Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

BUSM researchers identify genes that influence the onset age of Parkinson's Disease

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified genes which may influence the onset age of Parkinson's Disease (PD). The findings, which currently appear on-line in BMC Medical Genetics, are the first to identify genes contributing to the variation in onset age and may help identify mechanisms and therapeutic targets capable of delaying symptoms.

8 Oct 2009

The CE Marked HairDX Genetic Test for Hair Loss launched in Europe

The HairDX Genetic Test for Hair Loss, the world’s first genetic baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia) test, is now available as a CE Marked product under the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive.

8 Oct 2009

Study discusses possible genetic effects of radiation and cancer drug exposures on future generations

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center are helping to lead a massive international study on the possible genetic effects of radiation and cancer drug exposures on future generations.

8 Oct 2009

Obesity and diabetes-2 increase the risk of serious health problems and reduce quality of life

Over the last 10-20 years, the number of cases of obesity and diabetes-2 has risen dramatically. The WHO considers obesity-related illnesses to be one of the world's biggest health problems. Obesity and diabetes-2 do not just reduce the quality of life but also dramatically increase the risk of serious health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases.

8 Oct 2009

Cancer Genome Atlas funds study for analysis and interpretation of tumor genetic data

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) will fund an effort by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center to siphon buckets of meaningful information from an ocean of data about the aberrant genetics that drive human cancers.

8 Oct 2009

Johns Hopkins researchers identify several genetic links to autism

About 90 percent of autism spectrum disorders have suspected genetic causes but few genes have been identified so far. Now, leading an international team, Johns Hopkins researchers have identified several genetic links to autism, chief among them a variant of semaphorin 5A, whose protein product controls nerve connections in the brain.

8 Oct 2009

CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium to honor two leading breast cancer researchers

The CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium will honor two leading breast cancer researchers when it holds its 32nd annual meeting Dec. 9-13, in San Antonio.

8 Oct 2009

Pfizer-FRSQ Innovation Fund supports genetic study of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer

The first two research projects supported by the Pfizer-FRSQ Innovation Fund will investigate differences in the genetic code for inflammatory bowel disease and metastatic colorectal cancer. This research could lead to improved diagnosis and the development of individualized treatments for these diseases. These innovative projects are marshalling multidisciplinary teams of seasoned researchers from major Quebec research institutions.

8 Oct 2009

Family and population based approaches sheds new light on the potential roles of common and rare forms of human genetic variation

In one of the first studies of its kind, an international team of researchers has uncovered a single-letter change in the genetic code that is associated with autism. The finding, published in the October 8 issue of the journal Nature, implicates a neuronal gene not previously tied to the disorder and more broadly, underscores a role for common DNA variation.

8 Oct 2009

Coeliac disease patients at risk of osteoporosis

People with coeliac disease may develop osteoporosis because their immune system attacks their bone tissue, a new study has shown.

8 Oct 2009

Ethnicity plays a significant role in non-small cell lung cancer genetics: Study

Clinical research out of University Hospitals Case Medical Center has found that African Americans with a common form of lung cancer have a lower frequency of drug-sensitizing genetic mutations, which may impact response to new cancer-fighting drugs.

8 Oct 2009

Researchers validate a technique capable of quick TB diagnosis

The team headed by Doctor Manuel Casal, head of Microbiology at Reina Sofia Hospital in Cordoba has validated in patients a technique, originally produced by a German company, capable of diagnosing tuberculosis in only one day and determining whether or not it is resistant to two of the drugs used to treat this disease.

7 Oct 2009

Daily doses of imatinib mesylate double survival rates in Ph+ ALL affected children

Results of a phase two clinical trial published October 5th in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show that adding continuous daily doses of a targeted drug called imatinib mesylate to regular chemotherapy more than doubled three-year survival rates for children with a high risk type of blood cancer called Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL).

7 Oct 2009

Call for new policies on access to biobanked children's DNA

Scientists look for clues about therapies and cures for life-threatening childhood illnesses in children's DNA -- it seems only logical to do so. But the decision as to who should have access to DNA samples from children provides a unique ethical conundrum, says a Tel Aviv University researcher in a recent publication for the esteemed journal Science, co-authored by colleagues from The Netherlands and Canada.

7 Oct 2009

Researchers show that DNA methylation plays a crucial role for cancer stem cells

During cell division, whether hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) will develop into new stem cells (self-renewal) or differentiate into other blood cells depends on a chemical process called DNA methylation.

7 Oct 2009

New study leads to the development of first prophylactic treatment for leishmania

Leishmania is a deadly parasitic disease that affects over 12 million people worldwide, with more than 2 million new cases reported every year. Until recently, scientists were unsure exactly how the parasite survives inside human cells. That mystery has now been solved according to a new study published in Science Signaling by a team led by Dr. Martin Olivier - a scientist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and McGill University.

7 Oct 2009

NIDCR announces research and technology grants to support new Facebase Consortium

The integration process just got a lot easier. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health, announced today it has issued the first 11 research and technology grants of its new FaceBase Consortium.

7 Oct 2009

New findings on Alzheimer's disease suggest a possible way for treatment

The action of a small protein that is a major villain in Alzheimer's disease can be counterbalanced with another brain protein, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in an animal study.

7 Oct 2009

Kennedy Krieger Institute announces the results of largest ever twin study of ASDs

Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today new study results from the largest ever twin study that confirm the role genetics plays in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but also suggest that environmental factors play a role.

6 Oct 2009

Vivaldi receives US patent for live attenuated influenza vaccines

Vivaldi Biosciences Inc. (Vivaldi), a biotechnology company focused on development of vaccines for influenza, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued US Patent 7,588,768 covering live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) with modifications to the viral NS1 gene, and methods for producing the vaccines in cell culture systems.

6 Oct 2009

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

BUSM researchers identify genes that influence the onset age of Parkinson's Disease

The CE Marked HairDX Genetic Test for Hair Loss launched in Europe

Study discusses possible genetic effects of radiation and cancer drug exposures on future generations

Obesity and diabetes-2 increase the risk of serious health problems and reduce quality of life

Cancer Genome Atlas funds study for analysis and interpretation of tumor genetic data

Johns Hopkins researchers identify several genetic links to autism

CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium to honor two leading breast cancer researchers

Pfizer-FRSQ Innovation Fund supports genetic study of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer

Family and population based approaches sheds new light on the potential roles of common and rare forms of human genetic variation

Coeliac disease patients at risk of osteoporosis

Ethnicity plays a significant role in non-small cell lung cancer genetics: Study

Researchers validate a technique capable of quick TB diagnosis

Daily doses of imatinib mesylate double survival rates in Ph+ ALL affected children

Call for new policies on access to biobanked children's DNA

Researchers show that DNA methylation plays a crucial role for cancer stem cells

New study leads to the development of first prophylactic treatment for leishmania

NIDCR announces research and technology grants to support new Facebase Consortium

New findings on Alzheimer's disease suggest a possible way for treatment

Kennedy Krieger Institute announces the results of largest ever twin study of ASDs

Vivaldi receives US patent for live attenuated influenza vaccines

Genetics & Genomics - Second Edition eBook

How does norepinephrine influence anxiety-related behaviours?

Transforming Lab Workflows with Cell Culture Automation

Building Bridges to Scalable Allogeneic Cell Therapy