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WPI researchers develop new model system to study fungal infections

A team of researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park has developed a new model system to study fungal infections. The system can be a powerful tool for screening potential drug targets for conditions like thrush, athlete's foot and vaginal yeast infections, which affect millions of people each year but are difficult to treat with existing medications. Using the new model, the researchers also identified a gene that may be a promising target for a new anti-fungal drug.

20 Nov 2009

AcroMetrix introduces the OptiQual HPV Genotype Panel

AcroMetrix, a leading manufacturer of quality control material for clinical diagnostic and blood testing laboratories, announced today the launch of its OptiQual HPV Genotype Panel. Designed to help clinical laboratories comply with CLIA guidelines for qualitative molecular assays that detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV), this addition to AcroMetrix’s line of women’s health products can assist laboratorians with the validation and verification of their molecular HPV tests.

19 Nov 2009

Why avian flu virus has not caused a pandemic?

Bird flu viruses would have to make at least two simultaneous genetic mutations before they could be transmitted readily from human to human, according to research published today in PLoS ONE.

19 Nov 2009

European Patent Office upholds Cellectis' EP 1 485 475 patent

Cellectis S.A., the French genome engineering specialist, has announced that the European Patent Office has today upheld European Patent EP 1 485 475 owned by Cellectis and relating to the invention of engineering methods for meganucleases. This method is based on the genetic fusion of meganuclease modules to obtain hybrid meganucleases.

19 Nov 2009

Fully integrated human genome sequencing and data processing service launched

Knome, Inc., a recognized pioneer in the personal genomics field, today announced the launch of KnomeDISCOVERY, the first fully integrated human genome sequencing and data processing service for researchers. The new offering meets rapidly emerging demand from biomedical researchers for a one-stop service that bundles affordable, research-tailored access to a broad range of next-generation sequencing platforms with discovery-supportive data management and analysis.

18 Nov 2009

Gene therapy may hold promise for cryptorchid individuals risking infertility

EGR4 is a master gene responsible for fertility in cryptorchidism. Is gene therapy going to replace surgery?

18 Nov 2009

Helicos Genetic Analysis System to be installed at the Leiden Genome Technology Center

Helicos BioSciences Corporation, today announced the sale of a Helicos® Genetic Analysis System to a collaborative Dutch research group led by the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), further including the medical centers of Amsterdam (AMC) Groningen (UMCG) and Rotterdam (Erasmus MC) and funded by a grant from NWO, the Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research.

17 Nov 2009

Researchers study different plant substances to "awaken" the latent HIV-1 virus

Researchers from the University of Cadiz and the University of Cordoba study different plant substances to "awaken" the latent HIV-1 virus, immune to the current therapy, and to obtain more effective treatments in the future.

17 Nov 2009

New insights into cells' reaction to DNA damage

Cancer researchers of the Max Delbr-ck Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch have gained new insights into how cells react to DNA damage. Dr. Michael Stilmann, Dr. Michael Hinz and Professor Claus Scheidereit have shown that the protein PARP-1, which detects DNA damage within seconds, activates the transcription factor NF-kappaB, a well-known regulator of gene expression.

17 Nov 2009

deCODE genetics files voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code

deCODE genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DCGN) today announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to facilitate the sale of substantially all of its assets. deCODE is continuing to operate its business and manage its properties as a debtor-in-possession pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.

17 Nov 2009

New Web-based application for tracking the H1N1 flu virus across the globe

New methods of studying avian influenza strains and visually mapping their movement around the world will help scientists more quickly learn the behavior of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus, Ohio State University researchers say.

17 Nov 2009

New genome-based, personalized cancer test from iKaryos Diagnostics

iKaryos Diagnostics, a provider of molecular cancer testing, announced today the availability of a genome-based, personalized cancer test which uses single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to digitally assess the DNA of cancer cells.

17 Nov 2009

NIH awards $3 million grant to ASU professors for research on rapid DNA sequencing technology

Arizona State University has been awarded nearly $3 million in federal stimulus funds from the National Institutes of Health. ASU professors Stuart Lindsay and Paul Westerhoff will lead a pair of two-year, innovative projects designed to tackle challenges in the fields of rapid DNA sequencing and the potential health risks of nanotechnology.

17 Nov 2009

FDA issues a Complete Response Letter for Human Genome Sciences' raxibacumab BLA

Human Genome Sciences, Inc. today announced that it has received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) relating to the Company’s Biologics License Application (BLA) requesting the approval of raxibacumab for use in the treatment of inhalational anthrax. The FDA issues Complete Response Letters to request additional information needed to complete the review of a BLA.

16 Nov 2009

Second Consumer Genetics Conference to be hosted at the Hynes Convention Center

The media spotlight will shine again on Boston from June 2nd – June 4th, 2010 as the Consumer Genetics Conference, (www.consumergeneticsconference.com), hosts its yearly conference at the Hynes Convention Center.

16 Nov 2009

Cytoskeleton plays a critical role to bring chromosome pairs together: Study

Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Yet, how the cell precisely choreographs these chromosomal interactions is a long-standing question.

16 Nov 2009

Research team identifies five new gene regions that raise the risk of childhood-onset IBD

In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

16 Nov 2009

Scientists describe how HIV assemble at the membrane of infected cells and are released to attack healthy cells

Although recent advances have raised hopes that a protective vaccine can be developed, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains a major public health problem. Much has been learned about HIV-1, the virus that causes the disease.

13 Nov 2009

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves. Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that inactivation of a DNA repair gene called Hus1 efficiently kills cells lacking p53 -- a gene mutated in the majority of human cancers.

13 Nov 2009

New findings on human genome may be useful for developing specific AIDS drugs

The AIDS virus inserts its genetic material into the genome of the infected cell. Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center have now shown for the first time that the virus almost entirely spares particular sites in the human genetic material in this process. This finding may be useful for developing new, specific AIDS drugs.

13 Nov 2009