Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

Johnathan Blair / National Geographic

A museum worker inspects a replica of a woolly mammoth, a species that went extinct 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. In March 2012, scientists in Russia and South Korea announced a partnership to try to clone the mammoth and generate a living specimen.

By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News

If scientists can use genetic engineering to bring back the woolly mammoth, should they do it? How about the passenger pigeon? Or the western black rhino? Do we humans have a responsibility to restore at least some of the species that our ancestors wiped out? And if we bring them back, will they really be the same?

Such questions are the focus of TEDxDeExtinction, a public forum that's being presented on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET at National Geographic's Washington headquarters. You can watch the whole thing online via LivestreamTEDx and National Geographic's De-Extinction website, which also has loads of articles and resources on the issue. The event has been organized by Revive & Restore, a nonprofit clearinghouse for worldwide de-extinction work that's under the aegis of the Long Now Foundation in San Francisco.

"De-extinction"? What's that?

"It's using new technologies like cloning and genome sequencing to reconstruct a species that went extinct," science writer Carl Zimmer explained. Zimmer's talk at Friday's TEDx event will help set the scene for the de-extinction debate, and he's also written a cover story on the topic for National Geographic's April issue.

National Geographic

National Geographic's cover story for the April issue focuses on the prospects of reviving ancient species.

De-extinction has been in the works for more than a decade, basically ever since Dolly the Sheep demonstrated in 1996 that mammals could be cloned from cells in a lab dish. Spanish and French scientists worked for years on an effort to bring the Pyrenean ibex back from extinction, by cloning cells that had been preserved from the last known animal of the species. They succeeded only in producing a deformed kid that died 10 minutes after birth.

Originally posted here:
Should we resurrect extinct species? Watch experts debate de-extinction

Johnathan Blair / National Geographic

A museum worker inspects a replica of a woolly mammoth, a species that went extinct 3,000 to 10,000 years ago. In March 2012, scientists in Russia and South Korea announced a partnership to try to clone the mammoth and generate a living specimen.

By Alan Boyle, Science Editor, NBC News

If scientists can use genetic engineering to bring back the woolly mammoth, should they do it? How about the passenger pigeon? Or the western black rhino? Do we humans have a responsibility to restore at least some of the species that our ancestors wiped out? And if we bring them back, will they really be the same?

Such questions are the focus of TEDxDeExtinction, a public forum that's being presented on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET at National Geographic's Washington headquarters. You can watch the whole thing online via LivestreamTEDx and National Geographic's De-Extinction website, which also has loads of articles and resources on the issue. The event has been organized by Revive & Restore, a nonprofit clearinghouse for worldwide de-extinction work that's under the aegis of the Long Now Foundation in San Francisco.

"De-extinction"? What's that?

"It's using new technologies like cloning and genome sequencing to reconstruct a species that went extinct," science writer Carl Zimmer explained. Zimmer's talk at Friday's TEDx event will help set the scene for the de-extinction debate, and he's also written a cover story on the topic for National Geographic's April issue.

National Geographic

National Geographic's cover story for the April issue focuses on the prospects of reviving ancient species.

De-extinction has been in the works for more than a decade, basically ever since Dolly the Sheep demonstrated in 1996 that mammals could be cloned from cells in a lab dish. Spanish and French scientists worked for years on an effort to bring the Pyrenean ibex back from extinction, by cloning cells that had been preserved from the last known animal of the species. They succeeded only in producing a deformed kid that died 10 minutes after birth.

Read more:
Follow the big debate over de-extinction

So, you want to know more about the genes that make you what you are? Or, maybe youre interested in knowing what your potential disease vulnerability is by getting your genome sequenced? Well, you may want to think twice, or maybe three times before taking the dive. Costing fromseveral hundred to thousands ofdollars, theyre now sold over the Internet, and there are plans to sell them in drugstores. Some tests claim to provide personal nutrition advice based on your genetic profile. Usually all you have to do is rub a swab inside your cheek and mail it to the company, which will scan your DNA, looking for mutations and variations that suggest increased risk, and then send you the results.

Home tests have not been reviewed by the FDA or any other agency, unlike most physician-ordered genetic tests or other kinds of at-home medical tests. And, theres no data to indicate the take home tests are even accurate to begin with. In addition, the FDA has advised some home test makers to submit factual test based results, given that some companies are claiming to be able to devise health care plans based on an individuals personal genetic results, which can start to be borderline legal.

One problem is the overblown claims made in much of the marketing material. In most cases, theres no research showing that the results of the tests can help people prevent disease or lead to better treatment or longer lives. Government testing in 2010 showed that for every genetic test they evaluated, the results varied by which company was supplying the swabs, and each companies lab. In the end, the government indicated theres no evidence that any particular test is accurate or preferred, or even if the results are accurate, that andrecommendations made by the companies are true, accurate, or useful.

Moreover, no one (or even two) genes necessarily stand alone in the functioning of the human body,let alonein disease issues. It is the passage of time, the physical environment, the social environment, and a host of individual experiences and interactions that are likely to be as involved as any single gene.

Even if you have a gene or two that makes you susceptible to sugar diabetes, for example, by controlling your weight and exercising, those genes may never be activated. Alternately, you might not have a genetic susceptibility, but by having a dangerous lifestyle, you could still develop the disease.

dditionally, and this is true of more complex diseases, you might not ever develop a sickness because of other issues that develop through the course of a lifetime. This could mean anything from at what age a disease might begin; is it 50 for you, and 60 for someone else,and not until 80 for most people? And lets say a disease normally wouldnt show up until 80 years of age. What if you found out about a genetic predisposition for such a disease, but you only live until 77 anyway? You could have had a lifetime of worry and concern for nothing.

Although the science of genetic testing is progressing rapidly, and holds vast potential on an individual basis, its too early in the game to rely on, and especially act on specific genetic tests you may take. This is especially true for any at home tests.

In some circumstances, its reasonable to consider genetic testing, when its done in conjunction with a health-care professional knowledgeable in genetic medicine and by a specialized lab. There are a few cases in which genetic testing in a specialized lab could be warranted, and Ive spelled those out below:

Breast cancer: About 2 percent of women have a family history strong enough to warrant testing. If the results are positive, you should have frequent mammograms and other testing (such as MRIs), and may even decide to have prophylactic surgery.

Colon cancer: If you have a strong family history of this cancer, you need frequent colonoscopies to find and remove polyps. Genetic testing can be helpful in determining if you need even more frequent colonoscopies.

See the original post:
BY GEORGE: Is Genetic Testing For You?

DNA "S RECAP ON HIS BATTLE WITH K - SHINE
AFTER URL "S EVENT " UNFINISHED BUSINESS " DNA GIVES THE FANS HIS RECAP ON HIS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BATTLE WITH K SHINE ... LEAVE YA COMMENTS AND GIVE YOUR FEE...

By: Eric St John

Visit link:
DNA "S RECAP ON HIS BATTLE WITH K - SHINE - Video

Working backward to solve problems - Maurice Ashley
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/working-backward-to-solve-problems-maurice-ashley Imagine where you want to be someday. Now, how did you get ther...

By: TEDEducation

See the rest here:
Working backward to solve problems - Maurice Ashley - Video

Focus on Karla Neugebauer - part one: RNA processing
EMBO Member Karla Neugebauer, Senior Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, talks to Barbara Pauly about...

By: EMBOcomm

See the article here:
Focus on Karla Neugebauer - part one: RNA processing - Video

How Old Is the Human Race?
How long have humans been walking the planet? Turns out, the answer is in our genes! Trace explains. Read More: "African American Man #39;s DNA Dates Back 338,00...

By: DNewsChannel

Read this article:
How Old Is the Human Race? - Video

It #39;s Genetics Story Time, with your host, Sofiarune
http://theunsilencedscience.blogspot.com/ http://theunsilencedscience.blogspot.com/2012/09/genes-dealt-made-asians-svelte.html Bibliography Beaver and Chavia...

By: n00ffensebut

Read the original:
It's Genetics Story Time, with your host, Sofiarune - Video

LASER GENETICS: MINI-ND5-SUBZERO
LASER GENETICS MININD5SUBZERO. gamooutdoor89 videos. SubscribeSubscribedUnsubscribe 2035. 96 views. Like 5 Dislike 0. Like ... Laser Genetics ND3 and ND7 Series laser products SHOT Show 2010by outdoorchannel 23295 views; 136. Watch Later bsa #39;s green laserlong distance lightby outdoorchannel 17837 views; 046. Watch Later LASER GENETICS ND1 SUBZEROby gamooutdoor 64 views; 032. Watch Later wwwlasergeneticseu ND3 ND5 nightvisionby Rok Q 9577 views; 059 ...

By: GamoOutdoor

See the original post here:
LASER GENETICS: MINI-ND5-SUBZERO - Video

Researchers Aim Unlock Genetic Data Goldmine
Researchers in the San Francisco Bay area believe genetic tests will help them find the best ways to treat and potentially prevent diseases such as Alzheimer...

By: PBSNewsHour

See the original post here:
Researchers Aim Unlock Genetic Data Goldmine - Video

Coursera Genetics Evolution 2013 hangout
Coursera Genetics Evolution 2013 hangout. Mohamed Noor43 videos. SubscribeSubscribedUnsubscribe 163. Like .... Watch Later introastro Hangout 4by Justin Ronen middot; 3443. Watch Later Free College ClassesMooc #39;s Coursera Udacity edx Khan codeacademyby babasuter 1364 views middot; 2501. Watch Later introastro Hangout6by Justin Ronen middot; 4913. Watch Later Coursera Genetics Evolution meetupby Mohamed Noor middot; 12815. Watch Later Thinking Unenslaved June 24 2012by Synthaetica middot; 500 ...

By: Mohamed Noor

Read the original here:
Coursera Genetics

67 WALL STREET, New York - March 15, 2013 - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Medical Devices Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs and Equity Analysts. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

Topics covered: Orthopedics and Cardiovascular Medical Devices - Medical Device Innovation and Consolidation Trends - Cardiac - Health Care - Affordable Care Act

Companies include: Atossa Genetics, Inc. (ATOS) and many more.

In the following excerpt from the Medical Devices Report, the CEO of Atossa Genetics, Inc. (ATOS) discusses company strategy and the outlook for this vital industry.

TWST: Let's start with a quick overview of Atossa Genetics and how you view the company at this point?

Dr. Quay: Atossa Genetics, the Breast Health Company, was founded in 2009. Our focus is on four laboratory tests, including two under development, that provide information to clinicians and patients about all aspects of breast health as well as a planned treatment program for early cancer using an intraductal microcatheter system.

TWST: Explain for us the mechanics of breast cancer diagnosis and detection through NAF? What are the typical fields of inquiry?

Dr. Quay: I think to frame that question, it's good to review where we are currently in the medical paradigm around breast cancer. The imaging techniques we use, mammography, ultrasound and MRI, are all based on using physics to measure changes in the breast and especially to identify cancer at a stage where it is big enough to be seen. That takes about one billion cells all in one spot.

At that point, the medical system's paradigm is do what some doctors call "cut, burn and poison," where a patient has a surgeon remove either the lump of cancer or the entire breast, a radiation therapist then passes X-rays into either the breast or the entire chest wall, and then an oncologist uses intravenous and oral chemotherapy to kill any cells that may have escaped the surgeon's knife or the X-rays and gotten into the body. That is the current paradigm.

It's unfortunate in that it doesn't work as well as we all would like it to work. We still have 235,000 women a year getting breast cancer. If you compare that to the situation with cervical cancer, where we've had an 80% reduction in cervical cancer...

Link:
Wall Street Transcript Interview with Steven Quay, CEO of Atossa Genetics , Inc. (ATOS)

Frank Ruddle, a trailblazer in genetic research and professor emeritus in both the Biology and Genetics departments, died Sunday at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He was 83.

Ruddles lab at Yale was the site of many scientific milestones beginning in the 1970s, including the first insertion of foreign genes into the mouse genome in 1980, which created the first transgenic animal and opened the way for scientific research on genetically modified organisms. Ruddle is credited with organizing the first human genome mapping workshop at Yale in 1973 and developing gene-mapping technology that helped lead to the establishment and success of the Human Genome Project. Ruddles friends, students and colleagues remember him as a quiet, generous man with a wonderful sense of humor and a passion for science.

I always felt that Frank was a pioneer in the field and really directed the project that eventually led to the mapping and sequencing of the human genome, said Raju Kucherlapati, a genetics professor at the Harvard Medical School who worked as a fellow in Ruddles lab in the 1970s. They are not given posthumously, but he deserves to win a Nobel Prize for that effort.

Born in 1929 in New Jersey to British parents, Ruddle grew up in Ohio and left high school early to join the U.S. Army Air Forces in Japan in 1946. He attended Wayne State University before receiving his masters degree jointly from Wayne State and the Childrens Hospital of Detroit and earning a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of California-Berkeley. He joined the Yale faculty in 1961 after conducting postdoctoral research at Glasgow University.

During his 41 years at Yale, Ruddle served two terms as chair of the Biology Department for a total of 10 years. He mentored dozens of undergraduates, supervised about 52 postdoctoral fellows and guided 30 graduate students to their Ph.D.s.

Just as genomics began gaining international fame, Ruddle withdrew from traditional genetics and focused on developmental genetics, studying how a handful of similar genes control the development of multicellular organisms. During a sabbatical from Yale, he joined a team of scientists at the University of Basel in Switzerland, and, together with William McGinnis, cloned the first mouse homeobox gene in 1983.

The whole idea of transgenesis took off from his work, said Cooduvalli Shashikant, a biology professor at Penn State University who worked in Ruddles lab for nearly a decade in the 1980s and 1990s.

Ruddles research on the evolution and expression of genes in animals expanded the scientific communitys understanding of how humans develop and how genes vary between species, biology professor Ronald Breaker said in a Friday email. He added that Ruddles lab was a model for modern biology research labs because Ruddle used large teams to work on truly exciting research with profound implications.

Ruddle was a thoughtful, methodical man who knew exactly how much guidance and how much freedom to give researchers in his lab to help them thrive, former Yale postdoctoral fellows said.

Jon Gordon GRD 78 MED 80, the postdoctoral fellow who created the first transgenic mouse in Ruddles lab in 1980, said Ruddle always prioritized the advancement of human understanding of the world rather than emphasizing fame and career success, and he held his students to the same standard.

View original post here:
Genetics ‘pioneer’ remembered for genome mapping contributions

67 WALL STREET, New York - March 15, 2013 - The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Medical Devices Report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This special feature contains expert industry commentary through in-depth interviews with public company CEOs and Equity Analysts. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

Topics covered: Orthopedics and Cardiovascular Medical Devices - Medical Device Innovation and Consolidation Trends - Cardiac - Health Care - Affordable Care Act

Companies include: Atossa Genetics, Inc. (ATOS) and many more.

In the following excerpt from the Medical Devices Report, the CEO of Atossa Genetics, Inc. (ATOS) discusses company strategy and the outlook for this vital industry.

TWST: Let's start with a quick overview of Atossa Genetics and how you view the company at this point?

Dr. Quay: Atossa Genetics, the Breast Health Company, was founded in 2009. Our focus is on four laboratory tests, including two under development, that provide information to clinicians and patients about all aspects of breast health as well as a planned treatment program for early cancer using an intraductal microcatheter system.

TWST: Explain for us the mechanics of breast cancer diagnosis and detection through NAF? What are the typical fields of inquiry?

Dr. Quay: I think to frame that question, it's good to review where we are currently in the medical paradigm around breast cancer. The imaging techniques we use, mammography, ultrasound and MRI, are all based on using physics to measure changes in the breast and especially to identify cancer at a stage where it is big enough to be seen. That takes about one billion cells all in one spot.

At that point, the medical system's paradigm is do what some doctors call "cut, burn and poison," where a patient has a surgeon remove either the lump of cancer or the entire breast, a radiation therapist then passes X-rays into either the breast or the entire chest wall, and then an oncologist uses intravenous and oral chemotherapy to kill any cells that may have escaped the surgeon's knife or the X-rays and gotten into the body. That is the current paradigm.

It's unfortunate in that it doesn't work as well as we all would like it to work. We still have 235,000 women a year getting breast cancer. If you compare that to the situation with cervical cancer, where we've had an 80% reduction in cervical cancer...

Read the original:
Steven Quay, CEO of Atossa Genetics , Inc. (ATOS), Interviews with The Wall Street Transcript

PONOKA, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Mar 15, 2013) - The Canadian Livestock Genetics Association (CLGA) will help increase demand for Canadian genetics around the world with the support of the Harper Government. Member of Parliament Blaine Calkins (Wetaskiwin), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced the investment today at Morsan Farms, a world-class dairy farm that specializes in breeding and exporting genetics.

"Canada is a leading supplier of livestock genetics in the global marketplace," said MP Calkins. "Investments like this help the industry penetrate new markets, maintain greater competitiveness in existing markets, and increase overall exports. Our government understands that trade creates jobs, economic growth, and keeps the economy strong."

The investment of over $1million will help the CLGA implement its long-term international market development strategy for dairy and small-ruminant genetics. It will also help the CLGA expand and regain international markets for live cattle, semen, and embryos, and market its strong dairy cattle improvement and genetic evaluation programs. These efforts will underline the positive attributes associated with Canada''s international reputation and will further raise the image of Canadian agricultural products. Planned activities include the following: participating in trade advocacy meetings and leading trade missions, delivering training and education seminars, working to develop new markets, and undertaking market assessments for emerging markets.

"CLGA very much appreciates the market development support provided through the AgriMarketing Program," said Rick McRonald, CLGA Executive Director. "Along with industry funding, this investment helps us promote Canada''s high-performing dairy, sheep, and goat genetics, and our innovative genetic evaluation and management systems, to enhance technical market access and to ensure that buyers have the knowledge and skills to maximize the potential of their investment. These initiatives support the marketing efforts of CLGA members and bring value to every producer."

Canada is a net exporter of dairy animal genetics (bovine embryos, semen, and live dairy cattle). Canadian dairy genetics were exported to over 100 countries in 2012, with a value of $110million.

Through the AgriMarketing Program under Growing Forward, the Government of Canada is investing $88million to help industry implement long-term international strategies, including international market development, industry-to-industry trade advocacy, and consumer awareness and branding activities.

This announcement is another example of what is being done to enhance competitiveness for Canadian agricultural exports. The Government of Canada has achieved six new free-trade agreements that have opened the doors of diverse international markets to Canadian agricultural products. In fact, the Government of Canada has also identified market development as a priority under Growing Forward 2.

To find out more about the Growing Forward 2 AgriMarketing Program, please visit http://www.agr.gc.ca/agrimarketing.

To find out more about the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association, please visit http://www.clivegen.org.

See the rest here:
Harper Government Helps Boost Exports in High-Quality Genetics

Funding and outlook for cell therapy, from CIRM #39;s Jonathan Thomas.
CIRM chairman Jonathan Thomas discusses the outlook for cell therapy, and questions of funding. He says that interest in cell therapy is growing in big pharm...

By: Bradley Fikes

See original here:
Funding and outlook for cell therapy, from CIRM's Jonathan Thomas. - Video

Dr Alok Sharma #39;s Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy
dr alok sharma stem cell therapy treatment for cerebral palsy He is a case of CP with history of fullterm C section delivery and normal milestones till eight months of age when he had an episode of febrile convulsions Post convulsions he had delayed milestones After Stem Cell Therapy 1 Irrelevant speech which was excessively present before has reduced post therapy 2 His level of understanding has increased and response to following commands has improved considerably upto 25% For eg after ...

By: neurogenbsi

See more here:
Dr Alok Sharma's Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Cerebral Palsy - Video

Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy Before and After
Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy Before and After After Stem Cell Therapy 1 Stamina has increased Exercise tolerance has improved 2 She can lift her leg more up while in standing 3 Hip flexion is easier and range has improved 4 Bending hip and knee in supine is easier 5 She can bring her leg forward in knee standing without support 6 Can now bring the knees to her chest 7 SLR range has improved Stem Cell Therapy done at Dr Alok Sharma neurogen Brain and ...

By: neurogenbsi

More here:
Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy Before and After - Video

Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Gujarati
Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Gujarati 16 years old male with history of frequent falls and being slow as compared to p...

By: neurogenbsi

Visit link:
Dr Alok Sharma Stem Cell Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Gujarati - Video

Prolotherapy | PRP | Stem Cell Therapy | The Prolotherapy Institute - prolotherapyinstitute.com
Prolotherapy | PRP | Stem Cell Therapy | The Prolotherapy Institute prolotherapyinstitutecom. Uploaded by Guillermo Mata on Mar 11 2013. Suffering from chronic pain Dr Darrow can help Prolotherapy | PRP | Stem Cell Therapy in Southern California Call The Prolotherapy Institute today Call Us Today to Make an Appointment800 7342210.

By: Guillermo Mata

Originally posted here:
Prolotherapy | PRP | Stem Cell Therapy | The Prolotherapy Institute - prolotherapyinstitute.com - Video

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 14, 2013) - Nuvilex, Inc. ( OTCQB : NVLX ), an international biotechnology and clinical stage provider of natural products and cell and gene therapy solutions for the treatment of diseases, has established a subsidiary in the Medical Marijuana industry.

Stock House Group, a full service investment relations firm focused on research, awareness and content development takes a look into the company that's giving the Medical Marijuana sector another biotech that will help to legitimize the drug for medicinal purposes.

In the U.S., there has always been a raised eyebrow in the room when it comes to using marijuana for medicinal purposes, but it's slowly eroding with more and more states passing legislation in favor of the use of marijuana for health reasons.

Make no mistake about it, medical marijuana is big business and prescription cannabis is now available in 18 states, the nation's capital, and eleven more states are considering legalizing the drug medically as well. The numbers are staggering -- in this country, we're talking about a $1.7-billion medical marijuana market and growing rapidly.

Marijuana's reputation is well documented and the once raised eyebrow at the mere mention of passing laws allowing its use is now starting to lower a bit as positive press defines the amazing benefits that can be realized from the drug. It will be the research and studies done by biotechnology companies like Nuvilex Inc. ( OTCQB : NVLX ) subsidiary, Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc. and Cannabis Science, Inc. that helps change the image of marijuana from solely a drug to a medicine.

When serious diseases like brain, pancreatic, and other forms of cancer are diagnosed, patients aren't too concerned where a cure comes from, so Nuvilex, Cannabis Science and other biotechs are hard at work discovering the medical advantages of marijuana.

Read the full Feature News Article at http://www.stockhousegroup.com/features

About Stock House Group

Stock House Group is a full service Investment Relations firm specializing in Awareness, Research, and Content Development. The firm offers a platform to CEO's to develop their story through the press, Research Reports, and CEO Interviews. At the same time, we're building a library of Research to assist Investors in their due diligence on micro, small and large cap stocks.

View post:
Nuvilex, Inc. Another Biotech Changing the Face of Medical Marijuana

Scientists at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research's (A*STAR) Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have discovered that key gene regulators work in pairs to trigger stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types. Furthermore, they showed that selective partnering of the regulators result in uniquely specified developmental outcomes.

An embryo develops from a single cell to a complex, interconnected assemblage of multiple cell types in the adult organism, such as the muscles, nerves, lungs and heart. The fates of embryonic cells as they differentiate into specialized adult cells require tightly regulated expression of hundreds of genes; each cell type being regulated by a unique and specific pattern of gene expression. Transcription factors are master regulators of gene expression and have been implicated as key players in the appropriate specification embryo development. They do this by binding to DNA thereby "turning on" or "turning off" nearby genes. What is less clear is how these transcription factors select specific sets of genes for activation and repression.

A recent study by scientists from GIS has discovered that it takes a pair of transcription factors, working tightly together, to orchestrate key decisions in embryo development. The discovery was published in the prestigious EMBO Journal.

The study, a multidisciplinary collaborative effort, established that the transcription factor Oct4 alternatively partners with two related factors, Sox2 or Sox17. This paper, together with a related paper published in the journal Stem Cells in 2011 ("Conversion of Sox17 into a reprogramming factor by re-engineering its association with Oct4 on DNA."), makes a key discovery about how the selective partnering of the two transcription factors can lead to very different developmental outcomes.

Lead author Dr. Lawrence Stanton said, "This work was a unique collaboration between scientists hailing from different areas of expertise computational biology, cell biology, developmental biology and biochemistry. The unique line of research was only possible by the interdisciplinary efforts of these scientists."

Co-lead author Dr. Prasanna Kolatkar said, "Our previous work described how re-engineering of developmental proteins through a single site change results in functions of proteins Sox2 and Sox17 becoming inter-converted thus the decision to stay as a stem cell or differentiate is flipped through a single amino acid change. This study uses a genome-wide approach to validate this concept, and moreover leads to novel genes potentially involved in primitive endoderm formation."

"This work identified a novel regulatory switch from pluripotency to cell-lineage specific differentiation. It is remarkable that a single pluripotency factor, Oct4, was found to influence diverse cellular processes. This key discovery illustrates the complexity in the regulation of pluripotency programme in embryonic stem cells," said GIS Executive Director Prof Ng Huck Hui.

More information: Aksoy, I. et al. Oct4 switches partnering from Sox2 to Sox17 to reinterpret the enhancer code and specify endoderm, The EMBO Journal, 8 March 2013.

Journal reference: EMBO Journal Stem Cells

Provided by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore

Follow this link:
Important find shows how gene regulators select different partners to form different organs

The University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance introduce new UW-OncoPlex test to detect and treat cancers based on genes unique to each patient

Newswise SEATTLE The University of Washington and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) partnered to launch UW-OncoPlex an advanced gene sequencing test to help clinicians treat cancer. The new diagnostic tool is a significant milestone in the development of precision medicine and empowers doctors to predict which treatment therapies will be most effective for an individual patients cancer. By starting the right treatment as soon as possible, patients at SCCA greatly increase their odds of beating cancer and are saved from experiencing the adverse side effects of unsuccessful treatments. UW-OncoPlex is most commonly used when evaluating treatment plans for melanoma, lung cancer, sarcoma, gastrointestinal cancer, colon cancer, or leukemia.

Driven by high-powered next generation genetic sequencing technology, UW-OncoPlex analyzes 194 entire genes for driver mutations or genetic abnormalities. Unlike other genetic sequencing tests, UW-OncoPlex is capable of detecting whole gene abnormalities, including deletions, duplications, amplifications, and rearrangements. By identifying these driver mutations that cause tumors to behave differently on a molecular level, doctors can choose the therapy that is known to be most effective in destroying or controlling the patients tumor type.

SCCA is at the forefront of precision medicine with this test, said Dr. Colin Pritchard, University of Washington Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Associate Director of The Genetics and Solid Tumors Laboratory and lead developer of UW-OncoPlex. Therapies that will become the standard of care years from now are available today at SCCA as clinical trials. As we identify more driver mutations with actionable targeted therapies, I believe that within 15 years, we'll develop highly effective treatments for some of the most lethal cancers.

Developed by Dr. Colin Pritchard, in collaboration with Tom Walsh, University of Washington Research Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Medical Genetics and Mary-Claire King, University of Washington Professor of Medicine (Medical Genetics) and Genome Sciences, UW-OncoPlex introduces a more precise way of choosing the most effective treatment for patients. This spares the patient from the physical and emotional wear and tear of undergoing treatment that doesnt work or, in some cases, may actually be harmful. By attacking the cancer with an effective agent right away, theres a better chance of containing the cancer and forcing it into remission.

SCCA doctors order a UW-OncoPlex test just as they would any other lab test. If the test result is positive, the doctor will recommend the treatment indicated as most effective for patients whose disease has the same genetic characteristics. Once the patient and SCCA oncologist have discussed the protocol, risks and benefits, treatment can generally begin immediately.

Available to patients at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance since the fall of 2012, UW-OncoPlex is already proving helpful to doctors treating a variety of diseases, including lung cancer, sarcoma and melanoma. For example, in lung cancer, UW-OncoPlex can identify mutations in three different tumor genes, each with FDA-approved therapies that promote tumor shrinkage two to three times better than chemotherapy. In addition, UW-OncoPlex can identify mutations in over 20 genes that qualify some lung cancer patients for investigational drugs.

The patient benefit is significant, especially with current survival rates, said Dr. Renato Martins, Medical Director, Outpatient General Oncology/Hematology at SCCA and Medical Director, Thoracic/Head and Neck Oncology at the University of Washington. Response from a patients disease to treatment often lasts between nine and 14 months, which used to be the time lung cancer patients survived period. In some cases, the disease has remained under control for much longer than 14 months and for these patients its a huge improvement in expected outcomes.

For more information on the UW-OncoPlex test and how SCCA doctors are implementing the new technology, please visit http://www.seattlecca.org/uw-oncoplex.

About Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) is a cancer treatment center that unites doctors from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Childrens. Our goal, every day, is to turn cancer patients into cancer survivors. Our purpose is to lead the world in the prevention and treatment of cancer. SCCA has five clinical care sites: an outpatient clinic on the Hutchinson Center campus, a pediatric inpatient unit at Seattle Childrens, an adult inpatient unit at UW Medical Center, a medical oncology clinic at EvergreenHealth Cancer Care, and a radiation oncology clinic at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. For more information about SCCA, visit http://www.seattlecca.org.

See original here:
Breakthrough Gene Sequencing Test Improves Detection and Treatment of Cancer

Public release date: 14-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Peter Reuell preuell@fas.harvard.edu 617-496-8070 Harvard University

For deer mice living in the Nebraska Sandhills, color can literally be the difference between life and death.

When they first colonized the region, the dark-coated mice stood out starkly against the light-colored, sandy soil, making them easy prey for predators. Over the next 8,000 years, however, the mice evolved a new system of camouflage lighter coats, changes in the stripe on their tails and changes in the extent of pigment across their body that allowed them to blend into their new habitat.

Now Harvard researchers are using their example to answer one of the fundamental questions about evolution - is it a process marked by large leaps single mutations that result in dramatic change in an organism or is it the result of many smaller changes that accumulate over time?

As described in a March 15 paper in Science, a team of researchers, including former Postdoctoral Fellow Catherine Linnen, now an Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky, and led by Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Molecular and Cellular Biology Hopi Hoekstra, were able to show that the changes in mouse coat color were the result not of a single mutation, but at least nine separate mutations all within a single gene.

"The findings demonstrate how the cumulative effect of natural selection, acting on many small genetic changes, can produce rapid and dramatic change," Linnen, the first author of the paper, said. "This helps us to understand, from a genetic perspective, the uncanny fit between so many organisms and their environmentsby acting on many small changes, rather than a handful of large ones, natural selection can produce very finely honed adaptations."

Surprisingly, Hoekstra said, that honing occurred in a single gene.

The role of this gene, called agouti, in camouflage was first discovered by Linnen, Hoekstra and colleagues in 2009, and it is responsible for changes in pigmentation in the coats of many animals. Every domesticated black cat, for example, has a DNA deletion in the gene.

What surprised Hoekstra and her team, however, wasn't that the gene was involved, but that each of the nine mutations were tied to a unique change in the animal's coats, that all the new mutations led to more camouflaging color, and that the mutations occurred in a relatively short, 8,000-year timeframe.

View post:
One gene , many mutations

Public release date: 14-Mar-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Rosie Waldron r.waldron@ucl.ac.uk 020-767-99041 University College London

New research, published in Neuron, gives insight into how single mutations in the VCP gene cause a range of neurological conditions including a form of dementia called Inclusion Body Myopathy, Paget's Disease of the Bone and Frontotemporal Dementia (IBMPFD), and the motor neuron disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Single mutations in one gene rarely cause such different diseases. This study shows that these mutations disrupt energy production in cells shedding new light on the role of VCP in these multiple disorders.

In healthy cells VCP helps remove damaged mitochondria, the energy-producing engines of cells. The mutant protein can't do this and as a result, the dysfunctional mitochondria build up.

The new study led by Dr Fernando Bartolome, Dr Helene Plun-Favreau and Dr Andrey Abramov of the UCL Institute of Neurology, found that mitochondria are damaged in cells from patients with mutant VCP. Mitochondria generate a cell's energy, and the study found these damaged mitochondria are less efficient, burning more nutrients but producing less energy. This reduction in available energy makes cells more vulnerable, which could explain why mutations in the VCP gene lead to neurological disorders.

Lead author Dr Fernando Bartolome said "We have found that VCP mutations are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. VCP had previously been shown to be important in the removal of damaged mitochondria and proteins, accumulation of which is potentially very toxic to cells. A single mutation in the VCP gene could cause multiple neurological diseases because a different type of protein is accumulating in each disorder".

In the study, the researchers used live imaging techniques to examine the functioning of mitochondria in patient cells carrying three independent VCP mutations, and in nerve cells in which the amount of VCP has been reduced.

"The next step will be to find small molecules able to correct the mitochondrial dysfunction in the VCP deficient cells", added Dr Bartolome .

Dr Brian Dickie, the Motor Neuron Disease Association's Director of Research Development says: "Neurons - and motor neurons in particular - are incredibly energy hungry cells. These new findings from the team at UCL show that there is a significant interruption of energy supply in this hereditary form of MND, which has strong implications for understanding the degenerative process underpinning all forms of the disease."

Read more here:
Mutations in VCP gene implicated in a number of neurodegenerative diseases