Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

GWAS finds new genetic link between Parkinson's disease and inflammation

A hunt throughout the human genome for variants associated with common, late-onset Parkinson's disease has revealed a new genetic link that implicates the immune system and offers new targets for drug development.

30 Aug 2010

Study finds common risk factors linked with painkiller addiction

A new Geisinger study begins to unlock the puzzle of painkiller (opioid) addiction - why some people are more likely to become addicted than others. Geisinger investigators have found that patients with four common risk factors have a significantly higher risk of addiction. In addition, a history of severe drug dependence and drug abuse compounds the risk.

30 Aug 2010

'Molecular Diagnostics Europe' conference debuts at BIOTECHNICA 2010

BIOTECHNICA, Europe's Leading Exhibition for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, is broadening its portfolio to include a new conference and special display on molecular diagnostics. Produced by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute, a leading organizer of biomedical conferences in the United States, the "Molecular Diagnostics Europe" (MDxEU) conference is making its debut this year. The main focus will be on new methods for molecular diagnostics, particularly with regard to cancer and infectious diseases.

27 Aug 2010

Light signaling pathways, circadian rhythms affect biological functions: Research

A new study of the genetic basis of circadian rhythms - the biological responses related to daily light exposure - has found that a few minutes of light exposure in a fungus directly affects a huge range of its biological functions, everything from reproduction to coloring and DNA repair.

27 Aug 2010

Luminex launches FDA-cleared xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 60 Kit v2 diagnostic test

Luminex Corporation, the worldwide leader in multiplexed solutions, today announced the full commercial launch of its xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 60 Kit v2, a new diagnostic test that can simultaneously screen a single blood sample for up to 60 cystic fibrosis-causing genetic mutations in a matter of hours.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 27 Aug 2010

Experimental drug PLX4032 holds promise against cancers with faulty BRAF gene

An experimental drug designed to treat cancers with a particular genetic fault has shown promising results in a small clinical trial.

27 Aug 2010

Nationwide Children's Hospital designated as Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center

A $7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital translate new scientific findings and technological developments into novel treatments for the muscular dystrophies. The grant designates Nationwide Children's Hospital as a Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, one of three national award recipients in 2010.

27 Aug 2010

Study on impact of harmful de novo gene mutations on autism, schizophrenia

An international study led by University of Montreal scientists suggests family history may not be a good predictor of the presence of mutations predisposing to autism or schizophrenia. The findings show how new or de novo gene mutations alterations of the cell's DNA play a role in these devastating conditions.

27 Aug 2010

23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress to be held 28 Aug - 1 Sep 2010 in Amsterdam

Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, addiction and schizophrenia are the core challenge of most health care systems around the world. In the EU alone, each year 27% of the total adult population - this corresponds to 83 Million citizens - suffer from mental disorders. Depression alone affects almost 20 million ranking in the EU as the most disabling disorder of all diseases.

26 Aug 2010

PLX4032 therapy results in tumor shrinkage in metastatic melanoma patients

A multicenter study has concluded that treatment with a new targeted therapy called PLX4032 (also called RG7204) resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in 80 percent of patients with advanced melanoma.

26 Aug 2010

Critical mechanistic link between mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in ALS uncovered

New research uncovers what may be a primary neuron-damaging insult that occurs in an inherited form of a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. The study, published by Cell Press in the August 26th issue of the journal Neuron, describes a critical mechanistic link between a mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

26 Aug 2010

CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

A rare form of kidney disease linked to a genetic mutation in the innate immune system has been identified by researchers funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

26 Aug 2010

TRT receives patent rights for procedure of reattaching damaged soft tissue to bone

Tissue Regeneration Technologies, LLC (TRT), a Woodstock, Georgia medical technology company, recently received the rights to a new patent to bolster its SoftWave technology portfolio. The patent covers a method of reattaching damaged soft tissue to bone.

26 Aug 2010

Gene linked to Fuchs corneal dystrophy discovered

A 13-member research team led by University of Oregon scientist Dr. Albert O. Edwards has found a gene likely responsible for Fuchs corneal dystrophy, an inheritable genetic disorder and leading cause of corneal transplant operations.

26 Aug 2010

Study on current insect repellants confirms need for better insect repellants

Fire up the citronella-scented tiki torches, and slather on the DEET: Everybody knows these simple precautions repel insects, notably mosquitoes, whose bites not only itch and irritate, but also transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria and dengue. Now, Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered what it is in the bugs' molecular makeup that enables citronellal (the aromatic liquid used in lotions, sprays and candles) and DEET, to deter insects from landing and feeding on you. A better understanding of these molecular-behavioral links already is aiding the team's search for more effective repellants.

26 Aug 2010

Ataxin 2 gene mutation contributes to Lou Gehrig's disease: Research

An international study led by biologists and neuroscientists from the University of Pennsylvania has identified a new genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

26 Aug 2010

Vitamin D may be effective in preventing allergies in patients cystic fibrosis, asthma

Vitamin D may be an effective therapy to treat and even prevent allergy to a common mold that can cause severe complications for patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

26 Aug 2010

Research finds adenovirus impact on cell's suicide program pave way for new cancer therapy

A novel mechanism used by adenovirus to sidestep the cell's suicide program, could go a long way to explain how tumor suppressor genes are silenced in tumor cells and pave the way for a new type of targeted cancer therapy, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the Aug. 26, 2010 issue of Nature.

26 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Applying comparative effectiveness research to a range of health indicators; Australia's model health care system; What about blocked stem cell research?

Significant comparative effectiveness research (CER) efforts should be dedicated to understanding the effectiveness of investments across broad determinants of health instead of focusing primarily within the health care domain alone (David Kindig and John Mullahy, 8/25).

26 Aug 2010

Celera granted US patent on LPA gene variant's association with increased risk for myocardial infarction

Celera Corporation today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued United States Patent 7,781,168 relating to methods of determining heart attack risk by detecting the Ile4399Met genetic polymorphism in the protease-like domain of LPA.

25 Aug 2010

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

GWAS finds new genetic link between Parkinson's disease and inflammation

Study finds common risk factors linked with painkiller addiction

'Molecular Diagnostics Europe' conference debuts at BIOTECHNICA 2010

Light signaling pathways, circadian rhythms affect biological functions: Research

Luminex launches FDA-cleared xTAG Cystic Fibrosis 60 Kit v2 diagnostic test

Experimental drug PLX4032 holds promise against cancers with faulty BRAF gene

Nationwide Children's Hospital designated as Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center

Study on impact of harmful de novo gene mutations on autism, schizophrenia

23rd European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Congress to be held 28 Aug - 1 Sep 2010 in Amsterdam

PLX4032 therapy results in tumor shrinkage in metastatic melanoma patients

Critical mechanistic link between mutant protein and disease pathogenesis in ALS uncovered

CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

TRT receives patent rights for procedure of reattaching damaged soft tissue to bone

Gene linked to Fuchs corneal dystrophy discovered

Study on current insect repellants confirms need for better insect repellants

Ataxin 2 gene mutation contributes to Lou Gehrig's disease: Research

Vitamin D may be effective in preventing allergies in patients cystic fibrosis, asthma

Research finds adenovirus impact on cell's suicide program pave way for new cancer therapy

Today's Opinions: Applying comparative effectiveness research to a range of health indicators; Australia's model health care system; What about blocked stem cell research?

Celera granted US patent on LPA gene variant's association with increased risk for myocardial infarction

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

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging