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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.

Second wave of H1N1 virus infection in the U.S. comes to an end

Rates of 2009 H1N1 influenza virus testing in the U.S. have declined more than 75 percent since their peak in late October, suggesting that the "second wave" of virus infection that sickened tens of millions of Americans since it began four months ago may be coming to an end, according to a new report by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.

19 Dec 2009

Human protein may help prevent H1N1 infection

Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have identified a naturally occurring human protein that helps prevent infection by H1N1 influenza and other viruses, including West Nile and dengue virus.

18 Dec 2009

2010 Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research open for nomination

The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research has opened the 2010 call for nominations. The $100,000 Award recognizes individuals whose efforts have made significant transformational contributions towards the improvement of human health. Nomination forms are available at pauljanssenaward.com and will be accepted until February 15, 2010.

18 Dec 2009

Flu-fighting proteins found in human cells stop flu virus, uncover scientists

In findings that may lead to better ways to prevent and treat influenza and other viral infections, researchers report the discovery of a family of naturally occurring antiviral agents in human cells.

18 Dec 2009

Comprehensive approaches to understand the interaction of H1N1 strains with human cells

Scientists have generated hundreds of new leads in the fight against the H1N1 flu pandemic, according to two new studies published online December 17th in the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication.

18 Dec 2009

Silence Therapeutics and Intradigm merge to form RNAi

The Boards of Silence Therapeutics plc and Intradigm Corporation are delighted to announce the merger of their businesses to form a leading company in the field of RNAi (RNA interference).

17 Dec 2009

Human MicroRNA Panel for gene-expression profiling to be launched by WaferGen Biosystems

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., a leading developer of state-of-the-art genetic analysis systems, today announced that it will be launching the Human MicroRNA Panel for its innovative service for gene-expression profiling using its SmartChip(TM) Real-Time PCR System.

17 Dec 2009

USPTO issues Notice of Allowance for U.S. patent application in the 'Crooke' patent family

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. patent application (No. 10/078,949) in the “Crooke” patent family, which broadly covers chemically modified RNA-containing therapeutics.

16 Dec 2009

Tel Aviv University researchers unravel the mysteries of DNA packaging

The RNA "spools" that make up DNA in our genes need careful editing, too. Genes are composed of meaningful sequences, called exons, separated by meaningless junk sections called introns.

15 Dec 2009

ALS TDI and Applied Proteomics join to identify protein biomarkers associated with ALS

The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and Applied Proteomics, Inc. announced today that they have completed the first stage of a multi-year collaboration to identify and validate protein biomarkers associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease).

15 Dec 2009

Preclinical graft study supports Cytori’s proposed mechanism of action

Cytori Therapeutics reported results from a preclinical cell-enriched fat grafting study supporting the safety and efficacy of Cytori’s method for enriching fat grafts with adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs).

14 Dec 2009

Researchers present new data for diagnosis and management of beast cancer

As therapies for breast cancer continue to emerge, the issues of how to best monitor success and gauge prognosis remain important questions.

14 Dec 2009

Texas researchers identify new detection method for circulating tumor cells

Circulating metastatic breast cancer cells can lose their epithelial receptors, a process that enables them to travel through the bloodstream undetected, according to research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

14 Dec 2009

NIH awards $14.6M for Eukaryotic Pathogen Genome Database Resource expansion

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Georgia have been awarded a five-year, $14.6 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the US National Institutes of Health, to expand and extend work on the Eukaryotic Pathogen Genome Database Resource, http://EuPathDB.org.

11 Dec 2009

Researchers identify new biological pathway of H1N1 transmission to human population

A new biological pathway by which the H1N1 flu virus can make the jump from swine to humans has been discovered by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California, Berkeley. Early test results indicate that a heretofore unknown mutation in one of the H1N1 genes may have played an important role in transmitting the virus into humans.

11 Dec 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals' IND application for CEQ508 approved for clinical trial

Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) approved Cequent's first IND (investigational new drug) application yesterday.

10 Dec 2009

Regulus Therapeutics to host educational webinar about microRNA biology

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., founded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., unveiled plans for an educational webinar about microRNA biology that will highlight several recent exciting discoveries in the field and showcase the therapeutic strategies based on microRNA.

10 Dec 2009

German researchers study target-oriented methods for children with brain tumor

Brain tumors are the primary cause of cancer mortality in children. Even if a cure is possible, young patients often suffer tremendously from the stressful treatment which can be harmful to the developing brain.

10 Dec 2009

Mouse study suggests response to injury-induced growth factors can be revived

Brain and spinal-cord injuries typically leave people with permanent impairment because the injured nerve fibers (axons) cannot regrow. A study from Children's Hospital Boston, published in the December 10 issue of the journal Neuron, shows that axons can regenerate vigorously in a mouse model when a gene that suppresses natural growth factors is deleted.

10 Dec 2009

Breakthrough findings may lead to new treatments for Ebola hemorrhagic fever

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of a critical protein from the Ebola virus, which, though rare, is one of the deadliest viruses on the planet killing between 50 and 90 percent of those infected.

9 Dec 2009