BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) announced that the Thomson Reuters Impact Factor Journal Citation Reports has just increased the impact factor of the ACMG's peer-reviewed medical genetics and genomics journal, Genetics in Medicine (GIM) to 6.435 in 2013 up from 5.56 in 2012.GIM is currently ranked 17th of 164 titles in Genetics & Heredity category and in the very top echelon of genetic journals that have a primarily clinical focus.A journal's Impact Factor is an objective measure of the world's leading journals based on articles' cited references and is oft considered a measure of a journal's overall successful performance and relevance to its field. "We're delighted with our impact factor having jumped once again. We are gratified that Genetics in Medicine has gained further prominence and we hope it reflects progress towards our goal of being the 'go to' journal for all those involved in any facet of clinical genetics and genomics," said GIM's Editor-in-Chief Jim Evans, MD, PhD, FACMG. "The Impact Factor is just one measure of a journal's value but this gratifying rise in GIM's impact is a testament to our editorial board members, who carefully consider each … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 7-Aug-2014 Contact: Glenna Picton picton@bcm.edu 713-798-4710 Baylor College of Medicine HOUSTON (Aug. 7, 2014) Researchers from the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered new information about the genetic alterations that may contribute to the development of a subtype breast cancer typically associated with more aggressive forms of the disease and higher recurrence rates. The study, led by Dr. Xiaosong Wang, assistant professor of medicine hematology and oncology and of molecular and cellular biology at Baylor, published today in Nature Communications and focused on the more aggressive molecular subtype of the estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer known as luminal B breast cancer. "While expressing the estrogen receptor, the luminal B breast cancers usually have higher tumor grade, larger tumor size, and poor prognosis, with most cases difficult to treat by endocrine therapy," said Wang, the lead and corresponding author on the report. "We wanted to gain a deeper understanding about the genetic alterations underlying this particular form of breast cancer, because we do not know about what malfunctions potentially cause this form to be more aggressive." In the study, Wang and colleagues identified a particular gene fusion on the estrogen receptor itself … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 7-Aug-2014 Contact: Mary Clarke press.office@sanger.ac.uk 44-122-349-2368 Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute Researchers have developed a powerful new tool to identify genetic changes in disease-causing bacteria that are responsible for antibiotic resistance. The results from this technique could be used in clinics within the next decade to decide on the most effective treatments for diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis. The team looked at the genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterial species that causes 1.6 million deaths worldwide each year. In the most detailed research of its kind, scientists used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to locate single-letter changes in the DNA code of the bacterium, which enable it to evade antibiotic treatment. While GWAS has been used for a decade to identify gene function in humans, it was thought to be impossible to use the technique on bacterial DNA until now. "The results of this research are very interesting," says Claire Chewapreecha, first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. "For the first time, we are able to see, at large scale, causative variants that allow bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae to resist our efforts to treat and control it. "We can begin to see how this might … Continue reading →

A pilot study undertaken by researchers from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London has shown promise in rapid treatment of serious strokes. The study, the first of its kind published in the UK, treated patients using stem cells from bone marrow. Imagine a perfectly ordinary beginning to your day, say burned toast, no matching pair of socks and the usual damp commute to work. Except at some point through the usual minutiae you suffer a massive stroke. If you dont die outright, you may soon afterwards. Even supposing you survive those first days or weeks, the chance of your life resuming its comforting tedium is impossibly remote. You may need assistance for the rest of your shortened life. According to the Stroke Association, about 152,000 people suffer a stroke in the UK alone each year. However, the five patients treated in the recent Imperial College pilot study all showed improvements. According to doctors, four of those had suffered the most severe kind of stroke, which leaves only four percent of people alive or able to live independently six months after the event. All four of the patients were alive after six months. A particular set of CD34+ … Continue reading →

ALBANY, New York, August 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research "Cell Separation Technologies Market (Technology: Gradient Centrifugation, MACS and FACS; Application: Stem Cell Research, Immunology, Neuroscience and Cancer Research) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019", the global cell separation technologies market was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2013 to 2019, to reach an estimated value of USD 3.3 billion in 2019. Browse the full Cell Separation TechnologiesMarket Report at http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cell-separation-technologies.html Cells play an important role in the field of microbiology, biotechnology and bioscience which have wide application in pharmaceuticals and healthcare industries. Taking into consideration the increasing demand for cell therapies to treat chronic diseases, research activities targeting cellular therapies have increased tremendously in the last decade. Growth in cell therapy oriented research has escalated demand for cell separation technologies worldwide. Out of the various types of technologies available in the market, magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) technology was the major technology segment in 2012, with market share of more than 42.5% in the global cell separation technologies market. Further, fluorescence … Continue reading →

(PRWEB UK) 8 August 2014 BioEden the specialist tooth stem cell bank has taken the stem cell market by storm, creating four new Membership Options that means private stem cell banking and the promise it holds for a healthier future, is affordable for the vast majority of parents. Long considered an elitist healthcare solution, private stem cell banking has for many years required an initial lump sum investment of up to 4000. Not any more. Standing by its mission to help make stem cell therapy an affordable reality, BioEden has introduced options that may mean that every parent can have the peace of mind that comes with banking their child's cells for their future use. Four options are now available. A child can be registered at birth and although the parent will pay a monthly Membership fee of 5, this will be credited back with a 10% bonus added. For parents wishing to access the service when the tooth is ready for stem cell preservation, an activation fee of 295 is payable, with a small monthly charge thereafter. Annual options are also available, or parents could choose the Advance option which enables a huge saving over the long term. Follow … Continue reading →