Theatre Review: Dayglo

'Dayglo', the latest play by the Y Touring Theatre Company, skilfully and thoughtfully explores pharmacogenetics, and is much more than just another educational story...

TV Review: Brave New World - Health

'Science is on the brink of changing your life'. It's a bold and risky opening statement, but I find my initial scepticism quelled. Whether this is due to the promise coming from the revered Professor Stephen Hawking, or because I've allowed myself to get caught up in the increasingly dramatic soundtrack is hard to say. But either way, the addition of flashy sound bites from enthusiastic scientific celebrities coupled with epic landscape shots from exotic destinations is sufficient to convinc...[Read More]

Melanoma sequencing reveals genetic effects of sun damage

Whole genome sequencing of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has confirmed the long held belief that greater sun exposure raises cancer risk by increasing the frequency of genetic mutation. The study also identifies one gene, PREX2, that is mutated in 14 percent of cases...[Read More]

Call for moratorium on synthetic biology

Synthetic biology, which uses genetic engineering to build new genomes and organisms, has come under attack in a report published by Friends of the Earth and supported by over 100 other 'public interest' groups...[Read More]

European approval for skin cancer drug that could double lifespan

The European approval of a new gene-specific drug for an aggressive form of skin cancer marks another step towards an era of personalised medicine. A recent trial showed promising results, with the drug shrinking tumour size and extending life span...[Read More]

IVF 'twins' born five years apart

Five-year-old Reuben Blake has already started school, but his twin sister Floren, conceived during the same IVF treatment cycle, has only just been born...[Read More]

Heart stem cells discovered that can make bone and muscle

Research in mice has shown the heart contains its own renewable source of stem cells which can differentiate into a variety of cell types. The research team in Australia hopes that one day the stem cells could be activated so a broken heart can be made to mend itself....[Read More]

Successful trial of genetic test to guide personalised cancer therapy

A new genetic test that will help to tailor drugs to cancer patients' individual tumours has been successfully trialled in the US...[Read More]

IVF increases risk of pre-eclampsia by 40 percent, study claims

Women who have conceived through IVF may be more likely to develop pre-eclampsia during pregnancy than pregnant women who have not, according to a recent study in the US. The researchers, who are presenting their findings at this year's American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference in Orlando, suggest exposing embryos to laboratory conditions during IVF may lead to poor development of the placenta and its blood supply....[Read More]

Black Death DNA puzzle no longer plagues scientists

DNA extracted from the teeth of plague victims buried in London over 660 years ago has been used to reconstruct the genome of the bacteria that led to the Black Death. The study, carried out by a team of scientists from Canada and Germany, showed that the genetic make-up of this medieval bacteria has remained remarkably unchanged compared to modern day strains...[Read More]

Breakthrough in stem cell research - world's first reprogrammed adult cell

US scientists have for the first time created 'personalised' human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) using a form of cloning. The result is a significant milestone on the route to using stem cell-based therapies but the researchers stress more work is to be done as genetic errors in the cells means they are not yet suitable for therapeutic use....[Read More]

Dead end for the 'longevity gene'?

A gene associated with increased lifespan in a number of organisms is now thought to have no effect on longevity after a second look revealed significant flaws in the original studies on which the assumptions were based. The findings will disappoint the manufacturers of many anti-ageing creams that claim to work by activating the gene, but are unlikely to put a stop to research...[Read More]