Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Non-invasive prenatal testing can detect maternal cancer at early stage

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for chromosomal foetal disorders is used increasingly to test for conditions such as Down's syndrome. NIPT examines DNA from the foetus in the mother's blood, and therefore does not carry the risk of miscarriage involved in invasive testing methods.

7 Jun 2015

Researchers reveal that 6.5% of de novo genetic mutations occur during embryonic development

Until now, de novo genetic mutations, alterations in a gene found for the first time in one family member, were believed to be mainly the result of new mutations in the sperm or eggs (germline) of one of the parents and passed on to their child.

7 Jun 2015

New study aims to find the genetic causes of substance addiction

A new study aims to find the genetic causes specific symptoms of substance addiction, which could lead to a more nuanced way of looking at substance abuse, and ways to treat it.

5 Jun 2015

Physicians at UH Case Medical Center implant revolutionary device to treat right ventricular heart disease

University Hospitals Case Medical Center physicians in the Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute were the first in the state of Ohio to implant a revolutionary device to treat right ventricular heart disease.

5 Jun 2015

Seattle Children's opens enrollment for first clinical trial of Tumor Paint BLZ-100 for children with brain tumors

Seattle Children's today announced the opening of patient enrollment for the first clinical research trial of the drug Tumor Paint BLZ-100, which is designed to improve surgical outcomes in children with brain tumors – the most common solid tumor cancer in kids.

5 Jun 2015

Ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA) improves survival in treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Today, Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company, announced that ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA) improved progression-free survival (PFS; primary endpoint) and multiple secondary endpoints including overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR) in treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL, respectively) in the final analysis of the Phase III RESONATE™-2 (PCYC-1115) trial.

5 Jun 2015

WuXi AppTec, Fudan University partner for genomics database system

WuXi AppTec today announced a partnership with Fudan University to bring WuXi NextCODE's world-leading population human genomics database system and integrated research and clinical solutions to the Fudan-led Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development as an enterprise partner.

4 Jun 2015

Rhythm announces initiation of two setmelanotide Phase 2 trials for treatment of PWS, POMC-null obesity

Rhythm announced today the initiation of two Phase 2 clinical trials focused on evaluating the safety and effectiveness of setmelanotide (RM-493), the company's novel melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist, for the treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and POMC-null obesity.

4 Jun 2015

University of Chicago scientists develop new technique to accurately measure epigenetic changes

One of the most widely used tools in epigenetics research - the study of how DNA packaging affects gene expression - is chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), a technique that allows researchers to examine interactions between specific proteins and genomic regions. However, ChIP is a relative measurement, and has significant limitations that can lead to errors, poor reproducibility and an inability to be compared between experiments.

4 Jun 2015

Scientists make breakthrough in schizophrenia research

An international team of scientists led by Cardiff University researchers has provided the strongest evidence yet of what causes schizophrenia - a condition that affects around 1% of the global population.

4 Jun 2015

New JIC research helps to settle important debate on epigenetic inheritance

New research findings by John Innes Centre scientists have helped to settle an important debate in the field of epigenetic inheritance. Using the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana as a model for their research, Professor Martin Howard, Professor Caroline Dean and members of their labs, have been trying to understand how organisms 'remember' past events at the cellular level.

4 Jun 2015

U of T researchers uncover new insights on genetic causes of ALS

Researchers at the University of Toronto have uncovered new insights on the genetic causes of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. These findings could uncover a new way to detect a genetic predisposition to ALS before the disease strikes.

4 Jun 2015

Scientists produce strongest evidence yet of schizophrenia’s causes

3 Jun 2015

University of Adelaide research shows genetics play vital role in the cause of cerebral palsy

University of Adelaide researchers have discovered cerebral palsy has an even stronger genetic cause than previously thought, leading them to call for an end to unnecessary caesareans and arbitrary litigation against obstetric staff.

3 Jun 2015

MGH researchers develop bioartificial replacement limbs suitable for transplantation

A team of Massachusetts General Hospital investigators has made the first steps towards development of bioartificial replacement limbs suitable for transplantation. In their report, which has been published online in the journal Biomaterials, the researchers describe using an experimental approach previously used to build bioartificial organs to engineer rat forelimbs with functioning vascular and muscle tissue.

3 Jun 2015

Scientists identify gene mutation that causes color blindness

A rare eye disorder marked by color blindness, light sensitivity, and other vision problems can result from a newly discovered gene mutation identified by an international research team, including scientists from Columbia University Medical Center.

3 Jun 2015

New finding may lead to development of immunity-based therapies for tuberculosis

A study by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has identified how an enzyme involved in protecting the body from pathogens senses Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial pathogen that infects millions of people worldwide and causes about 1.5 million deaths annually.

2 Jun 2015

Experimental drug and common antibiotic combination holds promise for pancreatic cancer treatment

Despite surgical advances, pancreatic cancer continues to be one of the most deadly and difficult cancers to manage due to a lack of effective therapies. However, VCU Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM) scientists in the lab of Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D., are hoping to change that with a novel combination of an experimental drug and a common antibiotic that has shown promising results in preclinical experiments.

2 Jun 2015

Ariana Pharma joins the GastricGlycoExplorer consortium

This collaboration is carried out within the GastricGlycoExplorer consortium, a European Commission funded project. The consortium aims at discovering and developing new diagnostic signatures by characterizing the sugars that are attached to the surface of gastric tissue. "Glycomics" provides a systematic approach for studying sugars that are naturally present on cell surfaces and its application may lead to determine early markers of gastric cancer.

2 Jun 2015

Substantial pharmacogenetic information available on cardiovascular drugs

There is a wealth of published information describing interactions between drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease and the genetic variations that can affect how patients respond to them. But few heart specialists make routine use of this potentially life-saving data.

2 Jun 2015

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Non-invasive prenatal testing can detect maternal cancer at early stage

Researchers reveal that 6.5% of de novo genetic mutations occur during embryonic development

New study aims to find the genetic causes of substance addiction

Physicians at UH Case Medical Center implant revolutionary device to treat right ventricular heart disease

Seattle Children's opens enrollment for first clinical trial of Tumor Paint BLZ-100 for children with brain tumors

Ibrutinib (IMBRUVICA) improves survival in treatment-naïve patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

WuXi AppTec, Fudan University partner for genomics database system

Rhythm announces initiation of two setmelanotide Phase 2 trials for treatment of PWS, POMC-null obesity

University of Chicago scientists develop new technique to accurately measure epigenetic changes

Scientists make breakthrough in schizophrenia research

New JIC research helps to settle important debate on epigenetic inheritance

U of T researchers uncover new insights on genetic causes of ALS

Scientists produce strongest evidence yet of schizophrenia’s causes

University of Adelaide research shows genetics play vital role in the cause of cerebral palsy

MGH researchers develop bioartificial replacement limbs suitable for transplantation

Scientists identify gene mutation that causes color blindness

New finding may lead to development of immunity-based therapies for tuberculosis

Experimental drug and common antibiotic combination holds promise for pancreatic cancer treatment

Ariana Pharma joins the GastricGlycoExplorer consortium

Substantial pharmacogenetic information available on cardiovascular drugs

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