Researchers at the Weill Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) have published the first genetic map of the date palm, according to a report. The genetic map shows the order in which the date palms chromosomes are placed and also which chromosome is responsible for reproduction. In theory, the information could one day allow growers to manipulate the development of seeds, creating more female fruit-bearing plants than male plants that do not produce dates, an important food source for much of the Middle East, the report said. Scientists from Saudi Arabia and China completed mapping the genome of the date-palm tree late last year. Scientists from Riyadhs King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Chinas Shenzhen-based BGI had been working on the project since 2008. The map has been produced by the genomics group under the direction of Joel Malek, assistant professor of Genetic Medicine at WCMC-Q, in collaboration with Karsten Suhre, professor of physiology and biophysics at WCMC-Q, and with the help of colleagues at the Ministry of Environments Biotechnology Center and the Department of Agricultural Affairs. The program, entitled Establishing World Leadership in Date Palm Research in Qatar, was funded by the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) … Continue reading →

Meeri N. Kim, For The Inquirer Last updated: Sunday, May 18, 2014, 8:51 AM Posted: Saturday, May 17, 2014, 3:55 PM Imagine a document 25,000 words long - about 100 pages, double-spaced - with one small error. Within the text of our genetic code, a single change like this can lead to a life-threatening disease such as sickle-cell anemia or cystic fibrosis. Most of these single-gene disorders have no cure. But using a new technique, doctors may one day be able to correct the genetic typo by replacing a harmful mutation in the genome with healthy DNA. Introducing CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats), a genetic editing tool that can cut and paste parts of any living animal's DNA. Although in its infancy, the system is generating excitement among scientists for its ease of use, accessibility, and vast potential. The CRISPR system enables researchers to make a small chain of custom-made molecules, called a guide RNA, and a Cas9 enzyme. The guide RNA is like the search function of a word processor, running along the length of the genome until it finds a match; then, the scissorslike Cas9 cuts the DNA. CRISPR can be used to delete, insert, or … Continue reading →

May 18, 2014 Image Caption: Stem cells loaded with cancer-killing herpes virus attack a brain tumor cell. Tumor cells in green. oHSV-loaded stem cells in red. oHSV-infected tumor cells in yellow. Credit: Khalid Shah/MGH Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital have a potential solution for how to more effectively kill tumor cells using cancer-killing viruses. The investigators report that trapping virus-loaded stem cells in a gel and applying them to tumors significantly improved survival in mice with glioblastoma multiforme, the most common brain tumor in human adults and also the most difficult to treat. The work, led by Khalid Shah, MS, PhD, an HSCI Principal Faculty member, is published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Shah heads the Molecular Neurotherapy and Imaging Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital. Cancer-killing or oncolytic viruses have been used in numerous phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for brain tumors but with limited success. In preclinical studies, oncolytic herpes simplex viruses seemed especially promising, as they naturally infect dividing brain cells. However, the therapy hasnt translated as well for human patients. The problem previous researchers couldnt overcome was how to keep the herpes viruses … Continue reading →

Stem cell treatment Multiple Sclerosis Patient suffering from multiple sclerosis undergone stemcell treatment. By: StemRx BioScience … Continue reading →

Mice With'MS-Like' Condition Walk After Stem Cell Treatment The mice were given human stem cells to test stem cell rejection. But instead of rejecting the human cells, the mice began to show positive reactions. Follow... By: NewsyScience … Continue reading →