Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Fruit flies provide insight on ACOX1-related neurodegenerative disorders

A study led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reports that a hyperactive variant of enzyme ACOX1 produces elevated levels of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causes a previously unidentified late-onset neurodegenerative disorder.

12 Mar 2020

New nano strategy for 'trapping and zapping' antibiotic resistant genes

It's not enough to take antibiotic-resistant bacteria out of wastewater to eliminate the risks they pose to society. The bits they leave behind have to be destroyed as well.

12 Mar 2020

Scientists identify genes involved in the development of diabetic kidney disease

By analyzing samples from hundreds of Finns with diabetes, scientists have identified genes, and the proteins they encode, that could be involved in the development of diabetic kidney disease.

12 Mar 2020

Researchers uncover clues to how statins kill cancer cells

More than 35 million Americans take statin drugs daily to lower their blood cholesterol levels. Now, in experiments with human cells in the laboratory, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have added to growing evidence that the ubiquitous drug may kill cancer cells and have uncovered clues to how they do it.

12 Mar 2020

Potential breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy with gasdermin E

A new study published in the journal Nature in March 2020 reports the discovery of a new approach to cancer immunotherapy, which could be useful in many more cancers than at present.

11 Mar 2020

Fight for Sight funded researcher develops gene therapy approach for glaucoma

A Fight for Sight funded researcher from the University of Bristol has used gene editing techniques to successfully demonstrate a gene therapy for glaucoma in the lab, in results published in Molecular Therapy in March.

11 Mar 2020

Characterization of novel L-fucose metabolism pathway in anaerobic bacteria

The genetic context in bacterial genomes and screening for potential substrates can help identify the biochemical functions of bacterial enzymes.

11 Mar 2020

BIN1 deficit leads to impaired spatial learning and memory

Bridging integrator 1, known as BIN1, is the second most common risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, according to genome-wide studies of genetic variants. Yet, scientists know little about what this protein does in the brain.

11 Mar 2020

Researchers probe how specific genes can impact early brain development

When brains begin developing, there are a lot of moving parts -- and when mutations happen in early neurodevelopment, it can lead to disorders like macrocephaly and autism.

11 Mar 2020

Microbial DNA in the blood could help identify who has cancer

When Gregory Poore was a freshman in college, his otherwise healthy grandmother was shocked to learn that she had late-stage pancreatic cancer. The condition was diagnosed in late December. She died in January.

11 Mar 2020

Canine study discovers novel genes associated with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis

Hip dysplasia, common in both dogs and humans, and associated osteoarthritis are complex disorders influenced by a multitude of genes.

11 Mar 2020

Exploiting careless cancer cells to develop new drugs

Could the ability of cancer cells to quickly alter their genome be used as a weapon against malignant tumors? Researchers at Uppsala University have succeeded in developing a substance that has demonstrated promising results in experiments on both animal models and human cancer cells.

11 Mar 2020

Genetic test could help doctors to identify patients with ultra high risk multiple myeloma

A new genetic test could help doctors pick out patients with the bone marrow cancer multiple myeloma who are at 'ultra high risk' of their cancer progressing aggressively early on.

10 Mar 2020

Researchers discover human protein that potently inhibits coronavirus

A protein produced by the human immune system can potently inhibit several coronaviruses, including the one behind the current COVID-19 outbreak, an international team of investigators reports today. The research reveals that the LY6E protein impairs the coronavirus' ability to initiate infection, which could lead to treatments for the illness.

10 Mar 2020

Family ties and traits key to survival in parasitic organisms

New research by Texas A&M University biologist Dr. Charles Criscione and collaborators in Canada shows that family ties and traits such as manipulation, sacrifice and selflessness are just as key to survival in parasitic organisms as they are in cognitive species like humans.

10 Mar 2020

Abnormal retinal gene function underlying vision loss in dogs

A canine study carried out at the University of Helsinki has described a gene variant in the regulatory region of the retina resulting in the abnormal function of retinal genes and, eventually, in the loss of vision in dogs.

10 Mar 2020

The second person cured from HIV goes public

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the outbreak of HIV and AIDS swept across the globe. Today, more than 70 million people have been infected with HIV, and about 35 million have died from AIDS since the start of the pandemic. However, scientific advances, such as the development of antiretroviral drugs, have enabled people with access to treatment to live long and healthy lives with HIV. But, there is still no vaccine and cure for it. In history, only two persons have been cleared of the infection, one in Berlin and now the second one in London.

10 Mar 2020

Researchers find way to inactivate cancer protein with the help of another protein

Squamous cell carcinoma is a very unusual type of cancer. They occur in many tissues – for example in the lungs, esophagus, pancreas, throat and pharynx, and on the skin.

10 Mar 2020

Inherited ventricular arrhythmia fairly common among Finnish Leonbergers

A new study in Finland has revealed that inherited malignant ventricular arrhythmia is fairly common among Finnish Leonbergers under three years of age. At its worst, such arrhythmia can result in the dog's sudden death.

10 Mar 2020

Study reports second ever case of a patient to be cured of HIV

A study of the second HIV patient to undergo successful stem cell transplantation from donors with a HIV-resistant gene, finds that there was no active viral infection in the patient's blood 30 months after they stopped anti-retroviral therapy, according to a case report published in The Lancet HIV journal and presented at CROI.

10 Mar 2020