May 5th, 2008
Scientists from Imperial College London and other international institutions have discovered a gene sequence that is associated with a 2cm expansion in waist circumference, a 2kg gain in weight, and a tendency to become resistant to insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes. The sequence is found in 50% of the UK population.
The study shows that the […]
By Elaine -- 2 comments
April 12th, 2008
G&H’s INTERVIEW WITH NAVIGENICS
Navigenics approached Genetics and Health for an interview. With so much written about similar genomics companies such as 23andme, Knome, deCODE genetics, I was intrigued to learn more about this company. In particular, Navigenics appears to be the only company within this industry genre who provides a comprehensive wellness model – a […]
By Elaine -- 2 comments
March 19th, 2008
Many gene studies focus on WHICH genes cause a person’s risk of developing a disease (forward genetics) but few focus on HOW those genes can lead to disease. Researchers at Merck and Co, deCODE genetics and academic centres in the US and France have focused on the latter and shed light on the complexity of common disease causes where […]
By Elaine -- 1 comment
February 16th, 2008
Our early human ancestors originated from a hot, humid climate where natural selection focused on dispersing heat. As humans migrated to colder climates there would have been evolutionary pressure to adapt to their new settings by boosting the processes that produce and retain heat.
Genes involved in energy metabolism are therefore likely to be central to heat and cold […]
By Elaine -- 0 comments
February 5th, 2008
Scientists from Newcastle University, UK led by Professor Patrick Chinnery, have created an embryo with three separate parents. The team believe the technique could help to eradicate a whole class of hereditary diseases, including some forms of epilepsy and ensure women with genetic defects do not pass the diseases on to their children.
Ten severely deformed embryos, left […]
By Elaine -- 0 comments
January 22nd, 2008
The EU funded GEN2PHEN project plans to internationally orchestrate the electronic gathering and use of data that show how gene sequences (’genotypes’) contribute to individual differences in disease, drug response, and other characteristics (’phenotypes’). These relationships (usually in the form of “genotype-phenotype” information stored in scattered databases) are deemed to become essential for future prognosis, […]
By Elaine -- 0 comments
January 21st, 2008
Early embryos yield stem cells,(photo courtesy of BBC news www.bbc.co.uk/news)
The Uk’s fertility regulator Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given the green light to two teams of scientists for the creation of hybrid human-animal embryos.
Scientists, research institutions and patient groups have challenged the UK government for much of the last year: the Department of Health wanted […]
By Elaine -- 0 comments
December 27th, 2007
Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, in New York, claim they have found the genes responsible for storing fat in cells. They have identified the FIT1 and FIT2 (Fat-Inducing Transcripts 1 and 2) genes that package fat in the form of lipid droplets. Storing fat in lipid droplets is important […]
By Elaine -- 0 comments
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