Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Disruption of protein folding causes neurodegeneration, mental retardation

Excess accumulation in brain cells of a fat molecule called GM1-ganglioside (GM1) disrupts the folding of newly assembled proteins into their proper shapes, triggering nerve degeneration and mental retardation in children.

10 Sep 2004

Missing genes may help explain why plague bacteria are so deadly

What makes the germ that causes plague so fearsomely lethal, while a close relative only produces digestive disorders and is rarely fatal?

10 Sep 2004

MRI most effective for detecting breast cancer for women with breast cancer gene mutations

MRI is more accurate for detecting breast cancer than mammography, ultrasound or clinical breast examination alone, in women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, according to a study in the September 15 issue of JAMA.

10 Sep 2004

Scientists closer to correcting an abnormal gene which causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh are closer to correcting an abnormal gene which causes one of the crippling muscle wasting diseases known collectively as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease.

10 Sep 2004

Gene mutations cause 85 percent of colon cancers

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene have been found to cause 85 percent of colon cancers.

9 Sep 2004

Research crucial in determining what gene mutations might lead to congenital cardiovascular defects

According to the American Heart Association, congenital cardiovascular defects, such as congenital heart disease (CHD), are present in about one percent of live births and are the most common malformations in newborns.

9 Sep 2004

Genetically modified fish may help treat hemophiliacs

A human blood-clotting factor used to treat some people with haemophilia and accident victims suffering serious bleeding has been produced using genetically modified fish.

9 Sep 2004

Study provides insight on how DNA code is turned into instructions for protein construction

A team of scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the structure of a cellular editor that “cuts and pastes” the first draft of RNA straight after it is formed from its DNA template.

9 Sep 2004

Gene linked to both alcoholism and depression

A national team of investigators led by psychiatric geneticists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified a gene that appears to be linked to both alcoholism and depression.

8 Sep 2004

Autism may arise from a mixture of sources that include a few genes and epigenetics

Autism, a serious developmental disorder in children, may arise from a mixture of sources that include a few genes and alterations in the factors that regulate genes (epigenetics) that may be inherited or occur as a new event, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine.

8 Sep 2004

Studies of human genetic variation have found strong evidence for the action of natural selection

One of the most comprehensive studies of the forces that have shaped patterns of human genetic variation has found strong evidence for the action of natural selection, which may help explain why certain people are at risk for a variety of conditions and others are not.

8 Sep 2004

Cancers, including colon, prostate, and leukemia, continue to grow unchecked

Many cancers, including colon, prostate, and leukemia, continue to grow unchecked because they do not respond to a signal to die and stop proliferating from Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-b).

8 Sep 2004

Gene therapy holds much promise for treating aggressive human superficial bladder cancer

Gene therapy that causes the bladder to act like a “bioreactor” to produce and secrete the anti-cancer agent interferon-alpha has shown dramatic benefits in preclinical tests, say researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

8 Sep 2004

Researchers uncover how HIV causes abnormalities in antibody-producing cells

HIV wreaks much of its damage by targeting the “orchestra conductor” of the immune system, a key class of T cells—CD4+ T cells—whose destructive relationship with HIV has been well-studied by AIDS researchers.

8 Sep 2004

Japanese research lab to use an IBM supercomputer for protein research

IBM announced today that AIST, a leading Japanese research laboratory, will use an IBM BlueGene/L supercomputer to advance their research in proteins, potentially accelerating breakthroughs in drug design. The BlueGene/L supercomputer has been ranked as the fourth largest supercomputer in the world.

8 Sep 2004

Advances in gene silencing on the agenda

Recent advances in using 'RNA interference' (RNAi) to improve plant, animal and human health will be the major focus of the CSIRO-hosted Horizons in Livestock Sciences Conference on the Gold Coast from 12-15 September.

8 Sep 2004

New genetic hypothesis for the cause of autism

Researchers have proposed a new hypothesis on the cause of autism, suggesting a mixed epigenetic and genetic and mixed de novo and inherited (MEGDI) model.

8 Sep 2004

Evidence of radiation risk in childhood leukaemia

Delegates at a conference in London yesterday heard how ground-breaking research is now providing evidence that the children of men exposed to radiation may also be at increased risk of developing leukaemia.

8 Sep 2004

Pioneering work with human embryonic stem cells could speed up development of new treatments for Parkinson’s and diabetes

Pioneering work with human embryonic stem (hES) cells could speed up the development of new treatments for a range of degenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and diabetes according to Dr Stephen Minger of King’s College London, speaking today at the BA Festival of Science.

8 Sep 2004

First indication that Parkinson’s disease can be caused by a defect in a protein

The findings of Finnish scientists with their multinational collaborators shed light to the mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease and early menopause.

8 Sep 2004

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Disruption of protein folding causes neurodegeneration, mental retardation

Missing genes may help explain why plague bacteria are so deadly

MRI most effective for detecting breast cancer for women with breast cancer gene mutations

Scientists closer to correcting an abnormal gene which causes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Gene mutations cause 85 percent of colon cancers

Research crucial in determining what gene mutations might lead to congenital cardiovascular defects

Genetically modified fish may help treat hemophiliacs

Study provides insight on how DNA code is turned into instructions for protein construction

Gene linked to both alcoholism and depression

Autism may arise from a mixture of sources that include a few genes and epigenetics

Studies of human genetic variation have found strong evidence for the action of natural selection

Cancers, including colon, prostate, and leukemia, continue to grow unchecked

Gene therapy holds much promise for treating aggressive human superficial bladder cancer

Researchers uncover how HIV causes abnormalities in antibody-producing cells

Japanese research lab to use an IBM supercomputer for protein research

Advances in gene silencing on the agenda

New genetic hypothesis for the cause of autism

Evidence of radiation risk in childhood leukaemia

Pioneering work with human embryonic stem cells could speed up development of new treatments for Parkinson’s and diabetes

First indication that Parkinson’s disease can be caused by a defect in a protein

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

Scaling B-cell cloning workflows for antibody development

Fluidics in Modern Healthcare & Medical Device Innovation