 |
|
Junk DNA may prove invaluable in quest for gene therapies
September 22, 2009Scientists have identified how a protein enables sections of so-called junk DNA to be cut and pasted within genetic code - a finding which could speed development of gene therapies.
The study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh sheds light on the process, known as DNA transposition, in which shifted genes have a significant effect on the behaviour of neighbouring genes. In the human genome, rearrangement of antibody genes can enable the immune system to target infection more effectively.
The cut-and-paste property of shifted DNA is now being used to develop tools for scientific research and medical applications. Learning more about transposition could help scientists understand how to control the process and speed the development of gene therapies - which introduce into cells genes with beneficial properties that, for example, can fight hereditary diseases or cancer.
Junk DNA, which accounts for almost half of the human genome, was originally believed to have no purpose. However, it is now emerging that movement of junk DNA, in a cut-and-paste mechanism, can lead to beneficial changes in cells.
Dr Julia Richardson of the University's School of Biological Sciences, who led the study, said: "By forming a picture of the enzyme that causes DNA to shift, and discovering how this works, we understand more about how these proteins could be adapted and controlled. This may one day enable genes to be pasted into cells exactly where they are needed - which could be of enormous benefit in developing gene therapies."
University of Edinburgh
Gene Therapies Current Events and Gene Therapies News RSSCaltech researchers show efficacy of gene therapy in mouse models of Huntington's disease
Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have shown that a highly specific intrabody (an antibody fragment that works against a target inside a cell) is capable of stalling the development of Huntington's disease in a variety of mouse models.
Placental precursor stem cells require testosterone-free environment to survive
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), cells found in the layer of peripheral embryonic stem cells from which the placenta is formed, are thought to exhibit "immune privilege" that aids cell survivability and is potentially beneficial for cell and gene therapies.
Scientists decipher missing piece of first-responder DNA repair machine
Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Scripps Research Institute have uncovered the role played by the least-understood part of a first-responder molecule that rushes in to bind and repair breaks in DNA strands, a process that helps people avoid cancer.
Getting down to details
Dave Wilson was dissatisfied with blurry, low-sensitivity optical images of diseased tissues. So, four years ago he set out to create a better imager.
The 'see food' diet
Current research suggests that a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent one of the leading causes of legal blindness among the elderly.
Active genes discovered in the developing mammal brain
A study by scientists at Penn State provides new information about the genes that are involved in a mammal's early brain development, including those that contribute to neurological disorders.
Simulated gene therapy
In a recent issue of The Journal of Chemical Physics, published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), a group of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and Los Alamos National Laboratory describe the first comprehensive, molecular-level numerical study of gene therapy.
Singapore scientists synthesize gold to shed light on cells' inner workings
Highly fluorescent gold nanoclusters for sub-cellular imaging have been synthesized by researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN).
Team led by Scripps Scientists increases understanding of two types of blindness
Though based on mouse studies, the research bolsters the idea that humans suffering from these and other eye conditions may be able to help preserve function by adding antioxidants to their diet, and explains why this would work. The team also devised a new cell-based gene therapy technique that could eventually offer another option for arresting vision loss from these diseases.
Kidney function discovery sheds light on genetic complexity of disease
To find a cure for cancer, haemophilia and other diseases, researchers need to be looking for complex, interacting genetic factors, according to the authors of a new study.
More Gene Therapies Current Events and Gene Therapies News Articles
 |
Gene Therapy: Treating Disease by Repairing Genes (New Biology) by Joseph, Ph.D. Panno (Author) Many diseases are caused by a simple point mutation - they are the result of a single defective gene. Gene therapy is the attempt to replace a defective gene with a good copy or to add a good gene to compensate for the bad. Although this procedure has proven to be extremely hazardous, of all the technologies provided by the new biology, gene therapy holds much potential for curing disease. Dealing with one of the most controversial aspects of the new biology, Gene Therapy explores the development and future of this area of research and explains why it is considered such a promising branch of science. This encyclopedia presents an overview of genetic defects, viruses, and gene therapy in a way that students and general readers will find easy to understand. Comprehensive in scope, this book... |
 |
Gene and Cell Therapy: Therapeutic Mechanisms and Strategies, Third Edition by Nancy Smyth Templeton (Editor) Since the publication of the second edition of this book in 2004, gene therapy and cell therapy clinical trials have yielded some remarkable successes and some disappointing failures. Now in its third edition, Gene and Cell Therapy: Therapeutic Mechanisms and Strategies assembles many of the new technical advances in gene delivery, clinical applications, and new approaches to the regulation and modification of gene expression. New Topics Covered in this Edition: Gene and Cell Therapies for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases Clinical Trials Human Embryonic Stem Cells Tissue Engineering Combined with Cell Therapies Novel Polymers Relevant Nanotechnologies SiRNA Therapeutic Strategies Dendrimer Technologies Comprised of... |
 |
Gene Therapy for Cancer (Cancer Drug Discovery and Development) by Kelly K. Hunt (Editor), Stephan A. Vorburger (Editor), Stephen G. Swisher (Editor) The possibility of treating cancer, a disease frequently defined by |
|
Gene Therapy & Molecular Biology by Intl Soc Gene Therapy Mole Bio | |
 |
Jazz Therapy, Vol. 1: Smile by Gene Bertoncini & Roni Ben-Hur The first in a new series of fundraising CDs produced in association with the Jazz Foundation of America, and the first time these two popular guitarists have recorded together. Liner notes by Ira Gitler. Entire CD was played, recorded, packaged, and is being promoted on a pro-bono basis, raising funds for the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center's Dizzy Gillespie Fund. |
 |
Animal Cell Technology: From Biopharmaceuticals to Gene Therapy by Leda Castilho: (Author) Animal Cell Technology: from Biopharmaceuticals to Gene Therapy provides a comprehensive insight into biological and engineering concepts related to mammalian and insect cell technology, as well as an overview of the applications of animal cell technology. Part 1 of the book covers the Fundamentals upon which this technology is based and covers the science underpinning the technology. Part 2 covers the Applications from the production of therapeutic proteins to gene therapy. The authors of the chapters are internationally-recognized in the field of animal cell culture research and have extensive experience in the areas covered in their respective chapters. |
 |
Gene Therapy: Dawn of a New Age in Medicine (NCME Video 653) Also With: Kenneth W. Culver (Primary Contributor), Network For Continuing Medical Education (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Six Years of Gene Therapy Son of Rust (Primary Contributor) |
 |
Chromosome 11 Gene Therapy Sickle Cell Anemia Photographic Poster Print, 24x32 by Art.com Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on 'Artist Name' and 'Subject Categories' such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
 |
Charlie Rose (August 30, 2000) A rebroadcast of an interview that originally aired on June 21, 2000. Part three of the special edition series, "Mapping the Human Genome." First, three prominent scientists on how the decoding of the genome will lead to breakthroughs in the battle against disease. They are Dr. Harold Varmus, president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Arnold Levine, president of Rockefeller University, and Dr. Savio Woo, president of the American Society of Gene Therapy.||Then, Dr. James Watson, Nobel laureate, co-discoverer of the double-helix structure of DNA and president of Cold Springs Harbor Laboratory, discusses public and private genome projects and his new book, a collection of his essays over the years called A Passion for DNA. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |