“New gene analyzing method is developed”
(last accessed 3/2007)
(April 20) Science Daily via vetscite.org reports, “Seattle scientists have developed a method for analyzing the Major Histocompatibility Complex of the human genome, found on chromosome 6.”
“Mayo Clinic finding may double genetic screening effectiveness for sudden death heart condition”
(April 19) EurekAlert! reports, “Currently that genetic test correctly detects HCM only 40 percent of the time. But coupled with imaging information, the detection power of the test nearly doubles, to 79 percent, says Steve Ommen, M.D., director of Mayo's HCM Clinic and co-lead investigator of the Mayo Clinic research team.”
“Researchers discover a new genetic cause of Alzheimer's disease”
(April 19) EurekAlert! reports, “Researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected to the University of Antwerp are the first to show that the quantity of amyloid protein in brain cells is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.”
“Found in 20 percent of people of African descent: MUHC describes gene that shuts down immune system”
(April 19) EurekAlert! reports, “Montreal--Caspase-12 is a molecule with a death-wish. Found only in people of African descent, this protein shuts down our body's immune system, opening the door to potentially lethal infections.”
“New London based centre for clinical genetic research”
(April 19) News-Medical .Net reports, “Imperial College London is to take the lead in the creation of a new London based centre for clinical genetic research with a consortium of leading scientific research institutions.”
“Schizophrenia as Misstep by Giant Gene”
(April 18) The New York Times reports, “Researchers have made progress in understanding how a variant gene linked to schizophrenia may exert its influence in the brain.”
“Common Genetic Link to Obesity Is Discovered”
(April 18) The New York Times reports, “A genetic variation predisposing people to obesity has been detected by a team of researchers at Boston University and elsewhere.”
“New bacterium discovered”
(April 17) myDNA reports, “Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have discovered a new bacterium and determined that it can cause serious lymph node infections in patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) — a rare immune disorder that leaves individuals susceptible to frequent and sometimes life-threatening fungal and bacterial infections.”
“'U' Researchers Link Genetic Variation To Lupus”
(April 17) wcco.com reports, “Minneapolis University of Minnesota researchers have linked a single genetic variation to lupus, a disease in which an overactive immune system attacks healthy tissue.”
“American university launches Center for Genetics in Health and Medicine”
(April 17) MenaFN.com reports, “The University of Michigan has announced the opening of the Center for Genetics in Health and Medicine, which aims to bring researchers and clinicians together in finding genetic roots of disease, AP reported.”
“Genetic testing helps diagnose Long QT syndrome”
(April 16) News Medical.net reports, “Long QT syndrome is an uncommon, and sometimes fatal, heart rhythm disorder that is often present from birth. It gets its name from the peculiar pattern of the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) seen in people with the disease.”
“Reading between the genetic lines”
(April 13) myDNA reports, “Aided by state-of-the-art technology, parents today can choose from a plethora of audio-visual aids, DVDs, computer games and regular old books to help their kids learn to read at an early age.”
“Cell division goes backwards”
(April 13) myDNA reports, “Gary J. Gorbsky, Ph.D., a scientist with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), has found a way to reverse the process of cell division.”
“Keck Futures Initiative Announces Grant Recipients; $1 Million Awarded for 14 Research Projects”
(last accessed 1/2008)
(April 10) The National Academies reports, “The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative announced today the recipients of its 2005 Futures grants, each in the amount of $50,000 or $75,000 to support interdisciplinary research on genomics and infectious disease.”