Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study offers clues for earlier diagnosis of folate deficiency

As many expectant mothers know, getting enough folate is key to avoiding neural tube defects in the baby during pregnancy. But for the individuals who carry certain genetic variants, dealing with folate deficiency can be a life-long struggle which can lead to serious neurological and heart problems and even death.

1 Jul 2021

Loss of PTHrP hormone can prevent metastases, improve survival in mice with pancreatic cancer

Lowering levels of a hormone called PTHrP can prevent metastases and improve survival in mice with pancreatic cancer and could lead to a new way to treat patients, according to a study from cancer researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and with collaborators at the University of Pennsylvania.

1 Jul 2021

ERS Genomics and Nippon Gene sign CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement

ERS Genomics Limited, which was formed to provide broad access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property co-owned by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, and Nippon Gene Co., Ltd (Nippon Gene), a manufacturer of genetic engineering research reagents and diagnostic reagents for humans, animals, and plants, today announced a non-exclusive license agreement granting Nippon Gene access to ERS Genomics’ CRISPR/Cas9 patent portfolio.

1 Jul 2021

New software tool can help identify gene regulators more efficiently

A team of scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago has developed a software tool that can help researchers more efficiently identify the regulators of genes. The system leverages a machine learning algorithm to predict which transcription factors are most likely to be active in individual cells.

1 Jul 2021

Cancer cells become more aggressive when exposed to tissue stiffening

In cases of breast cancer, bone metastasis - when cancer cells spread to new sites in the bone - causes the most breast cancer-related harm and is often incurable in advanced disease. A new study by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers found that cancer cells become more aggressive when exposed to tissue stiffening and that these changes persist over time.

1 Jul 2021

First demonstration of COVID-19-like response by an essential virus encoded protein by SARS-CoV-2 in vivo

Researchers from collaborating universities in Virginia have recently utilized transgenic mice to explore the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on associated lung injury.

30 Jun 2021

Reduced function of key gene may affect communication between motor neurons and muscles in ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks nerve cells known as motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, gradually leading to paralysis.

30 Jun 2021

Solar irradiation inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses, finds study

Coronaviruses irradiated with simulated sunlight used to infect cells showed reduced infectivity and reduced viral replication compared to viruses that were not irradiated.

30 Jun 2021

Study uncovers common neural mechanism for cognitive impairment in autism and schizophrenia

Many neurodevelopmental disorders share similar symptoms, such as learning disabilities or attention deficits.

30 Jun 2021

Is the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant threatening vaccine efficacy?

A new study in the UK, by researchers at Imperial College London, The Francis Crick Institute and the University of Glasgow, explores the loss of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine efficacy against the virus behind the current pandemic caused by the emergence of newer variants that have undergone mutational escape.

30 Jun 2021

Effectively monitoring COVID-19 in reopened educational institutions: the San Diego model

An interesting new study from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) shows that using preventive measures to block viral transmission, coupled with repeated testing and rapid turnaround times for the results, can successfully prevent outbreaks associated with the reopening of educational institutions.

30 Jun 2021

Suzukii flies produce only males after mating, shows study

Populations of Drosophila suzukii fruit flies - so-called "spotted-wing Drosophila" that devastate soft-skinned fruit in North America, Europe and parts of South America - could be greatly suppressed with the introduction of genetically modified D. suzukii flies that produce only males after mating, according to new research from North Carolina State University.

30 Jun 2021

New method to transport RNA-based drugs to subpopulation of immune cells

Tel Aviv University's groundbreaking technology may revolutionize the treatment of cancer and a wide range of diseases and medical conditions. In the framework of this study, the researchers were able to create a new method of transporting RNA-based drugs to a subpopulation of immune cells involved in the inflammation process, and target the disease-inflamed cell without causing damage to other cells.

30 Jun 2021

Researchers identify key protein that allows cancer-destroying viruses to enter tumor cells

Researchers from the Laboratory of Oncolytic-Virus-Immuno-Therapeutics (LOVIT) at the LIH Department of Oncology (DONC) are working on the development of novel anticancer strategies based on oncolytic viruses, "good" viruses that can specifically infect, replicate in and kill cancer cells.

30 Jun 2021

New components for oligonucleotide drugs show safety, efficacy in treating spinal muscular atrophy

Skoltech researchers and their colleagues from Russia and the UK investigated the safety and efficacy of new chemistry in antisense oligonucleotides used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a debilitating genetic disease.

29 Jun 2021

The technology behind face masks that can diagnose COVID-19

Researchers have recently incorporated technology into standard face masks to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2.

29 Jun 2021

Nanotechnology and the fight against COVID-19

In a review paper published in the open-access MDPI journal Viruses, a team of researchers explored the potential of nanotechnology to alleviate the current and future coronavirus burden. The team focused on its potential role in the detection, diagnosis, protection, and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

29 Jun 2021

Wayne State awarded NSF grant to investigate how viruses navigate through the mucus barrier

A research team at Wayne State University led by Ashis Mukhopadhyay, Ph.D., associate professor of physics and astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, received a three-year, $326,226 grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate fundamental issues related to the passage of viruses through the mucus barrier.

29 Jun 2021

Alternative model of Alzheimer's emphasizes different set of mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration

In the context of recent debate over the FDA's approval of aducanumab, it's refreshing to learn about a model of Alzheimer's neurodegeneration that doesn't start with the pathogenic proteins amyloid or Tau.

29 Jun 2021

Two CU Cancer Center studies provide insights into the link between inflammation and leukemia

Two recent collaborative publications by CU Cancer Center members provide insights into how chronic inflammation can serve as a key factor in the development of leukemia and other blood cancers.

29 Jun 2021

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study offers clues for earlier diagnosis of folate deficiency

Loss of PTHrP hormone can prevent metastases, improve survival in mice with pancreatic cancer

ERS Genomics and Nippon Gene sign CRISPR/Cas9 license agreement

New software tool can help identify gene regulators more efficiently

Cancer cells become more aggressive when exposed to tissue stiffening

First demonstration of COVID-19-like response by an essential virus encoded protein by SARS-CoV-2 in vivo

Reduced function of key gene may affect communication between motor neurons and muscles in ALS

Solar irradiation inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses, finds study

Study uncovers common neural mechanism for cognitive impairment in autism and schizophrenia

Is the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant threatening vaccine efficacy?

Effectively monitoring COVID-19 in reopened educational institutions: the San Diego model

Suzukii flies produce only males after mating, shows study

New method to transport RNA-based drugs to subpopulation of immune cells

Researchers identify key protein that allows cancer-destroying viruses to enter tumor cells

New components for oligonucleotide drugs show safety, efficacy in treating spinal muscular atrophy

The technology behind face masks that can diagnose COVID-19

Nanotechnology and the fight against COVID-19

Wayne State awarded NSF grant to investigate how viruses navigate through the mucus barrier

Alternative model of Alzheimer's emphasizes different set of mechanisms that lead to neurodegeneration

Two CU Cancer Center studies provide insights into the link between inflammation and leukemia

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