What is a genetic counselor?

A genetic counselor is a medical professional who can guide you through the complex information about your chances of having a child with a genetic disorder or birth defect as well as through the testing, treatment, and other options available. The counselor's role is to translate all the technical and scientific information and to help you sort out your feelings so that you can make informed choices and decide what's right for you and your family.

You may want to talk to a genetic counselor if any of the following apply to you:

The counselor will ask you and your partner for your family health histories as far back as possible, so try to speak with relatives ahead of time to find out about any birth defects or chronic illnesses (such as heart disease or diabetes) in either of your families. You'll need to find out whatever you can about the health histories of your parents, siblings, children, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

Your counselor will talk to you about any inherited disorders that show up in your family history and your chances of passing them on to your child. She'll also ask about any toxic substances you may have been exposed to or medications you may be taking or have taken during your pregnancy, so bring a list of those.

The counselor can help you understand the risks, benefits, and limitations of any prenatal tests you're considering and the results of tests you've already taken.

An average counseling session takes about 20 to 60 minutes, but take all the time you need to ask questions. Afterward, the counselor will write a letter summarizing the session and send it to you and your practitioner, if appropriate. A genetic counselor may also provide referrals to community resources, if you wish, or coordinate further prenatal testing for you.

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Prenatal genetic counseling | BabyCenter

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In 2008, Stanford accepted its first class into the MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling degree and in 2011 received full accreditation from ABGC (now ACGC). Be a part of this exciting opportunity and join a world renowned Genetics department located at a top 10 medical school in one of the most beautiful and diverse areas of the country. Our program will utilize state of the art genomics resources that are already well developed at Stanford, and train you to work with patients in a wide range of settings and from a multicultural background.

Stanford's curriculum is set up on the quarter system, and students will take 6 academic quarters of work, and conduct clinical rotations full time through the summer between their first and second years. The course distribution (2014-2015 Curriculum) will allow students to take 1-3 elective courses in an area of their choice, such as Spanish language training, cancer biology, pediatrics and reproductive health issues, or biomedical ethics.

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Master's Program in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling ...

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What is genetic counseling?

Genetic counseling is the process of determining the risk you haveof passing on an inheritable disease to your baby. Genetic counselinginvolves a specially trained health care professional who identifiesfamilies at risk, investigates the problem present in the family,interprets information about the disorder, analyzes inheritance patternsand risks of recurrence, and reviews available options with the family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),approximately 3% of babies born in the United States will have a birthdefect. Genetic counseling is not necessary for the majority of coupleswho are pregnant or planning on getting pregnant.

Genetic counselingshould be considered by couples who have one or more of the followingrisk factors:

The following represents some of the ethnic groups which have a greaterchance for certain genetic defects:

When you are working with a genetic counselor, there are a numberof things you should expect. You should start with your blood relativeson both sides to begin creating a comprehensive background on specificdiseases and why they occurred. This is probably the most importantpiece of evaluating genetic risks.

To help facilitate this evaluation, your health care provider willprobably ask some of the following questions:

A gene is a segment of DNA that is coded to pass along a certaintrait; it has a specific task (i.e., determining the color of youreyes). Genes are the simplest building blocks of heredity. They aregrouped together in specific patterns within a persons chromosomes,forming the unique blueprint for every physical and biologicalcharacteristic of that person.

Chromosomes are made up of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules.Humans have 46 chromosomes arranged in pairs in every living cellof our bodies. When the egg and sperm join at conception, half ofeach chromosomal pair is inherited from each parent.

Genetic disorders may be caused by of a variety of factors. Geneticdisorders may be caused by chromosomal abnormalities. Disorders mayalso be caused by a single gene.

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Genetic Counseling - American Pregnancy Association

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Interest in physical health was the catalyst for the development of many of the disciplines that, over the decades, have become the seven academic units of the College of Health. The College has made a transition from the traditional Health, Physical Education, and Recreation model to a now critical member of the schools, colleges, and clinical programs of the U of Us Health Sciences.

One of the largest colleges at the University of Utah, we serve over 3,000 undergraduates and nearly 800 graduate students. The Departments of Exercise and Sport Science and Health Promotion and Education are in the top ten undergraduate degree-awarding programs on campus. Striving for academic excellence, several programs occupy high national rankings in their respective areas: Speech and Hearing Science (6); Parks, Recreation and Tourism (10); Physical Therapy (14); and Health Promotion and Education (20).

The College of Health is a critical component of the Health Sciences Centers mission to improve individual and community health and quality of life through the provision of care, discovery of new treatment modalities, and providing access to care for the populations it serves. We offer an exciting and challenging learning environment current and responsive to our role in this mission, particularly as it relates to the promotion of health and recovery from disease.

As health care transforms, our talented faculty, staff, and students play an important role managing and promoting health and wellness in myriad ways from advocating for healthy environments, promoting physical activity and good nutrition across the lifespan, to providing rehabilitation services for those with disabling conditions.

We invite you to explore the many programs and opportunities offered through the University of Utah College of Health!

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University of Utah College of Health

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Centrosomes and Cancer: Settling an Old Debate

Early last century, German biologist Theodor Boveri observed that cancer cells often harbor multiple copies of a cellular structure known as the centrosome. He was also the first to suggest that the extra centrosomes drive cancer. Researchers have since learned a great deal about the structure and many functions of Boveris special organ of cell division. But why cancer cells harbor multiple copies of this organelle and whether they are addicted to having so many has remained unanswered. So has the question of whether healthy human cells even require centrosomes to divide, making more cells. Now, 101 years after Boveri first aired his suspicions, researchers may have some answers.

A new study, published April 30 in Science, shows that while cancer cells are not addicted to multiple centrosomes, healthy cells absolutely require them to proceed with cell division. In the absence of centrosomes, healthy cells dont divide, while malignant cells continue dividing and multiplying.

Our results have settled a long-running debate in cell biology, said co-senior author Karen Oegema, PhD, professor of cellular and molecular medicine at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and member of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Centrosomes make things so much better for healthy dividing cells, that cells have a protective mechanism that halts their division if they lose centrosomes.

Ordinarily, the resting cells single centrosome serves as an organizing center for the cells skeleton. When a cell divides, however, the centrosome takes on another function. The centrosome duplicates and helps ensure chromosomes are distributed equally between the two daughter cells. Many cancer cells contain multiple centrosomes, and this error contributes to the misdistribution and abnormal numbers of chromosomes in daughter cells.

Still, it wasnt clear that centrosomes are absolutely needed for cell division. Biologists have long known that other mechanisms exist to separate chromosomes. The growing feeling among a number of cell biologists is that the centrosome is like the appendix of the cell, said co-senior author Andrew Shiau, PhD, director of the Ludwig Institutes Small Molecule Discovery Program in San Diego and visiting scientist at UC San Diego.

Earlier studies had sought to resolve the issue by cutting centrosomes out of cells or destroying them with lasers. But both normal and cancer cells treated this way simply remade their lost centrosomes, and then continued dividing.

To get around this limitation, in this study the researchers designed and synthesized a molecule that specifically and reversibly inhibits an enzyme named Plk4, which controls the assembly of centrioles barrel-like protein structures from which centrosomes are made. They then showed that exposure to this inhibitor, called centrinone, eliminates centrosomes from both healthy cells and cancerous ones. When the compound was removed, cancer cells reverted to precisely the number of centrosomes they had before exposure to the molecule.

This was in marked contrast to what normal cells would do when we persistently removed centrosomes, Oegema said. Normal cells arrested their growth when their centrosomes were absent. This suggests that they absolutely require centrosomes for division, which was not at all the thinking in the field.

The researchers show that the pause in the division of healthy cells is governed by a protein named p53, which is mutated in about half of all cancers. Levels of p53 were elevated in cells treated with centrinone. When the protein was temporarily inactivated in normal cells, they too failed to arrest upon exposure to centrinone.

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UC San Diego Health Sciences News

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View Current ContentBrowse the ArchiveBrowse by Subject Category Bioscience Horizons: the International Journal of Student Research

Bioscience Horizons is a free online journal publishing the best undergraduate and taught masters bioscience research from around the world. The journal provides a forum for students, their supervisors and universities, to showcase high quality student research work, strengthening the link between teaching and research in higher education. All papers are written by students and can come from a variety of research projects. Manuscripts are rigorously reviewed by academic experts before publication.

Manuscripts can be submitted at any time of the year on a continuous publication basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to find out more about the Bioscience Horizons Chair's Prize.

The ideal candidate would be a current PhD student or Postdoctoral researcher who is keen on science communication. We hope that the position will provide useful insight and experience, of value in their academic career. Click here to find out more!

Bioscience Horizons Highly Commended for Publishing Innovation

Bioscience Horizons has been awarded a Highly Commended certificate by the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP) for publishing innovation. Click here for more information.

How do I submit a manuscript to this Journal? Students (with their supervisor/academic sponsor's permission) can submit a manuscript directly for consideration by the Editorial Board. To submit a manuscript:

1. Speak to your supervisor/academic sponsor about the work you wish to submit and obtain their permission 2. Format your manuscript according to the Instructions for Authors 3. Register your manuscript via our submission portal here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/biosciencehorizonsauthor

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Bioscience Horizons

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"Bioscience" redirects here. For the scientific journal, see BioScience. For life sciences generally, see life science.

Biotechnology is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use" (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Art. 2).[1] Depending on the tools and applications, it often overlaps with the (related) fields of bioengineering, biomedical engineering, etc.

For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology in agriculture, food production, and medicine.[2] The term is largely believed to have been coined in 1919 by Hungarian engineer Kroly Ereky. In the late 20th and early 21st century, biotechnology has expanded to include new and diverse sciences such as genomics, recombinant gene techniques, applied immunology, and development of pharmaceutical therapies and diagnostic tests.[2]

The wide concept of "biotech" or "biotechnology" encompasses a wide range of procedures for modifying living organisms according to human purposes, going back to domestication of animals, cultivation of plants, and "improvements" to these through breeding programs that employ artificial selection and hybridization. Modern usage also includes genetic engineering as well as cell and tissue culture technologies. The American Chemical Society defines biotechnology as the application of biological organisms, systems, or processes by various industries to learning about the science of life and the improvement of the value of materials and organisms such as pharmaceuticals, crops, and livestock.[3] As per European Federation of Biotechnology, Biotechnology is the integration of natural science and organisms, cells, parts thereof, and molecular analogues for products and services.[4] Biotechnology also writes on the pure biological sciences (animal cell culture, biochemistry, cell biology, embryology, genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology). In many instances, it is also dependent on knowledge and methods from outside the sphere of biology including:

Conversely, modern biological sciences (including even concepts such as molecular ecology) are intimately entwined and heavily dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and what is commonly thought of as the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is the research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organisms and any source of biomass by means of biochemical engineering where high value-added products could be planned (reproduced by biosynthesis, for example), forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed for the purpose of sustainable operations (for the return from bottomless initial investment on R & D) and gaining durable patents rights (for exclusives rights for sales, and prior to this to receive national and international approval from the results on animal experiment and human experiment, especially on the pharmaceutical branch of biotechnology to prevent any undetected side-effects or safety concerns by using the products).[5][6][7]

By contrast, bioengineering is generally thought of as a related field that more heavily emphasizes higher systems approaches (not necessarily the altering or using of biological materials directly) for interfacing with and utilizing living things. Bioengineering is the application of the principles of engineering and natural sciences to tissues, cells and molecules. This can be considered as the use of knowledge from working with and manipulating biology to achieve a result that can improve functions in plants and animals.[8] Relatedly, biomedical engineering is an overlapping field that often draws upon and applies biotechnology (by various definitions), especially in certain sub-fields of biomedical and/or chemical engineering such as tissue engineering, biopharmaceutical engineering, and genetic engineering.

Although not normally what first comes to mind, many forms of human-derived agriculture clearly fit the broad definition of "'utilizing a biotechnological system to make products". Indeed, the cultivation of plants may be viewed as the earliest biotechnological enterprise.

Agriculture has been theorized to have become the dominant way of producing food since the Neolithic Revolution. Through early biotechnology, the earliest farmers selected and bred the best suited crops, having the highest yields, to produce enough food to support a growing population. As crops and fields became increasingly large and difficult to maintain, it was discovered that specific organisms and their by-products could effectively fertilize, restore nitrogen, and control pests. Throughout the history of agriculture, farmers have inadvertently altered the genetics of their crops through introducing them to new environments and breeding them with other plants one of the first forms of biotechnology.

These processes also were included in early fermentation of beer.[9] These processes were introduced in early Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India, and still use the same basic biological methods. In brewing, malted grains (containing enzymes) convert starch from grains into sugar and then adding specific yeasts to produce beer. In this process, carbohydrates in the grains were broken down into alcohols such as ethanol. Later other cultures produced the process of lactic acid fermentation which allowed the fermentation and preservation of other forms of food, such as soy sauce. Fermentation was also used in this time period to produce leavened bread. Although the process of fermentation was not fully understood until Louis Pasteur's work in 1857, it is still the first use of biotechnology to convert a food source into another form.

Before the time of Charles Darwin's work and life, animal and plant scientists had already used selective breeding. Darwin added to that body of work with his scientific observations about the ability of science to change species. These accounts contributed to Darwin's theory of natural selection.[10]

Continued here:

Biotechnology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Spinal Cord Injury Spotlight - Julia O. at Project Walk San Francisco
Julia suffered a C4 spinal cord injury in 2008. Each month she adds another milestone to her quickly growing list of accomplishments. Here we highlight two of her more recent milestones.

By: Project Walk

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Spinal Cord Injury Spotlight - Julia O. at Project Walk San Francisco - Video

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Wings for Life World Run 2015 - Event Clip
Athletes across 35 locations pushed themselves to the limit in the global charity run which raises money to help find a cure for spinal cord injury, and it proved to be a record-breaking day...

By: WingsforLifeWorldRun

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Wings for Life World Run 2015 - Event Clip - Video

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Meet the Researcher: David Lott, M.D.
David Lott, M.D., Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology, presents Harnessing the Power of Regenerative Medicine for Head and Neck Reconstruction. This informal presentation was given...

By: Mayo Clinic

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Meet the Researcher: David Lott, M.D. - Video

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Download The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine PDF
Download PDF here: http://bit.ly/1ImXWc2.

By: Scotty Chapin

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Download The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine PDF - Video

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Download Cord Blood Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine PDF
Download PDF Here: http://bit.ly/1GSodzZ.

By: Monet Siler

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Download Cord Blood Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine PDF - Video

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BowelGene - genetic testing
BowelHealth UK offers a state of the art bowel cancer screening service to men and women over the age of 45. The new generation technology involved in BowelCheck is currently not available...

By: BowelHealth UK

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BowelGene - genetic testing - Video

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Genetic Testing - One of the Best Things to Happen to Me - littlemamauk
Check out my art page at: https://www.facebook.com/JessicaAprilArt You can #39;like #39; me on Facebook for the latest videos and news at http://facebook.com/littlemamauk or follow me on Twitter...

By: Little Mama UK

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Genetic Testing - One of the Best Things to Happen to Me - littlemamauk - Video

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Life extension science, also known as anti-aging medicine,
Life extension science, also known as anti-aging medicine, indefinite life extension, experimental gerontology, and biomedical gerontology, is the study of slowing down or reversing the processes...

By: Massage

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Life extension science, also known as anti-aging medicine, - Video

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Autism in our home
This is a video about what autism is like in our home. We are trying to raise money for Cohen and Max to have Stem Cell Therapy. Please visit http://www.gofundme.com/cohenandmax to donate....

By: Jake Smith

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Autism in our home - Video

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What #39;s the Difference Between PRP and Stem Cell Therapy? | Doctors Talk
Doctors Talk is an exclusive program by CVR Health TV in which a specialist will discuss about different health problems and suggest remedies. Watch CVR Health, the 24/7 health channel with...

By: CVR Health TV

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What's the Difference Between PRP and Stem Cell Therapy? | Doctors Talk - Video

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Australia - New Zealand - Asia & Pacific Rim - China - Italy

The Foundation is a privately funded philanthropic (non profit) organization advising un-well people about how to gain access to Adult Stem Cell Therapy (ASCT). The Foundation is also promoting a plan to its members on how to prevent or limit the progression of degenerative diseases and other conditions. Degenerative disease is an escalating world problem that, if not controlled, could bankrupt our health systems.

A major objective of the Foundation is to highlight that people suffering from degenerative conditions now have the option of considering Adult Stem Cell Therapy. This therapy may improve quality of life for sufferers of Arthritis, MS, Parkinsons, Diabetes, Stroke, Alzheimers, Spinal Cord injuries, Cancer or Chronic Pain to name a few. A stem cell transplant, instead of a joint replacement, is fast becoming the preferred first option for orthopedic surgeons.

The Foundation intends to educate parents/carers of children suffering from a debilitating or degenerative condition like Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Autism, Spinal injuries, Cystic fibrosis, ADHD etc. Stem cell treatments have progressed in leaps and bounds for these conditions. There are now state of the art clinics that specialize in treating the afore-mentioned conditions. Children can usually benefit substantially from an early intervention by stem cell therapies and other protocols because they are still growing. As an example: spending time in a mild hyperbaric chamber (HBO) can also be beneficial. Just fill out the Application Form for an experimental transplant and we will be only too happy to advise.

The ASCF has become a global Information Centre for stem cell therapy. The centre will only support clinics that have demonstrated they abide by the highest medical standards and have a proven track record of administering these types of therapies, in Australia and overseas. We can now advise locally which gives peace of mind to our members who are contemplating a procedure of this nature.

Creating awareness of the availability of stem cell therapy and that it has become viable for consideration.

To raise money from benefactors, including private and commercial sponsorships.

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Stem cell - ADULT STEM CELL THERAPY IS AVAILABLE NOW!

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Genetics 7C Genetic Engineering

By: Matthew Moorman

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Genetics 7C Genetic Engineering - Video

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Simple Mendelian genetics problems

By: Nikolay #39;s Genetics Lessons

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Simple Mendelian genetics problems - Video

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Real Genetics - Fitness, Ernhrung, Diten und Lifestyle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Real-Genetics/479106178904413 Du mchtest in 12 Wochen fit sein? Egal ob massiver Muskelaufbau oder Fettverlust - Alles ist mglich, ob Zuhause...

By: Real Genetics

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Real Genetics - Fitness, Ernhrung, Diten und Lifestyle - Video

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Genetic Testing

By: FOX 4 News

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Genetic Testing - Video

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Prostate Cancer Genetic testing
ProstateHealth UK offers a state of the art prostate cancer screening service to men over the age of 40, currently not available on the NHS. Long term survival rates from prostate cancer are...

By: ProstateHealth UK

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Prostate Cancer Genetic testing - Video

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Genetic testing technologies
Howard Levy, MD, PhD discusses approaches to assessing genetic tests, including consideration of clinical utility, decision-making about selecting the best test for a patient, and the role...

By: The Jackson Laboratory

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Genetic testing technologies - Video

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A New Price Tag for Breast Cancer Genetic Testing
http://www.dailyrxnews.com/color-genomics-offer-low-cost-analysis-genetic-risk-breast-and-ovarian-cancers A $4000 price tag might seem steep for genomic testing for breast or ovarian cancer....

By: dailyRx

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A New Price Tag for Breast Cancer Genetic Testing - Video

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