Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Pathogenic microbes can suppress immune system in newborns

Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a bacterial pathogen that causes sepsis and meningitis in newborn infants, is able to shut down immune cell function in order to promote its own survival, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

2 Sep 2009

Heidelberg neuropathologists detect astrocytomas that can deactivate the "death receptor"

Malignant brain tumors often fail to respond to promising new medication. Researchers in Heidelberg have discovered a mechanism and a tumor marker for the development of this resistance. A "death receptor" can possibly provide information as to how great the chances of success are for chemotherapy. At the same time, it offers a new approach for promising brain tumor therapy.

2 Sep 2009

Scientists shed light on the relationship between hypertension and obesity

Some of the first information about how fat causes hypertension have been identified by researchers who say the findings should one day help identify which obese people - and maybe some thin ones too - are at risk for hypertension and which drugs would work best for them.

2 Sep 2009

Michigan newborn blood spot data to help understand causes of celebral palsy

A statewide team of researchers led by a Michigan State University epidemiologist are hoping Michigan's archive of newborn blood spots will help them uncover the causes of cerebral palsy, the most common disabling motor disorder in children with annual health costs of $12 billion.

2 Sep 2009

Hexokinase 2 gene highly expressed in brain metastasis in breast cancer patients

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have identified a gene that may play a role in breast cancer metastasis to the brain, according to a report in Molecular Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

2 Sep 2009

Statistics reveals that blacks experience higher rates of pancreatic cancer deaths than whites

Regardless of risk factors linked to pancreatic cancer, such as smoking and body mass index (BMI), blacks experienced higher rates of pancreatic cancer death than whites.

2 Sep 2009

New computer software capable of sifting through hundreds of cancer causing genetic mutations

Johns Hopkins engineers have devised innovative computer software that can sift through hundreds of genetic mutations and highlight the DNA changes that are most likely to promote cancer.

1 Sep 2009

Altered gene network interaction plays an important role in brain tumors

The interaction between a network of altered genes appears to play an important role in the development and progression of brain tumors, according to a study in the July 15 issue of JAMA.

1 Sep 2009

Correlation between overweight, smoking and breast cancer discovered

A recent study published in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology has reinforced the correlation between being overweight, smoking and breast cancer. What makes this study unique is how test subjects were not diagnosed for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which predispose women to breast cancer.

1 Sep 2009

Oncolytics Biotech obtains 32nd U.S. Patent grant

Oncolytics Biotech Inc. (TSX: ONC, NASDAQ: ONCY) ("Oncolytics") today announced that it has been granted its 32nd U.S. Patent, # 7,582,289, entitled "Viruses for the Treatment of Cellular Proliferative Disorders." The patent claims cover methods of using modified parapoxvirus orf virus to treat Ras-mediated cancers.

1 Sep 2009

GS-101 effective in inhibiting and regressing corneal neovascularisation

Gene Signal, a company focused on developing innovative drugs to manage angiogenesis based conditions, today announced the publication of interim results from a phase II study suggesting that the antisense oligonucleotide GS-101 (eye drops) is safe and effective at inhibiting and regressing corneal neovascularisation (abnormal new blood vessel growth).

1 Sep 2009

Phase II result reveals effectiveness of GS-101 eye drops at inhibiting corneal neovascularisation

1 Sep 2009

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

A team of researchers from The Wistar Institute have shown that a large non-coding RNA in mammals and yeast plays a central role in helping maintain telomeres, the tips of chromosomes that contain important genetic information and help regulate cell division. Since this RNA also facilitates the formation of DNA at telomeres-a process that can protect aging cells and destabilize tumor cells-manipulating its expression may be useful in treating cancer and other diseases.

1 Sep 2009

New gene therapy vector developed for transferring therapeutic DNA to a cell's nucleus

A research report featured on the cover of the September 2009 print issue of The FASEB Journal describes how Australian scientists developed a new gene therapy vector that uses the same machinery that viruses use to transport their cargo into our cells. As a result of this achievement, therapeutic DNA can be transferred to a cell's nucleus far more efficiently than in the past, raising hopes for more effective treatment of genetic disorders and some types of cancers.

1 Sep 2009

Tel Aviv University researcher devises mathematical formula for protecting the genetic privacy

Last year, after a published paper found serious security holes in the way DNA data is made publicly available, health institutes in the United States and across the world removed all genetic data from public access.

1 Sep 2009

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

In the new print issue of Nature Genetics, scientists in Singapore and Germany report that mutations in the PYCR1 gene cause the rare genetic condition that results in premature skin aging and that is known as "wrinkly skin syndrome."

1 Sep 2009

Illumina delivers its first individual genome sequence to Dr. Hermann Hauser

Illumina, Inc. today announced that it has delivered Hermann Hauser’s genome sequence. Dr. Hauser, Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners Ltd, is the first consumer to purchase Illumina’s individual genome sequencing service working with his physician, Michael Nova, MD, of Pathway Genomics.

From Illumina, Inc. 31 Aug 2009

Celladon announces completion of patient enrollment for Phase 2 CUPID clinical trial

Celladon Corporation and Momentum Research, Inc. today announced completion of enrollment of the phase 2 double-blind portion of the Calcium Up-regulation by Percutaneous Administration of Gene Therapy in Cardiac Disease (CUPID) trial. Momentum Research is Celladon’s consulting and management organization with clinical expertise in the development of cardiovascular products and trials.

31 Aug 2009

Research reveals the reason why some patients with Ewing's sarcoma do not respond to chemotherapy

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have shed new light on Ewing's sarcoma, an often deadly bone cancer that typically afflicts children and young adults. Their research shows that patients with poor outcomes have tumors with high levels of a protein known as GSTM4, which may suppress the effects of chemotherapy. The research is published online today in the journal Oncogene.

31 Aug 2009

Researchers demystify polar body analysis reproduction technique

Three out of ten women who undergo polar body diagnosis go on to have a child. The extensive technique of polar body analysis (PBA) is described by researchers in reproductive medicine at Lübeck in an article in the current edition of Deutsches Ärtzeblatt International, in which they present three successful cases and one failure.

31 Aug 2009

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Pathogenic microbes can suppress immune system in newborns

Heidelberg neuropathologists detect astrocytomas that can deactivate the "death receptor"

Scientists shed light on the relationship between hypertension and obesity

Michigan newborn blood spot data to help understand causes of celebral palsy

Hexokinase 2 gene highly expressed in brain metastasis in breast cancer patients

Statistics reveals that blacks experience higher rates of pancreatic cancer deaths than whites

New computer software capable of sifting through hundreds of cancer causing genetic mutations

Altered gene network interaction plays an important role in brain tumors

Correlation between overweight, smoking and breast cancer discovered

Oncolytics Biotech obtains 32nd U.S. Patent grant

GS-101 effective in inhibiting and regressing corneal neovascularisation

Phase II result reveals effectiveness of GS-101 eye drops at inhibiting corneal neovascularisation

Research reveals that large non-coding RNA in mammals play an important role in telomere maintenance

New gene therapy vector developed for transferring therapeutic DNA to a cell's nucleus

Tel Aviv University researcher devises mathematical formula for protecting the genetic privacy

Study provides insights into genes that help maintain youthfulness of the skin

Illumina delivers its first individual genome sequence to Dr. Hermann Hauser

Celladon announces completion of patient enrollment for Phase 2 CUPID clinical trial

Research reveals the reason why some patients with Ewing's sarcoma do not respond to chemotherapy

Researchers demystify polar body analysis reproduction technique

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech