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Posts

May 10, 2013

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2:33 PM | Insula Activation as a Biomarker for Depression Risk
Right and Left Insula Cortex Highlighted in TealBiomarker research in brain disorders including schizophrenia and mood disorders is an important pathway to early identification and prevention.In a previous post, I reviewed a summary of current biomarker research in schizophrenia.  This summary suggested that accelerated brain gray matter volume decline during childhood and adolescence is a candidate biomarker in schizophrenia.In this post, I will look at a similar imaging biomarker study […]
Brain Posts
Medicine | Neuroscience

April 23, 2013

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1:42 PM | Abstracts of the Autism Research Institute’s Think Tank April 12-14, 2013
Attached are summaries of presentations at the resent Autism Research Institute’s Think Tank. The same was held in Baltimore from April 12-14, 2013.In-keeping with the spirit of the Think Tank [...]
Cortical Chauvinism
Development | Neuroscience

April 22, 2013

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2:10 PM | Reflections of a Medical Oncologist on AACR 2013
Continuing my series of posts about the 2013 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), I am delighted…
Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine

April 12, 2013

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4:00 PM | Edible Electronics Will Spy On Your Intestines
Robo-Nurse Tavis CoburnDevices inside pills could monitor health issues or deliver targeted cancer drugs. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing edible electronic devices that could monitor health, deliver drugs, or stimulate damaged tissue in the gastrointestinal tract or small intestine. Patients would swallow a pill containing the device. According to Christopher Bettinger, an assistant professor at CMU, the power sources for the devices would be made of flexible polymer […]
Popular Science
General Science

April 11, 2013

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4:29 PM | AACR 2013 – some initial thoughts on the emerging trends
This year’s American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting grew by 8% to approximately 18,000 attendees with 25% from…
Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine

April 08, 2013

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11:43 AM | Watching cancers evolve using ‘liquid biopsies’
Sometimes it feels like cancer research is progressing at a dizzying speed. Just last year, we reported how Cancer Research UK scientists had reconstructed the evolution of a patient’s kidney tumour during treatment – one of many studies over the … Continue reading →

Murtaza M., Dawson S.J., Tsui D.W.Y., Gale D., Forshew T., Piskorz A.M., Parkinson C., Chin S.F., Kingsbury Z. & Wong A.S.C. & (2013). Non-invasive analysis of acquired resistance to cancer therapy by sequencing of plasma DNA, Nature, DOI:

Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology
Citation

March 13, 2013

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10:01 PM | Blood test tracks breast cancer
Cancer is a wily enemy. It mutates and spreads within the body and becomes resistant to treatment. Understanding and counteracting this tricksy behaviour is the greatest challenge for researchers and doctors, and is the key to bringing forward lasting cancer … Continue reading →

Dawson S.J., Tsui D.W.Y., Murtaza M., Biggs H., Rueda O.M., Chin S.F., Dunning M.J., Gale D., Forshew T. & Mahler-Araujo B. & (2013). Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA to Monitor Metastatic Breast Cancer, New England Journal of Medicine, 130313140010009. DOI:

Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology
Citation

March 01, 2013

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2:50 PM | ASH 2012 update on ARRY-520 in multiple myeloma
After highlighting the interesting biomarker program associated with AVEO’s tivozanib in renal cell and triple negative breast cancers in the last…

Garon, E., Finn, R., Hosmer, W., Dering, J., Ginther, C., Adhami, S., Kamranpour, N., Pitts, S., Desai, A., Elashoff, D. & French, T. (2010). Identification of Common Predictive Markers of In vitro Response to the Mek Inhibitor Selumetinib (AZD6244; ARRY-142886) in Human Breast Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 9 (7) 1985-1994. DOI:

Sarli, V. & Giannis, A. (2008). Targeting the Kinesin Spindle Protein: Basic Principles and Clinical Implications, Clinical Cancer Research, 14 (23) 7583-7587. DOI:

Tunquist, B., Woessner, R. & Walker, D. (2010). Mcl-1 Stability Determines Mitotic Cell Fate of Human Multiple Myeloma Tumor Cells Treated with the Kinesin Spindle Protein Inhibitor ARRY-520, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 9 (7) 2046-2056. DOI:

Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine
Citation
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2:50 PM | ASH 2012 update on ARRY-520 in multiple myeloma
After highlighting the interesting biomarker program associated with AVEO’s tivozanib in renal cell and triple negative breast cancers in the last…

Garon, E., Finn, R., Hosmer, W., Dering, J., Ginther, C., Adhami, S., Kamranpour, N., Pitts, S., Desai, A., Elashoff, D. & French, T. (2010). Identification of Common Predictive Markers of In vitro Response to the Mek Inhibitor Selumetinib (AZD6244; ARRY-142886) in Human Breast Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 9 (7) 1985-1994. DOI:

Sarli, V. & Giannis, A. (2008). Targeting the Kinesin Spindle Protein: Basic Principles and Clinical Implications, Clinical Cancer Research, 14 (23) 7583-7587. DOI:

Tunquist, B., Woessner, R. & Walker, D. (2010). Mcl-1 Stability Determines Mitotic Cell Fate of Human Multiple Myeloma Tumor Cells Treated with the Kinesin Spindle Protein Inhibitor ARRY-520, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 9 (7) 2046-2056. DOI:

Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine
Citation

February 28, 2013

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5:20 PM | MPs have a go at ‘citizen science’
We’ve been talking about our new ‘citizen science’ work a fair bit recently on this blog. But it’s important to make sure that MPs are up to date with our latest projects. So yesterday we went to Parliament to tell … Continue reading →
Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology

February 22, 2013

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2:31 AM | Introducing Aba-seq for Enzyme Based High-Res Mapping of Mammalian Hydroxymethylomes
New England Biolabs is well known for its extensive in house research programs – churning out numerous publications every year. The role of hydroxymethylation as a possible cancer biomarker is a topic of keen interest for all Epigenetics researchers. So, NEB researchers are especially enthused about their recent publication in Cell, along with their collaborators from Emory University School of Medicine. Sun, Z. et al. High-Resolution Enzymatic Mapping of Genomic 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine […]

Sun Z, Terragni J, Borgaro JG, Liu Y, Yu L, Guan S, Wang H, Sun D, Cheng X, Zhu Z & Pradhan S (2013). High-resolution enzymatic mapping of genomic 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in mouse embryonic stem cells., Cell reports, 3 (2) 567-76. PMID:

E3: Engaging Epigenetics Experts Scientific Network
Biology | Biotechnology
Citation

February 20, 2013

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12:01 AM | Stargazing to spot cancer
Today our researchers announce the results of an exciting project bringing together two unlikely scientific bedfellows – astronomy and pathology.  Back in 2010, Dr Raza Ali and his team at our Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute joined forces with the University … Continue reading →

Ali H.R., Irwin M., Morris L., Dawson S.J., Blows F.M., Provenzano E., Mahler-Araujo B., Pharoah P.D., Walton N.A. & Brenton J.D. & (2013). Astronomical algorithms for automated analysis of tissue protein expression in breast cancer., British journal of cancer, PMID:

Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology
1
Citation
Editor's Pick

February 12, 2013

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4:15 PM | Making a difference in pancreatic cancer – an interview with Dr Hedy Lee Kindler
Pancreatic cancer is one of those conditions I never hope to get. Why? Well, for starters, it’s one of the…
Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine

January 30, 2013

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7:21 PM | Methylomes in Lethal Prostate Cancer Support Personalized Medicine
Recent surprising evidence has shown that metastatic tumors usually do not vary in their genomes within an individual. Yet, these tumors behave differently at different sites around the body. Does that mean that epigenetic profiling will be too variable to target for cancer treatment? In a word, no. Martin J. Aryee et al., from Johns Hopkins, have published their work in DNA Methylation Alterations Exhibit Intraindividual Stability and Interindividual Heterogeneity in Prostate Cancer Metastases […]

Aryee MJ, Liu W, Engelmann JC, Nuhn P, Gurel M, Haffner MC, Esopi D, Irizarry RA, Getzenberg RH, Nelson WG & Luo J (2013). DNA methylation alterations exhibit intraindividual stability and interindividual heterogeneity in prostate cancer metastases., Science translational medicine, 5 (169) PMID:

E3: Engaging Epigenetics Experts Scientific Network
Biology | Biotechnology
Citation

January 24, 2013

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1:19 PM | Will ASCO GI herald a new era for pancreatic cancer?
Today I’m heading off to attend the ASCO GI meeting in San Fransciso, and in particular, the pancreatic cancer sessions…
Pharma Strategy Blog
Cell Biology | Medicine

January 21, 2013

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3:11 AM | T.O.P. Srl
T.O.P. Srl integrates imaging techniques into the drug discovery process, with the generation of transgenic animals for measuring drug effects on target.
Genome Engineering
Biology | Biotechnology

December 20, 2012

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5:01 PM | Tissue study turns tables on prostate cancer
As we heard yesterday, a man’s lifetime risk of developing cancer is set to climb to one in two by 2027, and one of the biggest reasons is an increase in prostate cancer rates. But research is bringing hope that … Continue reading →
Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology

December 03, 2012

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7:11 PM | Crowdfunding on the Brain: Finding Biomarkers for Early Autism Diagnosis
By Biology Editor, Jeanne GarbarinoIf a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is because they have gone through a number of rigorous behavioral tests, often over a period of time, and never straightforward. Of course, this time can be a stressful for parents or caregivers, and sometimes the answers can lead to even more questions. One solution to the waiting and uncertainty would be to have a medical test that could more easily diagnose ASD. However, no one has been able to […]
Double X Science
General Science
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1:54 AM | eJournal Club - Albuminuria and AKI
This month’s eJournal club concerns biomarkers of AKI. There has been […]
Renal Fellow Network
Clinical Research | Medicine

November 03, 2012

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6:00 PM | Lake Nona Impact Forum: health care technology of the future
More than 100 health care leaders from across the country came together last week for the first Lake Nona Impact Forum at Orlando's Medical City. Created by the Lake Nona Institute, the Forum is an opportunity for industry leaders to exchange ideas on ways to accelerate the impact of health innovation.
Beaker
Biology | Medicine

November 02, 2012

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4:53 PM | The slow dawn of the age of targeted therapies
This morning, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) reversed its original, preliminary decisions over two cutting-edge ‘targeted’ melanoma treatments – ipilimumab and vemurafenib. Both drugs will now be available on the NHS to suitable patients throughout England, Wales and … Continue reading →
Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology

October 24, 2012

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1:50 PM | Help us beat cancer – with just a few clicks of your mouse
Imagine a world where millions of people are helping to find ways to control and cure cancer, from the comfort of their own homes. Imagine these people taking part in a project which might – one day – become a … Continue reading →
Cancer Research UK - Science Update
Medicine | Biology

October 19, 2012

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6:07 AM | View from the Rock: Spotting miRNA biomarkers in type II diabetes
Type II diabetes is growing in incidence, and has both lifestyle and genetic factors, and Lena Eliasson of Lund University Diabetes Centre presented on the use of miRNA as a biomarker in the disease at the Planet xMAP 2012 meeting in Monaco, 10-11 October 2012.
Genome Engineering
Biology | Biotechnology

October 05, 2012

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2:05 AM | Essence of Breast Cancer Profiling using Integrative Functional Genomics
Yu Bo is a highly respected, world famous chef who prepares modern versions of Chinese cuisine. His dishes are terrifically creative in their presentation of traditional Cheng Du providence flavors. Yu Bo’s process reveals the ‘essence’ of a dish, displaying it through modern culinary procedures and techniques. This inventive process is similar to how biological information can be processed to reveal an essential disease profile. Breast cancer has many known associated […]

Cowper-Sal Lari R, Zhang X, Wright JB, Bailey SD, Cole MD, Eeckhoute J, Moore JH & Lupien M (2012). Breast cancer risk-associated SNPs modulate the affinity of chromatin for FOXA1 and alter gene expression., Nature genetics, PMID:

E3 Engaging Epigenetics Experts
Biology | Biotechnology
Citation

September 30, 2012

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7:52 PM | Endophenotypes and Biomarkers in Eating Disorders: Genetic Underpinnings, Personality Traits, Vulnerabilities – Part 2
This post continues the discussion of the chapter on eating disorders by Carolina Lopez, Marion Roberts, and Janet Treasure from The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes (2009). Part 1 focused on neurotransmitter biomarkers, and this second part will focus on the neuropsychological biomarkers. Neuropsychological biomarkers Attentional bias is the tendency for individuals to attend to or be distracted by emotionally relevant stimuli over neutral […]

Carolina Lopez, Marion Roberts & Janet Treasure (2009). Biomarkers and Endophenotypes in Eating Disorders, The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes, 227-237. DOI:

Science of Eating Disorders
Neuroscience | Psychiatry
Citation

September 24, 2012

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7:57 AM | Could surgery accelerate Alzheimer’s disease?
A link between surgery and cognitive decline has long been observed, but without understanding its nature or how to control it. A new study suggests that inflammation following an operation could be the trigger that accelerates the pathology of the disease. If so, it will become even more important to identify people at risk for developing the disease, and to find ways of blocking the brain from launching this harmful inflammatory response. Continue reading →
MyScienceWork
Science Communication | General Science

September 11, 2012

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4:30 AM | Rare form of autism treated with dietary supplement
A rare form of autism, caused by a mutation that alters amino acid metabolism, could potentially be treated with a nutritional supplement, according to an international team of researchers. This finding may also lead to an effective test for the condition using genetic biomarkers, helping earlier and more accurate diagnosis. To read the rest of the story go to the BioNews site.
Genome Engineering
Biology | Biotechnology

August 08, 2012

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1:47 PM | Geek science fact for the Olympics and Paralympics: Beijing cut its carbon footprint for the 2008 Olympics
In the 2008 Olympics, Beijing managed to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 24,000 metric tons per day compared with the previous year. If this could be maintained, and if other large industrial cities did the same, this could make a big impact on global warming. During the Beijing Olympics, these reductions in air pollution [...]
Geek Science Fact of the Day
Science Communication

August 03, 2012

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1:01 PM | Detecting Gene Doping in Sports: MicroRNA biomarker sought
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has committed $50 million US dollars to research since 2001 (see their grant applications & projects here).  Since 2007, some of those research funds have gone to the emerging problem of gene doping. Read about the first public evidence of gene doping, from the trial of the German track coach Thomas Springstein., in the NYT article Outlaw DNA. So what is gene doping? WADA defines it as “the transfer of nucleic acids or nucleic acid sequences’ […]

Elmo W.I. Neuberger, Magdelena Jurkiewicz, Dirk A. Moser and Perikles Simon (2012). Detection of EPO gene doping in blood., Drug Testt. Analysis, DOI:

Neuberger EW, Jurkiewicz M, Moser DA & Simon P (2012). Detection of EPO gene doping in blood., Drug testing and analysis, PMID:

E3: Engaging Epigenetics Experts Scientific Network
Biology | Biotechnology
Citation

August 02, 2012

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6:19 AM | Geek science fact for the Olympics and Paralympics: GSK’s antidoping lab will become a science research centre
The antidoping labs, created by GlaxoSmithKline and supported by analysts from King’s College London for the Olympics, will become a biomarker centre for biomedical research. The MRC-NIHR Phenome Centre is reported to be the first of its kind in the world. The phenome is the sum total of the physical characteristics and chemical markers in [...]
Geek Science Fact of the Day
Science Communication
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