Stem Cell Research
Transplanted lung cells derived from embyronic stem cells were used to halt acute lung damage in mice. Story
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has won $10 million from the National Institutes of Health to expand its work on stem cells. The newly established Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research will use the money to create new labs. Report
Stemgent and Pfizer have inked a commercial pact to market reagents Pfizer develops to researchers engaged in stem cell work. Release
Genetics
A gene variant already linked to obesity and carried by one third of society has now also been associated with the loss of brain tissue, a condition that may lead to Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases. Report
Exposure to smoke changes the way genes function in female mice, an insight that may explain rising rates of lung cancer in women. Story
Two new studies point to a variant of the LIPC gene as a possible cause of age-related macular degeneration. Report
Male infertility caused by a missing gene could be repaired by simply treating patients with omega-3 fatty acids. Story
Cancer Research
The osteoporosis drug raloxifene reduced the risk of breast cancer by 38 percent, according to researchers, and did it without serious side effects noted in similar medications. Report
A new study of nine different genes helped identify groups of patients who would not benefit from Vectibix, another example of the kind of work being done to personalize new oncology therapies. Story