Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Optogenetics technique allows scientists to control neurons' electrical activity

Optogenetics is a technique that allows scientists to control neurons' electrical activity with light by engineering them to express light-sensitive proteins. Within the past decade, it has become a very powerful tool for discovering the functions of different types of cells in the brain.

10 Feb 2014

Researchers examine link between gender and genetic disorder

A genetic disorder that affects about 1 in every 2,500 births can cause a bewildering array of clinical problems, including brain tumors, impaired vision, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, heart defects and bone deformities. The symptoms and their severity vary among patients affected by this condition, known as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

9 Feb 2014

Prions and their shadow proteins: an interview with Dr Jiri Safar, Co-Director of the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center

The prion diseases were originally discovered by Dr Gajdusek and Dr Gibbs. The first disease discovered was Kuru, which was affecting native tribes in the Papua New Guinea highlands in the 1950s.

9 Feb 2014

Study points to molecular pathway to treat recurring, deadly malignancies

Analyzing the genomes of twin 3-year-old sisters – one healthy and one with aggressive leukemia – led an international team of researchers to identify a novel molecular target that could become a way to treat recurring and deadly malignancies.

9 Feb 2014

Researchers shed light on role of genes and blood lipid levels in cardiovascular health

New genetic evidence strengthens the case that one well-known type of cholesterol is a likely suspect in causing heart disease, but also casts further doubt on the causal role played by another type. The findings may guide the search for improved treatments for heart disease.

9 Feb 2014

Researchers find link between mutations in gene called RAB 24 and inherited neurodegenerative disease

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a link between a mutation in a gene called RAB 24 and an inherited neurodegenerative disease in Old English sheepdogs and Gordon setters. The findings may help further understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and identify new treatments for both canine and human sufferers.

7 Feb 2014

Researchers identify protein that regulates how genetic information transcribed from DNA to mRNA

Molecular biologists from Indiana University are part of a team that has identified a protein that regulates the information present in a large number of messenger ribonucleic acid molecules that are important for carrying genetic information from DNA to protein synthesis.

7 Feb 2014

Studies shed more light on genetic basis of bone marrow failure

The study, published in The American Journal of Human Genetics, detected and identified a new disease gene (ERCC6L2). In its normal form, the gene plays a key role in protecting DNA from damaging agents, but when the gene is mutated the cell is not able to protect itself in the normal way.

7 Feb 2014

Researchers identify histone proteins that may be key to generate induced totipotent stem cells

One major challenge in stem cell research has been to reprogram differentiated cells to a totipotent state. Researchers from RIKEN in Japan have identified a duo of histone proteins that dramatically enhance the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and may be the key to generating induced totipotent stem cells.

7 Feb 2014

Study offers new avenue to pursue in quest for desperately needed treatments for ALS

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists led a study showing that mutations in a gene responsible for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disrupt the RNA transport system in nerve cells.

6 Feb 2014

Chinese scientists confirm world’s first case of human infection with new avian influenza virus

Scientists from China report in The Lancet on the world’s first confirmed case of human infection with a new avian influenza A H10N8 virus in a 73-year-old woman who died from the infection.

6 Feb 2014

Researchers make first link between menopause, smoking and genetic variations in white women

New research is lighting up yet another reason for women to quit smoking. In a study published online in the journal Menopause, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania report the first evidence showing that smoking causes earlier signs of menopause - in the case of heavy smokers, up to nine years earlier than average - in white women with certain genetic variations.

5 Feb 2014

Study: Sensitivity to pain could be altered by person's lifestyle and environment

Researchers at King's College London have discovered that sensitivity to pain could be altered by a person's lifestyle and environment throughout their lifetime. The study is the first to find that pain sensitivity, previously thought to be relatively inflexible, can change as a result of genes being switched on or off by lifestyle and environmental factors - a process called epigenetics, which chemically alters the expression of genes.

5 Feb 2014

Professor wins Wiley Prize for discovering how cells sense, respond to low oxygen conditions

The 13th annual Wiley Prize in Biomedical Sciences was awarded to Gregg Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., for his contribution to discovering how cells sense and respond to low oxygen conditions.

5 Feb 2014

OGT awarded NHS tender to supply oligo-based arrays for cytogenetics

Oxford Gene Technology, provider of innovative genetics research and biomarker solutions to advance molecular medicine, has been awarded a significant tender by the UK National Health Service for the supply of oligo-based arrays for cytogenetics.

From Oxford Gene Technology 4 Feb 2014

Researchers discover genetic mutations that cause deadly lung disease

A team of researchers, led by physicians and scientists at Intermountain Medical Center and ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City, has made a medical breakthrough by discovering genetic mutations that cause a rare and deadly lung disease.

4 Feb 2014

Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires Life Technologies

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) for $76.13 ($76.1311786) in cash per fully diluted common share, or approximately $13.6 billion, plus the assumption of $1.5 billion in net debt. The completion of the transaction follows the receipt of all required regulatory approvals.

4 Feb 2014

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Optogenetics technique allows scientists to control neurons' electrical activity

Researchers examine link between gender and genetic disorder

Prions and their shadow proteins: an interview with Dr Jiri Safar, Co-Director of the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center

Study points to molecular pathway to treat recurring, deadly malignancies

Researchers shed light on role of genes and blood lipid levels in cardiovascular health

Researchers find link between mutations in gene called RAB 24 and inherited neurodegenerative disease

Researchers identify protein that regulates how genetic information transcribed from DNA to mRNA

Studies shed more light on genetic basis of bone marrow failure

Researchers identify histone proteins that may be key to generate induced totipotent stem cells

Study offers new avenue to pursue in quest for desperately needed treatments for ALS

Chinese scientists confirm world’s first case of human infection with new avian influenza virus

Researchers make first link between menopause, smoking and genetic variations in white women

Study: Sensitivity to pain could be altered by person's lifestyle and environment

Professor wins Wiley Prize for discovering how cells sense, respond to low oxygen conditions

OGT awarded NHS tender to supply oligo-based arrays for cytogenetics

Researchers discover genetic mutations that cause deadly lung disease

Thermo Fisher Scientific acquires Life Technologies

Drug used to treat schizophrenia, dementia has potential for treating liver disease

Edison's vatiquinone receives Orphan Status for treatment of Friedreich's ataxia

Biotheranostics launches complete genomic tests for metastatic cancer patients

Industry Focus: Cell & Gene Therapy eBook

Todd Bauman and Chris Povich

Scaling organ‑chip technology for human‑relevant drug discovery

Unlocking drug amorphization: Continuous, solvent-free twin screw granulation