news archive genetic news - September 23, 2003

September 23, 2003

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	How HIV Infection Kills Brain Cells A potent neurotoxin produced by a complex interaction of signals from non-neuronal brain cells may be the cause of the development of dementia due to the death of neurons in the brain.
-	Persistent Infection Impairs The Immune System Scientists have identified persistent infection as the major factor accounting for impaired T cell responses observed in certain infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and cancers.
-	Gene Associated With Susceptibility To Common Form Of Stroke Scientists have identified a gene that is associated with susceptibility to stroke.
-	Gene Sequences Of Two Parasites That Cause Schistosomiasis Two groups report on the sequencing and analysis of most of the genes found in two of the parasites that cause schistosomiasis, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world.
-	Therapeutic Cloning In Parkinsonian Mice In the first example of therapeutic cloning for treating a brain disorder, scientists have used dopamine neurons derived from cloned mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells to treat mice with a Parkinson-like condition.
-	Cell Suffocation May Cause Cancer Spread Starving tumour cells of oxygen may trigger their spread to other bodily organs.
-	Unhelpful Hedgehogs Cause Cancer High levels of a protein known as Sonic hedgehog (SHH) may trigger certain forms of digestive tract tumour.