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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

New study: FUS protein appears to inhibit growth of prostate cancer cells in lab

Cancer researchers have discovered an important protein, produced naturally inside cells, that appears to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells in the laboratory. The findings, published tomorrow in the journal Cancer Research, offer promising leads for research towards new treatments.

31 Jan 2011

Alexion announces acquisition of Taligen Therapeutics

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, announced that it has acquired Taligen Therapeutics, a privately held development-stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Mass.

31 Jan 2011

New nicotine addiction mechanism revealed

A new discovery has shown why some people cannot give up tobacco and may lead to new anti-smoking treatments. The researchers have found a brain pathway which when defective leads to an uncontrollable desire to smoke. This is a “sub-unit” of a receptor protein sensitive to nicotine.

31 Jan 2011

Cohort Review Committee evaluates SCIB1 dose escalation, safety in Phase 1 trial

Scancell Holdings Plc, the developer of therapeutic cancer vaccines, is pleased to announce that the first group of patients receiving the lowest dose of SCIB1 in the Phase I clinical trial has been evaluated by the Cohort Review Committee.

31 Jan 2011

EU grants 3.3 million to AMP for gene therapy development against AIP

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, announced today that the European Union has finalized a EUR 3.3 million grant to the AIPGENE consortium, of which AMT is a member, for the development of a gene therapy product for Acute Intermittent Porphyria.

31 Jan 2011

Research shows nestin regulates formation of neuromuscular junction

In a study published in the Jan. 30, 2011, advance online edition of Nature Neuroscience, Salk Institute of Biological Studies investigators led by Kuo-Fen Lee, PhD., show that nestin has reason for being in a completely different cell type--muscle tissue.

30 Jan 2011

Taxol reduces cell regeneration obstacles after spinal cord injury: Scientists

After a spinal cord injury a number of factors impede the regeneration of nerve cells. Two of the most important of these factors are the destabilization of the cytoskeleton and the development of scar tissue.

29 Jan 2011

PPTA offers new DVD on plasma donation

Anyone curious about what to expect as a plasma donor and how plasma contributes to lifesaving medicines can now learn about the process thanks to a new DVD from the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association.

29 Jan 2011

North Shore-LIJ seeks patients with early-stage prostate cancer to participate in Phase I study

The North Shore-LIJ Health System Department of Radiation Medicine announced today it is seeking patients with early-stage prostate cancer to participate in a Phase I Research study.

29 Jan 2011

Genetic study helps investigators solve medical mysteries

The mystery began in 1976. Adolfo Pampena was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that caused a strange combination of symptoms and was associated with the occurrence of multiple tumours in his stomach and colon. His medical team was stumped and was unable to answer the most important questions for him and his family: the cause of his disease and the risk for future generations.

29 Jan 2011

U-M researchers reveal molecular signals that regulate catch-up growth

University of Michigan researchers have uncovered molecular signals that regulate catch-up growth---the growth spurt that occurs when normal conditions are restored after a fetus, young animal or child has been ill, under stress or deprived of enough food or oxygen to grow properly.

29 Jan 2011

CIHR announces $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer's disease

the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of State for Seniors, today announced $8.6 million for new research on Alzheimer's disease.

29 Jan 2011

UMMS, Lundbeck announce research collaboration to develop targeted therapy for HD

The University of Massachusetts Medical School and Lundbeck Inc. today announced a research collaboration aimed at further development of a targeted therapy to slow or halt the progression of Huntington's disease.

29 Jan 2011

Antibiotic may help in development of new anti-cancer agents: Researchers

An antibiotic known for its immunosuppressive functions could also point the way to the development of new anti-cancer agents, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine have reported.

28 Jan 2011

Genentech, Biogen announce FDA approval of Rituxan to treat follicular lymphoma

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and Biogen Idec today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Rituxan as a maintenance treatment for patients with advanced follicular lymphoma who responded to initial treatment with Rituxan plus chemotherapy.

28 Jan 2011

Tarceva Phase III EURTAC study in NSCLC patients with EGFR activating mutations meets primary endpoint

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group and OSI Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas U.S. Holding Inc., a holding company owned by Astellas Pharma Inc., today announced that an independent data monitoring committee has recommended that the Phase III EURTAC study be stopped early because the study met its primary endpoint.

28 Jan 2011

Phase II trial finds fostamatinib ineffective in RA patients not responsive to biologic agents

In a previous study, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who failed to respond to methotrexate were shown to experience positive results with fostamatinib disodium (R788), an oral spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor that is thought to block immune cell signaling involved with bone and cartilage destruction. In the current study, RA patients who failed to respond to biologic agents were studied.

28 Jan 2011

Transcranial magnetic stimulation helps rats to learn more quickly

What sounds like science fiction is actually possible: thanks to magnetic stimulation, the activity of certain brain nerve cells can be deliberately influenced. What happens in the brain in this context has been unclear up to now. Medical experts from Bochum under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Klaus Funke (Department of Neurophysiology) have now shown that various stimulus patterns changed the activity of distinct neuronal cell types.

28 Jan 2011

Arena reduces workforce by 25% and provides update on lorcaserin

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today a reduction of its US workforce of approximately 25%, or 66 employees. As a result of the workforce reduction, which Arena plans to complete around March 28, 2011, the company expects to incur restructuring charges, primarily in the first quarter of 2011, of approximately $3.8 million in connection with one-time employee termination costs.

28 Jan 2011

Taxol drug promotes regeneration of nerve cells in CNS after spinal cord injury: Study

In a study published today in Science, a global research team reports that the cancer drug Taxol promotes the regeneration of injured nerve cells in the central nervous system after spinal cord injury.

28 Jan 2011