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Findings provide new insights into the basic biology of stem cells

A team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University and Salk Institute for Biological Studies has shown for the first time that stem cells created using different methods produce differing cells.

3 Jul 2014

Study reveals mechanism underlying abnormal fat accumulation in HIV patients

Building upon their earlier research on the biology of fat metabolism, Joslin scientists discovered that microRNAs -small RNA molecules that play important roles in regulation in many types of tissue - play a major role in the distribution and determination of fat cells and whole body metabolism.

3 Jul 2014

Researchers discover a way to restore corneal surface

A Boston-based scientific collaborative, led by Harvard Stem Cell Institute researchers, has discovered a way to collect the best cell type for regenerating a damaged cornea-the clear membrane that covers the pupil and directs light into the back of the eye.

3 Jul 2014

Webinar outlines novel findings from RNA-Seq project performed by OGT

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), The Molecular Genetics Company, has made the latest in its series of educational webinars available to watch online at www.ogt.com/webinars. In the webinar entitled “Developing new insights into gene expression using RNA-Seq”, Dr Christopher Jones, Research Fellow at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), UK, presents novel findings from a recent RNA-Seq project performed by OGT.

From Oxford Gene Technology 2 Jul 2014

Scientists discover 23 new genes linked to heart rhythm

The QT interval is part of the heart's electrical cycle as measured by ECG, and represents the electrical depolarization and repolarization of the ventricles. Lengthened intervals indicate dysfunction in the heart beat and are liable to lead to a five-fold increase in the risk of sudden death from heart failure.

2 Jul 2014

New gene therapy for Acute Intermittent Porphyria

Angeles suffers from a severe and rare genetic disease called Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP). This means, one of her genes restrains her liver to produce a specific protein needed for the metabolism of the blood. During an AIP attack Angeles usually feels intense abdominal pain, and her mental status changes. Women live at an increased risk to trigger the symptoms, because porphyria is related to the menstrual cycle.

2 Jul 2014

Research on inflammasomes lays foundations for developing new RA treatments

Patients with more or less severe forms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may have the same painful symptoms, but does this mean that the cause of their illness is the same? And therefore that they should all receive the same treatment? Scientists at VIB and Ghent University have demonstrated with their research into inflammasomes that RA should be considered as a syndrome rather than a single disease.

2 Jul 2014

Australian immunologists uncover additional role for antibody-making 'B cells'

A discovery by Australian immunologists, uncovering an additional role for antibody-making 'B cells', is considered important enough by the American Association of Immunologists to rank it among the top 10% of articles in the latest issue of The Journal of Immunology, off the press today.

2 Jul 2014

Eurofins Genomics, AmpTec sign co-marketing agreement for IVT-RNAs

Eurofins Genomics, international market leader in genomic services, and AmpTec, internationally recognized provider of RNA technology products, have agreed on non-exclusively co-marketing AmpTec's IVT-RNAs globally.

2 Jul 2014

Sugar-coated cells are potentially deadly for cancer patients

Every living cell's surface has a protein-embedded membrane that's covered in polysaccharide chains - a literal sugar coating. A new study by a Cornell University researcher found this coating is especially thick and pronounced on cancer cells and is a crucial determinant of the cell's survival.

2 Jul 2014

Exome sequencing improves diagnosis of mitochondrial disease

Use of exome sequencing improved the ability to identify the underlying gene mutations in patients with biochemically defined defects affecting multiple mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes (enzymes that are involved in basic energy production), according to a study in the July 2 issue of JAMA.

2 Jul 2014

CHOP study: Children with specific gene variants may require higher doses of pain-control drugs

In the first genome-wide analysis of postsurgical pain in children, pediatric researchers identified variations in genes that affect a child's need for pain-control drugs. The findings suggest that at some point physicians may calibrate pain-medication dosages according to a child's individual genetic makeup.

2 Jul 2014

Mayo Clinic researchers uncover 31 genes key to clear cell renal cell carcinoma

A genomic analysis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, from 72 patients has uncovered 31 genes that are key to development, growth and spread of the cancer, say researchers from Mayo Clinic in Florida.

2 Jul 2014

Researchers identify new biomarker that predicts effectiveness of glioblastoma treatment

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified a new biomarker that predicts whether glioblastoma - the most common form of primary brain cancer - will respond to chemotherapy. The findings are published in the July print issue of Oncotarget.

2 Jul 2014

Drug everolimus fails to improve overall survival in advanced liver cancer patients

Despite strong preclinical data, the drug everolimus failed to improve overall survival in patients with advanced liver cancer, compared to placebo, according to a study in the July 2 issue of JAMA.

2 Jul 2014

NEI researchers describe functions of gene responsible for anchoring cilia

Researchers at the National Eye Institute (NEI) have described the functions of a gene responsible for anchoring cilia - sensory hair-like extensions present on almost every cell of the body.

2 Jul 2014

New compound blocks action of key 'gatekeeper' enzyme for malaria parasite survival

Melbourne researchers are homing in on a new target for malaria treatment, after developing a compound that blocks the action of a key 'gatekeeper' enzyme essential for malaria parasite survival.

2 Jul 2014

New way to combat bacterial biofilm formation with titanium encrusted with gold nanoparticles

Bacteria love to colonize surfaces inside your body, but they have a hard time getting past your rugged, salty skin.

1 Jul 2014

Short sleep linked to cognitive decline in older adults

Researchers at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS) have found evidence that the less older adults sleep, the faster their brains age.

1 Jul 2014

Aspirin, smoking influence aging processes of female genome connected to colorectal cancer

The risk of developing cancer increases with age. Factors like smoking and regular aspirin use also affect the risk of cancer - although in the opposite sense. Researchers from the University of Basel were now able to show that aspirin use and smoking both influence aging processes of the female genome that are connected to colorectal cancer.

1 Jul 2014