Stem Cell Research
WiCell Research Institute in Madison, WI, which distributes most of the stem cell lines currently approved for federal funding, says it also plans to house new stem cell lines created from a process that transforms skin cells into ESCs. Report
New studies underscore the promise of stem cells in treating heart disease, but also highlight the years of hard work that will be needed to answer some tough questions. Report
Dr Alan Colman, who runs A*STAR's Singapore Stem Cell Consortium, has been appointed chair of regenerative medicine and director of the Stem Cell Centre at King's College London. Report
Scientists in Korea and Scotland are collaborating on stem cell research. Report
Cancer Research
Scientists in the U.S. and Sweden have found a key gene--PTEN--that triggers a 'cascade of genetic miscues' that leads to one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. The work highlights a new target for drug discoverers. Report
Researchers for Chemgenex say that a new medicine kills cancer stem cells, inhibits cancer cell growth and inhibits the Mcl-1 protein found in leukemia and other cancers. Release
Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers have opened a new window into the roots of chronic myeloid leukemia. Release
Hope for a new sunscreen that can prevent and treat UV light--induced skin cancers has been provided by a new study in a mouse model of the disease by Mohammad Athar and colleagues at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. Release
Breeding mice with a gene for a cellular receptor that can be turned on and off-at will-not only enabled researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston to show how prostate cancer progresses, but also provides a model for studying when a drug targeting a gene will have an effect on the cancer. Release
A common chemical found in a host of plastic products and even in lipstick--butyl benzyl phthalate--predisposed animals to develop breast cancer. Report
Clinic researchers reported the discovery of a link between erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and leukemic transformation (conversion to leukemia) of the blood disorder myelofibrosis. Release
Genetics
An Israeli research team has concluded that a genetic variant may play a role in promoting altruism in people. People with a variant of the AVPR1 gene gave away 50 percent more money in the experiment than people without the variant. Report
Scientific advances in the field of genetics have created a thriving new profession: Genetics counselor. Article
The UK's Human Genetic Commission is calling for tougher regulation of genetic tests. Report
Scientists at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research say that they identified nine genetic markers that can increase a person's risk for schizophrenia. Release
More Research
Using computer simulations used in drug discovery work, scientists say they have developed a quick method for determining any side effects triggered by a drug already on the market. Report
Researchers at UC Davis Health System have discovered a novel pathway that results in increased inflammation of blood vessels in patients with type 1 diabetes. Their findings suggest that, with good diabetes control, this inflammation may be reduced, possibly resulting in a reduction of cardiovascular disease as well. Release
Problems with the enzyme Cdk5, needed to build the brain's communication network, may be at the root of autism and other brain disorders, according to a scientific team at MIT. Report
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin say that 'scrambled-up" polymers can kill bacteria, offering a new hope for combating antibiotic drug resistance. Report
Researchers may be able to develop an antidepressant which takes effect almost immediately by directly targeting novel molecules in the brain instead of taking a less direct route, which can lead to longer times for medication to take effect, according to a new study presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology annual meeting. Release