Featured Thoughts, News and Microarticles from the Scientific Community.
MicroRNA, trinucleotide repeats, and the genetics of general cognitive ability (IQ)
Volkmar Weiss–Apr 16, 2010
A full understanding of the genetics of schizophrenia, autism, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), alzheimer and a large number of neurodegenerative diseases seems to be impossible without reckoning with IQ as a major confoundi...(Read more)
Foreign body-induced granulation tissue: A novel source of adult stem cells
Jilpa Patel–Mar 2, 2010
An inert foreign body placed in the subcutaneous tissue induces new tissue that encapsulates the foreign body (called granulation tissue). In a new study published in the journal Translational Research, Dr. Jilpa Patel and her group at the Cook Coun...(Read more)
Genetic variation in the Ahsg: one mechanism determining insulin resistance
Anton-Scott Goustin–Jan 28, 2010
My "favorite gene" is on human chromosome 3q27. It encodes a moderate-sized phosphorylated glycoprotein (yes!) which is secreted at a high rate from hepatocytes, into the bloodstream. The gene is called AHSG (in H. sapiens), Ahsg (mouse), or sometime...(Read more)
Gene Therapy to restore color blindness
Aaron Irving–Nov 14, 2009
A recent Nature letters paper by Mancuso et al details the use of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) in gene delivery to restore the function of photo-pigments in squirrel monkeys. The male monkeys, red-green color-blind from birth, obtained...(Read more)
