Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Defect in cellular pathways provides new explanation for earliest stages of craniosynostosis in newborns

University of Rochester Medical Center scientists discovered a defect in cellular pathways that provides a new explanation for the earliest stages of abnormal skull development in newborns, known as craniosynostosis.

26 May 2010

HDL cholesterol can transform from good to bad actor in heart-disease process

We've all heard about the importance of raising HDL, or the so-called "good" cholesterol, and lowering LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, to improve heart health. While we've come to assume HDL cholesterol is an inherently good thing, a new study shows that for a certain group of patients, this is not always the case. The study is the first to find that a high level of the supposedly good cholesterol places a subgroup of patients at high risk for recurrent coronary events, such as chest pain, heart attack, and death.

26 May 2010

Researchers use zebrafish as model to analyze function of every known mutation in BBS

A research team led by scientists from the Duke University Medical Center has developed a way to simultaneously look at the effects of 125 mutations occurring on 14 different genes. They used zebrafish as a model to analyze the function of every known mutation in an inherited syndrome called BBS, Bardet-Biedl Syndrome.

25 May 2010

EHSI reports favorable completion of due diligence with Stand-By Systems

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. disclosed today that the Company has just favorably completed the financial review phase of due diligence with Stand-By Systems. EHSI recently executed an option with Stand-By Systems; owner of the new FDA approved SBS 1615 catalytic oxygen generator, as well as the associated LIFEDGE® and MAYDAY® emergency systems. EHSI is currently performing due diligence under this option.

25 May 2010

RainDance Technologies increases commercial activities in Europe with series of technology seminars

RainDance Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of innovative microdroplet-based solutions for human health and disease research, today announced it is increasing its commercial activities in Europe beginning with a series of technology seminars during the week of 24 May 2010.

25 May 2010

New research finding may change direction of vaccine research for M. tuberculosis

Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered that the strategy of "immune evasion" common to many viruses, bacteria and parasites, is uncommon to M. tuberculosis where the antigens remain strikingly unchanged and homogenous. The study published in Nature Genetics on May 23, 2010, suggests that M. tuberculosis antigens do not mutate because they hope to be recognized by the body's immune system- perhaps because the host immune mechanism that leads to the typical lung destruction and cough can contribute to the spread of the disease.

25 May 2010

Researchers identify mechanisms involved in gene mutation

Genetic variation due to DNA mutation is a driving force of adaptation and evolution, as well as a contributing factor to disease. However, the mechanisms governing DNA mutation rate are not well understood.

25 May 2010

Enrollment in phase II clinical trial of brentuximab vedotin for ALCL completed

Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, today announced that they have completed enrollment of a phase II clinical trial of brentuximab vedotin (SGN-35) for relapsed or refractory systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

24 May 2010

New national standards issued for newborn screening

New national standards issued today will assist states to align their newborn screening programs with "the most up-to-date research, technology, laboratory and public health standards and practices."

24 May 2010

Scientists identify new gene candidates that regulate aggregate formations in Huntington's disease

They might not be known for their big brains, but fruit flies are helping to make scientists and doctors smarter about what causes Huntington's disease and how to treat it. New research, published in the journal GENETICS (http://www.genetics.org) describes a laboratory test that allows scientists to evaluate large numbers of fruit fly genes for a possible role in the formation of plaque-like protein aggregates within cells.

24 May 2010

PDGFRA gene may lead to effective treatments for paediatric high grade glioma: Study

Scientists have discovered a gene that could lead to more effective treatments for a form of childhood brain cancer called paediatric high grade glioma.

21 May 2010

Data on retreatment experiences with brentuximab vedotin in clinical trials to be presented at 2010 ASCO

Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today announced that data regarding retreatment experiences with brentuximab vedotin in phase I and phase II clinical trials will be presented during a poster session at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) being held June 4-8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois.

21 May 2010

Study explores genetic imbalances that give rise to childhood brain tumors

The most comprehensive analysis yet of the genetic imbalances at the heart of childhood brain tumors known as high-grade gliomas (HGGs) identified a cancer gene that is unusually active in some tumors and is now the focus of a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital clinical trial.

21 May 2010

New data highlighting Pfizer's approach to cancer drug development to be presented at ASCO meeting

Pfizer Oncology will present new data highlighting the company's focused approach to cancer drug development through the identification and validation of molecular targets. These results will be presented at the 46th Annual American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago from June 4-8.

21 May 2010

JCVI researchers construct first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell

Researchers at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), a not-for-profit genomic research organization, published results today describing the successful construction of the first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell. The team synthesized the 1.08 million base pair chromosome of a modified Mycoplasma mycoides genome.

21 May 2010

EpiCept launches Ceplene in Germany

EpiCept Corporation today announced the commercial launch of Ceplene (R) (histamine dihydrochloride) in Germany. The launch is being conducted by Meda AB, as part of an exclusive commercialization agreement for Ceplene signed by the two companies in January 2010.

21 May 2010

New study reveals PTPN2 gene loss causes bone cancer

In patients with leukemia, the formation of white blood cells in the bone marrow is disrupted. This makes leukemia patients particularly susceptible to infections, because properly functioning white blood cells ensure protection against intruders such as viruses and bacteria.

21 May 2010

Lawmakers probe consumer genetic testing kits

After Pathway Genomics proposed selling genetics tests directly to consumers without Food and Drug Administration approval and "despite concerns" about accuracy, lawmakers have launched an investigation and requested information about the products according to letters sent to three firms by a House panel, The Washington Post reports.

20 May 2010

NewLink Genetics to present Phase 2 data of HyperAcute-Pancreas immunotherapy for resected pancreatic cancer

NewLink Genetics Corporation today announced that preliminary data from its Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the effect of HyperAcute®-Pancreas immunotherapy in patients with resected pancreatic cancer will be presented during a poster session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2010 Annual Meeting held June 4-8, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. A summary of the company's ASCO presentation is below.

20 May 2010

PET scanning provides great insight into immune response

A commonly used probe for Positron Emission Tomography scanning and a new probe developed by researchers at UCLA reveal different functions in diverse cells of the immune system, providing a non-invasive and much clearer picture of an immune response in action.

19 May 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Defect in cellular pathways provides new explanation for earliest stages of craniosynostosis in newborns

HDL cholesterol can transform from good to bad actor in heart-disease process

Researchers use zebrafish as model to analyze function of every known mutation in BBS

EHSI reports favorable completion of due diligence with Stand-By Systems

RainDance Technologies increases commercial activities in Europe with series of technology seminars

New research finding may change direction of vaccine research for M. tuberculosis

Researchers identify mechanisms involved in gene mutation

Enrollment in phase II clinical trial of brentuximab vedotin for ALCL completed

New national standards issued for newborn screening

Scientists identify new gene candidates that regulate aggregate formations in Huntington's disease

PDGFRA gene may lead to effective treatments for paediatric high grade glioma: Study

Data on retreatment experiences with brentuximab vedotin in clinical trials to be presented at 2010 ASCO

Study explores genetic imbalances that give rise to childhood brain tumors

New data highlighting Pfizer's approach to cancer drug development to be presented at ASCO meeting

JCVI researchers construct first self-replicating, synthetic bacterial cell

EpiCept launches Ceplene in Germany

New study reveals PTPN2 gene loss causes bone cancer

Lawmakers probe consumer genetic testing kits

NewLink Genetics to present Phase 2 data of HyperAcute-Pancreas immunotherapy for resected pancreatic cancer

PET scanning provides great insight into immune response

Genetics & Genomics - Second Edition 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