Genetic News and Research

RSS

Universal tumor testing superior to selective strategy in identifying Lynch syndrome among CRC patients

In a comparison of strategies to identify individuals with Lynch syndrome, the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC), caused by mutations in certain genes (DNA mismatch repair [MMR] genes), universal tumor MMR testing among certain CRC patients had a greater sensitivity for the identification of Lynch syndrome compared with multiple alternative strategies, although the diagnostic improvement was modest, according to a study in the October 17 issue of JAMA.

17 Oct 2012

Hereditary genes responsible for pain severity after motor vehicle collisions

Two studies presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2012 annual meeting found that hereditary genes were responsible for the amount and type of pain experienced after a motor vehicle collision (MVC).

17 Oct 2012

Study finds novel function of non-protein coding RNA

While studying Parkinson's disease, an international research group made a discovery which can improve industrial protein synthesis for therapeutic use. They managed to understand a novel function of non-protein coding RNA: the protein synthesis activity of coding genes can be enhanced by the activity of the non-coding one called "antisense."

17 Oct 2012

Researchers identify critical mechanisms of epigenetic cell programming

A team of researchers at the IRCM, supervised by Dr. Jacques Drouin, reprogrammed the identity of cells in the pituitary gland and identified critical mechanisms of epigenetic cell programming.

17 Oct 2012

Saint Mary's, Mercy Health and VAI sign agreements to expand biorepository

Van Andel Institute (VAI) and two West Michigan hospitals within the national Trinity Health system and members of Mercy Health - Saint Mary's Health Care and Mercy Health Partners - have signed agreements paving the way for the expansion of a world-class biorepository utilizing the infrastructure of the VAI Program for Biospecimen Science.

17 Oct 2012

Recurrent patterns of genomic imbalances determine evolution of invasive breast cancer

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a precursor lesion for invasive breast cancer if untreated, and is found in approximately 45% of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Patients with DCIS only (not accompanied by invasive disease) have a 5-year-survival of nearly 100%, compared to 89% for all stages of invasive breast cancer (24% for patients with distant metastasis).

17 Oct 2012

Brachyury variation may increase risk of chordoma

A genetic variation possessed by 40% of the population is associated with a five-fold increase in risk for developing chordoma, a cancer that strikes the bones of the skull and spine.

17 Oct 2012

‘Gene for speed’ researcher awarded Ramaciotti Medal

Professor Kathryn North AM, the researcher responsible for discovering the ‘gene for speed’, has been awarded the prestigious Ramaciotti Medal for Excellence in Biomedical Research and a $50,000 grant.

16 Oct 2012

Sustained attention deficits in bipolar patients, relatives

Patients with bipolar disorder and their first-degree relatives exhibit deficits in sustained attention, study results show.

16 Oct 2012

Experts blaze TRAIL for pulmonary arterial hypertension therapy

Researchers have shown that the cell signaling molecule tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand may be a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

16 Oct 2012

Study identifies multipotent and unipotent stem cells that contribute to prostate postnatal development

Publication in Nature Cell Biology advanced on line publication: researchers at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, ULB identify multipotent and unipotent Stem Cells (SCs) that contribute to prostate postnatal development.

16 Oct 2012

Maryland scientists create stem cell model for Gaucher disease

A new method of using adult stem cells as a model for the hereditary condition Gaucher disease could help accelerate the discovery of new, more effective therapies for this and other conditions such as Parkinson's, according to new research from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

16 Oct 2012

Direct link between fuel exposure and damage to genetic material

An experiment carried out on rodents exposed to fuel similar to that of the Prestige tanker oil spill - which took place nearly a decade ago - shows that inhalation of the fuel causes damage to genetic material. According to the study, led by the University of A Coru-a, the results could be used in relation to people who carry out the industrial cleaning of coasts.

16 Oct 2012

Accumulation of small genetic variations could increase risk of ASD

An increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) could result from an accumulation of many small, common genetic variations rather than large-effect, rare changes in the genetic code, according to a multicenter team led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

16 Oct 2012

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin molecule makes mice resistant to skin cancer

A molecule involved in asthma and allergies has now been shown to make mice resistant to skin cancer, according to scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

16 Oct 2012

Current status, challenges and opportunities of pulmonary vaccine delivery

In addition to the obvious benefit of eliminating the need for an injection, new vaccine delivery methods via the lungs offer particular advantages for protecting against infectious agents that enter the body through the respiratory track.

16 Oct 2012

NIH to accelerate development and application of single cell analysis across various fields

The National Institutes of Health plans to invest more than $90 million over five years, contingent upon the availability of funds, to accelerate the development and application of single cell analysis across a variety of fields.

16 Oct 2012

Breast cancer… do you know who diagnoses you?

Australian women have a 1 in 9 lifetime risk of developing breast cancer and 1 in every 100 breast cancers occurs in men. In 2012, it is estimated that 14,610 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common cancer affecting women in Australia. However, despite this, few people realise that pathologists arguably play the most important role in the detection and treatment of breast cancer.

16 Oct 2012

Cannabis and the endocannabinoid system: an interview with Dr Leonora Long

Cannabis has both physical and behavioural effects. People using cannabis can experience feelings of euphoria (well-being), hunger, sleepiness, problems with motor coordination, and sometimes feelings of anxiety and paranoia.

15 Oct 2012

METASTROKE refines genetic stroke culprits

An analysis from the METASTROKE collaboration confirms an increased stroke risk associated with four previously reported genetic loci and shows that these are specific to certain stroke subtypes.

15 Oct 2012