ALSO NOTED: Fusion may repair cells; Mechanism prompts cancer drug resistance; DNA profiling project for depression;

More Research

An Israeli-U.S. research team has identified a protein that works to combine cells. The work may be particularly significant in repairing damaged cells by getting it to fuse with a therapeutic cell. That could be particularly relevant to diseases of the muscles, bones and other parts which see large numbers of fused cells. Report

Using the worm Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a mechanism by which cancer cells become resistant to a specific class of drugs. Release

Scientists from seven different countries are working on research into the use of DNA profiling for determining the right drug to use for depression. Currently, physicians engage in a crap shoot when picking a drug. The scientists want to determine the genes and enzymes at work in determining the effectiveness of a drug. Report

A team of students at USC has developed a new mathematical algorithm that would increase the utility of optical mapping for analyzing genes. The researchers say that their work opens new avenues to identifying genomic mutations. Release

In a surprising find, researchers from Rice University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston report in the October 11 issue of Structure the first-ever case of the regulatory protein calmodulin using a different kind of grip, a more open grasp that's reminiscent of a batter trying to lay down a bunt. Release

The thyroid may play an important role in longevity, with longer-lived rodents showing significantly lower levels of a thyroid hormone that speeds metabolism, a new study has found. The study further strengthens the theory that the faster an animal's metabolism, the shorter its life, and vice versa, said Mario Pinto, the study's lead author. The thyroid releases hormones that regulate metabolic rate. Release

Researchers and students at Washington University in St. Louis have created headgear that uses sensors to detect brain activity and used it to interact with a computer. In one experiment, a 14-year-old epileptic used the system to play the first two levels of Space Invaders without touching the controls. Report

A study of 10,000 cancer survivors show that many develop new ailments later in life as a result of their chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Second generation conditions include learning disabilities, second cancers, infertility and heart disease. Article

After studying various racial and ethnic groups that exhibit high rates of breast cancer, researchers at USC concluded that natural hormone levels could play a key role in determining their risk of cancer. High levels of natural estrogen are linked to high rates of breast cancer. Report

Overactivation of two receptors for histamine, normally associated with common allergies and acid reflux, may explain why some people, including highly trained athletes, pass out soon after heightened physical activities, according to researchers at the University of Oregon. Release

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health today announced that six major studies of common diseases have been selected as the first to undergo whole genome analysis by the Genetic Association Information Network. Release

New research shows that patients suffering from symptomatic moderate asthma experienced fewer exacerbations than placebo when treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha, an anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibody. Release

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital say that a new study of "disorderly" proteins demonstrate that most play a critical function in cells. "Until now there was no way to separate IUPs in large numbers from the more structured proteins and confirm their roles in the cell," said Richard Kriwacki, senior author of the study. "Our new technique selectively concentrates the IUPs that are involved in regulating functions in the cell and transmitting signals within them." Report

Mayo Clinic researchers have uncovered a new link between celiac disease, a digestive condition triggered by consumption of gluten, and dementia or other forms of cognitive decline. Release

Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center the role and mechanism of the protein RhoH GTPase in cells critical to the immune system. RhoH GTPase may offer a therapeutic target for some types of leukemia. Release

DNA can speed the assembly of nanoparticles, according to a team of researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. These nanoparticles are being studied for disease identification and treatment but assembling them into functional systems has been a major challenge. Report

Scripps Professor K.C. Nicoalou has led a research team's successful effort at synthesizing platensomycin, an antibiotic found in mushrooms. This is the first antibiotic natural product with a novel mechanism of action found in 40 years. It was discovered last May. Report

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified a unique mechanism of action of a new drug that may offer a treatment of multiple sclerosis. The researchers focused on FTY720, or Fingolimod, an immunosuppressant drug that was already known to affect the functioning of the immune system by preventing the egress of white blood cells from the lymph nodes into the blood. Report

Deals & Dollars

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers hope to use a $1.5 million National Cancer Institute grant to develop a urine screening test that can detect cancer. Release

Researchers at the University of Manchester have been awarded £130,000 to develop new techniques to reduce the need for animals in drug testing. Release

Researchers at UC San Diego and eight other universities and biotech companies hope to use a $13 million federal grant to lower the cost of sequencing a human genome to only $1,000. Release

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University in Houston have been awarded the first Quantum Grant of $2.9 million for their international research initiative to regenerate damaged brain cells and blood vessels for the treatment of stroke. Release

The state of Wisconsin is giving a million dollars to the upstart Stem Cell Products. Report

Tools & Technology

PerkinElmer has unveiled its new multiplexing technologies for genomic research. They provide tools for improving gene expression validation, molecular karyotyping and genome profiling. Release

The first round of equipment from the Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot was recently distributed to life science start-ups across the state. Release