Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

US PTO grants new allowances to intellectual property covering Neurologix' GAD based delivery systems

Neurologix, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the development of innovative therapies for the brain and central nervous system, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (US PTO) has expanded the intellectual property protections enabled by a previously issued patent that is central to Neurologix’s Parkinson’s disease program. The new allowances to U.S. Patent Number 765,446, entitled “Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) based delivery systems,” broaden the patent’s coverage beyond Parkinson’s disease to include the use of GAD65 in the treatment of other neurological and related disorders.

27 Jan 2010

New technology could aid in developing novel drugs and future gene therapies

Researchers in Manchester have successfully carried out the first rewire of genetic switches, creating what could be a vital tool for the development of new drugs and even future gene therapies.

From The University of Manchester 27 Jan 2010

Researchers identify new drugs to protect brain cells from neurological disease

Researchers have identified a compound that mimics one of the brain's own growth factors and can protect brain cells against damage in several animal models of neurological disease.

27 Jan 2010

Findings provide new insight into factors causing neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at the Babraham Institute have discovered a novel survival factor whose rapid transport along nerve cells is crucial for keeping them alive. The same factor seems likely to be needed to keep our nerves healthy as we age.

27 Jan 2010

Study shows congenital HGH deficiency has no effect on normal lifespan

People profoundly deficient in human growth hormone (HGH) due to a genetic mutation appear to live just as long as people who make normal amounts of the hormone, a new study shows. The findings suggest that HGH may not be the "fountain of youth" that some researchers have suggested.

27 Jan 2010

Update on Cardium Therapeutics' plans for commercial development of Generx

Cardium Therapeutics reported today that its Cardium Biologics division provided an update on plans for the continuing commercial development of Generx™ (alferminogene tadenovec, Ad5FGF-4), a DNA-based angiogenic therapy product candidate for patients with coronary artery disease.

27 Jan 2010

UF researchers work out to find new treatments for Pompe disease

As scientists work to find new treatments for Pompe disease - the devastating genetic "villain" that drives the efforts of the main characters in the new film "Extraordinary Measures" - University of Florida researchers are hopeful that gene therapy will help patients in the late stages of the disease breathe on their own.

27 Jan 2010

UCSB research: Rapamycin drug, a potential treatment for ADPKD

Research performed at UC Santa Barbara points to the drug rapamycin as a potential treatment for kidney disease. The study builds on past research and shows that studies performed on mice are more likely to translate to humans than previously thought.

27 Jan 2010

Promising results in mice could prevent fatal iron buildup in humans

A new study shows that a protein found in blood alleviates anemia, a condition in which the body's tissues don't get enough oxygen from the blood. In this animal study, injections of the protein, known as transferrin, also protected against potentially fatal iron overload in mice with thalassemia, a type of inherited anemia that affects millions of people worldwide.

27 Jan 2010

Quest Diagnostics announces 2.8% increase in revenues for full-year 2009

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced that for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, income from continuing operations increased to $182 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, compared to $170 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, in 2008. The quarter included a $0.04 per share charge associated with the early extinguishment of debt, which was offset by certain non-recurring tax benefits totaling $0.04 per share.

From Quest Diagnostics 25 Jan 2010

IntegraGen now offers Fluidigm's IFC technology to French researchers

Fluidigm, the inventor of integrated fluidic circuits (IFCs), has joined with IntegraGen SA, one of France’s leading providers of genetic research testing services, to bring IFC technology to French researchers. IntegraGen will offer premium class services to its customers using the Fluidigm BioMark™ System for Genetic Analysis and the Access Array™ sample preparation system for next-generation sequencing. IntegraGen’s lab will also be a demonstration site for researchers investigating Fluidigm’s technology.

25 Jan 2010

Halozyme Therapeutics and BioAtla sign research collaboration agreement

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products targeting the extracellular matrix, today announced the signing of an exclusive, worldwide, contract research collaboration agreement with BioAtla, LLC for the development of novel high throughput recombinant protein screening libraries directed against targets in oncology, aesthetic dermatology and inflammation.

25 Jan 2010

AMT reaches another milestone in the official marketing authorisation process for Glybera

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in the field of human gene therapy, has reached another important milestone in the official marketing authorisation process for its lead product Glybera(R), AMT's proprietary product for lipoprotein lipase deficiency (LPLD).

25 Jan 2010

Researchers identify new gene signature that predicts cancer recurrence in certain breast tumors

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have discovered a gene activity signature that predicts a high risk of cancer recurrence in certain breast tumors that have been treated with commonly used chemotherapy drugs.

24 Jan 2010

Loss of key proteins may account for molecular abnormalities associated with myotonic dystrophy

Research on the genetic defect that causes myotonic muscular dystrophy has revealed that the mutation disrupts an array of metabolic pathways in muscle cells through its effects on two key proteins.

24 Jan 2010

Study of 16INK4A gene's role in progression of retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a pediatric eye cancer initiated by the loss or mutation of both copies of the retinoblastoma gene. Current evidence suggests that additional genetic alterations are required for retinoblastoma to become fully malignant.

23 Jan 2010

Study: Warburg effect promotes rapid cell proliferation and tumor growth

A team of scientists led by Professor Adrian Krainer, Ph.D., of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has discovered molecular factors in cancer cells that boost the production of an enzyme that helps alter the cells' glucose metabolism. The altered metabolic state, called the Warburg effect, promotes extremely rapid cell proliferation and tumor growth. Adrian Krainer, Ph.D.

23 Jan 2010

Scientists map origin of MRSA, technology could help understanding of other diseases

"Scientists have found a way to track minutely-differing strains of the 'superbug' MRSA [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus] as they spread between people and across the globe, a finding that could aid efforts to control the deadly bacteria," Reuters/ABC News reports (Kelland, 1/21).

23 Jan 2010

Simple, five minute saliva test to determine baby's risk for more than 100 life-threatening genetic diseases

Genetic diseases like those seen in the new Harrison Ford movie "Extraordinary Measures" can now be prevented with a simple saliva test which is free with insurance for more than 100 million Americans.

22 Jan 2010

California Heart Center joins Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation

The California Heart Center, the cardiology group that developed the nation's largest heart transplant program, has joined the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation.

22 Jan 2010

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

US PTO grants new allowances to intellectual property covering Neurologix' GAD based delivery systems

New technology could aid in developing novel drugs and future gene therapies

Researchers identify new drugs to protect brain cells from neurological disease

Findings provide new insight into factors causing neurodegenerative diseases

Study shows congenital HGH deficiency has no effect on normal lifespan

Update on Cardium Therapeutics' plans for commercial development of Generx

UF researchers work out to find new treatments for Pompe disease

UCSB research: Rapamycin drug, a potential treatment for ADPKD

Promising results in mice could prevent fatal iron buildup in humans

Quest Diagnostics announces 2.8% increase in revenues for full-year 2009

IntegraGen now offers Fluidigm's IFC technology to French researchers

Halozyme Therapeutics and BioAtla sign research collaboration agreement

AMT reaches another milestone in the official marketing authorisation process for Glybera

Researchers identify new gene signature that predicts cancer recurrence in certain breast tumors

Loss of key proteins may account for molecular abnormalities associated with myotonic dystrophy

Study of 16INK4A gene's role in progression of retinoblastoma

Study: Warburg effect promotes rapid cell proliferation and tumor growth

Scientists map origin of MRSA, technology could help understanding of other diseases

Simple, five minute saliva test to determine baby's risk for more than 100 life-threatening genetic diseases

California Heart Center joins Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and Cedars-Sinai Medical Care Foundation

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer