Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Research defines neurons that control sociability in worms

Ants colonize. Fish shoal. Flamingos flock and caribou herd. Earth is populated by inherently social beings. Even lowly worms seek out the benefits of companionship.

12 Apr 2009

Synthetic green-glowing genes show how 'silent' mutations influence protein production

Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania have revealed a hidden code that determines the expression level of a gene, providing a way to distinguish efficient genes from inefficient ones.

12 Apr 2009

RNA interference can be used to silence genes selectively - potential for Huntington's disease therapy

Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have designed tiny RNA molecules that shut off the gene that causes Huntington's disease without damaging that gene's healthy counterpart, which maintains the health and vitality of neurons.

12 Apr 2009

New approach for surveying phosphorylation

Scientists have developed a new approach for surveying phosphorylation, a process that is regulated by critical cell signaling pathways and regulates several key cellular signaling events.

12 Apr 2009

New genetic understanding of progressive hearing loss

In parallel studies in human and mouse, two groups of researchers have come to the same conclusion: that a new kind of gene is associated with progressive hearing loss.

12 Apr 2009

Discovery of novel mechanisms that might causally link type-2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease

A recent study by Mount Sinai faculty suggests that a gene associated with onset of type-2 diabetes also decreases in Alzheimer's disease dementia cases.

12 Apr 2009

Thymosin beta-4 protein prompts damaged heart cells to repair themselves after a heart attack

A protein that the heart produces during its early development reactivates the embryonic coronary developmental program and initiates migration of heart cells and blood vessel growth after a heart attack, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

12 Apr 2009

Gene fusion discovery may lead to improved prostate cancer test

A newly discovered gene fusion is highly expressed in a subset of prostate cancers, according to a study by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College.

12 Apr 2009

Discovery of key decision-point at which cells with broken DNA repair themselves or die

When cells undergo potentially catastrophic damage, for example as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation, they must make a decision: either to fix the damage or program themselves for death, a process called apoptosis.

12 Apr 2009

Researchers explain process by which cells 'hide' potentially dangerous DNA segments

The DNA in the 23 pairs of chromosomes in each of the billions of cells of the human body is so tightly packed that it would measure six feet in length if stretched end to end.

12 Apr 2009

Discovery of gene that protects against leukemia

Researchers have identified a gene that controls the rapid production and differentiation of the stem cells that produce all blood cell types -- a discovery that could eventually open the door to more streamlined treatments for leukemia and other blood cancers, in which blood cells proliferate out of control.

9 Apr 2009

New common pathway in neurodegenerative disease is a possible door to a point of no return

A just-out study suggests that what keeps chronic nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and ALS going - until they overcome the internal protective mechanisms a body can throw at them - may largely come down to poor conversational skills.

9 Apr 2009

Withdrawal of Raptiva from U.S. market

Genentech, the manufacturer of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab), has announced that it has begun a voluntary, phased withdrawal of the product from the U.S. market.

8 Apr 2009

Omega-3 EPA/DHA may reduce risk of prostate cancer

A new study presented in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the AACR (American Association for Clinical Cancer Research), shows diets high in Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may decrease the risk of prostate cancer.

8 Apr 2009

Multifocal lung cancers appear to originate from single cancer clone

Multiple, anatomically distinct lung cancer tumors may frequently arise from a single cancer cell, according to a retrospective analysis of patient tumor samples published in the April 7 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

8 Apr 2009

Discovery of mechanism of cell type-specific signaling in tumor development

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered the mechanisms behind two key checkpoints in cell growth and development - factors that may ultimately allow investigators to benchmark progression of tumor cells or stop them from further development.

8 Apr 2009

Gene delivery appears safe for regenerating tooth-supporting gum tissue

Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a method of gene delivery that appears safe for regenerating tooth-supporting gum tissue---a discovery that assuages one of the biggest safety concerns surrounding gene therapy research and tissue engineering.

8 Apr 2009

Reovirus kills cancer stem cells

Dalhousie Medical School cancer researcher Dr. Patrick Lee has proven that a common virus can infect and kill breast cancer stem cells.

8 Apr 2009

Genetic variation found to increase risk of schizophrenia

Rutgers geneticist Linda Brzustowicz and her colleagues have identified a specific DNA change that is likely to increase risk for developing schizophrenia in some people.

8 Apr 2009

Rogue Alzheimer's gene causes early brain changes

British scientists have found that some young adults who carry a certain genetic variant have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and distinct brain patterns and changes in their brain activity started decades before any symptoms appeared.

8 Apr 2009

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Research defines neurons that control sociability in worms

Synthetic green-glowing genes show how 'silent' mutations influence protein production

RNA interference can be used to silence genes selectively - potential for Huntington's disease therapy

New approach for surveying phosphorylation

New genetic understanding of progressive hearing loss

Discovery of novel mechanisms that might causally link type-2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease

Thymosin beta-4 protein prompts damaged heart cells to repair themselves after a heart attack

Gene fusion discovery may lead to improved prostate cancer test

Discovery of key decision-point at which cells with broken DNA repair themselves or die

Researchers explain process by which cells 'hide' potentially dangerous DNA segments

Discovery of gene that protects against leukemia

New common pathway in neurodegenerative disease is a possible door to a point of no return

Withdrawal of Raptiva from U.S. market

Omega-3 EPA/DHA may reduce risk of prostate cancer

Multifocal lung cancers appear to originate from single cancer clone

Discovery of mechanism of cell type-specific signaling in tumor development

Gene delivery appears safe for regenerating tooth-supporting gum tissue

Reovirus kills cancer stem cells

Genetic variation found to increase risk of schizophrenia

Rogue Alzheimer's gene causes early brain changes

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