Gene Therapy Studies Show Improvemment in Muscle-Wasting November 16, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: genetics, gene therapy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, neurodegenerative, follistatin, myostatin
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A gene therapy treatment that stopped the breakdown of muscle in monkeys may lead to a build up of muscle too. The goal of the study is to improve muscle weakness caused by multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers used an engineered virus to transport a gene into the leg muscles of monkeys. The transported gene causes cells to produce follistatin, which interferes with myostatin. Myostatin breaks down muscle. While this treatment is still in the early experimental stages, it potentially holds significant promise. For more information, see ScienceDaily.
Advances in Gene Therapy November 10, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: genetics, HIV, gene therapy, adrenoleukodystrophy, ALD, Lorenzo’s Oil
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French researchers have reported an advance toward curing the rare, inherited brain-wasting illness, adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) using gene therapy. ALD, made famous by the movie Lorenzo’s Oil, slowly strips away layers of fatty acids protecting nerve fibers in the brain. Researchers used an experimental treatment that incorporated a deactivated version of the HIV virus. The deactivated HIV virus was used to carry genes to the patients’ stem cells. For more information, see Wired Science.
Cost of DNA Sequencing Falls Further November 9, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: DNA, DNA sequencing, genetics, genome
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This summer the cost of DNA sequencing was approximately $50,000. Last week, Complete Genomics, a California-based human genome sequencing company, announced in the journal Science that they have been able to sequence a human genome for approximately $4,400. The company’s goal was to reduce the cost of sequencing to $5,000. At this price drug researchers could affordably include genetic sequencing to explore disease triggers & target populations for therapy. For more information on this advance, see Fierce Biotech.
Genome 10K Project Launched November 5, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: DNA, DNA sequencing, genetics, genome, Genome 10K
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Genome 10K, a plan to map the genomes of all vertebrates from which cellular or tissue samples have been collected (both currently living & extinct), was announced today in the in the Journal of Heredity. An ambitious plan, given that only 27 vertebrate genomes have been fully sequenced so far, but advances in DNA sequencing will radically reduce the time and expense necessary for this project in future years. Scientists involved in the project state that this “genomic zoo” will help in discovering genes that trigger disease. It will also help explore the genetic development of such biological structures as wings, fins and arms. For more information, see e! Science News.
Scientists Decode DNA of Pig November 2, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: DNA, Duroc, genetics, H1N1, pigs
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An international group of scientists announced that they have decoded the DNA of the domestic pig. Pigs are often used in research due to their similarities to humans. Decoding their DNA could have a variety of potential uses for both humans and pigs, such as eventually helping develop a vaccine to protect pigs from the H1N1 virus. Scientists decoded the DNA from a red-haired Duroc pig, one of the five major breeds used in pork production.
Three Genes Determine Dogs’ Coat Type October 20, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: Biology, dogs, genetics
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University of Utah researchers recently published findings from a study that demonstrates only three genes, RSPO2, FGF5 and KRT71, control the seven types of coats found in purebred dogs. Variations in the genes control length, curl and texture. Of the three genes, RSPO2 is associated with dogs’ moustaches and large eyebrows. FGF5 is linked to fur length. KRT71 determines if the fur is curly. Texture is attached to both RSP02 and KRT71. While this information is interesting on its own, it also can help scientists understand complex human diseases that are caused by multiple genes. For more information, see Science Daily.
Craving a Fizzy Taste? October 16, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: carbonation, genetics
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Many of you have no doubt craved a fizzy soft drink, but perhaps instead of craving the cola taste you were craving the fizzy taste? That may sound strange, but scientists recently discovered that carbonation actually has a flavor and that our taste buds can, in fact, taste the carbon dioxide that gives drinks their fizz. Researchers studying mice, which have a similar sense of taste as humans, were able to determine that carbonation tastes sour. By eliminating a single gene, mice had their ability to taste sour things turned off and no longer responded to carbonation. The gene that was turned off encodes an enzyme that breaks down carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate and protons. The protons, which are essentially acid, are what the sour-sensitive taste cells appear to sense. For more information on the study, see Science Daily.
First Science Cafe of the Semester Tomorrow! September 14, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in FHSU Events, Science Cafe.Tags: FHSU, Kansas, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Year of Science 2009, genetics, Science Cafe, nematode, Konza Tallgrass Prairie, Mike Herman, Kansas State University
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Science Cafe, September 15 September 7, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in FHSU Events, Science Cafe.Tags: FHSU, Fort Hays State University, genetics, Hays, Kansas, Kansas State University, Konza Tallgrass Prairie, Mike Herman, nematode, Science Cafe, Year of Science 2009
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“USING GENOMICS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE”
Dr. Mike Herman, Department of Biology, Kansas State University
Dr. Herman is using resident nematode populations sampled from the Konza Tallgrass Prairie Biological Station near Manhattan, Kansas to link the responses of organisms to environmental change at the genetic level. He hypothesizes that different species may have varying genetic capacities to respond to changes in the environment; either by differences in the genes they possess or in how those genes are regulated. Learn more at his website.
Nematodes have successfully adapted to nearly every ecological niche from marine to freshwater, from the polar regions to the tropics, as well as from the highest to the lowest of elevations. They are ubiquitous in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments, where they often outnumber other animals in both individual and species counts, and are found in locations as diverse as Antarctica and oceanic trenches. They represent, for example, 90% of all life on the seafloor of the Earth. (cited from WIKIPEDIA.ORG)
DNA Sequencing Drops in Cost & Increases in Speed August 17, 2009
Posted by fhsukams in Science & Math Info.Tags: DNA, genetics, genome
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A Stanford University professor recently reported in the journal Nature Biotechnology that he was able to sequence his own DNA in a few weeks with 2 other team members at a cost of approximately $50,000. This is a significant drop even when compared to last year when DNA sequencing cost approximately $250,000 and would take a team of almost 200 people. Given the reduction in cost and personnel, researchers predict an explosion of DNA sequencing that will lead to disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment customized to an individual’s DNA. For more information, see ScienceDaily.
