Cancer Research
> The Mayo Clinic has started the BEAUTY Project, or the Breast Cancer Genome Guided Therapy Study, which will help physicians choose chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer patients based on their patients' individual and tumor genomes. Release
> Certain genes acting as molecular "on/off" switches can help define clinically relevant molecular subtypes of ovarian cancer, offering potential targets for both diagnostic testing and determining a patient's prognosis, Duke University researchers have found. Release
Stem Cells
> Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University stem cell researchers created lung surface tissue using pluripotent stem cells generated from the skin cells of patients with cystic fibrosis, a major step toward developing a drug to control the fatal lung disease. Release
> Researchers at Vanderbilt University believe mutations in intestinal stem cells could be key in the development of colorectal cancer. Story
Genetics
> Two genetic variations appear to boost the risk of childhood obesity. Story
> Diet may help correct some unhealthy gene mutations, according to new research from the University of California, Berkeley. Story
And Finally... EpiVax in Providence, RI has obtained a new, $1.5 million NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant to help fuel its Tregitope treatment for autoimmune diseases through preclinical studies. An additional $775,000 SBIR grant is expected later this year, the company says. Release