Archive for March, 2015

Let #39;s Play The Repopulation - Episode 5 - Genetic Engineering
We play The Repopulation and venture into the wide world of Genetic Engineering. We kill, we collect DNA, we make biomass! Join me (Tigwyk) as we slowly work...

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Let's Play The Repopulation - Episode 5 - Genetic Engineering - Video

Let #39;s Play The Repopulation - Episode 6 - More Genetic Engineering
I (Tigwyk) actually manage to clone two different animals and demo the process of crafting "Man #39;s Best Friend". Stay tuned for more gameplay videos! This vid...

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Let's Play The Repopulation - Episode 6 - More Genetic Engineering - Video

Genetic Engineering Biotechnology

By: Meherul Islam

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Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology - Video

If anyone had devised a way to create a genetically engineered baby, I figured George Church would know about it.

At his labyrinthine laboratory on the Harvard Medical School campus, you can find researchers giving E. Coli a novel genetic code never seen in nature. Around another bend, others are carrying out a plan to use DNA engineering to resurrect the woolly mammoth. His lab, Church likes to say, is the center of a new technological genesisone in which man rebuilds creation to suit himself.

When I visited the lab last June, Church proposed that I speak to a young postdoctoral scientist named Luhan Yang, a Harvard recruit from Beijing whod been a key player in developing a new, powerful technology for editing DNA called CRISPR-Cas9. With Church, Yang had founded a company called eGenesis to engineer the genomes of pigs and cattle, sliding in beneficial genes and editing away bad ones.

As I listened to Yang, I waited for a chance to ask my real questions: Can any of this be done to human beings? Can we improve the human gene pool? The position of much of mainstream science has been that such meddling would be unsafe, irresponsible, and even impossible. But Yang didnt hesitate. Yes, of course, she said. In fact, the laboratory had a project to determine how it could be achieved. She flipped open her laptop to a PowerPoint slide titled Germline Editing Meeting.

Here it was: a technical proposal to alter human heredity.

Germ line is biologists jargon for the egg and sperm, which combine to form an embryo. By editing the DNA of these cells or the embryo itself, it could be possible to eliminate disease genes and to pass those genetic fixes on to future generations. Such a technology could be used to rid families of scourges like cystic fibrosis. It might also be possible to install genes that offer lifelong protection against infection, Alzheimers, and, Yang told me, maybe the effects of aging. These would be history-making medical advances that could be as important to this century as vaccines were to the last.

The fear is that germ line engineering is a path toward a dystopia of super people and designer babies for those who can afford it.

Thats the promise. The fear is that germ line engineering is a path toward a dystopia of super people and designer babies for those who can afford it. Want a child with blue eyes and blond hair? Why not design a highly intelligent group of people who could be tomorrows leaders and scientists?

Just three years after its initial development, CRISPR technology is already widely used by biologists as a kind of search-and-replace tool to alter DNA, even down to the level of a single letter. Its so precise that its widely expected to turn into a promising new approach for gene therapy treatment in people with devastating illnesses. The idea is that physicians could directly correct a faulty gene, say, in the blood cells of a patient with sickle-cell anemia (see Genome Surgery). But that kind of gene therapy wouldnt affect germ cells, and the changes in the DNA wouldnt get passed to future generations.

In contrast, the genetic changes created by germ line engineering would be passed on, and thats what has always made the idea seem so objectionable. So far, caution and ethical concerns have had the upper hand. A dozen countries, not including the United States, have banned germ line engineering, and scientific societies have unanimously concluded that it would be too risky to do. The European Unions convention on human rights and biomedicine says tampering with the gene pool would be a crime against human dignity and human rights.

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Engineering the Perfect Baby

When it comes to gene expression -- the process by which our DNA provides the recipe used to direct the synthesis of proteins and other molecules that we need for development and survival -- scientists have so far studied one single gene at a time. A new approach developed by Harvard geneticist George Church, Ph.D., can help uncover how tandem gene circuits dictate life processes, such as the healthy development of tissue or the triggering of a particular disease, and can also be used for directing precision stem cell differentiation for regenerative medicine and growing organ transplants.

The findings, reported by Church and his team of researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and Harvard Medical School in Nature Methods, show promise that precision gene therapies could be developed to prevent and treat disease on a highly customizable, personalized level, which is crucial given the fact that diseases develop among diverse pathways among genetically-varied individuals. Wyss Core Faculty member Jim Collins, Ph.D., was also a co-author on the paper. Collins is also the Henri Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering & Science and Professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The approach leverages the Cas9 protein, which has already been employed as a Swiss Army knife for genome engineering, in a novel way. The Cas9 protein can be programmed to bind and cleave any desired section of DNA -- but now Church's new approach activates the genes Cas9 binds to rather than cleaving them, triggering them to activate transcription to express or repress desired genetic traits. And by engineering the Cas9 to be fused to a triple-pronged transcription factor, Church and his team can robustly manipulate single or multiple genes to control gene expression.

"In terms of genetic engineering, the more knobs you can twist to exert control over the expression of genetic traits, the better," said Church, a Wyss Core Faculty member who is also Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and MIT. "This new work represents a major, entirely new class of knobs that we could use to control multiple genes and therefore influence whether or not specific genetics traits are expressed and to what extent -- we could essentially dial gene expression up or down with great precision."

Such a capability could lead to gene therapies that would mitigate age-related degeneration and the onset of disease; in the study, Church and his team demonstrated the ability to manipulate gene expression in yeast, flies, mouse and human cell cultures.

"We envision using this approach to investigate and create comprehensive libraries that document which gene circuits control a wide range of gene expression," said one of the study's lead authors Alejandro Chavez, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wyss Institute. Jonathan Schieman, Ph.D, of the Wyss Institute and Harvard Medical School, and Suhani Vora, of the Wyss Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard Medical School, are also lead co-authors on the study.

The new Cas9 approach could also potentially target and activate sections of the genome made up of genes that are not directly responsible for transcription, and which previously were poorly understood. These sections, which comprise up to 90% of the genome in humans, have previously been considered to be useless DNA "dark matter" by geneticists. In contrast to translated DNA, which contains recipes of genetic information used to express traits, this DNA dark matter contains transcribed genes which act in mysterious ways, with several of these genes often having influence in tandem.

But now, that DNA dark matter could be accessed using Cas9, allowing scientists to document which non-translated genes can be activated in tandem to influence gene expression. Furthermore, these non-translated genes could also be turned into a docking station of sorts. By using Cas9 to target and bind gene circuits to these sections, scientists could introduce synthetic loops of genes to a genome, therefore triggering entirely new or altered gene expressions.

The ability to manipulate multiple genes in tandem so precisely also has big implications for advancing stem cell engineering for development of transplant organs and regenerative therapies.

"In order to grow organs from stem cells, our understanding of developmental biology needs to increase rapidly," said Church. "This multivariate approach allows us to quickly churn through and analyze large numbers of gene combinations to identify developmental pathways much faster than has been previously capable."

Link:
Activating genes on demand: Possible?

The number of people dying of cervical cancer in the world is now more than ever before, and health agencies should advise adolescent boys and girls to go in for proper vaccination to prevent them from contracting the disease, said Nobel Laureate Harald zur Hausen.

While delivering a lecture on prevention of cancers linked to infections at the Indian Genetics Congress organised by the department of genetic engineering at SRM University, Kattankulathur, on Wednesday, he said, in cervical cancer, prevention had caused a significant decrease in the number of infections.

In his address, M.S. Swaminathan, founder of M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, said there are three major dimensions of hunger calorie deprivation, protein deficiency and micronutrient deficiency.

One way to overcome protein hunger is through a pulses revolution, he said.

P. Sathyanarayanan, president of SRM University, called on the Centre to enhance funding for research and development in genetic engineering.

Trilochan Mohapatra, director, Central Rice Research Institute, Bhubaneswar, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Swarup K. Parida and Amit Mitra of the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, New Delhi, received the young genetics researchers award.

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Vaccination is crucial to preventing cervical cancer

Mutants Genetics Gladiators Campaa Supra Jardines Hiperbolicos
Gracias Por Todos Los Dias Mirar Mis Campaas.

By: Nosferatus Gamexx

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Mutants Genetics Gladiators Campaa Supra Jardines Hiperbolicos - Video

Class 12 -Biology-Genetics-Lec5-Human Blood Group Genetics
Covers genetics of human blood group system along with precautions for safe blood transfusion and disesase Erythroblastosis Featalis To Purchase Full Pack DVDs Visit http://www.sci4you.com.

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Class 12 -Biology-Genetics-Lec5-Human Blood Group Genetics - Video

EHJ Today - Genetics of Cardiomyopathies

By: European Society of Cardiology

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EHJ Today - Genetics of Cardiomyopathies - Video

Aficionado Mendocino Genetics Nattie G
Your Boi Boi Nattie G got that V.I.P invite from Aficionado and Emerald Growers Association. Then ya boi got the call from the elders saying get that ass up ...

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Aficionado Mendocino Genetics & Nattie G - Video

Strain Review - Lemon Skunk (DNA Genetics)
Our very first strain review! The Curator made a couple of mistakes. He #39;ll learn from them. One that stands out - he says "indica-dominant" one time when he ...

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Strain Review - Lemon Skunk (DNA Genetics) - Video

Genetics: It #39;s Written On Your Face
The features of your face, just like the color of your eyes, are rooted in your genesbut we still know very little about what portion of the genome makes a ...

By: World Science Festival

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Genetics: It's Written On Your Face - Video

Applied Genetics Technology Corporations Sue Washer: Faces of Technology
Hear from Sue Washer, Applied Genetics Technology Corporation president and CEO, as she shares the way AGTC is addressing previously unmet medical needs with the company #39;s ...

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Applied Genetics Technology Corporations Sue Washer: Faces of Technology - Video

02- Chapter 1- Intro to Genetics- Chapter Concepts
Concepts of Genetics 10th ed. (audiobook)

By: Audio Nick

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02- Chapter 1- Intro to Genetics- Chapter Concepts - Video

Dte genetics
Crack berries kicking ass. Loving the structure of this plant.

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Dte genetics - Video

Paying for gene therapy are annuities the next big thing
Paying for gene therapy are annuities the next big thing.

By: Reuters-BBC-Aljazeera

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Paying for gene therapy are annuities the next big thing - Video

Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy
A short animation to briefly explain the research being conducted at the Gene Therapy Department of the Adelaide Women #39;s and Children #39;s Hospital. Donations can be made at http://www.cure4cf.org/

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Cystic Fibrosis Gene Therapy - Video

Walking barefoot on sand "felt like walking on glass" for Keith Wenckowski, who has lived with type-one diabetes for more than two decades.

One of the participants in a new Northwestern Medicine study who suffered from painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), Wenckowski finally found relief from the constant foot pain that required him to wear shoes at all times, even to the beach.

The study found that those with PDN who received two low dose rounds of a non-viral gene therapy called VM202 had significant improvement of their pain that lasted for months.

"I can now go to a beach and walk on the sand without feeling like I am walking on glass," Wenckowski said.

The results of this phase two, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be published March 5 in the journal Annals of Clinical and Translation Neurology.

Right now there is no treatment for this disease of the peripheral nerves that affects 20 to 25 percent of diabetics. Patients with the most extreme form of the disease feel intense pain with a slight graze or touch. The pain can interfere with daily activities, sleep, mood and can diminish quality of life.

"Those who received the therapy reported more than a 50 percent reduction in their symptoms and virtually no side effects," said Dr. Jack Kessler, lead author of the study. "Not only did it improve their pain, it also improved their ability to perceive a very, very light touch."

Kessler is the Ken and Ruth Davee Professor of Stem Cell Biology in the department of neurology and a professor in the department of pharmacology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He also is an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

VM202 contains human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene. Growth factor is a naturally occurring protein in the body that acts on cells -- in this case nerve cells -- to keep them alive, healthy and functioning. Future study is needed to investigate if the therapy can actually regenerate damaged nerves, reversing the neuropathy.

Wenckowski had continuous numbness, but now, more than a year since he received the therapy, his symptoms have not returned. "I am hoping the effects I am feeling do not cease," he said.

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Neuropathy: Relief for diabetics with painful condition

European policies in Personalized Medicine. Isabel de la Mata
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European policies in Personalized Medicine. Isabel de la Mata - Video

Personalized Medicine MedXPrime DNA testing Safe drugs
Personalized Medicine MedXPrime DNA testing Safe drugs.

By: Jerome Scott

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Personalized Medicine MedXPrime DNA testing Safe drugs - Video

Q A - Perspectives on Targeting and Implications for Personalized Medicine
CLINAM 7/ 2014, 7th Conference and Exhibition, June 23-25, 2014.

By: TAUVOD

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Q&A - Perspectives on Targeting and Implications for Personalized Medicine - Video

Aren #39;t Lifestyle Personalized Medicine inspired by Ayurveda?
Aren #39;t Lifestyle Personalized Medicine inspired by Ayurveda?

By: Kerala Ayurveda

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Aren't Lifestyle & Personalized Medicine inspired by Ayurveda? - Video

LSI Public Talks on Personalized Medicine
UBC Health Information Series and the Life Sciences Institute Present Personalized Medicine: Your Life, Your Genes, Your Health and Happiness. This talk is an informal and open forum that aims...

By: UBC

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LSI Public Talks on Personalized Medicine - Video

Spinal Cord Injury Spotlight - Dakota W. at Project Walk Houston
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Spinal Cord Injury Spotlight - Dakota W. at Project Walk Houston - Video

Paraplegic walking with crutches (T12 incomplete spinal cord injury).
This is how I walk with crutches.

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Paraplegic walking with crutches (T12 incomplete spinal cord injury). - Video