Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

Chemtrails, Geoengineering, Genetic engineering - Heavy dispersal over Brevard County, Florida
14 October 2011 - Jet dispersing unknown substance over Brevard County, Florida

By: Geoengineering101

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Chemtrails, Geoengineering, Genetic engineering - Heavy dispersal over Brevard County, Florida - Video

Tolkien, CS Lewis and Transhumanism 4 Jan 2013
Seeing The Hobbit movie last night I couldn #39;t help thinking about what Tolkien had said about the origin of the goblins and orcs in The Silmarillion and feeling it was like genetic engineering and transhumanism. CS Lewis also had his own take on this from the angle of people losing their humanity if they are trained into absolute conformity to values which are outside of the Tao of living.

By: ClaireSapphyck

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Tolkien, CS Lewis and Transhumanism 4 Jan 2013 - Video

IFFR (2013) - Errors Of The Human Body Trailer - Michael Eklund Movie
Subscribe to TRAILERS: bit.ly Subscribe to COMING SOON: bit.ly Subscribe to INDIE TRAILERS: goo.gl IFFR (2013) - Errors Of The Human Body Trailer - Michael Eklund Movie Check out the International Film Festival Rotterdam Playlist: goo.gl Dr Geoff Burton takes up a position at a new institute in wintry Dresden, Germany. His contribution to a former colleagues important project, a human regeneration gene, has the potential to make something miraculous out of a personal tragedy that has haunted him for years. Errors of the Human Body is a psychological thriller about one mans quest for redemption from his own disturbing past, set within the mysterious world of genetic engineering. "Errors of the Human Body trailer" "Errors of the Human Body movie" "Errors of the Human Body HD" "Eron Sheean" "Shane Danielsen" "Michael Eklund" "Karoline Herfurth" "Tómas Lemarquis" "the divide" movieclips movie clips movieclips movieclipstrailers movieclipscomingsoon "film festival" "rotterdam international" "film fest" indie independent skeleton paint rats experiement science scientist institute germany thriller mystery etimmons

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IFFR (2013) - Errors Of The Human Body Trailer - Michael Eklund Movie - Video

January 5, 2013

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online

Changes in a persons cellular metabolism, not genetic predisposition, may be the primary factor that causes a person to contract Type 2 diabetes, researchers from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) have discovered.

Building upon previous research at the university, which uncovered the identity of the molecular building blocks required to construct the four types of macromolecules found in all cells, the UCSB team behind the current study used computational systems biology modeling to discover a failure of beta cells in the pancreas to detect a rise in blood sugar and respond by secreting insulting to regulate the bodys blood glucose levels.

The researchers identified a tipping point, or metabolic threshold, that when crossed results in the failure of beta cells to adequately sense glucose in order to properly secrete insulin, the university said in a statement on Friday. Obesity has long been linked to Type 2 diabetes, but the cellular origin of the disease due to beta cell failure has not been described until now.

In obesity theres a lot of fat in the system, explained Jamey Marth, a professor in the UCSB Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program. When the cell is exposed to high levels of fat or lipids, this mechanism starts, and thats how environment plays a role, among large segments of the population bearing normal genetic variation. Were trying to understand what actually causes disease, which is defined as cellular dysfunction. Once we understand what causes disease we can make a difference by devising more rational and effective preventative and therapeutic approaches.

According to the university, this research, which was published in the December 27 issue of the journal PLOS ONE, could ultimately lead to the development of new ways to treat, cure, or prevent Type 2 diabetes a condition which the American Diabetes Association (ADA) says affects more than 8-percent of all Americans.

Even in the post-genomic era, after the human genome has been sequenced, were beginning to realize that diseases arent always in our genes that the environment is playing a major role in many of the common diseases, Marth said. By studying the four types of components that make up the cell, we can, for the first time, begin to understand what causes many of the common grievous diseases that exist in the absence of definable genetic variation, but, instead, are due to environmental and metabolic alterations of our cells.

Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports - Your Universe Online

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Cellular Metabolism Changes Could Trigger Type 2 Diabetes

Pass GMO Food Labeling Bill SB18 for New Mexico! Food Water Watch Teach-In (1/4/2013 ~ Santa Fe)
Eleanor Bravo, director of Food and Water Watch New Mexico, led this teach-in and discussion about the campaign to establish GMO food labeling in New Mexico. The event took place on January 4, 2013 at La Montanita Food Co-op in Santa Fe, NM. Other speakers included Miguel Santistevan from Sol Feliz Farm in Taos, student activist Carmen Stone from NMHU, and Robin Seydel from La Montanita Food Co-op. (background info) PRESS RELEASE December 20th, 2012 Amendment to Label GE Food Pre-Filed for New Mexico Senate #39;s Consideration Commonsense legislation will give consumers the right to know what #39;s in their food SANTA FE, NM mdash;This week State Senator Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe-25) pre-filed a proposed amendment to the New Mexico Food Act to require the labeling of genetically engineered food and feed. The amendment (SB 18) was drafted with support from the consumer advocacy group Food Water Watch and is strongly supported by many national and local organizations and individuals including food cooperatives, organic farmers, environmentalists and food justice proponents. "The premise of this amendment is simple -- New Mexicans deserve the right to know what #39;s in the food they are eating and feeding to their families," said Senator Wirth. "Labeling GE foods and feed will empower consumers with basic information to help them decide for themselves the types of food they want to buy." Multiple public opinion polls show that the vast majority of American consumers want food derived from ...

By: Ethan Genauer

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Pass GMO Food Labeling Bill SB18 for New Mexico! Food

Published: Friday, January 4, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

The move came two months after California voters rejected a similar measure that pitted food safety advocates against agricultural and biotechnology giants in a roughly $55 million advertising battle.

Opponents of the food labeling argue it will raise food prices and hurt farmers. Supporters contend that consumers should have a choice about eating genetically engineered products, even if the federal government and major science groups say such foods are safe to eat.

Proponents promised to take their fight to the Northwest after the California ballot measure failed. On Thursday, initiative sponsors delivered 350,000 petition signatures to state officials inside an ambulance with a sign on the side reading Label GMO Food.

To qualify for the ballot, it requires at least 241,153 signatures of registered state voters, though the secretary of state's office suggests collecting at least 320,000 as a buffer for duplicate or invalid signatures.

Initiative 522 would require food and seeds produced entirely or partly through genetic engineering and sold in Washington to be labeled as such, beginning July 1, 2015. Raw foods that are not packaged separately would have to be labeled on retail shelves.

Supporters say consumers benefit from having more information.

Yes, you can steer clear of certain items, but unless you know that they're there, how do you know to steer clear of them? asked Chris McManus, the initiative sponsor and owner of a small advertising firm. Putting a label on the front of that just informs the consumer a little bit more about what they're buying.

The nation's food labeling system already is built around giving consumers information about health and safety, countered Heather Hansen, executive director of Washington Friends of Farms and Forests.

We think this is really intended to be a scare tactic, to ultimately scare people away from technology, she said. And it's not providing any meaningful information.

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Measure would require labels for genetically modified food

Jan. 4, 2013 While legions of medical researchers have been looking to understand the genetic basis of disease and how mutations may affect human health, a group of biomedical researchers at UC Santa Barbara is studying the metabolism of cells and their surrounding tissue, to ferret out ways in which certain diseases begin. This approach, which includes computer modeling, can be applied to Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases, among others.

Scientists at UCSB have published groundbreaking results of a study of Type 2 diabetes that point to changes in cellular metabolism as the triggering factor for the disease, rather than genetic predisposition. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which blood sugar or glucose levels are high. It affects a large and growing segment of the human population, especially among the obese. The team of scientists expects the discovery to become a basis for efforts to prevent and cure this disease.

The current work is based on a previous major finding by UCSB's Jamey Marth, who determined the identity of the molecular building blocks needed in constructing the four types of macromolecules of all cells when he was based at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in La Jolla in 2008. These include the innate, genetic macromolecules, such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and their encoded proteins, and the acquired metabolic macromolecules known as glycans and lipids. Marth is a professor in the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Biomolecular Science and Engineering Program; and holds the John Carbon Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Duncan and Suzanne Mellichamp Chair in Systems Biology. He is also a professor with the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla.

"By studying the four types of components that make up the cell, we can, for the first time, begin to understand what causes many of the common grievous diseases that exist in the absence of definable genetic variation, but, instead, are due to environmental and metabolic alterations of our cells," said Marth. UCSB is the only institution studying these four types of molecules in the cells while also using computational modeling to determine their functions in health and disease, according to Marth.

The new study, published in the December 27 issue of PLOS ONE, relies on computational systems biology modeling to understand the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes.

"Even in the post-genomic era, after the human genome has been sequenced, we're beginning to realize that diseases aren't always in our genes -- that the environment is playing a major role in many of the common diseases," said Marth.

Normally, beta cells in the pancreas sense a rise in blood sugar and then secrete insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. But in Type 2 diabetes, the beta cells fail to execute this important function and blood sugar rises, a trend that can reach life-threatening levels. The researchers identified a "tipping point," or metabolic threshold, that when crossed results in the failure of beta cells to adequately sense glucose in order to properly secrete insulin.

Obesity has long been linked to Type 2 diabetes, but the cellular origin of the disease due to beta cell failure has not been described until now. "In obesity there's a lot of fat in the system," said Marth. "When the cell is exposed to high levels of fat or lipids, this mechanism starts, and that's how environment plays a role, among large segments of the population bearing 'normal' genetic variation. We're trying to understand what actually causes disease, which is defined as cellular dysfunction. Once we understand what causes disease we can make a difference by devising more rational and effective preventative and therapeutic approaches."

The research was based on a unique approach. "This project illustrates the power of systems biology; namely, how a network perspective combined with computational modeling can shed new light on biophysical circuits, such as this beta-cell glucose transport system," said co-author Frank Doyle. "It cannot be done by molecular biology alone, nor computational modeling alone; rather, it requires the uniquely interdisciplinary approach that is second-nature here at UCSB." Doyle is associate dean for research of the College of Engineering; director of UCSB's Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies; professor of chemical engineering; and the Mellichamp Chair in Process Control.

"We are excited to bring our 20 years of expertise on Type 1 diabetes and systems biology methods to look at the networks responsible for the onset of Type 2 diabetes," said Doyle.

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Pioneering research on Type 2 diabetes

Public release date: 4-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Keith Darce darce.keith@scrippshealth.org 858-678-7121 Scripps Health

SAN DIEGO Genetic sequencing technology is altering the way cancer is diagnosed and treated, but traditional specimen handling methods threaten to slow that progress.

That's the message delivered this week in a column appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by Scripps Clinic physicians Eric Topol, Kelly Bethel and Laura Goetz.

Dr. Topol is a cardiologist who serves as chief academic officer of Scripps Health and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI), leading Scripps' genomic medicine research efforts. Dr. Bethel is a pathologist, and Dr. Goetz is a general surgeon and a researcher at STSI.

"Deciding how best to obtain (tumor) samples and how best to process them for whole genome or exome sequencing is a pivotal yet unresolved issue with several layers of complexity," the doctors wrote. "As the new clinical applicability of genomics emerges at a fairly rapid rate, the field of pathology will arrive at a tipping point for a fundamental change in how cancer specimens are handled."

Currently, tumor tissue obtained through a biopsy is fixed in formalin, a mixture of formaldehyde and water, and embedded in paraffin for microscopic viewing. However, because the chemical mixture damages DNA, sequencing tissue processed in this way can be difficult, if not impossible.

A better alternative is to also routinely freeze a portion of the specimen, which retains the tissue's genetic coding while preserving it for future analysis. In order to have enough tissue to freeze, larger or additional biopsy samples may be required, especially when using minimally invasive needle biopsy procedures.

"We need to completely rethink the way we have collected and stored cancer tissue samples for decades," said Dr. Topol, "It's becoming increasingly clear that obtaining an accurate map of a tumor's DNA can be the key to determining the specific mutations that are driving a person's cancer, how best to treat it and how likely it is to recur."

Even though complete genetic evaluations of tumors might require higher sample-storage costs and a more invasive biopsy procedure, most patients would likely agree to that option if it translates into a better diagnosis and possible treatment, the authors wrote.

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Scripps physicians call for change in cancer tissue handling

Jan. 4, 2013 Genetic sequencing technology is altering the way cancer is diagnosed and treated, but traditional specimen handling methods threaten to slow that progress.

That's the message delivered this week in a column appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) by Scripps Clinic physicians Eric Topol, Kelly Bethel and Laura Goetz.

Dr. Topol is a cardiologist who serves as chief academic officer of Scripps Health and director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI), leading Scripps' genomic medicine research efforts. Dr. Bethel is a pathologist, and Dr. Goetz is a general surgeon and a researcher at STSI.

"Deciding how best to obtain (tumor) samples and how best to process them for whole genome or exome sequencing is a pivotal yet unresolved issue with several layers of complexity," the doctors wrote. "As the new clinical applicability of genomics emerges at a fairly rapid rate, the field of pathology will arrive at a tipping point for a fundamental change in how cancer specimens are handled."

Currently, tumor tissue obtained through a biopsy is fixed in formalin, a mixture of formaldehyde and water, and embedded in paraffin for microscopic viewing. However, because the chemical mixture damages DNA, sequencing tissue processed in this way can be difficult, if not impossible.

A better alternative is to also routinely freeze a portion of the specimen, which retains the tissue's genetic coding while preserving it for future analysis. In order to have enough tissue to freeze, larger or additional biopsy samples may be required, especially when using minimally invasive needle biopsy procedures.

"We need to completely rethink the way we have collected and stored cancer tissue samples for decades," said Dr. Topol, "It's becoming increasingly clear that obtaining an accurate map of a tumor's DNA can be the key to determining the specific mutations that are driving a person's cancer, how best to treat it and how likely it is to recur."

Even though complete genetic evaluations of tumors might require higher sample-storage costs and a more invasive biopsy procedure, most patients would likely agree to that option if it translates into a better diagnosis and possible treatment, the authors wrote.

Evidence of such benefit must come from randomized clinical trials that compare detailed genetic evaluation of tumor tissue with the current standard of care for cancer patients, they said.

"Drs. Goetz, Bethel and Topol's editorial acknowledges kindly the critical role pathologists play in patient care," said Dr. Stanley Robboy, president of the College of American Pathologists. "This type of change will require discussion about new operative standards, which will need the cooperation of surgeons, pathologists, ethicists and, of course, appropriate patient consents. It's these types of implications we will need to consider and incorporate as a progressive healthcare agenda is moved forward."

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Physicians call for change in cancer tissue handling

Naveen Jain at Tedx in San Francisco
Innovation and Entrepreneurship has potential to solve most grand challenges facing humanity. How do we reinvent our education system and provide affordable healthcare diagnostics to billions around the world. The answer to all of these vexing problem lies in the innovation around Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, Sensors, Genetics and Epi-Genetics.

By: Naveen Jain

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Naveen Jain at Tedx in San Francisco - Video

Why You Have To Be So Negative?
Seth Godin says: Human beings, thanks to culture and genetics, are inclined to be pessimistic, fearful, skeptical and believers in conspiracy theories. We also don #39;t like change. Truth is... this describes the outlook of many churches as well. Todd Rhoades and Matt Steen take a look inside this phenomena that causes churches, more often than not, to build their base on negativity. You can read more here: sethgodin.typepad.com

By: MinistryBriefing

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Why You Have To Be So Negative? - Video

ANGIE BROOKS WILSON
I #39;ve always been interested in heredity, why people have traits and why they run through families. I do research on human genetics and specifically genetics of susceptibility to cancer so, who develops cancer and who doesn #39;t develop cancer and why. I do that both with families that have multiple people with a form of cancer and with sporadic cases where we study hundreds of people who have a certain cancer and compare them to hundreds of people who don #39;t. I also study healthy aging which is a particularly popular project with grad students. I have five hundred super seniors. They are a minimum age of 85 and they need to have never been diagnosed with cancer, cardiovascular disease, alzheimer #39;s disease, diabetes or major pulmonary disease. I have a graduate student right now that is doing personality tests with the super seniors. She goes to their home and she interviews them for two hours and asks them a large set of questions and she says she really loves the interaction with them. To see a student come in and not really know very much about a certain area and then to see them delve into it and start asking questions that I wouldn #39;t have thought of and I always tell them very quickly that they are going to be more specialized in their project than I am.

By: BPK SFU

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ANGIE BROOKS WILSON - Video

Mendelian dihybrid crosses
A look at dihybrid crosses using Mendelian genetics. Features pea color and texture and guinea pig hair color and length. Uses Punnett squares to predict genotype a and phenotypes.

By: Susan Wylie

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Mendelian dihybrid crosses - Video

Biofortification of Cassava for Africa
Presented by Dr. Richard Sayre, Los Alamos National Laboratory, live at the 2012 Michigan State University Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Graduate Programs #39;s Crop Improvement for Human Nutrition Symposium. This video is made possible by the Plant Breeding and Genomics Community of Practice. Learn more about our community at pbgworks.org.

By: plantbreedgenomics

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Biofortification of Cassava for Africa - Video

Forgecraft Part 66: Thaumcraft 3 Golems and Genetics
We catch up on our TC3 research and knock about with bees. Join us on IRC! webchat.esper.net I haz a Twitter: twitter.com

By: SOTMead

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Forgecraft Part 66: Thaumcraft 3 Golems and Genetics - Video

Baby in a box!
Wasn #39;t expecting that! And he wasn #39;t either! Silly boys! Not even 8 months old yet and THIS ALREADY! Asian genetics...

By: KStyles513

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Baby in a box! - Video

False Proofs of Evolution (1st part)Refer to description
Ape-Human Genetic Similarity Falsehood It is claimed that the genes of chimpanzees and humans bear a 98% similarity and assumed that this shows their closeness, which is used as evidence for the theory of evolution.However, this is in fact a false proof that evolutionists exploit by making use of society #39;s lack of information on the subject.First of all, the concept so frequently touted by evolutionists mdash;that 98% similarity between human and chimpanzee DNA mdash;is a deceptive one. In order to claim that the genetic structures of human beings and chimpanzees bear a 98% similarity, the entire chimpanzee genetic code would have to be mapped, in the way the human one has. Then the two would have to be compared, to obtain the results. Yet no such results are yet available: While the human genetic map has been completed, the chimpanzee equivalent has not.In fact, the "98% similarity between human and ape genes" slogan was deliberately produced for propaganda purposes many years ago. This "similarity" is a highly exaggerated generalization, based on a similarity in the amino acid sequences in between 30 and 40 of the basic proteins present in man and ape.Sequence analysis of the DNA strings corresponding to these proteins was performed using a method known as "DNA hybridization." and only these limited proteins were compared. Yet there are around 30000 genes in human beings and these genes encode some 200000 proteins. There is thus no scientific justification for claiming, on the ...

By: ThankAllahAlways

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False Proofs of Evolution (1st part)Refer to description - Video

Simple Genetics 2: After recording part 2

By: Johnny Reyes

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Simple Genetics 2: After recording part 2 - Video

Dr. Garry Gordon - http://www.frequencyofgenius360.com - Optimum Health Event Jan. 19, 2013 - Atlanta, GA
Optimum Health Event - Jan. 19, 2013 Ken Rohla Dr. Garry Gordon are coming to Atlanta, GA - January 19, 2013 Event: Optimum Health 2013 with Dr. Garry Gordon Ken Rohla Hosts: Nancy Bank - Quantum Light Effect Richard Sachs - Host of http://www.FrequencyOfGenius360.com Featured Speakers: Dr. Garry Gordon Ken Rohla Topics for the featured speakers: Dr. Garry Gordon was interviewed by Suzanne Somers for her new book titled "Bombshell: Explosive Medical Secrets That Will Redefine Aging". Dr. Gordon will be presenting a dynamic lecture on FIGHT - which stands for Food, Infections, Genetics, Hormones and Toxins at the Jan. 19th event this month. Ken Rohla #39;s presentation is titled "How to Remove Chemtrails and Nuclear Fallout from the Sky, Your Environment, and Your Body". Come hear Ken Rohla share solutions to these problems that you can do to protect yourself, your family, your food and water, and your property. Bring paper and writing instrument, Ken always gives out a lot of very specific useful information! Event itinerary for Jan 19th, 2013 (Saturday): 1. Event Opens at 9AM 2. 9-10AM Complimentary PEMF/Light Sessions 3. 10-12:30PM Speaker - Dr. Garry Gordon - Brief talk by Jim McBride about PEMF 4. 12:30-1:30PM Brief Announcements then break for Lunch and Complimentary PEMF/Light Sessions 5. 1:30-12:30PM Brief talk by Cathy Hankinson on Wellness 6. 2-5PM Speaker - Ken Rhoda (Event Ends @ 5PM) Location of Event: Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter 4386 Chamblee Dunwoody Road ...

By: falconblue101

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Dr. Garry Gordon - http://www.frequencyofgenius360.com - Optimum Health Event Jan. 19, 2013 - Atlanta, GA - Video

(MY) BEST Supplements For Muscle Gain
http://www.robertmartingfitness.com Thanks for SUBBING and THUMBS UP! (It helps)Happy 2013! Many questions about what supps to take to get those big muscles some of us want. Well, supplements work, but only a little bit and only if YOU allow them to help. Meaning, you must eat clean foods most of the time and keep your cheat, junk, processed or fast foods and alcohol to the bear minimum and within reasonable moderation, like an 80 ratio. Worked for me to get killer results, even got my mug on covers of magzines over the years ;D Everyone is different that #39;s a given but you can maximize your genetics for your best possible results. Anyhow, check out the vid for the basic short list of supps I have used to help me out- get out there and make it happen!

By: Robert Marting

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(MY) BEST Supplements For Muscle Gain - Video

Cannabalism
Hello and welcome to WTFScience! I am your host, Kitty, and this is where I talk about Science! This video is about a thing people shouldn #39;t do. Please like, comment, subscribe and follow! Some cool genetics stuff: learn.genetics.utah.edu My Affiliate #39;s history blog "WTFHistory" http://www.youtube.com WTFHistory Tumblr wtfhistory.tumblr.com WTFScience Tumblr wtfscientific.tumblr.com

By: S. Kitty

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Cannabalism - Video

Public release date: 4-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Lauren Woods Law2014@med.cornell.edu 646-317-7401 Weill Cornell Medical College

NEW YORK (Jan. 4, 2013) -- A cocktail of three specific genes can reprogram cells in the scars caused by heart attacks into functioning muscle cells, and the addition of a gene that stimulates the growth of blood vessels enhances that effect, said researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College, Baylor College of Medicine and Stony Brook University Medical Center in a report that appears online in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

"The idea of reprogramming scar tissue in the heart into functioning heart muscle was exciting," said Dr. Todd K. Rosengart, chair of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery at BCM and the report's corresponding author. "The theory is that if you have a big heart attack, your doctor can just inject these three genes into the scar tissue during surgery and change it back into heart muscle. However, in these animal studies, we found that even the effect is enhanced when combined with the VEGF gene."

"This experiment is a proof of principle," said Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman and professor of genetic medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and a pioneer in gene therapy, who played an important role in the research. "Now we need to go further to understand the activity of these genes and determine if they are effective in even larger hearts."

During a heart attack, blood supply is cut off to the heart, resulting in the death of heart muscle. The damage leaves behind a scar and a much weakened heart. Eventually, most people who have had serious heart attacks will develop heart failure.

Changing the scar into heart muscle would strengthen the heart. To accomplish this, during surgery, Rosengart and his colleagues transferred three forms of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene that enhances blood vessel growth or an inactive material (both attached to a gene vector) into the hearts of rats. Three weeks later, the rats received either Gata4, Mef 2c and Tbx5 (the cocktail of transcription factor genes called GMT) or an inactive material. (A transcription factor binds to specific DNA sequences and starts the process that translates the genetic information into a protein.)

The GMT genes alone reduced the amount of scar tissue by half compared to animals that did not receive the genes, and there were more heart muscle cells in the animals that were treated with GMT. The hearts of animals that received GMT alone also worked better as defined by ejection fraction than those who had not received genes. (Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart.)

The hearts of the animals that had received both the GMT and the VEGF gene transfers had an ejection fraction four times greater than that of the animals that had received only the GMT transfer.

Rosengart emphasizes that more work needs to be completed to show that the effect of the VEGF is real, but it has real promise as part of a new treatment for heart attack that would minimize heart damage.

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Gene therapy reprograms scar tissue in damaged hearts into healthy heart muscle

Washington, January 5 (ANI): A cocktail of three specific genes can reprogram cells in the scars caused by heart attacks into functioning muscle cells, and the addition of a gene that stimulates the growth of blood vessels enhances that effect, researchers say.

"The idea of reprogramming scar tissue in the heart into functioning heart muscle was exciting," Dr. Todd K. Rosengart, corresponding author of the study from Baylor College of Medicine, said.

"The theory is that if you have a big heart attack, your doctor can just inject these three genes into the scar tissue during surgery and change it back into heart muscle. However, in these animal studies, we found that even the effect is enhanced when combined with the VEGF gene," he said.

During a heart attack, blood supply is cut off to the heart, resulting in the death of heart muscle. The damage leaves behind a scar and a much weakened heart. Eventually, most people who have had serious heart attacks will develop heart failure.

Changing the scar into heart muscle would strengthen the heart. To accomplish this, during surgery, Rosengart and his colleagues from Weill Cornell Medical College and Stony Brook University Medical Center transferred three forms of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene that enhances blood vessel growth or an inactive material (both attached to a gene vector) into the hearts of rats.

Three weeks later, the rats received either Gata4, Mef 2c and Tbx5 (the cocktail of transcription factor genes called GMT) or an inactive material. (A transcription factor binds to specific DNA sequences and starts the process that translates the genetic information into a protein.)

The GMT genes alone reduced the amount of scar tissue by half compared to animals that did not receive the genes, and there were more heart muscle cells in the animals that were treated with GMT.

The hearts of animals that received GMT alone also worked better as defined by ejection fraction than those who had not received genes. (Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart.)

The hearts of the animals that had received both the GMT and the VEGF gene transfers had an ejection fraction four times greater than that of the animals that had received only the GMT transfer.

Rosengart emphasizes that more work needs to be completed to show that the effect of the VEGF is real, but it has real promise as part of a new treatment for heart attack that would minimize heart damage.

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Gene therapy helps patients with damaged hearts grow new blood vessels

January 5, 2013

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports Your Universe Online

A team of US researchers has reportedly developed a way to reprogram scar tissue from damaged hearts into healthy muscle through gene therapy a discovery which could help strengthen hearts harmed as a result of cardiovascular events.

According to a recent statement, scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College, along with colleagues from the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Stony Brook University Medical Center have discovered that a combination of three specific genes can turn cells in the scar tissue into fully-functioning muscle cells, and that the addition of a fourth can stimulate blood vessel growth and make the process even more effective.

Typically, the hearts blood supply is cut off during a heart attack, causing muscles to die off and become scarred, the researchers explained. The result is a weakened heart which will eventually lead to heart failure for those who have experienced serious cardiovascular events. This, however, could be avoided if medical experts could find a way to transform scar tissue into normal heart tissue, thus strengthening the heart as a whole.

To that end, Dr. Todd K. Rosengart, chair at BCMs Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, and colleagues implanted either three forms of a gene that encourages blood vessel growth known as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene or an inactive material into the hearts of rats.

Three weeks later, the rats received either Gata4, Mef 2c and Tbx5 (the cocktail of transcription factor genes called GMT) or an inactive material. (A transcription factor binds to specific DNA sequences and starts the process that translates the genetic information into a protein), the researchers explained. The GMT genes alone reduced the amount of scar tissue by half compared to animals that did not receive the genes, and there were more heart muscle cells in the animals that were treated with GMT.

The hearts of animals that received GMT alone also worked better as defined by ejection fraction than those who had not received genes. (Ejection fraction refers to the percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle or pumping chamber of the heart), they added. The hearts of the animals that had received both the GMT and the VEGF gene transfers had an ejection fraction four times greater than that of the animals that had received only the GMT transfer.

The idea of reprogramming scar tissue in the heart into functioning heart muscle was exciting, Dr. Rosengart, the corresponding author of the study, said. The theory is that if you have a big heart attack, your doctor can just inject these three genes into the scar tissue during surgery and change it back into heart muscle. However, in these animal studies, we found that even the effect is enhanced when combined with the VEGF gene.

This experiment is a proof of principle. Now we need to go further to understand the activity of these genes and determine if they are effective in even larger hearts, added Dr. Ronald G. Crystal, chairman and professor of genetic medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. We have shown both that GMT can effect change that enhances the activity of the heart and that the VEGF gene is effective in improving heart function even more.

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Damaged Heart Strengthened Using New Gene Therapy Method

Written by Kait Shea, Assistant Editor Friday, 04 January 2013 11:00

There may not be a cure for cancer just yet, but the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy (ACGT), a nonprofit established by a Greenwich couple thats dedicated to gene therapy, is making big strides in treatment.

The Stamford-based organization is the only nonprofit in the United States dedicated exclusively to cell and gene cancer therapy research. One hundred percent of all contributions to ACGT go directly to research and fund grants with leading scientists in the country, representing 28 prestigious medical institutions. Many feel that because of this ACGT has played a major role in what many doctors believe may be the key to healing those plagued by the disease.

In an interview with the Post, Ms. Netter said she and her late husband realized this really is a key to perhaps finding the answers to cancer and immediately sought to put their energies and resources into it on hope and faith. After a year of fund raising, the couple officially embarked on their mission to provide grants to the nations leading scientific investigators for cancer gene therapy research.

With the help of ACGTs Scientific Advisory Council, a group composed of leading scientists and doctors who conduct rigorous reviews of grants to ensure that the most promising cancer gene therapy projects are given funding, the Netters awarded more than $22 million in grants within the first 10 years of launching their organization.

The latest strides in gene therapy projects funded by ACGT, however, are the most exciting the organization has seen, Ms. Netter said. The alliance played a significant part in the recent leukemia study pioneered by scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. ACGT provided the initial funds for the study, which has found success using immune-mediated gene therapy for leukemia and lymphoma.

According to Ms. Netter, the therapy used involves removing immune cells from the body of the patient, bioengineering and strengthening them, then reinfusing them into the patient using a gutted out HIV vector, which reprograms the patients immune system genetically to kill cancer. The T cells directly target and kill cancer cells and circulate through the body for at least a few years, and Ms. Netter called it an enormous breakthrough.

Initial ACGT grants for the immune mediated gene therapy project were awarded in 2004 to Carl June of the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania and to Michel Sadelain, of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Gene Therapy and Gene Expression Laboratory, in New York City. Preliminary results were issued by Dr. June in August 2011, with additional results released in December 2012, delivering some of the most promising results seen to date in the search for a cure.

The clinical trial participants, all of whom had advanced cancers, included 10 adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were treated at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and two children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who were treated at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Two of the first three adult patients treated with the protocol remained healthy and in full remission more than two years after their treatment, with the engineered cells still circulating in their bodies. Currently, nine out of the 12 participants show their disease in remission.

Perhaps the most amazing story of recovery, Ms. Netter said, was that of now 7-year-old Emma Whitehead, who was on the brink of death, suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After trying traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy without any improvement, Emmas parents decided to try the experimental T-cell therapy. And although the treatment nearly killed Emma, her health rapidly improved and she emerged cancer-free, Ms. Netter said. The young girl is now out of the hospital and leading the life of a regular second grader, with eight months of remission from the disease under her belt.

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Gene therapy: Local group seeks ‘answers to cancer’