Author Archives: Fredricko
Shared Mechanisms for Longevity via Calorie Restriction and AC5 Knockout
One of the handful of genetic alterations shown to extend life in mice is removal of adenylyl cyclase 5 (AC5). Researchers have noted in the past that this seems to share mechanisms with the longevity induced by calorie restriction - indeed, it is suspected that many of the varied known ways of altering laboratory animals to extend healthy life are in fact different methods to activate the same few base changes in metabolism. Here is another paper on this topic:
Adenylyl cyclase type 5 knockout mice (AC5 KO) live longer and are stress resistant, similar to calorie restriction (CR). AC5 KO mice eat more, but actually weigh less and accumulate less fat compared to [wild type] mice. CR applied to AC5 KO result in rapid decrease in body weight, metabolic deterioration and death. These data suggest that despite restricted food intake in CR, but augmented food intake in AC5 KO, the two models affect longevity and metabolism similarly.
To determine shared molecular mechanisms, mRNA expression was examined genome-wide for brain, heart, skeletal muscle and liver. Significantly more genes were regulated commonly rather than oppositely in all the tissues in both models, indicating commonality between AC5 KO and CR.
Gene Ontology analysis identified many significantly regulated, tissue-specific pathways shared by the two models, including sensory perception in heart and brain, muscle function in skeletal muscle, and lipid metabolism in liver. Moreover, when comparing gene expression changes in the heart under stress, the glutathione regulatory pathway was consistently upregulated in the longevity models but downregulated with stress. In addition, AC5 and CR shared changes in genes and proteins involved in the regulation of longevity and stress resistance, including Sirt1, ApoD and olfactory receptors in both young and intermediate age mice. Thus, the similarly regulated genes and pathways in AC5 KO and CR [suggest] a unified theory for longevity and stress resistance.
Trio of Genome-Sequencing Studies Offers a Broader View of Lung Cancer
From Nature magazine
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=1aae064dddcda1c8093345cf6bee19f2
"Junk" DNA Holds Clues to Common Diseases
When the draft of the human genome was published in 2000, researchers thought that they had obtained the secret decoder ring for the human body. Armed with the code of 3 billion basepairs of As, Ts, Cs and Gs and the 21,000 protein-coding genes, they hoped to be able to find the genetic scaffolds of life --both in sickness and in health. [More]
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=7b0ed7df96d7add1e7b201dddb2869c5
“Junk” DNA Holds Clues to Common Diseases
When the draft of the human genome was published in 2000, researchers thought that they had obtained the secret decoder ring for the human body. Armed with the code of 3 billion basepairs of As, Ts, Cs and Gs and the 21,000 protein-coding genes, they hoped to be able to find the genetic scaffolds of life --both in sickness and in health. [More]
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=7b0ed7df96d7add1e7b201dddb2869c5
Are Phage Viruses the Forgotten Cure for Superbugs? [Excerpt]
Excerpted from The Forgotten Cure: The Past and Future of Phage Therapy , by Anna Kuchment . (Copernicus Books, 2011. Reprinted by permission of Springer Science+Business Media)
http://rss.sciam.com/click.phdo?i=24e2a1c4c798a3535a9c98999e220977
Researcher Alert: California Stem Cell Agency Tightening Budget Oversight on Grants
Some of California's top stem cell
researchers are going to have to sharpen their spreadsheets if they
want to win money from the state's $3 billion stem cell agency.
The agency is moving to beef up
scrutiny of the high-profile, big-ticket grant applications
that it will consider during the next several years. The effort may well extend to all grant programs. The move also makes
it clear to researchers that the CIRM staff is in the driver's seat
when it comes to budgeting on research projects.
scrutiny of the high-profile, big-ticket grant applications
that it will consider during the next several years. The effort may well extend to all grant programs. The move also makes
it clear to researchers that the CIRM staff is in the driver's seat
when it comes to budgeting on research projects.
The plan was laid out this week in a memo to directors of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) by Ellen Feigal, the agency's senior vice
president for research and development. She said,
president for research and development. She said,
“Increasing the importance of
budgetary review will encourage applicants to propose rigorous,
realistic and vetted budgets, and will further our mission to be good
stewards of taxpayer dollars. These additions will not significantly
increase the workload burden on GWG members (grant reviewers) and
explicitly acknowledge that program goals, scientific plans, accurate budgeting and prudent spending are inextricably linked.”
The proposal comes before the CIRM
directors' Science Subcommittee next Monday and would alter the
closed-door grant review process in the following manner, according
to Feigal's memo.
directors' Science Subcommittee next Monday and would alter the
closed-door grant review process in the following manner, according
to Feigal's memo.
• “To assist GWG review,
appropriate expertise on budget and financial matters (e.g., this
could be in the form of a specialist reviewer, or can also be
assigned to a GWG reviewer with the appropriate background and
expertise), will review applications for sound budgeting and provide
comments or questions to the GWG for consideration by the reviewers
before the reviewer’s final scores are entered.
• “If the financial/budgetary
matter potentially directly impacts on the design or feasibility of
conducting the project, the GWG may consider this issue in the
scoring; otherwise, budgetary and financial issues and questions will
not contribute to the scientific score.
• “As appropriate, review summaries
sent to the ICOC (the CIRM governing board) will identify scientific
as well as budget or other issues. To the extent endorsed by the
GWG, the review summaries will also identify potential resolution
should the ICOC approve a given award with budget issues.
• “CIRM officers should be provided
explicit discretion to consider the budget comments, as well as
budget or other issues. To the extent endorsed by the GWG, the
review summaries will also identify potential resolution should the
ICOC approve a given award with budget issues.”
Feigal's memo clearly indicates that
CIRM staff has experienced push-back from recalcitrant researchers
when efforts have been made to bring costs under control. She noted that
the agency's staff examines a research project's budget during the
“prefunding” review that follows board approval. However, Feigal
said, at that stage, “It is often challenging to make substantive
changes to the budget, based on appropriateness of study activities
and costs, given the ICOC approval at a given budget amount.”
CIRM staff has experienced push-back from recalcitrant researchers
when efforts have been made to bring costs under control. She noted that
the agency's staff examines a research project's budget during the
“prefunding” review that follows board approval. However, Feigal
said, at that stage, “It is often challenging to make substantive
changes to the budget, based on appropriateness of study activities
and costs, given the ICOC approval at a given budget amount.”
The agency has already examined some
budgets prior to board approval. One grant review in a $200
million-plus round this summer, for example, declared that costs to
prepare regulation packages had “overlap” and were “excessive,”
along with costs dealing with manufacturing and per patient expenses.
That was for a high-scoring application by Antoni Ribas of UCLA, and
he was not alone.
budgets prior to board approval. One grant review in a $200
million-plus round this summer, for example, declared that costs to
prepare regulation packages had “overlap” and were “excessive,”
along with costs dealing with manufacturing and per patient expenses.
That was for a high-scoring application by Antoni Ribas of UCLA, and
he was not alone.
In her memo, Feigal listed other cases
of budgetary shortcomings in recent applications:,
of budgetary shortcomings in recent applications:,
• “Budget does not align with the
program deliverables and milestones. For example, the budget
includes activities not relevant to project objective(s) or that are
out of scope.
•”Budget does not contain adequate
expenses for known costs. For example, an applicant may budget
$100,000 for a GMP manufacturing run of a biologic in which it is
generally accepted knowledge that the actual expenses are typically
much greater.
•“Budget item significantly exceeds
a known cost or seems excessive without adequate justification. For
example, an applicant may propose a surgical expense of $100,000 per
patient for a procedure with Medicare reimbursement set at $15,000.
•“Cost allocations are not done
properly. For example, an applicant is developing the same
therapeutic candidate for 3 indications, and is applying for CIRM
funding for 1 of the 3, but is charging CIRM for the cost of the
entire manufacturing run.”
Initially, the budgetary review would
be used in disease team, early translational, strategic partnership
rounds, and any new rounds “as deemed appropriate.” Feigal said,
however, that “all applications for CIRM awards should be
carefully examined for budgetary appropriateness.”
be used in disease team, early translational, strategic partnership
rounds, and any new rounds “as deemed appropriate.” Feigal said,
however, that “all applications for CIRM awards should be
carefully examined for budgetary appropriateness.”
Our take: This seems to be a
well-advised move, albeit one that is not likely to find favor with
researchers accustomed to loose oversight. It moves budgetary review
to an earlier stage and gives the CIRM directors a chance to weigh in
on those matters prior to approval of grants, instead of creating a
sense of entitlement on the part of recipients that may pop up
following board approval of their applications. Indeed, the plan
makes such good sense that it raises the question why it was not in
place years ago.
well-advised move, albeit one that is not likely to find favor with
researchers accustomed to loose oversight. It moves budgetary review
to an earlier stage and gives the CIRM directors a chance to weigh in
on those matters prior to approval of grants, instead of creating a
sense of entitlement on the part of recipients that may pop up
following board approval of their applications. Indeed, the plan
makes such good sense that it raises the question why it was not in
place years ago.
A final note: Feigal's memo is an
excellent example of the type of information that clarifies issues
and helps CIRM directors make the best possible decisions. It
provides some history, good evidence for a change and an explanation
of benefits. Additionally, the memo is timely, having been posted on
the CIRM website sufficiently in advance of next week's meeting to give affected parties and others time to comment
and make constructive suggestions. The memo is also far superior to
the Power Point presentations that are often submitted to the board
minus any nuanced, written discussion of the issue at hand.
excellent example of the type of information that clarifies issues
and helps CIRM directors make the best possible decisions. It
provides some history, good evidence for a change and an explanation
of benefits. Additionally, the memo is timely, having been posted on
the CIRM website sufficiently in advance of next week's meeting to give affected parties and others time to comment
and make constructive suggestions. The memo is also far superior to
the Power Point presentations that are often submitted to the board
minus any nuanced, written discussion of the issue at hand.
Next week's meeting will be based in
San Francisco but also has teleconference locations in Irvine (2), La
Jolla, Stanford, Pleasanton, Oakland and Los Angeles where the public
and researchers can participate. The specific addresses can be found on the agenda.
San Francisco but also has teleconference locations in Irvine (2), La
Jolla, Stanford, Pleasanton, Oakland and Los Angeles where the public
and researchers can participate. The specific addresses can be found on the agenda.
Source:UCD's Knoepfler's 'Somewhat Provocative Paper' on iPS
UC Davis researcher Paul Knoepfler is
the rare stem cell scientist who blogs about his work as well as
writing about issues in the field.
Over the weekend, he posted an item on
what he described as a “somewhat provocative paper” published by his lab in
“Stem Cells and Development.” He said the paper argued
that iPS cells “are very similar in some ways to cancer cells.”
what he described as a “somewhat provocative paper” published by his lab in
“Stem Cells and Development.” He said the paper argued
that iPS cells “are very similar in some ways to cancer cells.”
Most of his item deals with the
technical details and background of the research. But at the end of
this item, Knoepfler wrote,
technical details and background of the research. But at the end of
this item, Knoepfler wrote,
“So what does this mean in the big
picture?
“I believe that iPS cells and cancer
cells are, while not the same, close enough to be called siblings. As
such, the clinical use of iPS cells should wait for a lot more study.
Even if scientists do not use iPS cells themselves for transplants,
but instead use differentiated derivatives of iPS cells, the risk of
patients getting malignant cancers cannot be ignored.
“At the same time, the studies
suggest possible ways to make iPS cells safer and support the notion
of reprogramming cancer cells as an innovative new cancer therapy.
“Stay tuned in the next few days for
part 2 where I will discuss what this paper went through in terms of
review, etc. to get published. It wasn’t a popular story for some
folks.”
The UC Davis press release on the
research, which was financed by the California stem cell agency and the NIH, was picked up by several online sites, including Redorbit,
Medicalexpress and geekosystem.
research, which was financed by the California stem cell agency and the NIH, was picked up by several online sites, including Redorbit,
Medicalexpress and geekosystem.
Source:UCD’s Knoepfler’s ‘Somewhat Provocative Paper’ on iPS
UC Davis researcher Paul Knoepfler is
the rare stem cell scientist who blogs about his work as well as
writing about issues in the field.
Over the weekend, he posted an item on
what he described as a “somewhat provocative paper” published by his lab in
“Stem Cells and Development.” He said the paper argued
that iPS cells “are very similar in some ways to cancer cells.”
what he described as a “somewhat provocative paper” published by his lab in
“Stem Cells and Development.” He said the paper argued
that iPS cells “are very similar in some ways to cancer cells.”
Most of his item deals with the
technical details and background of the research. But at the end of
this item, Knoepfler wrote,
technical details and background of the research. But at the end of
this item, Knoepfler wrote,
“So what does this mean in the big
picture?
“I believe that iPS cells and cancer
cells are, while not the same, close enough to be called siblings. As
such, the clinical use of iPS cells should wait for a lot more study.
Even if scientists do not use iPS cells themselves for transplants,
but instead use differentiated derivatives of iPS cells, the risk of
patients getting malignant cancers cannot be ignored.
“At the same time, the studies
suggest possible ways to make iPS cells safer and support the notion
of reprogramming cancer cells as an innovative new cancer therapy.
“Stay tuned in the next few days for
part 2 where I will discuss what this paper went through in terms of
review, etc. to get published. It wasn’t a popular story for some
folks.”
The UC Davis press release on the
research, which was financed by the California stem cell agency and the NIH, was picked up by several online sites, including Redorbit,
Medicalexpress and geekosystem.
research, which was financed by the California stem cell agency and the NIH, was picked up by several online sites, including Redorbit,
Medicalexpress and geekosystem.
Source:RBCC: NASA Bioreactor Could Speed Parkinson’s Research
NOKOMIS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Stem cell research may hold the key to a cure for Parkinsons disease. The only problem is, stem cell research hasnt advanced as quickly as patients need it to. Rainbow BioSciences, the biotech subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (RBCC) is working to market an advanced stem cell growth solution that could potentially energize the worldwide search for a cure.
Currently, government restrictions and ethical dilemmas serve as roadblocks to fast-paced stem cell research, but even when these roadblocks are absent, controlling the behavior of stem cells in a laboratory isnt easy. One way to help speed research projects up and make them more efficient is to raise the number of high-quality adult stem cells available for that research.
RBCC is working to do just that. The company has engaged Regenetech in discussions regarding the potential acquisition of a license to perform cell expansion using that companys Rotary Cell Culture SystemTM.
Originally developed by NASA, the Rotary Cell Culture SystemTM is a rotating-wall bioreactor designed to facilitate the growth of human cells in simulated weightlessness. Cell cultures, including stem cells, grown inside the bioreactor look and function much closer to human cells grown within the body than the flat cell cultures grown in Petri dishes.
By bringing the bioreactor to emerging research markets where stem cell research faces fewer roadblocks, RBCC hopes to help kickstart billions of dollars worth of research into possible cures for Parkinsons and other neurological disorders.
RBCC plans to offer new technology to compete in the stem-cell research industry alongside Amgen, Inc. (AMGN), Celgene Corporation (CELG), Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ:GENZ) and Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD).
For more information on Rainbow BioSciences, please visit http://www.rainbowbiosciences.com/investors.html.
About Rainbow BioSciences
Rainbow BioSciences, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rainbow Coral Corp. (OTCBB:RBCC). The company continually seeks out new partnerships with biotechnology developers to deliver profitable new medical technologies and innovations. For more information on our growth-oriented business initiatives, please visit our website at [http://www.RainbowBioSciences.com]. For investment information and performance data on the company, please visit http://www.RainbowBioSciences.com/investors.html.
Excerpt from:
RBCC: NASA Bioreactor Could Speed Parkinson’s Research
Pig cell Parkinson's treatment okayed
Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.
Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.
Government approval was given this week for the trial.
'Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition,' said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.
She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.
Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.
The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.
The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.
'This represents an exciting new potential option for patients,' Dr Snow said.
Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.
View original post here:
Pig cell Parkinson's treatment okayed
Pig cell Parkinson’s treatment okayed
Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.
Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.
Government approval was given this week for the trial.
'Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition,' said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.
She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.
Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.
The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.
The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.
'This represents an exciting new potential option for patients,' Dr Snow said.
Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.
View original post here:
Pig cell Parkinson's treatment okayed
Pig cell treatment for Parkinson's okayed
Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.
Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.
Government approval was given this week for the trial.
"Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition," said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.
She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.
Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.
The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.
The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.
"This represents an exciting new potential option for patients," Dr Snow said.
Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.
Pig cell treatment for Parkinson’s okayed
Pig cells will be transplanted into the brains of New Zealanders with Parkinson's disease as part of an experimental treatment of the neurological disorder.
Kiwi scientists will undertake the clinical trial after Living Cell Technologies, which has its research and development based in this country, got the go-ahead to test the treatment in humans next year.
Government approval was given this week for the trial.
"Receiving regulatory approval to conduct clinical trials is a critical step in developing a treatment for this debilitating condition," said the company's chief executive Andrea Grant said in a statement.
She says pre-clinical trials suggest the treatment, known as NTCELL, can protect brain tissue which would otherwise die, potentially delaying or preventing the effects of Parkinson's.
Only those who have been diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease for at least four years will be part of the study, which will last for up to 60 weeks.
The trial will involve patients getting either the pig cells or the current gold standard of treatment - deep brain stimulation.
The leader of Auckland District Health Board's movement disorder clinic, Barry Snow, will oversee the trial.
"This represents an exciting new potential option for patients," Dr Snow said.
Pre-clinical studies had shown improvement in movement and neurological defects and a rise in dopamine-producing neurons within two weeks of treatment.
Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease
Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound Article Date: 05 Oct 2012 - 8:00 PDT
Current ratings for: Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease
4.25 (4 votes)
The authors explained that this brain scan can identify which Parkinson's patients are at risk of severe disease, thus enabling doctors to better manage and treat their symptoms.
Some specialists already use the DaTscan when confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis after a physical examination.
However, the DaTscan can only help in the diagnosis to a certain extent. It can point towards Parkinsonism, but cannot help the doctor distinguish between many similar disorders, of which classic Parkinson's disease is one.
GE Healthcare announced the availability of DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) in June 2011.
When using the DaTscan, the patient is injected with a small quantity of a radioactive contrast agent which binds to dopamine transporters in the brain. Then, a scanner is used to measure how much of the contrast agent there is in the brain, and where exactly it is. People with Parkinson's have fewer neurons with dopamine transporters, thus, lower amounts of the radioactive agent appear in their brain scans, compared to "healthy" individuals.
Bernard Ravina, M.D., M.S.C.E., and team set out to determine whether the DaTscan might be used to predict the long-term progression of Parkinson's disease. They looked at the DaTscan images of 491 individuals who had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's - none of them had yet started on standard medications for the disease. All the patients were participants in the Longitudinal and Biomarker Study in PD (LABS-PD), a clinical trial funded in part by the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
The LABS-PD study had been a long-term one, thus the team were able to compare participants' DaTscan results, which were taken just after diagnosis and then again 22 months later, with information from their yearly health assessments.
See the original post:
Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease
Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson’s Disease
Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: MRI / PET / Ultrasound Article Date: 05 Oct 2012 - 8:00 PDT
Current ratings for: Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease
4.25 (4 votes)
The authors explained that this brain scan can identify which Parkinson's patients are at risk of severe disease, thus enabling doctors to better manage and treat their symptoms.
Some specialists already use the DaTscan when confirming a Parkinson's diagnosis after a physical examination.
However, the DaTscan can only help in the diagnosis to a certain extent. It can point towards Parkinsonism, but cannot help the doctor distinguish between many similar disorders, of which classic Parkinson's disease is one.
GE Healthcare announced the availability of DaTscan (Ioflupane I 123 Injection) in June 2011.
When using the DaTscan, the patient is injected with a small quantity of a radioactive contrast agent which binds to dopamine transporters in the brain. Then, a scanner is used to measure how much of the contrast agent there is in the brain, and where exactly it is. People with Parkinson's have fewer neurons with dopamine transporters, thus, lower amounts of the radioactive agent appear in their brain scans, compared to "healthy" individuals.
Bernard Ravina, M.D., M.S.C.E., and team set out to determine whether the DaTscan might be used to predict the long-term progression of Parkinson's disease. They looked at the DaTscan images of 491 individuals who had just been diagnosed with Parkinson's - none of them had yet started on standard medications for the disease. All the patients were participants in the Longitudinal and Biomarker Study in PD (LABS-PD), a clinical trial funded in part by the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.
The LABS-PD study had been a long-term one, thus the team were able to compare participants' DaTscan results, which were taken just after diagnosis and then again 22 months later, with information from their yearly health assessments.
See the original post:
Brain Scan Can Predict The Course Of Parkinson's Disease
Genes behind Parkinson's disease identified
Washington, October 6 (ANI): Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) investigators have conducted the first genome-wide evaluation of genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease (PD).
The study points to the involvement of specific genes and alterations in their expression as influencing the risk for developing PD.
Jeanne Latourelle, DSc, assistant professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's lead author and Richard H. Myers, PhD, professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's principal investigator and senior author.
A recent paper by the PD Genome Wide Association Study Consortium (PDGC) confirmed that an increased risk for PD was seen in individuals with genetic variants in or near the genes SNCA, MAPT, GAK/DGKQ, HLA and RIT2, but the mechanism behind the increased risk was not determined.
"One possible effect of the variants would be to change the manner in which a gene is expressed in the brains, leading to increased risk of PD," said Latourelle.
To investigate the theory, the researchers examined the relationship between PD-associated genetic variants and levels of gene expression in brain samples from the frontal cortex of 26 samples with known PD and 24 neurologically healthy control samples.
Gene expression was determined using a microarray that screened effects of genetic variants on the expression of genes located very close to the variant, called cis-effects, and genes that are far from the variant, such as those on a completely different chromosome, called trans-effects.
An analysis of the cis-effects showed that several genetic variants in the MAPT region showed a significant association to the expression of multiple nearby genes, including gene LOC644246, the duplicated genes LRRC37A and LRRC37A2 and the gene DCAKD.
Significant cis-effects were also observed between variants in the HLA region on chromosome 6 and two nearby genes HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQA1. An examination of trans-effects revealed 23 DNA sequence variations that reached statistical significance involving variants from the SNCA, MAPT and RIT2 genes.
"The identification of the specific altered genes in PD opens opportunities to further study them in model organisms or cell lines with the goal of identifying drugs which may rectify the defects as treatment for PD," said Myers.
Here is the original post:
Genes behind Parkinson's disease identified
Genes behind Parkinson’s disease identified
Washington, October 6 (ANI): Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) investigators have conducted the first genome-wide evaluation of genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease (PD).
The study points to the involvement of specific genes and alterations in their expression as influencing the risk for developing PD.
Jeanne Latourelle, DSc, assistant professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's lead author and Richard H. Myers, PhD, professor of neurology at BUSM, served as the study's principal investigator and senior author.
A recent paper by the PD Genome Wide Association Study Consortium (PDGC) confirmed that an increased risk for PD was seen in individuals with genetic variants in or near the genes SNCA, MAPT, GAK/DGKQ, HLA and RIT2, but the mechanism behind the increased risk was not determined.
"One possible effect of the variants would be to change the manner in which a gene is expressed in the brains, leading to increased risk of PD," said Latourelle.
To investigate the theory, the researchers examined the relationship between PD-associated genetic variants and levels of gene expression in brain samples from the frontal cortex of 26 samples with known PD and 24 neurologically healthy control samples.
Gene expression was determined using a microarray that screened effects of genetic variants on the expression of genes located very close to the variant, called cis-effects, and genes that are far from the variant, such as those on a completely different chromosome, called trans-effects.
An analysis of the cis-effects showed that several genetic variants in the MAPT region showed a significant association to the expression of multiple nearby genes, including gene LOC644246, the duplicated genes LRRC37A and LRRC37A2 and the gene DCAKD.
Significant cis-effects were also observed between variants in the HLA region on chromosome 6 and two nearby genes HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQA1. An examination of trans-effects revealed 23 DNA sequence variations that reached statistical significance involving variants from the SNCA, MAPT and RIT2 genes.
"The identification of the specific altered genes in PD opens opportunities to further study them in model organisms or cell lines with the goal of identifying drugs which may rectify the defects as treatment for PD," said Myers.
Here is the original post:
Genes behind Parkinson's disease identified
Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..
Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Stem Cell Research Article Date: 04 Oct 2012 - 11:00 PDT
Current ratings for: Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..
3.67 (3 votes)
An advanced stem cell growth solution that may potentially lead to a search for a Parkinson's cure, according to a communiqu released today by Rainbow Biosciences. The company is working towards having such technology on the market as soon as possible.
Scientists say that ethical dilemmas and government restrictions have made stem cell research breakthrough much more difficult to achieve. Add to this the difficulty in controlling stem cell behavior in the lab, and the task seems even harder.
Rainbow Biosciences says that one way to accelerate research projects and make them advance more efficiently is to increase the availability of top-quality adult stem cells for research.
Rainbow says it is working on this. It is in discussions with Regenetech regarding acquiring a license to perform cell expansion using its Rotary Cell Culture System, which was originally developed by NASA.
Rainbow Biosciences wrote:
The company would like to bring the bioreactor to "emerging research markets" which do not face as many regulatory roadblocks. They say this will help activate "billions of dollars' worth of research" into potential cures for Parkinson's disease, as well as some the disorders of the nervous system.
Rainbow Biosciences says that this new addition to the stem cell research world will compete alongside industry giants, such as Amgen Inc., Celgene Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc., and Gynzyme Corp.
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Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..
Parkinson’s Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..
Editor's Choice Main Category: Parkinson's Disease Also Included In: Stem Cell Research Article Date: 04 Oct 2012 - 11:00 PDT
Current ratings for: Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..
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An advanced stem cell growth solution that may potentially lead to a search for a Parkinson's cure, according to a communiqu released today by Rainbow Biosciences. The company is working towards having such technology on the market as soon as possible.
Scientists say that ethical dilemmas and government restrictions have made stem cell research breakthrough much more difficult to achieve. Add to this the difficulty in controlling stem cell behavior in the lab, and the task seems even harder.
Rainbow Biosciences says that one way to accelerate research projects and make them advance more efficiently is to increase the availability of top-quality adult stem cells for research.
Rainbow says it is working on this. It is in discussions with Regenetech regarding acquiring a license to perform cell expansion using its Rotary Cell Culture System, which was originally developed by NASA.
Rainbow Biosciences wrote:
The company would like to bring the bioreactor to "emerging research markets" which do not face as many regulatory roadblocks. They say this will help activate "billions of dollars' worth of research" into potential cures for Parkinson's disease, as well as some the disorders of the nervous system.
Rainbow Biosciences says that this new addition to the stem cell research world will compete alongside industry giants, such as Amgen Inc., Celgene Corporation, Gilead Sciences Inc., and Gynzyme Corp.
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Parkinson's Disease Cure May Be In Stem Cell Research, But..