Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Venom-based nanoparticles improve gene therapy for fighting glioma

An ingredient in the venom of the "deathstalker" scorpion could help gene therapy become an effective treatment for brain cancer, scientists are reporting. The substance allows therapeutic genes - genes that treat disease - to reach more brain cancer cells than current approaches, according to the study in ACS Nano, a monthly journal.

12 Aug 2010

HemaQuest commences HQK-1004 global Phase 2 clinical trial in EBV-related malignancies

HemaQuest Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has initiated the Company's Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its proprietary HQK-1004 therapy for the treatment of lymphomas and related cancers associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. These EBV-related cancers have poor prognoses and short patient survival. Currently available cancer therapies are typically much less effective in patients with EBV-related lymphoid malignancies than in patients who have similar cancers not infected with the virus.

11 Aug 2010

Rxi Pharmaceuticals second-quarter net loss decreases to $2.1 million

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a recognized leader in RNAi-based therapeutic discovery and development, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

11 Aug 2010

NKTreg white blood cells migrate into liver, suppress immune responses: Research

After a transplant - and to assure that the new organ is not rejected - patients are put on life-long therapy to suppress their immune system, which, nevertheless, needs to be left intact enough to be able to defend the body against all kinds of disease. A tricky balance as the many rejected organs attest. But a discovery by Maria Monteiro and Luis Graça, two Portuguese scientists, could change all this, at least for the liver.

11 Aug 2010

GoTaq 2-Step RT-qPCR System allows researchers to detect target genes

The new Promega GoTaq 2-Step RT-qPCR System allows researchers to detect target genes expressed at low levels even with hard-to-amplify samples. Enhanced sensitivity of the two-step system extends the broad dynamic range of RNA quantitation and provides a robust, gene expression analysis tool.

11 Aug 2010

Dr. Hastings receives grant for Spinal Muscular Atrophy research

Michelle Hastings, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, in the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, has been awarded a five-year $1.68 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support her research aimed at investigating treatments for the fatal children's disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

11 Aug 2010

First complete sample-to-result, point-of-care DNA testing system for personalized medicine

Spartan Bioscience Inc., a privately held molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures, and markets DNA testing systems for on-demand applications, today announced the availability of the Spartan RX, the first complete sample-to-result, point-of-care DNA testing system for personalized medicine. The non-invasive and easy-to-use system provides automated results in one hour, enabling physicians to tailor treatments based on a patient's genotype faster than ever before.

11 Aug 2010

Common soluble proteins become insoluble and form aggregates while aging: Study

In neurodegenerative diseases, clumps of insoluble proteins appear in patients' brains. These aggregates contain proteins that are unique to each disease, such as amyloid beta in Alzheimer's disease, but they are intertwined with small amounts of many other insoluble proteins that are normally present in a soluble form in healthy young individuals. For years, these other proteins were thought to be accidental inclusions in the aggregates, much as a sea turtle might be caught in a net of fish.Now, in a surprising new finding, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, report that many of the proteins present as minor components of disease aggregates actually clump together as a normal part of aging in healthy individuals.

11 Aug 2010

Spinal muscular atrophy may lead to cardiac dysfunction: Study

Along with skeletal muscles, it may be important to monitor heart function in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These are the findings from a study conducted by Nationwide Children's Hospital and published online ahead of print in Human Molecular Genetics. This is the first study to report cardiac dysfunction in mouse models of SMA.

11 Aug 2010

Clarient receives patent for Mammostrat breast cancer prognostic test

Clarient, Inc. a premier technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the European Patent Office have allowed patents covering the technology behind Clarient Insight Dx Mammostrat, a test designed to aid in the classification of the risk of recurrence of breast cancer following surgery and initial treatment.

11 Aug 2010

Columbus hospital receives PPMD grant to conduct clinical testing for Duchenne

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest non-profit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), will award a $600,000 grant to Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio to conduct clinical testing of a promising gene therapy technique for muscle disease.

10 Aug 2010

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals reports significant progress in discovery of novel technologies for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, and collaborators from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), The University of British Columbia (UBC), AlCana Technologies, Inc., and Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, presented results from multiple ongoing research efforts regarding the discovery of novel technologies for the systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics.

10 Aug 2010

Research on role of ADAM12 gene in breast cancer

A microscopic gene may play a gigantic role when it comes to cancerous tissue in the human body, according to one Kansas State University research team.The team is investigating mutation within the ADAM12 gene of the A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease family, or ADAM family, and its role in breast cancer."We want to know whether ADAM12 is a good guy or a bad guy in breast cancer," said Anna Zolkiewska, associate professor of biochemistry and research team leader.

10 Aug 2010

Scientist to research on molecular machinery of breast cancer

Someone in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer every 23 seconds. It is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide among women and approximately 456,000 die from the disease each year. At The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), a scientist is taking aim at the molecular machinery behind this disease.

10 Aug 2010

Scientists discover role of Mnk enzyme in prostate cancer development

A kinase is a type of enzyme the body uses to regulate the functions of the proteins required for cell growth and maintenance, and researchers have discovered that one in particular plays a key role in developing prostate cancer. "It's known as Mnk, and although it appears not to be essential for normal cell maintenance, it's important for cancer growth" said Dr. Luc Furic, a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Nahum Sonenberg at McGill University's Goodman Cancer Research Centre and Department of Biochemistry.

10 Aug 2010

Lentigen receives NIH SBIR grant for program on clinical vector for TCR immunotherapy targeted to melanoma

Lentigen Corporation, a biotechnology company specializing in the development and manufacture of lentiviral gene delivery technologies, announced today that it has received a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research grant (SBIR) for a program on "Clinical Vector for TCR Immunotherapy Targeted to Melanoma". In this program, Lentigen will collaborate with Dr. Michael Nishimura, Professor of Surgery, at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

9 Aug 2010

New familial link in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia discovered

A UCSF-led team has discovered a direct link between an inherited genetic mutation, a set of developmental abnormalities and a rare form of childhood leukemia called juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, or JMML. The study demonstrates a new familial link in JMML and has significant implications, the researchers say, for improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

9 Aug 2010

Clinical Data first-quarter gross revenue increases 52% to $6.2 million

Clinical Data, Inc. today announced operational and financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2010, noting key accomplishments including the acceptance of the Company's new drug application (NDA) for vilazodone by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the successful completion of a public offering .

9 Aug 2010

GWA Study helps scientists identify genetic variant that increases tuberculosis susceptibility in African populations

Scientists have identified a genetic variant which increases susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB) in African populations using a technique known as a genome-wide association (GWA) study. This is the first novel disease variant to be identified using this technique in Africans and demonstrates that such studies are viable in African populations, which have a high degree of genetic diversity.

9 Aug 2010

SIRIUS XM Radio to broadcast call-in show for autism spectrum disorders

SIRIUS XM Radio today announced that in partnership with Autism Speaks it will broadcast Doctor Radio Reports: Understanding Autism - Looking for Answers, a live, two-hour call-in show hosted by veteran journalist Perri Peltz on which a panel of world-class doctors, experts, scientists and parents of affected children will explore the latest research and treatment options for autism and disorders on the autism spectrum and take calls from listeners across the country.

7 Aug 2010

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Venom-based nanoparticles improve gene therapy for fighting glioma

HemaQuest commences HQK-1004 global Phase 2 clinical trial in EBV-related malignancies

Rxi Pharmaceuticals second-quarter net loss decreases to $2.1 million

NKTreg white blood cells migrate into liver, suppress immune responses: Research

GoTaq 2-Step RT-qPCR System allows researchers to detect target genes

Dr. Hastings receives grant for Spinal Muscular Atrophy research

First complete sample-to-result, point-of-care DNA testing system for personalized medicine

Common soluble proteins become insoluble and form aggregates while aging: Study

Spinal muscular atrophy may lead to cardiac dysfunction: Study

Clarient receives patent for Mammostrat breast cancer prognostic test

Columbus hospital receives PPMD grant to conduct clinical testing for Duchenne

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals reports significant progress in discovery of novel technologies for systemic delivery of RNAi therapeutics

Research on role of ADAM12 gene in breast cancer

Scientist to research on molecular machinery of breast cancer

Scientists discover role of Mnk enzyme in prostate cancer development

Lentigen receives NIH SBIR grant for program on clinical vector for TCR immunotherapy targeted to melanoma

New familial link in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia discovered

Clinical Data first-quarter gross revenue increases 52% to $6.2 million

GWA Study helps scientists identify genetic variant that increases tuberculosis susceptibility in African populations

SIRIUS XM Radio to broadcast call-in show for autism spectrum disorders

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

Leveraging the Radian ASAP in standard casework

A journey through science, software, and innovation: Insights from the Bruker software team

CellVoyant's AI-Powered Vision for the Future of Cell Therapy