news archive genetic news - July 30, 2009

July 30, 2009

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Exploring Exploration Scientists show that a gene regulating dopamine breakdown is predictive of how likely people are to explore alternative strategies when uncertain about current strategy.
-	The Immunology of Obesity The potential mechanism by which chronic, mild inflammation of fat tissue in obese patients promotes the onset of diabetes, is reported in a series of studies published online.
-	Why Did the HIV Vaccine STEP Trial Fail? Two papers rule out a leading explanation for the failure of the recent HIV STEP trial which represented a serious blow to the development of an AIDS vaccine.
-	Cell Source Matters for In Vitro Bone Growth The type of cell used to grow bone for tissue replacement in the lab makes a difference to the properties of the resulting material.
-	Suppressor Immune Cells: Friends or Foes? Regulatory T (Treg) cells, which are essential to prevent catastrophic autoimmunity in mice and humans, can in some cases convert into inflammatory T cells capable of exacerbating autoimmunity.
-	A Genetic Susceptibility Locus for Follicular Lymphoma A common genetic variant is associated with risk for follicular lymphoma (FL).
-	Chromosomes, Know Your Place A catalogue of factors that help to keep the order of genes on chromosomes 'in their place' and so prevent genomic instability is revealed.
-	Alzheimer's Gene Linked to Neurotransmitter Release A gene best known for its link to Alzheimer's disease is now shown to be essential for regulating neurotransmitter release.
-	Looking for Clues to Extending Life Scientists discuss recent progress in mammalian sirtuin research and what role these enzymes may have in age-related diseases and how long we live.
-	Live Mice from Fibroblast Stem cells induced from somatic cells can be as pluripotent as stem cells extracted from embryos.
-	New Function for Classic Tumour Suppressor Protein The tumour suppressor protein p53 may have a previously unappreciated role in the processing of miRNAs.
-	Possible Mechanism for Blood Cancer Type A new molecular mechanism may underlie a diverse group of blood cancers called myelodysplastic syndromes.