Fruit fly gene will aid quest for new cancer drugs; Early-stage eye precursor grown in the lab;

Cancer

> Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have determined a linking between aging of normal cells and the growth of cancerous tumors and their subsequent metastasis. Release

> Scientists at Loyola University in Illinois have identified a fruit fly gene that they believe can help in the development of new cancer drugs. Release

Stem Cells

> Yoshiki Sasai of the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, has grown the precursor of a human eye in the lab, using embryonic stem cells, Nature reports. Story

> Stem cell researchers are urging the European parliament not to cut off funding for human embryonic stem cell research in response to anti-abortion protestors who want support for the field to stop. Story

Genetics

> An international team of researchers based in the U.K. reveal they've determined a way to sequence genomes of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest and most common form of malaria, using patient blood samples, National Public Radio reports. Story

> The European Society of Human Genetics has condemned the use of genetic testing to establish "racial purity," based on an incident in Hungary. Release