Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Researchers discover new gene linked to intellectual disability

A gene linked to intellectual disability was found in a study involving the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) - a discovery that was greatly accelerated by international collaboration and new genetic sequencing technology, which is now being used at CAMH.

15 Jul 2011

FDA ODAC recommends approval of Seattle Genetics' ADCETRIS for Hodgkin lymphoma after ASCT

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today announced that the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) voted 10-0 to recommend that the FDA grant accelerated approval of ADCETRIS™ (brentuximab vedotin) for the treatment of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who relapse after autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

15 Jul 2011

Genome Research publishes studies utilizing emerging Collaborative Cross mouse strains

The Collaborative Cross represents a large collection of new inbred mouse strains created by the mouse genetics community aimed at revolutionizing the study of complex genetic traits and diseases. Derived from classical inbred strains and wild-derived strains, the CC captures nearly 90% of known genetic variation in laboratory mice, far surpassing more commonly used inbred strains.

15 Jul 2011

Methods and trends in evaluation of cancer risk

The development of almost all cancer is influenced by environmental factors, argues Dr Günter Obe and co-editors in their new title Cancer Risk Evaluation: Methods and Trends. However, while some environmental factors, such as smoking or ionizing radiation, puts the vast majority of humans at risk regardless of their genetic background, many other risk factors such as hazardous working conditions, increase the cancer risk for smaller groups of the population and are often dependent on additional factors as well as an individual's genetics.

15 Jul 2011

Seattle Children's inaugurates new center for cancer research

Today, Seattle Children's Research Institute announced the opening of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research.

15 Jul 2011

Seattle Genetics lymphoma drug gets FDA panel nod

Seattle Genetics Inc. has finally obtained the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) nod for a second type of blood cancer drug. The FDA advisory committee voted 10-0 on Thursday to recommend accelerated approval of the drug, under the proposed trade name Adcetris, for anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). The panel earlier unanimously approved the drug for Hodgkin's lymphoma, another type of blood cancer.

14 Jul 2011

European Respiratory Society Congress to take place on September 24, 2011

The 2011 European Respiratory Society Congress will take place at the Amsterdam RAI congress centre from Saturday 24 September to Wednesday 28 September 2011.

14 Jul 2011

Researchers capitalize on 'memories' of adult-derived stem cells for treatment of diabetes

Stem cells from early embryos can be coaxed into becoming a diverse array of specialized cells to revive and repair different areas of the body. Therapies based on these stem cells have long been contemplated for the treatment of diabetes, but have been held back by medical and ethical drawbacks.

14 Jul 2011

Arabidopsis thaliana helps scientists to solve puzzles in human health

A tiny plant called Arabidopsis thaliana just helped scientists unearth new clues about the daily cycles of many organisms, including humans. This is the latest in a long line of research, much of it supported by the National Institutes of Health, that uses plants to solve puzzles in human health.

14 Jul 2011

Fish oil consumption helps reduce inflammation, anxiety in healthy young people

A new study gauging the impact of consuming more fish oil showed a marked reduction both in inflammation and, surprisingly, in anxiety among a cohort of healthy young people.

14 Jul 2011

Variation in DNA sequence linked to increased risk of sudden cardiac death

In a large and comprehensive investigation into the underlying causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) - a surreptitious killer of hundreds of thousands annually in the United States - researchers have discovered a variation in the genome's DNA sequence that is linked to a significant increase in a person's risk of SCD.

13 Jul 2011

Scientists identify DNA variants linked with elevated risk of prostate cancer

Doctors have known for a long time that prostate cancer "runs in the family". Men with relatives who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer have an elevated risk of also developing this type of cancer. It was only last year that DKFZ scientists calculated that this risk rises with the number of affected direct family members and also depends on the relatives' age at outbreak of the disease.

13 Jul 2011

Three factors contribute to systemic scleroderma-related work disability

Systemic scleroderma has slowed Tracy Zinn but it has not stopped her from working. Thanks in part to determination and an accommodating employer, Zinn is now in her 13th year as an account executive for a firm that produces educational software. But, many with the incapacitating disease are not as fortunate.

13 Jul 2011

Source BioScience receives NHS approval for automated cervical cancer screening technology

Source BioScience (LSE: SBS), the international diagnostics and genetic analysis business, is pleased to announce that the National Health Service Cancer Screening Programmes (“NHSCSP”) has approved the use of the BD FocalPoint “No Further Review” technology for cervical cancer screening in the UK. This is the only automated cervical screening technology which has been approved.

13 Jul 2011

UIC to begin STX209 clinical trial for treatment of autism spectrum disorders

An experimental drug to treat social withdrawal in children and young adults with autism is being studied in a clinical trial at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute for Juvenile Research.

13 Jul 2011

Blood cancer drug trial results questioned by FDA

U.S. drug reviewers might limit the use of a Seattle Genetics Inc’s experimental blood cancer drug due to the narrow scope of its clinical trials. According to papers released Tuesday by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it requests an advisory panel to consider the drug, under the proposed trade name Adcetris known chemically as brentuximab vedotin, for use in previously treated patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).

13 Jul 2011