Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Genetic variation influences survival in patients with multiple myeloma

As part of a multi-institutional effort, researchers with Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah have found that multiple myeloma patients with a genetic variation in the gene FOPNL die on average 1-3 years sooner than patients without it.

23 Jul 2015

Gene responsible for cancer growth plays unexpected role in prostate cancer

A gene that is responsible for cancer growth plays a totally unexpected role in prostate cancer. The gene Stat3 is controlled by the immune modulator interleukin 6 and normally supports the growth of cancer cells. The international research team led by Prof. Lukas Kenner from the Medical University of Vienna, the Veterinary University of Vienna, and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institiute for Cancer Research (LBI-CR) discovered a missing link for an essential role of Stat3 and IL-6 signalling in prostate cancer progression.

22 Jul 2015

New TCR therapy demonstrates encouraging clinical responses in patients with multiple myeloma

Results from a clinical trial investigating a new T cell receptor (TCR) therapy that uses a person's own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells demonstrated a clinical response in 80 percent of multiple myeloma patients with advanced disease after undergoing autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT).

22 Jul 2015

Study shows regions of genome underlying IBD consistent around the world

The first genetic study of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to include individuals from diverse populations has shown that the regions of the genome underlying the disease are consistent around the world. This study, conducted under the auspices of the International IBD Genetics Consortium, included nearly 10,000 DNA samples from people of East Asian, Indian or Iranian descent and an existing set of 86,640 samples drawn from across Europe, North America and Oceania.

22 Jul 2015

Adaptimmune’s NY-ESO-1 TCR-engineered T-cell therapy mediates sustained antitumor effects in multiple myeloma patients

Adaptimmune Therapeutics plc, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the use of T-cell therapy to treat cancer, today announced that data from its Phase I/II study of its affinity enhanced T-cell receptor therapeutic targeting the NY-ESO-1 cancer antigen in patients with multiple myeloma has been published in Nature Medicine.

22 Jul 2015

RepliCel obtains two important approvals to conduct RCS-01 phase 1 human clinical trial

RepliCel Life Sciences Inc., a clinical stage regenerative medicine company focused on the development of autologous cell therapies, today announced it has received two important approvals required to conduct its RCS-01 phase 1 human clinical trial.

21 Jul 2015

New U of M study explains genetic differences among Cannabis varieties

Genetic differences between hemp and marijuana determine whether Cannabis plants have the potential for psychoactivity, a new study by University of Minnesota scientists shows.

21 Jul 2015

Key differences identified among patients with ALS

Researchers on Mayo Clinic's Florida campus have identified key differences between patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) and those with the most common genetic form of ALS, a mutation in the C9orf72 gene.

21 Jul 2015

Celebrity impact on breast cancer screening

Angelina Jolie received widespread media attention in 2013 when she told the public that she'd tested positive for BRCA1, a gene associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and subsequently had a double mastectomy. Now research shows that this publicity did influence some women's intentions to seek out similar genetic testing.

21 Jul 2015

MD Anderson researchers find high prevalence of hereditary CRC among people diagnosed before the age of 35

Hereditary colorectal cancers, caused by inherited gene mutations, are relatively rare for most patients. However, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered a particularly high prevalence of hereditary cancers among those diagnosed with the disease before the age of 35. They suggest that these patients should undergo genetic counseling to determine if their families may be at an elevated risk.

21 Jul 2015

Patients' own genetically engineered immune cells show significant success against multiple myeloma

In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for certain cancers. Now this strategy, which uses patients' own immune cells, genetically engineered to target tumors, has shown significant success against multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells that is largely incurable.

21 Jul 2015

Study finds mechanism that identifies cause of intellectual disabilities in autism, Rett syndrome

The term intellectual disability covers a large number of clinical entities, some with known cause and others of uncertain origin. For example Down syndrome is due to an extra copy of chromosome 21 and Rett syndrome is in part caused by a mutation in the control switch gene called MeCP2.

21 Jul 2015

MetLife Foundation and GHR Foundation receive Jerome H. Stone Philanthropy Award for Alzheimer's Research

The Alzheimer's Association recognizes two foundations today for their philanthropic efforts to support Alzheimer's disease research. MetLife Foundation and GHR Foundation are receiving the Jerome H. Stone Philanthropy Award for Alzheimer's Research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2015 (AAIC 2015) in Washington, D.C.

21 Jul 2015

NeoGenomics announces launch of new germline cancer predisposition testing services

NeoGenomics, Inc., a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services, announced today the launch of a new line of germline cancer predisposition testing services. The new tests include comprehensive testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 encompassing an analysis of all exons and adjacent intronic regions.

20 Jul 2015

Researchers find evidence that directly links disrupted metabolism to fatal type of lymphoma

Researchers from the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have found evidence that directly links disrupted metabolism (energy production in cells) to a common and often fatal type of lymphoma.

20 Jul 2015

Study findings provide basis for potential development of new methods to control HIV infection

Lower levels of cholesterol in certain immune cells--a result of enhanced cholesterol metabolism within those cells--may help explain why some HIV-infected people are able to naturally control disease progression, according to research that will be presented in a poster at the 8th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015) in Vancouver, Canada, and the pre-conference 2015 Towards an HIV Cure Symposium.

20 Jul 2015

New research reveals how DNA influences severity of any genetic disease

That two people with the same disease-causing mutation do not get sick to the same extent has been puzzling scientists for decades. Now Professor Andy Fraser and his team have uncovered a key part of what makes every patient different.

17 Jul 2015

Virginia Tech scientist uses mathematical model to show how bacteria can control behavior of robots

Forget the Vulcan mind-meld of the Star Trek generation -- as far as mind control techniques go, bacteria is the next frontier. In a paper published July 16 in Scientific Reports, which is part of the Nature Publishing Group, a Virginia Tech scientist used a mathematical model to demonstrate that bacteria can control the behavior of an inanimate device like a robot.

17 Jul 2015

Rowan University, Bamboo Therapeutics partner to combat Canavan disease

Rowan University and Bamboo Therapeutics, Inc. have entered into an asset transfer agreement to commercialize a novel gene therapy for the treatment of Canavan disease. A rare but devastating neurological disease that tragically takes a child's life by age 10, Canavan disease is one of the most common and complex degenerative cerebral diseases in infants.

17 Jul 2015

TSRI scientists awarded two grants to develop new therapeutic target to reduce latent HIV infection

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have been awarded a pair of grants totaling nearly $2.8 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of The National Institutes of Health to develop a new therapeutic agent to reduce latent levels of HIV that hide from the immune system in infected individuals.

17 Jul 2015

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Genetic variation influences survival in patients with multiple myeloma

Gene responsible for cancer growth plays unexpected role in prostate cancer

New TCR therapy demonstrates encouraging clinical responses in patients with multiple myeloma

Study shows regions of genome underlying IBD consistent around the world

Adaptimmune’s NY-ESO-1 TCR-engineered T-cell therapy mediates sustained antitumor effects in multiple myeloma patients

RepliCel obtains two important approvals to conduct RCS-01 phase 1 human clinical trial

New U of M study explains genetic differences among Cannabis varieties

Key differences identified among patients with ALS

Celebrity impact on breast cancer screening

MD Anderson researchers find high prevalence of hereditary CRC among people diagnosed before the age of 35

Patients' own genetically engineered immune cells show significant success against multiple myeloma

Study finds mechanism that identifies cause of intellectual disabilities in autism, Rett syndrome

MetLife Foundation and GHR Foundation receive Jerome H. Stone Philanthropy Award for Alzheimer's Research

NeoGenomics announces launch of new germline cancer predisposition testing services

Researchers find evidence that directly links disrupted metabolism to fatal type of lymphoma

Study findings provide basis for potential development of new methods to control HIV infection

New research reveals how DNA influences severity of any genetic disease

Virginia Tech scientist uses mathematical model to show how bacteria can control behavior of robots

Rowan University, Bamboo Therapeutics partner to combat Canavan disease

TSRI scientists awarded two grants to develop new therapeutic target to reduce latent HIV infection

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research