Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Simple blood test may help detect chromosomal abnormalities in developing foetus

Researchers in The Netherlands believe they are on the verge of developing a simple, prenatal blood test that would be able to detect accurately chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus.

29 Jun 2010

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Some viruses insert themselves into the host's DNA during infection in a process called retroviral integration, causing several diseases, including AIDS and cancer, notes a Texas A&M researcher who specializes in fetal diseases.

29 Jun 2010

Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly respond to ACCF/AHA clinical alert on FDA's clopidogrel boxed warning

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company appreciate the availability of a "Clinical Alert" from the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and American Heart Association (AHA) in response to the FDA's Boxed Warning about Plavix® (clopidogrel), and commend the leading cardiovascular medical societies for providing perspective on the importance of genetic make-up and the variability in response of certain oral anti-platelet (OAP) therapy for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who are managed with angioplasty and stenting (known as PCI).

29 Jun 2010

Non-Invasive prenatal blood test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in foetus

Researchers in The Netherlands believe they are on the verge of developing a simple, prenatal blood test that would be able to detect accurately chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus. At present, the only reliable way to do this is through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, both of which are invasive and carry the risk of triggering a miscarriage.

29 Jun 2010

MGH, Iacocca Foundation complete Phase I BCG clinical trial in type 1 diabetes

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the Iacocca Foundation announce today the completion of the Phase I BCG clinical trial in type 1 diabetes, as well as the submission of all safety reports to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the MGH data safety monitoring boards. Plans for the Phase II clinical study, which will continue the investigation of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination as a treatment for people with existing type 1 diabetes, are actively underway.

29 Jun 2010

EpiCept requests FDA priority review of Ceplene NDA for AML

EpiCept Corporation announced today that it has submitted a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Ceplene® (histamine dihydrochloride). EpiCept is seeking approval for Ceplene, administered concomitantly with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2), for the remission maintenance and prevention of relapse in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in first complete remission.

29 Jun 2010

Endometriosis can affect women's work productivity

29 Jun 2010

Cancer clues from pregnant lizards

A compound produced by a pregnant lizard may provide important information on the origins and treatment of cancer in humans, according to zoologist Bridget Murphy from the School of Biological Sciences who discovered the protein, which is pivotal to the development of the lizard placenta.

28 Jun 2010

AMP comments on barriers to market for molecular diagnostic tests at FDA CDRH meeting

Yesterday, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) gave public comments at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Council meeting on Medical Device Innovation: Barriers to Market for Molecular Diagnostic Tests.

28 Jun 2010

12 new gene variants that impact individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes identified

An international consortium including Helmholtz Zentrum München and the German Diabetes Center, Düsseldorf has identified 12 new gene variants which impact the individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study represents a major contribution towards elucidating the complex pathogenesis of this important widespread disease. Nature Genetics has published the findings of this study in its current issue.

28 Jun 2010

Wellcome Trust launches project in UK to decode genomes of 10,000 people

On the tenth anniversary of the completion of the first draft of the human genome - a draft which had taken ten years to complete - the Wellcome Trust today launches a project to decode the genomes of 10,000 people over the next three years. This will be one of the largest genome sequencing programmes ever undertaken and will analyse the genomes of the equivalent of one in 6,000 people in the UK.

28 Jun 2010

Study finds significant loss of work productivity among women who suffer from endometriosis

The first worldwide study of the societal impact of endometriosis has found a significant loss of work productivity among those women who suffer from the condition, a researcher told the 26th annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology today (Monday). Dr. Kelechi Nnoaham, from the Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, UK, said that the results of this multi-centre study would help highlight the previously unrecognised plight of an estimated 176 million women around the world whose lives are affected by endometriosis.

28 Jun 2010

Helicos BioSciences to develop, market MDx tests that utilize HeliScope Single Molecule Sequencer

Helicos BioSciences Corporation announced today that it is in the early stages of validating molecular diagnostic (MDx) tests that utilize its HeliScope® Single Molecule Sequencer. The HeliScope Sequencer's ability to sequence single molecules of natural, unamplified DNA or RNA simplifies the diagnostic testing workflow obviating the need for the amplification steps utilized by most genetic analysis methods.

28 Jun 2010

EpiCept signs definitive agreements for purchase of 6.1M shares of common stock

EpiCept Corporation announced today that it entered into definitive agreements for the purchase of approximately 6.1 million shares of its common stock at $1.10 per share, five year warrants to purchase up to approximately 4.6 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.57 per share exercisable beginning December 30, 2010 and one year warrants to purchase up to approximately 6.1 million shares of common stock at an exercise price of $1.57 per share exercisable beginning December 30, 2010.

28 Jun 2010

Scientists uncover variations in X chromosome inactivation in early passages of female embryonic stem cells

Human embryonic stem cells hold great promise for studying and treating disease and for the practice of regenerative medicine. However, more must be learned to ensure the cells that may one day be transplanted into humans are safe.

28 Jun 2010

Mechanism that regulates stem-cell differentiation in mice may trigger degenerative disease in humans: Research

A mechanism that regulates stem-cell differentiation in mice testes suggests a similar process that may trigger degenerative disease in humans, according to a Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences reproductive physiologist.

28 Jun 2010

Research provides hope and encouragement to people living with lupus

Research presented during the 9th International Lupus Congress held in Vancouver, Canada from June 24-27, 2010 should give hope and encouragement for the future of the treatment and management of lupus to the 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide living with lupus. In recent years, there have been significant advances made in many areas of lupus research including the development of new treatments, adult stem cell transplantation, genetics, lupus-related cardiovascular disease, and quality of life issues for people with lupus.

25 Jun 2010

Researchers identify a key player in dramatic loss of neurons in mice and fly models

A team of researchers, led by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have identified a key player in the dramatic loss of neurons in mice and fly models, a discovery that could help illuminate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in human neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

25 Jun 2010

Research findings suggest possible diagnostic test for ALS

A team led by a Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute researcher developed a novel approach to efficiently identify disease relevant genes in human complex neurological disorders and demonstrated the effectiveness of this method by applying it to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, according to a new study reported online in the journal, Human Molecular Genetics.

25 Jun 2010

PGXL announces new contractual agreement with GH

PGXL, a Louisville-based molecular diagnostics laboratory, announced a new contractual agreement with Generation Health, Inc. The agreement makes PGXL a preferred genetic testing lab for GH. The lab will provide molecular diagnostic tests for GH, which will help physicians make therapeutic decisions and facilitate what has come to be known as "personalized medicine."

25 Jun 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Simple blood test may help detect chromosomal abnormalities in developing foetus

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly respond to ACCF/AHA clinical alert on FDA's clopidogrel boxed warning

Non-Invasive prenatal blood test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in foetus

MGH, Iacocca Foundation complete Phase I BCG clinical trial in type 1 diabetes

EpiCept requests FDA priority review of Ceplene NDA for AML

Endometriosis can affect women's work productivity

Cancer clues from pregnant lizards

AMP comments on barriers to market for molecular diagnostic tests at FDA CDRH meeting

12 new gene variants that impact individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes identified

Wellcome Trust launches project in UK to decode genomes of 10,000 people

Study finds significant loss of work productivity among women who suffer from endometriosis

Helicos BioSciences to develop, market MDx tests that utilize HeliScope Single Molecule Sequencer

EpiCept signs definitive agreements for purchase of 6.1M shares of common stock

Scientists uncover variations in X chromosome inactivation in early passages of female embryonic stem cells

Mechanism that regulates stem-cell differentiation in mice may trigger degenerative disease in humans: Research

Research provides hope and encouragement to people living with lupus

Researchers identify a key player in dramatic loss of neurons in mice and fly models

Research findings suggest possible diagnostic test for ALS

PGXL announces new contractual agreement with GH

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