news archive genetic news - February 7, 2008

February 7, 2008

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	SARS Virus Entry Into Cells Involves Lipid Rafts Lipid rafts have a key role when host cells are invaded by the SARS virus.
-	Leukaemia Relapses Linked To DNA Repair Problems Scientists have shown a link between acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive cancer of the blood, and mutant genes in the DNA mismatch repair pathway.
-	DNA Braces For Change Dynamic DNA nanostructures can change their shape in response to specific molecular signals.
-	Going Beyond p53's Role In Cancer The tumour suppressor p53 has physiological roles beyond cancer.
-	Natural Selection Shapes Modern Human Populations Natural selection has influenced the morphological and disease-related diversity of modern human populations.
-	Amyloid Inhibitors Are Aggregates Too A new understanding of the way protein inhibitors work may have major implications in the development of drugs for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
-	TBK1 Is Doubly Important Research demonstrates how DNA vaccines may induce adaptive immune responses.
-	The Plaque To Dementia Recent questions as to the role of amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease are addressed.
-	Circadian Rhythms The release of blood stem cells into the bloodstream is regulated by circadian rhythms.
-	Controlling A Double-Edged Sword Two papers offer valuable insight into how the key protein, known as SIRT1, is regulated.
-	DNA Blueprint For Crystallization Two papers describe the programming of encodable interactions between nanoscale building blocks achieved by exploiting the recognition capabilities of DNA base pairing to direct assembly.
-	Sugar Rush To Protect The Heart Research uncovers an emergency strategy that the heart muscle uses to protect itself under such circumstances - enlisting molecules that help to keep it supplied with vital energy.
-	New Cells' Effect On Learning The deletion of a protein required for the proliferation of adult neural stem cells in mice appears to affect spatial learning and memory.
-	Depression Relinquishes Secrets To Imaging Functional imaging distinguishes between geriatric patients who respond to antidepressant drug therapy and those who do not.