Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Viewpoints: Finding a plan for 'tinkering with DNA'; fact-checking claims of ACA losses; pediatricians' fears of retail clinics

The manipulation of human genes could lead to profound advances in our ability to cure or prevent terrible diseases. But in some cases, it might also mean introducing genetic material that could be passed from one generation to the next, changing the human gene pool in a manner that could inadvertently harm peoples' health.

26 Feb 2014

Study highlights the importance of personalized medicine for treating cancer

If a driver is traveling to New York City, I-95 might be their route of choice. But they could also take I-78, I-87 or any number of alternate routes. Most cancers begin similarly, with many possible routes to the same disease. A new study found evidence that assessing the route to cancer on a case-by-case basis might make more sense than basing a patient's cancer treatment on commonly disrupted genes and pathways.

26 Feb 2014

FDA approves KALYDECO for people with cystic fibrosis

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for KALYDECOTM (ivacaftor) for people with cystic fibrosis (CF) ages 6 and older who have one of eight additional mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. KALYDECO was first approved in January 2012 for people with CF ages 6 and older who have at least one copy of the G551D mutation.

26 Feb 2014

Scales of zebrafish suitable for identifying new drugs for treating bone diseases

The scales of the zebrafish are very suitable for identifying potential new drugs for treating bone diseases. This is good news because it means fewer mice and rats will be needed for that work.

26 Feb 2014

Study identifies enzyme with key role in precancerous lesions

Cancer of the pancreas is usually not detected until it's too late to cure. But precursor lesions that form in the pancreas and its ducts can signal the disease before it strikes, and when caught early enough, they can be prevented from progressing to become cancer.

26 Feb 2014

Preventive oophorectomy reduces risks of ovarian, breast cancers in women with BRCA mutation

Women who carry a BRCA gene mutation and opt for a preventive oophorectomy, or ovary removal surgery, have a 77 per cent lower risk of death than those who do not, according to a new study led by Women's College Hospital's Amy Finch and Dr. Steven Narod.

26 Feb 2014

Researcher isolates gene thought to play role in development of Alzheimer's disease

A team of international scientists, including a researcher from Simon Fraser University, has isolated a gene thought to play a causal role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences recently published the team's study.

26 Feb 2014

Isis Pharmaceuticals provides update on ISIS-SMNRx Phase 2 study in infants with SMA

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today provided an update on its ongoing open label, multiple dose Phase 2 study of ISIS-SMNRx in infants with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

25 Feb 2014

Researchers use new tools to measure and track B-12 vitamins in the ocean

The phrase, 'Eat your vitamins,' applies to marine animals just like humans. Many vitamins, including B-12, are elusive in the ocean environment.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers find that single genetic mutation causes resistance to DDT and pyrethroids

Researchers from LSTM have found that a single genetic mutation causes resistance to DDT and pyrethroids (an insecticide class used in mosquito nets). With the continuing rise of resistance the research, published in the journal Genome Biology, is key as scientists say that this knowledge could help improve malaria control strategies.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers develop novel technique for detecting ALK rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancers

Researchers have developed a novel technique for detecting ALK rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that is more sensitive and easier to perform than currently available techniques.

25 Feb 2014

Researchers discover how brain cells change during learning and memories

A new University of British Columbia study identifies an important molecular change that occurs in the brain when we learn and remember.

25 Feb 2014

European Commission invests nearly $475 million in gene transfer and gene therapy projects

Over the past three funding stages, the European Commission has invested nearly $475 million in 100 projects in the gene transfer and gene therapy field.

25 Feb 2014

New research shows that saturated fat builds more fat, less muscle than polyunsaturated fat

New research from Uppsala University shows that saturated fat builds more fat and less muscle than polyunsaturated fat. This is the first study on humans to show that the fat composition of food not only influences cholesterol levels in the blood and the risk of cardiovascular disease but also determines where the fat will be stored in the body.

25 Feb 2014

IRSF announces new research grants for translational research program and clinical trials

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) announces today ten (10) new research grants at leading global research institutions; a new Translational Research Program; and additional funding for current human clinical trials.

24 Feb 2014

NCI recommends renewal for Wistar's Support Grant with award of $14.9M

After an extensive review by a panel of top cancer experts, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) rated The Wistar Institute Cancer Center as "exceptional" and recommended renewal for Wistar's Support Grant with an award of $14.9 million over the next five years.

24 Feb 2014

IIN collaborates with Nanyang Technological University to establish Nanomedicine

Northwestern University's International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN) is collaborating with Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, to establish the NTU-Northwestern Institute for Nanomedicine.

24 Feb 2014

Cell therapy: A powerful treatment for cancer patients

Investigators from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have reported more encouraging news about one of the most exciting methods of cancer treatment today. The largest clinical study ever conducted to date of patients with advanced leukemia found that 88 percent achieved complete remissions after being treated with genetically modified versions of their own immune cells.

24 Feb 2014

Researchers find new drug compound that treats laboratory mice with congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease is the most common form of birth defect, affecting one out of every 125 babies, according to the National Institutes of Health. Researchers from the University of Missouri recently found success using a drug to treat laboratory mice with one form of congenital heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a weakening of the heart caused by abnormally thick muscle.

23 Feb 2014

Genetic study reveals 11 new genetic signals are associated with blood pressure levels

A large international study analyzing genes in tens of thousands of individuals has discovered 11 new genetic signals associated with blood pressure levels. Ten of those signals are in or very near genes encoding proteins that appear to be likely targets for drugs already in existence or in development.

21 Feb 2014

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Viewpoints: Finding a plan for 'tinkering with DNA'; fact-checking claims of ACA losses; pediatricians' fears of retail clinics

Study highlights the importance of personalized medicine for treating cancer

FDA approves KALYDECO for people with cystic fibrosis

Scales of zebrafish suitable for identifying new drugs for treating bone diseases

Study identifies enzyme with key role in precancerous lesions

Preventive oophorectomy reduces risks of ovarian, breast cancers in women with BRCA mutation

Researcher isolates gene thought to play role in development of Alzheimer's disease

Isis Pharmaceuticals provides update on ISIS-SMNRx Phase 2 study in infants with SMA

Researchers use new tools to measure and track B-12 vitamins in the ocean

Researchers find that single genetic mutation causes resistance to DDT and pyrethroids

Researchers develop novel technique for detecting ALK rearrangements in non-small cell lung cancers

Researchers discover how brain cells change during learning and memories

European Commission invests nearly $475 million in gene transfer and gene therapy projects

New research shows that saturated fat builds more fat, less muscle than polyunsaturated fat

IRSF announces new research grants for translational research program and clinical trials

NCI recommends renewal for Wistar's Support Grant with award of $14.9M

IIN collaborates with Nanyang Technological University to establish Nanomedicine

Cell therapy: A powerful treatment for cancer patients

Researchers find new drug compound that treats laboratory mice with congenital heart disease

Genetic study reveals 11 new genetic signals are associated with blood pressure levels

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