news archive genetic news - April 26, 2006

April 26, 2006

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	A Text-Mining Analysis Of The Human Phenome Scientists have used text mining to classify over 5000 human phenotypes contained in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database.
-	Schizophrenia Genetics: Uncovering Positional Candidate Genes Reports outlines the evidence supporting each of the proposed positional candidate genes.
-	A Novel Mutation In JARID1C Gene Associated With Mental Retardation Report presents results obtained by screening the JARID1C gene in 24 mentally retarded males with history of at least two affected males.
-	Neural Effects Of Cocaine Withdrawal Scientists describe a mechanism in the brain that may contribute to the cue-triggered drug seeking during abstinence.
-	Teaching Transplant Tolerance Study explains how specific immune cells help to make transplanted donor tissue 'tolerable'.
-	Natural Memory Natural killer (NK) cells, an important component of the immune system, can 'remember' prior exposure to foreign molecules.
-	Genome Wide Profiling Of Chromatin Elements A new study reports the binding profile of proteins involved in organizing the structure of DNA in the Drosophila genome.
-	New Link To Insulin Sensitization A new component involved in the regulation of an adipose-tissue hormone linked to insulin action.
-	Better Detection To Tackle Bioterrorism Scientists have developed a test that is at least a thousand times more sensitive than the best current approaches for detecting in the field trace quantities of cholera and botulinum toxins.
-	Stem Cells And Leukaemia Study shows that a signalling molecule known as phosphatase and tensin homologue, or PTEN,is crucial in keeping in balance the normal expansion of cell numbers in the bone marrow proliferation pathway.
-	Regular Recycling Saves Lives Two research papers suggest that the process of protein degradation and clearance of cellular components may be more important in maintaining the nervous system and keeping neurodegeneration at bay than was previously understood.
-	Keeping Stem Cells In Check A group of proteins has been shown to help hold the reins on embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation.
-	Metabolic Phenotype Predicts Drug Response European team proposes a new way to personalize drug therapy based on a patient's metabolic phenotype.
-	Evading The Immune System To Deliver Viral Antibodies A virus that shows promise as a means of vaccine delivery of HIV-1 antigens could be altered to become effective in a larger portion of the population.
-	Triggering Insulin Resistance Study identifies reactive oxygen species as key players in the development of insulin resistance.
-	Identifying The Function Of p110-alpha AOP One form of the enzyme p110-alpha PI(3)K is vital for cell growth and metabolism.
-	A Matter Of Taste An identical variability in taste sensitivity evolved independently in chimpanzees and humans.