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RNA Modification Influences Thousands of Genes

RNA Modification Influences Thousands of Genes

New York, NY (Scicasts) – Over the past decade, research in the field of epigenetics has revealed that chemically modified bases are abundant components of the human genome and has...

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Close-up of 2.5-cm-wide cell microarray. Each spot is printed with a different virus that overexpresses, or turns on, a kinase gene. In this image, cells are visualized using a fluorescent DNA stain, illustrating the precision with which cells can be localized on the microarray. Image: Courtesy of Kris Wood

Functional Genomics Gets Tiny

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Cambridge, MA (Scicasts) – A little more than a decade ago, researchers discovered an ancient mechanism that cells use to silence genes. Like a dimmer switch turning down a light, RNA interference (RNAi) dials down gene activity in simple organisms as well as in humans.

RNA Modification Influences Thousands of Genes

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New York, NY (Scicasts) – Over the past decade, research in the field of epigenetics has revealed that chemically modified bases are abundant components of the human genome and has forced us to abandon the notion we've had since high school genetics that DNA consists of only four bases.

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a special growth media. This bacteria can cause life-threatening infection, particularly in cystic fibrosis sufferers.  Image: Dr. Steve Diggle, the University of Nottingham, UK

Fighting Bacteria's Strength in Numbers

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Nottingham, UK (Scicasts) – Scientists at The University of Nottingham have opened the way for more accurate research into new ways to fight dangerous bacterial infections by proving a long-held theory about how bacteria communicate with each other.

Alexander B. Niculescu III, M.D., Ph.D. Image: Indiana University

Key Genes and Prototype Predictive Test for Schizophrenia Identified

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Indianapolis, IN (Scicasts) – An Indiana University-led research team, along with a group of national and international collaborators, has identified and prioritized a comprehensive group of genes most associated with schizophrenia that together can generate a score indicating whether an individual is at higher or lower risk of developing the disease.

This graphic depicts a new ultrasensitive biosensor that could open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer and 'personalized medicine' tailored to the specific biochemistry of individual patients. The device, called a Flexure-FET biosensor, could be several hundred times more sensitive than other biosensors. Image: Courtesy of Purdue University

New Biosensor Promising for Medical Diagnostics

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West Lafayette, IN (Scicasts) – Researchers have created an ultrasensitive biosensor that could open up new opportunities for early detection of cancer and "personalized medicine" tailored to the specific biochemistry of individual patients.

Image: University of Leeds

Different Mechanisms of Pain Revealed

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Leeds, UK (Scicasts) – Researchers at the University of Leeds have found a previously unknown mechanism through which pain is signalled by nerve cells – a discovery that could explain the current failings in the drug development process for painkillers and which may offer opportunities for a new approach.

An international team created drug candidates based on the naturally occurring C3a peptide, the chain of molecules shown here. The C3a peptide is a key player in regulating immune responses and drugs that enhance or block its effects could be useful in treating many inflammatory diseases.  Image: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Novel Drug candidates Offer New Route to Controlling Inflammation

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Princeton, NJ (Scicasts) – Pursuing a relatively untapped route for regulating the immune system, an international team of researchers has designed and conducted initial tests on molecules that have the potential to treat diseases involving inflammation, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke and sepsis.

Using very small amounts of tumor tissue collected by a needle biopsy, doctors can conduct gene expression profile testing to determine the likelihood that an ocular melanoma tumor will spread beyond the eye.  Image: Harbour laboratory

Genetic Test Identifies Eye Cancer Tumours Likely to Spread

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St. Louis, MO (Scicasts) – Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a genetic test that can accurately predict whether the most common form of eye cancer will spread to other parts of the body, particularly the liver.

Neil Hayes, MD, MPH. Image: UNC

Molecular Subtypes and Genetic Alterations May Determine Response to Lung Cancer Therapy

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Chapel Hill, NC (Scicasts) – Cancer therapies targeting specific molecular subtypes of the disease allow physicians to tailor treatment to a patient’s individual molecular profile. But scientists are finding that in many types of cancer the molecular subtypes are more varied than previously thought and contain further genetic alterations that can affect a patient’s response to therapy.