Researchers have identified a core component of a conotoxin from marine snail venom that retains its pain-relieving properties after simplification. This modified conotoxin successfully treated pain in a laboratory rat model similar to human irritable bowel syndrome.
Researchers found that genetically modified cord blood cells carrying VEGF and GDNF transgenes can promote tissue sparing, axonal regeneration, and motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests these cells may be a promising strategy for enhancing posttraumatic spinal cord regeneration.
A new study shows that genetically modified pig hearts developed by US and LMU researchers can survive for more than 2½ years when transplanted into baboons. The findings demonstrate a promising breakthrough in xenotransplantation, with potential implications for human organ transplantation.
Scientists at EMBL have increased the efficiency of gene therapy tool Sleeping Beauty, which is being trialed for therapies targeting B-cell leukaemias and lymphomas. The enhancement results in a 30% increase in efficiency and aims to improve patient outcomes.
The researchers genetically modified cyanobacteria to produce enzymes for basic and fine chemicals, utilizing photosynthesis to supply energy. This approach shows promising potential for industrial applications by reducing unwanted by-products and increasing selectivity.
Cornell University has received a $4.8 million USAID grant to improve genetically engineered eggplant production in Bangladesh and the Philippines. The project aims to increase farmers' livelihoods by reducing yield losses and improving food security.
A Northwestern University study shows that engaging environment can alleviate depression in genetically depressed rats, suggesting that nurture can override nature. The study found that psychotherapy and behavioral activation therapy can change blood biomarkers for depression, potentially leading to more precise treatment.
Researchers at NC State University have genetically engineered green bottle fly larvae to produce and secrete human growth factor-BB, a molecule that promotes cell growth and wound healing. The modified maggots show promise for cost-effective wound treatment that could save people from amputation.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo discovered that calcium ions control sleep duration in mice by regulating the inflow and outflow of calcium ions into neurons. This finding has implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases associated with sleep disorders.
A study of over 30,000 women found that genetically elevated maternal body mass index and blood glucose levels are associated with higher offspring birth weight. In contrast, elevated maternal systolic blood pressure is linked to lower birth weight.
Scientists have developed a modified form of CRISPR that can silence genes in stem cells more efficiently and precisely than the original CRISPR-Cas9 system. This new technology allows for flexible gene suppression and reversal, enabling versatile investigations into genetic diseases.
Scientists have developed a genetically modified lime that produces anthocyanins, resulting in unique leaf pigmentation, flower coloration, and fruit pulp colors. The discovery opens up opportunities for new citrus fruits, ornamental plants, and potentially health-beneficial fresh produce.
Researchers have found a modified protein that can reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in lab rats. The protein, TRAIL, was coated with a polymer to extend its half-life, allowing it to effectively kill activated hepatic stellate cells and reduce signs of fibrosis.
Kyoto University engineers have developed genetically modified E. coli that produce thebaine, a morphine precursor, 300 times more efficiently than yeast. This breakthrough could lead to the production of painkillers from microbes with low regulatory risk.
The European Union's complex and unpredictable decision process is hindering the introduction of genetically modified trees to the market. The current procedure involves extensive risk analyses, which are costly and time-consuming, making it difficult for scientists to predict the long-term consequences of GM tree use.
Researchers found a dramatic increase in brain plaques when key immune cells are lacking in genetically modified mice, leading to new techniques to identify and treat individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer's. The study suggests the immune system plays a crucial role in clearing beta-amyloid from the brain.
Researchers at University of Maryland School Medicine have developed a new treatment for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) that uses genetically modified cows to produce anti-MERS antibodies. The treatment has shown promising results in mouse models, with the potential to be effective in humans.
Researchers at University College London have discovered a protein that drives chronic pain and offer a promising new treatment target. Inhibiting this protein substantially alleviated chronic pain in genetically modified mice with nerve damage and arthritic joints.
A recent research project by Bryan L. Stuart and colleagues found three distinct evolutionary lineages of Asian common toads, each with narrower geographical ranges and ecological niches, in mainland Southeast Asia, coastal Myanmar, and the Sundaic islands.
Scientists have gained insights into breathing signals during sleep, leading to potential new treatments for central sleep apnoea. Researchers used genetically modified mice to show that AMPK enzyme helps breathe faster in low oxygen environments.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that genetically modified oilseed crops can efficiently accumulate key health-beneficial omega-3 fatty acid EPA in mice. The study shows comparable benefits for liver health to eating oily fish, suggesting a potential alternative source to address the global dietary deficit.
Researchers have used genetic modification to create cattle with a gene resistant to the bacteria causing bovine tuberculosis. This advance supports the development of genetically modified animals as an effective tool against deadly bacterial infections in the livestock industry.
A team of researchers has successfully inserted the gene for Bt into a harmless bacterium, which can be used to deliver the protein to people afflicted with roundworms through dairy products or probiotics. This could provide an inexpensive treatment option for millions of people worldwide infected with intestinal nematodes and roundworms.
A team of researchers at UCSF developed ORACLs, a lineage of genetically modified cancer cells that change their appearance when treated with drugs, inspired by face-recognition software. These cells can quickly organize molecules in institutional compound libraries according to their biological function.
Researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital developed a suicide gene therapy that combines radiation treatment with a genetically modified virus to target and destroy cancer cells. The treatment shows high five-year overall survival rates of 97% and 94%, improving upon historical studies by 5-20%.
Researchers at Imperial College London have genetically modified Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes to be infertile, using a gene drive technology that can spread the trait rapidly. The goal is to reduce the spread of malaria parasites, which infect over 200 million people annually and cause 430,000 deaths.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed genetically modified citrus trees that exhibit enhanced resistance to greening, reducing disease severity and even remaining disease-free after 36 months. The study, published in PLOS ONE, used a gene isolated from Arabidopsis to create the new trees.
Cornell researchers modified stevia's component rebudioside A to dissipate its bitter components, reducing its aftertaste. The study's findings could encourage the beverage industry to adopt more stevia in their products.
Researchers used genetically-modified mice to study hereditary deafness caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Reducing enzyme activity in mice showed promise for preventing or delaying deafness, according to new research.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have found a new component of the interferon system that enhances the body's innate immune defenses while attacking a protein relied on by many viruses. This dual mechanism could lead to effective antiviral drugs and may explain improved survival rates in genetically engineered mice.
Researchers at Tulane National Primate Research Center are working on a new tuberculosis vaccine by modifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis to lose stress response gene SigmaH. Monkeys vaccinated with the modified strain showed better resistance to infection and protective immune responses in their lungs.
Researchers have successfully used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to eliminate porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) from pig epithelial cells. The study found that PERV infectivity was reduced by up to a thousand fold, making genetically modified pigs for human transplantation a promising option.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a genetically modified cassava variety that produces several-fold higher levels of vitamin B6, addressing the widespread deficiency in Africa. The new trait is stable under different conditions and has been confirmed to be bioavailable for human consumption.
SLU researchers suggest approach to fight common virus in immunosuppressed patients by targeting Type 1 interferon pathway. The study found that disrupting the STAT2 gene in Syrian hamsters resulted in 100-1,000 times more virus replication compared to wild-type control animals.
A Kansas State University biochemist has modified a nonfood oilseed crop to produce high levels of lipids with unique properties. The researchers achieved very high levels of an oil with reduced viscosity and improved cold temperature characteristics, making it suitable for biofuels, industrial applications, and even food-related uses.
Researchers found that genetically distinct cells in pregnant mothers, known as microchimeric cells, promote reproductive health and prevent pregnancy complications like prematurity and stillbirth. These cells help the immune system recognize and accept non-inherited maternal antigens, suppressing an immune system attack on the fetus.
Researchers at UTMB discovered a key mechanism behind developing allergic asthma and seasonal nasal allergies after exposure to airborne pollens like ragweed. The study found that neutrophils, white blood cells, attract in response to allergens, trigger inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells incorporate chemically modified nucleosides into their DNA, which is toxic to them. The study found that modifying these nucleosides could be used as a specific anti-cancer agent, exploiting epigenetic changes in cancer cells.
Researchers have discovered a potential new class of antibiotics inspired by sugar molecules produced by bacteria, offering a new hope in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs. The modified sugar molecules target a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall, killing the bacteria without developing resistance.
A small clinical trial suggests that a genetically-enhanced stem cell therapy can improve blood flow in the lungs and enhance exercise ability in patients with PAH. The therapy was generally well-tolerated, but one patient died after treatment due to severe disease progression.
Patients with advanced disease experienced significant clinical response after receiving genetically engineered T-cells. The therapy was generally well-tolerated and showed long-term ability to fight tumors.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have developed an experimental gene transfer-based treatment to deliver a missing gene into the cerebrospinal fluid of children with GAN. The treatment approach uses a genetically modified virus to deliver the gigaxonin gene, which is expected to pave the way for treatments for other related diseases.
Researchers developed an ultra-superovulation method to increase the number of eggs obtained from genetically modified mice, reducing the need for multiple females and improving efficiency in IVF and embryo transfers. The breakthrough could lead to a significant reduction in the number of experimental animals used in research.
Researchers warn that genetically modified salmonids may outcompete wild-type fish due to enhanced feeding motivation. However, increased aggression could expose them to greater predation risk, reducing their overall fitness.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum discovered that coral colonies have higher genetic diversity than assumed, with 24-47% of polyps being genetically different. This increased diversity may help corals adapt to environmental changes, but is it sufficient to compensate for the devastating effects of climate change?
Researchers have identified two genetically divergent subpopulations of P. knowlesi in human cases, each associated with a different species of reservoir host. This discovery highlights the complexity of zoonotic malaria transmission and may lead to new possibilities for parasite adaptation to humans.
Researchers at the University of Louisville have successfully treated stage IIIb to IV melanoma patients with a modified cold sore virus, resulting in improved survival rates. The therapy, talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), stimulates the immune system to fight cancer cells and has been shown to extend patient survival by 20 months.
A genetically engineered herpes virus has been shown to halt the progression of skin cancer by killing cancer cells and sparking an immune system response against tumours. The trial involved 436 patients and showed a durable treatment response in 16.3% of patients, with responses extending past three years.
A new study found that genetically modified corn's Cry1Ab toxin has little impact on the corn earworm, contradicting earlier predictions. The results suggest that pest resistance to GM crops may be more widespread than initially thought, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and research.
Biologists from KU Leuven found that water flea populations can rapidly adapt to rising temperatures and increased heat wave frequencies. The study, using 'resurrected' eggs, showed a 3.6°C increase in critical temperature for activity.
Wild-type zebrafish outcompete genetically modified Glofish for female mates due to aggressive mating behavior, resulting in the rapid decline and eventual disappearance of the GM trait. The study's findings support the idea that mate competition drives natural selection more effectively than mate choice.
A team of Belgian philosophers and plant biotechnologists explores the widespread anti-GMO sentiment, attributing it to cognitive processes and emotional representations. They argue that the public should form opinions on GMOs on a case-by-case basis, rather than focusing on the technology itself.
Researchers successfully migrated immune cells to tumor sites in patients with mesothelin-expressing tumors. The treatment showed no major adverse events, suggesting patients tolerated it well, with T cells targeting and surviving at tumor sites for up to 28 days.
A study of 647,457 patients on chronic dialysis found that genetically related family members have a 70% increased risk of cardiac arrest compared to unrelated patients. This increased risk is attributed to inherited genetic factors, which may contribute to the high mortality rate among dialysis patients.
Researchers have genetically modified Salmonella to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, offering a potential new therapy. The modified bacteria can target and destroy cancer cells while remaining safe for patients.
Researchers at MIPT have successfully grown fully functional cardiac tissues from cardiomyocytes using a genetically modified spider silk substrate. The study, published in PLOS ONE, demonstrates the potential for regenerative medicine to overcome transplant rejection by finding suitable substrates for cell growth.
A study by Professor Rama Khokha found that genetically modified mice without TIMP1 and TIMP3 experienced youthful breast tissue, with stem cells remaining functional throughout their lifetime. The results challenge the assumption that large numbers of stem cells increase cancer risk.
A lack of regulatory definition for natural foods has led to increased consumer lawsuits, forcing companies to reformulate products. The FDA and FTC have previously abandoned efforts to define natural products due to limited progress.
Scientists at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois have developed a new technique using gold nanoparticles to stimulate normal, non-genetically modified neurons with light. The technique shows great promise for potential therapeutic use in diseases such as macular degeneration.
A new study finds that genetically modified soybean oil causes obesity, pre-diabetes, and fatty liver in mice fed a high-fat diet, but has fewer negative metabolic consequences than regular soybean oil. The results suggest that genetic modification may not always lead to healthier products.