ScienceDaily (Aug. 7, 2012) A new way to study the role of a critical neurotransmitter in disorders such as epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, depression, schizophrenia, and alcohol addiction has been developed by a group of scientists led by Gong Chen, an associate professor of biology at Penn State University. The new method involves molecularly engineering a model synapse -- a structure through which a nerve cell send signals to another cell. This model synapse can precisely control a variety of receptors for the neurotransmitter called GABA, which is important in brain chemistry. The research, which will be published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry on 10 August 2012, opens the door to the possibility of creating safer and more-efficient drugs that target GABA receptors and that cause fewer side effects. Neurotransmitters -- chemicals sent by nerves to trigger other cells to change their electrical responses -- interact with special receptors located on the cell's outer membrane. These receptors form inside the cell, and then are transported to different locations on the membrane to await the arrival of neurotransmitters. Chen explained that understanding how these receptors work and how they move to various locations on a cell's membrane is a critical step … Continue reading →

DESPERATE Scousewives star Amanda Harrington today thanked the medics who helped save her nans life after she suffered a severe stroke. Amanda, 30, also encouraged people to make sure they are aware of the symptoms after Margaret Baldwin received treatment in the Stroke Unit at Aintree University Hospital. The former ECHO columnist said: I knew a little bit about strokes after seeing ads on telly, but I didnt realise just how quickly you needed to respond to the symptoms. My grandad Tony was quick thinking. This is the first stroke in our family, so its not something weve dealt with before. I was shocked when I read about what can happen if you dont get the treatment straight away. Mrs Baldwin, 75, was at home in Aintree when she collapsed on to the floor, causing a nearby lamp to fall down. The stroke was caused by an irregular heartbeat. Model Amanda said: When my grandad heard the noise he rushed downstairs and found my nan on the floor. Her face had dropped, so he knew shed had a stroke and he called an ambulance. It was this quick thinking that helped ensure Mrs Baldwin received life-saving thrombolysis treatment at Aintree … Continue reading →

Public release date: 8-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Mika Ono mikaono@scripps.edu 858-784-2052 Scripps Research Institute LA JOLLA, CA, August 8, 2012 Clinical trials start this week for a stroke drug initially created by a team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute and the University of Southern California (USC), and further developed by biotech company ZZ Biotech. The clinical trials will test the safety in humans of the experimental drug 3K3A-APC, which has been shown in animal models to reduce brain damage and improve motor skills after stroke when given in conjunction with a federally approved clot-busting therapy. "I am incredibly excited about the potential for translating our science into a therapy that could have a significant impact on society," said Scripps Research Institute Professor John Griffin, who collaborated on the scientific work with Professor Berislav V. Zlokovic, director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "Stroke and its aftereffects are a huge problem in this country." Kent Pryor, chief operating officer of ZZ Biotech, said, "We are very pleased to have received approval from The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) to initiate our first human study … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Aug. 8, 2012) DNA holds the genetic code for all sorts of biological molecules and traits. But University of Illinois researchers have found that DNA's code can similarly shape metallic structures. The team found that DNA segments can direct the shape of gold nanoparticles -- tiny gold crystals that have many applications in medicine, electronics and catalysis. Led by Yi Lu, the Schenck Professor of Chemistry at the U. of I., the team published its surprising findings in the journal Angewandte Chemie. "DNA-encoded nanoparticle synthesis can provide us a facile but novel way to produce nanoparticles with predictable shape and properties," Lu said. "Such a discovery has potential impacts in bio-nanotechnology and applications in our everyday lives such as catalysis, sensing, imaging and medicine." Gold nanoparticles have wide applications in both biology and materials science thanks to their unique physicochemical properties. Properties of a gold nanoparticle are largely determined by its shape and size, so it is critical to be able to tailor the properties of a nanoparticle for a specific application. "We wondered whether different combinations of DNA sequences could constitute 'genetic codes' to direct the nanomaterial synthesis in a way similar to their direction of protein synthesis," … Continue reading →