Genetic News and Research

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JCVI researchers construct first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell

Researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-profit genomic research organization, published results today describing the successful construction of the first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell. The team synthesized the 1.08 million base pair chromosome of a modified Mycoplasma mycoides genome.

21 May 2010

Biocept granted US patent for cell separation technology using microfluidic device

Biocept, Inc., an emerging leader in rare cell capture, announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent for Biocept's cell separation technology using a microfluidic device. U.S. patent #7,695,956 entitled "Device for Cell Separation and Analysis and Method of Using" protects Biocept's microflow device to isolate cells from a bodily fluid using a flow path where straight-line flow is interrupted by transverse posts arranged in a random pattern.

21 May 2010

New study reveals PTPN2 gene loss causes bone cancer

In patients with leukemia, the formation of white blood cells in the bone marrow is disrupted. This makes leukemia patients particularly susceptible to infections, because properly functioning white blood cells ensure protection against intruders such as viruses and bacteria.

21 May 2010

Lawmakers probe consumer genetic testing kits

After Pathway Genomics proposed selling genetics tests directly to consumers without Food and Drug Administration approval and "despite concerns" about accuracy, lawmakers have launched an investigation and requested information about the products according to letters sent to three firms by a House panel, The Washington Post reports.

20 May 2010

NIH Director to brief U.S. Senate on ways to leverage investments in medical research

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., will lead a briefing on Capitol Hill Thursday, May 20, to discuss how funding for medical research at the NIH can be used more quickly to create new therapies for patients and save lives.

20 May 2010

Boston University biomedical engineers develop new nanopore method for DNA sequencing

Sequencing DNA could get a lot faster and cheaper - and thus closer to routine use in clinical diagnostics - thanks to a new method developed by a research team based at Boston University. The team has demonstrated the first use of solid state nanopores - tiny holes in silicon chips that detect DNA molecules as they pass through the pore - to read the identity of the four nucleotides that encode each DNA molecule.

20 May 2010

Mutation in BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene helps develop breast, ovarian cancer: Study

Studies have well established that women who harbor a mutation in the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene are at greater risk for developing breast and ovarian cancers. Less known is information on other molecular events that may impact cancer formation in cells having a BRCA1 mutation. Investigators from The Cancer Institute of New Jersey and a number of major cancer centers in Europe have identified the role a key protein plays in helping cells with mutant BRCA1 genes to survive.

20 May 2010

Experimental evolution used to develop new strains of bacteria for use as probiotic substances

When the forces of evolution took over an experimental strain of bacteria, it derailed an experiment Duke and NC State researchers thought they were conducting, but led to something much more profound instead.

19 May 2010

Study examines impact of APOE ε4 on cognitive function, brain anatomy in AD patients

In the most comprehensive study to date, neurologists have clearly identified significant differences in the ways that Alzheimer's disease affects patients with and without the apolipoprotein E ε4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for the neurodegenerative disease, using a combination of cognitive and neuroanatomic measures. The study found that this gene influences the way the disease manifests, even at its mildest clinical stages.

19 May 2010

Study results may help researchers determine genetic abnormalities that cause lung disease to develop

Patients who encounter serious lung diseases in middle age, despite an absence of family history or other predisposing factors, may still have their genes to blame, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

19 May 2010

Research findings help explain diverse genetic susceptibility for alcohol use disorders

A genetic variant of a receptor in the brain's reward circuitry plays an important role in determining whether the neurotransmitter dopamine is released in the brain following alcohol intake, according to a study led by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, part of the National Institutes of Health. Dopamine is involved in transmitting the euphoria and other positive subjective effects produced by alcohol.

19 May 2010

Natural molecule in body counters progression of osteoarthritis: Scientists

An international team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute in California and the National Research Institute for Child Health and Development in Japan has discovered that a natural molecule in the body counters the progression of osteoarthritis. The findings could one day lead to new therapies for some common diseases of aging.

19 May 2010

AmbryScreen test launched to identify severe childhood diseases

Ambry Genetics announced today at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual clinical meeting the launch of AmbryScreen, a genetic screening test used to identify carriers of some of the most severe and common childhood diseases affecting pan-ethnic populations.

19 May 2010

Researchers identify cancer gene that could help fight paediatric glioma

Researchers have identified an important cancer gene that could lead to more effective drugs being developed to fight paediatric high grade glioma, a disease which currently has a poor prognosis.

19 May 2010

Causes and treatment options of mental disorders need to be reassessed: JAMA commentary

It is time to reassess mental disorders, recognizing that these are disorders of brain circuits likely caused by development processes, according to a commentary in the May 19 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on mental health.

19 May 2010

Applied Biosystems Identifiler Direct and Identifiler Plus kits approved for forensic DNA laboratories

Life Technologies Corporation today announced that its Applied Biosystems Identifiler Direct and Identifiler Plus forensic kits have been approved by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation for use by laboratories generating DNA profiles for inclusion in the National DNA Index System CODIS Database.

18 May 2010

Ion Torrent chairman and CEO named 2010 winner of Connecticut Medal of Technology

Dr. Jonathan M. Rothberg, chairman, CEO and founder of Guilford-based Ion Torrent, has been named the 2010 winner of the Connecticut Medal of Technology for his development of innovative genomic technology.

18 May 2010

Study confirms genetic overlap for susceptibility to COPD and lung cancer

New research shows genes that make smokers more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema, are also closely linked to an increased likelihood of developing lung cancer, according to studies presented today at the American Thoracic Society's annual meeting.

18 May 2010

Helicos BioSciences to focus business on diagnostics markets

Helicos BioSciences Corporation announced today that, as part of the Company's previously disclosed efforts to consider alternatives to its existing long-term strategy, it is in the process of implementing a strategic shift to focus the business on the diagnostics markets. In connection with this effort, the Company has committed to a consolidation and reorganization of its operations in order to reduce operating costs.

18 May 2010

Cancer Research UK launches new cancer centre in Leeds

LEEDS today joins a unique chain of Cancer Research UK Centres that are being launched across the UK.

18 May 2010

Genetic News and Research

JCVI researchers construct first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell

Biocept granted US patent for cell separation technology using microfluidic device

New study reveals PTPN2 gene loss causes bone cancer

Lawmakers probe consumer genetic testing kits

NIH Director to brief U.S. Senate on ways to leverage investments in medical research

Boston University biomedical engineers develop new nanopore method for DNA sequencing

Mutation in BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene helps develop breast, ovarian cancer: Study

Experimental evolution used to develop new strains of bacteria for use as probiotic substances

Study examines impact of APOE ε4 on cognitive function, brain anatomy in AD patients

Study results may help researchers determine genetic abnormalities that cause lung disease to develop

Research findings help explain diverse genetic susceptibility for alcohol use disorders

Natural molecule in body counters progression of osteoarthritis: Scientists

AmbryScreen test launched to identify severe childhood diseases

Researchers identify cancer gene that could help fight paediatric glioma

Causes and treatment options of mental disorders need to be reassessed: JAMA commentary

Applied Biosystems Identifiler Direct and Identifiler Plus kits approved for forensic DNA laboratories

Ion Torrent chairman and CEO named 2010 winner of Connecticut Medal of Technology

Study confirms genetic overlap for susceptibility to COPD and lung cancer

Helicos BioSciences to focus business on diagnostics markets

Cancer Research UK launches new cancer centre in Leeds

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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