Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Scientists discover gene variant that rewires brain's circuitry in neurological disorders

Many gene variants have been linked to autism, but how do these subtle changes alter the brain, and ultimately, behavior. Using a blend of brain imaging and genetic detective work, scientists at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior are the first to illustrate how a gene variant tied to autism rewires the brain.

4 Nov 2010

Safeguard Scientifics third quarter aggregate revenue of partner companies increases 73% to $109.6 million

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc., a holding company that provides growth capital for entrepreneurial and innovative life sciences and technology companies, today announced that aggregate revenue of its partner companies for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $109.6 million, up 73% from $63.4 million for the same partner companies in the same period of 2009.

3 Nov 2010

NIH awards Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children additional $9.5M research grant

The Center for Pediatric Research (CPR) at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children was recently awarded an additional 5-year, $9.5-million Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). This competitive award will allow Nemours to continue to expand the CPR and support the recruitment of additional faculty to this diverse pediatric clinical and research facility.

3 Nov 2010

New mouse model confirms mutation of beta-synuclein protein promotes neurodegeneration

A team of scientists from Japan and the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have created a new mouse model that confirms that mutations of a protein called beta-synuclein promote neurodegeneration. The discovery creates a potential new target for developing treatments of diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

3 Nov 2010

Hyperion HPN-100 phase III pivotal study for urea cycle disorders meets primary endpoint

Hyperion Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that the Company's phase III pivotal study of glycerol phenylbutyrate (HPN-100), an investigational drug for the treatment of urea cycle disorders (UCDs), met its primary endpoint. The non-inferiority study, conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2009, evaluated the ammonia control of glycerol phenylbutyrate as compared to sodium phenylbutyrate (BUPHENYL®).

3 Nov 2010

NanoString’s nCounter CNV CodeSets help detect genetic copy number variations

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a complete solution for detecting and counting large sets of target molecules in biological samples, today announced the launch of a novel solution for detecting genetic copy number variations (CNVs) associated with disease susceptibility, drug response and cancer progression.

From NanoString Technologies 2 Nov 2010

QuantaLife announces launch of Droplet Digital PCR system at 60th ASHG meeting

QuantaLife, Inc. announced today at the 60th Annual American Society of Human Genetics Meeting the launch of their Droplet Digital™ PCR system. The system, which includes a droplet generator and a droplet reader, quantifies DNA molecules using the company's patented high-resolution, Droplet Digital PCR technology – a 3rd generation PCR technology that enables single-molecule resolution of target sequences.

2 Nov 2010

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features standard and cutting-edge imaging laboratory techniques

Imaging has rapidly become a defining tool of the current era in biological research. But finding the right method and optimizing it for data collection can be a daunting process, even for an established imaging laboratory. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols is one of the world's leading sources for detailed technical instruction for implementation of imaging methods, and the November issue features articles detailing standard and cutting-edge laboratory techniques.

2 Nov 2010

Autism Consortium begins new therapeutic initiative on Translational Medicine

The Autism Consortium, an innovative Boston area collaboration of researchers, clinicians, funders and families dedicated to catalyzing research and enhancing clinical care for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), announced that it will begin a new initiative on Translational Medicine and Autism Therapeutics. The new focus was introduced at the Consortium's fifth annual symposium held October 26th, 2010, at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

2 Nov 2010

New algebraic model of DNA hybridization to measure cellular behavior

Researchers at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences have developed a novel algebraic model of DNA "hybridization," a process central to most biotechnology devices that monitor changes in cell's gene expression or characterize a cell's genome.

2 Nov 2010

New wiring diagram shows how brain organizes information

University of Utah (U of U) medical researchers have uncovered a wiring diagram that shows how the brain pays attention to visual, cognitive, sensory, and motor cues. The research provides a critical foundation for the study of abnormalities in attention that can be seen in many brain disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorder.

2 Nov 2010

Rubicon's PicoPlex kits provide DNA methylation profiling using next-generation sequencing

Rubicon Genomics today reported data demonstrating that its PicoPlex kits currently marketed for the analysis of single cells for research and diagnostic applications also provide important advantages for genetic and epigenetic profiling using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

2 Nov 2010

454 Life Sciences and DNA Electronics partner to develop high-throughput DNA sequencing system

454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company, announced today that it has entered an exclusive partnership with DNA Electronics for the development of a low-cost, high-throughput DNA sequencing system. As part of the agreement, Roche has signed a non-exclusive license for relevant IP from DNA Electronics' proprietary semiconductor technology portfolio, which enables sensitive detection of nucleotide incorporation during sequencing.

1 Nov 2010

NABT to recognize biology teacher of South Salem High School with 2010 Evolution Education Award

The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) will recognize W. Jason Niedermeyer, a biology teacher at South Salem High School in Salem, Oregon, with the 2010 Evolution Education Award during the NABT annual professional development conference to be held 3-6 November 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

30 Oct 2010

CONCERTA improves handwriting performance in children with ADHD: Study

Data presented today at a major medical meeting include findings that demonstrate improved handwriting performance in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when taking CONCERTA® (OROS® methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release Tablets CII) compared to placebo.

30 Oct 2010

New NRNB center helps clinicians to study network biology

A new center called the National Resource for Network Biology (NRNB), based at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, will help clinicians analyze an ever-growing wealth of complex biological data and apply that knowledge to real problems and diseases.

30 Oct 2010

Women with type O blood linked to low egg numbers

In a study presented earlier this week at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine Conference in Denver, researchers at Yale and Albert Einstein College of Medicine measured levels of a chemical called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in 560 women undergoing fertility treatments and found that those women with type O blood had chemical signs linked to low egg numbers.

30 Oct 2010

Compugen signs oncology research collaboration agreement with Seattle Genetics

Compugen Ltd. announced today that it has signed a research collaboration agreement with Seattle Genetics, Inc., USA, covering a Compugen-discovered oncology target. The agreement provides Seattle Genetics with an initial evaluation period and an option for an exclusive worldwide milestone and royalty bearing license for development and commercialization of monoclonal antibody therapeutics addressing this novel target.

29 Oct 2010

EUCOMMTOOLS partners to receive 12 million euros research funding from European Commission

The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of widespread diseases such as Alzheimer's, depression, diabetes, chronic lung diseases or cancer. Over the next five years, the eight EUCOMMTOOLS partners, coordinated by Professor Wolfgang Wurst of Helmholtz Zentrum M-nchen, will receive research funding amounting to approximately 12 million euros from the European Commission.

29 Oct 2010

University of Maryland to establish major research enterprise for autoimmune diseases

With a new $45 million private gift from the family of a grateful patient, the University of Maryland School of Medicine is planning to establish the nation's only major research enterprise devoted to the study of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and Type 1 diabetes. The gift, from Indiana couple Ken and Shelia Cafferty, is the largest private donation in the history of the University System of Maryland.

29 Oct 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Scientists discover gene variant that rewires brain's circuitry in neurological disorders

Safeguard Scientifics third quarter aggregate revenue of partner companies increases 73% to $109.6 million

NIH awards Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children additional $9.5M research grant

New mouse model confirms mutation of beta-synuclein protein promotes neurodegeneration

Hyperion HPN-100 phase III pivotal study for urea cycle disorders meets primary endpoint

NanoString’s nCounter CNV CodeSets help detect genetic copy number variations

QuantaLife announces launch of Droplet Digital PCR system at 60th ASHG meeting

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols features standard and cutting-edge imaging laboratory techniques

Autism Consortium begins new therapeutic initiative on Translational Medicine

New algebraic model of DNA hybridization to measure cellular behavior

New wiring diagram shows how brain organizes information

Rubicon's PicoPlex kits provide DNA methylation profiling using next-generation sequencing

454 Life Sciences and DNA Electronics partner to develop high-throughput DNA sequencing system

NABT to recognize biology teacher of South Salem High School with 2010 Evolution Education Award

CONCERTA improves handwriting performance in children with ADHD: Study

New NRNB center helps clinicians to study network biology

Women with type O blood linked to low egg numbers

Compugen signs oncology research collaboration agreement with Seattle Genetics

EUCOMMTOOLS partners to receive 12 million euros research funding from European Commission

University of Maryland to establish major research enterprise for autoimmune diseases

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)