Genetic News and Research

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Strongest evidence yet for the role of genetic factors in smoking addiction

In the first study to analyze the impact of genetic factors on multiple stages of tobacco use in both men and women, a team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University has found some of the strongest evidence yet for the role of genetic factors in smoking.

13 Apr 2004

New research into Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the second-most prevalent cancer in women and, despite encouraging improvements in screening leading to earlier detection, cervical cancer still kills many women every year. The risk of cervical cancer is increased by infection with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV).

12 Apr 2004

US Study Suggests New Approach to Breast Cancer Needed

Women with early-stage breast cancer face three late breast cancer consequences: disease recurrence within the conserved breast, development of a contralateral breast cancer, and manifestation of distant metastases. Although local therapy with surgery and radiotherapy is used to minimize the first possibility, adjuvant systemic therapy may theoretically reduce the likelihood of all three events.

11 Apr 2004

University of Florida researchers have used a common gel to successfully deliver gene therapy to the diaphragm

The technique, described in the current issue of Molecular Therapy, could eventually lead to a method to correct genetic conditions in humans that cause diaphragm weakness and respiratory failure -- a leading cause of death in tens of thousands of patients with forms of muscular dystrophy, including Pompe’s disease. Thousands of Americans with muscle-weakening diseases are placed on ventilators each year, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

7 Apr 2004

The Cambridge-MIT Institute has launched a project to tackle the bottlenecks that slow development of new drugs

The Next-Generation Drug Discovery Community will unite researchers at Cambridge University and MIT with partners from the information technology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries to find ways to speed up development of the next generation of drugs--particularly those that treat diseases with complex causes such as cancers, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

7 Apr 2004

Genetic trick makes gene therapy vectors more versatile

A genetic trick used by viruses to replicate themselves has been adapted for laboratory use to build complex protein structures required by immune system cells, according to investigators at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

7 Apr 2004

Molecular analyses of leukemia patients suggest strategies for better treatments

The cure rate for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) might continue to rise with improved use of conventional therapies. But even more effective and less toxic therapies based on genetic and pharmacogenetic studies might one day push the success rate close to 100 percent, according to an article published by investigators at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the April 8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

7 Apr 2004

Women with a history of pre-eclampsia are at increased risk of cancer

Women with a history of pre-eclampsia are at increased risk of cancer, particularly cancers of the stomach, breast, ovary, lung and larynx, according to a Columbia University study recently published by the British Medical Journal. Researchers studied 37,000 women in western Jerusalem, Israel, who delivered babies in three large hospitals between 1964 and 1976.

7 Apr 2004

Completion of the sequencing of human chromosome 19

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Stanford University report today the completion of the sequencing of human chromosome 19, the most gene-rich of all the human chromosomes. This achievement is described in the April 1, 2004 edition of the journal Nature.

7 Apr 2004

Analysis of Bacterial Genomes Begins to Unravel Complex Story of Metabolic Evolution

In a paper published in the current issue of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution , Arizona State University biochemists Jason Raymond, Christopher Staples and Robert Blankenship and Rice University's Janet Siefert do an analysis of the genomes of a large group of bacteria and archaea, comparing in particular similar genes that produce the protein nitrogenase.

7 Apr 2004

New method to induce embryonic stem cells to develop into bone marrow and blood cells

Researchers at Northwestern University have devised a method to induce embryonic stem cells to develop into bone marrow and blood cells. Injecting the stem cells into the bone marrow cavity of mice whose bone marrow cells had been depleted restored production of blood cells, including cells of the immune system, which normally are created in the bone marrow.

6 Apr 2004

A new technique for engineering protein crystals is helping scientists figure out the three-dimensional structures of some important biological molecules

A new technique for engineering protein crystals is helping scientists figure out the three-dimensional structures of some important biological molecules, including a key plague protein whose structure has eluded researchers until now. The technique, developed with support from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), promises to help pharmaceutical companies develop more effective drugs to treat various diseases by tailor-making molecules to "fit" a protein's shape.

6 Apr 2004

Genetic cause of cancer identified as a defect in the function of otherwise normal genes

In a landmark study published today in Nature Genetics, researchers from St Vincent's Hospital, The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and the University of New South Wales have shown that a possible cause of cancer is a defect in the function of otherwise normal genes.

6 Apr 2004

Launch of The Oxford Genetics Knowledge Park by Matt Ridley

The Oxford Genetics Knowledge Park is a partnership between Oxford University and the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, and is one of six such Parks nationally, funded by the Departments of Health and Trade and Industry. The aim of the Genetics Knowledge Parks (GKPs) is to translate advances in genetics research into clinical practice.

6 Apr 2004

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who test positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are twice as likely as non-carriers to opt for a double mastectomy

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who test positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are twice as likely as non-carriers to opt for a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of cancer in the opposite breast, according to the first large-scale study evaluating the impact of genetic counseling and testing on breast cancer treatment decisions.

5 Apr 2004

The National Cancer Institute has awarded USC scientists $3.5 million for a study of the enzyme that faithfully copies our genetic information

The National Cancer Institute has awarded USC scientists $3.5 million for a study of the enzyme that faithfully copies our genetic information, enabling it to pass from one generation to the next. The grant will fund structural, biochemical and computer studies designed to reveal how the enzyme, DNA polymerase, makes so few mistakes.

5 Apr 2004

Yohimbe Tree Bark Hold Promise for Revolutionizing Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

New findings at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute demonstrate the potential of a substance found in yohimbe tree bark to accelerate recovery from anxiety disorders suffered by millions of Americans.

4 Apr 2004

New center enables genetic treatments and advances

A new state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to helping produce modified cells for treatment of cancer and other diseases recently opened at the Siteman Cancer Center.

1 Apr 2004

Gene of immune system linked to severe adverse drug reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)

In a study of Han Chinese patients, researchers have for the first time directly linked a gene of the immune system to a severe adverse drug reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), according to a Duke University Medical Center medical geneticist and collaborators in Taiwan.

1 Apr 2004

Scientists have discovered that a non-genetic molecular process can effect cell behaviour

Genetic mutations, sudden, random and usually harmful changes to the structure of a gene, are only one factor that determines the ultimate fate of a cell. Chicago scientists have discovered that a non-genetic molecular process also can play a role, and that experimenters can influence this process in bacteria, they report in the April 1 issue of the journal Nature.

1 Apr 2004

Genetic News and Research

Strongest evidence yet for the role of genetic factors in smoking addiction

New research into Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer

US Study Suggests New Approach to Breast Cancer Needed

University of Florida researchers have used a common gel to successfully deliver gene therapy to the diaphragm

The Cambridge-MIT Institute has launched a project to tackle the bottlenecks that slow development of new drugs

Genetic trick makes gene therapy vectors more versatile

Molecular analyses of leukemia patients suggest strategies for better treatments

Women with a history of pre-eclampsia are at increased risk of cancer

Completion of the sequencing of human chromosome 19

Analysis of Bacterial Genomes Begins to Unravel Complex Story of Metabolic Evolution

New method to induce embryonic stem cells to develop into bone marrow and blood cells

A new technique for engineering protein crystals is helping scientists figure out the three-dimensional structures of some important biological molecules

Genetic cause of cancer identified as a defect in the function of otherwise normal genes

Launch of The Oxford Genetics Knowledge Park by Matt Ridley

Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who test positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are twice as likely as non-carriers to opt for a double mastectomy

The National Cancer Institute has awarded USC scientists $3.5 million for a study of the enzyme that faithfully copies our genetic information

Yohimbe Tree Bark Hold Promise for Revolutionizing Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

New center enables genetic treatments and advances

Gene of immune system linked to severe adverse drug reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)

Scientists have discovered that a non-genetic molecular process can effect cell behaviour

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

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