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AMT presents long-term efficacy study of Glybera in treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficiency

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today results from a long-term efficacy study of Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec) that showed improved chylomicron metabolism could be used as a biomarker for increased lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in those patients missing the gene that produces this protein.

20 May 2011

Affymetrix launches new Axiom myDesign TG Arrays for targeted genotyping market

Affymetrix, Inc. today launched new Axiom myDesign Targeted Genotyping (TG) Arrays for the targeted genotyping market, enabling researchers to study mutations in disease pathways and characterize gene-gene interactions.

19 May 2011

Pitt researchers develop mouse model of major depressive disorder

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a mouse model of major depressive disorder (MDD) that is based on a rare genetic mutation that appears to cause MDD in the majority of people who inherit it.

19 May 2011

Two genes linked to worst cases of esophageal cancer

University of Rochester Medical Center researchers have pinpointed two genes that are amplified in the worst cases of esophageal cancer, providing data to support a new investigational treatment that targets those same genes.

19 May 2011

Mayo Clinic develops new screening procedure for Lynch syndrome detection

Mayo Clinic has developed a screening procedure that could dramatically increase testing for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary genetic disorder that raises cancer risk, particularly for colorectal cancer.

19 May 2011

Fragile X syndrome may be treatable

Advancements over the last 10 years in understanding intellectual disability (ID, formerly mental retardation), have led to the once-unimaginable possibility that ID may be treatable, a review of more than 100 studies on the topic has concluded. It appears in ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

18 May 2011

New data on personalized approaches for skin, ovarian and lung cancer to be presented at ASCO meeting

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced that data showing new personalized approaches for people with skin and lung cancer, plus new data with Avastin in ovarian cancer, will be presented at the 47th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

18 May 2011

EMAS publishes position statement on women's post-reproductive health problems in Maturitas journal

Elsevier announced the publication of an important position statement from the European Menopause and Andropause Society in the journal Maturitas on managing menopausal women with a personal or family history of venous thromboembolism.

18 May 2011

NCNPR and Cancer Institute in Jackson partner for anti-cancer drug research

A new partnership to search for cancer-fighting drugs combines compound-identification and screening expertise at the University of Mississippi's National Center for Natural Products Research with the drug development and clinical-trials capabilities at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute.

18 May 2011

Novel gene associated with heart development and aging process

Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have identified a novel gene in the nucleus of muscle and brain cells that affects heart development and the aging process. Their investigation brings the promise of new treatments for an old, failing heart.

18 May 2011

Leucine deprivation triggers apoptosis in melanoma cells

Whitehead Institute researchers have found that depriving human melanoma cells of the essential amino acid leucine can be lethal to the cells, suggesting a possible strategy for therapeutic intervention.

18 May 2011

Anti-cancer drug discovery partnership formed between UMMC Cancer Institute and Natural Products Center

A new partnership to search for cancer-fighting drugs combines compound-identification and screening expertise at the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research with the drug development and clinical-trials capabilities at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute.

18 May 2011

Over-activation of single gene promotes leukemia, but its loss causes liver cancer

An international team of researchers, led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital in China, say a human gene implicated in the development of leukemia also acts to prevent cancer of the liver.

17 May 2011

Scientists identify 'de novo' genetic mutations in autism spectrum disorder children

Scientists at the University of Washington (UW) Department of Genome Sciences have identified several sporadic or "de novo" genetic mutations in children with autism spectrum disorder. The researchers applied leading edge molecular biology techniques and massively parallel sequencing to simultaneously examine all of the protein coding portions of the genome, collectively called the exome.

17 May 2011

Novel topically-applied molecular microbicide protects women against HIV infection

Using a technique that silences genes promoting infection, researchers have developed a novel, topically-applied molecular microbicide capable of preventing HIV transmission.

17 May 2011

Pediatric researchers find potential tools for controlling cytokine storm

By analyzing complex interactions of the immune system in an animal study, pediatric researchers have found potential tools for controlling a life-threatening condition called a cytokine storm that may strike children who have juvenile arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

17 May 2011

NewGene develops breakthrough test for hereditary breast cancer

A new breakthrough test for hereditary breast cancer developed by UK-based NewGene could see thousands of women being diagnosed with the genetic condition in around half the usual time and at around half the cost of conventional test methods.

16 May 2011

Insight into male infertility

Around one in 20 men is infertile, but despite the best efforts of scientists, in many cases the underlying causes of infertility have remained a mystery.

16 May 2011

Researchers untangle two distinct ways in which tumor-suppressor protein works

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have untangled two distinct ways in which a common, naturally occurring "tumor-suppressor" protein works.

13 May 2011

Midbrain habenula region plays a key role in nicotine dependence

A person's vulnerability to nicotine addiction appears to have a genetic basis, at least in part. A region in the midbrain called the habenula plays a key role in this process, as Dr. In-s Iba-ez-Tallon and her team from the Max Delbr-ck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, have now shown.

13 May 2011