Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Combination targets offer new hope in fight against cancer

While some targeted therapies - drugs developed to attack specific molecules in the critical chemical pathways occurring within cancer cells - work well by themselves, increasingly researchers are finding that they work better when teamed with other targeted and conventional therapies.

24 Oct 2007

Affymetrix files more patent infringements against Illumina in U.S. and Europe

Affymetrix Inc. has announced that it has filed additional patent infringement lawsuits against Illumina Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, in the U.K. High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patents Court and in the German, Düsseldorf Regional Court, Patent Division. Affymetrix is seeking all available remedies, including injunctive relief.

From Illumina, Inc. 24 Oct 2007

Simple blood test may accurately detect thoracic aneurysm disease

Yale scientists have discovered a way to use a simple blood test that may accurately detect thoracic aneurysm disease (TAA), which gives little warning and is almost always fatal if untreated.

24 Oct 2007

New theory of how viruses may contribute to cancer

A new study suggests that viruses may contribute to cancer by causing excessive death to normal cells while promoting the growth of surviving cells with cancerous traits.

24 Oct 2007

Advances in drug screening

With the discovery of suitable molecular targets - cellular molecules along pathways crucial for sustaining the life of cancer cells - comes the perplexing dilemma of where to find the next therapeutics that will bind to and disable those targets.

23 Oct 2007

Genetic influence on HIV/AIDS progression

Viral load - the amount of virus in the blood of an HIV-infected person - has long been viewed as the chief indicator of how quickly someone infected with HIV infection progresses to AIDS.

22 Oct 2007

Researchers discover genes linking stress, high blood pressure, alcoholism and tobacco addiction

A team led by a Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher has uncovered a series of genes linking mental stress, high blood pressure, alcoholism and tobacco addiction.

22 Oct 2007

Heparanase shows potential as cancer drug

Laboratory experiments have previously shown that cancer cells overproduce an enzyme, heparanase, which splits the body's own polysaccharide heparan sulfate into shorter fragments.

22 Oct 2007

Australian researchers stelp closer to discovering the cause of epileptic seizures

Scientists still do not know what causes epileptic seizures, but researchers from Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute are one step closer to solving this puzzle with the help of their newly developed genetically modified epileptic mouse.

22 Oct 2007

New genetic and phenotypic data involved in autism released to researchers worldwide

The Autism Consortium, a group of researchers, clinicians and families dedicated to radically accelerating research and enhancing clinical care for autism, announced today that it has completed the first genome scan for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through its Autism Gene Discovery Project and has released the reference data set to a database that autism researchers around the world can use.

22 Oct 2007

Syngenta licenses chromatin gene stacking technology

Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. has announced that it has entered into a research and commercial license agreement for Chromatin's proprietary gene stacking technology.

22 Oct 2007

The accumulation of sugar in neurons may explain the origin of several neurodegenerative diseases

A phenomenon considered healthy for cells, such as the accumulation of long chains of glucose (glycogen), which tissues store for energy purposes, is harmful for neurons.

22 Oct 2007

Discovery of two genes linked to a disabling form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis

An international team of researchers led by a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center geneticist has discovered two genes linked to a disabling form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis, a painful and progressive disease in which some or all of the spine's vertebrae fuse together.

22 Oct 2007

Illumina launches MicroRNA assay for gene expression profiling

Illumina, Inc. today launched a MicroRNA Assay for Gene Expression profiling. Priced at $95 per sample, this assay is the only solution available to allow rapid and reproducible miRNA expression profiling at a price less than half that of other commercially available methods.

From Illumina, Inc. 22 Oct 2007

Stem cells to treat damaged eyes and a rare skin disorder

Doctors and scientists in Italy have shown how stem cells can be used to treat damaged eyes and, in combination with gene therapy, a rare and debilitating skin disease.

22 Oct 2007

Experts warn women about experimental fertility options

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has warned women that two experimental fertility procedures currently being offered remain unproven.

22 Oct 2007

Chromatin licenses gene stacking technology to Syngenta Biotechnology

Chromatin Inc. has announced that it has entered into a research and commercial license agreement with Syngenta Biotechnology Inc. for Chromatin's proprietary gene stacking technology.

22 Oct 2007

New explanation for evolutionary changes in genetic sex-determination systems

In animals with separate sexes, embryos commit to becoming male or female at an early stage.

22 Oct 2007

Transgenics sped up

A new method of constructing artificial plant chromosomes from small rings of naturally occurring plant DNA can be used to transport multiple genes at once into embryonic plants where they are expressed, duplicated as plant cells divide, and passed on to the next generation -- a long-term goal for those interested in improving agricultural productivity.

19 Oct 2007

Why some succumb to stress - new brain mechanism identified

Results of a new study may one day help scientists learn how to enhance a naturally occurring mechanism in the brain that promotes resilience to psychological stress.

19 Oct 2007