Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study provides insight into link between cancer driver gene and alternative splicing changes

A multi-institutional group of researchers led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has linked a strong cancer driver gene to changes in proteins that regulate alternative splicing.

17 Feb 2020

Increased risk of uterine cancer linked to 24 gene variants

The risk of uterine endometrial cancer is increased by 24 gene variants that code for different cellular processes such as cell growth and death, gene regulation, and estrogen metabolism, according to a comprehensive review published in the Journal of Medical Genetics.

17 Feb 2020

Research suggests new approach to block tau pathology in FTLD, Alzheimer's

The protein β-arrestin-2 increases the accumulation of neurotoxic tau tangles, a cause several forms of dementia, by interfering with removal of excess tau from the brain, a new study by the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine found.

17 Feb 2020

Targeting regulatory T cells could boost the effects of cancer immunotherapy

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a mechanism by which regulatory T cells, which suppress immune responses, adapt their metabolism to thrive in the harsh microenvironment of the tumor.

17 Feb 2020

Intratumoral heterogeneity linked to chemotherapy resistance in small-cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer accounts for 14% of all lung cancers and is often rapidly resistant to chemotherapy, resulting in poor clinical outcomes.

17 Feb 2020

Fragile X syndrome-causing repeats help human neurons function, study finds

Over half of our genomes are made of repeating elements within DNA. In rare cases, these repeats can become unstable and grow in size. These repeat "expansions" cause neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and dementia as well as learning disorders and autism in Fragile X syndrome.

17 Feb 2020

Combination therapy for pediatric low-grade gliomas shows promise in mice

In experiments with human cells and mice, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center report evidence that combining the experimental cancer medication TAK228 (also called sapanisertib) with an existing anti-cancer drug called trametinib may be more effective than either drug alone in decreasing the growth of pediatric low-grade gliomas.

17 Feb 2020

Scientists find a way to block the growth of kidney cancer

Scientists at the MDC have discovered stem cells responsible for the most common form of kidney cancer. The team of Walter Birchmeier has found a way to block the growth of these tumors in three models of the disease.

17 Feb 2020

Novel technique to study gene splicing reveals new insights into the process

Genes are like instructions, but with options for building more than one thing. Daniel Larson, senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute, studies this gene "splicing" process, which happens in normal cells and goes awry in blood cancers like leukemia.

16 Feb 2020

Generating genomes and encoding new abilities into artificial DNA

A new study to be presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in February 2020 will report on the generation of the world’s first artificially created bacterial genome using a digital design algorithm along with the synthesis of DNA building blocks on a large scale. This genome takes form by chemical rather than template-based synthesis. The research is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

16 Feb 2020

Stress in kids could have long term genetic consequences finds study

Researchers have found that being separated from parents at a young age could lead to a rise in stress hormones, which could have direct consequences on altering the genetic makeup of the child, which can then be passed on to the future generations. The study titled, "Childcare outside the family for the under-threes: cause for concern?" was published in the latest issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

16 Feb 2020

Scientists map molecular steps in the development of endometrial cancer

A new study reveals the molecular steps that bring about endometrial cancer, commonly known as uterine cancer, which is the sixth most common cancer in women across the globe.

16 Feb 2020

New biological tool can detect and debug faulty genetic circuits

Every cell in our body has a computer-like control system that sends biological signals through thousands of circuits to monitor the cell's needs and regulate its responses.

16 Feb 2020

Wayne State researchers receive grant to develop new treatments for Barth syndrome

Barth syndrome is a rare and life-threatening, X-linked genetic disorder that primarily affects males and is passed from mother to son; women who are carriers do not show symptoms of the disorder.

16 Feb 2020

Advancing a protein drug in lettuce leaves to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

In pulmonary arterial hypertension, high blood pressure in the lungs' arteries causes the heart to work extra hard to pump blood to the lungs and around the rest of the body.

16 Feb 2020

Researchers identify key modifier in large genetic deletion linked to neurodevelopmental disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and autism, likely result from complex interactions that modify the effects of individual genes.

16 Feb 2020

Combination of green tea extract and exercise mitigates fatty liver disease in mice

The combination of green tea extract and exercise reduced the severity of obesity-related fatty liver disease by 75% in mice fed a high-fat diet, according to Penn State researchers, whose recent study may point to a potential health strategy for people.

16 Feb 2020

Scientists pinpoint protein that plays key role in lung cancer and melanoma progression

Scientists from Far Eastern Federal University, University of Geneva (Switzerland), Minjiang University, and Fuzhou University (China) pointed out WDR74 protein playing an important role in lung cancer and melanoma primary tumors/metastases progression.

16 Feb 2020

Scientists unravel mechanisms that lead to ventricular enlargement in schizophrenia

Enlarged cerebral ventricles are found in 80% of individuals with schizophrenia, yet the mechanisms that lead to ventricular enlargement are mostly unknown.

14 Feb 2020

Scientists create world’s first model of pituitary disease using human iPS cells

Researchers at Kobe University's Graduate School of Medicine have developed the world's first congenital pituitary hypoplasia model using patient-derived iPS cells.

14 Feb 2020

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study provides insight into link between cancer driver gene and alternative splicing changes

Increased risk of uterine cancer linked to 24 gene variants

Research suggests new approach to block tau pathology in FTLD, Alzheimer's

Targeting regulatory T cells could boost the effects of cancer immunotherapy

Intratumoral heterogeneity linked to chemotherapy resistance in small-cell lung cancer

Fragile X syndrome-causing repeats help human neurons function, study finds

Combination therapy for pediatric low-grade gliomas shows promise in mice

Scientists find a way to block the growth of kidney cancer

Novel technique to study gene splicing reveals new insights into the process

Generating genomes and encoding new abilities into artificial DNA

Stress in kids could have long term genetic consequences finds study

Scientists map molecular steps in the development of endometrial cancer

New biological tool can detect and debug faulty genetic circuits

Wayne State researchers receive grant to develop new treatments for Barth syndrome

Advancing a protein drug in lettuce leaves to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension

Researchers identify key modifier in large genetic deletion linked to neurodevelopmental disorders

Combination of green tea extract and exercise mitigates fatty liver disease in mice

Scientists pinpoint protein that plays key role in lung cancer and melanoma progression

Scientists unravel mechanisms that lead to ventricular enlargement in schizophrenia

Scientists create world’s first model of pituitary disease using human iPS cells

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