Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Inhibiting miR-193a decreases tumor growth in SCC

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common type of skin cancer. In this paper, Leif Ellisen and colleagues at Mass General Hospital investigated the p53-related proteins p63 and p73 in SCC cells, and discovered a feedback loop between p63, microRNAs (miRs), and p73. In a model of SCC, they found that inhibiting one of these miRs decreased tumor growth and made the cells more sensitive to chemotherapy, highlighting a new potential therapeutic target.

11 Jan 2011

Novel scoring system identifies PTEN genetic mutation

Researchers have discovered a method for more precise identification of individuals who should undergo testing for genetic mutations of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN, which associates with a variety of conditions including several types of cancers. The research has created a diagnostic scoring system that improves on established criteria.

11 Jan 2011

QIAGEN to acquire minority stake in Alacris Theranostics

QIAGEN has signed an agreement for the acquisition of a strategic stake in Alacris Theranostics GmbH, a German start-up company using novel technologies to develop individualized cancer treatment strategies based upon a patient's genomic profile, and for the acquisition of an exclusive option to access all biomarkers emerging from this discovery program.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 11 Jan 2011

Researchers report gene therapy strategy that improves Beta Thalassemia in mice model

Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital report a gene therapy strategy that improves the condition of a mouse model of an inherited blood disorder, Beta Thalassemia.

11 Jan 2011

GSK, Epizyme enter partnership to discover, develop, and market epigenetic therapeutics

Epizyme today announced a worldwide strategic alliance with GlaxoSmithKline to discover, develop, and market novel small molecule therapeutics targeting histone methyltransferases, an important class of epigenetic enzymes, for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

11 Jan 2011

Population of highly active neurons could provide insight into neocortex

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have found that within the brain's neocortex lies a subnetwork of highly active neurons that behave much like people in social networks.

11 Jan 2011

Study: Protein that plays a key role in some antioxidant therapies can promote atherosclerosis

UCLA researchers have found that a protein that plays an important role in some antioxidant therapies may not be as effective due to additional mechanisms that cause it to promote atherosclerosis, or clogging of the arteries.

11 Jan 2011

Multiple sclerosis gene connection from women to offspring: Study

A new study has shown that women pass on the multiple sclerosis (MS) gene more commonly than men to their offspring. The team analyzed DNA of more than 7,000 people and found that women were also more likely to pass on the gene to female relatives. This may explain why women are up to three times more likely to get MS than men. The study was funded by the MS Society and led by George Ebers at Oxford University. It was published in the journal Neurology.

10 Jan 2011

All fat cells not the same

All fat cells are not the same - a fact that has implications in the understanding and treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine (www.bcm.edu) in a report that appears in the current issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (http://www.jcb.rupress.org/).

10 Jan 2011

Genetics Squared to change corporate name to Everist Genomics

Genetics Squared, a prognostics company focused on developing gene-based molecular assays for the prediction of cancer recurrence, today announced that it will change its corporate name to Everist Genomics and has appointed Prasad Sunkara, Ph.D. as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

10 Jan 2011

Sangamo completes enrollment in SB-509-901 Phase 2b clinical trial in diabetic neuropathy

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today that the company completed enrollment of its Phase 2b double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (SB-509-901) in subjects with diabetic neuropathy (DN). The company expects to have efficacy data from this study in the second half of 2011. The company also plans to present the first human clinical data from its Phase 1 trials of SB-728-T in HIV/AIDS in the first quarter of 2011.

10 Jan 2011

Illumina announces next generation of iSelect custom genotyping products

Illumina, Inc. today announced its next generation of iSelect custom genotyping products that allow researchers to design custom arrays containing from 3,000 up to 1,000,000 markers, with the flexibility to add supplemental content to their array designs.

From Illumina, Inc. 10 Jan 2011

Slowing engines of mitochondria could extend life

In making your pro-longevity resolutions, like drinking more red wine and maintaining a vibrant social network, here's one you likely forgot: dialing down your mitochondria. It turns out that slowing the engines of these tiny cellular factories could extend your life-an observation relevant not only to aging research but to our understanding of how cells communicate with each another.

10 Jan 2011

Positive preclinical results from Inovio's novel DNA vaccine targeting HIV Clade C virus

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today the publication of a scientific paper highlighting positive preclinical results from Inovio's novel DNA vaccine targeting HIV Clade C viruses in the journal Vaccine.

10 Jan 2011

AMT enters agreement with Consortium for clinical development of novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B

Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics, a leader in human gene therapy, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Institut Pasteur, Paris, France, and a group of French research institutes (together the "Consortium") to support clinical development of a novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B.

10 Jan 2011

New mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy among leukemia patients

The interplay between a major tumor-suppressing gene, a truncated chromosome and two sets of microRNAs provides a molecular basis for explaining the less aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, an international team of researchers reports today in the Jan. 4 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

10 Jan 2011

UCB, Emerald BioStructures expand collaboration for structure-based drug discovery

Emerald BioStructures, a leading provider of fragment-based drug discovery services, announced today that it has successfully achieved the second milestone in its collaboration with UCB on the structure-based discovery of small molecule modulators of undisclosed targets.

10 Jan 2011

Professor Puchta receives ERC's Advanced Researcher Grant

Tomatoes that resist pests and extreme weather while still tasting like tomatoes are among Professor Holger Puchtas long-term research goals. The molecular biologist develops techniques that will allow him to control inheritance in plants to selectively improve the properties of different species through nature's existing gene pool. For his fundamental research, Puchta now is awarded an Advanced Researcher Grant by the European Research Council.

10 Jan 2011

Researchers identify gene mutation for that is essential for correct protein-processing in cells

A Jackson Laboratory research team led by Professor Patsy Nishina, Ph.D., has identified a mutation in a gene that's essential for correct protein-processing in cells. Defects in protein folding are associated with a variety of abnormalities and diseases.

10 Jan 2011

AFQ056 drug improves symptoms in Fragile X patients: Study

The first drug to treat the underlying disorder instead of the symptoms of Fragile X, the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability, shows some promise according to a new study published in the January issue of Science Translational Medicine.

9 Jan 2011

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Inhibiting miR-193a decreases tumor growth in SCC

Novel scoring system identifies PTEN genetic mutation

QIAGEN to acquire minority stake in Alacris Theranostics

Researchers report gene therapy strategy that improves Beta Thalassemia in mice model

GSK, Epizyme enter partnership to discover, develop, and market epigenetic therapeutics

Population of highly active neurons could provide insight into neocortex

Study: Protein that plays a key role in some antioxidant therapies can promote atherosclerosis

Multiple sclerosis gene connection from women to offspring: Study

All fat cells not the same

Genetics Squared to change corporate name to Everist Genomics

Sangamo completes enrollment in SB-509-901 Phase 2b clinical trial in diabetic neuropathy

Illumina announces next generation of iSelect custom genotyping products

Slowing engines of mitochondria could extend life

Positive preclinical results from Inovio's novel DNA vaccine targeting HIV Clade C virus

AMT enters agreement with Consortium for clinical development of novel gene therapy to treat Sanfilippo B

New mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy among leukemia patients

UCB, Emerald BioStructures expand collaboration for structure-based drug discovery

Professor Puchta receives ERC's Advanced Researcher Grant

Researchers identify gene mutation for that is essential for correct protein-processing in cells

AFQ056 drug improves symptoms in Fragile X patients: Study

Industry Focus eBook - Cell & Gene Therapy (1st Edition) eBook

AI in Healthcare: How generative tools are transforming clinical practice

The future of automation: Machine learning–driven hepatocyte and organoid counting

From street to lab: Advancing controlled substance testing with handheld Raman and FTIR