Life Sciences

Diabetes genes: you are tormented with X's, confused in zeros…

Taking into account the 12 new ones, the total number of known "diabetes genes" has reached 38, but each of them has only a very small effect on the risk of type 2 diabetes. Even taken together, they are not able to provide a clear forecast.

Light-on-a-chip

The key element of the lungs is a three–layer membrane in the alveoli, consisting of cells of the pulmonary epithelium, extracellular matrix and blood capillary cells. This "interface" was reproduced by the researchers inside the biochip.

Twins disappointed geneticists

A discouraging conclusion drawn from the results of a gigantic work: the genomes of three pairs of identical twins, one of whom has multiple sclerosis, and the other does not, do not differ in any way.

Stem cells against corneal burn

The new approach makes it possible to multiply limbal stem cells in the laboratory and grow from them a living contact lens that completely covers the cornea.

Human proteome: Russia got chromosome No. 18

Russian scientists involved in the Human Proteome project need to scan 30 thousand proteins encoded by 286 genes of this chromosome.

If you rejuvenate, then everywhere!

The latest "squeak" in plastic surgery was the so-called vaginal rejuvenation, as well as the design of this important part of the female body.

The wrong hole

Genetic testing: a dog is a human friend!

Dozens of tests have been developed to determine the predisposition of dogs and cats to genetically determined diseases and genes that determine the color and length of the coat. Such a gene analysis can be done both in Russia and in the former Soviet republics.

Hyaluronic acid against cirrhosis and other liver diseases

Modified with hyaluronic acid drugs can selectively accumulate in the damaged liver and, therefore, be used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and its malignant neoplasms.

The brilliance and poverty of medical genetics

By the end of the 30s, medical genetics in the USSR met the highest international standards. But its development was abruptly interrupted, and until now medical genetics in Russia is noticeably lagging behind the level of developed countries.

1000 Human Genomes Project: the third stage

During the third phase of the 1000 Human Genomes project, DNA sequences of 179 more people were determined in addition to the first six genomes.

HIV gene therapy is at least safe

The technique consists in transplanting the patient's own blood stem cells, the DNA of which includes three therapeutic genes that protect cells from HIV.

Smoke a nanotube?

A membrane with carbon nanotubes will allow nicotine to be delivered to the body not constantly, like a nicotine patch, but at the moment when it is most needed by a person trying to quit smoking.

Fuzzy logic of aging

The so-called fuzzy logic helped scientists to build a mathematical model of cell aging. This model will allow us to advance in understanding the nature of aging.

Let's make a new liver out of the old one

Specialists at the Massachusetts General Hospital were able to transplant liver grown from healthy cells to rats. However, before that they had to clear the carcass of the old organ from the cells.

How to increase life expectancy by a third?

Scientists have identified a set of genes, blocking which allows to increase the lifespan of worms by almost 30%. The most active of these genes, Ash-2, is responsible for the synthesis of a protein involved in histone methylation.

Cancer Treatment: waiting for a breakthrough

According to James Watson, a revolution in biology will occur in the field of cancer treatment. Here we can expect breakthrough results in the next five years.

Synthetic bacteria: famous scientists on the achievement of the Venter Institute

The journal Nature has published the opinions of eight well-known scientists in the field of synthetic biology (and not only) about the creation of the world's first "man-made" bacteria, from skeptical to inspired.

Antibodies made of plastic

The surface of plastic nanoparticles created by molecular imprinting exactly matches the shape of the antigen molecule. Such "antibodies" can resist a wide range of diseases, including viral infections or allergies.

A thirty-dollar genome?

The new DNA sequencing technology, according to the developers of the microfluidic chip, will allow reading a personal genome, spending reagents for only 30 dollars