Genetic Press

Watching the unravelling of the human genome….

Archive for June, 2009

Scientists Out A Gene For Gout

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Scientists, having surveyed the genomes of 12,000 individuals to find a genetic cause for gout, have now have shown that the malfunctioning gene they uncovered can lead to high concentrations of blood urate that forms crystals in joint tissue, causing inflammation and pain -- the hallmark of this disease.

New York approves controversial egg donor payments

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

The US state has approved payments for women who donate eggs for stem cell research – but some fear a backlash from the US public

Single ‘Spelling Mistake’ In Genetic Code Can Lead To Rare And Untreatable Form Of Ovarian Cancer

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Scientists have discovered that there appears to be a single spelling mistake in the genetic code of granulosa cell tumors, a rare and often untreatable form of ovarian cancer. The discovery marks the beginning of a new era of cancer genomics.

Fish Protein Link To Controlling High Blood Pressure

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Medical scientists are investigating how a species of fish from the Pacific Ocean could help provide answers to tackling chronic conditions such as hereditary high blood pressure and kidney disease. They are examining whether the Goby fish can help researchers locate genes linked to high blood pressure. This is because ...

Tumor Suppressor Gene In Flies May Provide Insights For Human Brain Tumors

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

In the fruit fly's developing brain, stem cells called neuroblasts normally divide to create one self-renewing neuroblast and one cell that has a different fate. But neuroblast growth can sometimes spin out of control and become a brain tumor. Researchers have found a tumor-suppressing protein in the fly's brain, with ...

Genes Coding For A Variant Of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Disease, Introduced Into Fruit Flies

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

Scientists have successfully introduced genes coding for a variant of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, into fruit flies. CMT is one of the most common hereditary disorders of the peripheral nervous system. The research shows that the flies recapitulate several symptoms of the human disease.

Gpx5: Sperm shouldn’t leave the testes without this protein

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) Researchers have identified a protein that helps protect immature mouse sperm from oxidative stress. When male mice over one year old lacking this protein were mated with normal female mice, an increased incidence of miscarriages and fetal developmental defects were observed. These data have clinical relevance, ...

Fruit fly steps in to fight human disease

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

(VIB (the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)) VIB scientists have successfully introduced genes coding for a variant of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, into fruit flies. CMT is one of the most common hereditary disorders of the peripheral nervous system. VIB research -- directed by Albena Jordanova, Patrick Callaerts and Vincent ...

Carnegie Mellon algorithm charts evolution of genetic networks during fruit fly life cycle

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

(Carnegie Mellon University) A new algorithm developed by Carnegie Mellon University computer scientists has revealed for the first time how genetic networks in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, evolve during the insect's life cycle. The new algorithm, called Tesla, incorporates machine learning techniques that enable researchers to figure out how ...

Midget plant gets makeover

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

(Carnegie Institution) A tiny plant with a long name helps researchers design new crops to help meet increasing demands for food, biofuels, industrial materials and new medicines. The genes, proteins, and other traits of this plant reside in the Arabidopsis Information Resource (TAIR) database. TAIR just released a new version ...