Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study links progressive osteoarthritis to IL-1Ra gene variations

Scientists from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today findings from a large clinical study to evaluate the role played by genetic factors in the worsening of osteoarthritis.

22 Sep 2010

New provincial framework released to improve patient safety for Albertans

A new provincial framework released today will guide, direct and support continuous and measureable improvement of patient safety for Albertans. The purpose of the framework is to develop and advance patient safety strategies in Alberta's health care system with the goal of creating a safer system.

21 Sep 2010

New genes associated with osteoarthritis progression

21 Sep 2010

Celera receives patent on KIF6 gene variant

Celera Corporation today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued United States Patent 7,799,530 relating to methods of determining heart attack risk by detecting the KIF6 gene variant and reduction of such increased risk by statin therapy.

21 Sep 2010

FDA grants orphan drug designation for MultiStem stem cell therapy

Athersys, Inc. announced today that MultiStem, Athersys' multipotent adult progenitor stem cell therapy, has been granted orphan drug designation by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration for the prevention of graft vs. host disease (GvHD).

21 Sep 2010

Study reveals molecular steps for pneumonia therapy

A structural molecule and the cellular pump that regulates its levels influence the severity of pneumonia and could provide new ways of treating the lung infection, which is a leading cause of hospitalization and death, according to scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Iowa. Their findings are available online in Nature Medicine.

21 Sep 2010

Alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson's disease inhibits autophagy: Research

A protein linked to Parkinson's disease may cause neurodegeneration by inhibiting autophagy-the process in which cells digest some of their contents-according to a study in the September 20 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology

21 Sep 2010

Inovio Pharmaceuticals completes enrollment for PENNVAX-B vaccine Phase I clinical study

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today the Phase I clinical study assessing Inovio's PENNVAX-B DNA vaccine delivered using its proprietary electroporation technology in a preventive setting has fully completed the enrollment of 48 healthy volunteers. The multi-center study is being conducted by Inovio's clinical collaborator, the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), at several clinical sites under a protocol designated HVTN-080.

21 Sep 2010

Enzo Biochem streamlines operations, expects gross margin improvements

Enzo Biochem, Inc., announced today that it has streamlined its operations, which is anticipated to result in a reduction in annualized operating expenses of more than $4 million beginning in the fiscal 2011 first quarter. These initiatives are also expected to result in increased gross margins. The Company believes that the operating cost reductions, which affect all of its operating businesses as well as corporate overhead, will result in Enzo generating positive cash flow from operations in 2011.

21 Sep 2010

FDA accepts IND application for vaccine candidate based on iBioLaunch technology platform

iBio, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted an Investigational New Drug (IND) application filed for a vaccine candidate made with the Company's proprietary transformative technology, the iBioLaunch technology platform. The candidate vaccine was manufactured by iBio's research collaborator, Fraunhofer Center for Molecular Biotechnology (FCMB), in its cGMP pilot manufacturing facility in Newark, Delaware.

21 Sep 2010

Six3 gene safeguards future retina

New research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators adds to evidence that the Six3 gene functions like a doorman in the developing brain and visual system, safeguarding the future retina by keeping the region where the eye is forming free of a signaling protein capable of disrupting the process.

21 Sep 2010

Gene links to ovarian cancer and diagnostic delays

According to the latest research a group of genes may help predict a woman's risk of developing ovarian cancer. Studies have also shown that breast and ovarian cancer may share some of the same genetic risk factors.

20 Sep 2010

Researchers identify protein essential for dendritic cell development

A protein called PU.1 is essential for the development of dendritic cells, the sentinels of the immune system, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have shown.

20 Sep 2010

MJFF selects Epitomics to distribute LRRK2 monoclonal antibodies

Epitomics, Inc. today announced that The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) has chosen the company to distribute a panel of LRRK2 monoclonal antibodies that were developed under an agreement between the two parties. Under a special arrangement the antibodies are being provided at low cost to the entire PD research community to help advance LRRK2 therapeutic development efforts. The antibodies will be available to Parkinson's researchers in academic/nonprofit and industry labs on a worldwide basis.

20 Sep 2010

Abbott to commercialize Celera's CE-marked KIF6 genotyping assay outside U.S.

Celera Corporation and Abbott today announced that they have signed an exclusive distribution agreement to market Celera's CE-marked KIF6 diagnostic test for use on Abbott's CE-marked m2000™ instrument system. The KIF6 genotyping assay detects a genetic marker that may be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation and patient assessment for the identification of individuals at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), and in patients for whom statin treatment is being considered.

20 Sep 2010

MultiStem multipotent adult progenitor cell therapy preserves 'blood brain barrier'

Athersys, Inc. announced today the publication of a key study in the October issue of Experimental Neurology conducted by researchers at Athersys, the University of Texas Medical School, the Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, and Texas A&M University.

20 Sep 2010

Myrexis releases MPC-9528 cancer metabolism inhibitor preclinical study results

Myrexis, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel treatments for cancer, today announced key findings from preclinical studies of the Company's novel cancer metabolism inhibitor (CMI), MPC-9528, at the Cancer and Metabolism Pathways to the Future Symposium in Edinburgh, Scotland.

20 Sep 2010

Cellectis bioresearch, Helix Biocon collaborate to promote cGPS service in India

Cellectis bioresearch, the specialist in genome customization and subsidiary of Cellectis and Helix BioService & Consultants Pvt Ltd (Helix Biocon), today announced that they will join forces for the promotion of Cellectis bioresearch's meganuclease-based products and services in India.

20 Sep 2010

Gene deletion may make you smarter: Study

A new study has shown that switching off a single gene in mice unlocks a part of their brain that is otherwise inactive, boosting learning and memory. Considering the fact that humans have a similar gene, this sparks hope for many especially those who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

20 Sep 2010

BRCA1 gene mutation increases breast cancer risk: Research

Individuals with disrupting mutations in the BRCA1 gene are known to be at substantially increased risk of breast cancer throughout their lives. Now, discoveries from an international research team led by Mayo Clinic researchers show that some of those persons may possess additional genetic variants that modify their risk. These new findings enhancing individualized medicine appear in the current Nature Genetics.

20 Sep 2010