Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Genetic basis unknown in many children with mental retardation and developmental delays

Researchers from four laboratories that perform diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities recently identified a previously unrecognized genetic disorder.

10 Mar 2010

New article sheds light on the costs and benefits of screening for SMA

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is one of many serious disorders for which prenatal testing is available. SMA affects approximately 1 in 10,000 live births and is the leading genetic cause of infant mortality and the second most common autosomal recessive disorder, after cystic fibrosis. Although the American College of Medical Genetics recommends carrier testing for all couples, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued a recommendation to the contrary, citing lack of information about the costs and benefits of screening for SMA.

9 Mar 2010

ITCH gene causes multisystem autoimmune disorder

The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and the clinical skills and persistence of Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children physicians in collaboration with physicians and researchers at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, Penn., which specializes in disorders of the Amish.

9 Mar 2010

Three researchers to be honored with SBS Award for achievement in biomolecular sciences and lead discovery

The Society for Biomolecular Sciences will honor three researchers for their substantial contributions to the field of drug discovery. Each recipient will accept their award and speak at the SBS 16th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona, April 11-15, 2010.

9 Mar 2010

RDS launches international outreach program on cognitive impairment in Down syndrome patients

Research Down Syndrome has launched an international outreach program to focus awareness and support for the rapidly advancing area of biomedical research leading to safe and effective approved medical therapies to treat cognitive impairment in individuals of all ages with Down syndrome -- improving memory, learning and communication.

9 Mar 2010

DermaGenoma releases The HerpesDX Genetic Test for Frequent Genital Herpes

Molecular dermatology research and development innovator DermaGenoma, Inc. today released The HerpesDX Genetic Test for Frequent Genital Herpes. The new screening test will help doctors assess patients’ risk for developing frequent Genital Herpes (HSV-2) outbreaks.

9 Mar 2010

Response Genetics to raise $4M from private placement of over 3M newly issued shares

Response Genetics, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a purchase agreement with certain new and existing investors and certain funds managed by Lansdowne Partners Limited Partnership to raise approximately $4 million from the private placement of 3,005,349 newly issued shares of its common stock, at a purchase price of $1.31 per share. The signing of the purchase agreement occurred on Friday, March 5, 2010. We expect the final closing of the shares will occur on Monday, March 8, 2010.

8 Mar 2010

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder.

8 Mar 2010

Pediatrics researchers identify major gene location responsible for EoE

Pediatrics researchers have identified the first major gene location responsible for a severe, often painful type of food allergy called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). In this disease, which may cause weight loss, vomiting, heartburn and swallowing difficulties, a patient may be unable to eat a wide variety of foods.

7 Mar 2010

Researchers discuss possibility of using food to prevent individual's genes from expressing disease

Personal health recommendations and diets tailored to better prevent diseases may be in our future, just by focusing on genetics.

6 Mar 2010

Scientists succeed in mapping entire network of DNA-binding transcription factors

In a significant leap forward in the understanding of how specific types of tissue are determined to develop in mammals, an international team of scientists has succeeded in mapping the entire network of DNA-binding transcription factors and their interactions. This global network, indicating which factors can combine to determine cell fate, will be published in the March 5 issue of the journal Cell.

6 Mar 2010

Interleukin Genetics to purchase $5.3M of securities in registered direct offering

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. today announced that it has received commitments from certain institutional investors to purchase approximately $5.3 million of securities in a registered direct offering.

6 Mar 2010

Saladax Biomedical announces closing of $8.4M Series C Preferred offering

Saladax Biomedical, Inc. announced today the close of an $8.4 million Series C Preferred offering led by Excel Venture Management of Boston. Participants included Golden Seeds LLC, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and the Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania, as well as a number of angel investors. The funding will be used to accelerate product development and expand clinical support of Saladax’s MYCARE™ line of diagnostic tests, which measure blood levels of cancer and Central Nervous System (CNS) disorder drugs, providing physicians with guidance to personalize patient dosing for optimal efficacy.

5 Mar 2010

Data to advance the diagnosis, treatment and management of MH to be presented

Travel Award Available to share data with Clinicians and Scientists to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and management of Malignant Hyperthermia-Susceptible Patients April 23-24, 2010 at Mercy Hospital University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

5 Mar 2010

Gluten intolerance: Hereditary risk factors and link to virus infections

A research project in the Academy of Finland's Research Programme on Nutrition, Food and Health (ELVIRA) has brought new knowledge on the hereditary nature of gluten intolerance and identified genes that carry a higher risk of developing the condition. Research has shown that the genes in question are closely linked with the human immune system and the occurrence of inflammations, rather than being connected with the actual breakdown of gluten in the digestive tract.

5 Mar 2010

Genetic epidemiology: Importance of population genomics

Did women and men contribute equally to the lineage of contemporary populations? Did our ancestors, Homo sapiens, lean more toward polygamy or monogamy? To answer these questions, Dr. Damian Labuda, an investigator at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and a professor at the Department of Pediatrics of the Universit- de Montr-al, headed a team that analyzed genomic data from three population samples of African, Asian and European origin. The study's findings are published in the most recent issue of the American Journal of Human Genetics.

5 Mar 2010

Researchers discover key reason why form of leukemia progresses from chronic phase to blast crisis

Researchers have discovered a key reason why a form of leukemia progresses from its more-treatable chronic phase to a life-threatening phase called blast crisis.

5 Mar 2010

Second AACR cancer research conference to be hosted in Dead Sea, Jordan

The second American Association for Cancer Research Dead Sea International Conference on Advances in Cancer Research: From the Laboratory to the Clinic provides attendees with an overview of the most advanced cancer research in a variety of fields, including the tumor microenvironment, microRNAs, signal transduction and novel therapeutic development.

5 Mar 2010

Scientists discover genetic cause of Quebec Platelet Disorder

For some Canadians, any cut such as from dental work or surgery can cause days or more of bleeding. Although they are not hemophiliacs, for some an ordinary bruise can balloon into the size of an orange.

4 Mar 2010

Leading experts to discuss latest pharmacogenomic research at European Lung Cancer Conference

Rapid advances in drug development, genetics and multidisciplinary treatment have brought the field of oncology to a critical moment, says Dr. Rafael Rosell from the Catalan Institute of Oncology in Badalona, Spain, co-chair of the second European Lung Cancer Conference (ELCC), which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 28 April to 1 May 2010.

4 Mar 2010

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Genetic basis unknown in many children with mental retardation and developmental delays

New article sheds light on the costs and benefits of screening for SMA

ITCH gene causes multisystem autoimmune disorder

Three researchers to be honored with SBS Award for achievement in biomolecular sciences and lead discovery

RDS launches international outreach program on cognitive impairment in Down syndrome patients

DermaGenoma releases The HerpesDX Genetic Test for Frequent Genital Herpes

Response Genetics to raise $4M from private placement of over 3M newly issued shares

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Pediatrics researchers identify major gene location responsible for EoE

Researchers discuss possibility of using food to prevent individual's genes from expressing disease

Scientists succeed in mapping entire network of DNA-binding transcription factors

Interleukin Genetics to purchase $5.3M of securities in registered direct offering

Saladax Biomedical announces closing of $8.4M Series C Preferred offering

Data to advance the diagnosis, treatment and management of MH to be presented

Gluten intolerance: Hereditary risk factors and link to virus infections

Genetic epidemiology: Importance of population genomics

Researchers discover key reason why form of leukemia progresses from chronic phase to blast crisis

Second AACR cancer research conference to be hosted in Dead Sea, Jordan

Scientists discover genetic cause of Quebec Platelet Disorder

Leading experts to discuss latest pharmacogenomic research at European Lung Cancer Conference

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