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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Researchers managed to replicate human pancreatic beta cells in mouse model

Klaus Kaestner, PhD, professor of Genetics and postdoctoral fellow Dana Avrahami, PhD, from the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, published a study this week in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, with colleague Benjamin Glaser, MD, from the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, and colleagues. In this study, they were able to replicate human pancreatic beta cells - the cells in our body that produce the critical hormone insulin - in a mouse model in which donor cells were transplanted. The newly replicated cells retained features of mature beta cells and showed a physiological response to glucose.

17 Jan 2014

RNA sequencing unlocks bipolar secrets

An RNA sequencing study of patients with bipolar disorder has shown altered expression of genes and transcripts, including those involved in neuroplasticity and circadian rhythms.

16 Jan 2014

BMH-21 chemical compound has ability to shut down a common cancer process

Johns Hopkins scientists say a previously known but little studied chemical compound targets and shuts down a common cancer process. In studies of laboratory-grown human tumor cell lines, the drug disrupted tumor cell division and prevented growth of advanced cancer cells.

15 Jan 2014

UMMS researchers commissioned by Alpha-1 Project to develop PiZ antibody

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) have been commissioned by the Alpha-1 Project (TAP) to develop a PiZ antibody. The antibody will be used to track the presence of mutant alpha-1 PiZ protein in human blood serum, an essential tool in testing potential therapies for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1).

13 Jan 2014

Life Technologies, Quest Diagnostics sign multi-year license and supply agreement

Life Technologies has completed a multi-year license and supply agreement with Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, that gives Quest rights to develop molecular tests on the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing platform. Under the agreement, Quest may use the platform and related consumables to independently develop new tests for numerous areas of their business.

From Quest Diagnostics 10 Jan 2014

Researchers reveal newest weapon to visualize shape and motion of RNA

Qi Zhang sees himself as a warrior. In his lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he wages war on genetic diseases such as cancer and heart disease on a battlefield measured with single atoms.

10 Jan 2014

Illumina signs multi-year licensing agreement with Quest Diagnostics

Illumina, Inc. today announced it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic information services, related to the use of Illumina's next-generation sequencing technology for clinical laboratory testing.

From Illumina, Inc. 9 Jan 2014

UMMS assistant professor recognized with Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

University of Massachusetts Medical School Assistant Professor Thomas G. Fazzio, PhD, was recognized as a rising scientific star by President Obama with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

9 Jan 2014

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals initiates RX-3117 Phase Ib trial in cancer patients with solid tumors

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today the initiation of a Phase Ib clinical trial to study the safety and efficacy of RX-3117 in cancer patients with solid tumors.

9 Jan 2014

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have identified a microRNA biomarker that shows promise in predicting treatment response in the most common form of ovarian cancer - a breakthrough that has the potential to improve outcomes for patients with the disease.

9 Jan 2014

Researchers develop new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers

Doctors may soon be able to diagnose stomach ulcers without taking tissue samples from the stomach. Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark now report to have developed a new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers.

8 Jan 2014

OASIS receives research award from MJFF to develop saliva-based, rapid test for Parkinson's detection, diagnosis

Oasis Diagnostics Corporation is the recipient of a research award from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to validate OASIS' development of a non-invasive, saliva-based, rapid test for Parkinson's disease detection and diagnosis.

8 Jan 2014

First patient enrolled in the North American Phase 3 clinical trials for investigational flu treatment drug

BioDefense Therapeutics—a Joint Product Management office within the U.S. Department of Defense—announced the first patient enrolled in the North American Phase 3 clinical trials for favipiravir (T-705a). The drug is an investigational flu treatment candidate with broad-spectrum potential being developed by BD Tx through a contract with Boston-based MediVector, Inc.

7 Jan 2014

Adenosine deaminase has potential to improve prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of ESCC

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC), the major histological form of esophageal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered a biomarker, called adenosine deaminase acting on RNA-1 (ADAR1), which has the potential to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this disease.

6 Jan 2014

Editing of protein-making sequences promotes development of ESCC, find NUS researchers

Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma, the major histological form of esophageal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Scientists from the National University of Singapore have discovered a biomarker, called adenosine deaminase acting on RNA-1, which has the potential to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this disease.

6 Jan 2014

Scientists reveal atomic-level view of genetic defect that causes myotonic dystrophy type 2

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have revealed an atomic-level view of a genetic defect that causes a form of muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy type 2, and have used this information to design drug candidates with potential to counter those defects—and reverse the disease.

6 Jan 2014

AstraZeneca to take over Probiodrug's CDK9 inhibitor program

Probiodrug AG announced today the transfer of its experimental cyclin-dependent kinase 9 inhibitor program to AstraZeneca. The transaction includes the sale to AstraZeneca of a lead molecule and back-up compounds with the associated intellectual property. CDK9, which has been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in proliferation and inflammation, is a promising target for the treatment of both cancer and inflammatory diseases.

3 Jan 2014

Innovative therapy offers new hope to breast cancer patients

A novel breast-cancer therapy that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice, could one day provide a new way to treat early stages of the disease without resorting to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, a multi-institutional team led by researchers from the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University reported January 1 in Science Translational Medicine.

2 Jan 2014

New technique could help researchers unlock the secrets of respiratory syncytial virus

By the time they're two, most children have had respiratory syncytial virus and suffered symptoms no worse than a bad cold. But for some children, especially premature babies and those with underlying health conditions, RSV can lead to pneumonia and bronchitis - which can require hospitalization and have long-term consequences.

30 Dec 2013

Researchers find inhibition of basic cellular process that contributes to schizophrenia

Surprisingly little is known about schizophrenia. It was only recognized as a medical condition in the past few decades, and its exact causes remain unclear. Since there is no objective test for schizophrenia, its diagnosis is based on an assortment of reported symptoms.

30 Dec 2013

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers managed to replicate human pancreatic beta cells in mouse model

RNA sequencing unlocks bipolar secrets

BMH-21 chemical compound has ability to shut down a common cancer process

UMMS researchers commissioned by Alpha-1 Project to develop PiZ antibody

Life Technologies, Quest Diagnostics sign multi-year license and supply agreement

Researchers reveal newest weapon to visualize shape and motion of RNA

Illumina signs multi-year licensing agreement with Quest Diagnostics

UMMS assistant professor recognized with Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals initiates RX-3117 Phase Ib trial in cancer patients with solid tumors

MicroRNA biomarker shows promise in predicting treatment response of ovarian cancer

Researchers develop new, safer and noninvasive diagnostic technique for ulcers

OASIS receives research award from MJFF to develop saliva-based, rapid test for Parkinson's detection, diagnosis

First patient enrolled in the North American Phase 3 clinical trials for investigational flu treatment drug

Adenosine deaminase has potential to improve prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of ESCC

Editing of protein-making sequences promotes development of ESCC, find NUS researchers

Scientists reveal atomic-level view of genetic defect that causes myotonic dystrophy type 2

AstraZeneca to take over Probiodrug's CDK9 inhibitor program

Innovative therapy offers new hope to breast cancer patients

New technique could help researchers unlock the secrets of respiratory syncytial virus

Researchers find inhibition of basic cellular process that contributes to schizophrenia

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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