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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 identify CHK1 protein may serve as treatment target for neuroblastoma

After analyzing hundreds of proteins produced by the DNA of tumor cells, researchers have identified one protein that may be central to a new treatment for the often-fatal childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Oncologists hope to translate the finding into pediatric clinical trials of a drug that blocks the protein's activity.

7 Feb 2011

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

DermTech International, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, today announced that the discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma have been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

7 Feb 2011

Researchers discover molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy

A team of researchers, led by University of Kentucky ophthalmologist Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, has discovered a molecular mechanism implicated in geographic atrophy, the major cause of untreatable blindness in the industrialized world.

6 Feb 2011

Roche launches cobas TaqScreen DPX Test for parvovirus B19 and hepatitis A virus

Roche announced today that the cobas® TaqScreen DPX Test for use on the cobas s 201 system is now available in the US. It is the first commercial test to quantify parvovirus B19 and detect hepatitis A virus (HAV) simultaneously in one assay in human plasma.

5 Feb 2011

Partek signs distribution agreement with Life Technologies

Partek Incorporated, a global leader in bioinformatics software, announced today the signing of a distribution agreement with Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of next-generation DNA sequencing technology. The agreement makes Partek Genomics Suite available through Life Technologies as a featured solution for analyzing data generated by Life Technologies' next-generation sequencing devices.

5 Feb 2011

Hologic receives FDA approval for hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection

Hologic, a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Hologic's pharmaceutical named Makena, formerly known as Gestiva.

From Hologic, Inc. 4 Feb 2011

CLC bio releases Version 4.5 of CLC Genomics Workbench

Today, CLC bio announced the release of CLC bio's premier desktop software package for working with genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics: Version 4.5 of CLC Genomics Workbench - an update which gives molecular biologists access to analyze high-througput sequencing datasets with powerful bioinformatics algorithms through a user-friendly graphical user-interface.

4 Feb 2011

New discovery: miR-429 regulatory RNA may be effective in fighting ovarian cancer

Cancer researchers have discovered that a type of regulatory RNA may be effective in fighting ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer isn't typically discovered until it's in the advanced stages, where it is already spreading to other organs and is very difficult to fight with chemotherapy.

4 Feb 2011

Data generated on Ion Torrent PGM sequencer to be presented at AGBT

Life Technologies Corporation, today announced that just six weeks following the launch of the Ion Torrent PGM sequencer, independent researchers will present data they generated with the system at the annual Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) conference.

4 Feb 2011

Tacere announces reacquisition of HCV compound development, commercialization rights in Asia

Tacere Therapeutics, an RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics company, announced today that it has reacquired the development and commercialization rights to its Hepatitis C Virus compounds throughout Asia from its strategic partner, Tokyo-based Oncolys BioPharma Inc.

4 Feb 2011

Nitto Denko announces acquisition of Avecia Biotechnology

Japan's leading diversified materials manufacturer, Nitto Denko Corporation, today announced that it has acquired Avecia Biotechnology, Inc. through Nitto Americas, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary in Teaneck, New Jersey.

3 Feb 2011

New England Journal publishes fidaxomicin Phase 3 trial results against CDI

Optimer Pharmaceuticals, announced The New England Journal of Medicine has published results from the North American Phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Company's novel antibiotic fidaxomicin as a treatment for patients with Clostridium difficile infection.

3 Feb 2011

New England Biolabs expands line of reagents for sample preparation

New England Biolabs has expanded its line of reagents for sample preparation upstream of next generation sequencing to include NEBNext® Small RNA Sample Prep Set 1 for sequencing on the Illumina® platforms, and NEBNext Small RNA Sample Prep Set 3 for sequencing on LIFE's SOLiD™ platform. These new products offer a new and unique protocol, which results in higher yields and lower adaptor-dimer formation, as compared to other protocols.

From New England Biolabs 3 Feb 2011

Generation of iPSCs can be enhanced by modulating miRNA action

Stem cells are ideal tools to understand disease and develop new treatments; however, they can be difficult to obtain in necessary quantities. In particular, generating induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be an arduous task because reprogramming differentiated adult skin cells into iPS cells requires many steps and the efficiency is very low - researchers might end up with only a few iPS cells even if they started with a million skin cells.

3 Feb 2011

Automation protocols for TruSeq kits is now available in Sciclone NGS Workstation

Caliper Life Sciences, today announced that it has developed and optimized automation protocols on its Sciclone NGS Workstation for Illumina's TruSeq DNA and TruSeq RNA sample preparation kits.

3 Feb 2011

Agilent introduces first commercial RNA target enrichment system

Agilent Technologies, Inc., today introduced SureSelect RNA Capture Kits, the first commercial RNA target enrichment system enabling geneticists to focus on specific genomic loci or transcripts of research interest. The RNA capture kits make it possible to precisely measure expression levels of genes of interest and detect allelic-specific expression, splicing events and gene fusions.

3 Feb 2011

Scientists challenged to sequence genome and RNA content derived from single cancer cell

Life Technologies Corporation today announced that the Life Grand Challenges Contest, initially introduced in December 2010, is expanding to include a fourth challenge. This latest contest challenges scientists to sequence the genome and all RNA content derived from a single cancer cell using the 5500 Series SOLiD™ Sequencers.

3 Feb 2011

Isis commences ISIS-FXIRx Phase 1 study for treatment of clotting disorders

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study of ISIS-FXIRx, an antisense drug designed to treat clotting disorders. ISIS-FXIRx inhibits the production of Factor XI, a clotting factor that is an important component of the coagulation pathway. Because of its role in the intrinsic coagulation pathway, inhibition of Factor XI could offer an effective approach for preventing the formation of blood clots with a lower risk of bleeding.

2 Feb 2011

Defective nucleoli linked to Parkinson's disease

"Nucleolus", or small nucleus, is the term coined by early biologists for the tiny structure within the nucleus which they saw under the microscope. In this structure within the nucleus, RNA molecules and proteins are assembled to form ribosomes, the true protein factories of cells.

2 Feb 2011

EA sponsors research grant to investigate specific cancers and kinase mutations

Expression Analysis today announced a jointly sponsored research grant for up to eight American Cancer Society Grantees to investigate and draw parallels between specific cancers and recurring mutations in specific kinases, using targeted genome sequencing.

2 Feb 2011