news archive genetic news - May 5, 2003

May 5, 2003

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Antisense RNA Causes Genetic Disease Scientists have uncovered a new mechanism for genetic diseases that involves antisense RNA -- an unusual form of RNA that blocks the expression of genes.
-	Anti-Cancer Drug Duo Delivers One-Two Punch A new type of drug decreases the damaging side-effects, and boosts the tumor-busting capacity, of interleukin-2, holding out promise for patients with certain types of cancer.
-	Understanding Autoimmune Disorders Alterations to a key gene may predispose some people to develop autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes.
-	Anthrax Killer Decoded The genome of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, has been sequenced. The results provide an insight into its biology and that of two related nasty relatives, and highlight potential genetic targets for vaccine and drug design.
-	Hearing Loss Rresearchers identify one key gene that seems to be closely linked to progressive hearing loss in mice.
-	Blood Stem Cell Signalling The signalling molecule Wnt may help blood stem cells to divide and self-renew