Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Will mRNA vaccine boosters be required for SARS-CoV-2 variants?

A new study shows that the highly effective mRNA Moderna vaccine designed against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain may lose some efficacy as new variants arise.

30 Aug 2021

UH associate professor receives $2.5 million to explore how arterial hardening starts within cells

In diseases such as hypertension, aging, atherosclerosis, diabetes and chronic kidney disease, arterial calcification and stiffening of the elastic layer of the arterial wall are almost always present.

30 Aug 2021

Could genetic variants in host cell receptors (ACE2) explain COVID-19 susceptibility among certain ethnic groups?

Led by Ioannis Karakikes of Stanford University, a new study suggests some hospitalized patients with COVID-19 contain ACE2 genetic variants that increase ACE2 expression. Some variants that altered ACE2 protein expression and binding affinity were more prevalent in people with European backgrounds.

30 Aug 2021

Molecular autopsy of dried blood spots can identify underlying cause of sudden cardiac death in a young person

The underlying cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a young person is often difficult to identify. A genetic analysis could provide more information in many cases, but blood samples are not collected routinely at the time of death, and DNA extracted from the tissues collected at autopsy is damaged because of the way they are fixed in formalin and paraffin-embedded.

30 Aug 2021

New study analyzes altered gene expression in severe COVID-19

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the genetic link between COVID-19 severity and gene expression is investigated, hoping to allow early identification of otherwise healthy individuals that will likely require hospitalization if infected.

30 Aug 2021

Antisense oligonucleotides engineered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, structure-based ASOs are developed against SARS-CoV-2, intended to bond with RNA in its structured in situ form, rather than the more rarely encountered linear section, achieving greater affinity and specificity than linear ASOs, and demonstrating inhibition of virus replication in human cells.

30 Aug 2021

Polymeric and lipid nanoparticles in self-amplifying RNA vaccines result in higher protein expression and immunogenicity

Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is an advanced platform for nucleic acid vaccine development. The backbone is typically derived from an alphaviral genome and encodes a gene of interest (GOI) and a viral replicase that can amplify the genomic and subgenomic RNA.

30 Aug 2021

Study highlights the robustness of miRNA modulation during aging process

Aging-US published "miRNAs generated from Meg3-Mirg locus are downregulated during aging" which reported that Aging determines a multilevel functional decline and increases the risk for cardiovascular pathologies.

28 Aug 2021

Mystery of roe deer embryonic diapause revealed

Everyone is familiar with the roe deer, either from crossword puzzles or from real-life encounters during a jog or a hike in the forest: majestic creatures with elegant big black eyes.

28 Aug 2021

Study may pave way for new treatment strategies to limit the progression of solid tumors

Researchers at the University of British Columbia's faculty of medicine and BC Cancer Research Institute have uncovered a weakness in a key enzyme that solid tumour cancer cells rely on to adapt and survive when oxygen levels are low.

28 Aug 2021

Recognizing viral genomes in quick, ‘CRISP’ ways

Researchers from China recently reviewed the latest advancements, applications, and prospects of virus detection using CRISPR-Cas systems.

27 Aug 2021

'Humanized' mouse model beats current approaches for finding the best organ donor

A "humanized" mouse model equipped with the immune system of a patient who needs an organ transplant beats current measures for identifying the best potential living donor, scientists report.

27 Aug 2021

Migraine-inducing peptides may protect against diabetes by influencing insulin production

People who get migraines are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, while some people who develop diabetes become less prone to migraines.

26 Aug 2021

Migraines may hold the key to new treatment for diabetes

The mechanistic association between migraines and type 2 diabetes reveals a new approach to treat diabetes.

26 Aug 2021

Aptamer Group and Bio-Works Technologies partner to enable improved solutions for gene therapy manufacturing

Aptamer Group Ltd and Bio-Works Technologies AB today announce that they have entered into an agreement to co-develop a new affinity resin.

From Aptamer Group 26 Aug 2021

Stiffening of heart’s blood vessels associated with lack of enzyme that fosters cell ‘chatter’

In a study in mice, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have found that the smooth muscle cells lining the walls of blood vessels can lose their elasticity and lead to vascular stiffening, a condition that can precede heart disease and stroke.

26 Aug 2021

Researchers identify potential new treatment for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disease that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Common in the older adult population, OA is associated with loss of cartilage over time.

26 Aug 2021

Research offers new insight into how to treat endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic condition in which tissue from the uterus inappropriately grows outside the uterus.

26 Aug 2021

Study unravels widespread tumor suppression mechanism that halts cancer metastasis

According to a study by The Wistar Institute, the tumor suppressor Parkin, whose levels are reduced in different cancer types, causes acute metabolic and oxidative stress, suppresses mitochondrial trafficking, and blocks tumor cell movement, reducing primary and metastatic tumor growth.

26 Aug 2021

BioPlx sets out to control and combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Antimicrobial Resistance is "one of the greatest threats to society, human and animal health, and economic prosperity." Those are the unequivocal words regarding the gravity of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from the National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education.

26 Aug 2021

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Will mRNA vaccine boosters be required for SARS-CoV-2 variants?

UH associate professor receives $2.5 million to explore how arterial hardening starts within cells

Could genetic variants in host cell receptors (ACE2) explain COVID-19 susceptibility among certain ethnic groups?

Molecular autopsy of dried blood spots can identify underlying cause of sudden cardiac death in a young person

New study analyzes altered gene expression in severe COVID-19

Antisense oligonucleotides engineered to inhibit SARS-CoV-2

Polymeric and lipid nanoparticles in self-amplifying RNA vaccines result in higher protein expression and immunogenicity

Study highlights the robustness of miRNA modulation during aging process

Mystery of roe deer embryonic diapause revealed

Study may pave way for new treatment strategies to limit the progression of solid tumors

Recognizing viral genomes in quick, ‘CRISP’ ways

'Humanized' mouse model beats current approaches for finding the best organ donor

Migraine-inducing peptides may protect against diabetes by influencing insulin production

Migraines may hold the key to new treatment for diabetes

Aptamer Group and Bio-Works Technologies partner to enable improved solutions for gene therapy manufacturing

Stiffening of heart’s blood vessels associated with lack of enzyme that fosters cell ‘chatter’

Researchers identify potential new treatment for osteoarthritis

Research offers new insight into how to treat endometriosis

Study unravels widespread tumor suppression mechanism that halts cancer metastasis

BioPlx sets out to control and combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs

Industry focus eBook - Cell and gene therapy (2nd edition) eBook

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research