Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Cancer immunotherapy named 2013 Breakthrough of the Year by journal Science

Detect. Destroy. Remember. The mantra of the immune system's relentless campaign against infectious invaders and the body's own abnormal cells finally is applying to cancer in meaningful ways.

28 Dec 2013

CotH protein mediates fungal invasion of host cells during mucormycosis

Opportunistic infection of individuals on immunosuppressive therapy are a major problem for patient outcome, despite current prophylactic strategies.

27 Dec 2013

Researchers study health consequences of RTE proliferation that occurs in aging tissues

The genomes of organisms from humans to corn are replete with "parasitic" strands of DNA that, when not suppressed, copy themselves and spread throughout the genome, potentially affecting health. Earlier this year Brown University researchers found that these "retrotransposable elements" were increasingly able to break free of the genome's control in cultures of human cells.

27 Dec 2013

Research: Neuropeptides may serve as index for evaluating early peripheral nerve injury

Substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide are the main neuropeptides in peripheral nerve ganglia, which can anterogradely transmit nociceptive information to the central nervous system.

27 Dec 2013

Stem cell-based gene therapy shows long-term outcomes for treatment of genetic skin diseases

Stem cell-based gene therapy holds promise for the treatment of devastating genetic skin diseases, but the long-term clinical outcomes of this approach have been unclear.

27 Dec 2013

Scientists find inhibiting action of BRD4 protein may eradicate rare type of soft-tissue cancer

A deadly, rare type of soft-tissue cancer may be completely eradicated simply by inhibiting a key protein involved in its growth, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report.

27 Dec 2013

Magnetic nanoparticles-based method uses saliva to screen DNA polymorphism in stroke patients

C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is a risk factor for stroke. Studies have report a higher C677T homozygosity frequency in Chinese than in Europeans. Usually, the detection of genetic diseases is rather complicated on a large scale owing to the invasive sampling and a cumbersome DNA extraction process.

27 Dec 2013

THRIL could be novel biomarker for immune activation, potential target for inflammatory diseases

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute scientists have discovered a new molecule that forms when certain white blood cells-macrophages-are stimulated in response to pathogens.

27 Dec 2013

Transient receptor potential channel A1 causes calcitonin gene-related peptide release in neurons

Transient receptor potential channel A1 is one of the important transducers of noxious stimuli in the primary afferents, which may contribute to generation of neurogenic inflammation and hyperalgesia.

26 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

An international team of researchers in Mexico and the United States has uncovered a new genetic clue that contributes to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly the elevated risk among Mexican and other Latin American populations.

26 Dec 2013

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

Researchers from the Boston area, Mexico, and Norway have completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations. The study identified recurrent genetic mutations not previously found in cervical cancer, including at least one for which targeted treatments have been approved for other forms of cancer.

25 Dec 2013

Cell transplantation, gene therapy combination to open new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease

In a recent study published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 33, 2013), Prof. Feng Li and team from Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University in China, synthesized a 19-nt oligonucleotide targeting BACE1, the key enzyme in amyloid beta protein (Aβ) production, and introduced it into the pSilenCircle vector to construct a short hairpin (shRNA) expression plasmid against the BACE1 gene.

24 Dec 2013

Fluidigm announces universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing

Fluidigm Corporation today announced a universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing that runs on its C1TM Single-Cell Auto Prep System. This workflow streamlines targeted, whole exome and whole genome sequencing in heterogeneous cell populations and enables researchers to discover and screen somatic mutations, such as SNP, small indels, and translocations.

24 Dec 2013

Study finds link between genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to influenza vaccine

A new study has identified a link between certain genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to an influenza vaccine. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that testosterone levels may partially explain why men often have weaker responses to vaccines than women.

24 Dec 2013

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Changes to a gene called LZTR1 predispose people to develop a rare disorder where multiple tumors called schwannomas form near nerve pathways, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Genetics and led by researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

24 Dec 2013

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

Working in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report developing a gene delivery method long sought in the field of gene therapy: a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest that can be injected into the bloodstream and make its way to the right cells.

24 Dec 2013

Variation in oxytocin receptor gene influences face recognition skills, study finds

New findings suggest the oxytocin receptor, a gene known to influence mother-infant bonding and pair bonding in monogamous species, also plays a special role in the ability to remember faces. This research has important implications for disorders in which social information processing is disrupted, including autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the finding may lead to new strategies for improving social cognition in several psychiatric disorders.

24 Dec 2013

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Researchers have developed a method to create a comprehensive library of mutations across all genes in the mouse genome. This library can be used to examine the role of every gene in different cell types.

23 Dec 2013

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

The role of microRNAs is fundamental for the correct moment-to-moment adjustment in the expression of target genes. "Before this study, we already knew that these small molecules could be packaged into small vesicles and exported to the extracellular space, to be later captured by other cells and in this way play an important role in intercellular communication," explains CNIC researcher Carolina Villarroya, the first author on the study.

23 Dec 2013

PAZ extracts may be useful option for improving plasma cholesterol profile

Health Enhancement Products, Inc., in conjunction with Wayne State University's Department of Nutrition and Food Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, announces the publication of a scientific article in the Journal of Nutrition & Metabolism, "ProAlgaZyme sub-fraction improves the lipoprotein profile of hypercholesterolemic hamsters, while inhibiting production of betaine, carnitine, and choline metabolites."

22 Dec 2013

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Cancer immunotherapy named 2013 Breakthrough of the Year by journal Science

CotH protein mediates fungal invasion of host cells during mucormycosis

Researchers study health consequences of RTE proliferation that occurs in aging tissues

Research: Neuropeptides may serve as index for evaluating early peripheral nerve injury

Stem cell-based gene therapy shows long-term outcomes for treatment of genetic skin diseases

Scientists find inhibiting action of BRD4 protein may eradicate rare type of soft-tissue cancer

Magnetic nanoparticles-based method uses saliva to screen DNA polymorphism in stroke patients

THRIL could be novel biomarker for immune activation, potential target for inflammatory diseases

Transient receptor potential channel A1 causes calcitonin gene-related peptide release in neurons

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

Cell transplantation, gene therapy combination to open new therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer's disease

Fluidigm announces universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing

Study finds link between genes affected by testosterone and antibody responses to influenza vaccine

Changes to LZTR1 gene predispose people to develop schwannomas

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

Variation in oxytocin receptor gene influences face recognition skills, study finds

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Finding suggests new route for packaging RNA molecules of interest into nanovesicles

PAZ extracts may be useful option for improving plasma cholesterol profile

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