Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

New research sheds light on how retina sets its own biological rhythm using neuropsin

Researchers at Johns Hopkins and the University of Washington report new research that sheds light on how the retina sets its own biological rhythm using a novel light-sensitive pigment, called neuropsin, found in nerve cells at the back of the eye.

1 Oct 2015

Study suggests link between human endogenous retroviral genes and ALS

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health discovered that reactivation of ancient viral genes embedded in the human genome may cause the destruction of neurons in some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

1 Oct 2015

New reference catalogue may help guide future studies of genetics, evolution and disease

Missing a gene may be less problematic than you'd think. This is one of the conclusions that emerge from the most extensive catalogue of structural variations - changes in large sections of a person's DNA sequence - to date.

1 Oct 2015

UH researcher investigates two new avenues for detection, treatment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the U.S. The challenge with prostate cancer is that the standard treatment methods in the advanced stage of the disease lose effectiveness after about one to two years, leading to recurrence and, ultimately, death. A University of Houston researcher and his team are working to change that.

30 Sep 2015

Unlocking the genes behind antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Romesberg

Bacteria are very, very diverse. This is why their susceptibility to different antibiotics can be very different. It also makes the tools they have to evolve resistance in many cases different.

30 Sep 2015

New study finds that serum miRNA profiles change as myeloma progresses

Virtually all patients who develop myeloma have an asymptomatic disease called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in the years before the onset of myeloma. The five-year relative survival rate for myeloma is 69% for patients diagnosed with stage I or localized disease, compared with 45% for patients with advanced cancer.

30 Sep 2015

Leading cancer researchers address eight 'big questions'

Leading cancer researchers address eight of the "big questions" facing the field as part of the inaugural issue of Trends in Cancer, published by Cell Press.

30 Sep 2015

Study raises hope for reducing life-threatening respiratory problems in infants

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have a lead on reducing life-threatening respiratory problems in infants born to women who develop the liver disorder intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

30 Sep 2015

New gene therapy approach to treating DMD reduces symptoms, extends life span in mouse model

A gene therapy approach to treating the progressive muscle wasting disorder Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) that does not replace the mutated DMD gene but instead delivers the gene for ITGA7, a protein in skeletal muscle, led to reduced symptoms and significantly extended life span in a mouse model of severe DMD. Over-expression of ITGA7 did not elicit an immune reaction, further supporting its potential as a novel treatment for DMD, according to a new study published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

30 Sep 2015

Glowing protein may replace fiber optic cable as light source in optogenetics research

Optogenetics has taken neuroscience by storm in recent years because the technique allows scientists to study the brain conveniently in animals, activating or inhibiting selected groups of neurons at the flip of a switch. Most often, scientists use a fiber optic cable to deliver light into the brain.

30 Sep 2015

Intratumoral morphological diversity of breast cancer not related to chromosome aberrations

Intratumor morphological heterogeneity (diversity) of breast cancer is not related to chromosome aberrations. This conclusion was made based on the study of one case with aggressive variant of breast cancer - invasive micropapillary carcinoma by researchers from Tomsk State University, Tomsk Cancer Research Institute, and Institute of Medical Genetics.

30 Sep 2015

New research identifies genetic variants, causal links associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

In the largest genome wide association study (GWAS) into polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to date, new research conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge and ten other institutions, including 23andMe, has identified genetic variants and causal links associated with PCOS, some of which might be relevant to informing positive lifestyle and treatment choices for women.

30 Sep 2015

New report implicates five genetic regions that play major roles in CF disease severity

If you have two faulty copies of the CFTR gene, you will have cystic fibrosis. But the severity of your disease will depend on environmental factors and many other genes. Locating these genes and altering their function could lead to new therapies.

29 Sep 2015

Academies and DFG point out limitations and risks of new genome editing techniques

More efficient bacteria and yeasts for use in fuel and drug production, new strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant germs, and innovative plant breeding methods - new molecular biology techniques that permit targeted genetic modification are giving rise to many promising new opportunities in research and application.

29 Sep 2015

Tailorx trial data supports use of Oncotype DX test in patients with early stage breast cancer

Initial results were announced today from the Trial Assigning IndividuaLized Options for Treatment (Rx), or TAILORx, a multi-center prospectively conducted trial of more than 10,000 women with early stage breast cancer sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group with support from Genomic Health, Inc.

29 Sep 2015

New self-contained device could provide instant results to routine lab tests, accelerate treatment and diagnosis

Researchers at Houston Methodist, along with collaborators at two major Singapore institutions, have developed a lab in a needle device that could provide instant results to routine lab tests, accelerating treatment and diagnosis by days.

29 Sep 2015

Study: Increased acetylation of histones promotes fear extinction in mice

The targeted modulation of gene activity and cellular signaling pathways could provide a new approach to the treatment of fear and anxiety states according to the recent findings of a project sponsored by the Austrian Science Fund FWF.

29 Sep 2015

Scientists develop new molecular toolkit to investigate protein assemblies in human disease

A photograph may reveal how something looks, but direct observation can divulge how the objects behave. The difference can mean life or death, especially when it comes to fighting human disease.

29 Sep 2015

UT Southwestern Medical Center geneticist named 2015 recipient of Pearl Meister Greengard Prize

UT Southwestern Medical Center geneticist Dr. Helen Hobbs is the 2015 recipient of the prestigious Pearl Meister Greengard Prize. The prize recognizes Dr. Hobbs' research, which advances understanding of heart disease and other complex disorders.

29 Sep 2015

Roche launches the cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 for use with either plasma or tumour tissue samples

Roche has announced the commercial availability in countries that accept the CE mark1 of the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test v2, the first oncology assay from Roche that utilises either plasma or tumour tissue as a sample. The test identifies 42 mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, the most of any In-vitro Diagnostic (IVD) on the market, and can also be used as an aid in selecting eligible patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for therapy with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 28 Sep 2015

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

New research sheds light on how retina sets its own biological rhythm using neuropsin

Study suggests link between human endogenous retroviral genes and ALS

New reference catalogue may help guide future studies of genetics, evolution and disease

UH researcher investigates two new avenues for detection, treatment of prostate cancer

Unlocking the genes behind antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Romesberg

New study finds that serum miRNA profiles change as myeloma progresses

Leading cancer researchers address eight 'big questions'

Study raises hope for reducing life-threatening respiratory problems in infants

New gene therapy approach to treating DMD reduces symptoms, extends life span in mouse model

Glowing protein may replace fiber optic cable as light source in optogenetics research

Intratumoral morphological diversity of breast cancer not related to chromosome aberrations

New research identifies genetic variants, causal links associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

New report implicates five genetic regions that play major roles in CF disease severity

Academies and DFG point out limitations and risks of new genome editing techniques

Tailorx trial data supports use of Oncotype DX test in patients with early stage breast cancer

New self-contained device could provide instant results to routine lab tests, accelerate treatment and diagnosis

Study: Increased acetylation of histones promotes fear extinction in mice

Scientists develop new molecular toolkit to investigate protein assemblies in human disease

UT Southwestern Medical Center geneticist named 2015 recipient of Pearl Meister Greengard Prize

Roche launches the cobas EGFR Mutation Test v2 for use with either plasma or tumour tissue samples

Industry Focus: Cell & Gene Therapy eBook

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