Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Researchers discover new gene involved in severe childhood epilepsy

A European consortium of epilepsy researchers has reported the discovery of a new gene involved in severe childhood epilepsy. Using a novel combination of technologies, including trio exome sequencing of patient/parental DNA and genetic studies in the tiny larvae of zebrafish, the EuroEPINOMICS RES consortium found that mutations in the gene CHD2 are responsible for a subset of epilepsy patients with symptoms similar to Dravet syndrome - a severe form of childhood epilepsy that is in many patients resistant to currently available anti-epileptic drugs.

23 Jan 2014

Researchers identify five new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio

Excess abdominal fat can be a precursor to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. A person's measure of belly fat is reflected in the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference, and it is estimated that genetics account for about 30-60 percent of waist-to-hip ratio.

23 Jan 2014

TSRI study shows how aging affects brain's neural circuitry

How aging affects communication between neurons is not well understood, a gap that makes it more difficult to treat a range of disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

23 Jan 2014

MD Anderson collaborates with Johnson & Johnson to develop immunology-based cancer treatments

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will collaborate with Johnson & Johnson Innovation, LLC, and its affiliate Janssen Biotech, Inc., to develop immunology-based cancer treatments through the MD Anderson Moon Shots Program immunotherapy platform.

23 Jan 2014

Hydroxytyrosol in olive oil may help reduce risk of breast cancer

A major component of olive oil, hydroxytyrosol, is the subject of a Houston Methodist study of women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The study focuses on the changes in breast density after one year of treatment and is the first of its kind in the United States.

23 Jan 2014

NCCC physicians use new gene sequencing equipment for testing abnormal DNA in cancerous tumor cells

Clinical laboratory experts and physicians at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center (NCCC) achieved 100 percent accuracy in testing for abnormal DNA in cancerous tumor cells with its new gene sequencing equipment and panels.

23 Jan 2014

Scientists develop new genetic platform that yields novel antibiotic from ocean bacteria

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a new genetic platform that allows efficient production of naturally occurring molecules, and have used it to produce a novel antibiotic compound.

23 Jan 2014

Researchers find that 20% of women with ovarian cancer had inherited mutations in gene pathway

A new study conservatively estimates that one in five women with ovarian cancer has inherited genetic mutations that increase the risk of the disease, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

23 Jan 2014

Clinician scientist receives RPB Career Development Award to support eye research

The Harvard Medical School (HMS) Department of Ophthalmology has been granted a $250,000 Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Career Development Award to support eye research conducted by Jason I. Comander, M.D., Ph.D. The support will be provided over a four-year period.

22 Jan 2014

Chinese and American researchers introduce new approach to gene therapy

Resistance of tumor cells toward multiple cytostatic drugs is a serious problem in cancer treatment. In the journal Angewandte Chemie, a team of Chinese and American researchers has now introduced a new approach to gene therapy that could counter this problem: The gene that codes for resistance is “silenced” through the use of an ingenious nanocomplex.

22 Jan 2014

Blood methylome offers clues to schizophrenia

Researchers show that a methylome-wide association study of the blood can provide a glimpse of past environmental insults that may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

22 Jan 2014

Advanced melanoma treatments: an interview with Dr. James Larkin, Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden

Advanced melanoma affects around 2,000 people per year in the UK. Advanced melanoma describes a melanoma that has spread from its site of origin to other areas of the body.

22 Jan 2014

EKF Diagnostics announces major breakthrough for PointMan DNA enrichment technology

EKF, announces a major breakthrough for its PointMan DNA enrichment technology for potential use in future cancer testing and treatment.

From EKF Diagnostics 22 Jan 2014

Joint research program in SMA enters initial stage of clinical development

PTC Therapeutics, Inc., the SMA Foundation, and Roche, announced today that their joint research program in Spinal Muscular Atrophy has entered the first stage of clinical development aiming to assess safety and tolerability of an oral compound in healthy volunteers.

22 Jan 2014

UT Southwestern' faculty receives Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award for contributions to understanding of autophagy

Dr. Beth Levine, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and Director of the Center for Autophagy Research at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has received the 2014 Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award from the American Society for Clinical Investigation.

22 Jan 2014

Clues of "silent thief of sight”: Glaucoma

Glaucoma is sometimes called the "silent thief of sight" because it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss. But this disease is stealthy in more ways than one.

22 Jan 2014

Researchers demonstrate existence of an epigenetic lesion in hippocampus of Alzheimer patients

Alzheimer's disease can reach epidemic range in the coming decades, by the increasing average age of society. There are two key issues for Alzheimer's disease: there is currently no effective treatment and it has been described very few associated genetic changes (mutations) which reduces the number of targets for future therapies.

22 Jan 2014

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Researchers discover new gene involved in severe childhood epilepsy

Researchers identify five new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio

TSRI study shows how aging affects brain's neural circuitry

MD Anderson collaborates with Johnson & Johnson to develop immunology-based cancer treatments

Hydroxytyrosol in olive oil may help reduce risk of breast cancer

NCCC physicians use new gene sequencing equipment for testing abnormal DNA in cancerous tumor cells

Scientists develop new genetic platform that yields novel antibiotic from ocean bacteria

Researchers find that 20% of women with ovarian cancer had inherited mutations in gene pathway

Clinician scientist receives RPB Career Development Award to support eye research

Chinese and American researchers introduce new approach to gene therapy

Blood methylome offers clues to schizophrenia

Advanced melanoma treatments: an interview with Dr. James Larkin, Consultant Medical Oncologist, The Royal Marsden

EKF Diagnostics announces major breakthrough for PointMan DNA enrichment technology

Joint research program in SMA enters initial stage of clinical development

UT Southwestern' faculty receives Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award for contributions to understanding of autophagy

Clues of "silent thief of sight”: Glaucoma

Researchers demonstrate existence of an epigenetic lesion in hippocampus of Alzheimer patients

Researchers suggest new targets may provide druggable alternatives to Ewing's Sarcoma

Diagnostic microRNA panels in blood may help in early detection of pancreatic cancer

Mutation in bone cells may cause acute myeloid leukemia: Study

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

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Scaling organ‑chip technology for human‑relevant drug discovery

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