Archive for the ‘Gene Research’ Category
Advance in nanotech gene sequencing technique
Javascript is currently disabled in your web browser. For full site functionality, it is necessary to enable Javascript. In order to enable it, please see these instructions. May 20, 2013 by Evan Lerner This is an illustration of a single-stranded DNA homopolymer translocating through a silicon nitride nanopore. The thickness of the membrane tapers within the nanopore, enhancing its sensitivity. Credit: University of Pennsylvania
(Phys.org) The allure of personalized medicine has made new, more efficient ways of sequencing genes a top research priority. One promising technique involves reading DNA bases using changes in electrical current as they are threaded through a nanoscopic hole.
Now, a team led by University of Pennsylvania physicists has used solid-state nanopores to differentiate single-stranded DNA molecules containing sequences of a single repeating base.
The study was led by Marija Drndi, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts and Sciences, along with graduate students Kimberly Venta and Matthew Puster and post-doctoral researchers Gabriel Shemer, Julio A. Rodriguez-Manzo and Adrian Balan. They collaborated with assistant professor Jacob K. Rosenstein of Brown University and professor Kenneth L. Shepard of Columbia University.
Their results were published in the journal ACS Nano.
In this technique, known as DNA translocation measurements, strands of DNA in a salt solution are driven through an opening in a membrane by an applied electric field. As each base of the strand passes through the pore, it blocks some ions from passing through at the same time; amplifiers attached to the nanopore chip can register the resulting drop in electrical current. Because each base has a different size, researchers hope to use this data to infer the order of the bases as the strand passes through. The differences in base sizes are so small, however, that the proportions of both the nanopores and membranes need to be close those of the DNA strands themselvesa major challenge.
The nanopore devices closest to being a commercially viable option for sequencing are made out of protein pores and lipid bilayers. Such protein pores have desirable proportions, but the lipid bilayer membranes in which they are inserted are akin to a film of soap, which leaves much to be desired in terms of durability and robustness.
Solid-state nanopore devices, which are made of thin solid-state membranes, offer advantages over their biological counterpartsthey can be more easily shipped and integrated with other electronicsbut the basic demonstrations of proof-of-principle sensitivity to different DNA bases have been slower.
“While biological nanopores have shown the ability to resolve single nucleotides, solid-state alternatives have lagged due to two challenges of actually manufacturing the right-sized pores and achieving high-signal, low-noise and high-bandwidth measurements,” Drndi said. “We’re attacking those two challenges here.”
Because the mechanism by which the nanopore differentiate between one type of base and another is by the amount of the pore’s aperture that is blocked, the smaller a pore’s diameter, the more accurate it is. For the nanopore to be effective at determining a sequence of bases, its diameter must approach the diameter of the DNA and its thickness must approach that of the space between one base and the next, or about 0.3 nanometers.
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Advance in nanotech gene sequencing technique
Controlling Schizophrenia Gene Could Help Tame The Disease
May 23, 2013
Brett Smith for redOrbit.com Your Universe Online
Geneticists at theMedical College of Georgia at Georgia Regents University have identified a key regulatory gene that appears to play a role in the classic symptoms of schizophrenia.
According to a report in thejournalNeuron on the discovery targets expression of a gene known as Neuregulin-1 and could lead to promising treatments for patients with the psychological disorder.
In the study, the geneticists engineered mice to have elevated levels of Neuregulin-1 activity, replicating levels found in some patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. They observed the reduced activity of the brain messengers glutamate and GABA, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. These mice were also seen to interact less with other animals and frequently failed certain thinking tasks, behaviors also seen in humans with schizophrenia.
The deficits reversed when we normalized Neuregulin-1 expression in animals that had been symptomatic, suggesting that damage which occurred during development is recoverable in adulthood, explained Dr. Lin Mei, a professor at the university.
While mouse models cant really do full justice to a complex brain disorder that impairs our most uniquely human characteristics, this study demonstrates the potential of dissecting the workings of intermediate components of disorders in animals to discover underlying mechanisms and new treatment targets, said Dr. Thomas R. Insel, a director at the National Institutes of Health, which funded the study.
Hopeful news about how an illness process that originates early in development might be reversible in adulthood illustrates the promise of such translational research.
The geneticists were able to measure Neuregulin-1 activity fairly easily, as blood level indicators correlate well with those in the brain. To affect the mice, the researchers put a copy of the Neureglin-1 gene into mouse DNA. In front of that gene the team put a binding protein for doxycycline, an analogue for the antibiotic tetracycline, which stains the teeth of fetuses and babies. This causes the administration of tetracycline to result in a drop in Neureglin-1 activity.
If you dont feed the mice tetracycline, the Neuregulin-1 levels are always high, said Mei, adding that normal levels of the gene are not affected by the antibiotic.
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Controlling Schizophrenia Gene Could Help Tame The Disease
Syros Pharmaceuticals Appoints Eric R. Olson, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer
WATERTOWN, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Syros Pharmaceuticals, a newly launched company harnessing breakthroughs in gene control to revolutionize the treatment of cancer and other diseases, announced today that Eric R. Olson, Ph.D., has joined the company as its Chief Scientific Officer. Dr. Olson has over 25 years experience in the life sciences industry, most recently as Research Vice President for respiratory diseases at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. During his 12 years at Vertex he led research, development and commercial teams in bringing to patients the first cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment resulting from discovery of the CF gene.
Eric is of the few people in the biopharma industry who have led programs from conception all the way through development and successful commercialization, said Nancy Simonian, M.D., Syross Chief Executive Officer. The combination of his deep scientific expertise, his understanding for translating science into drugs that actually help people, and his experience creating real value for shareholders is extraordinary. It fits perfectly with Syros’ mission.
In addition to his work at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Olson has also held positions as the Director of the Antibacterials and Molecular Sciences departments at Warner-Lambert (now Pfizer), as well as a research scientist focused on gene expression systems with The Upjohn Company. Dr. Olson earned his B.S. in microbiology from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology from the University of Michigan. He is published in over 40 academic journals.
Syros Pharmaceuticals groundbreaking work in gene control and Super-Enhancers has created a unique, state-of-the-art opportunity to develop novel medicines focused on disease dependency genes, said Dr. Olson. I am excited to lead the scientific efforts at a company conducting this type of innovative research, and look forward to working with Syros experienced management team and renowned scientific advisory board to develop new breakthrough therapies.
About Syros Pharmaceuticals
Syros Pharmaceuticals is a life sciences company harnessing breakthroughs in gene control to revolutionize the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Syros proprietary platform identifies the master switches for disease genes, opening a whole new approach to novel therapeutics. Syros initial focus is in cancer, but the company platform will also be applicable to other therapeutic areas. The Companys founders are pioneers in gene control research and translation. Co-founded and backed by Flagship Ventures and ARCH Venture Partners, Syros Pharmaceuticals is located in Watertown, MA. For more information, visit www.syros.com.
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Syros Pharmaceuticals Appoints Eric R. Olson, Ph.D. as Chief Scientific Officer
The Curious Case Of Human Gene Patents
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The Curious Case Of Human Gene Patents
Single Gene Leads to Longer Lifespan Across Species
Mitochondria are the cells workhorse, transforming the calories we eat into useable energy. They have also been the subject of lots of scrutiny over longevity, since lifespan is intimately tied up with metabolism. Now a new study reports that mitochondrial malfunction may actually be the key to extending life.
Although loss of mitochondrial function has been associated with increased lifespan in a number of species, the reasons behind this effect have been poorly understood. Its also been known that low levels of stress within a cellfor instance, running on low energycan increase an animals lifespan. Most of these studies have however been done in flies, worms and yeast. Thus a Swiss research team led by Riekelt Houtkooper decided to examine stress and longevity in mice, as well as the worm C. elegans.
In mice, they analyzed a set of related mouse strains that have lots of natural variation in lifespanthey live anywhere from 1 to 2 1/2 years. With genetic tests the researchers were able to pin down three specific genes that seemed to be the key determinants of the mouses lifespan. Mice with lower activity in these genes lived up to 2.5 times longer than those with high activity.
Then, in worms, the researchers artificially damped down the activity of the equivalent genes and observed how long they lived. One gene stuck out as most important: Worms with a dampened mrps-5 gene lived 60 percent longer than normal.
The key, the researchers say, appears to be that loss of mrps-5 causes the mitochondria to send a kind of cellular SOS to the nucleus. The nucleuss response, called the mitochondrial unfolded protein response, is to send out protective proteins.
And fascinatingly, the same mechanism may be behind the touted longevity benefits of red wine and other foods. Rapamycin and resveratrol, two compounds known to play a role in longevity, also activated the mitochondrial unfolded protein response in the worms, the authors report in Nature.
These results thus tie mitochondrial translation and metabolism to natural lifespan regulation across species. The fact that similar mechanisms drive longevity in mice opens the door to investigations of the genes in human longevity, though at the moment most known mitochondrial mutations shorten human life rather than extending it. Still, if the cellular fountain of youth is to be found, this study indicates the mitochondria remains the place to look for it.
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Single Gene Leads to Longer Lifespan Across Species
Adapt, React, Evolve: Staying Ahead in the Breast Cancer Gene Testing, Solar Energy, and Oil & Gas Markets with …
FARMINGTON, Conn., May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — World markets are constantly changing and developing. To stay aligned with the latest trends and events, companies now need a global business intelligence provider that can predict where an industry is headed next, so that they can adapt, react and evolve.
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Read about the new titles below or visit our online market research portal to browse and gain quick access to GlobalData’s thousands of off-the-shelf research reports.
Predictive Breast Cancer Gene Testing
US Analysis and Market Forecasts
225 Pages | February 2013
This report identifies unmet needs in the US predictive breast cancer gene testing market, physician attitudes towards current gene testing, and the future of gene testing in the face of rapid technological advancement.
Learn more and access the report at http://www.giiresearch.com/report/gd267106-medipoint-predictive-breast-cancer-gene-testing-us.html
Global Oil and Gas Pipelines Industry Outlook 2013
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Adapt, React, Evolve: Staying Ahead in the Breast Cancer Gene Testing, Solar Energy, and Oil & Gas Markets with …
MaxCyte Presents Unprecedented Data Using Flow Electroporation for CHO-Based Transient Gene Expression to Achieve Gram …
GAITHERSBURG, Md.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
MaxCyte, Inc., the pioneer in scalable, high performance cell transfection systems, is hosting a series of events at IBCs 9th Annual Cell Line Development & Engineering Conference being held May 20-22 in La Jolla, CA. During this cutting-edge conference on innovations for bioproduct development, MaxCyte will present breakthrough transient gene expression (TGE) data in a scientific podium presentation and detail unmatched novel antibody production capabilities in two technical posters. MaxCyte scientists will be available throughout the conference at Booth #12 to provide technical details on the use of flow electroporation for large scale transient gene expression and rapid stable cell line generation.
Dr. James Brady, Director of Technical Applications at MaxCyte, will present data on flow electroporation in a podium presentation entitled Streamlining Antibody Development Using Large Scale, CHO Transient Gene Expression (TGE) followed by Rapid Production of CHO Stable Clones on Tuesday, May 21, at 1:30 PM within a session dedicated to accelerating cell line and process development.
Dr. Bradys presentation demonstrates the unmatched performance of the MaxCyte Scalable Transfection Systems to achieve antibody titers of over 1 gram/liter using transient gene expression in CHO cells. In addition, using the same technology, high yield stable cell lines can be identified within just 6-8 weeks, says Dr. Karen Donato, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development & Marketing at MaxCyte. From the earliest phases of discovery and development, companies using the MaxCyte transfection platform now have a powerful tool to generate antibodies in CHO cells rapidly and reproducibly in meaningful quantities for identification and characterization.
MaxCyte will also present two scientific posters, both available for viewing throughout the conference. The first poster, entitled CHO Transient Gene Expression (TGE) Optimization for Multi-Gram Level Antibody Production: Effects of Expression Construct, Post Transfection Cell Density and Feed Conditions demonstrates a simple, optimized process to achieve antibody titers exceeding 1 gram/liter within 14 days of transfection. This poster is presented in collaboration with Vivalis, a key client and leading provider of innovative cell-based solutions to the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of vaccines and recombinant proteins.
The second poster, entitled Bioproduction Using Large Scale Transient Transfection: From >1.2 grams/L Antibody Titers via Transient Gene Expression (TGE) to Rapid, High Yield Stable Cell Line Generation, presents data demonstrating the utility of the MaxCyte platform at multiple steps in antibody development including high yield antibody production via transient gene expression and rapid generation of stable cell lines in 6-8 weeks for later stage development and biomanufacturing.
Companies are already realizing the benefits of streamlining progression from early to late stage development by using MaxCytes one-of-a-kind technology that brings together transient gene expression and rapid stable cell generation, says Douglas Doerfler, President, and CEO of MaxCyte. MaxCyte flow electroporation is a truly enabling technology and we look forward to presenting our latest scientific findings to leaders in the development of biotherapeutics at the 9th Annual Cell Line Development & Engineering Conference.
About MaxCyte
MaxCyte specializes in cell modification technologies to enable the discovery, development, manufacturing, and delivery of innovative therapeutic products. Drawing on its cell therapy expertise, MaxCyte designed a portfolio of products including the MaxCyte STX Scalable Transfection System and MaxCyte VLX Large Scale Transfection System, ideal tools for use in drug discovery research and screening and protein production environments. These products provide for the rapid development and consistent production of billions of (co)transfected primary cells, stem cells, and cell lines for protein and antibody production and for cell-based assays with comparable results and Seamless Scalability from the bench to HTS and pilot and production scale.
For more information, http://www.maxcyte.com
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MaxCyte Presents Unprecedented Data Using Flow Electroporation for CHO-Based Transient Gene Expression to Achieve Gram …
British businessman has his prostate removed over cancer risk from 'Jolie gene'
Businessman had an increased risk of cancer through the BRCA2 gene He entered a trial at Institute of Cancer Research as it ran in his family BRAC1 and BRAC2 genes are linked to an aggressive form of cancer Angeline Jolie had a double mastectomy after testing positive for BRAC1
By Sophie Borland
PUBLISHED: 19:21 EST, 19 May 2013 | UPDATED: 02:01 EST, 20 May 2013
A businessman has become the first man to have his prostate removed after discovering he was carrying a faulty gene that raises the risk of cancer.
The 53-year-old was told he had the rogue BRCA2 gene after taking part in a clinical trial at the Institute of Cancer Research in London.
Last week Angelina Jolie revealed that she had had a double mastectomy after discovering that the BRCA1 gene gave her an 87 per cent risk of developing breast cancer.
Scientists believe that other men who know they are carriers will choose to go down the same route (stock image)
Both the BRCA2 and BRCA1 genes have long been known to increase the risk of breast and ovarian forms of the disease but recent research has also linked them to the prostate.
The businessman, who has not been identified but is married with children and lives in London, has other family members who have suffered breast or prostate cancers.
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British businessman has his prostate removed over cancer risk from 'Jolie gene'
Research and Markets: Growth Opportunities in Global Steam Turbine Market in Power Generation 2012-2017 Report Lets …
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vrrrm8/growth) has announced the addition of the “Growth Opportunities in Global Steam Turbine Market in Power Generation 2012-2017: Trends, Forecasts and Opportunity Analysis” report to their offering.
The global steam turbine market stands on the threshold of strong growth. In 2011, the market topped $12.1 billion, growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.4%. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region captured the largest market share with approximately $9.3 billion, representing 77% of the market. According to market forecasts, the global steam turbine market is poised for growth at 3% CAGR over the next five years (2012-2017) to reach approximately $15.3 billion in 2017.
The author discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by the global steam turbine market. The steam turbine market is affected by renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power. The prices of other sources of energy such as natural gas are another factor affecting this market. The demand for steam turbines, however, will remain solid with emerging, large economies, such as India and China, generating high demand.
The study encompasses the market’s major drivers. APAC accounts for the largest market share of steam turbines. North America and Europe represent larger markets than the Rest of the World market.
This report highlights the aspects of the global steam turbine market. Due diligence has been given to the current market scenario, as well as the technological and financial benefits of installing steam turbines in power generation plants globally. China has emerged as the leading player in the manufacturing and installation of steam turbines.
For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vrrrm8/growth
About Research and Markets
Research and Markets is the world’s leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
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Research and Markets: Growth Opportunities in Global Steam Turbine Market in Power Generation 2012-2017 Report Lets …
Penn research makes advance in nanotech gene sequencing technique
Public release date: 20-May-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Evan Lerner elerner@upenn.edu 215-573-6604 University of Pennsylvania
The allure of personalized medicine has made new, more efficient ways of sequencing genes a top research priority. One promising technique involves reading DNA bases using changes in electrical current as they are threaded through a nanoscopic hole.
Now, a team led by University of Pennsylvania physicists has used solid-state nanopores to differentiate single-stranded DNA molecules containing sequences of a single repeating base.
The study was led by Marija Drndi, an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts and Sciences, along with graduate students Kimberly Venta and Matthew Puster and post-doctoral researchers Gabriel Shemer, Julio A. Rodriguez-Manzo and Adrian Balan. They collaborated with assistant professor Jacob K. Rosenstein of Brown University and professor Kenneth L. Shepard of Columbia University.
Their results were published in the journal ACS Nano.
In this technique, known as DNA translocation measurements, strands of DNA in a salt solution are driven through an opening in a membrane by an applied electric field. As each base of the strand passes through the pore, it blocks some ions from passing through at the same time; amplifiers attached to the nanopore chip can register the resulting drop in electrical current. Because each base has a different size, researchers hope to use this data to infer the order of the bases as the strand passes through. The differences in base sizes are so small, however, that the proportions of both the nanopores and membranes need to be close those of the DNA strands themselves a major challenge.
The nanopore devices closest to being a commercially viable option for sequencing are made out of protein pores and lipid bilayers. Such protein pores have desirable proportions, but the lipid bilayer membranes in which they are inserted are akin to a film of soap, which leaves much to be desired in terms of durability and robustness.
Solid-state nanopore devices, which are made of thin solid-state membranes, offer advantages over their biological counterparts they can be more easily shipped and integrated with other electronics but the basic demonstrations of proof-of-principle sensitivity to different DNA bases have been slower.
“While biological nanopores have shown the ability to resolve single nucleotides, solid-state alternatives have lagged due to two challenges of actually manufacturing the right-sized pores and achieving high-signal, low-noise and high-bandwidth measurements,” Drndi said. “We’re attacking those two challenges here.”
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Penn research makes advance in nanotech gene sequencing technique
UK aims to make gene testing more accessible for cancer patients
Britain launched a research program on Monday that should eventually allow all cancer patients to have access to the kind of genetic analysis that led Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to decide to undergo a double mastectomy.
The project, involving the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, the U.S. gene sequencing firm Illumina, geneticists and cancer doctors, aims to find a way to allow more cancer genes be tested in more people.
Researchers announcing the 2.7 million pound ($4 million) project, funded by the Wellcome Trust medical charity, stressed this was not a response to reports last week of Jolie’s decision to undergo surgery to reduce her breast cancer risk.
“What we’re trying to do here is develop processes that will allow comprehensive and systematic use of genetic information in cancer medicine so that (more people) will be able to benefit from the types of information and situations we were hearing about last week (with the Jolie story),” said Nazneen Rahman, head of genetics at the ICR and a leader on the new project.
Mutations in some genes, known as cancer predisposition genes, greatly increase the risk that a person will get cancer.
Jolie tested positive for a high risk gene mutation that made her about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not carry this mutation, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
There are nearly 100 other known cancer predisposition genes, but in Britain – where most healthcare is part of the taxpayer-funded National Health Service – testing for them is currently very restricted.
Yet recent advances in reading the genetic code, known as gene sequencing, mean that looking for gene mutations is now faster and cheaper than ever – paving the way for gene testing eventually to become routine for all cancer patients.
“It is very important to know if a mutation in a person’s genetic blueprint has caused their cancer,” Rahman told reporters at a briefing in London.
“It allows more personalized treatment, so for example such people are often at risk of getting another cancer and may choose to have more comprehensive surgery, or may need different medicines, or extra monitoring.”
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UK aims to make gene testing more accessible for cancer patients
UK tries out new model for gene testing in cancer patients
By Kate Kelland
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain launched a research program on Monday that should eventually allow all cancer patients to have access to the kind of genetic analysis that led Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to decide to undergo a double mastectomy.
The project, involving the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, the U.S. gene sequencing firm Illumina, geneticists and cancer doctors, aims to find a way to allow more cancer genes be tested in more people.
Researchers announcing the 2.7 million pound ($4 million) project, funded by the Wellcome Trust medical charity, stressed this was not a response to reports last week of Jolie’s decision to undergo surgery to reduce her breast cancer risk.
“What we’re trying to do here is develop processes that will allow comprehensive and systematic use of genetic information in cancer medicine so that (more people) will be able to benefit from the types of information and situations we were hearing about last week (with the Jolie story),” said Nazneen Rahman, head of genetics at the ICR and a leader on the new project.
Mutations in some genes, known as cancer predisposition genes, greatly increase the risk that a person will get cancer.
Jolie tested positive for a high risk gene mutation that made her about five times more likely to develop breast cancer than women who do not carry this mutation, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
There are nearly 100 other known cancer predisposition genes, but in Britain – where most healthcare is part of the taxpayer-funded National Health Service – testing for them is currently very restricted.
Yet recent advances in reading the genetic code, known as gene sequencing, mean that looking for gene mutations is now faster and cheaper than ever – paving the way for gene testing eventually to become routine for all cancer patients.
“It is very important to know if a mutation in a person’s genetic blueprint has caused their cancer,” Rahman told reporters at a briefing in London.
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UK tries out new model for gene testing in cancer patients
British father, 53, has prostate removed after being told he carried defective gene that boosts his chance of cancer
Businessman had an increased risk of cancer through the BRCA2 gene He entered a trial at the Institute of Cancer Research as it ran in his family The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are linked to an aggressive form of cancer Angelina Jolie had a double mastectomy after testing positive for BRCA1
By Amanda Perthen
PUBLISHED: 19:19 EST, 18 May 2013 | UPDATED: 04:29 EST, 19 May 2013
A British father has made medical history by having his healthy prostate removed after discovering that he carries a defective gene that boosts his risk of cancer, it was reported last night.
The businessmans increased risk of cancer through the BRCA2 gene is believed to have come to light when he took part in a trial at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London.
He entered the trial because he has relatives who have suffered from breast or prostate cancer in the past.
Scientists believe that others who know they are carriers will choose to go down the same route (stock image)
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are known to be linked to an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Last week Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie revealed she had had surgery to remove both her breasts to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer after testing positive for the rogue BRCA1 gene.
Jolie gene flaw — now first man has surgery
A 53-YEAR-OLD Londoner has become the first man in the world to have his prostate removed after discovering he is carrying a “faulty” gene that puts him at increased risk of developing cancer.
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Jolie gene flaw — now first man has surgery
UK Man has Prostate Removed After Tests Reveal 'Jolie' Gene Flaw
Angelina Jolie has revealed she underwent a double masectomy when tests revealed genes associated with breast cancer
A 53-year-old British father has become the first man to have his prostate removed because tests revealed he was carrying a “faulty” cancer gene.
A clinical trial at London’s Institute of Cancer Research revealed that he carried the BRCA2 gene, which research shows is associated with a high risk of developing prostate cancer.
Several of the man’s family had suffered from breast or prostate cancer, which is why he took part in the study.
The closely associated BRCA1 gene has been known for some time to have links with breast cancer, and last week actress Angelina Jolie revealed that she had undergone a double mastectomy when tests revealed that she carried the gene.
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After receiving the news the man asked doctors to remove his prostate, which tests had shown to be healthy.
Surgeons were initially reluctant, since the potential side effects of the operation include infertility, incontinence and sexual dysfunction.
MRI scans and a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA tests, did not show the presence of malignant cells, but microscopic examination revealed cell changes associated with cancer, prompting the surgeons to act.
Surgeon Roger Kirby told the Sunday Times: “The relatively low level of cancerous cells we found in this man’s prostate before the operation would these days not normally prompt immediate surgery to remove the gland, but given what we now know about the nature of BRCA2, it was definitely the right thing for this patient.”
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UK Man has Prostate Removed After Tests Reveal 'Jolie' Gene Flaw
‘Blue Gene’ turned over
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) hailed as a milestone yesterday the acquisition of IBM supercomputer Blue Gene, saying it will be a boon to a smarter Philippines.
A supercomputer is a computer that performs at a rate of speed far above that of other computers. Blue Gene was turned over yesterday in a hotel in Mandaluyong City, attended by the DoST, IBM Philippines, and University of the Philippines (UP), among others.
DoST Secretary Mario G. Montejo said the supercomputer is a product of the DoSTs partnership with IBM for the establishment of a research and development (R&D) laboratory expected to facilitate discovery of solutions to many of the countrys challenges. (Edd K. Usman)
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‘Blue Gene’ turned over
IBM BLUE GENE | The fastest supercomputer to reach Philippine shores
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IBM BLUE GENE | The fastest supercomputer to reach Philippine shores
Research and Markets: Cardiovascular Drug Delivery – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2013 Edition
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hw9hf4/cardiovascular) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech’s new report “Cardiovascular Drug Delivery – Technologies, Markets and Companies” to their offering.
Drug delivery to the cardiovascular system is different from delivery to other systems because of the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system; it supplies blood and nutrients to all organs of the body. Drugs can be introduced into the vascular system for systemic effects or targeted to an organ via the regional blood supply. In addition to the usual formulations of drugs such as controlled release, devices are used as well. This report starts with an introduction to molecular cardiology and discusses its relationship to biotechnology and drug delivery systems.
Drug delivery to the cardiovascular system is approached at three levels: (1) routes of drug delivery; (2) formulations; and finally (3) applications to various diseases. Formulations for drug delivery to the cardiovascular system range from controlled release preparations to delivery of proteins and peptides. Cell and gene therapies, including antisense and RNA interference, are described in full chapters as they are the most innovative methods of delivery of therapeutics. Various methods of improving systemic administration of drugs for cardiovascular disorders are described including use of nanotechnology.
Cell-selective targeted drug delivery has emerged as one of the most significant areas of biomedical engineering research, to optimize the therapeutic efficacy of a drug by strictly localizing its pharmacological activity to a pathophysiologically relevant tissue system. These concepts have been applied to targeted drug delivery to the cardiovascular system. Devices for drug delivery to the cardiovascular system are also described.
Role of drug delivery in various cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial ischemia, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia is discussed. Cardioprotection is also discussed. Some of the preparations and technologies are also applicable to peripheral arterial diseases. Controlled release systems are based on chronopharmacology, which deals with the effects of circadian biological rhythms on drug actions. A full chapter is devoted to drug-eluting stents as treatment for restenosis following stenting of coronary arteries. Fifteen companies are involved in drug-eluting stents.
New cell-based therapeutic strategies are being developed in response to the shortcomings of available treatments for heart disease. Potential repair by cell grafting or mobilizing endogenous cells holds particular attraction in heart disease, where the meager capacity for cardiomyocyte proliferation likely contributes to the irreversibility of heart failure. Cell therapy approaches include attempts to reinitiate cardiomyocyte proliferation in the adult, conversion of fibroblasts to contractile myocytes, conversion of bone marrow stem cells into cardiomyocytes, and transplantation of myocytes or other cells into injured myocardium.
Advances in molecular pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases have brought gene therapy within the realm of possibility as a novel approach to treatment of these diseases. It is hoped that gene therapy will be less expensive and affordable because the techniques involved are simpler than those involved in cardiac bypass surgery, heart transplantation and stent implantation. Gene therapy would be a more physiologic approach to deliver vasoprotective molecules to the site of vascular lesion. Gene therapy is not only a sophisticated method of drug delivery; it may at time need drug delivery devices such as catheters for transfer of genes to various parts of the cardiovascular system.
The cardiovascular drug delivery markets are estimated for the years 2012 to 2022 on the basis of epidemiology and total markets for cardiovascular therapeutics. The estimates take into consideration the anticipated advances and availability of various technologies, particularly drug delivery devices in the future. Markets for drug-eluting stents are calculated separately. Role of drug delivery in developing cardiovascular markets is defined and unmet needs in cardiovascular drug delivery technologies are identified.
Selected 81 companies that either develop technologies for drug delivery to the cardiovascular system or products using these technologies are profiled and 78 collaborations between companies are tabulated. The bibliography includes 200 selected references from recent literature on this topic. The report is supplemented with 28 tables and 7 figures.
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Research and Markets: Cardiovascular Drug Delivery – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2013 Edition
Research and Markets: RNAi – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2013 Edition
DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c9dmp5/rnai) has announced the addition of Jain PharmaBiotech’s new report “RNAi – Technologies, Markets and Companies” to their offering.
RNA interference (RNAi) or gene silencing involves the use of double stranded RNA (dsRNA). Once inside the cell, this material is processed into short 21-23 nucleotide RNAs termed siRNAs that are used in a sequence-specific manner to recognize and destroy complementary RNA. The report compares RNAi with other antisense approaches using oligonucleotides, aptamers, ribozymes, peptide nucleic acid and locked nucleic acid.
Various RNAi technologies are described, along with design and methods of manufacture of siRNA reagents. These include chemical synthesis by in vitro transcription and use of plasmid or viral vectors. Other approaches to RNAi include DNA-directed RNAi (ddRNAi) that is used to produce dsRNA inside the cell, which is cleaved into siRNA by the action of Dicer, a specific type of RNAse III. MicroRNAs are derived by processing of short hairpins that can inhibit the mRNAs. Expressed interfering RNA (eiRNA) is used to express dsRNA intracellularly from DNA plasmids.
Delivery of therapeutics to the target tissues is an important consideration. siRNAs can be delivered to cells in culture by electroporation or by transfection using plasmid or viral vectors. In vivo delivery of siRNAs can be carried out by injection into tissues or blood vessels or use of synthetic and viral vectors.
Because of its ability to silence any gene once the sequence is known, RNAi has been adopted as the research tool to discriminate gene function. After the genome of an organism is sequenced, RNAi can be designed to target every gene in the genome and target for specific phenotypes. Several methods of gene expression analysis are available and there is still need for sensitive methods of detection of gene expression as a baseline and measurement after gene silencing. RNAi microarray has been devised and can be tailored to meet the needs for high throughput screens for identifying appropriate RNAi probes. RNAi is an important method for analyzing gene function and identifying new drug targets that uses double-stranded RNA to knock down or silence specific genes. With the advent of vector-mediated siRNA delivery methods it is now possible to make transgenic animals that can silence gene expression stably. These technologies point to the usefulness of RNAi for drug discovery.
RNAi can be rationally designed to block the expression of any target gene, including genes for which traditional small molecule inhibitors cannot be found. Areas of therapeutic applications include virus infections, cancer, genetic disorders and neurological diseases. Research at academic centers that is relevant to RNAi-based therapeutics is mentioned.
Regulatory, safety and patent issues are discussed. Side effects can result from unintended interaction between an siRNA compound and an unrelated host gene. If RNAi compounds are designed poorly, there is an increased chance for non-specific interaction with host genes that may cause adverse effects in the host. However, there are no major safety concerns and regulations are in preliminary stages as the clinical trials are still ongoing and there are no marketed products. Many of the patents are still pending.
The markets for RNAi are difficult to define as no RNAi-based product is approved yet but several are in clinical trials. The major use of RNAi reagents is in research but it partially overlaps that of drug discovery and therapeutic development. Various markets relevant to RNAi are analyzed from 2012 to 2022. Markets are also analyzed according to technologies and use of siRNAs, miRNAs, etc.
Profiles of 161 companies involved in developing RNAi technologies are presented along with 229 collaborations. They are a mix of companies that supply reagents and technologies (nearly half of all) and companies that use the technologies for drug discovery. Out of these, 33 are developing RNAi-based therapeutics and 35 are involved in microRNAs. The bibliography contains selected 600 publications that are cited in the report. The text is supplemented with 37 tables and 11 figures.
See the article here:
Research and Markets: RNAi – Technologies, Markets and Companies – Updated 2013 Edition
Angelina Jolie's Double Mastectomy: What to Know About the 'Faulty' Gene
By Sharon Cotliar
05/16/2013 at 07:00 AM EDT
The announcement not only made headlines around the world, but prompted questions of whether other women need to be concerned if they too carry the mutated gene.
Here are seven things to know:
1. What is BRCA1 and BRCA 2? They’re genes everyone has. But those who have a bad copy or mutation are at increased risk for developing breast and ovarian cancer.
2. How common is it? Less than 1 percent of people in the U.S. have one of these mutated genes, but the prevalence is higher among Ashkenazi Jews and among those with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Still, only 5 percent of the 220,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U.S. each year are related to the defective genes.
3. What are the odds of inheriting the mutated gene? If one parent has the gene mutation, there’s a 50-50 chance of getting a bad copy of the gene. “Both your mother and father’s side matters,” says Dr. Susan Domchek, director of the Basser Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
4. What are the odds of developing breast or ovarian cancer if you have one of the mutated genes? “They’re dramatically higher than the general population,” says Dr. Mehra Golshan, director of breast surgical services at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Between 60 percent to 85 percent develop breast cancer and between 20 percent to 50 percent develop ovarian cancer. “That’s why it’s important to consider genetic testing if you have a family history,” says Dr. Golshan.
5. What can you do about it if you’re a carrier? More women are choosing to undergo preventive mastectomies, as Jolie did. Women can also opt to be monitored closely for signs of cancer or precancerous red flags, undergoing more frequent mammograms and MRIs.
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Angelina Jolie's Double Mastectomy: What to Know About the 'Faulty' Gene
Junk food gene could be making women fat
Topics: genetics, obesity, women’s health
WOMEN battling the bulge may be fighting more than just sweet temptation, according to new research showing a fat gene could be to blame.
Almost a third of women are believed to be affected by a mutated gene that leads to the development of fatty tissue, researchers at Maastricht University in Holland have discovered.
Women who have the gender-specific impaired DNA, called MMP2, are more than two-and-a-half times more likely to gain 15kg or more, the Daily Mail reported.
The researchers traced the weight gains and losses of more than 5000 men and women for 10 years, and analysed the participants’ DNA for genes implicated in obesity.
Researcher Dr Freek Bouwman said while MMP2 was common in women who had gained weight, it wasn’t in men, the Daily Mail reported.
However, if a woman had MMP2 it did not mean they were doomed to put on weight, said Waitemata specialist in endocrinology, diabetes and general medicine Dr Steven Miller.
>>More Health News
“The investigators also observed women with the MMP2 mutation who did not gain excess weight, and excess weight gain in women without the MMP2 mutation.
“There are also numerous other factors that influence body weight to a greater or lesser degree,” he said.
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Junk food gene could be making women fat
DOST taps IBM Blue Gene supercomputer
MANILA, Philippines – The world-renowned IBM Blue Gene supercomputer has been picked to support the Philippine government’s research and development projects.
In a statement, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the University of the Philippines (UP) and IBM said this is a milestone among government-private-academe endeavors.
IBM Blue Gene supercomputer will be the platform for select R&D projects focused on reducing poverty, improving government processes and enabling smarter weather management. The supercomputer is expected to arrive soon in the country.
“This is a direct result from the agreement between the DOST and IBM in May 2012, to jointly build a Philippine Systems and Technology R&D Lab to help accelerate national economic growth,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager, IBM Philippines.
“It is IBMs response to President Aquinos call for help to support research and development projects to enable transformation and progress in the country. The IBM Blue Gene supercomputer is our concrete contribution to advance R&D initiatives in the country,” she added.
The DOST and IBM will work on how the supercomputer can complement DOSTs Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH), the governments flagship program and integrated information system for disaster mitigation and climate change.
The IBM supercomputer will enable local scientists to process and gain insights from the massive data collected, to produce faster, more accurate forecasts and improve localized weather prediction for the country.
“The IBM Blue Gene supercomputer will be most applicable to DOSTs major programs such as NOAH and Smart Agriculture. First we will work toward Blue Genes integration to Project NOAH to provide more advanced seven-day local weather forecasts. We can also use it to run various weather models and validate the accuracy of results almost real-time,” said Science Secretary Mario G. Montejo.
“Smart Agriculture, the newest flagship program of the DOST, will also gain from our newest supercomputing capability in modeling climate change scenarios, building database for agricultural land use, and computing for monthly irrigation requirements per province,” he added.
The IBM Blue Gene supercomputer can also be used for other projects for flood management and genomics.
Read more here:
DOST taps IBM Blue Gene supercomputer
The Court Case Looming Behind Angelina Jolie's Breast Cancer Column
The actress’s candid op-ed about her mastectomy comes on the eve of a vital ruling over patents for breast cancer genes like hers.
Alastair Grant/Reuters
When Angelina Jolie disclosed Tuesday morning that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy, she didn’t just shine her white-hot starlight on the gene, BRCA1, that significantly increased her chance of getting breast cancer. She also indirectly raised anew profound questions the federal judiciary — and now the United States Supreme Court — has been pondering for years: Where does patent law stand on gene research? Where should it stand? Can the law protect patent holders while also ensuring that the marketplace can most efficiently deliver genetic testing to the people who need it most?
The timing of Jolie’s op-ed inthe New York Times is important. Within the next 45 days, before the last Thursday in June, the Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., a long-fought case about genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are linked to breast cancer and which Myriad Genetics successfully patented (The company’s stock rose sharply Tuesday following the publication of Jolie’s piece.) The federal case began four years ago, in May 2009, when the American Civil Liberties Union and others challenged Myriad’s patents on the genes. From that initial complaint:
Ease of access to genomic discoveries is crucial if basic research is to be expeditiously translated into clinical tests that benefit patients in the emerging era of personalized and predictive medicine. The patents make ease of access more restricted. Because of the patents, defendant Myriad has the right to prevent clinicians from independently looking at or interpreting a person’s BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to determine if the person is at a higher risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Because of the patents and because Myriad chooses not to license the patents broadly, woman who fear they may be at an increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer are barred from having anyone look at their BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes or interpret them except for the patent holder.
The gene-patenting case has gone back and forth. In November 2009, a federal trial judge in New York refused to dismiss the complaint. Then, in March 2010, in a 156-page opinion, the judge invalidated two of those patents, concluding that the “DNA’s existence in an ‘isolated’ form alters neither this fundamental quality of DNA as it exists in the body nor the information it encodes.” Myriad appealed. In August 2011, a panel of the Federal Circuit, which handles all patent cases, by a vote of 2-1, overturned the lower court ruling. On April 15, just one month ago, the justices in Washington heard oral argument in the case. Here’s the transcript. And here’s the Court’s audio.
It is more likely than not that the justices will uphold Myriad’s patent — its monopoly — over research for these genes. This is that type of Court. But no matter what the justices do in this case Congress has the authority to amend federal patent law to make it harder for companies like Myriad to control for so long the research and development of such genetic testing. In the meantime, the Affordable Care Act also will play a critical role in making it easier for women who are not Angelina Jolie to have more access to timely BRCA testing. “BRC Testing Granted Preventive Care Designation Under the Affordable Care Act,” screamed Myriad’s press release on March 6th. How do you like Obamacare now?
Jolie or no Jolie, the Myriad litigation is a perfect example of how poorly the law is suited to adapt quickly to biological or technical advancements. In the area of gene-patenting, like so many other areas we care far less about, the medical science is developing far more quickly than the courts can fathom. Patents are supposed to be tools to encourage the creation of things that better society as a whole. And Myriad says that these particular gene patents are economically necessary to fuel research and development. But how many more women — and men — might have been able over the past four years to afford BRCA1 or BRCA2 testing in the absence of those protective patents?
It’s not necessarily Myriad’s fault. The company is playing by the rules Congress and the courts have established. But to the extent they preclude open competition, in the ways in which they create sanctioned monopolies, these patents are the antithesis of capitalism. The societal costs may be worth it when the patent is for a new kind of chewing gum. But when the patent is for an isolated human gene, and when that gene may hold the key to diagnosing breast cancer, is the protection of the patent good public policy? I’m just asking the question. I’m not answering it.
Excerpt from:
The Court Case Looming Behind Angelina Jolie's Breast Cancer Column
Research Team Publishes New Methods for Synthetic Generation of Influenza Vaccines
LA JOLLA, Calif. and ROCKVILLE, Md., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –A team of international researchers from the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA, US Department of Health and Human Services), and Institut fur Virologie, Phillips Universitat, has published a study detailing new methods to rapidly generate influenza vaccine seeds by using synthetic genomics tools and technologies.
The team led by first author Philip R. Dormitzer, M.D., Ph.D., and senior authors J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., JCVI and SGI, and Rino Rappuoli, Ph.D., Novartis, published their study in the May 15 edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine. In a timed proof of concept this team demonstrated that in just four days and four hours they could accurately construct robust synthetic vaccine viruses for use in influenza vaccine development. The team concludes that this is a novel and accurate method that could enable a more rapid pandemic response and yield a more reliable supply of better matched seasonal and pandemic vaccines than are currently available.
“Our teams have been working hard to put our combined expertise to work toward the development of next generation vaccines,” said Dr. Venter, CEO and Founder of JCVI and SGI. “We believe that synthetic genomic advances hold the key to transforming many industries and one of the most important will be in advanced vaccines that have the power to help prevent public health threats such as influenza pandemics.”
The study details the synthetic vaccine techniques and methods developed by the team after the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. While the response to this pandemic was the fastest in history, vaccines only became available after the rate of human infections had peaked. Novartis and other vaccine companies have relied on the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify and distribute live reference viruses or viral genes to create seasonal or pandemic vaccines. The 2010 publication of the first synthetic cell constructed by the team at JCVI described new synthetic genomic tools and techniques that were adapted to create flu vaccine viruses.
Since October 2010 Novartis, JCVI and SGI/Synthetic Genomics Vaccines Inc. (SGVI) have been working together through a BARDA-sponsored program to apply synthetic genomics tools and technologies to accelerate the production of the influenza vaccine virus strains required for vaccine manufacturing. The vaccine virus strain is the starter preparation of a virus and is the base from which larger quantities of the vaccine virus can be grown. The goal of this collaboration is to develop a “bank” of synthetically constructed vaccine viruses ready to go into production as soon as WHO identifies the flu strains. This paper outlines results of some of the first successful outcomes of this collaboration.
The researchers focused on three technological areas–speedy synthesis of DNA cassettes to produce influenza RNA genome segments, improved accuracy of rapid gene synthesis by improving error correction technology, and increased yields of hemagglutinin (HA), which is the essential vaccine antigen.
In the traditional approach to vaccine development, an influenza virus is cultured and grown in chicken eggs. The synthetic genomics approach starts with virus genome sequence data in the computer.
The team then employed synthetic genomics tools to synthesize the two antigens used in vaccine production, HA and neuraminidase (NA). To do this they developed a new cell-free gene assembly method coupled with the improved one step enzymatic error correction method for rapid and accurate gene synthesis. Although gene synthesis is now commonplace, it is still difficult to rapidly and accurately construct large pieces of DNA, large genes and whole genomes. Daniel Gibson, PH.D., and his team at SGI-DNA, along with teams at JCVI, are world leaders in the design and construction of such large gene constructs. It took the team only approximately 10 hours to construct and assemble the synthetic HA- and NA-encoding DNA cassettes ready for transfection into Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. This method enables the rapid and accurate conversion of digital sequence information to biologically active DNA. This is one of the key differences in synthetically derived vaccines versus traditionally developed vaccines.
The next step developed and described by the team involves rescuing the vaccine virus from the manufacturing cell line. The team employed a novel method of using one cell line for both seed generation and vaccine antigen production. This adds to the efficiency of the new vaccine production and alleviates some of the regulatory and manufacturing complexity.
“As an industry leader in the research, development, manufacture and supply of flu vaccines, Novartis is committed to identifying new ways to speed development of safe and efficacious vaccines to protect patients from seasonal flu and potential pandemics,” said Rino Rappuoli, Head, Vaccines Research, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. “Our research shows the potential power of synthetic vaccine development in addressing emerging public health threats. By electronically transmitting genetic information rather shipping biological materials, we can begin development of new vaccines more quickly, and ultimately, better protect global health.”
Read the original:
Research Team Publishes New Methods for Synthetic Generation of Influenza Vaccines
The Supreme Court Case Looming Over Angelina Jolie's Breast-Cancer Column
The actress’s candid op-ed about her mastectomy comes on the eve of a vital ruling over patents for breast cancer genes like hers.
Alastair Grant/Reuters
When Angelina Jolie disclosed Tuesday morning that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy, she didn’t just shine her white-hot starlight on the gene, BRCA1, that significantly increased her chance of getting breast cancer. She also indirectly raised anew profound questions the federal judiciary — and now the United States Supreme Court — has been pondering for years: Where does patent law stand on gene research? Where should it stand? Can the law protect patent holders while also ensuring that the marketplace can most efficiently deliver genetic testing to the people who need it most?
The timing of Jolie’s op-ed inthe New York Times is important. Within the next 45 days, before the last Thursday in June, the Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, Inc., a long-fought case about genes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are linked to breast cancer and which Myriad Genetics successfully patented (The company’s stock rose sharply Tuesday following the publication of Jolie’s piece.) The federal case began four years ago, in May 2009, when the American Civil Liberties Union and others challenged Myriad’s patents on the genes. From that initial complaint:
Ease of access to genomic discoveries is crucial if basic research is to be expeditiously translated into clinical tests that benefit patients in the emerging era of personalized and predictive medicine. The patents make ease of access more restricted. Because of the patents, defendant Myriad has the right to prevent clinicians from independently looking at or interpreting a person’s BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes to determine if the person is at a higher risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Because of the patents and because Myriad chooses not to license the patents broadly, woman who fear they may be at an increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancer are barred from having anyone look at their BRCA1 and BRCA 2 genes or interpret them except for the patent holder.
The gene-patenting case has gone back and forth. In November 2009, a federal trial judge in New York refused to dismiss the complaint. Then, in March 2010, in a 156-page opinion, the judge invalidated two of those patents, concluding that the “DNA’s existence in an ‘isolated’ form alters neither this fundamental quality of DNA as it exists in the body nor the information it encodes.” Myriad appealed. In August 2011, a panel of the Federal Circuit, which handles all patent cases, by a vote of 2-1, overturned the lower court ruling. On April 15, just one month ago, the justices in Washington heard oral argument in the case. Here’s the transcript. And here’s the Court’s audio.
It is more likely than not that the justices will uphold Myriad’s patent — its monopoly — over research for these genes. This is that type of Court. But no matter what the justices do in this case Congress has the authority to amend federal patent law to make it harder for companies like Myriad to control for so long the research and development of such genetic testing. In the meantime, the Affordable Care Act also will play a critical role in making it easier for women who are not Angelina Jolie to have more access to timely BRCA testing. “BRC Testing Granted Preventive Care Designation Under the Affordable Care Act,” screamed Myriad’s press release on March 6th. How do you like Obamacare now?
Jolie or no Jolie, the Myriad litigation is a perfect example of how poorly the law is suited to adapt quickly to biological or technical advancements. In the area of gene-patenting, like so many other areas we care far less about, the medical science is developing far more quickly than the courts can fathom. Patents are supposed to be tools to encourage the creation of things that better society as a whole. And Myriad says that these particular gene patents are economically necessary to fuel research and development. But how many more women — and men — might have been able over the past four years to afford BRCA1 or BRCA2 testing in the absence of those protective patents?
It’s not necessarily Myriad’s fault. The company is playing by the rules Congress and the courts have established. But to the extent they preclude open competition, in the ways in which they create sanctioned monopolies, these patents are the antithesis of capitalism. The societal costs may be worth it when the patent is for a new kind of chewing gum. But when the patent is for an isolated human gene, and when that gene may hold the key to diagnosing breast cancer, is the protection of the patent good public policy? I’m just asking the question. I’m not answering it.
Read the original post:
The Supreme Court Case Looming Over Angelina Jolie's Breast-Cancer Column