News for March 2016

News Archive

New Findings in Humans Provide Encouraging Foundation for Upcoming AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trial New Findings in Humans Provide Encouraging Foundation for Upcoming AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trial

Engineered vaccine protein binds key immune cells that exist in nearly everyone

New computational simulation method reveals significant degeneration of knee cartilage in overweight people over time New computational simulation method reveals significant degeneration of knee cartilage in overweight people over time

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the articular cartilage protecting the joint starts to degenerate and wear off over time. The main risk factors of osteoarthritis are advanced age and overweight-induced significant stresses on the knee joint. Current imaging methods such as MRI and X-ray provide information about the thickness and composition of the cartilage, but they do not provide a quantitative estimate of the patient-specific risk of osteoarthritis or its progression.

Training tomorrow’s chemists - practical drug discovery with undergraduates on live industry projects Training tomorrow’s chemists - practical drug discovery with undergraduates on live industry projects

There is a premium on the UK’s most talented graduating chemists and a plethora of pathways open to them. The lucky few have experienced industrial placements receiving in many cases twelve months of one-to-one training from experienced industrial chemists which is rare in the educational process. But many chemists – however smart they may be – walk into the industrial laboratory with little understanding of the processes, the focus and the teamwork required. We have been fortunate enough to be able to set up two modules at the University of Nottingham, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, to help train “industry ready” graduates.

New study may lead to improved treatment of type 2 diabetes. Genetic cause found for loss of beta cells during diabetes development New study may lead to improved treatment of type 2 diabetes. Genetic cause found for loss of beta cells during diabetes development

Worldwide, 400 million people live with diabetes, with rapid increases projected. Patients with diabetes mostly fall into one of two categories, type 1 diabetics, triggered by autoimmunity at a young age, and type 2 diabetics, caused by metabolic dysfunction of the liver. Despite being labeled a “lifestyle disease”, diabetes has a strong genetic basis. New research under the direction of Adrian Liston (VIB/KU Leuven) has discovered that a common genetic defect in beta cells may underlie both forms of diabetes. This research was published in the international scientific journal Nature Genetics.

Mouse Model Yields Possible Treatment for Autism-Like Symptoms in Rare Disease Mouse Model Yields Possible Treatment for Autism-Like Symptoms in Rare Disease

Anti-anxiety drug clonazepam reduces autistic features in mouse model of Jacobsen syndrome

TSRI Scientists Identify Molecular Markers of Kidney Transplant Rejection TSRI Scientists Identify Molecular Markers of Kidney Transplant Rejection

The Findings Challenge Assumptions in the Field and Open the Door to Early Intervention

TSRI Study Identifies New Type of Protein Clump that May Be Implicated in ALS TSRI Study Identifies New Type of Protein Clump that May Be Implicated in ALS

The Findings May Lead to New Therapies for ALS and Other Neurodegenerative Conditions

Scripps Florida Study Lays Groundwork for Potential Bipolar Disorder Therapies Scripps Florida Study Lays Groundwork for Potential Bipolar Disorder Therapies

Bipolar disorder, which affects nearly eight million Americans, takes a toll not only on patients, but also on their families and communities.

TSRI Scientists Find Clues to Neutralizing Coronaviruses Such as MERS TSRI Scientists Find Clues to Neutralizing Coronaviruses Such as MERS

When the respiratory illness SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) emerged in 2003, it killed at least 775 people before it was contained. Nine years later, MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) began circulating in the human population—and has gone on to have a 36 percent case fatality rate.

TUMOURS CONTAIN THE SEEDS OF THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION TUMOURS CONTAIN THE SEEDS OF THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION

SCIENTISTS have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding how the genetic complexity of tumours can be recognised and exploited by the immune system, even when the disease is at its most advanced stages. The findings, by researchers funded by Cancer Research UK and the Rosetrees Trust, could guide future immunotherapies and improve the way existing immunotherapy drugs are used.

Local Therapeutics Company Pioneering Nanotechnology to Bring Innovative Medicines to Market That Make a Real Difference to People’s Lives Local Therapeutics Company Pioneering Nanotechnology to Bring Innovative Medicines to Market That Make a Real Difference to People’s Lives

HRH Duke of York recently discovered how Blueberry Therapeutics is set to create safe, effective “nanomedicines” to treat a number of unmet clinical needs