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news archive May 2009

your information resource in human molecular genetics

2009-05-21

Experience-Dependent Brain Changes in Angelman Syndrome
Sensory-experience dependent modification of visual areas in the brain are disrupted in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome (AS).
Coordinated Memory
Brain areas known to be involved in emotions and learning are more coordinated with each other during learning.
Gene Transfer Protects Monkeys against SIV Infection
Delivering an antibody-coding gene to the muscle of monkeys protects them against the infection simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
Interleukin 17: A Jekyll and Hyde of the Immune System?
Interleukin 17 (IL-17) -- a soluble factor thought to promote inflammation and autoimmunity -- can actually suppress the onset of inflammatory bowel disease.
Gene Variants to Set Your Biological Clock By
Genes may provide some clues to the variation in the age at which a woman gets her first and last menstrual period according to five independent studies.
Genetic Differences in Blood Pressure Enough to Affect Heart Risks
Small genetic differences between individuals contribute small differences in blood pressure that are sufficient to present different risks of heart attack and stroke.
Dopamine Neurons Are a Mixed Bunch
Dopamine neurons are more heterogeneous than was previously thought.
Beating Heart Enhances Blood-Cell Formation
Biomechanical forces have a key role in the development of early blood cells.
Follow the Code
Certain forms of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) can result from misinterpretation of chromatin modifications.

2009-05-07

No Ticket No Entry
A gene 'ticket' that allows cancer cells admittance to the brain is reported in a paper published online.
Chromatin-Modification Link to Memory
A chromatin-modifying enzyme impairs memory formation in mice.
A Time to Stress
Exposure to stress affects the brain, but different brain areas are vulnerable at particular times in life.
The Dangers of Double Dipping
Analyses of data from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and studies tracking electrical activity in the brain can generate misleading results, suggests an article online.
Easing the Way to Pluripotency
Tools to selectively drive the expression of genes in pluripotent stem cells while leaving differentiated cells untouched are reported online.
A Primate-Specific Potassium Channel in Schizophrenia
A primate-specific variant of a potassium channel affects cerebral cortex function, cognition, neuronal physiology and risk of having schizophrenia.
High Rate of Chromosomal Instability in Human Embryos
Abnormal chromosome structure in early human embryos is quite common, according to a report online.
Genetic Factors for Common Traits in Asians
Scientists in Korea have carried out the first large screen of health-related genes in an East Asian population.
Sleep Disorder Associated With Autoimmune Response
An assault of the immune system on sleep centers of the brain may cause narcolepsy.
Energized by RNA
Scientists have discovered a new class of enzymes that use a type of RNA to make natural products.
Fresh Lead for Broad-Spectrum Huntington's Therapy
New findings may catalyze the development of drugs to treat Huntington's and other similar diseases.
Easing Inflammation
A new type of therapy that targets a key enzyme in a specific type of white blood cell eases inflammation in mice.
Protein Cocktail Directs Production of New Heart Cells
Researchers have discovered a cocktail of proteins that triggers the production of new heart muscle cells.
“The future of genetic studies of complex human diseases”: Drs. Merikangas and Risch talk about that influential paper 13 years later
hum-molgen.org is starting a series of interviews and discussions with authors of recent papers that have been highly influential in human molecular genetics.