Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Bacteria-derived gut metabolites can affect brain’s myelin content and induce depression-like symptoms

Specific combinations of gut bacteria produce substances that affect myelin content and cause social avoidance behaviors in mice, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published today in the medical journal eLife. This research suggests that targeting intestinal bacteria, or their metabolites, could be one way to treat debilitating psychiatric disorders and demyelinating diseases, like multiple sclerosis.

21 Apr 2016

Scientists identify genetic variants that may influence wellbeing, depression and neuroticism

An international group of more than 190 scientists who analyzed the genomes of 298,420 individuals have found genetic variants that may influence our sense of wellbeing, depression and neuroticism.

21 Apr 2016

OASIS study to investigate link between SIDS and alteration on newborn hearing screen test

Seattle Children's is partnering on the launch of a study called the 'Oto-Acoustic Signals in SIDS'study that will investigate a possible association between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and hearing alteration on the newborn hearing screen test.

19 Apr 2016

Inhibiting adrenaline receptors reduces breast cancer brain metastases

While we look to invent new medicines to treat cancer, a parallel approach to repurpose existing medicines may be highly effective. Stress, mediated by adrenaline, has been suspected to promote cancer growth and this research study shows that by blocking adrenaline receptors in breast cancers, they are less successful in spreading to and growing in the brain.

19 Apr 2016

Researchers develop new method for identifying DNA mutations in single cancer cell

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have announced a new method for detecting DNA mutations in a single cancer cell versus current technology that analyzes millions of cells which they believe could have important applications for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The results are published in the April 18 online issue of Nature Methods.

19 Apr 2016

Researchers reveal how relatively unknown pathogen led to current Zika outbreak

An analysis comparing the individual differences between over 40 strains of Zika virus (30 isolated from humans, 10 from mosquitoes, and 1 from monkeys) has identified significant changes in both amino acid and nucleotide sequences during the past half-century.

18 Apr 2016

Cancer causing genetic condition risk in children lower than previously thought

The odds of children having a genetic condition which causes learning difficulties and tumours have been dramatically cut, thanks to genetic analysis led by The University of Manchester and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

18 Apr 2016

UAB lab to offer new tests for genetic diseases using next-generation sequencing

The Medical Genomics Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is expanding its technological array with a new panel of diagnostic tests for genetic diseases known as neurofibromatoses and rasopathies. Beginning April 18, the UAB lab will offer new tests using the technique called customized deep-coverage, next-generation sequencing or NGS.

18 Apr 2016

Researchers determine mutations in RERE gene can cause many features linked with 1p36 deletions

One in 5,000 babies is born missing a small amount of genetic material from the tip of chromosome 1, a region called 1p36. Missing genes in the 1p36 region is a relatively common cause of intellectual disability.

18 Apr 2016

Mouse model can help identify new, more effective melanoma-preventing agents

Application of sun protection factor 30 (SPF30) sunscreen prior to exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) light delayed melanoma onset in a mouse model of the disease, according to data from a team at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. This data suggest that the mouse model can be used to identify new, more effective melanoma-preventing agents, according to principal investigator Christin Burd, PhD.

18 Apr 2016

MGH-led study confirms safety of allergy immunotherapy

A team of Massachusetts General Hospital investigators has found no evidence of infections related to administration of allergy immunotherapy, the common practice of injecting minimal quantities of allergens beneath the skin to reduce the allergic response.

18 Apr 2016

Study supports screening for HLA-B*5801 gene variant in Asian, black patients with gout

A multi-institutional study led by a Massachusetts General Hospital investigator finds significant racial disparities in the risk that patients being treated for gout will develop a serious, sometimes life-threatening adverse reaction to the most commonly prescribed medication. The increased risk closely correlates with the frequency of a gene variant previously associated with that adverse reaction, supporting recommendations to screen for that variant in patients from those populations.

16 Apr 2016

Researchers find that children develop self-control mechanisms by age 3

University of Texas at Arlington researchers have found that by age 3 environmental influences such as parenting are relevant factors in the development of toddlers' self-control when they are asked not to do something they want to do, such as run into the street or eat a forbidden snack.

16 Apr 2016

Removal of Dnmt1 enzyme during OPC differentiation could lead to neurological symptoms

The removal of the enzyme Dnmt1 during oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) differentiation in the central nervous system resulted in inefficient myelin formation and neurological deterioration, including loss of control of bodily movements, in mice, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published today in the medical journal Cell Reports. The results could lead to a new understanding of multiple sclerosis and other myelin disorders in humans.

16 Apr 2016

Palovarotene drug may prevent multiple musculoskeletal problems linked with FOP

New research in laboratory animals suggests that the drug palovarotene may prevent multiple skeletal problems caused by a rare but extremely disabling genetic bone disease, and may even be a candidate for use in newborn babies with the condition.

15 Apr 2016

High dosages of antihistamines have dulling effect on genes associated with post-exercise recovery

After vigorous exercise, some 3,000 genes go to work to aid recovery by boosting muscles and blood vessels, but in the presence of high doses of antihistamines almost 27 percent of the gene response is blunted, according to University of Oregon researchers.

15 Apr 2016

UNIGE researchers identify PIGG gene that plays crucial role in recessive disease

The objective of genetic medicine is to analyze all the genes that make up the human genome, in order to identify as many genetic diseases as possible. Indeed, each gene variation has the potential to trigger specific defects.

15 Apr 2016

Home screening for bowel cancer: an interview with Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK

FIT (faecal immunochemical test) is a screening test for bowel cancer which detects hidden traces of blood in stools. It is now used in population screening around the world including Italy, The Netherlands, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Slovenia, Malta, Japan, parts of Canada, and Southeast Asia.

14 Apr 2016

PITRM1 protein may be involved in development of Alzheimer's disease

University of Bergen researchers have found a protein that could hold the key to understanding how Alzheimer's disease develops.

14 Apr 2016

Oxford Gene Technology develops new FISH probes in ‘outstanding’ Innovate UK project

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), The Molecular Genetics Company, has developed a new range of non-human fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes, for pig, chicken and mouse. The probes were developed as part of an Innovate UK knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) funded project in collaboration with the University of Kent, and was given an ‘outstanding’ award reserved for the top 10% of KTP projects.

13 Apr 2016

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Bacteria-derived gut metabolites can affect brain’s myelin content and induce depression-like symptoms

Scientists identify genetic variants that may influence wellbeing, depression and neuroticism

OASIS study to investigate link between SIDS and alteration on newborn hearing screen test

Inhibiting adrenaline receptors reduces breast cancer brain metastases

Researchers develop new method for identifying DNA mutations in single cancer cell

Researchers reveal how relatively unknown pathogen led to current Zika outbreak

Cancer causing genetic condition risk in children lower than previously thought

UAB lab to offer new tests for genetic diseases using next-generation sequencing

Researchers determine mutations in RERE gene can cause many features linked with 1p36 deletions

Mouse model can help identify new, more effective melanoma-preventing agents

MGH-led study confirms safety of allergy immunotherapy

Study supports screening for HLA-B*5801 gene variant in Asian, black patients with gout

Researchers find that children develop self-control mechanisms by age 3

Removal of Dnmt1 enzyme during OPC differentiation could lead to neurological symptoms

Palovarotene drug may prevent multiple musculoskeletal problems linked with FOP

High dosages of antihistamines have dulling effect on genes associated with post-exercise recovery

UNIGE researchers identify PIGG gene that plays crucial role in recessive disease

Home screening for bowel cancer: an interview with Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK

PITRM1 protein may be involved in development of Alzheimer's disease

Oxford Gene Technology develops new FISH probes in ‘outstanding’ Innovate UK project

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging