Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

International study to improve treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A large international study aimed at improving the care of muscular dystrophy patients worldwide is being launched by physicians, physical therapists, and researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

3 Sep 2010

Preventive surgery protects against breast, ovarian cancer in women carrying BRCA1, BRCA2 gene mutations

Women who have gene mutations that put them at high risk of ovarian and breast cancer can significantly reduce the risk of developing or dying from these cancers by having their healthy ovaries or breasts removed, according to a new study reported in the Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

3 Sep 2010

Scientists identify thousands of proteins that play a key role in compacting DNA

Scientists have built a clearer picture of how lengthy strands of DNA are concertinaed when our cells grow and divide, in a discovery could help explain how cell renewal can go wrong.

3 Sep 2010

Simple protocol for determining Gross Chromosomal Rearrangement mutation rates

A cell devotes a significant amount of effort to maintaining the stability of its genome, preventing the sorts of chromosomal rearrangements characteristic of many cancers. Assays that measure the rate of gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) are needed in order to understand the individual genes and the different pathways that suppress genomic instability.

3 Sep 2010

GABRA2 gene influences brain’s reward responses to alcohol odors: Research

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are DNA sequence variations that occur when a single nucleotide in the genome sequence is altered. Prior research suggested an association between SNPs in a gene that encodes aspects of the brain's gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)-A receptors (the GABRA2 gene) and alcohol dependence. A study of responses to the aromas of alcoholic drinks according to subjects' genotyping at a SNP in GABRA2 has found that this genotype can affect the brain's reward responses to cues such as alcohol odors.

3 Sep 2010

Seattle Genetics achieves milestone on Agensys' initiation of AGS-16M8F ADC phase I trial for cancer

Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced today that it has achieved a milestone under its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) collaboration with Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc. The milestone was triggered by Agensys' initiation of a phase I trial for AGS-16M8F, an ADC for the treatment of cancer utilizing Seattle Genetics' technology.

3 Sep 2010

Researchers receive BioBank DNA samples to unveil psoriasis genetics

Millions of Americans struggling with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are one step closer to a cure with the release of the first National Psoriasis Victor Henschel BioBank DNA samples for use in research at the University of Michigan Health System; research that hopes to uncover the unknowns about the genetics of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

3 Sep 2010

Biologists find daily exercise as a heritable trait

Biologists at the University of California, Riverside have found that voluntary activity, such as daily exercise, is a highly heritable trait that can be passed down genetically to successive generations.

2 Sep 2010

Researchers clear hurdle on path toward gene-therapy treatment for disease

One of the most difficult aspects of working at the nanoscale is actually seeing the object being worked on. Biological structures like viruses, which are smaller than the wavelength of light, are invisible to standard optical microscopes and difficult to capture in their native form with other imaging techniques.

2 Sep 2010

Agensys commences AGS-16M8F ADC Phase I clinical trial for renal cancer

Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., today announced that they have initiated a Phase I clinical trial of AGS-16M8F an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is being developed for the treatment of metastatic renal cancer. An ADC uses the specific binding properties of an antibody to target a toxin in tumor cells, resulting in selective tumor cell killing.

2 Sep 2010

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes high in California: Study

A majority of adults in California are obese or overweight, and more than 2 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, according to a new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

2 Sep 2010

Salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy decrease risk of cancer in women with BRCA1/2 gene mutations

Women at increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer because of inherited mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes who had prophylactic mastectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries) had an associated decreased risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer, according to a study in the September 1 issue of JAMA.

2 Sep 2010

High selenium intake associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer

According to results of a study published in the September issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, selenium intake is associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer.

2 Sep 2010

New research clinic in Edinburgh to improve outcomes for multiple sclerosis sufferers

A research clinic for multiple sclerosis patients is being set up with a -10 million donation from the author J K Rowling.The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic at the University of Edinburgh will place patients at the heart of research to improve outcomes for multiple sclerosis sufferers.

2 Sep 2010

Parkinson’s disease discoveries

Genes that affect the immune system and link it to Parkinson’s disease have been uncovered. This paves the way for new drug development in Parkinson’s disease – a serious, degenerative disease of the nerves that leads to tremors and muscle stiffness and eventually complete loss of movements. There is currently no cure for PD.

31 Aug 2010

Myriad Genetics announces repurchase of $100 million shares

Myriad Genetics, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional $100 million of the Company's outstanding common stock, following the completion of its previously authorized stock repurchase program initiated in May 2010.

31 Aug 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

International study to improve treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Preventive surgery protects against breast, ovarian cancer in women carrying BRCA1, BRCA2 gene mutations

Scientists identify thousands of proteins that play a key role in compacting DNA

Simple protocol for determining Gross Chromosomal Rearrangement mutation rates

GABRA2 gene influences brain’s reward responses to alcohol odors: Research

Seattle Genetics achieves milestone on Agensys' initiation of AGS-16M8F ADC phase I trial for cancer

Researchers receive BioBank DNA samples to unveil psoriasis genetics

Biologists find daily exercise as a heritable trait

Researchers clear hurdle on path toward gene-therapy treatment for disease

Agensys commences AGS-16M8F ADC Phase I clinical trial for renal cancer

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes high in California: Study

Salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy decrease risk of cancer in women with BRCA1/2 gene mutations

High selenium intake associated with decreased risk of bladder cancer

New research clinic in Edinburgh to improve outcomes for multiple sclerosis sufferers

Parkinson’s disease discoveries

Myriad Genetics announces repurchase of $100 million shares

Get With The Guidelines can improve quality of stroke care

UBC researchers lead development of new 'toolbox of MiniPromoters' for gene research and therapy

New hybrid proteins may lead to better gene replacement and editing therapies

Dedicated web site for PKU medical education to be launched at 2010 SSIEM Annual Symposium

Genomics - Industry Focus eBook (2nd edition) eBook

How GLP‑1 Agonists Are Shaping the Future of Obesity Treatment With Dr Bryony Henderson

Flow chemistry, AI, and NMR: A next-gen approach to scalable API production

Digital pathology and the PathoVerse: A conversation with Dr. Singh