Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Scientists identify missing genetic link in common variable immunodeficiency disorder

In the largest genetic study to date of a challenging immunodeficiency disorder, scientists have identified a gene that may be a "missing link" between overactive and underactive immune activity. The gene candidate also plays a key role in autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and allergies.

23 Apr 2015

IMIM researchers identify new way of treating colorectal cancer

Researchers at the Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM) have identified a new way of treating colorectal cancer. In the study published in the journal Science Signaling, the team led by LLuís Espinosa, investigator of IMIM's research group into stem cells and cancer, have shown that inhibition of endosomal activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancers with the BRAF mutated gene.

23 Apr 2015

Researchers provide new clues, mechanisms to understand functions of 'rebel' DNA in cancer

Genes usually always be expressed as in Western writing: from left to right on the white canvas of our DNA. So when we speak of the activity of our genome, in fact we are referring to the expression of genes in this sense of the double-stranded DNA.

22 Apr 2015

Honokiol extract holds promise as adjunct treatment for bladder and kidney cancers

The botanical extract honokiol, a biologically active molecule isolated from the bark of Magnolia spp., holds promise as an adjunct treatment for aggressive bladder and kidney cancers, as reported in two new studies. New research on honokiol in bladder cancer was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2015.

22 Apr 2015

Gene therapy reduces infectious complications in children, teens with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

In a small study that included seven children and teens with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, a rare immunodeficiency disorder, use of gene therapy resulted in clinical improvement in infectious complications, severe eczema, and symptoms of autoimmunity, according to a study in the April 21 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on child health.

22 Apr 2015

Tumor necrosis factor helps regulate sensitivity to bitter taste

New research from the Monell Center reveals that tumor necrosis factor (TNF), an immune system regulatory protein that promotes inflammation, also helps regulate sensitivity to bitter taste. The finding may provide a mechanism to explain the taste system abnormalities and decreased food intake that can be associated with infections, autoimmune disorders, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

22 Apr 2015

Scientists identify protein that could help tame severe inflammation

Researchers have identified a protein that offers a new focus for developing targeted therapies to tame the severe inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), colitis and other autoimmune disorders.

22 Apr 2015

Winners of GSA poster awards announced at Fungal Genetics Conference

The Genetics Society of America and the community of fungal geneticists are pleased to announce the winners of the GSA poster awards at the 28th Fungal Genetics Conference, which took place in Pacific Grove, CA, March 17-22, 2015.

22 Apr 2015

James Shapiro's latest research could soon mark new standard for diabetes treatment

James Shapiro, one of the world's leading experts in emerging treatments of diabetes, can't help but be excited about his latest research. The results he says, could soon mark a new standard for treatment--not only in diabetes, but in several other diseases as well.

22 Apr 2015

UVA research identifies new role of immune system in Rett syndrome

The immune system is designed to protect us from disease. But what if it was malfunctioning? Would it make a disease worse? That appears to be the case with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, and possibly in other neurological disorders as well, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has found.

22 Apr 2015

New class of drugs targeting blood glucose level could benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes

Individuals with type 2 diabetes, who are resistant to insulin, have an excess blood glucose level, which they are now trying to reduce using a new class of diabetes drugs known as the gliflozins.

22 Apr 2015

Men with prostate cancer benefit from BRCA-targeting drug

Men with prostate cancer benefit from treatment with the pioneering drug olaparib - the first cancer drug to target inherited mutations - according to the results of a major trial presented today (Tuesday).

22 Apr 2015

Rocket carrying Reinnervate's Alvetex Scaffold blasts into Space to find better treatments for bone loss

Market leading 3D cell culture company Reinnervate Ltd, part of the ReproCELL group, today announced that a rocket carrying its Alvetex Scaffold technology blasted into Space this week. Alvetex will be used in experiments on board the International Space Station.

22 Apr 2015

Novel genetic datashare initiative launched to improve detection of inherited breast and ovarian cancers

Quest Diagnostics, the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, and Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research institution, today launched BRCA Share, a novel datashare initiative they co-founded to provide scientists and laboratory organizations around the world with open access to BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic data.

From Quest Diagnostics 22 Apr 2015

GenVec, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology sign research collaboration agreement

GenVec, Inc. today announced that it has signed a research collaboration agreement with the Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health.

21 Apr 2015

Current challenges in tackling macular degeneration: an interview with Mark Ackermann, AMD Alliance International

There are two forms of macular degeneration: the wet form and the dry form. The dry form is less challenging as it affects a smaller number of people and the disease progression is far slower...

21 Apr 2015

Smoking and genetics can increase women's likelihood of giving birth to twins

African American mothers who smoke and have a genetic profile that includes a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the TP53 gene have an increased likelihood of having twins, concluded a team of researchers from the University of South Florida and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

21 Apr 2015

Study explores artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

According to the World Health Organization's 2014 World Malaria Report, there are an estimated 198 million cases of malaria worldwide with 3.3 billion people at risk for contracting the infection. Although the impact of malaria is still significant, the statistics reflect a considerable reduction in the global malaria burden. Since 2010, disease transmission has been reduced by 30 percent and mortality due to malaria has decreased by almost half.

21 Apr 2015

Study opens door to new treatment for hard-to-treat asthmatic children

Researchers have identified a biological basis for asthmatic children who do not respond well to corticosteroid treatment – currently the most effective treatment for chronic asthma and acute asthma attack.

21 Apr 2015

Allele-specific lncRNA regulates cancer metabolism

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) are unusual in that they don't encode proteins like normal RNA. Yet they do play a role in regulating cellular functions and interest cancer researchers.

21 Apr 2015

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Scientists identify missing genetic link in common variable immunodeficiency disorder

IMIM researchers identify new way of treating colorectal cancer

Researchers provide new clues, mechanisms to understand functions of 'rebel' DNA in cancer

Honokiol extract holds promise as adjunct treatment for bladder and kidney cancers

Gene therapy reduces infectious complications in children, teens with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Tumor necrosis factor helps regulate sensitivity to bitter taste

Scientists identify protein that could help tame severe inflammation

Winners of GSA poster awards announced at Fungal Genetics Conference

James Shapiro's latest research could soon mark new standard for diabetes treatment

UVA research identifies new role of immune system in Rett syndrome

New class of drugs targeting blood glucose level could benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes

Men with prostate cancer benefit from BRCA-targeting drug

Rocket carrying Reinnervate's Alvetex Scaffold blasts into Space to find better treatments for bone loss

Novel genetic datashare initiative launched to improve detection of inherited breast and ovarian cancers

GenVec, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology sign research collaboration agreement

Current challenges in tackling macular degeneration: an interview with Mark Ackermann, AMD Alliance International

Smoking and genetics can increase women's likelihood of giving birth to twins

Study explores artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Study opens door to new treatment for hard-to-treat asthmatic children

Allele-specific lncRNA regulates cancer metabolism

Industry Focus: Cell & Gene Therapy eBook

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

How cohesin mechanics and nanotracker tech are redefining DNA research

Todd Bauman and Chris Povich