news archive genetic news - May 17, 2005

May 17, 2005

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Call for Assistant News Editors Join our editorial team
-	Disentangling Fetal And Maternal Susceptibility For Pre-Eclampsia The Genetics of Pre-Eclampsia (GOPEC) collaboration aims to identify genetic factors in U.K. families affected by pre-eclampsia.
-	Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome and the Monocarboxylate Transporter 8 (MCT8) Gene Disturbances in blood levels of thyroid hormones suggest the possibility of systematic detection through screening of high-risk populations.
-	Mapping Of A Single Locus Capable Of Complementing The Defective Heterochromatin Phenotype Of RS Cells Complementation of this abnormal cytogenetic phenotype was used as a means to identify a specific region of the normal human genome capable of rendering phenotypic correction.
-	Brain Changes Over The Menstrual Cycle Report may provide a molecular basis for some of the hormonal fluctuations over the course of the menstrual (or estrus) cycle.
-	Race-Related Brain Activity Report shows that the brain area called the amygdale, that is involved in emotional processing, is activated in response to pictures of same-race faces.
-	Wiring The Brain For Depression Healthy carriers of a gene that increases the risk of depression have altered activity in brain circuits involved in emotion.
-	Human Trial Shows Potential And Limitations Of Anti-HIV Antibodies A clinical trial in a small group of HIV-1 infected patients has provided the first direct proof in humans that antibodies can control the virus -- but only for a very short time.
-	Stiff Handling Of Genes The efficacy of materials for carrying genes into cells may be determined more by their stiffness than by their chemical properties.
-	Bacterial Trojan Horses New work identifies an important molecule to target against Brucella infections in both humans and animals.
-	RNA Enzymes Use Acid Researchers show how a RNA molecule from the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) uses an acidic group to accelerate a chemical reaction central to its life cycle.
-	Fat: The Big Picture Research identifies the network of genes required for early steps in the development of brown fat cells.
-	Molecule That Induces Tumour Regression A promising approach to eliminate cancer cells is to trigger cell death (apoptosis) with inhibitors that bind to and block anti-apoptotic proteins that help keep cancer cells alive.
-	Interactions Between Separate Chromosomes Might Control Gene Expression Physical interaction between chromosomes might play an important role in coordinating gene expression in the nucleus of higher organisms.
-	Insulin Triggers Autoimmune Response In Diabetes Two groups of researchers provide convincing proof that insulin itself initiates the devastating autoimmune response associated with Type I Diabetes.
-	New Disease/Phenotype Technical Standards And Guidelines Now Available On-Line Prenatal Screening for Down Syndrome, Open Neural Tube Defects, Venous Thromboembolism
-	ACMG's Revised Guidelines For Cystic Fibrosis Population Carrier Testing Link to free copy of the guidelines is provided in this posted summary.