Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

The third “Exciting Biologies” meeting focuses on “Biology In Balance”

In a continuing series called “Exciting Biologies” Cell Press, Massachusetts General Hospital and La Fondation Ipsen collaborate to offer annual meetings designed to highlight emerging intersections in biomedical research and promote interactions between scientists from converging disciplines. This third meeting, held in Buenos Aires between the 8th and 10th of October, focused on “Biology in Balance”.

12 Oct 2009

BIO disagrees with recommendations of the draft report on Gene Patenting and Licensing

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) provided comments yesterday to the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society regarding its draft report on Gene Patenting and Licensing and Their Impact on Patient Access to Genetic Tests. The report makes several recommendations that would restrict the ability to obtain or undermine the enforceability of patents and exclusive licenses with respect to genetic tests.

12 Oct 2009

Compounds that bock nutrient-sensing receptor may impact obesity and diabetic conditions

According to new research from the Monell Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, certain common herbicides and lipid-lowering fibrate drugs act in humans to block T1R3, a nutrient-sensing taste receptor also present in intestine and pancreas.

12 Oct 2009

Findings may reveal new treatments for people suffering from chronic hemoglobin levels

A gene with a significant effect on regulating hemoglobin in the body has been identified as part of a genome-wide association study, which looked at the link between genes and hemoglobin level in 16,000 people.

12 Oct 2009

Public forum and scientific workshop on women's health issues

The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital will host a public forum and scientific workshop Oct. 14 to 16 to discuss emerging issues of importance for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for women's health research in the coming decade.

12 Oct 2009

Eric Boerwinkle receives $26 million federal stimulus grant to identify genetic factors influencing common diseases

Eric Boerwinkle, Ph.D., a professor at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, has received a $26 million federal stimulus grant to lead an effort to pinpoint genetic factors affecting the risk of heart, lung and blood diseases.

12 Oct 2009

Researchers find SNARE-like protein system to help bacteria avoid cell destruction

Infectious diseases currently cause about one-third of all human deaths worldwide, more than all forms of cancer combined. Advances in cell biology and microbial genetics have greatly enhanced understanding of the cause and mechanisms of infectious diseases.

12 Oct 2009

Women with deleterious gene mutation diagnosed with breast cancer earlier than their previous generation

Women with a deleterious gene mutation are diagnosed with breast cancer six years earlier than relatives of the previous generation who also had the disease and/or ovarian cancer, according to new research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

12 Oct 2009

Study shows the impact of blood cell development on human diseases

A new genome-wide association study published today in Nature Genetics begins to uncover the basis of genetic variations in eight blood measurements and the impact those variants can have on common human diseases. Blood measurements, including the number and volume of cells in the blood, are routinely used to diagnose a wide range of disorders, including anaemia, infection and blood cell cancers.

12 Oct 2009

Three hundred participants sought for world-first study to determine shared biological basis for psychotic illnesses

For the first time, sufferers of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being brought together in a major new study investigating the diseases' common genetic causes and manifestations.

11 Oct 2009

International symposium examines how new advances in plant science research can benefit African agriculture

This three-day international symposium is designed to bring together scientists from Africa, Europe and the USA to examine how new advances in plant science research and developing technologies can be used to the benefit of African agriculture

9 Oct 2009

New York Governor participates in roundtable discussion on stem cell research

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University hosted a roundtable discussion on stem cell research with New York Governor David A. Paterson today. Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein, and eight stem cell researchers discussed advances in medical therapies and treatments that Einstein scientists have been investigating since receiving more than $14 million in State funding for stem cell research.

9 Oct 2009

New technique developed to assess individual's risk for type 1 diabetes

A sophisticated computational algorithm, applied to a large set of gene markers, has achieved greater accuracy than conventional methods in assessing individual risk for type 1 diabetes.

9 Oct 2009

NHLBI grants for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and blood disorders

Two teams led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers, also members of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI), are among 18 groups receiving National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) grants for the development of stem-cell based tools and treatments to understand and treat cardiovascular and blood disorders.

9 Oct 2009

NHGRI support research to accelerate development of innovative sequencing technologies

GE Global Research, the technology development arm for the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), today announced that scientists in their Biosciences Lab have been awarded a second round of funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue research that could reduce the cost and time of sequencing of an entire human genome to less than $1,000, in under a day.

9 Oct 2009

Variation in human genomes is key to understanding inherited differences between health and disease

In research published today by Nature, an international team describes the finest map of changes to the structure of human genomes and a resource they have developed for researchers worldwide to look at the role of these changes in human disease.

8 Oct 2009

Quest Diagnostics' DNA testing for gene variants help improve outcomes for stent recipients

DNA testing for gene variants that can increase the risk of major coronary events in certain patients taking the anti-clotting drug Plavix® (clopidogrel bisulfate) is now being performed by Quest Diagnostics for Scripps Health patients electing to undergo coronary stent procedures.

From Quest Diagnostics 8 Oct 2009

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

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

The third “Exciting Biologies” meeting focuses on “Biology In Balance”

BIO disagrees with recommendations of the draft report on Gene Patenting and Licensing

Compounds that bock nutrient-sensing receptor may impact obesity and diabetic conditions

Findings may reveal new treatments for people suffering from chronic hemoglobin levels

Public forum and scientific workshop on women's health issues

Eric Boerwinkle receives $26 million federal stimulus grant to identify genetic factors influencing common diseases

Researchers find SNARE-like protein system to help bacteria avoid cell destruction

Women with deleterious gene mutation diagnosed with breast cancer earlier than their previous generation

Study shows the impact of blood cell development on human diseases

Three hundred participants sought for world-first study to determine shared biological basis for psychotic illnesses

International symposium examines how new advances in plant science research can benefit African agriculture

New York Governor participates in roundtable discussion on stem cell research

New technique developed to assess individual's risk for type 1 diabetes

NHLBI grants for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular and blood disorders

NHGRI support research to accelerate development of innovative sequencing technologies

Variation in human genomes is key to understanding inherited differences between health and disease

Quest Diagnostics' DNA testing for gene variants help improve outcomes for stent recipients

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

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