Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

International research consortium identifies 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke

An international research consortium studying 520,000 individuals from around the world has identified 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke, thus tripling the number of gene regions known to affect stroke risk.

13 Mar 2018

Scientists link 110 genes to increased risk of breast cancer

Scientists have linked 110 genes to an increased risk of breast cancer in the most comprehensive study ever to unpick the genetics of the disease.

13 Mar 2018

Study identifies gene that influences risk of obesity in adulthood

The importance of good nutrition in the early development of children has been recognized for many decades. Nutritional experiences in early life can have profound and long-lasting effects on body weight in later life.

13 Mar 2018

Study highlights potential of ASO therapy to treat Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients

A proof-of-concept study carried out at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology with funding from Fight for Sight has highlighted the potential of a targeted antisense oligonucleotide therapy to treat Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy patients with a mutation in the TCF4 gene.

12 Mar 2018

Researchers develop new method to increase life span of donated brain tissue samples

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed a method that enables them to use donated brain tissue from people with epilepsy for 48 hours. Previously, the researchers only had 12 hours to test new treatments before the structure of the cells started to break down. The research has now been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

9 Mar 2018

Researchers show role for predictive biomarker in neonatal chronic lung disease pathogenesis

Extremely low birth-weight babies are at risk for a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD.

9 Mar 2018

Novel screening tool aids search for curative kidney treatment

Researchers have developed a screening tool for identifying compounds that restore functionality of the protein that is dysfunctional in Alport syndrome.

9 Mar 2018

Modifying Oncolytic Adenoviruses to Target Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the less common but deadliest cancers. Modified oncolytic adenoviruses represent an alternative to chemotherapy and targeted therapies, which have a high mortality rate.

9 Mar 2018

Scientists uncover detailed map of the brain circuits behind thirst and satiety

Scientists uncovered a high-resolution map of the wiring inside the mouse brain's thirst center. With these blueprints, they could trick mice into becoming light or heavy water drinkers.

8 Mar 2018

Study sheds light on earliest stages in evolution of male-female sexes

A new study published in the journal Communications Biology has shed light on the earliest stages in the evolution of male-female differentiation and sex chromosomes--and found the genetic origins of the two sexes to be unexpectedly modest.

8 Mar 2018

Study seeks to examine whether gut bacteria cause brain dysfunction in sepsis patients

Surviving a critical illness is no small feat, but it's only half the battle for many patients. Serious complications can still result after an illness appears to have cleared.

8 Mar 2018

Newly-discovered hereditary mutation leads to increased production of EPO in the blood

A newly-discovered hereditary mutation is responsible for an increased production of erythropoietin (EPO) in the blood.

8 Mar 2018

Study reveals key function of ALS-linked protein

The protein FUS, whose mutation or disruption causes many cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), works as a central component of one of the most important regulatory systems in cells, according to a new study in Molecular Cell from scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

8 Mar 2018

Boosting the brain's immune cells may prevent or reduce severity of Alzheimer's disease

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Research Institute researchers have published two new studies in Neuron that describe how TREM2, a receptor found on immune cells in the brain, interacts with toxic amyloid beta proteins to restore neurological function.

8 Mar 2018

Research reveals neuroprotective mechanisms of gene and cell medications for spinal cord injuries

A joint paper with Kazan State Medical University appeared in Stem Cells International. The research was based at the Gene and Cell Technologies Lab of Kazan University.

8 Mar 2018

Scientists discover 36 previously unknown genes implicated in heart failure

One in four deaths in the United States each year are due to heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It's the leading killer of both men and women, but the disease's genetic complexity makes it difficult to treat.

8 Mar 2018

Researchers identify new mechanism to disrupt HIV latency

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has a secret life. Though anti-retroviral therapy can reduce its numbers, the virus can hide and avoid both treatments and the body's immune response.

8 Mar 2018

Scientists link protein to seizure suppression

According to a new study, seizures can be suppressed in the brain by a protein called T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1).

8 Mar 2018

Of ‘miracles’ and money: Why hemophilia drugs are so expensive

When Landon Morris was diagnosed with hemophilia shortly after birth, his mother, Jessica Morris, was devastated. "It was like having your dreams — all the dreams you imagined for your child — just kind of disappear," she recalled.

8 Mar 2018

OGT launches new, easy-to-use Cytocell FISH probes website

Oxford Gene Technology, The Molecular Genetics Company, has launched a new version of its Cytocell fluorescence in situ hybridization probes website - designed to provide a wealth of information and advice, offer refined functionality, and be easy-to-use.

From Oxford Gene Technology 8 Mar 2018