Archive for the ‘Gene Therapy Research’ Category

May 31, 2012

Connie K. Ho for RedOrbit.com

Nature versus nurture has always been a highly debated question in the sciences. This discussion has been seen in a research project focused on smoking, where scientists determined that genetics can play a role in how patients respond to treatments. Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine found that genes can show how smokers will respond to medication to quit the habit; they found that gene variations that make it difficult to stop smoking will also make smokers respond to nicotine-replacement therapy and treatments.

The study, published in a recent issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, found that it could be possible to predict how patients respond to drug treatments for smoking cessation in the future based on the gene variations.

Smokers whose genetic makeup puts them at the greatest risk for heavy smoking, nicotine addiction and problems kicking the habit also appear to be the same people who respond most robustly to pharmacologic therapy for smoking cessation, explained senior investigator Dr. Laura Jean Bierut, a professor of psychiatry, in a prepared statement. Our research suggests that a persons genetic makeup can help us better predict who is most likely to respond to drug therapy so we can make sure those individuals are treated with medication in addition to counseling or other interventions.

In the experiment, the scientists looked at data from 5,000 smokers who were involved in community-based studies as well as another 1,000 smokers who participated in a project focused on clinical treatment. The researchers examined the connection between participants ability to quit smoking successfully and genetic variations that had been related to dependence on nicotine and a habit of obsessively smoking. They found an interesting set of results in regards to those who had high-risk genetic markers.

People with the high-risk genetic markers smoked an average of two years longer than those without these high-risk genes, and they were less likely to quit smoking without medication, noted first author Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University, in the statement.

Individuals who showed high-risk genetic variants in the clinical trial were three times more likely to respond to drug therapies that were designed to help people quit smoking.

The same gene variants can predict a persons response to smoking-cessation medication, and those with the high-risk genes are more likely to respond to the medication, continued Chen in the statement.

Both Bierut and Chen believe the findings show that the genetic variations can help explain why smokers may be addicted to nicotine, as they studied the same genes that determined heavy response and an intense response to nicotine-dependence treatments.

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Success Of Quitting Smoking Hinges On Genetic Variations

As the cost of mapping out personal genomes goes down, the more potentially lifesaving but sensitive genetic data is available. Although the day when its commonplace to have that personal information in a medical record may be several years away, it is coming. And health insurers and hospitals need to think about how that information will be processed and transmitted in electronic medical records.

The Air Force Medical Service is collaborating with personalized medicine research center, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, New Jersey in a study to review and evaluate medical evidence assess, among other things, best practices for using genetic information in EMRs, according to Coriell president Dr. Michael Christman. It will look at how the data should be displayed and how it should be shared with physicians.

About 2,000 active duty medical service personnel are expected to participate in the six-year Patient-Centered Precision Care Research program longitudinal study. It has already begun the recruitment process. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will also offer research and program management support for the study.

The institute is working on a similar study with Ohio State University Medical Center.

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Personalized medicine study using genetic data in EMRs signs up Air Force

ScienceDaily (May 31, 2012) When flies are made to lose a gene with links to Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), they suffer the same sleep disturbances and restlessness that human patients do. The findings reported online on May 31 in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, strongly suggest a genetic basis for RLS, a condition in which patients complain of an irresistible urge to move that gets worse as they try to rest.

"Although widely prevalent, RLS is a disorder whose pathophysiological basis remains very poorly understood," said Subhabrata Sanyal of Emory University School of Medicine. "The major significance of our study is to highlight the fact that there might be a genetic basis for RLS. Understanding the function of these genes also helps to understand and diagnose the disease and may offer more focused therapeutic options that are currently limited to very general approaches."

Sanyal's team recognized that a number of genome-wide association studies in humans had suggested connections between RLS and variation in a single gene (BTBD9).

"BTBD9 function or its relationship to RLS and sleep were a complete mystery," Sanyal said.

His team realized that there might be a way to shed some light on that mystery in fruit flies. Flies have a single, highly conserved version of the human BTBD9. They decided to test whether the gene that had turned up in those human studies would have any effect on sleep in the insects. In fact, flies need sleep just like humans do, and their sleep patterns are influenced by the same kinds of brain chemistry.

The researchers now report that flies lacking their version of the RLS-associated gene do lose sleep as they move more. When those flies were treated with a drug used for RLS, they showed improvements in their sleep.

The studies also yielded evidence about how the RLS gene works by controlling dopamine levels in the brain as well as iron balance in cells. Sanyal said his team will continue to explore other RLS-related genes that have been identified in human studies in search of more details of their interaction and function.

"Our results support the idea that genetic regulation of dopamine and iron metabolism constitute the core pathophysiology of at least some forms of RLS," the researchers write.

More broadly, they say, the study emphasizes the utility of simple animals such as fruit flies in unraveling the genetics of sleep and sleep disorders.

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Flies with restless legs syndrome point to a genetic cause

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. and NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Clarient Diagnostic Services, Inc., a GE Healthcare company, and molecular diagnostics company Insight Genetics, Inc., today announced a worldwide licensing agreement for intellectual property from Insight Genetics, granting Clarient rights to develop a genetic test covering the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) biomarker, a promising target for several classes of cancer drugs.

As a result of the Agreement, Clarient intends to develop and evaluate the performance characteristics of a quantitative PCR-based test that detects increased transcription of the ALK gene. Rearrangements involving the ALK gene are implicated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other cancers. Several therapeutics compounds, known as ALK inhibitors, are in clinical trials and one, Xalkori, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since only patients with ALK fusions are likely to respond to ALK inhibitors, accurate diagnostic screening is essential before prescribing ALK-targeted drugs.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines now suggest ALK testing as a standard measure for all non-small cell lung cancer patients due to the development of therapies targeting ALK inhibition, said Kenneth J. Bloom, MD, chief medical officer of Clarient. Our agreement with Insight Genetics is another example of our mission of translating biomarker discovery to aid the development of new therapeutics and to assist physicians in determining the eligibility of their patients to receive the most appropriate therapy.

Insight and Clarient share a dedication to enhancing personalized cancer care, said Eric Dahlhauser, Chairman and CEO of Insight Genetics. Were pleased to work with Clarient, a leader in cancer diagnostics with a strong commitment to developing tests that address targeted therapies, toward advancing this common goal.

In addition to the proven role it plays in select lung cancers, ALK has been found to have a pathogenic role in many cancers including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. It is estimated that more than 250,000 new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. each year can be linked to ALK mutations and fusions.

A commitment to cancer

Building on its 50 years in the oncology space, in September 2011 GE, through healthymagination, announced a new commitment to take cancer research, diagnostics and treatment to the next level. The company committed to accelerate cancer innovation by investing $1 billion in cancer technology research and development as well as improve care for 10 million cancer patients around the world by 2020.

In tandem with that announcement, GE and several partners launched a $100 million open innovation cancer challenge, an open call to action seeking ideas to accelerate early detection and enable more personalized treatment for breast cancer. GE and its venture capital partners pledged up to $100 million to fund breakthrough ideas that help healthcare professionals better understand triple negative cancer pathways, and the molecular similarities between breast cancer and other solid tumors.

The challenge garnered more than 500 ideas from 40 countries, sparking robust conversations among more than 200 academic institutions and researchers on the Challenges open innovation platform. In March 2012 the first five innovation award winners were announced. The five innovation award winners have the potential to help doctors find cancer earlier, make more accurate diagnoses and choose the best possible treatment based on each patients unique cancer. Learn more here.

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GE Healthcare Licenses Genomic Biomarker for Lung Cancer from Insight Genetics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. & BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Molecular diagnostics company Insight Genetics and Kindstar Globalgene (Beijing) Technology, Inc., Chinas leading diagnostics company, today announced that the companies are partnering to enhance cancer care in the Peoples Republic of China and surrounding regions.

The new partnership begins with a licensing agreement that allows Kindstar to add Insight Genetics Insight ALK Screen lung cancer test to Kindstars growing menu of tests that improve cancer diagnosis and patient care. Kindstars diagnostic services, which are offered from its laboratories in Wuhan, Beijing and Shanghai, help physicians properly diagnose diseases and allow them to develop treatment plans for patients suffering from hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and genetic diseases.

Insight Genetics unique test broadens the companys ability to help doctors select the best possible treatments for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Kindstar expects to launch Insight ALK Screen to its clinician and hospital customers throughout China, the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, and Macau in July 2012.

Adding Insight ALK Screen to our menu of tests is just the beginning of what we see as a broader strategic relationship with Insight Genetics, said Shiang Huang, MD, chief executive officer of Kindstar. With Insight ALK Screen, we can offer clinicians more detailed information on their patients particular forms of cancer so they can determine the most effective treatment course. Working with Insight Genetics over the long term, we see great opportunity to collaborate on the creation of additional tests that will help us spread the benefit of personalized cancer care to more people in China and surrounding regions.

Insight ALK Screen is a real-time PCR-based test that detects cancer-causing fusions and mutations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). ALK fusions and mutations have been shown to be a contributing cause in approximately 5-10 percent of lung cancers. The test offers fast, accurate and comprehensive results that inform a physician if a patients cancer is associated with ALK.

Knowing if a patient is ALK fusion-positive assists clinicians in determining if the patient can be treated with an ALK inhibitor, an emerging class of cancer therapy. Since only patients with ALK fusions are likely to respond to ALK inhibitors, accurate diagnostic screening is essential before prescribing ALK-targeted drugs.

Kindstar is truly leading the way in enhancing Chinas healthcare system by making advanced diagnostics more widely accessible, said Eric Dahlhauser, Chairman and CEO of Insight Genetics. Were proud to offer Insight ALK Screen to physicians across China, Hong Kong and Macau, and more importantly, begin our partnership with Kindstar to find ways that we can collaborate to enhance and personalize cancer care around the world.

Comparison testing has shown that Insight ALK Screen has many benefits over other ALK testing methods, including fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The assay offers the accuracy and reliability advantages of a qPCR platform without the need for validated primer pair for each fusion. Unlike a variant-specific multiplex strategy, Insight ALK Screen can detect the presence of any fusion within the ALK gene. It also can identify ALK upregulation without using a secondary platform.

In addition to the proven role it plays in select lung cancers, ALK has been found to have a pathogenic role in many cancers including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. It is estimated that more than 1,300,000 new cancer diagnoses globally each year can be linked to ALK mutations and fusions.

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Insight Genetics and Kindstar Global Partner to Enhance Cancer Care in China

30-05-2012 10:25

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Heart-Attack-Patient-Receives-Adult-Stem-Cell-Therapy- - Video

30-05-2012 16:02 Ovation Cell Therapy Tips for Thicker, Stronger, Longer Hair.

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How to Use the Advanced Cell Therapy System - Video

29-05-2012 10:11 (click for more info ) ---------------------------------------------------------- D Rock All my Channels Blogtv Music by Andrew: ------------------------------------------------------------ Artist: Chronic Maze Song: Injunction *If you use this song in any of your videos, you MUST put the following in the description: "Song: Chronic Maze - Injunction Cronic Maze's channel: " _______________________________________________________ Subscribe to Chronic Maze's channel: Chronic Maze's Soundcloud: Like Chronic Maze's Facebo0k page: Download Chronic Maze - Injunction for free: _______________________________________________________ Beginning by OkieMerrod83 Ending song by End Logo By ImpurfektFaith Theme Song Add me on Google + Follow me on Twitter Like me on Facebook Visit my Shirt Shops All music and graphics used Royalty free and licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0" "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise ...

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Mean Gene Okerlund Interviews Bearded Wrestler - Video

30-05-2012 09:04 2012 Presbyterian Historical Society Research Fellow Gene Zubovich is a doctoral candidate in History at the University of California, Berkeley. Here, he describes his investigation of Protestant social consciousness in the 1940s through archival research at PHS. Mr. Zubovich used manuscript collections of the Federal Council of Churches, and the National Council of Churches to research his topic.

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Protestant Social Consciousness: 2012 Presbyterian Historical Society Research Fellowship - Video

Newswise The same gene variations that make it difficult to stop smoking also increase the likelihood that heavy smokers will respond to nicotine-replacement therapy and drugs that thwart cravings, a new study shows.

The research, led by investigators at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, will appear online May 30 in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

The study suggests it may one day be possible to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from drug treatments for nicotine addiction.

Smokers whose genetic makeup puts them at the greatest risk for heavy smoking, nicotine addiction and problems kicking the habit also appear to be the same people who respond most robustly to pharmacologic therapy for smoking cessation, says senior investigator Laura Jean Bierut, MD, professor of psychiatry. Our research suggests that a persons genetic makeup can help us better predict who is most likely to respond to drug therapy so we can make sure those individuals are treated with medication in addition to counseling or other interventions.

For the new study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 5,000 smokers who participated in community-based studies and more than 1,000 smokers in a clinical treatment study. The scientists focused on the relationship between their ability to quit smoking successfully and genetic variations that have been associated with risk for heavy smoking and nicotine dependence.

People with the high-risk genetic markers smoked an average of two years longer than those without these high-risk genes, and they were less likely to quit smoking without medication, says first author Li-Shiun Chen, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry at Washington University. The same gene variants can predict a persons response to smoking-cessation medication, and those with the high-risk genes are more likely to respond to the medication.

In the clinical treatment trial, individuals with the high-risk variants were three times more likely to respond to drug therapy, such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, the antidepressant buproprion and other drugs used to help people quit.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States and a major public health problem worldwide. Cigarette smoking contributes to the deaths of an estimated 443,000 Americans each year. Although lung cancer is the leading cause of smoking-related cancer death among both men and women, tobacco also contributes to other lung problems, many other cancers and heart attacks.

Bierut and Chen say that the gene variations they studied are not the only ones involved in whether a person smokes, becomes addicted to nicotine or has difficulty quitting. But they contend that because the same genes can predict both heavy smoking and enhanced response to drug treatment, the genetic variants are important to the addiction puzzle.

Its almost like we have a corner piece here, Bierut says. Its a key piece of the puzzle, and now we can build on it. Clearly these genes arent the entire story other genes play a role, and environmental factors also are important. But weve identified a group thats responding to pharmacologic treatment and a group thats not responding, and thats a key step in improving, and eventually tailoring, treatments to help people quit smoking.

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Genes Predict if Medication Can Help You Quit Smoking

When news broke a vial of Ronald Reagans blood was being auctioned, the price quickly jumped to $30,000 as websites and blogs explored a tantalizing possibility: Did this mean the late president could be cloned?

Before mad scientists got the chance to perform a Dolly-the-Sheep experiment with the 40th president, the seller succumbed to criticism and decided to donate the blood to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. But this should only encourage the cloning speculation because the Gippers DNA is now in the hands of those who would most like to reproduce him: Republicans.

Party officials have been making the pilgrimage to the Reagan Library this year to express their wish to re-create the great man. I believe boldness and clarity of the kind that Ronald Reagan displayed in 1980 offer us the greatest opportunity to create a winning coalition in 2012, vice presidential aspirant Paul Ryan said at the library last week.

Also making the trip were VP hopefuls Marco Rubio and Chris Christie. Like Ronald Reagan, I believe in what this country and its citizens can accomplish, the latter declared. The America I speak of is the America Ronald Reagan challenged us to be.

The man they hope to join on the ticket, Mitt Romney, once boasted he was not trying to return to Reagan-Bush. Now he says the partys standard-bearer should be in the same mold as Ronald Reagan.

But before they go filling that mold by mapping the Reagan genome, Republicans may wish to consider some genetic flaws that party scientists should repair in the cloning process. To make the Reagan clone more compatible with todays Republican Party, a bit of genetic engineering may be in order:

AFL-1: Reagans AFL-1 gene, on the labor chromosome, has a mutation that made him susceptible to workers rights. He said of unions: There are few finer examples of participatory democracy. He said the right to join a union is one of the most elemental human rights. And he said collective bargaining played a major role in Americas economic miracle.

EPA-4: Reagans EPA-4 gene, on the regulatory chromosome, has a protein that can summon anti-industry sympathies. He signed a law establishing efficiency standards for electric appliances and an update to the Safe Drinking Water Act punishing states that didnt meet clean-water standards.

SSA-2 and MDCR-1: These related genes, on the long arm of the retirement chromosome, are problematic. Reagan expanded Social Security in 1983 and imposed taxes on wealthy recipients. He also signed what was at the time the largest expansion of Medicare in its history.

DEBT-1, DEBT-2, DEBT-3: A trio of abnormalities on the fiscal chromosome caused Reagan to increase taxes several times after his initial tax cut, to embrace much higher taxes on investments than current rates and to sign 18 increases in the federal debt limit.

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Milbank: Before GOP clones Reagan genetic flaws must be fixed

Public release date: 30-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: NIDA Press Team media@nida.nih.gov 301-443-6245 NIH/National Institute on Drug Abuse

Genetics can help determine whether a person is likely to quit smoking on his or her own or need medication to improve the chances of success, according to research published in today's American Journal of Psychiatry. Researchers say the study moves health care providers a step closer to one day providing more individualized treatment plans to help patients quit smoking.

The study was supported by multiple components of the National Institutes of Health, including the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the National Human Genome Research Institute, the National Cancer Institute, and the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program, administered by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

"This study builds on our knowledge of genetic vulnerability to nicotine dependence, and will help us tailor smoking cessation strategies accordingly," said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. "It also highlights the potential value of genetic screening in helping to identify individuals early on and reduce their risk for tobacco addiction and its related negative health consequences."

Researchers focused on specific variations in a cluster of nicotinic receptor genes, CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4, which prior studies have shown contribute to nicotine dependence and heavy smoking. Using data obtained from a previous study supported by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, researchers showed that individuals carrying the high-risk form of this gene cluster reported a 2-year delay in the median quit age compared to those with the low-risk genes. This delay was attributable to a pattern of heavier smoking among those with the high risk gene cluster. The researchers then conducted a clinical trial, which confirmed that persons with the high-risk genes were more likely to fail in their quit attempts compared to those with the low-risk genes when treated with placebo. However, medications approved for nicotine cessation (such as nicotine replacement therapies or bupropion) increased the likelihood of abstinence in the high risk groups. Those with the highest risk had a three-fold increase in their odds of being abstinent at the end of active treatment compared to placebo, indicating that these medications may be particularly beneficial for this population.

"We found that the effects of smoking cessation medications depend on a person's genes," said first author Li-Shiun Chen, M.D., of the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. "If smokers have the risk genes, they don't quit easily on their own and will benefit greatly from the medications. If smokers don't have the risk genes, they are likely to quit successfully without the help of medications such as nicotine replacement or bupropion."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke results in more than 440,000 preventable deaths each year -- about 1 in 5 U.S. deaths overall. Another 8.6 million live with a serious illness caused by smoking. Despite these well-documented health costs, over 46 million U.S. adults continue to smoke cigarettes.

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The study can be found at: http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleID=1169679. For information on tobacco addiction, go to: http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/tobacco-addiction-nicotine. For more information on tools and resources to help quit smoking, go to: http://www.smokefree.gov/.

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Odds of quitting smoking affected by genetics

Public release date: 30-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Phyllis Edelman pedelman@genetics-gsa.org Genetics Society of America

BETHESDA, MD May 30, 2012 The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the selection of six graduate students and seven postdoctoral researchers as recipients of the DeLill Nasser Awards for Professional Development in Genetics. Each of these early-career geneticists receives a $1,000 travel award to attend a national or international meeting or to enroll in a laboratory course of their choice that will enhance their career.

These awards are named in honor of DeLill Nasser (1929-2000), a long-time GSA member who was instrumental in promoting genetics research, championing the genome sequencing of Arabidopsis and research in Drosophila during her 22 years with the National Science Foundation. She was particularly supportive of young scientists, those at the beginning of their careers, and those trying to open new areas of genetic inquiry.

GSA Executive Director Adam Fagen, PhD, said "we are honored to support the future of genetics through these awards, especially in recognizing an individual who played such an important role in guiding the discipline and ensuring its continued vitality. There are no more important investments we can make than in the graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who will be leaders in genetics in the decades to come."

The six graduate student recipients and the meetings they will attend are:

The seven postdoctoral researchers and the meetings they will attend are:

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The DeLill Nasser Awards have two rounds of applications per year: one for courses and conferences occurring between January 1 and June 30, and another for courses and conferences occurring between July 1 and December 31. Up to 25 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers receive these awards annually to assist them in acquiring career enrichment. For more information about these awards, visit the GSA website at http://www.genetics-gsa.org/pages/delill.shtml.

ABOUT GSA: Founded in 1931, the Genetics Society of America (GSA) is the professional membership organization for scientific researchers, educators, bioengineers, bioinformaticians and others interested in the field of genetics. Its nearly 5,000 members work to advance knowledge in the basic mechanisms of inheritance, from the molecular to the population level. The GSA is dedicated to promoting research in genetics and to facilitating communication among geneticists worldwide through its conferences, including the biennial conference on Model Organisms to Human Biology, an interdisciplinary meeting on current and cutting edge topics in genetics research, as well as annual and biennial meetings that focus on the genetics of particular organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila, fungi, mice, yeast, and zebrafish. GSA publishes GENETICS, a leading journal in the field and an online, open-access journal, G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics. For more information about GSA, please visit http://www.genetics-gsa.org. Also follow GSA on Facebook at facebook.com/GeneticsGSA and on Twitter @GeneticsGSA.

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The Genetics Society of America announces DeLill Nasser Travel Award recipients

Newswise BETHESDA, MD May 30, 2012 The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce the selection of six graduate students and seven postdoctoral researchers as recipients of the DeLill Nasser Awards for Professional Development in Genetics. Each of these early-career geneticists receives a $1,000 travel award to attend a national or international meeting or to enroll in a laboratory course of their choice that will enhance their career.

These awards are named in honor of DeLill Nasser (1929-2000), a long-time GSA member who was instrumental in promoting genetics research, championing the genome sequencing of Arabidopsis and research in Drosophila during her 22 years with the National Science Foundation. She was particularly supportive of young scientists, those at the beginning of their careers, and those trying to open new areas of genetic inquiry.

GSA Executive Director Adam Fagen, PhD, said we are honored to support the future of genetics through these awards, especially in recognizing an individual who played such an important role in guiding the discipline and ensuring its continued vitality. There are no more important investments we can make than in the graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who will be leaders in genetics in the decades to come.

The six graduate student recipients and the meetings they will attend are:

Guangbo Chen (Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO), Experimental Approaches to Evolution and Ecology using Yeast Meeting, October 17-21, 2012, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany.

Kathleen J. Dumas (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Keystone Meeting on Aging and Disease of Aging, October 22-27, 2012, in Tokyo, Japan.

Michael Eastwood (University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada), GSA Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology Meeting, July 31-August 5, 2012, Princeton, NJ.

Erik Lehnert (Stanford University, CA), International Coral Reef Symposium, July 9-15, 2012, Cairns, Australia.

Xin Li (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN), 10th International Conference on Zebrafish Development and Genetics, June 20-24, 2012, Madison, WI.

Daniel P. Rice (Harvard University, Boston, MA), First Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology, July 6-10, 2012, Ottawa, Canada.

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Genetics Society of America Announces Travel Award Winners

AMES, Iowa, May 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLink Genetics (Nasdaq:NLNK - News) announced today that Dr. Charles Link, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will present at the Jefferies 2012 Global Healthcare Conference in New York on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. (EDT). Dr. Link's presentation will include an update from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2012 Annual Meeting taking place June 1-5, 2012 including data from the Company's HyperAcute products and IDO Pathway Inhibitor Therapies.

A live webcast of the presentation call can be accessed by visiting the investors section of the NewLink website at http://investors.linkp.com/. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company's website.

About NewLink Genetics Corporation

NewLink Genetics Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing novel immunotherapeutic products to improve cancer treatment options for patients and physicians. 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 with an objective to harness multiple components of the innate immune system to combat cancer, either as a monotherapy or in combination with current treatment regimens, without incremental toxicity. NewLink's lead product candidate, HyperAcute Pancreas cancer immunotherapy (algenpantucel-L), is being studied in a Phase 3 clinical trial in surgically-resected pancreatic cancer patients (patient information is available at http://www.pancreaticcancer-clinicaltrials.com). This clinical trial is being performed under a Special Protocol Assessment with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. NewLink and its collaborators have completed patient enrollment for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial evaluating its HyperAcute Lung cancer immunotherapy product candidate (turgenpumatucel-L) for non-small cell lung cancer and a Phase 2 clinical trial for its HyperAcute Melanoma cancer immunotherapy product candidate. NewLink also is developing NLG8189 (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. Through NewLink's collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, NewLink is studying NLG8189 in various chemotherapy and immunotherapy combinations in two Phase 1B/2 safety and efficacy clinical trials. For more information please visit http://www.linkp.com.

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NewLink Genetics to Present at the Jefferies 2012 Global Healthcare Conference

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX), a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, announced today four presentations to be held during the 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL from June 1 to June 5, 2012. Study results are based on the companys proprietary technology and approach.

Data to be presented at ASCO 2012 will highlight the clinical utility of Response Genetics tests in the fight against cancer, said Stephanie H. Astrow, Ph.D., MBA, vice president for R&D. Through rapid and accurate assessment of genetic biomarkers, were helping doctors personalize cancer care by providing them valuable insights into potential cancer recurrence and tumor response to drugs such as pemetrexed and crizotinib.

All studies presented used technology developed by Response Genetics to isolate nucleic acids from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) archived tissue for quantitative RT-PCR analysis of gene expression and other genetic analyses. Following is a summary of presentations:

Poster Discussion Sections

Monday June 4, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., E450a

Abstract No. 4563: Generation of a prognostic cancer stem-like gene expression signature in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Fairey, AS, Yang, D, et al.

Genes typically expressed by cancer stem-like cells were analyzed to determine their potential as predictive biomarkers of prostate cancer recurrence after radical resection. In this study, twelve candidate genes were evaluated in 241 tumor samples, with results identifying a novel three-gene expression signature (Axin2, NANOG, CTNNB1) with potential predictive benefit.

General Poster Sections

Saturday June 2, 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., S Hall A2

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Response Genetics Announces Presentation of Lung Cancer Study Results at 2012 American Society of Clinical Oncology ...

A male birth control pill might not be so far-fetched, now that Scottish scientists have uncovered a key gene essential for sperm development.

The gene - called Katnal1 - is critical for sperm production because it enables sperm to mature in the testes. Thus, if scientists can somehow regulate this gene with a pill, sperm production will be stalled.

"If we can find a way to target this gene in the testes, we could potentially develop a non-hormonal contraceptive," study author Dr. Lee Smith, a reader in genetic endocrinology at the Medical Research Council Center for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, said in a news release.

Non-hormonal is important, the researchers say, because some conventional male contraceptives that rely on disrupting production of the male hormone testosterone can cause side effects such as mood swings, acne and irritability. The new treatment would also provide an alternative to popular male birth control methods like condoms and vasectomy.

Katnal1 is needed to regulate scaffold-like structures called tubules, the study showed, which forms part of the cells that provide nutrients to developing sperm. When scientists genetically modified mice to not carry this gene, the mice were infertile. The findings are published in the May 24 issue of PLoS Genetics.

Smith said the effects from a drug targeting this gene would be reversible since it stops the sperm at the maturation stage.

"The important thing is that the effects of such a drug would be reversible because Katnal1 only affects sperm cells in the later stages of development, so it would not hinder the early stages of sperm production and the overall ability to produce sperm," he said.

Dr. Allan Pacey, a senior lecturer in andrology at the University of Sheffield in the U.K., told BBC News that a non-hormonal contraceptive for men has been the "Holy Grail" of research for years.

"The gene described by the research group in Edinburgh sounds like an exciting new possible target for a new male contraceptive, but it may also shed light on why some men are sub-fertile and why their sperm does not work properly," Pacey said.

This isn't the only ongoing attempt at finding an effective non-hormonal male birth control. HealthPop reported in January that researchers at the University of North Carolina used high-frequency ultrasound to zap sperm counts in rats, suggesting it might be effective in humans.

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Sperm gene discovery may lead to male birth control, scientists say

Xalkori Now Available in Canada

KIRKLAND, QC, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada is pleased to announce that XALKORI (crizotinib) is now available in Canada. Recently approved with conditions by Health Canada, XALKORI is an oral monotherapy for patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).1 XALKORI is Pfizer Canada's first example of personalized medicine for people with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer has been one of the most difficult cancers to treat because symptoms typically do not appear until the disease has already reached an advanced stage.2 Even when symptoms appear, they are often mistaken for other health problems further delaying patients from receiving the care they may need.3

As a percentage of all cancer deaths, lung cancer kills more Canadians (27%) than breast cancer (7%), colorectal cancer (12%) and prostate cancer (5%).4

Approximately 70 Canadians are diagnosed with lung cancer every day and 55 die of lung cancer every day.5

"Little has changed in the way lung cancer has been treated in the past 40 years6," says Dr. Normand Blais, Hemato-Oncologist at CHUM - Hpital Notre-Dame in Montreal. "Previously lung cancer was considered a single disease. With the discovery of molecular biomarkers, such as ALK, we now know there are numerous types of lung cancers. New care options for these types of cancers can give hope to those who are or will be diagnosed with them."

Non-small cell lung cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the lung.7 Research shows that 54 per cent of lung cancers have molecular biomarkers that drive tumour growth.8 An estimated three to five per cent of non-small cell lung cancers are ALK-positive, a genetic alteration discovered less than five years ago by Japanese researcher Dr. Hiroyuki Mano and his team.9

In ALK-positive lung cancer, a normally dormant gene called ALK is fused with another gene, predominantly EML4.10 This abnormalgene fusion produces a protein that is believed to be a key driver of tumour development in cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer.

The recent discovery of ALK and other lung cancer biomarkers is the basis of an evolution in the approach to management of the disease. As Dr. Blais explains, "Oncologists, such as myself, now have the added responsibility of assessing other tumour traits with our colleagues and considering the requirement for additional molecular tests that may help select therapies for patients."

In the case of XALKORI, using a validated ALK assay, assessment for ALK-positive advanced or metastatic NSCLC should be performed by laboratories with demonstrated proficiency in the specific technology being utilized.1 If it is ALK-positive and advanced (not amenable to curative therapy) or metastatic then patients can be prescribed XALKORI.

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New Personalized Medicine for Alk-positive Advanced or Metatstic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

HONG KONG--(Marketwire -05/29/12)- Today, http://www.BrightonMarkets.com announced new reports highlighting Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) and Teradyne, Inc. (TER). Gain market insight with full analysis and research downloads available at http://www.BrightonMarkets.com/index.php?coa=OXY&cob=TER.

With markets in correction mode, investors are looking to quantify an accurate model, weighing positives and negatives of the months ahead. Upcoming negative pressures include China's slowdown, the European recession, the end of the Fed's Operation Twist stimulus program, continued geopolitical risks, election uncertainty, and potential 2013 budget bombshell of tax hikes and spending cuts. Meanwhile, positive offsets are driven by central banks (particularly China) cutting rather than hiking rates, deceleration in fuel and food prices, increase in consumer sentiment and resulting retail sales, signs of improvement in housing sales and new strength in auto production schedules.

Despite the current situation, our team continues to identify high momentum situations with growth potential -- there remains strong opportunity within careful discretion.

Brighton Markets is releasing new coverage on Occidental Petroleum Corporation for its current position within the basic materials industry. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (Occidental) conducts its operations through various subsidiaries and affiliates. The Company operates in three segments: oil and gas segment; chemical segment; and midstream, marketing and other segment. The oil and gas segment explores for, develops and produces oil and condensate, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas. The full research report on Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) is available here: http://www.BrightonMarkets.com/index.php?coa=OXY.

Brighton Markets has released research on Teradyne, Inc. for its changing role within the technology industry. Teradyne, Inc. (Teradyne) is a global supplier of automatic test equipment. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells automatic test systems and solutions used to test complex electronics in the consumer electronics, automotive, computing, telecommunications, wireless, and aerospace and defense industries. The full research report on Teradyne, Inc. (TER) is available here: http://www.BrightonMarkets.com/index.php?cob=TER.

About Brighton Markets Brighton Markets was founded on the guiding principle of providing highly relevant, meaningful, and actionable information direct to investors. Across the investment spectrum, Brighton Markets shines light on today's events.

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Upcoming Economic Outlook - Report Highlights Genetic Technologies Limited (ADR) and Complete Genomics, Inc.

Public release date: 29-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Bridget Dempsey b.dempsey@qmul.ac.uk 44-207-882-7927 Queen Mary, University of London

A rare disease which often first presents in newborn babies has been traced to a novel genetic defect, scientists at Queen Mary, University of London have found.

The research, published online in Nature Genetics (27 May) discovered 20 distinct mutations in a specific gene found in patients with the rare adrenal disease, Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency (FGD).

The potentially fatal disease means affected children are unable to produce a hormone called cortisol which is essential for the body to cope with stress.

Lead researcher Dr Lou Metherell*, endocrine geneticist at Queen Mary, University of London, said: "People who inherit this disease are unable to cope with physical stress. For example, the normal response to infection or traumatic injury is to produce cortisol supporting the metabolic response to the event. Patients with FGD cannot do this and may die if untreated.

"We found 20 distinct defects in the antioxidant gene nicotinamide nucleotide transhydogenase (NNT) in patients from all over the world who suffer from FGD."

The researchers, which include Eirini Meimaridou and Professor Adrian Clark, also at Queen Mary in the William Harvey Research Institute, had previously found defects in four genes present in this disease. The new research uncovered mutations in NNT, an antioxidant gene, which provides a new mechanism for this adrenal disease.

"Patients with this form of FGD exhibit oxidative stress (OS) in the adrenal, a process which is involved in other diseases such as neurodegenerative conditions, cancer, stroke, diabetes and cardiac dysfunction," Professor Clark said.

"If we can discover how the OS causes its effect then this might give us clues to the mechanism in other diseases like those listed above and it may then be possible to use appropriate drugs to reduce or prevent it."

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Scientists discover gene which causes rare disease in babies

Men have higher rates of bowel cancer than women because of a genetic fault in the female sex chromosome, British experts said Monday.

In an international collaboration led by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), scientists suggested that the development of the disease can be linked to a defect in the X chromosome that is associated with lower levels of a gene called SHROOM2, which controls how cells develop and take shape.

The fault can occur in both genders, but because females have two X chromosomes, one faulty version is masked by the normally-functioning version. This is not possible in men, who have only one X chromosome, paired with a Y chromosome.

Professor Richard Houlston from the ICR said, "To our knowledge, this is the first time that anyone has shown that one of the sex chromosomes is involved in the development of a cancer that can afflict both sexes."

He added, "This may help explain why bowel cancer is slightly more common in men. Ultimately, it could also help us target screening to those who are more at risk of the disease."

The study, which also involved research from the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh, was published in the journal Nature Genetics.

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Faulty sex gene behind high rates of male bowel cancer, experts say

CANBERRA, Australia, May 29,2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Australia's leading science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has been granted foundational patents in the US and Europe for short hairpin RNAi (shRNA) gene silencing technology.

shRNA technology is a powerful method that is widely used as a research tool to test the function of genes and is being developed for a range of targeted therapies in humans. Potential human therapeutic applications using shRNA include protection against viruses, such as HIV or hepatitis. Animal applications include the selection of production traits in livestock and the treatment of, and protection against, diseases such as influenza in chickens.

The newly granted patents (US8183217 and EP1650306) substantially strengthen CSIRO's already extensive RNAi portfolio of more than 60 granted patents, stemming from the pioneering work of CSIRO Plant Industry scientists who were the first to develop hairpin RNA in 1997.

Hairpin RNAi technology was first used in plants and has revolutionised the search for genes responsible for valuable traits. The technology has since been developed for use in animals, particularly in mammals where shorter RNAi molecules are commonly used.

CSIRO makes its patented RNAi technologies available for licensing for research use and for the development of commercial products.

Read more about CSIRO's gene silencing technology: http://www.csiro.au/en/Outcomes/Food-and-Agriculture/Gene-silencing

Read more about CSIRO: http://www.csiro.au/

For more information about the technology or to discuss licensing, please contact: Dr Rob Defeyter CSIRO, Sydney, AustraliaWork: +61 2 6246 5528 Mobile: +61 (0) 406 786 897 Email: robert.defeyter@csiro.au

Link:
CSIRO Granted Foundational Patents for RNAi Gene Silencing Technology

SAN DIEGO, May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Sequenom, Inc. (SQNM), a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today reported on a recently released publication in which the Sequenom MassARRAY System (for research use only) was used in a groundbreaking independent study that detected the transforming fusion gene EML4/ALK in non-small cell lung cancer. The study was conducted by researchers at Kinki University in Japan and appears in the May online issue of The Journal of Thoracic Oncology. The full results of the study can be found online at: http://journals.lww.com/jto/Abstract/2012/05000/A_Novel_Mass_Spectrometry_Based_Assay_for.20.aspx.

The research study describes an assay which detects the transforming fusion gene echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Current research methods have limitations in terms of detecting different variants, and this study demonstrates the successful detection of nine EML4-ALK variants in total RNA obtained from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens of NSCLC tissue.

As stated in the paper, "Our assay is able to distinguish between the different EML4-ALK variants in a small amount of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded NSCLC tissue and it should prove to be a useful tool for the detection of EML4-ALK variants in testing for this fusion gene," said Kazuto Nishio, MD, Ph.D., Lead Author, Kinki University.

The EML4-ALK translocation occurs in five to 10 percent of lung cancer patients. Crizotinib, a tyrosine kinase activity inhibitor of ALK and MET, has been shown to be effective for the treatment of lung cancer patients harboring this translocation. In contrast to dual-color split-signal FISH analysis that is commonly used for screening ALK rearrangement or real-time PCR assays, this assay, utilizing the MassARRAY System, can detect nine EML4-ALK variants and wild-type ALK including 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a, 5b, 6, and 7 transcripts.

The research study was led by Dr. Kazuto Nishio, MD, PhD of the Departments of Genome Biology and Medical Oncology at the Kinki University in Osaka, Japan. The Sequenom MassARRAY system is for research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

About SequenomSequenom, Inc. (SQNM) is a life sciences company committed to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions. Sequenom develops innovative technology, products and diagnostic tests that target and serve discovery and clinical research, and molecular diagnostics markets. The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Sequenom maintains a Web site at http://www.sequenom.com to which Sequenom regularly posts copies of its press releases as well as additional information about Sequenom. Interested persons can subscribe on the Sequenom Web site to email alerts or RSS feeds that are sent automatically when Sequenom issues press releases, files its reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission or posts certain other information to the Web site.

Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the use, benefits, and impact of the MassARRAY system and assays performed on the MassARRAY system, and Sequenom's commitment to improving healthcare through revolutionary genetic analysis solutions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including the risks and uncertainties associated with Sequenom's ability to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, particularly new technologies such as prenatal and other diagnostics and laboratory developed tests, Sequenom's ability to manage its existing cash resources or raise additional cash resources, competition, intellectual property protection and intellectual property rights of others, government regulation particularly with respect to diagnostic products and laboratory developed tests, obtaining or maintaining regulatory approvals, ongoing litigation, including patent litigation, and other risks detailed from time to time in Sequenom, Inc.'s most recent Quarterly Report on Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 10-Q and Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K for 2011 and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. These forward-looking statements are based on current information that may change and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Sequenom, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the issuance of this press release.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040415/SQNMLOGO)

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Recently Published Independent Research Study Detects Gene Variation In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Using The Sequenom ...

Featured Article Academic Journal Main Category: Genetics Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;Medical Devices / Diagnostics Article Date: 29 May 2012 - 11:00 PDT

Current ratings for: 'People's Geographic Origins Traceable With New Genetic Method'

5 (1 votes)

The team, from the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, UCLA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Tel Aviv University, write about their work in a paper published online in Nature Genetics on 20 May.

The researchers hope their method, which they call "spatial ancestry analysis" or SPA, will increase understanding of genetic diversity among populations, which in turn helps us better understand human disease and evolution.

Research areas that may benefit from the new method include finding links between genetic variants and disease and locating parts of genomes that have been subject to positive selection.

SPA is a software tool for analyzing spatial structure in genetic data. It models genotypes in two- and three-dimensional space.

With SPA researchers can model the spatial distributon of each genetic variant. And in this study, the team showed that particular frequency patterns of spatial distribution of gene variants are tied to particular geographic locations.

For genetic variants the team used SNPs ("snips", short for single-nucleotide polymorphisms) from various parts of the genome, including "the well-characterized LCT region, as well as at loci including FOXP2, OCA2 and LRP1B".

An SNP is a DNA sequence variation where there is a single nucleotide (A, T, C or G) difference in the "spelling" of the sequence.

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People's Geographic Origins Traceable With New Genetic Method

A technician in Nigeria breeds cassava plants to maximize vitamin A.

Courtesy Harvest Plus

in 1994 Howarth Bouis stood before potential donors at a conference in Maryland and unveiled his plan for combating malnutrition in the developing world. Bouis, an economist at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), envisioned impoverished farmers in Africa and South Asia growing staple crops that are enriched in key nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin A. His presentation had the audience hookeduntil he said he would accomplish the feat via old-fashioned plant breeding techniques.

At that point Bouis might as well have been lecturing on plows and sickles. Conference attendees wanted to solve the hunger problem with high-tech science, the kind of advances that produced incredibly effective fertilizers and pesticides during the green revolution of the 1970s. Their attention had just turned to genetically modified crops, engineered with specific genes that would not only enhance nutrition, as Bouis proposed, but also boost yields and instill resistance to pests and weed killers. Bouis came away with a single $1 million granta fraction of the money needed to reach his goals.

People ignored Bouis then, but they dont anymore. While most genetically modified food projects are stuck in political purgatory, Bouiss HarvestPlus program has brought nutrient-rich crops to tens of thousands of African farmers, and they will soon be available to millions more. When you breed conventionally, Bouis says, theres no controversy.

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Bouiss passion for improving agriculture in the developing world began in the 1980s, when he went on aid expeditions throughout the Middle East and Asia. Some 65 percent of African and Southeast Asian children have iron deficiencies that can lead to anemia and fatigue. Vitamin A deficiency produces 500,000 annual cases of blindness among children under age 5 (half of whom do not survive), and lack of zinc kills 800,000 a year. They had so much strength and courage despite their poverty, he says. Thats always inspired me.

That inspiration drove Bouiss work IFPRI, where he began exploring the idea of taking native plants and mating them with similar varieties that have a desired trait. If an African species of sweet potato could attain the nutritional benefits of a North American variety naturally high in vitamin A, for instance, then perhaps malnourished African farmers could grow their own nutritious sweet potatoes. Unfortunately Bouis needed money to find out whether that would work. It was not easy selling a meticulous program dedicated solely to fighting malnutrition when geneticists said they were on their way to solving that and a slate of other problems.

In 1993 European researchers Ingo Potrykus and Peter Beyer began infecting rice grains with genetically modified bacteria that transmitted individual genes into the plants DNA. Seven years later, they found three genesone from a bacterium and two from a daffodilthat programmed the plant to produce beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. The genes also gave the grains a yellow tint, earning them the name Golden Rice. Further tinkering added genes to increase yields and ward off insects. When Potrykus and Beyer published their results in Science, many scientists and media outlets proclaimed that genetically modified crops would hasten a second green revolution.

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Big Idea: Fighting Hunger With Ancient Genetic Engineering Techniques | DISCOVER