Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientist develops way to deliver promising genetic tool into living cells

By exploiting an HIV protein that readily traverses cell membranes, Carnegie Mellon University scientists have developed a new way to introduce a gene-like molecule called a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) directly into live mammalian cells, including human embryonic stem (ES) cells.

6 Dec 2004

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

A European research team is seeking to overcome the early setbacks suffered by the promising new field of ‘gene therapy’ by developing a revolutionary delivery technique, known as ‘episome vectors’. This breakthrough could pave the way to treating hereditary diseases by injecting the body with healthy versions of damaged genes.

6 Dec 2004

Australian Government's decision to purchase sufficient influenza vaccine for the next three seasons is good health planning

Australian Medical Association Vice President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, has said the Australian Government's decision to purchase sufficient influenza vaccine for the next three seasons is good health planning.

6 Dec 2004

Zevalin highly effective in first-line treatment of low-grade follicular lymphoma

Results from a clinical trial presented at the American Society of Hematology 46th Annual Meeting and Exposition (ASH) demonstrated that Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan), administered as a first-line therapy, induced a 100 percent response rate in a small population of patients with low-grate follicular lymphoma (FL).

6 Dec 2004

Herpes virus offers new hope in search for cure for cancer

In laboratory studies at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, researchers have successfully treated the most common malignant abdominal tumor of childhood: neuroblastoma tumors.

4 Dec 2004

Heart researchers have used gene therapy to bring failing rat hearts back to normal

Scientists led by Walter Koch, Ph.D., director of the Center for Translational Medicine in the Department of Medicine in Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, used a virus to insert the gene for a protein called S100A1 into failing rat hearts.

4 Dec 2004

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been the subject of a great deal of investigation in recent years. It has been established that HERVs cause some genetic diseases and there is strong circumstantial evidence for a link to some types of cancer and autoimmune diseases, but what else do we need to know about these unique organisms?

4 Dec 2004

Fossil record of the human immune system reveals antibodies that block cancer metastasis

A team of researchers at The Scripps Research Institute has reconstructed the "fossil record" of the immune systems of a group of human cancer patients to investigate if they had ever produced antibodies against their disease.

4 Dec 2004

Animal model helps explain how AIDS virus spreads throughout the body following oral exposure

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have utilized an animal model to trace how the virus that causes AIDS in humans may enter and spread throughout the body following an oral exposure.

3 Dec 2004

Rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses steady in the U.S

Rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States stayed steady for the years 2000-2003, but sharp racial disparities remain, according to an analysis of data from 32 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced today.

1 Dec 2004

Viral Genetics announces effects of VGV-1 in antiretroviral non-responding HIV infections

Viral Genetics announced today that the results of a clinical trial of its investigational therapy for HIV infection, VGV-1, were recently published in a peer reviewed journal, HIV & AIDS Review.

29 Nov 2004

Anti-bird flu contingency measures for Hong Kong

Anti-bird flu contingency measures, including a proposal to separate poultry from humans and a series of traffic and logistics measures will be discussed at Hong Kong's Legislative Council's Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel meeting next month.

29 Nov 2004

Stress affects molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging

There have been many studies that have shown that your health is greatly affected by how you react to stressful events in life-setbacks or deadlines at work, conflicts and losses at home.

29 Nov 2004

Joint collaboration to fight avian influenza

Recognizing the pandemic potential and the threat to public health posed by the Avian Influenza, Health Ministers and senior officials of thirteen countries from Southeast and East Asian countries have pledged to accelerate joint collaboration in fighting the disease.

29 Nov 2004

SARS outbreak unlikely according to World Health Organization

The regional head of the World Health Organization said today that it was possible the region would experience SARS cases this winter, but he doubted the situation would be serious. "I don't think a large outbreak is likely," said Dr Shigeru Omi, Regional Director of WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office.

29 Nov 2004

Moldova making progress in fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Moldova’s early actions to fight HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis are slowing the rise of the country’s dual tuberculosis and AIDS epidemics, the World Bank reports.

29 Nov 2004

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have given "blind" nerve cells the ability to detect light, paving the way for an innovative therapy that could restore sight to those who have lost it through disease.

24 Nov 2004

Study links a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer

Cytogen Corporation today announced the publication of a study linking a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer.

24 Nov 2004

Female condoms should be promoted as an effective solution to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS

While scientists work to find the 'perfect' solution to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, a reasonable option--the female condom--is not being promoted, especially in African and southeast Asian countries where the deadly virus is most prevalent, according to a new study.

24 Nov 2004

Breakthrough HIV research wins prestigious industry award

Research that could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of HIV has scooped a University of Manchester scientist a prestigious industry award.

From The University of Manchester 23 Nov 2004

Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Scientist develops way to deliver promising genetic tool into living cells

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

Australian Government's decision to purchase sufficient influenza vaccine for the next three seasons is good health planning

Zevalin highly effective in first-line treatment of low-grade follicular lymphoma

Herpes virus offers new hope in search for cure for cancer

Heart researchers have used gene therapy to bring failing rat hearts back to normal

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)

Fossil record of the human immune system reveals antibodies that block cancer metastasis

Animal model helps explain how AIDS virus spreads throughout the body following oral exposure

Rates of HIV/AIDS diagnoses steady in the U.S

Viral Genetics announces effects of VGV-1 in antiretroviral non-responding HIV infections

Anti-bird flu contingency measures for Hong Kong

Stress affects molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging

Joint collaboration to fight avian influenza

SARS outbreak unlikely according to World Health Organization

Moldova making progress in fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Study links a novel protein pathway to the aggressive progression of breast cancer

Female condoms should be promoted as an effective solution to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS

Breakthrough HIV research wins prestigious industry award

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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