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Understanding genetic factors that affect Crohn's disease risk

A statistical model accounting for dozens of different genes in combination—and the interactions between them—is an important step forward in understanding the genetic factors affecting the risk of Crohn's disease, reports a study in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, official journal of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.

23 Aug 2013

Study reveals epigenetic mechanisms contribute to chronic disease susceptibility prior to birth

If you think stress is killing you, you may be right, but what you don't know is that stress might have harmed your health even before you were born. In a new report appearing in the August 2013 issue of The FASEB Journal, Harvard researchers find that epigenetic disruptions, which are associated with chronic disease later in life, are already common at birth.

2 Aug 2013

HistoGenetics selects MiSeq sequencing system from Illumina for use in CLIA laboratory

Illumina, Inc. today announced that HistoGenetics, the leader in high-resolution sequence-based human leukocyte antigen testing services, has selected the MiSeq sequencing system for use in its CLIA laboratory.

From Illumina, Inc. 22 Jul 2013

Computerized cognitive testing plays a key role in therapy development for dementia, AD

Computerized cognitive testing is increasingly playing a key role in therapy development for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This week at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference, Keith Wesnes Ph.D., Practice Leader of Bracket and founder of the CDR System-, discussed new data for novel therapies at two poster presentations at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference.

19 Jul 2013

Study shows link between FTO, ghrelin and impaired brain food-cue responsivity

Individuals carrying the "obesity-risk" allele of the fat mass and obesity associated gene, FTO, are prone to obesity and obesity related eating behaviors such as increased food consumption, preference for high fat foods and lack of satiation after eating.

16 Jul 2013

Study shows rates of brain loss caused by aging and AD are higher for women

The rates of regional brain loss and cognitive decline caused by aging and the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are higher for women and for people with a key genetic risk factor for AD, say researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in a study published online July 4 in the American Journal of Neuroradiology.

10 Jul 2013

Researchers identify role of Nanog gene in embryonic stem cell differentiation

Whitehead Institute researchers have determined that the transcription factor Nanog, which plays a critical role in the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, is expressed in a manner similar to other pluripotency markers.

4 Jul 2013

Lipidation states in certain proteins in the brain differ depending on genotype, cognitive diseases

The lipidation states (or modifications) in certain proteins in the brain that are related to the development of Alzheimer disease appear to differ depending on genotype and cognitive diseases, and levels of these protein and peptides appear to be influenced by diet, according to a report published Online First by JAMA Neurology, a JAMA Network publication.

19 Jun 2013

New study identifies possible treatment to block deposition of calcium in arterial wall

HGPS is a rare genetic disease that affects one in every 4-8 million births. The disease is caused by a spontaneous mutation in one of the two copies (alleles) of the gene LMNA, which codes for lamin A, a protein important for the integrity and function of the envelope surrounding the cell nucleus. The mutation causes incorrect processing of the messenger RNA for lamin proteins, resulting in the synthesis of an anomalous protein, called progerin.

18 Jun 2013

PTSD patients with Met-66 allele of BDNF show poorer response to exposure therapy

There is growing evidence that a gene variant that reduces the plasticity of the nervous system also modulates responses to treatments for mood and anxiety disorders. In this case, patients with posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, with a less functional variant of the gene coding for brain-derived neurotrophic factor, responded less well to exposure therapy.

13 Jun 2013

MUC5B gene variation improves survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Variation in the gene MUC5B among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was associated with improved survival, according to a study published online by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Thoracic Society international conference.

22 May 2013

Nearly 35% of Mexican young adults may have genetic predisposition for obesity, says U of I scientist

As many as 35 percent of Mexican young adults may have a genetic predisposition for obesity, said a University of Illinois scientist who conducted a study at the Universidad Aut-noma de San Luis Potosί.

22 May 2013

Measuring genetic diversity within tumor predicts outcomes of patients with head and neck cancer

A new measure of the heterogeneity - the variety of genetic mutations - of cells within a tumor appears to predict treatment outcomes of patients with the most common type of head and neck cancer.

20 May 2013

AGA researchers to present exciting data on GI disorders at DDW 2013

Clinicians, researchers and scientists from around the world will gather for Digestive Disease Week- 2013, the largest and most prestigious gastroenterology meeting, from May 18 to 21, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

18 May 2013

Janssen announces safety results from two Phase 3 studies of simeprevir in hepatitis C patients

Janssen R&D Ireland today announced primary efficacy and safety results from two global Phase 3 studies demonstrating that use of the investigational protease inhibitor simeprevir (TMC435) led to sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12) in 80 and 81 percent, respectively, of treatment-naive genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C adult patients with compensated liver disease, including all stages of liver fibrosis, when administered once daily with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

24 Apr 2013

Research: Gene behind epilepsy syndrome could play a key role in other idiopathic epilepsies

Researchers at the University Department of Neurology at the MedUni Vienna have identified a gene behind an epilepsy syndrome, which could also play an important role in other idiopathic (genetically caused) epilepsies.

18 Apr 2013

Study shows genetic variant reduces pain severity associated with sexual assault

One in five U.S. women are sexually assaulted in their lifetimes and more than half experience severe pain during the week following an attack.

11 Apr 2013

Incidence of late-onset Alzheimer disease higher among African Americans

In a meta-analysis of data from nearly 6,000 African Americans, Alzheimer disease was significantly associated with a gene that have been weakly associated with Alzheimer disease in individuals of European ancestry, although additional studies are needed to determine risk estimates specific for African Americans, according to a study in the April 10 issue of JAMA, a Genomics theme issue.

11 Apr 2013

Illumina releases TruSight Tumor for NGS-based somatic variant detection in solid tumors

Illumina, Inc. today announced the next product in its TruSight line of content sets, TruSight Tumor, for NGS-based somatic variant detection in solid tumors.

From Illumina, Inc. 4 Apr 2013

Study links genetic variation, wheezing illness to childhood asthma risk

About 90 percent of children with two copies of a common genetic variation and who wheezed when they caught a cold early in life went on to develop asthma by age 6, according to a study to be published March 28 by the New England Journal of Medicine.

28 Mar 2013