ScienceDaily (July 25, 2012) A novel approach to gene therapy that instructs a person's own cells to produce more of a natural disease-fighting protein could offer a solution to treating many genetic disorders. The method was used to achieve a 2- to 3-fold increase in production of a protein deficient in patients with Friedreich's ataxia, as described in an article published in Human Gene Therapy. The innovative gene therapy method described by Jacques Tremblay, Pierre Chapdelaine, Zo Coulombe, and Joel Rousseau, Laval University, Quebec,and University of Quebec, Canada, takes advantage of the ability of a family of proteins called Tal effector (TALE) proteins to target specific DNA sequences. As a model of how this method could be used to treat genetic disease, the authors engineered TALE proteins to target the gene that codes for the frataxin protein, which is deficient in Friedreich's ataxia. The ability to induce cells to produce more frataxin could reduce symptoms of the disease and provide an effective, long-term therapeutic strategy, conclude the authors. "This is a very clever approach to treat a recessive disease caused by decreased quantity of an otherwise normal protein," says James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief, and Director of the Gene … Continue reading →

By Lynne Friedmann A genetic test to predict the risk for prostate cancer could reduce the need for repeat biopsies in men who have previously had negative biopsies. In a clinical trial, 1,654 men who had prostate biopsies also had genetic studies conducted that looked for the presence of genetic variations that may have an association with prostate cancer risk. The genetic test outperformed the widely used PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test in assessing cancer risk. Because this genetic score is available at any time in a mans lifetime it could be used as a pre-screening test thus leaving aggressive PSA screening only to men at higher genetic risk. The goal is to avoid, particularly in older men, unnecessary repeat biopsy procedures which carry with them the risk of infection and potential hospitalizations. Findings appear in the journal of European Urology. News release at http://bit.ly/M7iaHV Inhibiting malaria parasite development Malaria is responsible worldwide for more than 1.2 million human deaths annually. Severe forms of the disease are caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum transmitted to humans by the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes. Lack of vaccines, together with the parasites ability to develop drug resistance, has thwarted eradication efforts. An international … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (July 25, 2012) A University of Sheffield academic is helping a team of citizen scientists to carry out crucial research into European genetic heritage. Citizen Scientists are not required to have a scientific background or training, but instead they possess a passion for the subject and are increasingly being empowered by the scientific community to get involved in research. Dr Andy Grierson, from the University of Sheffield's Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), has helped a team of citizen scientists from Europe and North America to identify vital new clues to tell the story of Europe's genetic history. Dr Grierson explained: "Understanding European history since man first arrived on the continent is a huge challenge for archaeologists and historians. "One way that scientists can help is by studying the genetics of European men. All men carry a Y chromosome that they inherit from their father, which has been passed down the generations from father to son for thousands of years. So most men in Europe will share common ancestry at some point in the past, and we are able to investigate this shared ancestry using genetic studies of the Y chromosome. "However, up until recently, there have not been many … Continue reading →

Public release date: 25-Jul-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Amy Stone a.f.stone@sheffield.ac.uk 01-142-221-046 University of Sheffield A University of Sheffield academic is helping a team of citizen scientists to carry out crucial research into European genetic heritage. Citizen Scientists are not required to have a scientific background or training, but instead they possess a passion for the subject and are increasingly being empowered by the scientific community to get involved in research. Dr Andy Grierson, from the University of Sheffield's Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), has helped a team of citizen scientists from Europe and North America to identify vital new clues to tell the story of Europe's genetic history. Dr Grierson explained: "Understanding European history since man first arrived on the continent is a huge challenge for archaeologists and historians. "One way that scientists can help is by studying the genetics of European men. All men carry a Y chromosome that they inherit from their father, which has been passed down the generations from father to son for thousands of years. So most men in Europe will share common ancestry at some point in the past, and we are able to investigate this shared ancestry using genetic … Continue reading →

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/j69n56/genetic_testing_ma) has announced the addition of the "Genetic Testing Market Report: 2012 Edition" report to their offering. The genetic testing market segment represents the highest growth opportunity compared to other segments within the molecular diagnostics market. The growth of the market is backed by increasing prevalence of genetic diseases, aging population, and rising awareness. Vast application areas including newborn screening, prenatal and preimplantation testing is also expected to add to the future growth of the market. The technological advancements of genetic testing are expected to break new grounds in the field of personalized medicine as genetic testing helps not only in the better diagnosis of genetic diseases but also aids in selecting the best medication depending on the DNA structure of the patient to ensure superior drug response. Direct to customer (DTC) genetic testing is one of the major trends in the market, which is expected to bring positive changes in the popularity of genetic testing. However, the quality, accuracy, and proper interpretation of test results of DTC genetic testing continue to challenge the future growth of the market. Furthermore, the risk of genetic discrimination and psychological consequences of genetic testing are also expected to … Continue reading →

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ LT is noticeably more blooming these days (Publicity photo) MANILA, Philippines As if by stroke of magic, Lorna Tolentinos back pain was eliminated after getting stem cell treatment at a hospital in Germany on July 3. The whole process only took four days, which included a day for an interview about her health history. The second day was for the treatment itself, with Lorna receiving 10 injections. She rested on the third day and was discharged on the fourth. In a recent interview with Bulletin Entertainment and some members of the media, Lorna enthused, Ang instant [na nawala] sa akin yung back pain talaga Kasi iba yung pakiramdam ng wala kang iniinda na sakit sa likod. Dati pag lumalakad ako, mabagal Pag lumalakad ako pinupukpok ko na tong paa ko dahil nagna-numb na yung dito (part of her legs) ko. The back pain, she noted, was caused by scoliosis, a disorder that causes an abnormal curve of the spine, or backbone, according to medicinenet.com. Although her aura is noticeably more bloomingwhich can perhaps be attributed to the treatmentthe Kapatid actress emphasized that it will take three months before the changes completely take effect. Such immediate … Continue reading →

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) announced that the seventeenth patient was treated in the ongoing Phase I trial of its spinal cord neural stem cells for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). This patient is also the second to return to the trial for additional injections. In this treatment, the patient received five injections in the cervical (upper back) region of the spinal cord, in addition to the ten he had previously received in the lumbar (lower back) region, for a total of 15 injections. The final previously treated patient of this cervical cohort is expected to return to the trial in August, provided the inclusion requirements continue to be met. This ground-breaking stem cell trial is taking place at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO ) "We are pleased that this phase of the trial, in which we have been permitted by the FDA to take the unprecedented step of dosing patients for the second time, is progressing as planned," said Karl Johe, PhD, Neuralstem's Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer. "These are the first patients in the world to receive our cells in both the lumbar … Continue reading →