Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore

Protein that represses critical checkpoint protein for cellular growth helps drive tumor development

(Medical Xpress)—One of the hallmarks of cancer is unchecked cellular growth. Fortunately, our cells contain a number of tumor suppressor proteins, including the cell cycle regulator p21, to keep cell growth ...

Cancer created Feb 13, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Novel microscale epigenomics technology: Possible to study the epigenome of rare cell populations and biopsy samples

Scientists at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) have successfully developed a method to map the epigenome using 100 times fewer cells than was previously possible. The discovery, published in the journal Developmental Ce ...

Genetics created Feb 11, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

DNA analysis reveals genetic variants that make individuals susceptible to form of glaucoma prevalent in Asian countries

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. A form known as primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) predominantly affects Europeans and Africans, whereas primary closed angle glaucoma ...

Genetics created Jan 30, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New design guidelines simplify development of targeted therapies for muscular dystrophy and other diseases

The dystrophin protein offers critical support to muscle fibers. Mutations affecting dystrophin's expression cause the muscle-wasting disease muscular dystrophy. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), these ...

Genetics created Jan 30, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers identify four distinct mechanisms that contribute to gastric cancers

Scientists at A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) headed a study that discovered four processes by which gastric cancer is formed. This is extremely important since gastric cancer is the second most common cause ...

Cancer created Jan 28, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Singapore scientists discover genes responsible for cornea blindness

Scientists at Singapore Eye Research Institute and A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore have succeeded in identifying genes for central corneal thickness that may cause potentially blinding eye conditions. These eye conditions ...

Genetics created Jan 16, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Cancer biology: Keeping bad company

The p53 tumor suppressor protein manages DNA repair mechanisms in response to genetic damage and kills off precancerous cells before they multiply. The loss of p53 due to mutation greatly increases risk of ...

Cancer created Jan 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cerebral malaria: Pinpointing a potential therapeutic target

An excessive response of the immune system to malarial infection can lead to serious complications, such as cerebral malaria. While the mechanism causing the onset of cerebral malaria is unclear, immunologists ...

Immunology created Jan 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Computer simulations of blood flow through mechanical heart valves could pave the way for more individualized prosthetic

Every year, over 300,000 heart valve replacement operations are performed worldwide. Diseased valves are often replaced with mechanical heart valves (MHVs), which cannot yet be designed to suit each patient's ...

Cardiology created Dec 19, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Ability to chart the molecular progress of diabetes brings personalized medicine closer to realization

Researchers in Singapore have succeeded in tracking, for the first time, the molecular changes caused by type 2 diabetes that affect how the body handles glucose production in the liver. In a series of experiments ...

Diabetes created Dec 19, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Scientists identify new biomarker for cancer in bone marrow: Promise for patients of multiple myeloma

Singapore scientists have identified FAIM, a molecule that typically prevents cell death, as a potential biomarker to identify an incurable form of cancer in the bone marrow. Patients with this form of cancer usually do not ...

Cancer created Dec 13, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A study of fruit fly genes reveals how molecules cooperate to induce tumor formation

Cancer biologists have known for decades that even the most potent cancer-causing genes do not act alone. Yet, identifying which combinations of genetic changes can cause a tumor to form and disease to progress ...

Genetics created Dec 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Scientists identify potential drug target for inflammatory diseases including cancers

A*STAR scientists have identified the enzyme, telomerase, as a cause of chronic inflammation in human cancers. Chronic inflammation is now recognized as a key underlying cause for the development of many human cancers, autoimmune ...

Inflammatory disorders created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

How defects in a signaling protein sabotage the immune system in multiple, seemingly contradictory ways

The antibody response to immune threats is managed by cells known as B lymphocytes. The differentiation and function of B cells are tightly regulated to ensure a prompt response to confirmed dangers, such ...

Immunology created Nov 21, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Recently discovered stem cell population could one day provide useful source material for kidney repair

Within every human kidney, millions of filtration units known as nephrons are hard at work clearing metabolic waste products from the blood. Given the dirty work they perform, one might expect that the cells ...

Medical research created Nov 07, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0