Stem Cells used for Heart Repair

The adult heart contains cardiac stem cells which can differentiate to become myocytes (heart muscle cells that contract when the heart beats), blood vessel cells and the muscle cells found in the blood vessels. They can also continue to divide and replicate to restore the cardiac stem cells.
Damaged heart tissue can lead to heart failure. This means that the hearts cannot pump enough blood around the body.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School studied heart tissue repair after stem cell replication and injection in a study funded by The University of Louisville Research Foundation and the US National Institutes of Health.
Participants who had experienced a heart attack were chosen and their heart function of 40% or less than 40%. They all had scarring on their heart tissue and had all received a type of operation called a heart artery bypass graft (blood vessels are grafted around clogged and narrowed arteries in the heart to help maintain healthy blood flow). During the surgery a 1g sample of healthy heart tissue was extracted. The stem cells were grown in a laboratory until the researchers had 1 million cells and then they were injected into the damaged area of the heart. All participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire to see how their condition affected their quality of life and scans were taken.
After a year there was a 12% increase on average in the pumping capacity of the heart and a decrease in size of the damaged area.

Summary from: http://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/families/news/Stem_cells_may_aid_heart_repair.nhschoices.e9b7c15e-133f-4503-ae1d-ebd71a7a754b/ and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8888447/Heart-repair-with-stem-cells-biggest-breakthrough-in-a-generation.html

This can mean a major cause of deaths around the world could be prevented or, at least, life prolonged.

Increased Risk of Melanoma (3 New Gene Discoveries)

Melanoma, the most dangerous form of cancer, occurs when melanocyte cells change. The cells produce the skin pigment melanin.
It is already known that people with fair skin, blue/green eyes, blond or red hair are more likely to develop melanoma as well as people who sunburn easily. Crucial non genetic factors such as spending a lot of time strong sunlight (or sun beds) also increase risk.
However, a research team at the Cancer Research UK's centre in the University of Leeds have discovered 3 other genes which are linked to an increased risk of melanoma. A study comparing 3000 melanoma sufferers' DNA to the DNA of the general population showed these genes.

The 3 DNA faults were:

• A DNA fault in the region of the gene MX2 which is linked to narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is thought to be caused by the immune system and the study showed that this DNA fault increases risk.
•  In the ATM gene a fault was found. The gene is involved in DNA repair which helps to prevent the the cancerous mistakes being replicated into daughter cells.
• A CASP8 gene fault. The CASP8 gene helps to control the spreading of cells by causing automatic cell death (autolysis).

Summary from: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-10-gene-faults-melanoma-percent.html and picture from: http://www.newsoften.com/fda-clears-new-melanoma-drug/533/

This discovery leads to a better understanding of melanoma and therefore could lead to new and better treatments. It can also mean that after a DNA screening, people could be warned of their increases risk (1/46 if you have the faults from both parents compared to the average person's 1/60) and encouraged to take precautions such as less time in the sun or more use of sun lotion.

Dyslexia and Cilia

Cilia are used by cells  to communicate and that they are involved in the development of the body's organs. DCDC2 is a gene associated with dyslexia in humans, it is involved in regulating the signalling of cilia in brain neurons scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered.
Research in mice showed that DCDC2 is involved in cell migration (when the nerve cells move to the right position in the brain during development as an embryo), the length of cilia and activating signalling systems.
In roundworm (caenorhabditis elegans), the human DCDC2 gene caused unusual neural problems but only to ciliated cells.
The exact connection between the cilia, the nerve problems and dyslexia are yet to be researched.
Cilia problems can be associated with polycystic kidney disease and Kartagener's syndrome, to diabetes, obesity and schizophrenia.

Summary from: http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/06/20/unexpected.function.dyslexia.gene

This could lead to developments in dyslexia treatments, however, potential treatment/research could be controversial as it may involve gene therapy and interventions with embryos.

Nerve Disease Genes- GARS

Scripps Research Scientists have studied the GARS gene in relation to Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 2D ( which causes progressive weakness and wasting of muscles in the feet, legs, hands, and forearms by striking down the nerves that reach down into these muscles).

The disease can affect the production of glycyl-tRNA synthase, an enzyme important for protein production. However, sometimes the disease does not affect the enzyme's function so the researches looked for a common consequence of GARS mutations.

Using X-ray crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering (in solution) the scientists were able to see a common area of the GlyRS protein which opens creating a slightly different structure which other proteins can bind to. Any proteins which bind to the area could be toxic to nerve cells.

Causing a structural opening, can explain why it is an autosomal dominant gene.

Summary from: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-07/sri-srs070111.php

Research into chemicals which could block the opening could help stop the symptoms of the disease. Also, other diseases could have a similar feature and so it could hold promise in those areas too such as ALS and the SOD1 gene.

Transgenic Cow Producing Human Like Milk

The clone, Rosita ISA  was born on 6th April by caesarean section due to her large size. She is the first bovine to have two human genes:

• the protein lactoferrin- provides infants with anti-bacterial and anti-viral protection
• lysozyme- an anti-bacterial agent

Rosita ISA was a joint effort from the Argentine institute and the National University of San Martin.

Summary from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/argentina/8569687/Scientists-create-cow-that-produces-human-milk.html and http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9370597/content/61037851-the-initial-report-stated-that-milk-from-the-offspring-of-a-cloned-cow-had-gone-on-sale-to photo from: http://www.mrdj1.com/

The two human genes mean that Rosita ISA's milk will have some of the benefits of "a mother's milk" as well as the benefits of cow's milk.

Solar Cell Windows

 

Scientists form the University of Oxford have made solar cells using a metal oxide, which is found in toothpaste, and mixing with a dye which can then be printed onto glass for use as stained glass windows. These stained glass windows can then convert solar energy into electricity.
Dr Henry Snaith and the physics team's solar windows are very useful and efficient because manufacturing  uses common and non-toxic materials and will be much cheaper than other similar products.

Setting this particular product apart form the competitors is that it uses a solid semiconductor rather than liquid electrolytes.This means, as it is not volatile like the others used, it can be printed onto the glass making it a very useful product.

Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-12364169

Summary from:  http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/110106.html and (also image from:) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-12323647

The product can have great implications for the environment using solar, renewable energy that is more environmentally friendly to produce and cheaper which could mean it is available to more people and can therefore have more of an impact.

DNA "Printer" Chip

Scientists at Duke University have produced a chip which can make DNA and copy DNA quickly and much cheaper than other methods.

Summary and photo from: http://www.livescience.com/14397-dna-chip-printing-press-synthetic-biology.html

The chip can make differences in drug testing and gene cloning.

Dog DNA and Hereditary Parkinson's Research

Research has found that a gene mutation in Tibetan Terriers which causes them to have neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) causes humans to have a form of hereditary Parkinson's disease.

Summary from: http://www.healthscout.com/news/1/652124/main.html photo from: http://breedsdogs.blogspot.com/2008/06/tibetan-terrier.html

These findings mean that research and testing can be done on NCL and the developments might be applicable for use on humans.

Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery by Remote-Controlled Microcarriers

Development has been made by Professor Martel (first to guide a magnetic sphere through a living artery) and Professor Jean-Christophe Leroux who both directed Pierre Pouponneau to produce therapeutic magnetic microcarriers (TMMCs). They are made from biodegradable polymer and measuring 50 micrometers in diameter which are made to deliver drugs. They contain the drug and magnetic nanoparticles which mean it can be guided using a special MRI system.
They used the TMMCs to deliver anti-cancer drugs to a targeted part of a rabbit's liver having been guided through the hepatic artery.

Summary from: http://www.sourcews.com/view?v=world-first-professor-sylvain-martel photo from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110316084417.htm

This development means that anti-cancer drugs can be directly delivered to a specific area and therefore, doesn't have adverse side effects on other areas.

Self-healing Skin Cancer

A genetic fault of the gene TGFBR1 causes multiple self-healing squamous epithelioma (MSSE) or Ferguson-Smith disease.

Researches at the Univerity of Dundee report that the gene is responsible for the production of a protein which is involved in the growth and development of cells and usually prevents the growth of tumours in some cases but if a cancer is advanced and agressive then the gene helps the spread of the cancer.

However, in the case of MSSE, the fault of the gene means the person suffers from several small tumours but  the TGFBR1 gene lacking tumours heal themselves.

Summary from: http://www.britainnews.net/story/749639 photo from: http://topnews.net.nz/reports/212304-scientists-uncover-secret-self-healing-skin-cancer

New drugs could be developed and an understanding of the gene could give a better understanding of the problems of other cancers and tumours.