Archive for the ‘genetics’ category: Page 421
Feb 22, 2018
You Don’t Need a Personal Genetics Test to Take Charge of Your Health
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: biotech/medical, food, genetics, health
That in-home DNA test won’t tell you much about how to eat or exercise. Fortunately, you don’t need it to.
Feb 22, 2018
Bioquark Inc. — Faces of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Podcast — Ira Pastor
Posted by Ira S. Pastor in categories: aging, biotech/medical, DNA, genetics, health, life extension, military, neuroscience, science, transhumanism
Feb 21, 2018
Doctors In China Lead Race To Treat Cancer
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: bioengineering, biotech/medical, genetics, health
CRISPR In China: Cancer Treatment With Gene Editing Underway : Shots — Health News More than a third of patients with cancer of the esophagus responded to experimental treatment in China with the gene-editing technique CRISPR. Several CRISPR studies are underway there.
Feb 19, 2018
In living color: Brightly-colored bacteria could be used to ‘grow’ paints and coatings
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: bioengineering, genetics, nanotechnology
Researchers have unlocked the genetic code behind some of the brightest and most vibrant colours in nature. The paper, published in the journal PNAS, is the first study of the genetics of structural colour — as seen in butterfly wings and peacock feathers — and paves the way for genetic research in a variety of structurally coloured organisms.
The study is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and Dutch company Hoekmine BV and shows how genetics can change the colour, and appearance, of certain types of brightly-coloured bacteria. The results open up the possibility of harvesting these bacteria for the large-scale manufacturing of nanostructured materials: biodegradable, non-toxic paints could be ‘grown’ and not made, for example.
Flavobacterium is a type of bacteria that packs together in colonies that produce striking metallic colours, which come not from pigments, but from their internal structure, which reflects light at certain wavelengths. Scientists are still puzzled as to how these intricate structures are genetically engineered by nature, however.
Feb 19, 2018
Human beings could achieve immortality by 2050
Posted by Carse Peel in categories: bioengineering, genetics, life extension, robotics/AI
Dr Ian Pearson, a leading futurologist from Ipswich, claims that if people can survive until 2050 they could live forever thanks to advances in AI, android bodies and genetic engineering.
Feb 18, 2018
Breakthrough as scientists grow sheep embryos containing human cells
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: biotech/medical, genetics
Advance brings us closer to growing transplant organs inside animals or being able to genetically tailor compatible organs, say researchers.
Nicola Davis in Austin.
Feb 17, 2018
Boosting Bone Healing Using a Key Protein
Posted by Shailesh Prasad in category: genetics
Today, we would like to highlight a recent study in which researchers show a way to selectively accelerate bone regeneration. They have achieved this by delivering Jagged-1 to injuries instead of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that have been traditionally used.
What is jagged-1?
Jagged-1 is an osteoinductive protein that activates the Notch signaling pathway, which regulates bone healing at the site of injury. Osteoinduction is the process by which osteogenesis is induced.
Feb 17, 2018
New CRISPR method strategically targets gene mutations to correct DMD heart defect
Posted by Genevieve Klien in categories: biotech/medical, genetics
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a CRISPR technique to efficiently correct the function of heart cells in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). It involves making a single cut at strategic points along patient’s DNA, with the team claiming their new approach has the potential to correct most of the 3,000 mutations that cause DMD.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of nine neuromuscular disorders that affect the strength of muscles and nerves, specifically caused by defects in the gene that makes the dystrophin protein. Typically, one in every 3,500 boys born will be diagnosed with the disease at around three to four years of age, with their ability to walk gradually decreasing until they reach young adolescence. Most patients live until their 30s, but will require a wheelchair and respirator as the muscles in vital organs deteriorate over time.