Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

BUSM professor receives Individual Biomedical Research Award

Richard Goldstein, PhD, a professor of pediatrics, division of pediatric infectious diseases, at Boston University School of Medicine, has been awarded an Individual Biomedical Research Award by The Hartwell Foundation and will receive $300,000 over three years as a Hartwell Investigator for his project titled, "A Vaccine Against Streptococcus Pneumoniae Based on Bacterial Surface Proteins Phylogenically Certified as Highly Conserved."

23 Apr 2010

Genetic tests that may replace biopsies

Genetic tests conducted on blood samples may replace the current biopsies when it comes to checking if immune systems are rejecting new organs of heart transplant patients. The test would be far less invasive and uncomfortable as compared to the biopsies, not to mention more affordable.

23 Apr 2010

New gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision

Veterinary ophthalmology researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total color blindness.

22 Apr 2010

Understanding genetic causes of mental retardation

This remarkable publication focuses on the importance of genetics in mental retardation, investigating the extent to which molecular diagnostic capability and the understanding of genetic causes have improved over recent years. As a result, clinical evaluation and diagnostic laboratory practice are now undergoing an unprecedented period of change.

22 Apr 2010

New insight into mechanism regulating early mammalian development

Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have recently generated significant single cell expression data crucial for a detailed molecular understanding of mammalian development from fertilization to embryo implantation, a process known as the preimplantation period. The knowledge gained has a direct impact on clinical applications in the areas of regenerative medicine and assisted reproduction.

22 Apr 2010

New studies on cancer prevention presented at 101st AACR Annual Meeting 2010

Interest in cancer prevention is increasing as scientists continue to learn new information and confirm what was already suspected.

22 Apr 2010

Resonant activation can be a strategy against bacterial persistence: Virginia Tech biologist

A Virginia Tech biologist proposes to use a physics strategy called resonant activation to nudge dormant bacteria cells into a stage where they will be sensitive to antibiotics.

22 Apr 2010

Research findings may help personalize use of statins, scientists say

Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have discovered why statins -- popular drugs that lower cholesterol and appear to protect against colorectal cancer development -- work for some people, but not for all.

22 Apr 2010

SpectraCell Laboratories introduces apolipoprotein E genotyping

Effective immediately, SpectraCell Laboratories now offers apolipoprotein E genotyping. This test determines a person's genetic risk for heart disease associated with the commonly studied gene called apoE, which is involved in the metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood).

22 Apr 2010

Seattle Genetics, Agensys present ASG-5ME ADC preclinical data at 101st AACR

Seattle Genetics, Inc. and Agensys, Inc., an affiliate of Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma Inc., today reported preclinical data with ASG-5ME, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that is being co-developed by both companies for the treatment of solid tumors. In models of human prostate and pancreatic cancer, ASG-5ME was found to have potent and long lasting antitumor activity. The findings were presented at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held in Washington, D.C.

22 Apr 2010

Study links mutations in RAD51C gene to breast and ovarian cancer

The discovery 15 years ago that the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 confer high risks for breast and ovarian cancer was a breakthrough for cancer prediction and therapy, especially for familial cases. Now the research group of Prof. Alfons Meindl (Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Technische Universitaet Muenchen), in collaboration with other groups from Germany, the U.K., and the U.S., can identify another gene that increases susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer.

22 Apr 2010

LabCorp's first-quarter revenues increase by 3.3% to $1,193.6 million

Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

21 Apr 2010

New research shows mercury levels are higher in some tuna species

New research showing that that mercury levels are higher in some species of tuna could help consumers minimize their consumption of the silvery metal in their sushi and provide a powerful new tool for regulatory organizations.

21 Apr 2010

Simcyp wins Queen's Award for Enterprise for innovative research and development

Simcyp Limited, experts in simulating how the body deals with new drugs in development, today announces that it has won a Queen's Award for Enterprise. The award has been made in the Innovation category and reflects Simcyp's continuous development of modelling and simulation software for evaluating drugs in the safety of a computer.

21 Apr 2010

Gene test predicts statins' effectiveness in reducing risk of colorectal cancer

A genetic test can help determine in which patients cholesterol-lowering statin drugs might have the most benefit in also reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center finds.

21 Apr 2010

Vitamin D intake from foods, supplements may not predict relationship between cancer and vitamin D

Vitamin supplements, diet, geographic location, demographic information or lifestyle, independently or in combination, cannot accurately predict vitamin D concentrations in blood, researchers at the University at Buffalo have found.

21 Apr 2010

Relative importance of genetic factors is low in tinnitus, says new research

The relative importance of genetic factors in tinnitus is low, according to new research from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. This is the first large population-based study to measure the heritability of tinnitus.

21 Apr 2010

Children may inherit the urge to exercise, but environment often stops them from doing so

Children may inherit the urge to exercise, but their environment often stops them from doing so, say Cancer Research UK researchers.

21 Apr 2010

CSTE receives $1M gift from NFL to research long-term effects of repetitive brain trauma in football players

The National Football League (NFL) will give a $1 million unrestricted gift to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) at Boston University School of Medicine to support the Center's research.

21 Apr 2010

Duke University Medical Center, LabCorp form joint venture to commercialize new biomarkers

Duke University Medical Center and Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings announced today the formation of a joint venture to commercialize new biomarkers. The new entity is designed to speed the translation of newly discovered biomarkers into widely available clinical tools that can measure individual therapeutic responses, predict disease progression, and evaluate any number of biologic or disease-causing processes.

21 Apr 2010