PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 24-Oct-2013 Contact: Cathy Yarbrough press@ashg.org 858-243-1814 American Society of Human Genetics A newly discovered potential gene-diet interaction for colorectal cancer was reported today (Thursday, Oct. 24) at the American Society of Human Genetics 2013 meeting in Boston. The interaction may shed light on the statistically significant increased risk of colorectal cancer that is associated with consumption of red and processed meat, the researchers said. "If replicated, our findings have a relevant public health significance because diet is a modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer," said Jane Figueiredo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, who presented the study this morning at the ASHG meeting. "It is conceivable that selected individuals at higher risk of colorectal cancer based on genomic profiling could be targeted for screening, diet modification and other prevention strategies," added Dr. Figueiredo, one of the scientists collaborating in the international NIH-funded Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO). The scientists also determined that the lower colorectal cancer risk associated with vegetable, fruit and fiber intake also was linked to genetic variants. The possibility that genetic variants may modify an individual's risk for disease based on … Continue reading →

Oct. 24, 2013 A common genetic variant that affects 1 in 3 people significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer from the consumption of red meat and processed meat, according to a study presented today at the annual American Society of Human Genetics 2013 meeting. In addition to identifying a gene that raises risk for colorectal cancer from eating red or processed meat, the study -- the first to identify the interactions of genes and diet on a genome-wide scale -- also reveals another specific genetic variation that appears to modify whether eating more vegetables, fruits and fiber actually lowers your colorectal cancer risk. "Diet is a modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer. Our study is the first to understand whether some individuals are at higher or lower risk based on their genomic profile. This information can help us better understand the biology and maybe in the future lead to targeted prevention strategies," said lead author Jane Figueiredo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "But we are not saying that if you don't have the genetic variant that you should eat all the red meat you'd like," Figueiredo added. "People with the … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 24-Oct-2013 Contact: Suzanne Wu suzanne.wu@usc.edu 213-740-0252 University of Southern California A common genetic variant that affects 1 in 3 people significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer from the consumption of red meat and processed meat, according to a study presented today at the annual American Society of Human Genetics 2013 meeting, the largest gathering of human geneticists in the world. In addition to identifying a gene that raises risk for colorectal cancer from eating red or processed meat, the study the first to identify the interactions of genes and diet on a genome-wide scale also reveals another specific genetic variation that appears to modify whether eating more vegetables, fruits and fiber actually lowers your colorectal cancer risk. "Diet is a modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer. Our study is the first to understand whether some individuals are at higher or lower risk based on their genomic profile. This information can help us better understand the biology and maybe in the future lead to targeted prevention strategies," said lead author Jane Figueiredo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Preventive Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "But we are not saying that if you don't have the … Continue reading →

BOSTON & LEUVEN, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cartagenia, the world leader in providing genetic labs and clinicians with software-based workflow support for variant assessment, lab reporting, and integration of diagnostic knowledge-bases, today announced that more than 120 labs and clinics across three continents have now adopted and are relying on its Bench platform genetics diagnostics solution for use in daily practice. Bench is a web-based software and database platform with features and knowledge sources that allows clinicians to analyze, interpret and manage genomic variations in routing diagnostics. Cartagenia CEO Herman Verrelst said the marked success of the Bench platform underscores a true need for clinical grade tools for lab variant assessment and reporting support in the rapidly expanding world of genetic diagnostics. It is very rewarding to see the enthusiastic response we are receiving for our Bench solutions in all our key markets and across three continents, Verrelst said. We believe this reflects very strong growth in NGS adoption and a clear need for diagnostic-grade solutions in lab interpretation and reporting workflow automation, integration with the referring physician and hospital IT, and linking to the community through data sharing initiatives all tools that Cartagenia Bench platform provides. Cartagenia also announced that it … Continue reading →

Oct. 24, 2013 Researchers from the Institute of Genomic Medicine (Inmegen) carried out a study on genetic factors that can be associated to metabolic syndrome, main trigger of cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and obesity, with the goal of identifying high risk populations and influence its treatment in the most effective way. Under the lead of Lorena Orozco, the objective of the research is to know the genetic susceptibility of the mixed and indigenous Mexican populations to developing metabolic syndrome or one of its components and the relationship of this risk with its indigenous, Caucasian or African origins. The researcher explained that the metabolic syndrome is characterized by the simultaneous presence or sequence of at least three of the next components: increment in glucose levels, triglycerides, arterial hypertension, low levels of benefic cholesterol (HDL) and rise of the waist circumference. She also said that the study includes individuals from different Mexican states throughout the country, like Chiapas, San Luis Potos, Mexico State, Yucatn, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Puebla and Mexico City. The project's study group was integrated by 800 mixed race individuals and 400 natives more than 30 years old, from both sexes. Blood samples were taken from this groups in order … Continue reading →

Newswise BOSTON/CHICAGO An international research consortium led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Chicago has answered several questions about the genetic background of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS), providing the first direct confirmation that both are highly heritable and also revealing major differences between the underlying genetic makeup of the disorders. Their report is being published in the October issue of the open-access journal PLOS Genetics. "Both TS and OCD appear to have a genetic architecture of many different genes perhaps hundreds in each person acting in concert to cause disease," says Jeremiah Scharf, MD, PhD, of the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit in the MGH Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, senior corresponding author of the report. "By directly comparing and contrasting both disorders, we found that OCD heritability appears to be concentrated in particular chromosomes particularly chromosome 15 while TS heritability is spread across many different chromosomes." An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions that disrupt the lives of patients, OCD is the fourth most common psychiatric illness. TS is a chronic disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics that usually begins in childhood and is often accompanied by conditions like … Continue reading →

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 24-Oct-2013 Contact: Mike Morrison mdmorrison@partners.org 617-724-6425 Massachusetts General Hospital An international research consortium led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Chicago has answered several questions about the genetic background of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette syndrome (TS), providing the first direct confirmation that both are highly heritable and also revealing major differences between the underlying genetic makeup of the disorders. Their report is being published in the October issue of the open-access journal PLOS Genetics. "Both TS and OCD appear to have a genetic architecture of many different genes perhaps hundreds in each person acting in concert to cause disease," says Jeremiah Scharf, MD, PhD, of the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit in the MGH Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, senior corresponding author of the report. "By directly comparing and contrasting both disorders, we found that OCD heritability appears to be concentrated in particular chromosomes particularly chromosome 15 while TS heritability is spread across many different chromosomes." An anxiety disorder characterized by obsessions and compulsions that disrupt the lives of patients, OCD is the fourth most common psychiatric illness. TS is a chronic disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics that usually … Continue reading →

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EuroNanoMed II, a European funding initiative under the ERA-NET scheme of the European Commissions 7th Framework Programme, announced on the projects that will be funded following its 2013 joint transnational call for collaborative research projects. 8 projects, involving 42 partners from 15 countries/regions, will be funded with 7 Million provided by EuroNanoMed II funding agencies. The research projects were selected out of 42 submitted proposals, which engaged 216 research groups from 20 EU member and associated states/regions. The 2013 joint transnational call for proposals was launched in December 2012 to promote transnational and interdisciplinary research in Nanomedicine. This is the fourth call launched by EuroNanoMed focusing on the three main subfields of Nanomedicine: diagnostics, targeted delivery systems and regenerative medicine. The proposals were reviewed by external experts, taking into account the scientific, technical, clinical and commercial merit of the projects, followed by the evaluation of an international peer review panel. The 8 funded projects encompass all three subfields of Nanomedicine and cover diverse medical issues such as treatment and monitoring of cancer, bone fractures and allergic reactions. Dr. Olaf Rotthaus, Chair of the Network Steering Committee of EuroNanoMed II, pointed out the scientific quality of the projects: "The … Continue reading →