Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Exercise can prevent inherited obesity & obesity raises injury risk: Two studies

A new study has shown that having an obesity gene should not mean absolute obesity for individuals. The gene may be countered by physical activity.

2 Nov 2011

Researchers discover key enzymes that are critical for sperm function

Compared to most other cells in an organism, sperm undergo a radical transformation to become compact and mobile delivery systems for paternal DNA. Even though sperm looks and moves quite differently across species, SF State researcher Diana Chu and colleagues now say that there are at least a few key enzymes that are critical for sperm development and mobility in species as different as mice and nematode worms.

2 Nov 2011

Potential drug therapy for Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Researchers have identified a potential drug therapy for a premature ageing disease that affects children causing them to age up to eight times as fast as the usual rate.

2 Nov 2011

Interleukin Genetics commences two new PST test clinical studies in China

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. announced today that the Company has initiated two clinical studies to demonstrate the utility of its new PST genetic test in the ethnic Chinese population. The programs are being conducted in collaboration with Professor Chi-Cheng Tsai of Kaohsiung Medical University and Professor Dong Chen at Shanghai Stomatological Disease Center.

2 Nov 2011

Breast cancer not 100% inherited: Study

According to study results released this Monday, women with a close relative with breast cancer may not be at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. The findings may bring comfort to women from high-risk families after a 2007 study suggested that simply having a relative with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation raised their risk of developing breast cancer, even if they had tested negative for the genes.

1 Nov 2011

Two transformative philanthropic gifts to fuel new discoveries at Seattle Children's

Seattle Children's today announced two transformative philanthropic gifts totaling $65 million to benefit pediatric research, nursing education and clinical care.

1 Nov 2011

Non-carriers do not have increased risk of breast cancer due to familial mutation

A population-based analysis of more than 3,000 families including women with breast cancer has found that close relatives of women who carry mutations in a BRCA gene - but who themselves do not have such genetic mutations - do not have an increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to relatives of women with breast cancer who do not have such mutations.

1 Nov 2011

Aspirin may reduce risk of bowel cancer by half: Study

According to a new study published in The Lancet, a regular dose of aspirin may not only stave off heart disease but also cut the risk of developing hereditary cancer in half.

31 Oct 2011

A healthy diet may help reduce risk of breast cancer

October was breast cancer awareness month and the long asked question – does diet really influence the risk of breast cancer?, is finally being answered.

31 Oct 2011

Asuragen introduces ARQ IS Calibrator Panels to improve BCR-ABL1 testing for CML

Asuragen, Inc. announced today that it has commercially launched the ARQ IS Calibrator Panels (RUO), intended to aid laboratories with standardization of BCR-ABL1 quantitative measurements on the International Scale.

31 Oct 2011

Researchers shed light on inner workings of endocycle

An international team of researchers led by investigators in the U.S. and Germany has shed light on the inner workings of the endocycle, a common cell cycle that fuels growth in plants, animals and some human tissues and is responsible for generating up to half of the Earth's biomass.

31 Oct 2011

Researchers identify FMRP protein as key player in RNA editing

The most common form of heritable cognitive impairment is Fragile X Syndrome, caused by mutation or malfunction of the FMR1 gene. Loss of FMR1 function is also the most common genetic cause of autism. Understanding how this gene works is vital to finding new treatments to help Fragile X patients and others.

31 Oct 2011

First report on how patterns of 5-hmC's distribution change in mouse brain during development

In 2009, the DNA alphabet expanded. Scientists discovered that an extra letter or "sixth nucleotide" was surprisingly abundant in DNA from stem cells and brain cells.

31 Oct 2011

'Deep sequencing' technology identifies new target area for depression

Scientists at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Yale University have identified a new target area in the human genome that appears to harbor genes with a major role in the onset of depression.

29 Oct 2011

VUMC doctors to begin statin drug screening for rare genetic variation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center doctors announced today they will begin screening patients who take commonly prescribed statin drugs for a rare genetic variation that can increase risks for side effects from these drugs such as muscle aches, kidney damage and even death.

29 Oct 2011

Research focuses on JQ1 molecule that tricks NUT midline carcinoma cancer cells

NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is a cancer without a cure, and one that affects all age groups. NMC is a rapid-growth disease with an average survival time of four and a half months after diagnosis, making the development of clinical trials for potential therapies or cures for this cancer difficult, to say the least.

29 Oct 2011

Research breakthrough in lung regeneration

Scientists at A*STAR'S Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), have made a breakthrough discovery in the understanding of lung regeneration. Their research showed for the first time that distal airway stem cells (DASCs), a specific type of stem cells in the lungs, are involved in forming new alveoli to replace and repair damaged lung tissue, providing a firm foundation for understanding lung regeneration.

29 Oct 2011

Third Annual Translational Cancer Medicine Symposium to be held on Dec. 2

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center and The Queen's Medical Center (QMC) will host an international symposium on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at The Queen's Conference Center Auditorium to discuss new information related to the recent discovery of the BAP1 genetic mutation and its link to mesothelioma, melanoma and potentially other cancers.

29 Oct 2011

Ambry to use Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System for exome sequencing

Agilent Technologies Inc. and Ambry Genetics today announced an agreement under which Ambry Genetics will use the Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System for exome sequencing services.

28 Oct 2011

Fasudil drug shows promise against cerebral cavernous malformation

A drug treatment has been proven to prevent lesions from cerebral cavernous malformation — a brain blood vessel abnormality that can cause bleeding, epilepsy and stroke — for the first time in a new study.

28 Oct 2011