ScienceDaily: Biotechnology News

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• Changes in bioelectric signals trigger formation of new organs: Tadpoles made to grow eyes in back, tail
• Long non-coding RNA prevents the death of maturing red blood cells
• Novel drug wipes out deadliest malaria parasite through starvation
• Why does the same mutation kill one person but not another?
• A 'wild card' in your genes
• Gene expression in mouse neural retina sequenced
• Rebuilding the brain's circuitry

Changes in bioelectric signals trigger formation of new organs: Tadpoles made to grow eyes in back, tail Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:57 PM PST For the first time, scientists have altered natural bioelectrical communication among cells to directly specify the type of new organ to be created at a particular location within a vertebrate organism. Using genetic manipulation of membrane voltage in Xenopus (frog) embryos, biologists were able to cause tadpoles to grow eyes outside of the head area. The researchers achieved most surprising results when they manipulated membrane voltage of cells in the tadpole's back and tail, well outside of where the eyes could normally form.

Long non-coding RNA prevents the death of maturing red blood cells Posted: 07 Dec 2011 02:56 PM PST A long non-coding RNA prevents programmed cell death during one of the final stages of red blood cell differentiation, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. Preventing normal cell death is a key step in the development of leukemias and other cancers. Because of its role in red blood cell apoptosis, this lncRNA or the pathways through which it exerts its anti-apoptotic effects may represent potential therapeutic targets.

Novel drug wipes out deadliest malaria parasite through starvation Posted: 07 Dec 2011 12:24 PM PST An antimalarial agent proved effective at clearing infections caused by the malaria parasite most lethal to humans -- by literally starving the parasites to death.

Why does the same mutation kill one person but not another? Posted: 07 Dec 2011 12:23 PM PST The vast majority of genetic disorders (schizophrenia or breast cancer, for example) have different effects in different people. Moreover, an individual carrying certain mutations can develop a disease, whereas another one with the same mutations may not. This holds true even when comparing two identical twins who have identical genomes. But why does the same mutation have different effects in different individuals?

A 'wild card' in your genes Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:30 AM PST The human genome and the endowments of genes in other animals and plants are like a deck of poker cards containing a "wild card" that in a genetic sense introduces an element of variety and surprise that has a key role in life. That's what scientists are describing in a review of more than 100 studies on the topic.

Gene expression in mouse neural retina sequenced Posted: 07 Dec 2011 10:30 AM PST Researchers have gained new insights into neural disease genes by sequencing virtually all the gene expression in the mouse neural retina. The technology to obtain such a "transcriptome" has become accessible enough that full-scale sequencing is becoming the preferred method for asking genetics questions.

Rebuilding the brain's circuitry Posted: 24 Nov 2011 12:08 PM PST Scientists have rebuilt genetically diseased circuitry in a section of the mouse hypothalamus, an area controlling obesity and energy balance, demonstrating that complex and intricately wired circuitry of the brain long considered incapable of cellular repair can be rewired with the right type of neuronal "replacement parts."

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