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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.

Issuance of patents for Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR-targeted compounds announced

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDRA) today announced the issuance of patents covering its novel Toll-like Receptor (TLR) - targeted compounds. The Company’s TLR-targeted compounds are based on synthetic DNA and RNA, which it refers to as immune modulatory oligonucleotides, or IMO®.

27 Oct 2009

Potential link exists between histone mRNA formation and apoptosis

A study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has identified a key player in a molecular process essential for DNA replication within cells.

26 Oct 2009

Cancer cells fueled by the mutant KRAS oncogene can be killed by blocking its genetic partner

Cancer cells fueled by the mutant KRAS oncogene, which makes them notoriously difficult to treat, can be killed by blocking a more vulnerable genetic partner of KRAS, report scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.

26 Oct 2009

New nucleic acid test to screen donated blood for HIV-1 Group M RNA approved

Health Canada has approved a new nucleic acid test from Roche Diagnostics to screen donated blood for HIV-1 Group M RNA, hepatitis C RNA and hepatitis B DNA in a single, automated assay.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 24 Oct 2009

CAP commends SACGHS stand against human health-related gene patents

The College of American Pathologists today expressed its support for a key government advisory group's recommendation to create an exemption from liability for infringement of gene patent claims when used for patient care purposes.

24 Oct 2009

Roche's xCELLigence RTCA SP Instrument used for in vitro testing of cells

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA Polymerase II consists of multiple repeats of an evolutionary conserved motif of seven amino acids, forming a repetitive structure of 52 repeats in humans and 26 repeats in yeast. Twenty years after the first description of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain, its function is still unclear.

23 Oct 2009

NCI awards $2.8 million grant to Allegro Diagnostics

Allegro Diagnostics, a leader in the field of molecular diagnostics for lung cancer, has announced that its clinical study for BronchoGen(TM), a diagnostic test for patients suspected of having lung cancer, will receive up to $2.8 million in funding for a Phase I/II Fast Track Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

22 Oct 2009

NCI implements NanoString Technologies' nCounter Analysis System

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a molecular barcoding detection system, today announced that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is employing its nCounter™ Analysis System at two of its core labs.

From NanoString Technologies 22 Oct 2009

Widely used ssqPCR assay is not reliable, say researchers

In the course of doing research on the mosquito-borne pathogens chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and o' nyong-nyong virus (ONNV), Virginia Tech researchers have discovered an inconvenient truth about an assay, strand-specific quantitative real-time PCR (ssqPCR), increasingly being used to detect and measure replicating viral RNA in infected cells and tissues. The method most labs are using for ssqPCR is unreliable.

22 Oct 2009

Certain molecules found to play an important role in regulating circadian rhythm: Study

Molecules that may hold the key to new ways to fight cancer and other diseases have been found to play an important role in regulating circadian rhythm, says Liheng Shi, a researcher in Texas A&M's Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences.

21 Oct 2009

Positive results from Argos Therapeutics' personalized immunotherapy candidate AGS-004 Phase 2a trial

Argos Therapeutics today announced two presentations at the AIDS Vaccine 2009 conference, detailing positive viral load, immune response and safety data from an ongoing Phase 2a trial of AGS-004, its personalized immunotherapy candidate. AGS-004 is a product of the Company’s Arcelis™ technology, and is a personalized, RNA-loaded, dendritic cell-based immunotherapy that is perfectly matched to each patient’s unique HIV viral burden.

21 Oct 2009

Rice University scientists win NIH stimulus funds to study influenza A

Rice University scientists have won a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to scrutinize the influenza A virus for clues that could lead to more effective antiviral drugs. Strains of influenza A include this year's pandemic H1N1 variety, some seasonal varieties and the much-feared H5N1 bird flu.

21 Oct 2009

Origene Technologies' acquisition of Marligen Biosciences reinforces its leading position in the bio-medical research industry

OriGene Technologies, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Marligen Biosciences, Inc., a provider of cutting-edge multiplex assays for the Luminex xMAP(R) platform for protein and gene expression profiling assays and testing services, and DNA and RNA purification kits.

20 Oct 2009

Focus Diagnostics' 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test granted FDA emergency use authorization

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today issued a second emergency use authorization (EUA) to Focus Diagnostics, the infectious disease diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, for its 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test. With the EUA, Focus Diagnostics is the only company in the U.S. to offer test kits for detecting the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus that the FDA has authorized for emergency use by CLIA high-complexity labs, which include certain hospital and regional labs.

19 Oct 2009

DKC establishes link between genetic mutation affecting telomerase function and human disease

The human genetic disease dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is an autosomal dominant disease that leads to abnormalities in tissues with a rapid cell turnover - the skin, nails, bone marrow, lungs and gut. Patients with DKC experience life-threatening symptoms. Bone marrow failure increases their risk of fatal infections and cancer. Many die before the age of 30 and management of the disease is limited to trying to treat its symptoms.

19 Oct 2009

Multi-million dollar cooperative agreement for SMA drug development program

Paratek Pharmaceuticals (Boston, MA) and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Elk Grove Village, IL) announced today that a jointly funded drug development program for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) has been awarded a multi-million dollar cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

19 Oct 2009

Prometheus Laboratories introduces three new cancer diagnostic products

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, today announced the nationwide commercial launch of three new cancer diagnostic products: ProOnc TumorSource Dx, ProOnc Squamous Dx and ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx. Each of these tests is based on recently developed, highly sensitive microRNA technology.

15 Oct 2009

Research scientists develop bioengineered treatment for targeting pancreatic cancer

Research scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, have developed a novel bioengineered treatment that has shown promise in targeting pancreatic cancer without causing damage to healthy noncancer cells, a typical problem of chemotherapy.

14 Oct 2009

DIATHERIX Laboratories granted EUA for H1N1-09 Influenza Test

DIATHERIX Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce it has been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its DIATHERIX H1N1-09 Influenza Test.

14 Oct 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals to provide details of its clinical program at BIOCOM conference

Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, announced that Chief Executive Officer, Peter Parker, will provide details on Cequent's planned launch of its clinical program and highlight strategy and development goals in a company update scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at the 2009 BIOCOM Investor Conference.

14 Oct 2009

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Issuance of patents for Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR-targeted compounds announced

Potential link exists between histone mRNA formation and apoptosis

Cancer cells fueled by the mutant KRAS oncogene can be killed by blocking its genetic partner

New nucleic acid test to screen donated blood for HIV-1 Group M RNA approved

CAP commends SACGHS stand against human health-related gene patents

Roche's xCELLigence RTCA SP Instrument used for in vitro testing of cells

NCI awards $2.8 million grant to Allegro Diagnostics

NCI implements NanoString Technologies' nCounter Analysis System

Widely used ssqPCR assay is not reliable, say researchers

Certain molecules found to play an important role in regulating circadian rhythm: Study

Positive results from Argos Therapeutics' personalized immunotherapy candidate AGS-004 Phase 2a trial

Rice University scientists win NIH stimulus funds to study influenza A

Origene Technologies' acquisition of Marligen Biosciences reinforces its leading position in the bio-medical research industry

Focus Diagnostics' 2009 H1N1 influenza virus test granted FDA emergency use authorization

DKC establishes link between genetic mutation affecting telomerase function and human disease

Multi-million dollar cooperative agreement for SMA drug development program

Prometheus Laboratories introduces three new cancer diagnostic products

Research scientists develop bioengineered treatment for targeting pancreatic cancer

DIATHERIX Laboratories granted EUA for H1N1-09 Influenza Test

Cequent Pharmaceuticals to provide details of its clinical program at BIOCOM conference

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