Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Impact of Personal Genomics Study to launch data collection phase

As genetic risk information plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, private companies have made personal genomic testing for these risk factors widely available to the public. However, very little data has been gathered to understand the motivations and expectations of consumers of personal genomic services, the psychological and behavioral impact of these services, and the associated ethical, legal and social issues—until now.

4 Apr 2012

Genomic fortune-telling fails to provide informative guidance to most people

With sharp declines in the cost of whole genome sequencing, the day of accurately deciphering disease risk based on an individual's genome may seem at hand. But a study involving data of thousands of identical twins by Johns Hopkins investigators finds that genomic fortune-telling fails to provide informative guidance to most people about their risk for most common diseases, and warns against complacency born of negative genome test results.

3 Apr 2012

UT Southwestern molecular biologist to receive Steven C. Beering Award

Dr. Eric N. Olson, chairman of molecular biology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, is the winner of the 2012 Steven C. Beering Award for outstanding advancements in biomedical or clinical science.

3 Apr 2012

Genetic counseling does not help parents in disclosing their breast cancer information to children

When a mother undergoes genetic testing to determine whether she carries a gene for hereditary breast cancer, the parents must then decide whether and how to share this risk information with their children.

3 Apr 2012

NutraGene introduces first ever commercial type 2 diabetes genetic test

With the launch of the country's first ever commercial genetic test for type 2 diabetes, Indians will now have access to clinically relevant and cost effective genetic risk assessment services. NutraGene, a Delhi based genomics company that launched the tests believes that its type 2 diabetes genetic test will provide physicians an effective tool in assessing the risk of diabetes in the Indian population and will help in implementing personalized prevention and management strategies.

3 Apr 2012

Researchers discover multiple genes associated with meconium ileus

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. In Canada, one in every 3,600 children born has the disease. Researchers have long been puzzled as to how individuals who carry the same CFTR mutations can experience such different courses of disease. Patients with CF are affected in multiple organs such as the lungs, pancreas and liver, to varying degrees.

3 Apr 2012

Clemson researcher to continue African sleeping sickness study

Clemson University researcher James Morris received a $360,079 competitive renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue his study of Trypanosoma brucei, the single-celled parasite that causes African sleeping sickness.

3 Apr 2012

PolyTherics, Spirogen enter research collaboration to produce novel ADCs for treatment of cancer

PolyTherics Limited, a provider of solutions to enable the development of better biopharmaceuticals, and Spirogen Limited, a leading oncology-focused company developing DNA sequence-targeted agents, announce that they have formed a research collaboration to develop antibody drug conjugates that combine PolyTherics' proprietary site-specific conjugation chemistry with Spirogen's highly potent novel cytotoxic drugs to produce novel ADCs for the treatment of cancer.

2 Apr 2012

Blocking PRC2 protein may help protect against AML

Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a candidate drug target for treating acute myeloid leukemia, a white blood cell cancer that proliferates out of control in the bone marrow.

2 Apr 2012

Twins and mothers with poor nutrition more likely to develop obesity, type 2 diabetes

If you're expecting, this might make you feel a little better about reaching for that pint of ice cream: New research published online in the FASEB Journal suggests that twins, and babies of mothers who diet around the time of conception and in early pregnancy, may have an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes throughout their lives.

2 Apr 2012

RNA binding motif protein 20 regulates titin splicing

Cardiomyopathy comprises a deterioration of the heart muscle that affects the organ's ability to efficiently pump blood through the body. Previously researchers have tied forms of the disease to the alternative splicing of titin, a giant protein that determines the structure and biomechanical properties of the heart, but the molecular mechanism remained unknown.

2 Apr 2012

Genetic variations could be linked with meconium ileus in CF patients

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers working as part of the International Cystic Fibrosis Consortium have discovered several regions of the genome that may predispose cystic fibrosis (CF) patients to develop an intestinal blockage while still in the uterus.

2 Apr 2012

New breast cancer gene mutation discovered

A large international study led by University of Melbourne researchers has identified a mutation linked to breast cancer attached to the newly identified gene, called XRCC2. Lead researcher Melissa Southey said the discovery, using high-speed technology, would hopefully mean that more gene mutations responsible for causing breast cancer could be rapidly identified in the next few years.

1 Apr 2012

Autism cases rise by 23% from ’06 to ’08: CDC report

According to latest figures, nearly one in 88 U.S. children have autism spectrum disorders. The report further urges national attention on the need for earlier diagnosis and treatment, especially in rural and minority communities.

1 Apr 2012

Online virtual communities may effectively train patients in mind/body techniques

A small study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers found that online virtual communities may be an effective way to train patients in meditation and other mind/body techniques. The ability to learn and practice approaches that elicit the relaxation response - a state of deep rest that has been shown to alleviate stress-related symptoms - in a virtual environment could help surmount several barriers that can restrict participation.

31 Mar 2012

Clinical findings from Transgenomic's NuclearMitome Test study on nuclear mitochondrial disorders

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced that Jeana DaRe, Ph.D., Assistant CLIA Laboratory Director at Transgenomic, presented clinical findings from patients tested for nuclear mitochondrial disorders using Transgenomic's NuclearMitome Test on Thursday, March 29, at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) in Charlotte, North Carolina.

31 Mar 2012

UH clinical trial to evaluate stool DNA testing for colon cancer

In a first-of-its-kind clinical trial, physician-scientists at University Hospitals (UH) Case Medical Center's Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine are studying a promising new non-invasive technology for colon cancer screening. The four-year study is recruiting patients to compare the effectiveness of stool DNA (SDNA) testing with colonoscopy for detecting large colon polyps.

31 Mar 2012

Marfan syndrome researcher to receive March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award

A long-time clinician and researcher on Marfan syndrome who helped identify the syndrome's genetic cause and a potential treatment will be honored by the March of Dimes.

30 Mar 2012

Scientists produce first genetic brain atlas

The first atlas of the surface of the human brain based upon genetic information has been produced by a national team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

30 Mar 2012

OMRF researchers identify three lupus genes

Three newly confirmed lupus genes are opening new avenues of research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

30 Mar 2012

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Impact of Personal Genomics Study to launch data collection phase

Genomic fortune-telling fails to provide informative guidance to most people

UT Southwestern molecular biologist to receive Steven C. Beering Award

Genetic counseling does not help parents in disclosing their breast cancer information to children

NutraGene introduces first ever commercial type 2 diabetes genetic test

Researchers discover multiple genes associated with meconium ileus

Clemson researcher to continue African sleeping sickness study

PolyTherics, Spirogen enter research collaboration to produce novel ADCs for treatment of cancer

Blocking PRC2 protein may help protect against AML

Twins and mothers with poor nutrition more likely to develop obesity, type 2 diabetes

RNA binding motif protein 20 regulates titin splicing

Genetic variations could be linked with meconium ileus in CF patients

New breast cancer gene mutation discovered

Autism cases rise by 23% from ’06 to ’08: CDC report

Online virtual communities may effectively train patients in mind/body techniques

Clinical findings from Transgenomic's NuclearMitome Test study on nuclear mitochondrial disorders

UH clinical trial to evaluate stool DNA testing for colon cancer

Marfan syndrome researcher to receive March of Dimes/Colonel Harland Sanders Award

Scientists produce first genetic brain atlas

OMRF researchers identify three lupus genes

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