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Promising results reported in study of AAV-based gene delivery to treat methylmalonic acidemia

A new study in patients with methylmalonic acidemia found lower than expected levels of antibodies against adeno-associated viral vectors, suggesting encouraging implications for gene delivery as a treatment. The absence of AAV antibodies in most patients who lack the deficient enzyme has promising results for gene therapy.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateApr 5, 2016

Gene transfer shows promise for treating heart failure

A study published in JAMA Cardiology found that intracoronary gene transfer increased left ventricular function beyond standard heart failure therapy. The treatment, which involves introducing a specific protein into heart cells, showed significant benefits in patients with nonischemic heart failure.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateMar 30, 2016

Non-integrating viral vector delivers chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic cancer cells

Researchers develop integrase-defective lentiviral vector to deliver chemotherapy-sensitizing gene to pancreatic tumor cells, reducing risk of insertional mutagenesis. The system enables high efficacy delivery of the gene that encodes for DCK protein to cancer cells, making them more sensitive to chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine.

York research points to enhanced detection of Parkinson's

Biologists at the University of York have created a reliable method to detect Parkinson's disease by analyzing fruit flies' visual responses. The study used adapted methods from human vision research and found increased neuronal activity in 'young' flies with Parkinson's mutations, leading to an 85% accurate classification rate.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 25, 2015

Genetic switch detects TNT

A new genetic 'switch' device can detect damaging contaminants like TNT, offering a cheaper and easier method for cleaning up post-war explosive chemicals. The system is cell-free, specific, and requires minimal expertise, but further research is needed to refine its sensitivity.

A new cellular response to radiation exposure: Must we reconsider the risks of low doses?

Scientists at Helmholtz Munich discovered a novel lncRNA called PARTICLE that regulates cells' response to ionizing radiation by limiting DNA methylation. This finding contradicts the established LNT model and raises questions about the risk of low-dose radiation exposure.

Gene therapy pioneers Richard C. Mulligan and A. Dusty Miller reflect on their groundbreaking discovery

Pioneers in gene transfer technology, Drs. Mulligan and Miller developed the first DNA-based vectors to stably transfect cells with selectable markers. Their work laid the foundation for retroviral vector-based gene therapy strategies, leading to clinical testing and potential treatment of genetic diseases.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·DateFeb 5, 2015

WSU researchers find 'most famous wheat gene'

Researchers at Washington State University have found a key gene in wheat that can be used to transfer valuable traits from other plants, reducing crop losses and pesticide use. The discovery enables breeders to develop disease- and pest-resistant wheat varieties without the need for genetically modified organisms.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2014

Viruses with integrated gene switch

Researchers have successfully integrated RNA switches into viral genetic material to control gene expression, increasing the production of therapeutic genes by ten times. This technology has vast potential for various research and medical applications.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateAug 21, 2012

Diet counts: Iron intake in teen years can impact brain in later life

Researchers found that low iron levels in adolescence can affect the brain's physical structure, leading to changes in brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration. High iron levels during adolescence may also impact brain wiring and myelin production, potentially increasing the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2012

Gonorrhea acquires a piece of human DNA

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered the first evidence of a human DNA fragment in a bacterial genome, specifically Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This finding offers insight into the bacterium's ability to adapt to its human host and could lead to new strains of the disease.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalmBio·DateFeb 13, 2011