Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

IRVINE A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems also to be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.

This derivative of a dopamine-receptor gene called the DRD4 7R allele appears in significantly higher rates in people more than 90 years old and is linked to lifespan increases in mouse studies.

Robert Moyzis, professor of biological chemistry at UC Irvine, and Dr. Nora Volkow, a psychiatrist who conducts research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and also directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, led a research effort that included data from the UC Irvine-led 90+ Study in Laguna Woods, Calif. Results appear online in the Journal of Neuroscience.

The variant gene is part of the dopamine system, which facilitates the transmission of signals among neurons and plays a major role in the brain network responsible for attention and reward-driven learning. The DRD4 7R allele blunts dopamine signaling, which enhances individuals' reactivity to their environment.

People who carry this variant gene, Moyzis said, seem to be more motivated to pursue social, intellectual and physical activities. The variant is also linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and addictive and risky behaviors.

"While the genetic variant may not directly influence longevity," Moyzis said, "it is associated with personality traits that have been shown to be important for living a longer, healthier life. It's been well documented that the more you're involved with social and physical activities, the more likely you'll live longer. It could be as simple as that."

Numerous studies including a number from the 90+ Study have confirmed that being active is important for successful aging, and it may deter the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

Prior molecular evolutionary research led by Moyzis and Chuansheng Chen, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, indicated that this "longevity allele" was selected for during the nomadic out-of-Africa human exodus more than 30,000 years ago.

In the new study, the UC Irvine team analyzed genetic samples from 310 participants in the 90+ Study. This "oldest-old" population had a 66 percent increase in individuals carrying the variant relative to a control group of 2,902 people between the ages of 7 and 45. The presence of the variant also was strongly correlated with higher levels of physical activity.

Next, Volkow, neuroscientist Panayotis Thanos and their colleagues at the Brookhaven National Laboratory found that mice without the variant had a 7 percent to 9.7 percent decrease in lifespan compared with those possessing the gene, even when raised in an enriched environment.

See the original post:
'Fountain of youth' gene?

Jan. 3, 2013 In a novel use of gene knockout technology, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine tested the same gene inserted into 90 different locations in a yeast chromosome -- and discovered that while the inserted gene never altered its surrounding chromatin landscape, differences in that immediate landscape measurably affected gene activity.

The findings, published online in the Jan. 3 issue of Cell Reports, demonstrate that regulation of chromatin -- the combination of DNA and proteins that comprise a cell's nucleus -- is not governed by a uniform "histone code" but by specific interactions between chromatin and genetic factors.

"One of the main challenges of epigenetics has been to get a handle on how the position of a gene in chromatin affects its expression," said senior author Trey Ideker, PhD, chief of the Division of Genetics in the School of Medicine and professor of bioengineering in UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering. "And one of the major elements of that research has been to look for a histone code, a general set of rules by which histones (proteins that fold and structure DNA inside the nucleus) bind to and affect genes."

The Cell Report findings indicate that there is no singular universal code, according to Ideker. Rather, the effect of epigenetics on gene expression or activity depends not only on the particular mix of histones and other epigenetic material, but also on the identity of the gene being expressed.

To show this, the researchers exploited an overlooked feature of an existing resource. The widely-used gene knockout library for yeast, originally created to see what happens when a particular gene is missing, was built by systematically inserting the same reporter gene into different locations. Ideker and colleagues focused on this reporter gene and observed what happens to gene expression at different locations along yeast chromosome 1.

"If epigenetics didn't matter -- the state of histones and DNA surrounding the gene -- the expression of a gene would be the same regardless of where on the chromosome that gene is positioned," said Ideker. But in every case, gene expression was measurably influenced by interaction with nearby epigenetic players.

Ideker said the work provides a new tool for more deeply exploring how and why genes function, particularly in relation to their location.

Co-authors are first author Menzies Chen, UCSD Department of Bioengineering; Katherine Licon, UCSD Department of Medicine and UCSD Institute for Genomic Medicine; Rei Otsuka and Lorraine Pillus, UCSD Department of Molecular Biology and UCSD Moores Cancer Center.

Funding for this research came, in part, from NIH grants R21HG005232, R01GM084279, P50GM085764 and P30CA023100.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Read the rest here:
In epigenomics, location is everything: Researchers exploit gene position to test 'histone code'

If you lead an active, extroverted life and are something of a thrill seeker, you might be genetically primed to live into your 90s or longer, according to a new study by a team that included UC Irvine researchers.

A variation of a much-studied gene involved in transmission of dopamine, a key component of the brain's reward and learning system, was found to be far more frequent among the very old.

Martha Ettl celebrates her 100th birthday in San Clemente in February. UC Irvine scientists say they've found a variant of a single gene that promotes longer life in humans as well as laboratory mice.

FIL EPHOTO: ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ADVERTISEMENT

And the same gene variant was also linked to longer life in mice.

The variant itself might not extend lifespan directly, said Robert Moyzis, a UCI biological chemistry professor and an author of the study.

Instead, it appears to predispose those who bear it to a more vigorous lifestyle.

"This particular variation has already been associated with personality traits that are much more outgoing, much more socially engaged," Moyzis said. "We think it's a simple as that. Obviously, if you are much more likely to be engaged in physical and intellectual activities as you age, there have been many studies that have shown that is a good predictor of adding a few more years to your life."

The human subjects in the study came from Laguna Woods, part of a group involved in the Leisure World Cohort Study that began in 1981. It included people who were 90 years old or older in 2003; most of them have since passed away, Moyzis said.

Continued here:
Longer-life gene variant found in study

CLARENCE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

22nd Century Group, Inc. (OTCBB: XXII), a company that has developed groundbreaking technology for tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation products, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for the N-methylputrescine oxidase (MPO) gene technology. MPO is essential for production of nicotine in the tobacco plant.

The allowed claims of Patent Application No. 12/305,483, entitled, NUCLEIC ACID ENCODING N-METHYLPUTRESCINE OXIDASE AND USES THEREOF, cover nucleic acids encoding MPO, methods for producing tobacco plants with either reduced or increased nicotine levels, and tobacco cells and tobacco plants produced by the foregoing. The Notice of Allowance was issued on December 24, 2012 to the National Research Council Canada (NRC). 22nd Century is NRCs exclusive worldwide licensee of MPO and other technologies. A patent will be issued by the USPTO within the next few months. Including the patent term adjustment, this U.S. patent will expire in December 2027 and will be the first MPO gene patent issued anywhere in the world.

The MPO gene encodes a protein involved in a key step of nicotine biosynthesis. Scientists have attempted to clone the MPO gene for decades. MPO expression can be either down-regulated or up-regulated to produce tobacco plant varieties and tobacco products with a wide range of nicotine levels (from very low to high), or altered ratios of nicotine and other nicotinic alkaloids such as anatabine and nornicotine. Dr. Jonathon Page and Enwu Liu of the NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute are the inventors of the MPO technology. 22nd Century funded subject patent and research and development expenses at NRC from 2006 to 2008. Patent Application PCT/IB2007/003550 is the related international application to U.S. Patent Application No. 12/305,483.

22nd Centurys vice president of research and development, Dr. Michael Moynihan stated, We are very pleased that the USPTO has allowed the MPO patent. The MPO gene technology is one of several 22nd Century patent families representing our second-generation gene technology for modifying the content of nicotine and other nicotinic alkaloids in the tobacco plant. Our second-generation technology has significant advantages over our first generation technology.

Upon this MPO patent issuing, 22nd Century will have a portfolio of 15 issued U.S. patents and 8 pending U.S. patent applications. Globally, 22nd Century owns or is the exclusive licensee of 107 issued patents in 78 countries plus an additional 38 pending patent applications mainly related to all of the key nicotine biosynthesis genes and potential modified risk tobacco products produced therefrom.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.xxiicentury.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking information, including all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of 22nd Century Group, Inc., its directors or its officers with respect to the contents of this press release. The words may, would, will, expect, estimate, anticipate, believe, intend and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity or performance. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that they were made. These cautionary statements should be considered with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we may issue in the future. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to reflect actual results, later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed on April 16, 2012, including the section entitled Risk Factors, and our other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and cash flows. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

View original post here:
22nd Century Group Announces Allowance of U.S. Patent for MPO Nicotine Biosynthesis Gene

Public release date: 3-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Tom Vasich tmvasich@uci.edu 949-824-6455 University of California - Irvine

Irvine, Calif., Jan. 3, 2013 A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.

This derivative of a dopamine-receptor gene called the DRD4 7R allele appears in significantly higher rates in people more than 90 years old and is linked to lifespan increases in mouse studies.

Robert Moyzis, professor of biological chemistry at UC Irvine, and Dr. Nora Volkow, a psychiatrist who conducts research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and also directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, led a research effort that included data from the UC Irvine-led 90+ Study in Laguna Woods, Calif. Results appear online in The Journal of Neuroscience.

The variant gene is part of the dopamine system, which facilitates the transmission of signals among neurons and plays a major role in the brain network responsible for attention and reward-driven learning. The DRD4 7R allele blunts dopamine signaling, which enhances individuals' reactivity to their environment.

People who carry this variant gene, Moyzis said, seem to be more motivated to pursue social, intellectual and physical activities. The variant is also linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and addictive and risky behaviors.

"While the genetic variant may not directly influence longevity," Moyzis said, "it is associated with personality traits that have been shown to be important for living a longer, healthier life. It's been well documented that the more you're involved with social and physical activities, the more likely you'll live longer. It could be as simple as that."

Numerous studies including a number from the 90+ Study have confirmed that being active is important for successful aging, and it may deter the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

Prior molecular evolutionary research led by Moyzis and Chuansheng Chen, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, indicated that this "longevity allele" was selected for during the nomadic out-of-Africa human exodus more than 30,000 years ago.

Original post:
Dopamine-receptor gene variant linked to human longevity

Jan. 3, 2013 A variant of a gene associated with active personality traits in humans seems to also be involved with living a longer life, UC Irvine and other researchers have found.

This derivative of a dopamine-receptor gene -- called the DRD4 7R allele -- appears in significantly higher rates in people more than 90 years old and is linked to lifespan increases in mouse studies.

Robert Moyzis, professor of biological chemistry at UC Irvine, and Dr. Nora Volkow, a psychiatrist who conducts research at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and also directs the National Institute on Drug Abuse, led a research effort that included data from the UC Irvine-led 90+ Study in Laguna Woods, Calif. Results appear online in The Journal of Neuroscience.

The variant gene is part of the dopamine system, which facilitates the transmission of signals among neurons and plays a major role in the brain network responsible for attention and reward-driven learning. The DRD4 7R allele blunts dopamine signaling, which enhances individuals' reactivity to their environment.

People who carry this variant gene, Moyzis said, seem to be more motivated to pursue social, intellectual and physical activities. The variant is also linked to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and addictive and risky behaviors.

"While the genetic variant may not directly influence longevity," Moyzis said, "it is associated with personality traits that have been shown to be important for living a longer, healthier life. It's been well documented that the more you're involved with social and physical activities, the more likely you'll live longer. It could be as simple as that."

Numerous studies -- including a number from the 90+ Study -- have confirmed that being active is important for successful aging, and it may deter the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

Prior molecular evolutionary research led by Moyzis and Chuansheng Chen, UC Irvine professor of psychology & social behavior, indicated that this "longevity allele" was selected for during the nomadic out-of-Africa human exodus more than 30,000 years ago.

In the new study, the UC Irvine team analyzed genetic samples from 310 participants in the 90+ Study. This "oldest-old" population had a 66 percent increase in individuals carrying the variant relative to a control group of 2,902 people between the ages of 7 and 45. The presence of the variant also was strongly correlated with higher levels of physical activity.

Next, Volkow, neuroscientist Panayotis Thanos and their colleagues at the Brookhaven National Laboratory found that mice without the variant had a 7 percent to 9.7 percent decrease in lifespan compared with those possessing the gene, even when raised in an enriched environment.

Read the rest here:
Gene variant linked to active personality traits also linked to human longevity

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) Companies would be required to label food products made from genetically engineered crops under a Washington state initiative to be submitted Thursday by the proposal's sponsors.

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

The proposal comes two months after California voters rejected a similar ballot measure in a nearly $55 million advertising war that pitted food safety advocates against agricultural and biotechnology giants. Supporters argued consumers should have a choice of whether or not to eat genetically engineered products, even though the government and major science groups say such foods are safe to eat. Opponents argued the proposal would raise food prices and hurt farmers.

About 50 countries require genetically modified foods to be labeled, but the U.S. isn't one of them. Only Alaska has enacted legislation at the state level, requiring the labeling of genetically engineered fish and shellfish products.

A bill in the Washington Legislature to require food labeling failed to pass out of committee, despite support from a coalition of local wheat farmers who said they feared their export markets will be hurt if genetically modified wheat gains federal approval.

Biotechnology giant Monsanto Co. has announced plans to begin testing genetically modified wheat, though the product is likely a decade or more from being offered commercially.

An initiative to the Legislature requires at least 241,153 valid signatures of registered state voters to be certified, though the secretary of state's office suggests at least 320,000 as a buffer for any duplicate or invalid signatures.

Read the original post:
Proposal would require genetically modified label

Brad Shannon | The Olympian Published January 03, 2013 Modified January 03, 2013

Backers of an initiative to require disclosures of genetic alterations of commercially sold food say theyll bring in signatures to state elections official today Initiative 522. (click here for full text) is an initiative to the Legislature, which means it would first go to the Legislature for possible adoption.

Tim Eyman, the professional initiative promoter, also is bringing in signatures this morning for I-517, which he says will protect the initiative process. A background story on it is here and the full text is here.

Friday is the deadline for filing signatures for measures to the Legislature. The petition-filing period begins Saturday for new initiatives to the people.

I-522 backer Chris McManus the Office of the Secretary of State he plans to submit 340,000 signatures at 1 p.m., which based on the historical invalidity rates of ballot measures should be more than enough to qualify. By law, the measure needs at least 241,153 valid voter signatures to be considered.

Assuming I-522 and I-517 qualify, and that lawmakers choose not to enact either one, each would go to the November ballot for consideration by voters statewide. Lawmakers could also refer a companion or alternative initiative. The Associated Press reports that California voters rejected a food disclosure measure last year.

Dave Ammons of the elections agency said in a blog post that I-522 would require most raw agricultural commodities, processed foods, and seeds and seed stocks, if produced using genetic engineering as defined, to be labeled as genetically engineered when offered for retail sale.

Text of the measure asserts that 49 nations have laws requiring disclosure of genetically modified foods and that the lack of disclosure on U.S. crops is interfering with this countrys ability to export crops to some countries. The measures preamble also says the public wants to know if their food was produced using genetic engineering and that Without disclosure, consumers of genetically engineered food unknowingly may violate their own dietary and religious restrictions.

Follow this link:
I-522 backers turning in signatures to send genetically-modified food measure to Legislature

Public release date: 3-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Vicki Cohn vcohn@liebertpub.com 914-740-2100 x2156 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News

New Rochelle, NY, January 3, 2013Penetrating soft tissue injuries that may be caused by bullet wounds or motor vehicle accidents, or exposure to explosive devices in military settings, can cause muscle loss resulting in functional disability and cosmetic deformity. Efforts underway to develop tissue engineering solutions to repair and replace damaged and lost muscle will benefit greatly from the availability of robust animal models to test these innovative therapeutic strategies. A new rat model that simulates traumatic or surgical muscle tissue loss in humans is described in an article in BioResearch Open Access, a bimonthly peer-reviewed open access journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the BioResearch Open Access website.

Xiaowu Wu, MD, Benjamin T. Corona, PhD, Xiaoyu Chen, PhD, and Thomas J. Walters, PhD, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research (Fort Sam Houston, TX), Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (Winston-Salem, NC), and University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, provide a detailed description of the methods used to create an animal model with approximately 20% volumetric muscle loss (VML) from the middle third of the tibialis anterior muscle. The authors demonstrate successful repair of the injury using a biological scaffold and present their findings in "A Standardized Rat Model of Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury for the Development of Tissue Engineering Therapies."

###

About the Journal

BioResearch Open Access is a bimonthly peer-reviewed open access journal that provides a new rapid-publication forum for a broad range of scientific topics including molecular and cellular biology, tissue engineering and biomaterials, bioengineering, regenerative medicine, stem cells, gene therapy, systems biology, genetics, biochemistry, virology, microbiology, and neuroscience. All articles are published within 4 weeks of acceptance and are fully open access and posted on PubMedCentral. All journal content is available on the BioResearch Open Access website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells and Development, Human Gene Therapy, and AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 70 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 140 Huguenot St., New Rochelle, NY 10801-5215 http://www.liebertpub.com Phone: (914) 740-2100 (800) M-LIEBERT Fax: (914) 740-2101

Here is the original post:
New rat model for muscle regeneration after trauma-related soft tissue injury

Jan. 3, 2013 Research out of the George Washington University (GW), published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals another piece of the puzzle in a genetic developmental disorder that causes behavioral diseases such as autism. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and physiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and director of the GW Institute for Neuroscience, along with post-doctoral fellow Daniel Meechan, Ph.D. and Thomas Maynard, Ph.D., associate research professor of pharmacology and physiology at GW SMHS, authored the study titled "Cxcr4 regulation of interneuron migration is disrupted in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome."

For the past nine years, LaMantia and his colleagues have been investigating how behavioral disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia arise during early brain development. His work published in PNAS focuses specifically on the effects diminished 22q11.2 gene dosage has on cortical circuit development.

This research shows for the first time that genetic lesions known to be associated with autism and other behavioral diseases disrupt cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure normal development of a key type of cortical neuron: the interneuron. LaMantia and his colleagues had found previously that one type of cortical neuron, the projection neuron, is not generated in appropriate numbers during development in a mouse model of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome. In the current study published in PNAS, LaMantia found that interneurons, while made in the right numbers at their birthplace outside of the cortex, are not able to move properly into the cortex where they are needed to control cortical circuit activity. The research shows that the main reason they don't move properly is due to diminished expression of activity of a key regulatory pathway for migration, the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor.

"This gives us two pieces of the puzzle for this genetic developmental disorder," said LaMantia. "These two pieces tell us that in very early development, those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome do not make enough cells in one case, and do not put the other cells in the right place. This occurs not because of some degenerative change, but because the mechanisms that make these cells and put them in the right place during the first step of development have gone awry due to mutation."

The next step in LaMantia's research is to probe further into the molecular mechanisms that disrupt the proliferation of projection neurons and migration of interneurons. "If we understand that better and understand its consequences, we can go about fixing it," said LaMantia. "We want to understand why cortical circuits don't get built properly due to the genetic deletion of chromosome 22."

LaMantia recently received the latest installment of a 10-year RO1 grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development for his project, titled "Regulation of 22q11 Genes in Embryonic and Adult Forebrain." This will allow him to further his research.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by George Washington University, via Newswise.

Here is the original post:
New information on autism and genetics

Public release date: 3-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Lisa Anderson lisama2@gwu.edu 202-994-3121 George Washington University

WASHINGTON (Jan. 3, 2012) Research out of the George Washington University (GW), published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals another piece of the puzzle in a genetic developmental disorder that causes behavioral diseases such as autism. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and physiology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) and director of the GW Institute for Neuroscience, along with post-doctoral fellow Daniel Meechan, Ph.D. and Thomas Maynard, Ph.D., associate research professor of pharmacology and physiology at GW SMHS, authored the study titled "Cxcr4 regulation of interneuron migration is disrupted in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome."

For the past nine years, LaMantia and his colleagues have been investigating how behavioral disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia arise during early brain development. His work published in PNAS focuses specifically on the effects diminished 22q11.2 gene dosage has on cortical circuit development.

This research shows for the first time that genetic lesions known to be associated with autism and other behavioral diseases disrupt cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure normal development of a key type of cortical neuron: the interneuron. LaMantia and his colleagues had found previously that one type of cortical neuron, the projection neuron, is not generated in appropriate numbers during development in a mouse model of 22q11 Deletion Syndrome. In the current study published in PNAS, LaMantia found that interneurons, while made in the right numbers at their birthplace outside of the cortex, are not able to move properly into the cortex where they are needed to control cortical circuit activity. The research shows that the main reason they don't move properly is due to diminished expression of activity of a key regulatory pathway for migration, the Cxcr4 cytokine receptor.

"This gives us two pieces of the puzzle for this genetic developmental disorder," said LaMantia. "These two pieces tell us that in very early development, those with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome do not make enough cells in one case, and do not put the other cells in the right place. This occurs not because of some degenerative change, but because the mechanisms that make these cells and put them in the right place during the first step of development have gone awry due to mutation."

The next step in LaMantia's research is to probe further into the molecular mechanisms that disrupt the proliferation of projection neurons and migration of interneurons. "If we understand that better and understand its consequences, we can go about fixing it," said LaMantia. "We want to understand why cortical circuits don't get built properly due to the genetic deletion of chromosome 22."

###

LaMantia recently received the latest installment of a 10-year RO1 grant from the National Institutes of Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development for his project, titled "Regulation of 22q11 Genes in Embryonic and Adult Forebrain." This will allow him to further his research.

To interview Dr. LaMantia, please contact Lisa Anderson.

Visit link:
GW professor discovers new information in the understanding of autism and genetics

FIFA Comedy #1 | Ultimate Team | w/Genetics
Basically decided to play with Rob earlier has he got FIFA back today. He was messing around with his Ultimate Team which he is doing a series on his personal channel links will follow. I didn #39;t plan this video at all but it turned out to be quite funny in my eyes hence the title of the video. The reasons why there is bleeps is because there is explicit language that people may not like (Under 18) - Anyways hope you enjoy. Like/Comment/Subscribe. http://www.twitter.com (Follow, we #39;ll follow you back!) http://www.facebook.com (Why not like our facebook page!) Also go and check out: http://www.youtube.com for his personal series on FIFA and other games! Thanks for watching guys! Peace!

By: furiousesports

Read more:
FIFA Comedy #1 | Ultimate Team | w/Genetics - Video

Population Genetics and Selection
Covers natural selection, mechanisms for change in a population of organisms, mutation, genetic drift and genetic equilibrium. Also covers adaptations, types of natural selection, creation of new species, and types of evolution.

By: Michelle Rightler

Visit link:
Population Genetics and Selection - Video

Oncological Institute Dr Rosell - Barcelona
The Oncology Institute Dr Rosell offers comprehensive anti-cancer treatment with an innovative strategy: personalized therapeutic models which allow us to select the most appropriate treatment for each patient based on their genetic fingerprint. Dr Rafael Rosell is an internationally renowned investigator who has dedicated his life to the in-depth study of cancer genetics. We have an applied research laboratory which carries out genetic testing with unprecedented speed and reliability. Ours is the first pharmacogenomics laboratory in Spain to be accredited by the National Accreditation Body (ENAC)- nº 750/LE15156 video.plenummedia.com

By: Plenummedia Plenummedia

Read more from the original source:
Oncological Institute Dr Rosell - Barcelona - Video

Ngamwangwan of love [ teaser]
Genetics studio Genetics 29 Ngamwangwan of love

By: SupannikaChannel

Excerpt from:
Ngamwangwan of love [ teaser] - Video

Leopard Gecko Genetics 101
All about simple recessive, polygenic, codominant, line breeding, out crossing, phenotype, genotype, heterozygous (het), and homozygous. Thanks for watching! SUBSCRIBE!!!! youtube.com/user/mrleopardgecko101 youtube.com/user/ExoticLeopardGecko

By: FarSideReptiles

See original here:
Leopard Gecko Genetics 101 - Video

Andrew Clayton-Competition History
Enjoy the video. This is all my work in the little over 3 years in strength sports. I hope this inspires younger lifters in that you do not need perfect genetics, special coaches, magic supplements or any of that nonsense to achieve goals. Just put in the effort and keep learning. Its not a sprint but a marathon, many will drop just keep pushing. **Correction: Europa American Strongman, 1 of 6 event wins I DO NOT OWN THE COPYRIGHTS TO THE MUSIC. FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY. Battlegrounds-1 Revolution A Thousand Revalations-Jorge Quintero 300 Violin Orchestra-Jorge Quintero Hero #39;s Theme - Mark Cousin and Adam Saunders

By: DrewGymRat

Excerpt from:
Andrew Clayton-Competition History - Video

Beat Genetics - Maximize Potential
Sign up Grow Stronger Newsletter: hulsestrength.com Elliott #39;s Facebook http://www.facebook.com Elliott #39;s Strength Blog: http://www.hulsestrength.com Elliott #39;s Personal Blog: elliotthulse.com ELLIOTT #39;S BOOKS PRODUCTS The Grow Stronger Method: growstrongermethod.com Advanced Strength Course: strengthology.net Strength Camp Workouts: hulsestrength.com Lean Hybrid Muscle: buildhybridmuscle.com Gridiron Domination: http://www.footballstrengthprogram.com YO Elliott T Shirt: tinyurl.com Strength Camp T Shirt: tinyurl.com RECOMMENDED RESOURCES: Strategic Cardio: http://www.hulsestrength.com Renegade Diet: http://www.hulsestrength.com Deadlift Dynamite: http://www.hulsestrength.com SUPPLEMENTS: Hypergain Creatine: http://www.hulsestrength.com Living Fuels Greens: http://www.hulsestrength.com

By: strengthcamp

Read the rest here:
Beat Genetics - Maximize Potential - Video

ngamwangwan of love
Genetcis studio Genetics 29

By: SupannikaChannel

The rest is here:
ngamwangwan of love - Video

Dinero vs Bryan.MOV
Coming 4 year old bull sired by Butler #39;s Gone Dinero by Copenhagen Lite and Gypsy..Dam is a daughter of Eckroth #39;s Mudflap by Mossy Oak Mudslinger. Here are the genetics to get you there and he #39;s easy to handle too...

By: Debbie Scott

View post:
Dinero vs Bryan.MOV - Video

Cellulite Reduction - How to reduce cellulite naturally!
http://www.greatness101.net Click here to learn the 3 critical principles of cellulite reduction. You can reduce cellulite without the use of chemicals or surgery. Cellulite is the bane of most women and some men. The orange peel texture of skin can appear on thighs, buttocks, stomach, and upper arms. The bumpy appearance is caused by a breakdown in collagen in the dermis layer of skin. This breakdown allows the subcutaneous fatty layer underneath to push through the weak areas, creating the orange peel texture. Reduce cellulite with exercise. Adding low-impact exercise to your daily routine can help. Walking, swimming, hand weights, aerobics, tai chi, or yoga can increase your circulation and gently build muscle. Avoid using heavy weight machines. Lifting weights that are too heavy can actually break down muscle and collagen fibers. Regular exercise is great for weight loss and a healthy heart. The term cellulite refers to the appearance of dimpled skin caused by fat deposits in the skin. These fat deposits lie just below the surface of the skin and are often noticeable through the skin. Cellulite typically shows on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks areas. The main causes of cellulite are hormones, genetics and diet. You can eliminate thigh cellulite by exercising, and there are certain exercises in particular which are extremely effective and will help reduce if not completely eliminate the look of cellulite on your thighs. Read more: How to Eliminate Thigh Cellulite by ...

By: Zack Michaels

Read more from the original source:
Cellulite Reduction - How to reduce cellulite naturally! - Video

Newswise BETHESDA, MD January 3, 2013 The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the selection of 10 early career researchers five graduate students and five postdoctoral researchers as recipients of a Spring 2013 DeLill Nasser Award for Professional Development in Genetics. The award is a $1,000 travel grant for each researcher to attend any national or international meeting, conference or laboratory course that will enhance his or her career.

Each round, the review committee has a tough job selecting the most deserving applicants from among the many strong applications, said Adam Fagen, PhD, Executive Director. These 10 recipients represent just a small sample of the excellence found among grad students and postdocs in our community, ensuring a strong future for the field of genetics.

The DeLill Nasser Award was established by GSA in 2001 to honor its namesake, DeLill Nasser (1929-2000), a long-time GSA member who provided critical support to many early career researchers during her 22 years as program director in eukaryotic genetics at the National Science Foundation. Since the formation of this award, nearly 100 graduate students and postdocs have received funding for travel to further their career goals and enhance their education. The program is supported by GSA, and with charitable donations from members of the genetics community.

The 10 recipients of the spring 2013 DeLill Nasser Awards, their institutions and the conference or lab course each intends to attend are listed below.

Graduate Students

Daniel K. Bricker, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 54th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, April 37, 2013, Washington, DC

Russ Corbett-Detig, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 54th Annual Drosophila Research Conference, April 37, 2013, Washington, DC

Maria N. Hindt, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH International Conference on Arabidopsis, June 2428, 2013, Sydney, Australia

Kathy Ngo, University of California, Los Angeles 2013 Gordon Research Conference on Developmental Biology, June 30July 5, 2013, Lucca, Italy

Mengshu Xu, University of Toronto, Canada EMBO Conference Series: Chromatin and Epigenetics, May 812, 2013, Heidelberg, Germany

Read more:
2013 DeLill Nasser Travel Awards Announced by Genetics Society of America

Atossa Genetics: a focused pure play breast health testing company with huge potential to grow

By Grant Zeng, CFA

Atossa Genetics (NasdaqCM:ATOS) is a medical diagnostics company focused on the prevention of breast cancer through the development and commercialization of diagnostic tests that can detect precursors to breast cancer, and through the research, development, and ultimate commercialization of treatments for pre-cancerous lesions.

To download a free copy of the full ATOS initiation report, please click here.

Atossas diagnostic tests consist of patented medical devices cleared by the FDA that can collect fluid samples from the breast milk ducts (nipple aspirate fluid, NAF), where over 85% of breast cancers arise. These samples are processed at the Companys wholly-owned National Reference Laboratory for Breast Health, which has been certified pursuant to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (:CLIA), has been licensed in the states of California, Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Washington, and is in the process of obtaining a license to accept testing samples from New York. CLIA certification is legally required to receive reimbursement from federal or state medical benefit programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, and is a practical requirement for most third-party insurance benefit programs.

Atossas CLIA-certified laboratory examines the specimens by microscopy for the presence of normal, pre-malignant, or malignant changes as determined by cytopathology and biomarkers that distinguish usual ductal hyperplasia, a benign condition, from atypical ductal hyperplasia (:ADH), which may lead to cancer. These cytopathological results provide patients and physicians with information about the care path that should be followed, depending on the individual risk of future cancer as determined by the results.

Additionally, Atossa is conducting research on the treatment of these pre-cancerous cells by using its patented and FDA-cleared microcatheters to deliver, directly into the milk ducts, pharmaceutical formulations that can be used to treat these pre-cancerous lesions. By using this localized delivery method, patients receive high local concentrations of these drugs at the site of the pre-cancerous lesions, potentially promoting efficacy of the treatment while limiting systemic exposure, which has the potential to lower the overall toxicity of these treatments.

Atossa is currently marketing two diagnostic tests and plans to offer two additional tests in early 2013.

The rest is here:
Atossa Genetics: a focused pure play breast health testing company with huge potential to grow

AMES, Iowa, Jan.3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --NewLink Genetics Corporation (NLNK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for cancer patients, today announced the appointment of Mr. Brian Wiley as Vice President of Business Development. In addition to business development responsibilities, Mr. Wiley will lead the commercialization strategy and pre-commercial activities for NewLink's HyperAcute Pancreas Immunotherapy, algenpantucel-L.

"Brian brings extensive and varied pharmaceutical experience to our management team, most recently with key roles in both the sale of Gloucester Pharmaceuticals to Celgene Corporation and the purchase of Abraxis Health by Celgene," commented Dr. Charles Link, Chief Executive Officer of NewLink. Dr. Link added, "In addition to his business development experience, Brian has had key responsibilities in the launch, marketing and sales of a variety of oncology products at both major pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech companies. We are excited to have Brian join our team."

Mr. Wiley has over 20 years of pharmaceutical experience, with 16 of those years in oncology markets. He has had management responsibilities at Celgene Corporation, Gloucester Pharmaceuticals, Millennium Pharmaceuticals (currently Takeda) and Aventis Pharmaceuticals (currently Sanofi-Aventis). Mr. Wiley has also served as an independent consultant to numerous companies in the oncology market. His responsibilities have included business development, commercial strategy, marketing, reimbursement, national accounts, sales and sales management.

About algenpantucel-L

NewLink's algenpantucel-L is an "off-the-shelf" immunotherapy product candidate consisting of two allogeneic pancreatic cancer cell lines. These cell lines were chosen to provide a broad coverage of pancreatic cancer antigens and were then modified to express alpha-gal on the cell surface to increase immunogenicity. Each modified cell line is grown in large-scale culture, harvested, packaged and irradiated. Approximately 150 million cells of each HyperAcute Pancreas cell line are given by intradermal injection with each treatment.

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

NewLink Genetics Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve treatment options for cancer patients. NewLink's portfolio includes biologic and small-molecule immunotherapy product candidates intended to treat a wide range of oncology indications. NewLink's product candidates are designed to harness multiple components of the immune system to combat cancer without significant incremental toxicity, either as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatment regimens. NewLink's lead product candidate, algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute Pancreas) is being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial in surgically resected pancreatic cancer patients (under a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. FDA) as well as in a separate study in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients. NewLink has recently launched an adaptive design Phase 2B/3 clinical trial of tergenpumatucel-L (HyperAcute Lung) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. NewLink is developing indoximod (d-1-methyltryptophan, or D-1MT), a small-molecule, orally bioavailable product candidate from NewLink's proprietary indoleamine-(2, 3)-dioxygenase, or IDO, pathway inhibitor technology. NewLink is studying indoximod in various chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination studies independently and in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute. For more information please visit http://www.linkp.com. Patient information is available at http://www.pancreaticcancer-clinicaltrials.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements of NewLink that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan,""target," "potential," "will,""could," "should," "seek," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about the prospects of algenpantucel-L and any other statements other than statements of historical fact. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that NewLink makes due to a number of important factors, including those risks discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in NewLink's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011, in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent NewLink's views as of the date of this press release. NewLink anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause its views to change. However, while it may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing NewLink's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Contacts:Gordon Link Chief Financial Officer NewLink Genetics 515.598.2925 glink@linkp.com

See the original post here:
NewLink Genetics Appoints Mr. Brian Wiley as Vice President of Business Development

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Myriad Genetics Inc. fell Thursday after a JPMorgan analyst downgraded the stock, saying it will face headwinds while investors wait for a Supreme Court ruling that could have a major impact on the company.

THE SPARK: Analyst Tycho Peterson lowered his rating to "Underweight" from "Neutral" and has a price target of $26 per share. He said Myriad's shares won't perform as well as its peers over the next few months while Wall Street waits for a decision in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, a case that challenges two human DNA patents held by Myriad.

Peterson said the Supreme Court appears to be interested in making a broad ruling about the patenting of genes rather than a decision specific to Myriad, and noted that in 2012 the court struck down other genetic patents. The analyst said he is not predicting that Myriad's patents will be overturned. However, he said the risks associated with the stock outweigh the potential rewards.

THE BIG PICTURE: In December, the Supreme Court said it will make a decision on a case involving two patents related to Myriad's BRACAnalysis test. The test detects genetic mutations linked to increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Myriad gets more than 80 percent of its revenue from the test, but even if the Supreme Court overturns its patents or rules that human genes cannot be patented, the company holds other patents supporting the test.

Those patents will expire in 2018, and Peterson said that means competing tests will reach the market eventually even if the Supreme Court upholds Myriad's patents.

SHARE ACTION: Myriad shares lost $1.38, or 5 percent, to $26.30 in afternoon trading. With Thursday's trading, the stock is down about 12 percent since Nov. 30, when the Supreme Court agreed to take up the BRACAnalysis patent case.

Read more from the original source:
Myriad Genetics falls as analyst cuts rating