news archive genetic news - April 3, 2009

April 3, 2009

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Nature Network: A platform for the interactions of scientists A new online platform for the interactions between scientists
-	Rethinking Tumour Spread Scientist proposes a drastic change in how we view metastatic spread, which has important implications for the treatment of patients with cancer.
-	Pluripotency by Piggybac Researchers have developed a method to create induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with an unmodified genome.
-	Finding Footprints in the Genome A method for measuring in vivo protein occupancy in the entire yeast genome is presented in a study.
-	Softening Bone A molecular mechanism that promotes bone destruction could be harnessed to combat osteoporosis.
-	A New Treatment for Arrhythmia A drug currently available in the clinic could be used to treat patients with an inherited form of cardiac arrhythmia.
-	Unexpected Tumour Growth? Blood vessel inhibitors have been pursued as anticancer agents, but in low doses they may actually promote blood-vessel formation and tumour growth in mice.
-	A Secret Doorway into the Brain Scientists have identified how immune cells bypass the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain, which in turn allows other immune cells to enter the brain and cause disease.
-	New Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Several new regions of the genome that predispose to breast cancer have been identified in two large studies.
-	Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Health Several genetic variants that predispose individuals to sudden cardiac death have been identified in two studies published online.
-	Stem Cells Generate Intestine Cultured intestinal stem cells can be coaxed to produce the many different cell types that make up the intestinal epithelium.
-	Peek-A-Boo Perception From a young age, children with autism have an altered perception of biological motion - an ability that assists interaction with other living beings and is linked to social understanding.
-	Molecule Implicated in Stem Cell Engraftment A signalling pathway that helps to regulate the movement of blood-forming stem cells in the body is revealed.
-	Light Switch for Brain Signalling Pathways A new method uses light to turn specific intracellular signalling pathways on and off in live, behaving animals.