Archive for the ‘biotech/medical’ category: Page 2461
Nov 16, 2016
Chinese group injects CRISPR edited cells into human test subject for first time
Posted by Gerard Bain in category: biotech/medical
(Phys.org)—A team of researchers working at West China Hospital in Chengdu has for the first time injected CRISPR–Cas9 edited cells into a human test subject. Nature reports that the procedure occurred on October 28, and that thus far, the patient is doing “fine.”
Modified cells have been injected into human subjects before, of course, but using different techniques. CRISPR-Cas 9 is considered to be a more efficient approach. In this new effort, the researchers isolated immune cells retrieved from a blood sample, then used CRISPR-Cas9 to locate and disable the PD-1 protein in them, which prior research has shown slows an immune response by a cell. The idea is that disabling the protein will allow the immune system to put up more of a fight against tumor growth. The edited cells were placed in a container where they were fed and allowed to multiply—the entire collection was then gathered and injected into a patient suffering from a type of lung cancer that had not responded to any other treatment type.
The CRISPR technique involves using an RNA guide that binds to a particular DNA sequence and an enzyme (the Cas9 part) that can cut strands of DNA at preselected spots, allowing for removing strands or adding new ones.
Nov 16, 2016
DNA-editing breakthrough could fix ‘broken genes’ in the brain, delay ageing and cure incurable diseases
Posted by Shane Hinshaw in categories: biotech/medical, genetics, life extension, neuroscience
Scientists have discovered a new way to edit DNA that could fix “broken genes” in the brain, cure previously incurable diseases and potentially even extend the human lifespan.
The breakthrough – described as a “holy grail” of genetics – was used to partially restore the sight of rats blinded by a condition which also affects humans.
Previously researchers were not able to make changes to DNA in eye, brain, heart and liver tissues.
Nov 16, 2016
Cholesterol drug shows promise to help reverse heart disease
Posted by Steve Hill in category: biotech/medical
Progress for heart disease!
For the first time, a new drug given along with a cholesterol-lowering statin medicine has proved able to shrink plaque that is clogging arteries, potentially giving a way to undo some of the damage of heart disease.
The difference was very small but doctors hope it will grow with longer treatment, and any reversal or stabilization of disease would be a win for patients and a long-sought goal.
Continue reading “Cholesterol drug shows promise to help reverse heart disease” »
Nov 16, 2016
In silico Pathway Activation Network Decomposition Analysis (iPANDA) as a method for biomarker development
Posted by Steve Hill in categories: biotech/medical, information science, life extension
Great to see more quality aging biomarkers arriving for researchers. Well done to Alex Zhavoronkov and his team for this brilliant work.
Pathway analysis aids interpretation of large-scale gene expression data, but existing algorithms fall short of providing robust pathway identification.
Nov 16, 2016
CRISPR gene-editing tested in a person for the first time
Posted by Steve Hill in categories: biotech/medical, engineering, genetics
I said over a year ago that if the US will not do it China will. Whilst there was talk about a moratorium on CRISPR in the US the Chinese were forging ahead and taking steps to become a world leader in biotech. Well here we are, they have deployed CRISPR in humans for cancer and this is only the start. As George Church advocates, we should have appropriate engineering safety measures in place but we should push ahead and do these things.
The move by Chinese scientists could spark a biomedical duel between China and the United States.
Nov 16, 2016
Spermidine found to lengthen lifespan in mice and to promote cardiovascular health
Posted by Steve Hill in categories: biotech/medical, health
Fancy a bit of cheese?
(Medical Xpress)—A large team of researchers with members from several Europeans countries and the U.S. has found that mice fed a compound called spermidine lived longer than ordinary mice and also had better cardiovascular heath. In their paper published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers describe experiments they carried out with the compound and mice, what they found and why they believe the compound might provide benefits for humans.
Prior research has found that ingestion of spermidine—which was first discovered in semen samples, hence its name—led to longer lifespans in simple organisms such as fruit flies, yeast and roundworms. In this new study, the researchers sought to find out if the same would prove true for more complex creatures.
Nov 15, 2016
Chinese Scientists Become First to Use CRISPR Gene-Editing on Humans
Posted by Shane Hinshaw in categories: biotech/medical, genetics
Chinese scientists are attempting to use CRISPR to develop a new treatment for cancer patients, and the U.S. will soon follow their lead.
Nov 15, 2016
India Tried to Bring Brain-Dead People Back to Life
Posted by Shane Hinshaw in categories: biotech/medical, government
But the government shot down the effort, which means the brain dead will remain dead — for now.
Nov 15, 2016
Forever Healthy Foundation Provides a $150,000 Challenge Fund to Match SENS Rejuvenation Research Donations
Posted by Steve Hill in categories: biotech/medical, life extension
More news about SENS Research Foundation fundraiser and a look back at some of the achievements so far.
#sens #aging
Good news! Thanks to the generous pledges of new SENS Patrons, signing up for monthly donations to the SENS Research Foundation over the past two weeks since the fundraiser started, the $24,000 matching fund put up by Josh Triplett and Fight Aging! is nearly met. Just a little more left to reach the target: if you are the next person to sign up, the next year of your donations to the SENS Research Foundation will be matched dollar for dollar. But if you miss out on that, donations made before the end of the year can still be matched. The Forever Healthy Foundation’s Michael Greve, who earlier this year pledged $10 million to SENS rejuvenation research and startup companies building rejuvenation therapies, has put up a further $150,000 challenge fund. He will match all donations to the SENS Research Foundation made before the end of 2016, and there is still a way to go in order to meet that target. So help us get this done!