NIAID scientists propose new explanation for flu virus antigenic drift Oct 30, 2009
"This research elegantly combines modern genetic techniques with decades-old approaches to give us new insights into the mechanisms of antigenic drift and how influenza viruses elude the immune system," says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.. "No one is sure exactly how the antigenic drift of flu viruses happens in people," says Dr. Yewdell. (EurekAlert!)
UCSF, Stanford win science stimulus awards Sep 25, 2009
Those projects range from a study by a Stanford group led by associate professor of electrical engineer Krishna Shenoy to look at how the brain prepares and guides arm movements, to an attempt by UCSF s Dr. Nirao Shah, an assistant professor of anatomy, to develop genetic techniques to understand the neural circuits that enable animals to form long-lasting social attachments. Other Pioneer Award winners from Stanford are Dr. Marcus Covert, assistant professor of bioengineering; Dr. Ajay Chawla,... (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
Daily Bathroom Showers May Deliver Face Full Of Pathogens, Says Study Sep 16, 2009
In 2001 the National Academy of Sciences awarded Pace the Selman Waxman Award -- considered the nation's highest award in microbiology -- for pioneering the molecular genetic techniques he now uses to rapidly detect, identify and classify microbe species using nucleic acid technology without the need for lab cultivation. That same year he was awarded a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" for his work. (Science Daily)
Evolutionary Fate Of 'Useless' Traits: Why Some Traits Break Down Quickly While Others Persist Over Time Sep 12, 2009
"Until modern genetic techniques we never would have guessed that these big changes in the eyes could happen by such minor genetic changes," Lahti says. By studying relaxed selection in plants and animals in the wild, the authors hope to understand the consequences for humans as well. (Science Daily)
Structure of antibiotic ramoplanin reveals promising mechanism Aug 4, 2009
McCafferty's Duke group is also studying the biosynthesis of Ramoplanin using genetic techniques in the hopes that these methods will be used to prepare alternative versions of Ramoplanin produced by fermentation. "The total chemical synthesis of Ramoplanin consists of almost 100 chemical steps," he said. (EurekAlert!)
'Proof' malaria began in chimps Aug 4, 2009
Professor Brian Greenwood, a malaria expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "This is interesting work. "There has been dispute about how long falciparum has been around for and as genetic techniques get better we can get a more accurate idea. " Bookmark with: Print Sponsor SEE ALSO 15 Jun 09 | Health 29 May 09 | Asia-Pacific 04 Aug 08 | Health RELATED INTERNET LINKS The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites SHARED Police warn of teenage... (BBC News -- Health)
Total cure for fungal infections found Aug 1, 2009
IANS 1 August 2009, 09:15am IST. TORONTO: Fungal infections can be deadly as fungus germs have developed resistance to drug treatment. (India Times, India)
Croc Unlocked: A Gene Map for the Fashion Industry Jul 30, 2009
"If you know what genes are responsible for performance traits," she says, "you can select for them by genetic techniques." Her team has another paper coming out in Animal that identifies the location for a gene region linked to belly scales. But they'll have to keep honing the genetic map to find genes linked to growth rate and survival. (Scientific American)
What Drives Lung Cancer's Spread? Jul 4, 2009
26, 2008) New results on genetic techniques that are helping doctors diagnose and treat lung cancer have just been released. A new test helps make crucial distinctions between types of lung cancer. (Science Daily)
Scientists find bacterial zoo thrives in our skin (AP) Jun 22, 2009
Those numbers translated into roughly 1,000 strains, or species, of bacteria, Segre said, hundreds more than ever have been found on skin largely because the project used newer genetic techniques to locate them. Topography matters, a lot, the researchers reported. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Different Genes Cause Loss Of Body Parts Jun 5, 2009
" So some lake stickleback populations evolved without pelvises and pelvic spines because those without pelvic spines were more likely to survive. The new study involved mating two ninespine sticklebacks that evolved without pelvises: a male from Point MacKenzie, in Cook Inlet near Anchorage, Alaska, and a female from Fox Holes Lakes near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada. "The genetic techniques we use make it necessary to cross-breed animals," says Shapiro. "The techniques we use to... (Science Daily)
Mosquito Evolution Spells Trouble For Galapagos Wildlife Jun 2, 2009
Using genetic techniques, the researchers showed that the mosquito colonised the Galapagos around 200,000 years ago and was not introduced by humans as previously thought, giving them time to adapt to conditions in Galapagos. They have also found that unlike the mainland populations that normally live in mangroves and salt marshes along the coast, the Galapagos form of the mosquito can also breed up to 20 km inland and at altitudes of up to 700 metres. (Science Daily)
Australian Team Reveals World-first Discovery In A 'Floppy Baby' Syndrome May 26, 2009
" Heart actin is found in cardiac muscle and, during foetal development, it also works in skeletal muscles in the body, but by birth, heart actin has almost completely disappeared within skeletal muscle. Using genetic techniques, the WAIMR research team has reactivated the heart actin after birth in place of skeletal muscle actin, reversing the effects of the congenital myopathy. Head of the WAIMR research group Professor Nigel Laing said the team's next step was to apply their findings to human... (Science Daily)
New Energy Source? Bacteria Harvest Light May 5, 2009
They used genetic techniques to create a mutant bacterium with a more regular internal structure, cryo-electron microscopy to identify the larger distance constraints for the chlorosome, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to determine the structure of the chlorosome's component chlorophyll molecules, and modeling to bring together all of the pieces and create a final picture of the chlorosome. First, the team created a mutant bacterium in order to determine why the... (Science Daily)
Locking Parasites In Host Cell Could Be New Way To Fight Malaria Apr 13, 2009
12, 2009) Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that parasites hijack host-cell proteins to ensure their survival and proliferation, suggesting new ways to control the diseases they cause. The study, appearing this week online in Science, was led by Doron Greenbaum, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology in the Penn School of Medicine. (Science Daily)
Poison: It's what's for dinner Apr 6, 2009
Until the advent of genetic techniques to scan an animal's genome, or genetic blueprint, "we could only look at one, two or three enzymes at a time. Much more work has been done on insects because they are pests and eat a lot of the plants we eat.". Wood creosote is a resin that comes from creosote bushes or high-temperature treatment of certain other woods, and once was used in laxatives, cough medicine and disinfectants. (EurekAlert!)
MicroRNA-based Diagnostic Identifies Squamous Lung Cancer With 96 Percent Sensitivity Mar 17, 2009
16, 2009) A new study shows for the first time that a microRNA-based diagnostic test can objectively identify squamous lung cancer with 96% sensitivity, according to Harvey Pass, M.D. of the NYU Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center, one of the authors of the study published on-line ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In a paper titled, "Diagnostic Assay Based on has-miR-205 Expression Distinguishes Squamous From Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma," researchers... (Science Daily)
Race to make dinosaurs out of chickens Mar 7, 2009
Scientists in North America have already developed some of the genetic techniques required. Horner says Asian laboratories have now begun research for the next stage - making the creature. (India Times, India -- Health/Science)
