Latest SciTech Headlines

Gene that Improves Quality of Reprogrammed Stem Cells Identified

Singapore (Scicasts) - Scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have reported that a genetic molecule, called Tbx3, which is crucial for many aspects of early developmental processes in mammals, significantly improves the quality of stem cells that have been reprogrammed from differentiated cells. The report was published in the 7 Feb. 2010 issue of the journal Nature.

TGen Finalizes Alliance with Van Andel Research Institute

Phoenix, AZ (Scicasts) - The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) has announced the completion of a strategic alliance and affiliation agreement with the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) that will maximize the research capabilities of both non-profit institutes.

TGen and Geisinger Health System Announce Strategic Partnership

Phoenix, AZ and Danville, PA (Scicasts) - The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Geisinger Health System have announced the signing of a strategic research agreement that provides for a focused look at the gaps in clinical medicine where biomedical research can make a difference.

Finland Invests €1.85 Million in pan-European Infrastructure for Biomedical Research

Helsinki, Finland (Scicasts) - Finland has made its first specific commitment to the development of European biomedical research infrastructures (BMS ESFRIs) by supporting a joint pilot infrastructure project in bioinformatics (ELIXIR), biobanking (BBMRI) and translational research (EATRIS), according to a report from University of Helsinki. The initial commitment of 1.85 M€ is to support preparation and pilot studies in 2010.

Scientists Develop New Computational Model to Predict Gene Function

Palo Alto, CA (Scicasts) - According to a report from the Carnegie Institution, scientists have created a new computational model that can be used to predict gene function of uncharacterized plant genes with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The network, dubbed AraNet, has over 19,600 genes associated to each other by over 1 million links and can increase the discovery rate of new genes affiliated with a given trait tenfold. It is a huge boost to fundamental plant biology and agricultural research.

Scientists Map Out Regulatory Regions of Genome, Hot Spots for Diabetes Genes

Chapel Hill, NC (Scicasts) - Together with colleagues in Barcelona, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have generated a complete map of the areas of the genome that control which genes are "turned on" or "off." The discovery, made in pancreatic islet cells, opens new avenues for understanding the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes and other common illnesses.

UC Riverside Establishes New Stem Cell Core Facility

Riverside, CA (Scicasts) - Stem cell research at the University of California, Riverside is about to gather speed thanks to the establishment of a new Stem Cell Core Facility (SCCF) – a shared facility providing infrastructure, equipment, and trained personnel for doing stem cell research that ordinarily would not be available in most laboratories.

Syrris Establishes Brazilian Subsidiary

Royston, UK (Scicasts) - Syrris, a chemistry automation product innovator, has announced that it has established its new Brazilian subsidiary. With offices on four continents and an expanding distributor network, the new office in São Paulo will enable Syrris to provide efficient and direct support to its rapidly expanding Latin American customer base.

 

Researchers Develop New Tool for Gene Delivery

Boston, MA (Scicasts) - According to a report from Tufts University, researchers at the Institute have developed a new tool for gene therapy that significantly increases gene delivery to cells in the retina compared to other carriers and DNA alone. The study was published in the January issue of The Journal of Gene Medicine. The tool, a peptide called PEG-POD, provides a vehicle for therapeutic genes and may help researchers develop therapies for degenerative eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.

New Computational Tool for Cancer Treatment

New York (Scicasts) - Many human tumours express indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme which mediates an immune-escape in several cancer types. Researchers in the Molecular Modelling group at the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and Dr. Benoît J. Van den Eynde's group at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd (LICR) Brussels Branch developed an approach for creating new IDO inhibitors by computer-assisted structure-based drug design. The study was presented in the January 2010 online issue of the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Life Technologies Announces SOLiD 4 System

Carlsbad, CA (Scicasts) - Life Technologies, a provider of innovative life science solutions, has announced a series of investments and new technologies designed to extend the use of sequencing in the research arena and make it more relevant for physicians.

Microbes Produce Fuels Directly from Biomass

Berkeley, CA (Scicasts) - A collaboration led by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) has developed a microbe that can produce an advanced biofuel directly from biomass. Deploying the tools of synthetic biology, the JBEI researchers engineered a strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to produce biodiesel fuel and other important chemicals derived from fatty acids.

Scientists Track Evolution and Transmission of MRSA

Hinxton, UK (Scicasts) - A team of researchers has, for the first time, shown how transmission of MRSA from one person to another can be precisely tracked in a hospital setting. Using a new method which they developed the team were able to 'zoom' from large-scale inter-continental transmission events to the much finer detail of person-to-person infection of MRSA within a single hospital.

Scientists Hack into Communication Systems of Cells

Hamburg, Germany (Scientists) - Cells rely on a range of signaling systems to communicate with each other and to control their own internal workings. According to a report from he European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Hamburg, Germany, scientists from the Institute have now found a way to hack into a vital communications system, raising the possibility of developing new drugs to tackle disorders like neurodegeneration, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

In a study published this week in Science Signaling, they have pieced together the first snapshot of what two of the system's components look like while interacting.

Apple Launches the iPad

Maxiwill.com - Apple have announced today the release of what the company describes as the revolutionary device for browsing the web, the iPad. In addition to its advanced web browsing capabilities, the iPad was also designed for sending emails, browsing through photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and more.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

Scientists Achieve First Rewire of Genetic Switches

Manchester, UK (Scicasts) - According to a report from the University of Manchester, researchers at the Institute have successfully carried out the first rewire of genetic switches, creating what could be a vital tool for the development of new drugs and even future gene therapies.

Researchers Uncover Novel Genetic Markers for Diabetes-related Traits

Hinxton, UK (Scicasts) - In two major studies published in Nature Genetics, researchers use biological understanding to dissect the genetics of diabetes. An international team comprising researchers from more than 100 institutions analyzed vast suites of genetic data from more than 100,000 people of European descent to uncover the associations.

The Institute of Cancer Research Selects SGI Altix UV to Support Research

Fremont, CA and Reading, UK (Scicasts) - SGI has announced that the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) has selected SGI Altix UV, based on Intel Xeon processors (codenamed Nehalem-EX), to support its future life-saving research. The ICR joins the growing list of globally significant high performance computing (HPC) facilities embracing Altix UV as the future of open, high performance, big-memory supercomputing.

Rare Genetic Variants Create "Synthetic" Genome-Wide Signals of Disease Risk

Durham, NC (Scicasts) - Scientists at Duke University Medical Center say they are now convinced that rare genetic variants -- as opposed to more common ones -- lie at the heart of the genetic component of most common diseases.

Illuminating Protein Networks in 1 Step

Chicago, IL (Scicasts) - A team of researchers at the University of Chicago has developed a new assay capable of examining hundreds of proteins at once and enabling new experiments that could dramatically change our understanding of cancer and other diseases, according to a report from the Institute.