Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

CSHL solves the structure of the zinc-bound ATD domain of the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit

A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) reports on Thursday their success in solving the molecular structure of a key portion of a cellular receptor implicated in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other serious illnesses.

13 Nov 2009

Lipid that accumulates in brain cells drives cell death, says research

The lipid that accumulates in brain cells of individuals with an inherited enzyme disorder also drives the cell death that is a hallmark of the disease, according to new research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators.

13 Nov 2009

Scientists to develop a treatment for rare genetic disorder, FOP

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is taking the first step in developing a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), in which the body's skeletal muscles and soft connective tissue turns to bone, immobilizing patients over a lifetime with a second skeleton.

13 Nov 2009

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves. Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that inactivation of a DNA repair gene called Hus1 efficiently kills cells lacking p53 -- a gene mutated in the majority of human cancers.

13 Nov 2009

Stapled Peptides directly inhibit the Notch transcription factor complex

Aileron Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company leading the development of a new class of drugs called Stapled Peptides, announced today that its collaborators, James E. Bradner, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and Gregory L. Verdine, PhD, Professor of Chemistry at Harvard University, published research in Nature entitled, “Direct Inhibition of the Notch Transcription Factor Complex.”

12 Nov 2009

Study: Mouse gene uncovers new strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease

A new study reveals that a previously undiscovered mouse gene reduces the two major pathological perturbations commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research, published by Cell Press in the November 12 issue of the journal Neuron, finds that the novel gene interacts with a key cellular enzyme previously linked with AD pathology, thereby uncovering a new strategy for treating this devastating disorder.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers identify mouse gene that reduces the accumulation Alzheimer's plaques and tangles

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) and colleagues have identified a novel mouse gene (Rps23r1) that reduces the accumulation of two toxic proteins that are major players in Alzheimer's disease: amyloid beta and tau. The amyloid and tau lowering functions of this gene were demonstrated in both human and mouse cells.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers find link between telomeres and longevity

A team led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found a clear link between living to 100 and inheriting a hyperactive version of an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres - the tip ends of chromosomes. The findings appear in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

12 Nov 2009

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Alder Biopharmaceuticals collaborate in development of novel biologic for rheumatoid arthritis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced a global agreement for the development and commercialization of ALD518, a novel biologic that has completed Phase IIa development for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

10 Nov 2009

AMP's four-day event on the latest advances in clinical molecular diagnostics

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) invites the media to follow its upcoming 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibits and learn about the latest advances in clinical molecular diagnostics.

10 Nov 2009

Veterans don't ask for psychological help

They've seen horrors, experienced constant threats and survived traumatic events. Canada's military personnel often come back home with memories they'd rather forget. It's not scientifically understood why some soldiers develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) while others don't. However, many veterans simply don't ask for psychological help.

10 Nov 2009

Study suggests a new improved treatment option for children with Hurler's syndrome

Researchers have transplanted genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells into mice so that their developing red blood cells produce a critical lysosomal enzyme - preventing or reducing organ and central nervous system damage from the often-fatal genetic disorder Hurler's syndrome.

10 Nov 2009

Researcers identify a new array of genes in GAS

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogenic bacteria. Many people carry GAS asymptomatically in their upper respiratory tract and other anatomic sites. However, these bacteria can cause a variety of human diseases ranging from superficial skin and throat infections to highly invasive life-threatening diseases such as toxic shock and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as the flesh-eating bacteria.

10 Nov 2009

Activating TAp63 protein, a viable anti-cancer strategy

Oncologists have had their hands tied because more than half of all human cancers have mutations that disable a protein called p53. As a critical anti-cancer watchdog, p53 masterminds several cancer-fighting operations within cells. When cells lose p53, tumors grow aggressively and often cannot be treated.

10 Nov 2009

Prepubertal boys with cancer can bank on their testicular tissue for preserving fertility

For parents of children with cancer, the hopeful news is that pediatric survival rates have steadily improved for decades. Among the bad news-treatments that enable survival often cause infertility.

10 Nov 2009

EpiCept announces third quarter 2009 financial results

EpiCept Corporation today announced operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and provided an update on Ceplene® and several of the Company’s key product candidates.

10 Nov 2009

Alzheimer's disease research draws national attention

Research that is targeting the early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease has drawn national attention to the work of Michael Seidenberg, PhD, a faculty member at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

10 Nov 2009

Health Canada accepts for review the EpiCept’s New Drug Submission for Ceplene

EpiCept Corporation today announced that Health Canada has accepted for review the Company’s New Drug Submission (NDS) for Ceplene® (histamine dihydrochloride) for the remission maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients in first complete remission.

9 Nov 2009

Experts gather to outline the latest creative applications of DNA barcoding

The scientific ability to quickly and accurately identify species through DNA "barcoding" is being embraced and applied by a growing legion of global authorities - from medical and agricultural researchers to police and customs authorities to palaeontologists and others.

7 Nov 2009

Webinar: Latest updates on percutaneous and transcatheter treatment of liver, kidney and lung tumor ablation

Registration is now open for the Society of Interventional Radiology's "Image-guided Interventional Oncology (IO) Therapies" Webinar, which will provide the latest updates on percutaneous and transcatheter treatment of liver tumors, kidney tumor ablation and lung tumor ablation.

7 Nov 2009