Genetic News and Research

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Study: Gene therapy can boost heart muscle function

In an animal study, researchers at the University of Washington show that it is possible to use gene therapy to boost heart muscle function. The finding suggests that it might be possible to use this approach to treat patients whose hearts have been weakened by heart attacks and other heart conditions.

27 Mar 2013

Study raises alarm over loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents

Humans don't "own" their own genes, the cellular chemicsals that define who they are and what diseases they might be at risk for. Through more than 40,000 patents on DNA molecules, companies have essentially claimed the entire human genome for profit, report two researchers who analyzed the patents on human DNA. Their study, published March 25 in the journal Genome Medicine, raises an alarm about the loss of individual "genomic liberty."

27 Mar 2013

Biological markers for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): an interview with Alexandre Templier, CEO of Quinten

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of cancer that has none of the three markers that are currently used for targeted chemotherapy. These markers are estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2.

27 Mar 2013

Academic medical centers launch ASD sub-registry within ResearchMatch

Each year, only five percent of the estimated 1.5 million children with an autism spectrum disorder in the US participate in clinical research studies. This is in stark contrast to pediatric cancer studies, which have a nearly 90 percent enrollment rate - a rate that has helped advance treatment and outcomes for childhood cancers substantially in the last decade.

27 Mar 2013

CHOP researchers moving closer to personalized medicine for children with cancer

Pediatric researchers, investigating the biology of brain tumors in children, are finding that crucial differences in how the same gene is mutated may call for different treatments.

27 Mar 2013

Study examines specific form of autism caused by duplication on chromosome 15

Identifying and understanding the combination of factors that leads to autism is an ongoing scientific challenge. This developmental disorder appears in the first three years of life, and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills.

27 Mar 2013

Molecular biologist hopes to learn why degenerative disorder affects specific brain cells

Dr. Santosh D'Mello, professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Texas at Dallas, has received a federal grant for research that may shed light on why and how specific brain cells are affected by Huntington's disease, a devastating, degenerative brain disorder.

27 Mar 2013

Standard formula for calculating LDL cholesterol levels is often inaccurate, study finds

In what promises to be an eye-opener for many doctors and patients who routinely depend on cholesterol testing, a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that the standard formula used for decades to calculate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels is often inaccurate.

27 Mar 2013

Bladder cancer risk linked to genetic alterations

A new analysis has found that genetic alterations in a particular cellular pathway are linked with bladder cancer risk, recurrence, disease progression, and patient survival. Published early online in CANCER, a peer- reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings could help improve bladder cancer screening and treatment.

26 Mar 2013

New vaccine proves highly effective against H5N1 virus

Until now most experimental vaccines against the highly lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus have lacked effectiveness. But a new vaccine has proven highly effective against the virus when tested in both mice and ferrets. It is also effective against the H9 subtype of avian influenza.

26 Mar 2013

Experts to highlight the importance of research, prevention and treatment of cancer

April marks National Cancer Control Month, which focuses on the importance of prevention, treatment and research in the fight against cancer.

26 Mar 2013

Wireless personal health monitoring system can revolutionize U.S. healthcare industry

A wireless personal health monitoring system using smartphones to upload data via the Internet will revolutionize the U.S. healthcare industry, its pioneering creators say.

26 Mar 2013

Two studies shed light on molecular biology of three blood disorders

Two studies led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medical College shed light on the molecular biology of three blood disorders, leading to novel strategies to treat these diseases.

26 Mar 2013

UCI study finds novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger formation of long-term memory

UC Irvine neurobiologists have found a novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger the formation of long-term memory. The researchers believe the discovery of this mechanism adds another piece to the puzzle in the ongoing effort to uncover the mysteries of memory and, potentially, certain intellectual disabilities.

26 Mar 2013

First multi-gene DNA sequencing test launched for cancer patients

The first multi-gene DNA sequencing test that can help predict cancer patients' responses to treatment has been launched in the National Health Service, thanks to a partnership between scientists at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.

26 Mar 2013

Adding lubricin to fluid in our joints may prevent osteoarthritis, researchers find

Think new discoveries are the bee's knees? This one is even better -- this research out of Rhode Island Hospital is the mice's knees. Researchers have found that adding lubricin, a protein that our bodies naturally produce, to the fluid in our joints may reduce the risk of or even prevent osteoarthritis.

25 Mar 2013

MIT biology professor named Pew's Biomedical Researcher of the Month

Biologist Mary Gehring, Ph.D. is The Pew Charitable Trusts' featured biomedical researcher of the month for her creative research on epigenetics in plants.

25 Mar 2013

Researchers study gene variants that bear signature for inflammatory disease susceptibility

In new research published in the April 4, 2013 issue of The American Journal of Human Genetics, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital demonstrate that some variants in our genes that could put a person at risk for inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis, have been the target of natural selection over the course of human history.

25 Mar 2013

Research may offer clues to why esophageal adenocarcinomas rates have increased rapidly

During the past 30 years, the number of patients with cancers that originate near the junction of the esophagus and stomach has increased approximately 600 percent in the United States. The first extensive probe of the DNA of these esophageal adenocarcinomas has revealed that many share a distinctive mix-up of letters of the genetic code, and found more than 20 mutated genes that had not previously been linked to the disease.

25 Mar 2013

WSU researchers receive grant to examine effect of fatigue on decision making, attention

A team of researchers at Washington State University has received a three-year, $895,558 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Naval Research to study the effects of fatigue on attention, decision making and their underlying biology.

25 Mar 2013

Genetic News and Research

Study: Gene therapy can boost heart muscle function

Study raises alarm over loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents

Biological markers for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC): an interview with Alexandre Templier, CEO of Quinten

Academic medical centers launch ASD sub-registry within ResearchMatch

CHOP researchers moving closer to personalized medicine for children with cancer

Study examines specific form of autism caused by duplication on chromosome 15

Molecular biologist hopes to learn why degenerative disorder affects specific brain cells

Standard formula for calculating LDL cholesterol levels is often inaccurate, study finds

Bladder cancer risk linked to genetic alterations

New vaccine proves highly effective against H5N1 virus

Experts to highlight the importance of research, prevention and treatment of cancer

Wireless personal health monitoring system can revolutionize U.S. healthcare industry

Two studies shed light on molecular biology of three blood disorders

UCI study finds novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger formation of long-term memory

First multi-gene DNA sequencing test launched for cancer patients

Adding lubricin to fluid in our joints may prevent osteoarthritis, researchers find

MIT biology professor named Pew's Biomedical Researcher of the Month

Researchers study gene variants that bear signature for inflammatory disease susceptibility

Research may offer clues to why esophageal adenocarcinomas rates have increased rapidly

WSU researchers receive grant to examine effect of fatigue on decision making, attention

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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