Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

As tumors grow, their centers are squeezed of oxygen. And so tumors must flip specific genetic switches to survive in these hypoxic environments.

10 Jun 2013

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Uterine leiomyomata, or fibroids, are benign tumours that nevertheless affect the health of millions of women. They may cause, for instance, pain, bleeding and infertility. Fibroids are also the most common reason for a hysterectomy; for example, some 8,000 hysterectomies are made in Finland each year.

10 Jun 2013

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have uncovered a mechanism that guides the exquisite wiring of neural circuits in a developing brain -- gaining unprecedented insight into the faulty circuits that may lead to brain disorders ranging from autism to mental retardation.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers find new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of epidermolysis bullosa patients

A research team led by pediatric blood and marrow transplantation experts Mark Osborn, Ph.D. and Jakub Tolar, M.D., Ph.D. from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, have discovered a remarkable new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of patients with the skin disease epidermolysis bullosa.

10 Jun 2013

Discovery of impaired molecular pathway may help treat children with leukemia

Through genetic engineering of laboratory models, researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center have uncovered a vulnerability in the way cancer cells diverge from normal regenerating cells that may help treat children with leukemia as reported in the journal PNAS on June 3, 2013.

7 Jun 2013

New gene variant found in human and animal tissue offers a promising treatment for cancer

A novel gene variant found in human and animal tissue may be a promising treatment for cancer, including breast and brain cancer, according to scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

7 Jun 2013

Researchers mobilize brain's native stem cells to replenish neuron lost in Huntington's disease

Researchers have been able to mobilize the brain's native stem cells to replenish a type of neuron lost in Huntington's disease.

7 Jun 2013

Genetic testing of chronic neutrophilic leukemia reveals presence of new mutation in patients

A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine describes genetic testing of a rare blood cancer called atypical chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) that revealed a new mutation present in most patients with the disease.

7 Jun 2013

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

Human Argonautes (hAgo), are key proteins involved in a process known as RNA interference. RNAi, as it is often called, is a mechanism that cells use to regulate gene expression.

7 Jun 2013

Researcher studies mechanism of s-looping to prevent heart abnormalities in infants

Ashok Ramasubramanian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Union College, believes that the study of the tiny tubes that make up the embryonic heart offers new hope to babies born with heart abnormalities. So, he's looking to chicken embryos for clues. Ramasubramanian's findings were published in the April 2013 issue of Developmental Dynamics.

7 Jun 2013

Cow antibodies points to new ways for making human medicines

Humans have been raising cows for their meat, hides and milk for millennia. Now it appears that the cow immune system also has something to offer. A new study led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) focusing on an extraordinary family of cow antibodies points to new ways to make human medicines.

7 Jun 2013

Researchers demonstrate how young genes acquire essential functions

Researchers from UConn and other institutions in the U.S. and abroad have shown how a relatively young gene can acquire a new function and become essential to an organism's life.

7 Jun 2013

Diagnoplex secures 1.3 million Swiss francs from financing round

Diagnoplex SA, a developer of molecular diagnostics for colon cancer and Debiopharm Diagnostics SA, part of the Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies Debiopharm Group™, with a focus on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, including oncology and companion diagnostics, today announced that Diagnoplex has secured 1.3 million Swiss francs from a financing round led by Debiopharm.

7 Jun 2013

Changes in normal glycan behavior lead to fatal lysosomal disease, say researchers

From the neurons that enable thought to the keratinocytes that make toenails grow-a complex canopy of sugar molecules, commonly known as glycans, envelop every living cell in the human body.

6 Jun 2013

Researchers discover TRF1 gene that is important for nuclear reprogramming

Researchers are still fascinated by the idea of the possibility of reprogramming the cells of any tissue, turning them into cells with the capacity to differentiate into cells of a completely different type- pluripotent cells-and they are still striving to understand how it happens.

6 Jun 2013

Medicago reports positive interim results from preclinical trial for H7 VLP vaccine candidate

Medicago Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles, today reported positive interim results from a preclinical trial for an H7N9 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine candidate ("H7 vaccine").

6 Jun 2013

RXi Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies of RXI-109

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies addressing major unmet medical needs using RNA-targeted technologies, today announced the unblinded results of the first of their 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies in volunteers with their anti-scarring agent RXI-109, a proprietary sd-rxRNA compound that has been shown in vitro and in animals to reduce mRNA for connective tissue growth factor.

6 Jun 2013

Findings have implications for potential gene therapies for autism spectrum disorders

A gene linked to autism spectrum disorders that was manipulated in two lines of transgenic mice produced mature adults with irreversible deficits affecting either learning or social interaction.

6 Jun 2013

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

How and when evolution generates diversity or gives form to proteins, living beings' functional building blocks, are essential questions that still surround the theory of evolution. In humans, the majority of genes have emerged via genetic duplication, a strategy in which a gene generates two identical copies that can evolve to generate different proteins.

6 Jun 2013

Scientists suggest that Oprl1 receptor is altered in mice with PTSD-like symptoms

When injected into mice immediately following a traumatic event, a new drug prevents the animals from developing memory problems and increased anxiety that are indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder.

6 Jun 2013

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

New findings suggest development of pharmacological treatments for uterine leiomyomata

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Researchers find new way to repair genetic defects in the skin cells of epidermolysis bullosa patients

Discovery of impaired molecular pathway may help treat children with leukemia

New gene variant found in human and animal tissue offers a promising treatment for cancer

Researchers mobilize brain's native stem cells to replenish neuron lost in Huntington's disease

Genetic testing of chronic neutrophilic leukemia reveals presence of new mutation in patients

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

Researcher studies mechanism of s-looping to prevent heart abnormalities in infants

Cow antibodies points to new ways for making human medicines

Researchers demonstrate how young genes acquire essential functions

Diagnoplex secures 1.3 million Swiss francs from financing round

Changes in normal glycan behavior lead to fatal lysosomal disease, say researchers

Researchers discover TRF1 gene that is important for nuclear reprogramming

Medicago reports positive interim results from preclinical trial for H7 VLP vaccine candidate

RXi Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies of RXI-109

Findings have implications for potential gene therapies for autism spectrum disorders

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

Scientists suggest that Oprl1 receptor is altered in mice with PTSD-like symptoms

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

How Pulp Fixin Is Turning Paper into High-Performance Sustainable Labware

A new method to measure intracellular water in biological systems

Obesity, GLP-1s, and metabolic care