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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

MMV joins Pool for Open Innovation against neglected tropical diseases

The Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) today became the first product development partnership (PDP) to contribute intellectual property to the Pool for Open Innovation against Neglected Tropical Diseases. MMV joins GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in contributing to the Pool, which is administered by BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH).

17 Aug 2010

Study finds abnormal expression of miRNAs can contribute to human diseases

Researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center have identified an RNA sequence that promotes increased numbers of specific microRNAs (miRNAs), molecules that regulate cell growth, development, and stress response. The discovery helps researchers understand the links between miRNA expression and disease, including heart disease and cancer. The findings are published in the August 13 issue of Molecular Cell.

17 Aug 2010

Scientists identify genes associated with aggressive breast cancer

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have for the first time identified 12 genes that could be associated with aggressive breast tumours. The discovery could result in more reliable prognoses and better treatment strategies for patients.

16 Aug 2010

CLC bio, PSSC Labs announce new turnkey solution for full-genome assembly and analysis

Today, CLC bio and PSSC Labs announced a new turnkey solution, CLC Genomics Factory, for assembly, read mapping, and subsequent downstream analysis of very large amounts of high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing data. Built as a high-performance bioinformatics appliance, CLC Genomics Factory comes in three different sizes with varying numbers of compute nodes, capable of processing the data output from up to 10 Illumina HiSeq2000 or 7 Life Technologies SOLiD 4 systems.

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

Transgenomic second-quarter net loss increases to $1.1 million

Transgenomic, Inc. today reported financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, and provided a business update.

13 Aug 2010

Labopharm second-quarter total revenue increases to $6.8 million

Labopharm Inc. today reported its financial results for the second quarter and first six months ended June 30, 2010. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

12 Aug 2010

Dicerna announces closing of $25 million Series B round of financing

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a second generation RNA interference company developing novel therapeutics utilizing its proprietary Dicer Substrate Technology™ and Dicer Substrate siRNA molecules, today announced that it has closed a $25 million Series B round of financing. New investor Domain Associates led the round, with all existing investors participating - Oxford Bioscience Partners, Skyline Ventures and Abingworth.

11 Aug 2010

Rxi Pharmaceuticals second-quarter net loss decreases to $2.1 million

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a recognized leader in RNAi-based therapeutic discovery and development, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

11 Aug 2010

USPTO allows Regulus Therapeutics' claims of key Tuschl III patent covering Mir-155

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has allowed claims in a patent application (US Serial No. 12/550,579) derived from the "Tuschl III" patent series. The allowed claims relate to human microRNA miR-155, a microRNA that is a potential target for immuno-inflammatory indications, and a lead program of the Regulus-GSK Strategic Alliance.

11 Aug 2010

Silence Therapeutics receives patent for RNA silencing method

Silence Therapeutics plc announces the issuance of United States patent 7,772,203, titled "Methods and Compositions for Controlling Efficacy of RNA Silencing," by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The issued patent generally claims methods of enhancing RNA silencing with a double stranded RNA interference (RNAi) agent. The patent's RNA silencing method claims include coverage for the administering of a pharmaceutical composition containing short interfering RNA (siRNA), micro RNA (miRNA), pre-miRNA or short hairpin (shRNA) molecules. Silence believes the proprietary structural modification techniques covered in this patent will play a key role in increasing the potential therapeutic efficacy of RNAi therapeutics.

11 Aug 2010

Tamir Biotechnology's three compounds effective show potential for yellow fever

Tamir Biotechnology, Inc.(formerly Alfacell Corporation) announced today that scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) confirmed that testing of three of our company's compounds showed in vitro results rarely seen before by the U.S. government for yellow fever.

11 Aug 2010

GoTaq 2-Step RT-qPCR System allows researchers to detect target genes

The new Promega GoTaq 2-Step RT-qPCR System allows researchers to detect target genes expressed at low levels even with hard-to-amplify samples. Enhanced sensitivity of the two-step system extends the broad dynamic range of RNA quantitation and provides a robust, gene expression analysis tool.

11 Aug 2010

Dr. Hastings receives grant for Spinal Muscular Atrophy research

Michelle Hastings, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, in the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, has been awarded a five-year $1.68 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support her research aimed at investigating treatments for the fatal children's disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

11 Aug 2010

ACD launches RNAscope Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Assay Kit

Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc., announces the launch and immediate availability of RNAscope™ FFPE Assay Kit, a line of RUO products designed to detect RNA biomarkers in routine Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded tissue specimens with single molecule sensitivity.

From Advanced Cell Diagnostics 11 Aug 2010

Inhibitex reports net loss of $5.6 million for second-quarter 2010

Inhibitex, Inc. today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

10 Aug 2010

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals reports significant progress in discovery of novel technologies for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, and collaborators from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The University of British Columbia (UBC), AlCana Technologies, Inc., and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, presented results from multiple ongoing research efforts regarding the discovery of novel technologies for the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics.

10 Aug 2010

GenMark second-quarter revenues increase 162% to $651,000

GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. today reported revenues of $651,000 for the quarter ending June 30, 2010, a 162% increase over second quarter 2009. Net loss for the second quarter was $5.1 million, or $0.60 per share, compared to a net loss of $4.3 million and $1.08 per share for the same period last year.

10 Aug 2010

Isis second-quarter pro forma net operating loss increases to $15.5 million

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The Company finished the second quarter of 2010 with a pro forma net operating loss (NOL) of $15.5 million and $17.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively, compared to a pro forma net operating loss of $1.3 million and pro forma net operating income of $798,000 for the same periods of 2009.

9 Aug 2010