Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Asuragen enters into research agreements to develop microRNA-based diagnostic test

Asuragen, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostics and RNA-based pharmacogenomics services, announced today that it has entered into research agreements with The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Dartmouth’s Hitchcock Medical Center and the University of Sherbrooke to develop a microRNA-based diagnostic test to aid the detection of pancreatic cancer from fine-needle aspirate (FNA) biopsies.

1 Feb 2010

Epigenetics may help determine CT radiation risk to patients' offsprings

There remains a lack of consensus amongst the medical and scientific communities about any cancer risk from low level radiation, particularly low-dose radiation delivered from computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the study of epigenetics may play a role in determining whether or not future trends of diseases can in fact be linked to utilization of CT, according to an article in the February issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR).

1 Feb 2010

Study analyzes relationship between parents' and children’s' dental visits

Whether or not children receive regular dental care is strongly associated with their parents' history of seeking dental care. A new report to appear in the journal Pediatrics, which has been released online, is the first to analyze the relationship between parents' and childrens' dental visits in a nationally represntative sample.

1 Feb 2010

Study indicates dogs make excellent models for studying human genetic disorders

In the new Swedish-Finnish study, published in Nature Genetics, the researchers identified five loci that predispose to an SLE-related disease in Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers.

31 Jan 2010

Enzo Biochem generating more than $100M in revenues annually

Enzo Biochem, Inc. is well positioned to benefit from the results of its transformation involving acquisitions, new managements at each of its major subsidiaries and a heightened focus on new life science, diagnostic and therapeutic products, Barry Weiner, President, told the annual meeting of shareholders today.

30 Jan 2010

Project A.L.S. and Robert Packard Center for ALS Research partner in $15M research initiative

Project A.L.S. (New York, NY) and the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) announced that they will partner on P2 ALS, a $15 million initiative designed to advance ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research exponentially over the next three years.

30 Jan 2010

Study may lead to preventative and therapeutic treatments for MS patients

Previous studies have shown multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are more often born in spring than in any other season, indicating that there is an environmental risk factor for the disease. A paper in the journal Neurology, reviewed for f1000 Medicine by Emmanuelle Waubant and Ellen Mowry, now suggests that this seasonal effect is mediated by the gene HLA-DRB1.

30 Jan 2010

BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award granted to Robert J. Lefkowitz

The BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Biomedicine category goes in this second edition to Prof. Robert J. Lefkowitz (1943, New York, United States), investigator in the Department of Medicine at Duke University (United States).

29 Jan 2010

AA attendance may alleviate depression

One of many reasons that attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings helps people with alcohol use disorders stay sober appears to be alleviation of depression.

29 Jan 2010

Targeted sequencing of exome can help identify potential disease-causing genes

Researchers from University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Roche Applied Science have recently published a research study on human exome resequencing results from eight individuals that span across three generations of a family. The findings of this study showcased the value of targeted enrichment for family-based studies which allows researchers to quickly identify potential disease-causing genetic variants and will provide the data and information for further research to better understand disease and the impact across generations of a family.

29 Jan 2010

GSA announces recipients of 2010 awards for distinguished service in the field of genetics

The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its five awards for distinguished service to the field of genetics. These awards represent sustained activity and contributions by members of the genetics community.

29 Jan 2010

UT-Battelle exclusively licenses patents on inventions based on Nell-1 gene

In a major step toward commercialization of a promising therapeutic treatment, Oak Ridge National Laboratory contractor UT-Battelle announced at a signing ceremony here today that it has exclusively licensed patents on inventions based on the Nell-1 gene to NellOne Therapeutics, Inc. (NellOne), a company spun out of research performed at the Department of Energy laboratory.

29 Jan 2010

Baylor Sammons Breast Center receives accreditation from NAPBC

Baylor Sammons Breast Center at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas has been recognized by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) for its "firm commitment to offer its patients every significant advantage in their battle against breast disease."

29 Jan 2010

Level of key immune cells in kidney transplant patients may predict risk of skin cancer

Measuring certain types of immune cells may predict the high risk of skin cancer after kidney transplantation, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN).

29 Jan 2010

AMP releases new position statement on the oversight of LDTs

Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) released its new position statement on the oversight of laboratory developed tests (LDTs), a recent focus of debate among policy makers, the laboratory community and other stakeholders.

29 Jan 2010

OMT, a viable option for treating back pain in the third trimester of pregnancy

For many pregnant women, it's inevitable. As their pregnancy progresses, tasks that involve the low back often get more difficult. It is harder to bend over, lift, sit or walk for long periods of time, and back pain increases. Treating back pain, and improving daily function relative to tasks that involve the low back is a challenge because pregnant women are limited to treatments that will not create problems for their developing baby.

29 Jan 2010

CAMH signs licensing agreement to develop and market genetic test for degenerative muscle disorder

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has signed a licensing agreement with a Massachusetts firm to develop and market an innovative genetic test for a recently identified degenerative muscle disorder. The disorder tends to strike adults in their early 30s.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 29 Jan 2010

GUMC invites Washington-area residents for Spring 2010 Mini-Medical School Program

Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) is inviting Washington-area residents to find out what it takes to become a doctor—minus the long hours and late nights. Georgetown's eight-week Spring 2010 Mini-Medical School Program, open to the public and members of the media, begins Tuesday, March 9, 2010.

28 Jan 2010

New technique could reduce animal use in gene study

A new method of priming early embryos to form embryonic stem (ES) cells has allowed ES cells to be derived from mice used in diabetes research for the first time.

28 Jan 2010

NYU professor conducts genetic screening at academic campuses in Boston

Dr. Harry Ostrer, professor of pediatrics, pathology and medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center will be conducting genetic screening at four college campuses in Boston on February 1st and 2nd. Individuals interested in being screened should sign- up online at www.med.nyu.edu/genetics.

28 Jan 2010