Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Roche, ATCC partner to research real-time endogenous GPCR function with xCELLigence System

G-coupled protein receptors (GPCRs), also known as 7-transmembrane proteins, constitute the single largest class of therapeutic targets for clinical and investigational drugs. There are ~800 predicted members of this class in the human genome, involved in diverse signaling pathways in a wide array of cells and tissue types. Modulation of GPCR function has proven to have therapeutic benefit in a wide variety of diseases in immunology, neurology, cardiology, and oncology.

2 Jun 2010

New research project to discover origin of myelodysplasia

The University of Navarra, together with the University of Oxford and three other European centres, are taking part in a project to discover the origin of myelodysplasia, an ailment with a predisposition to develop into leukaemia. In the work, patients from 19 hospitals in the north of Spain - including the University Hospital of Navarra - were analysed, as well as from England, Italy, Sweden and Germany.

2 Jun 2010

CCL5 protein plays protective role against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: New research

Ohio scientists hope to counter the re-emerging threat of tuberculosis with help from proteins from our bodies. In a research report published in the June 2010 print issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, scientists show how the protein CCL5 plays a protective role in helping the body ward off this contagious, airborne disease in the early stages of infection.

2 Jun 2010

Alnylam, Mount Sinai scientists discover svRNAs that play a critical role in influenza A virus replication

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today the publication of new research findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by Alnylam scientists and collaborators from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. In the new study, Alnylam and Mount Sinai scientists discovered a novel class of virus-produced small non-coding RNAs, called small viral RNAs (svRNAs), which play a critical role in the replication of influenza A virus.

2 Jun 2010

Scientists discover key mechanism of cancer cells

Many tumor cells would not be viable due to aberrant chromosome distribution if they had not developed a special trick. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center have investigated which genes are responsible for this survival strategy of cancer cells.

2 Jun 2010

Study sheds light on molecular mechanisms of genital and urinary tract abnormalities

Scientists have learned how a gene widely known for precisely positioning and sculpting various organs also controls the speed of cell division, a finding that could be useful for understanding the explosive growth of cancer cells or why increasing numbers of children are being born with genital and urinary tract malformations.

2 Jun 2010

EMBL scientists identify two small RNA molecules that ensure red blood cell production

Red blood cells, the delivery men that take oxygen to cells all around the body, have short lives. To keep enough of them in circulation, the human body produces around 2 million of these cells every second - even more in response to challenges like severe blood loss. In a study published today in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Monterotondo, Italy, and EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute in Hinxton, UK, have identified two small RNA molecules which ensure that enough red blood cells are produced efficiently, by fine-tuning a number of different genes involved in this process.

2 Jun 2010

New model reveals molecular basis of multiple hereditary exostoses

Children born with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE) suffer from abnormal growths on their bones. These bony protrusions stunt their growth and can cause pain and disfigurement.

2 Jun 2010

New technique transforms iPS cells into natural tumor killers

A technique for producing natural killer T (NKT) cells, known for their role in suppressing tumor growth, has been successfully demonstrated for the first time using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Developed by researchers at RIKEN, Japan’s flagship research institution, the technique opens the door to effective new cell-targeted treatments for cancer.

1 Jun 2010

Research team confirms gene mutation associated with serious forms of leukaemia

1 Jun 2010

MediSapiens completes $1M seed round investment for personalized cancer medicine software

MediSapiens, world's first software company for personalized cancer medicine in oncology clinics and drug development, completed $ 1 million (EUR 0.8 million) seed round investment from Veraventure, ETFIII advised by Eqvitec Partners, VTT Ventures and Lifeline Ventures.

1 Jun 2010

Karolinska Institutet researchers produce human stem cells without using animal substances

For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been cultured under chemically controlled conditions without the use of animal substances, which is essential for future clinical uses. The method has been developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and is presented in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

31 May 2010

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

Researchers have identified a distinct pattern of gene expression in the largest reported group of kidney transplant recipients who have not rejected the transplant kidneys even though they stopped taking anti-rejection drugs. This finding may help identify other transplant recipients who could safely reduce or end use of immunosuppressive therapy. In 2008, more than 80,000 people in the United States were living with a kidney transplant.

31 May 2010

Scientists identify new susceptibility genes in genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Scientists from Singapore, China and USA have identified three new susceptibility genes in a genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study, led by the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), a biomedical research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Centre, identified genetic risk factors of NPC that advance the understanding of the important role played by host genetic variation in influencing the susceptibility to this cancer.

31 May 2010

Targeted Genetics's partner Celladon presents Phase II trial data with MYDICAR at Heart Failure Congress 2010

Targeted Genetics Corporation announced that its partner, Celladon Corporation, presented full data today that show the first Phase II trial with MYDICAR® for the treatment of advanced heart failure has met its primary safety and efficacy endpoints, as prospectively defined in the Phase II trial protocol.

31 May 2010

Researchers identify gene responsible for Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes

An international group of researchers has identified the genetic cause of an inherited condition that causes severe foetal abnormalities.

31 May 2010

UC Riverside botanist receives BSA Merit Award for outstanding contributions to botanical science

Darleen DeMason, a professor of botany in UC Riverside's Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, has been elected as one of this year's six Botanical Society of America Merit Award recipients.

29 May 2010

RNAi therapy shuts down gene critical to RSV, prevents virus replication

John DeVincenzo, MD, professor and researcher in the Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), has proven for the first time that a totally new concept in drug design can be used to treat human disease. Dr. DeVincenzo, who also serves as a children's infectious diseases specialist at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, conducted his study at the Children's Foundation Research Center, a UT Health Science Center partner located at Le Bonheur.

29 May 2010

Study demonstrates protection against Ebola infection in nonhuman primates using RNAi

Scientists using tiny particles of genetic material to interfere in the replication process of the deadly Ebola virus have successfully prevented monkeys exposed to that virus from dying of hemorrhagic fever. The proof-of-concept study, published in this week's issue of The Lancet, suggests that such protection also should be possible in humans.

29 May 2010

Bioheart to establish two Centers of Excellence to provide cell therapy procedures for patients with CHF, PAD

Bioheart, Inc., announced today plans for establishing two Centers of Excellence in the Middle East to provide its cell therapy procedures to patients suffering from congestive heart failure and peripheral arterial disease. Dr. Karl E. Groth, Chairman and CEO, and Peggy A. Farley, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, are now in that region holding discussions and performing site inspections.

29 May 2010

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Roche, ATCC partner to research real-time endogenous GPCR function with xCELLigence System

New research project to discover origin of myelodysplasia

CCL5 protein plays protective role against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: New research

Alnylam, Mount Sinai scientists discover svRNAs that play a critical role in influenza A virus replication

Scientists discover key mechanism of cancer cells

Study sheds light on molecular mechanisms of genital and urinary tract abnormalities

EMBL scientists identify two small RNA molecules that ensure red blood cell production

New model reveals molecular basis of multiple hereditary exostoses

New technique transforms iPS cells into natural tumor killers

Research team confirms gene mutation associated with serious forms of leukaemia

MediSapiens completes $1M seed round investment for personalized cancer medicine software

Karolinska Institutet researchers produce human stem cells without using animal substances

Researchers identify pattern of gene expression in kidney transplant recipients who don't need anti-rejection drugs

Scientists identify new susceptibility genes in genome-wide association study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Targeted Genetics's partner Celladon presents Phase II trial data with MYDICAR at Heart Failure Congress 2010

Researchers identify gene responsible for Meckel-Gruber and Joubert syndromes

UC Riverside botanist receives BSA Merit Award for outstanding contributions to botanical science

RNAi therapy shuts down gene critical to RSV, prevents virus replication

Study demonstrates protection against Ebola infection in nonhuman primates using RNAi

Bioheart to establish two Centers of Excellence to provide cell therapy procedures for patients with CHF, PAD

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

Advancing benzodiazepine detection

The Surgeon-Scientist Pioneering Regenerative Engineering

Leveraging the Radian ASAP in standard casework