Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Baylor Miraca Genetics Laboratories licenses SNP probe technology from OGT

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), The Molecular Genetics Company, has entered into a deal with Baylor Miraca Genetics Laboratories (BMGL), licensing the use of OGT’s proprietary single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array probe technology.

From Oxford Gene Technology 12 Nov 2015

Some antibiotics may make MRSA more harmful

Treating MRSA with certain first-line antibiotics can actually make MRSA skin infections worse, according to a study published in Cell Host & Microbe.

12 Nov 2015

UCSF-led researchers map out melanoma's genetic trajectories

An international team of scientists led by UC San Francisco researchers has mapped out the genetic trajectories taken by melanoma as it evolves from early skin lesions, known as precursors, to malignant skin cancer, which can be lethal when it invades other tissues in the body.

12 Nov 2015

CHOP researchers delay symptoms, extend lifespan in animal model of Batten disease

Researchers have taken a significant step forward in developing gene therapy against a fatal neurodegenerative disease that strikes children. By delivering a working version of a gene to produce a key enzyme that is lacking in Batten disease, the scientists delayed symptoms and extended lifespan in dogs with a comparable disease.

12 Nov 2015

Moffitt Cancer Center study finds link between common gene mutations and tumor immune surveillance

Learning if a lung cancer patient has genetic mutations can help oncologists determine the best approach to treatment. There are four gene mutations (KRAS, TP53, STK11, and EGFR) that most commonly occur in lung cancer; however, there are limited effective therapies to target these mutations. With this in mind, Moffitt Cancer Center performed an extensive genetic analysis of lung cancer specimens to unravel how mutations in the two of those genes (TP53 and STK11) contribute to the biology of lung cancer and patient outcomes.

12 Nov 2015

Researchers demonstrate new screening model to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria

A University of South Florida Center for Global Health & Infectious Diseases Research team has demonstrated a new screening model to classify antimalarial drugs and to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum.

12 Nov 2015

ApoE4-carrying men with Alzheimer's disease at risk of brain bleeds

A common genetic variation, ApoE4, linked to Alzheimer's disease greatly raises the likelihood of tiny brain bleeds in some men, scientists have found.

12 Nov 2015

March of Dimes scientists help fine-tune experiments to uncover unknown causes of preterm birth

A new, integrated online database of genes and other information related to pregnancy has been developed by March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center investigators to help fine-tune questions, theories, and experiments to uncover the unknown causes of preterm birth.

12 Nov 2015

Crucial change in single DNA base predisposes children to aggressive form of cancer

Pediatric oncology researchers have pinpointed a crucial change in a single DNA base that both predisposes children to an aggressive form of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma and makes the disease progress once tumors form.

12 Nov 2015

Study shows rare HER2 missense mutations do not spread breast cancer on their own

Results of a new laboratory study by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers suggests that some rare “missense” mutations in the HER2 gene are apparently not — on their own — capable of causing breast cancer growth or spread.

12 Nov 2015

Boston Children's Hospital selects Vijay G. Sankaran to receive Rising Star Award

Saluting his spectacular track record to date of innovative research on red blood cell disorders and his future promise as a physician/scientist, Boston Children's Hospital has selected Vijay G. Sankaran, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center to receive the Rising Star Award at the hospital's third annual Global Pediatric Innovation Summit, Taking on Tomorrow (#PedInno15).

11 Nov 2015

Eight myths and truths about Alzheimer's disease

Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) impacts more than five million Americans and 15 million caregivers year-round, the nation is especially focused on the disease this month as it observes "National Alzheimer's Disease and Awareness Month."

11 Nov 2015

Florida Institute finalizes funding agreement with Genetic Networks

The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Institute) announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with Genetic Networks, a Miami based company with technology developed at the University of Miami.

11 Nov 2015

Cotellic (cobimetinib) approved to be used in combination with vemurafenib for melanoma treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Cotellic (cobimetinib) to be used in combination with vemurafenib to treat advanced melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body or can't be removed by surgery, and that has a certain type of abnormal gene (BRAF V600E or V600K mutation).

10 Nov 2015

Research opens door for developing biomarker tests to detect cancers early

Biomarkers, which allow diseases to be diagnosed and staged based on relatively non-invasive blood tests, have been identified for several types of cancers, but for most cancers remain elusive. Now, research conducted at the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies in Japan and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Australia has identified a large number of genes that are upregulated in many different types of cancer, opening the door for developing biomarker tests that could be used to detect cancers early, allowing for prompt treatment.

10 Nov 2015

Meat-rich diet may increase kidney cancer risk

A new study indicates that a meat-rich diet may increase the risk of developing kidney cancer through mechanisms related to particular cooking compounds. Also, these associations may be modified by genetic susceptibility to kidney cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study illustrates how diet and genetics may interact to impact cancer risk.

10 Nov 2015

Researchers identify factors that spark formation of pluripotent cells

Researchers at EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute and the Wellcome Trust- Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge have identified factors that spark the formation of pluripotent cells.

10 Nov 2015

Drug compounds target multiple pathways associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Efforts to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1, the most common form of muscular dystrophy, are in their infancy. In a new study, researchers report they have added new capabilities to an experimental drug agent that previously defeated only one of DM1's many modes of action. Their retooled compounds interrupt the disease's pathology in three ways.

10 Nov 2015

Two studies explore potential new blood tests for Alzheimer's disease

There is increasing evidence that the brain changes of Alzheimer's disease begin decades before memory and thinking problems occur, prompting the need for better methods of early detection for this progressive, fatal brain disease. Consequently, there is a growing school of thought that the most effective future Alzheimer's drug therapies will be administered to those who are at high risk of the disease before cognitive symptoms appear.

10 Nov 2015

UT Southwestern's Helen H. Hobbs named recipient of Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences

UT Southwestern Medical Center geneticist Dr. Helen H. Hobbs is the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.

10 Nov 2015

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Baylor Miraca Genetics Laboratories licenses SNP probe technology from OGT

Some antibiotics may make MRSA more harmful

UCSF-led researchers map out melanoma's genetic trajectories

CHOP researchers delay symptoms, extend lifespan in animal model of Batten disease

Moffitt Cancer Center study finds link between common gene mutations and tumor immune surveillance

Researchers demonstrate new screening model to identify drug targets for the most lethal strain of malaria

ApoE4-carrying men with Alzheimer's disease at risk of brain bleeds

March of Dimes scientists help fine-tune experiments to uncover unknown causes of preterm birth

Crucial change in single DNA base predisposes children to aggressive form of cancer

Study shows rare HER2 missense mutations do not spread breast cancer on their own

Boston Children's Hospital selects Vijay G. Sankaran to receive Rising Star Award

Eight myths and truths about Alzheimer's disease

Florida Institute finalizes funding agreement with Genetic Networks

Cotellic (cobimetinib) approved to be used in combination with vemurafenib for melanoma treatment

Research opens door for developing biomarker tests to detect cancers early

Meat-rich diet may increase kidney cancer risk

Researchers identify factors that spark formation of pluripotent cells

Drug compounds target multiple pathways associated with myotonic dystrophy type 1

Two studies explore potential new blood tests for Alzheimer's disease

UT Southwestern's Helen H. Hobbs named recipient of Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences

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Redefining control and consistency in anaerobic microbiome workflows

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