"Science and Biotechnology Books Made Simple" |
"Science and Biotechnology Books Made Simple" |
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January-December 2006
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Medical News Today Online Photo taken from: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk 11/27/06 Searching A Cure for Cancer Many scientists came together in Brno, Czech Republic, to discuss their research on cancer. Jiri Bartek, a scientist from Denmark, explained his work on cell response to DNA damage using a UV laser. By checking how cells protect themselves from damage, Jiri, was able to observe different checkpoints in the cell. Understanding how cells make the choice between life and death while responding to damaged DNA is important in understanding the mechanisms underlying cancer. In early pre-cancerous cell, the system blocks cell division by a process known as senescence. However, a defect in DNA repair may allow the cell to escape the normal process and multiply into tumors. Jiri and his colleagues used an inhibitor called Chk1 kinase which ends the G2 phase of cell growth. This approach may eventually be used as cancer treatment. The team is also looking into repair proteins that fail to repair the damaged DNA. Understanding the pathways involved in DNA damage repair will shed a light on how cells give rise to tumors.
10/22/06
Mice Surviving The Deadly 1918 Flu Virus Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a vaccine that protects mice against the H1N1 influenza virus that killed millions worldwide in 1918. Live, reconstructed 1918 flu virus was used in the vaccination studies in mice in specialized biosafety labs. Using the genetic sequence information for the virus, Dr. Gary Nabel and his colleagues created plasmids that carry genes for the virus’ hemaglutinin (HA) protein, the surface protein found in all flu viruses, which allows it to stick to a cell and cause infection. Two types of plasmids were reconstructed: one to reflect the HA found in the 1918 flu virus, and the other the HA protein was altered to weaken the virus. Mice were then injected with a DNA vaccine containing both types of plasmids. There was a significant production of T-cells, the white blood cells critical in the immune system’s battle against invading viruses, and the production of neutralizing antibodies. When mice were injected with the 1918 virus 14 days after immunization with the experimental DNA vaccine, they survived. When the researchers transferred antibody-rich immunoglobulin (IgG) from immunized mice to non-immunized mice, the latter had antibody levels slightly lower than those in mice that were immunized, and 8 of 10 of these mice survived. The researchers concluded that the DNA vaccine protected the mice by stimulating antibodies capable of neutralizing the 1918 flu virus. According to Dr. Nabel, this technique would be very useful in combating other types of flu viruses like H5N1 avian flu virus. It is yet to be seen if the DNA-based vaccine will produce the same effects in humans.
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Rueters Photo taken from http://www.healthinplainenglish.com/health/cancer/breast_cancer/index.htm 9/15/06 Close to 200 Cancer Genes Identified Scientists found almost 200 mutated genes in colon and breast cancer tissues. These genes help tumor to grow and spread. According to the researchers, "The vast majority of these genes were not known to be genetically altered in tumors and are predicted to affect a wide range of cellular functions, including transcription, adhesion, and invasion." The team looked at eleven sample from breast and colon tissues that were surgically removed from affected patients. These tumors account for about 2.2 million cancer diagnoses and about 940,000 cancer death each year. Identifying these mutated genes may help scientists develop new drugs and therapies against cancer. This study was published in the prestigious journal of Science. Source- NIH/Neurological
Disorders and Stroke 6/22/06 Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Function in Paralyzed Rats Transplanted embryonic stem cell derived from motor neurons in the spinal cord are able to connect with muscles and partially restore function in paralyzed rats. Dr. Kerr and his colleagues at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine cultured and treated mouse embryonic stem cells with chemicals that caused them to differentiate into motor neurons. They then added nerve growth factors, and dibutyrl cAMP to stop the axon-inhibiting signals from myelin, the substance that insulates neurons. The cells were transplanted into groups of paralyzed rats with different combination of treatments. Three months later, the rats that had received the full cocktail of treatments (transplanted motor neurons, rolipram-to protect the myelin-inhibiting signals, dbcAMP, and GDNF-the nerve growth factor) had several hundred transplant-derived axons extending into the peripheral nervous system, more than any other group. Follow-up experiments with 6-month treatment with GDNF on one side of the body showed 75% of the rats that were given the full combination of treatment regained the ability to bear weight on the GDNF-treated limbs. In addition, these rats were able to take steps and push away with the foot on that side of the body. Currently there is no large-animal model for motor neurons, therefore, Dr. Kerr is working to develop a pig model. If future studies go well, this method might eventually be useful for spinal muscular atrophy, ALS, and other motor neuron diseases. This study is published in the July issue of Annals of Neurology. Source-
Yahoo!
News 5/18/06 Last Human Chromosome Sequenced Scientists have finished sequencing the last human chromosome. Chromosome 1 makes up eight percent of the human genetic code. There are 3,141 genes and it is associated with many diseases such as cancer, Parkinson and Alzheimer. The sequence was done by a team of 150 British and American scientists. It was published online in the prestigious journal Nature. Scientists will be able to use the sequence to improve treatments for many illnesses and disorders. Researchers also were able to identify 4,500 new SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) which are sequence variations between human DNA. Sequencing the human genome began in 1990. Source-
Yahoo!
News 3/28/06 Fighting Hunger through Biotech Crop Scientists at
Pioneer Hybrid International, a subsidiary of Dupont, are working on
turning sorghum, a common Partnering with the National Institutes of Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the main funding for the project.
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The
Guardian 2/14/06 Is it Joan of Arc? Joan of Arca was a 16th-century French peasant who believed that God told her to drive the British out of France. She was placed at the head of the French army and led them to many victories. However, she was later defeated and was convicted of heresy and put to death by burning. Legend says that although she was burnt at the stake, her heart remained intact, which was seen as a miracle at that time. Her remains were cremated several times before being thrown in the river. Philippe Charlier, a genetic scientist in Paris decided to solve the mystery of a relic that claims of containing parts of her remains. "The remains include fragments of ribs, material, wood and traces of human body tissues on pieces of bone and wood from the pyre," he said. He added: "We won't be able to say, 'Yes this is Joan of Arc', but within six months we will able to say if these remains belong to a female of 19 years old whose body was burned three times in Rouen in 1431." Source-
Rueters
1/17/06 A Gene that Raises Diabetic Risk About 40 percent of the population can be predisposed to type-2 diabetes due to a single gene. A study of Iceland’s comprehensive genetic records, identified a gene found by 38 percent of the Northern European populations. The gene is also common among African-Americans. This finding could help pave the way to creating new tests that measure diabetes risk. Diabetes affects nearly 18 million people in the United States alone. Type-2 diabetes, known as adult-onset diabetes, has the inability of producing insulin. Affected patients have high glucose in their blood and may suffer heart problems, limb loss and blindness. It is also associated with obesity and lack of exercise. The gene variant is called TCF7L2.
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