Genetics

Genetic test could mean many women with breast cancer forgo chemotherapy

A 21-gene test could allow up to 85% of women with a common type of early breast cancer to forgo chemotherapy and its associated side effects.…

Study identifies genes potentially linked to depression

Researchers have identified 14 new independent risk variants associated with depression following a genome-wide association study of 322,580 people.…

RNA interference therapies could be on the cusp of success

This new way of modifying problematic gene expression has had a rocky start — but things are looking up.…

FDA issues guidance on developing new genetic tests for diagnosis and treatment of disease

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two sets of guidance to drive the design, development and validation of new genetic and genomic-based tests using next generation sequencing (NGS). NGS works by looking at a person’s DNA to detect genomic variations that may determine whether a…

From pharmacist to patient to researcher

Lisa Jamieson’s self diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome came years after she first became unwell. Here she tells Julia Robinson how she discovered the link between her seemingly unrelated symptoms, and how her research is raising awareness of the connective tissue disorder.…

Investment from across the globe for UK life sciences ‘sector deal’

The government has announced commitments and investment in the UK by 25 global organisations as part of its life sciences “sector deal”…

Completion of 100k Genome Project in doubt

Doubts have been raised over whether the 100,000 Genome Project will be completed by the target date.…

NICE stresses importance of early identification of inherited high cholesterol

People with an inherited risk of high cholesterol should be identified with DNA tests and started on statins as soon as possible, NICE has recommended.…

Cholesterol-lowering therapies could be used against typhoid

Repurposing cholesterol-lowering drugs could be a potential treatment for typhoid.…

Genotype-guided warfarin dosing could improve safety

Patients receiving genotype-guided dosing of warfarin were less likely to have a major bleed or die than patients whose dosing was clinically guided.…