectious pathogens, including HIV-1.

2 Dec 2014