news archive genetic news - November 9, 2006

November 9, 2006

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Retinal transplants may help restore sight British scientists have discovered non-dividing retinal cells implanted into adult mouse retina can generate new photoreceptors
-	Genetic Risk For Schizophrenia And Brain Function Variation in a gene linked with schizophrenia is associated with the occurrence of psychotic symptoms and cognitive deficits, along with reduced activity in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
-	Redefining Receptor Organization - Again Serious doubt is cast on widely accepted models of how a crucial class of cell surface receptors organizes itself.
-	Knocking Out False Positives In Interaction Proteomics A new method for identifying, with very high confidence, cellular proteins that naturally interact with each other is described.
-	A Potential Male Contraceptive Scientists report that it is possible to induce infertility in rats by specifically targeting germ cell adhesion in the testis.
-	Benefits Of Fever Developing a fever gives the immune system a boost.
-	Kidney Disease Caused By Mutation May Be Reversible The identification of a new genetic cause of a damaging kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, is reported.
-	Small RNAs Drive Evolution Scientists report new evidence supporting the importance of a class of small RNA molecules in human evolution.
-	Towards A Complete Human 'Epigenome' The DNA methylation profile of three human chromosomes is reported.
-	New Sonic Hedgehog Receptor A new receptor for the sonic hedgehog protein, that helps control nerve growth, is described in a report published online.
-	Drug Duo Could Combat Retinal Cancers Researchers provide evidence implicating inactivation of the tumour suppressor gene p53 in retinoblastoma.
-	DNA Degradation Link To Rheumatoid Arthritis A failure to degrade DNA properly may contribute to the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
-	Gene Therapy By Membrane-Expressed Superantigen For Alpha-Fetoprotein-Producing Hepatocellular Carcinoma Research findings suggest that membrane-expressed Staphylococcus enterotoxin A (SEA) by adenovirus can generate stronger local and systemic antitumor responses against Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
-	Antisense Smo Under The Control Of The PTCH1 Promoter Delivered By An Adenoviral Vector Inhibits The Growth Of Human Pancreatic Cancer Researchers develop a cell-specific cytotoxic model for the treatment of human pancreatic cancer.
-	X PRIZE for Genomics Launched $10 Million Archon X PRIZE for Genomics Challenges Private Companies to Map 100 Human Genomes in 10 Days