Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

Numerous studies have shown that the brain molecule neuropeptide Y (NPY) helps to restore calm after stressful events. A team of University of Michigan-led researchers has now found that people whose genes predispose them to produce lower levels of NPY are more responsive to negative stimuli in key brain circuits related to emotion - and are therefore less resilient in the face of stress and may be at higher risk for developing a major depressive disorder.

8 Feb 2011

Munich research team provides promising alternative to DNA-based procedures

Defects in the genome are the cause of many diseases. Gene therapy - direct replacement of mutant genes by intact DNA copies - offers a means of correcting such defects. Now a research team based at the Medical Center of the University of Munich, and led by Privatdozent Dr. Carsten Rudolph, has taken a new approach that avoids DNA delivery.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers identify enzyme that protects against inflammation, joint destruction

A team of researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, has identified an enzyme that protects against inflammation and joint destruction. Made when the researchers blocked production of the enzyme GGTase-I in transgenic mice, this unexpected discovery could lead to the identification of new mechanisms that control the development of inflammatory disorders, as well as new medicines.

8 Feb 2011

Immune system genes linked to personality traits, mental illness and suicidal behaviour

Genes linked to the immune system can affect healthy people's personality traits as well as the risk of developing mental illness and suicidal behaviour, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

8 Feb 2011

Researchers identify CHK1 protein may serve as treatment target for neuroblastoma

After analyzing hundreds of proteins produced by the DNA of tumor cells, researchers have identified one protein that may be central to a new treatment for the often-fatal childhood cancer neuroblastoma. Oncologists hope to translate the finding into pediatric clinical trials of a drug that blocks the protein's activity.

7 Feb 2011

Abbott launches PLEX-ID Biothreat Assay to detect, distinguish 17 different pathogens

Abbott announced today that it has introduced the PLEX-ID Biothreat Assay, which is designed to detect and distinguish 17 different biothreat pathogens.

7 Feb 2011

PharmaMar initiates PM060184 Phase I clinical trial in patients with solid tumors

PharmaMar SA has announced the commencement of a Phase I clinical trial with PM060184 for patients with solid tumors. PM060184 is a marine-derived, synthetically-produced compound which has shown strong in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity and a favorable safety profile in preclinical toxicology studies. PM060184 is PharmaMar's sixth compound in clinical development.

7 Feb 2011

XDx and LabCorp enter non-hospital provider agreement for AlloMap molecular expression tests

XDx, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company focused on noninvasive gene expression tests to monitor immune-mediated conditions, today announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings to provide heart transplant patients eligible for XDx's AlloMap® test with the convenience of having their blood drawn at participating LabCorp sites across the United States.

7 Feb 2011

Human Vaccines journal publishes paper on Inovio's new DNA vaccine delivery technology

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that its new generation DNA vaccine delivery technology, which provides the powerful enabling capabilities of electroporation without contacting the skin, is highlighted in a paper published in the scientific journal Human Vaccines.

7 Feb 2011

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

DermTech International, a biotechnology company dedicated to bringing genomic medicine to dermatologists, today announced that the discovery data on its new genomic assay for melanoma have been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

7 Feb 2011

Genomic study identifies link between Native American ancestry, relapse in young leukemia patients

The first genome-wide study to demonstrate an inherited genetic basis for racial and ethnic disparities in cancer survival linked Native American ancestry with an increased risk of relapse in young leukemia patients. The work was done by investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Children's Oncology Group.

6 Feb 2011

Technique that cleared mouse of HIV-like virus sparks hope for new therapy

In a breakthrough, Australian researchers have developed a method to boost the immune system. This technique is seen to be capable of clearing an “HIV-like” infection from a mouse. This could in future lead to a cure for HIV and other chronic viral infections in humans. The findings from Melbourne’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are centred on a naturally occurring cell signalling hormone called interleukin-7 (IL-7).

6 Feb 2011

Researchers describe the complete genome of Daphnia

From an environmental perspective, Daphnia pulex -- the waterflea - is the best-studied organism on the planet. Scientists know how this species responds to pollution, predators, day and night, making it an important model for ecological and evolutionary research. Its genome, however, remained elusive, limiting understanding of how the environment and genes interact.

5 Feb 2011

Researchers find RIPs remain active, continue to produce new insertions in human genome

An ambitious hunt by Johns Hopkins scientists for actively "jumping genes" in humans has yielded compelling new evidence that the genome, anything but static, contains numerous pesky mobile elements that may help to explain why people have such a variety of physical traits and disease risks.

5 Feb 2011

Partek signs distribution agreement with Life Technologies

Partek Incorporated, a global leader in bioinformatics software, announced today the signing of a distribution agreement with Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of next-generation DNA sequencing technology. The agreement makes Partek Genomics Suite available through Life Technologies as a featured solution for analyzing data generated by Life Technologies' next-generation sequencing devices.

5 Feb 2011

Lack of DOT1L enzyme could lead to some types of heart disease: Study

Everyone knows chocolate is critical to a happy Valentine's Day. Now scientists are one step closer to knowing what makes a heart happy the rest of the year.

5 Feb 2011

Scientists discover how stressed cells boost thrombin production

In our not-so-distant evolutionary past, stress often meant imminent danger, and the risk of blood loss, so part of our body's stress response is to stock-pile blood-clotting factors. Scientists in the Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, a collaboration between the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, and the University of Heidelberg Medical Centre, have discovered how stressed cells boost the production of the key blood-clotting factor, thrombin.

4 Feb 2011

Study: 7% biodiesel blended in regular diesel does not cause greater health risks than pure fossil diesel

Up to seven per cent biodiesel blended in regular diesel will presumably not cause greater health risks for the population than the use of pure fossil diesel. This is the main conclusion in a memorandum from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Climate and Pollution Control Agency (formerly SFT) to the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of the Environment in Norway.

4 Feb 2011

Lampreys may have dual immune defense system similar to that of humans

Biologists have discovered that primitive, predatory lampreys have structures within their gills that play the same role as the thymus, the organ where immune cells called T cells develop in mammals, birds and fish.

4 Feb 2011

Scientists discover how stressed cells boost production of key blood-clotting factor, thrombin

Scientists in a collaboration between EMBL Heidelberg and the University of Heidelberg Medical Centre have discovered how stressed cells boost the production of the key blood-clotting factor, thrombin. Their work, published today in Molecular Cell, shows how cancer cells may be taking advantage of this process, and opens new possibilities for fighting back against cancer and septicaemia.

4 Feb 2011

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study identifies genetic variation linked with increased risk of major depression

Munich research team provides promising alternative to DNA-based procedures

Researchers identify enzyme that protects against inflammation, joint destruction

Immune system genes linked to personality traits, mental illness and suicidal behaviour

Researchers identify CHK1 protein may serve as treatment target for neuroblastoma

Abbott launches PLEX-ID Biothreat Assay to detect, distinguish 17 different pathogens

PharmaMar initiates PM060184 Phase I clinical trial in patients with solid tumors

XDx and LabCorp enter non-hospital provider agreement for AlloMap molecular expression tests

Human Vaccines journal publishes paper on Inovio's new DNA vaccine delivery technology

British Journal of Dermatology publishes data on DermTech's new genomic assay for melanoma

Genomic study identifies link between Native American ancestry, relapse in young leukemia patients

Technique that cleared mouse of HIV-like virus sparks hope for new therapy

Researchers describe the complete genome of Daphnia

Researchers find RIPs remain active, continue to produce new insertions in human genome

Partek signs distribution agreement with Life Technologies

Lack of DOT1L enzyme could lead to some types of heart disease: Study

Scientists discover how stressed cells boost thrombin production

Study: 7% biodiesel blended in regular diesel does not cause greater health risks than pure fossil diesel

Lampreys may have dual immune defense system similar to that of humans

Scientists discover how stressed cells boost production of key blood-clotting factor, thrombin

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