Genome is the total genetic content contained in a haploid set of chromosomes in eukaryotes, in a single chromosome in bacteria, or in the DNA or RNA of viruses.
Scientists discover genetic variant tied to increased stroke risk – First study to identify common variant influencing susceptibility in US. – Scientists have identified a previously unknown connection between two genetic variants and an increased risk of stroke, providing strong evidence for the existence of specific genes that help explain the genetic component of stroke.
Getting down to cancer basics — Cancer mutations in the heart of gene regulation. – Researchers have identified a new cancer gene – one that is common to many cancers and affects the most basic regulation of our genes.
Human Genome Sciences Announces Positive Results In Second Of Two Phase 3 Trials Of Albuferon(R) In Chronic Hepatitis C – Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) announced that Albuferon (albinterferon alfa-2b) met its primary endpoint of non-inferiority to peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) in ACHIEVE 1, a Phase 3 clinical trial of Albuferon in combination with ribavirin in treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (p=0.0008).
A slightly altered HIV-1 strain can infect pig-tailed macaques in the first animal model for human immunodeficiency virus infection. – By altering just one gene in HIV-1, scientists have succeeded in infecting pig-tailed macaque monkeys with a human version of the virus that has until now been impossible to study directly in animals.
Low levels of vitamin B12 may increase risk for neural tube defects; Vegans, vegetarians may be at risk. – Children born to women who have low blood levels of vitamin B12 shortly before and after conception may have an increased risk of a neural tube defect, according to an analysis by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Trinity College Dublin, and the Health Research Board of Ireland.
Evolutionary biologist will study HIV with grant from AIDS research foundation – Dr. Sara Sawyer will use a $120,000 grant from the Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) to study how the HIV virus and the cells it attacks have evolved together over time. The goal of her research is to discover new targets for drugs.
The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and 454 Life Sciences Corp. have completed a draft sequence of the Neandertal genome – The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in Leipzig, Germany, and the 454 Life Sciences Corporation, in Branford, Connecticut, will announce on 12 February during the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and at a simultaneous European press briefing that they have completed a first draft version of the Neandertal genome.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA Approves Orphan Drug ATryn to Treat Rare Clotting Disorder – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its first approval for a biological product produced by genetically engineered (GE) animals.
Obesity starts in the head? Six newly discovered genes for obesity have a neural effect – Obesity is known to increase the risk of chronic disorders, such as diabetes (type 2). An international team of scientists with German participation through the Helmholtz Zentrum M?nchen identified six new obesity genes.
Few DNA repair genes maintain association with cancer in field synopsis – Variants of numerous DNA repair genes initially appeared to be statistically significantly associated with cancer risk in epidemiological studies.
