Innovative gene therapy protects mice from HIV infection

US scientists have induced long-lasting HIV protection in mice from a single injection. Their study, published in the journal Nature, uses gene therapy to stimulate production of antibodies against the virus...[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]

Mouse study offers hope for treating leading genetic cause of infant death

Researchers have made a step forward in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, a serious genetic disorder, by using a stretch of RNA to trigger mice into producing a back-up version of a missing protein...[Read More]

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]

Gene therapy to treat HIV shows promise

The success of a new gene therapy trial represents a significant step towards a 'functional cure' for HIV, US researchers announced this week. By mimicking the effects of a naturally occurring gene mutation that makes an individual resistant to infection, this therapy aims to reduce or eliminate the dependency of HIV patients on antiretroviral drugs....[Read More]

My daddy's name is adoption

On November 2, 2010, Elizabeth Marquardt testified before the Australian Senate. Her remarks included this statement: 'But I also want to make clear that - even with openness - the problems [allegations that donor-conceived children are more prone to social and legal trouble] do not completely go away. There seems to be something else about knowing that the person who raised you also deliberately denied you your other parent before you were even born'...[Read More]

Call for views on emerging biotechnologies

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has launched a consultation on the ethical issues raised by emerging biotechnologies. Following discussions about the ethical issues raised by synthetic biology, nanotechnology, stem cell research, genomics and other fields besides, the Council realised that these issues could be profitably examined together...[Read More]

Potential breakthrough in HIV gene therapy

American researchers have successfully created immune cells resistant to HIV. T cells, which are the main target of HIV, were isolated from six HIV positive patients and genetically manipulated to confer resistance. The cells were injected back into the same patients and were able to survive and multiply...[Read More]

Book Review: Drawing the Map of Life - Inside the Human Genome Project

The quest to sequence the first human genome has all the ingredients of a good thriller. Privately funded maverick scientist Dr Craig Venter raced the government-sponsored Human Genome Project (HGP) to be the first to sequence the human genetic code. When the draft code was finally published in 2001, it became one of the landmark scientific advances of the last decade...[Read More]

US judge overturns gene patents

A US judge has invalidated a genetic testing company's patents on two breast cancer genes...[Read More]

First synthetic biology code of conduct launched

There is a risk that advances in synthetic biology and low-cost DNA sequencing and synthesis could lead to the misuse of genetic technologies for bioterrorism purposes, where sequences of DNA could be ordered from a commercial gene synthesis provider and genetically engineered into a biological warfare agent....[Read More]

Key genes for sperm and egg formation identified

US scientists have succeeded in creating early-stage sperm and egg cells from human embryonic stem cells (ES cells). By studying these artificially created sperm and eggs, the research team have identified three key genes that are involved in the development of these cells. The findings, published in the journal Nature, may one day lead to a cure for some causes of infertility....[Read More]

The HFE Act 2008 - an end or a beginning?

1 October 2009 marked the second and major phase of the coming into force of the amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act 1990 made by the HFE Act 2008. The first phase, in April 2009, concerned parenthood provisions and the third and final phase (expected April 2010), will affect parental orders in surrogacy arrangements. Even from a legal perspective it is unfortunate and rather baffling that these changes have been brought about by amending the original legislation...[Read More]

New genetic engineering technology paves way for artificial bacteria

US scientists have developed a new technique to help them genetically modify bacteria. This new technology may prove to be a crucial step in the eventual creation of a man-made bacterium which, if achieved, would be the first-ever synthetic organism....[Read More]

UK Parliament may cause 'substantial' delays in availability of controversial mitochondrial disease treatments

The UK Parliament's rejection of an amendment to new fertility legislation could delay the only potential new treatment for a class of roughly 50 devastating inherited metabolic disorders from becoming available for possibly years beyond when the technology is proven safe and effective for clinical use, according...[Read More]

Scientists, hybrid embryos and the media

Should scientists enter the media fray on the most controversial aspects of stem cell research when the row is clearly about much more than the science? This is a question that many in the scientific community have raised over the past year in relation to the furore over human-animal hybrid...[Read More]

Reprogramming adult epithelial cells into embryonic-like stem cells improves therapeutic safety

Japanese researchers announced last week that they have advanced their understanding and ability to safely 'reprogramme' adult stem cells to resemble embryonic stem (ES) cells without inducing tumours or harmful genetic abnormalities. The Japanese team of researchers, lead by Dr Shinya Yamanaka at Kyoto University, reprogrammed liver...[Read More]

Breakthrough in gene therapy for chronic pain

Gene therapy could ease chronic pain by simulating the pain-killing properties of opiate drugs, researchers from the Departments of Medicine and Neurosciences at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have found, reporting in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research team designed a cold virus...[Read More]

Scientists correct Fragile X in mice

Scientists have discovered a gene modification which helps to reduce some of the symptoms of Fragile X in mice - a condition which in humans is the leading inherited cause of autism and learning difficulties. Published in the journal Neuron, the research suggests that a new class of...[Read More]

New fertility bill provokes fears of 'designer babies'

By Katy Sinclair: Commentators have warned that the UK's new Human Tissue and Embryology Bill, which will become law in 2008, could open the way for the first legal genetically modified babies. The new Bill will allow the genetic modification of embryos up to 14 days old, although the law...[Read More]