Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

SORT1 pathway holds promise as new target for therapeutic intervention for LDL cholesterol reduction

The true power of genomic research lies in its ability to help scientists understand biological processes, particularly those that - when altered - can lead to disease. This power is demonstrated dramatically in a pair of papers published today in the journal Nature. In the first, a global team of researchers describes 95 different variations across the genome that contribute in different degrees to alterations in blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels in multiple human populations. In the second report, close examination of just one of these common variants not only reveals the involvement of an unexpected genetic pathway in lipid metabolism but also provides a blueprint for using genomic findings to unravel biological connections between lipid levels and coronary heart disease.

5 Aug 2010

Scientists identify 95 gene loci that influence lipoprotein metabolism in humans

In a large-scale international study in which Helmholtz Zentrum München participated, scientists have identified 95 gene loci which influence lipoprotein metabolism in humans. Viewed from a long-term perspective, these findings open up new lines of research in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease. It is the first genome-wide association study of this kind to be published in the prestigious journal Nature.

4 Aug 2010

BCM collaborates with Roche NimbleGen for high throughput exome capture technology

The Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center has standardized its target enrichment human disease research studies on Roche NimbleGen Sequence Capture Exome technology. The Baylor HGSC will sequence over 5,000 exomes in the next two years to identify genetic variants underlying multiple human diseases and will employ NimbleGen SeqCap EZ Exome and customized NimbleGen exome designs as the exome capture technology of choice. More than 15 different diseases will be investigated by Baylor HGSC, including brain, liver, pancreatic, colon, ovarian and bladder cancers, heart disease, diabetes, autism, and other inherited diseases with the goal of better understanding causative mutations and their impact on these diseases.

4 Aug 2010

AIBS event facilitates biologist interaction with members of Congress

The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2nd Annual Biological Sciences Congressional District Visits event. This nationwide initiative is intended to spur individual biologists and research centers to meet with their members of Congress during the August congressional district work period.

3 Aug 2010

Enzo Clinical Labs appointed as participating laboratory in Empire BlueCross BlueShield provider network

Enzo Biochem Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary, Enzo Clinical Labs, Inc., and Empire BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in New York State, today jointly announced that effective August 1, 2010 Enzo Clinical Labs will be a participating laboratory in the Empire provider network for the metropolitan New York area.

3 Aug 2010

People insensitive to quinine's bitter taste may have varied absorption, metabolization capabilities: Study

Some people find quinine to be bitter while others can drink it like water. Now, scientists from the Monell Center and collaborators report that individual differences in how people experience quinine's bitterness are related to underlying differences in their genes.The findings, published online in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, demonstrate that genetic variation in regions of DNA that encode bitter taste receptors predicts a person's perception of bitterness from quinine.

3 Aug 2010

Environmental influences on college freshman weight gain

If college students gain weight during their first year in school, it might have a lot to do with how close they live to their campus dining halls and exercise facilities, a new study reports.

3 Aug 2010

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain.New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid. Previous research has linked a shortage of glutamine in the gut with the seepage of toxins and bacteria through the intestinal wall, irritating nerves and creating disease symptoms.

3 Aug 2010

Researchers develop techniques to identify evolution of drug resistance strains of malaria

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed techniques to quickly identify evolution of drug resistance in strains of malaria. Their goal is to enable the medical community to react quickly to inevitable resistance and thereby save lives while increasing the lifespan of drugs used against the disease.Currently, disease monitoring requires months of clinical trials. The new methods can provide more information in just days, and far cheaper.

3 Aug 2010

Scientists identify genetic basis for prostate cancer susceptibility in non-European population

A genome-wide study on Japanese subjects has identified 5 new genetic variations associated with prostate cancer and revealed differences and similarities between Europeans and Asians in susceptibility to the disease. Reported in Nature Genetics, the findings offer a first-ever glimpse of the genetic basis for prostate cancer susceptibility in a non-European population.

2 Aug 2010

Body’s natural cell suicide program may trigger tumor development: Study

Cancer research springs a surprise. Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne have found that programmed cell death (apoptosis) or cell suicide plays a role in tumor development. This process is an important phenomenon in our body as it helps remove damaged cells. Now apoptosis has been found to be protective against cancer formation and autoimmune diseases.

1 Aug 2010

COGS receives $10 million renewal grant from National Institute of Mental Health

The six-site Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia (COGS), led by the director of the Schizophrenia Program at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has received a $10 million renewal grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one of the National Institutes of Health. The grant funds an ongoing, multiple-site collaboration examining the genetic architecture of the causes and abnormalities related to schizophrenia.

31 Jul 2010

Study implicates Fritz's role in human genetic disorders

Mutations in a gene known as "Fritz" may be responsible for causing human genetic disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome, University of Texas at Austin developmental biologist John Wallingford and Duke University human geneticist and cell biologist Nicholas Katsanis have found.

31 Jul 2010

QVC organizes special two-hour "designer charity sale" to benefit OCRF

"Charity chic" is back in style this summer as QVC once again joins forces with the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to broadcast QVC Presents Super Saturday Live, benefiting OCRF.

31 Jul 2010

Self assembly approaches to improve DNA sequencing

In an innovation critical to improved DNA sequencing, a markedly slower transmission of DNA through nanopores has been achieved by a team led by Sandia National Laboratories researchers.Solid-state nanopores sculpted from silicon dioxide are generally straight, tiny tunnels more than a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They are used as sensors to detect and characterize DNA, RNA and proteins. But these materials shoot through such holes so rapidly that sequencing the DNA passing through them, for example, is a problem.

31 Jul 2010

AMP conducts survey on Genetic Test Registry

Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) submitted written comments in response to the Request for Information made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for its Genetic Test Registry (GTR). AMP conducted a survey of its membership to formulate a comprehensive response to the RFI. "With the vast majority of respondents working in a clinical laboratory setting, AMP is able to inform the NIH on the general reaction to the GTR, including insight to the community's concerns and guidance to ensure the GTR is a valued resource," said Dr. Karen Mann, President of AMP.

31 Jul 2010

Epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers linked with environmental risk factors, tumor size: Study

Researchers from Brown University and the University of California San Francisco have found that epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers are related to environmental risk factors and tumor size, providing a window into the severity of the disease. The study is published in today's edition of PLoS Genetics. The researchers found that epigenetic profiles of tumors had a direct association with diet, alcohol, and tumor size.

31 Jul 2010

Genetics research team discovers new recurrent translocations

A genetics research team based at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia continues to discover recurrent translocations—places in which two chromosomes exchange pieces of themselves. As many as 1 in 600 persons carry balanced chromosome translocations, which involve no loss or gain of DNA. Most such people appear healthy, but may have a child with abnormal chromosome composition and disabilities resulting from disrupted, extra or missing copies of genes.

30 Jul 2010

VitaPath Genetics launches VitaTrack Folate Tracker

VitaPath Genetics, the Spina Bifida Association and the National Council on Folic Acid today announced the launch of the free iPhone application—the VitaTrack Folate Tracker— which allows women to track their daily intake of folate and folic acid. Maintaining an adequate level of folic acid prior to and during pregnancy can reduce the risk of serious birth defects like Spina Bifida by up to 70%. Studies show that folic acid may also help prevent congenital heart disease, pre-term labor, and cleft lip and palate.

30 Jul 2010

Study on link between SNP and concentrations of serum creatinine

Scientists at deCODE genetics and colleagues at Radboud University in the Netherlands today describe how the impact of a single letter variation in the sequence of the human genome conferring risk of kidney disease varies with age and with the onset of other diseases. The study provides independent confirmation of the association made in an earlier study between a version of the the SNP, located on chromosome 16p12, and risk of chronic kidney disease. It also confirmed the link between the SNP and concentrations of serum creatinine, a key indicator of kidney function.

30 Jul 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

SORT1 pathway holds promise as new target for therapeutic intervention for LDL cholesterol reduction

Scientists identify 95 gene loci that influence lipoprotein metabolism in humans

BCM collaborates with Roche NimbleGen for high throughput exome capture technology

AIBS event facilitates biologist interaction with members of Congress

Enzo Clinical Labs appointed as participating laboratory in Empire BlueCross BlueShield provider network

People insensitive to quinine's bitter taste may have varied absorption, metabolization capabilities: Study

Environmental influences on college freshman weight gain

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

Researchers develop techniques to identify evolution of drug resistance strains of malaria

Scientists identify genetic basis for prostate cancer susceptibility in non-European population

Body’s natural cell suicide program may trigger tumor development: Study

COGS receives $10 million renewal grant from National Institute of Mental Health

Study implicates Fritz's role in human genetic disorders

QVC organizes special two-hour "designer charity sale" to benefit OCRF

Self assembly approaches to improve DNA sequencing

AMP conducts survey on Genetic Test Registry

Epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers linked with environmental risk factors, tumor size: Study

Genetics research team discovers new recurrent translocations

VitaPath Genetics launches VitaTrack Folate Tracker

Study on link between SNP and concentrations of serum creatinine

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare 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