A new understanding what stops a common form of skin cancer from developing could make new cancer treatments and prevention available to the public in five years. An international team of scientists led by Melbourne researchers has discovered a gene that helps protect the body from squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the skin. The Cancer Council estimates that two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer before the age of 70 with SCC being one of the most common forms.
Prof Stephen Jane and Dr Charbel Darido, Department of Medicine at the Alfred Hospital, Monash University
Cancer Cell
http://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/stop-signal-discovered-for-skin-cancer
Queensland medical researchers, as part of an international study, have found a variant in the MITF gene which can significantly increase the risk of melanoma. The MITF gene is responsible for regulating pigmentation and melanoma development, but this small mutation can have a large impact on melanoma risk. Individuals possessing this genetic variant have a 250% increased risk of developing melanoma – which is as significant to melanoma risk as traits such as having red hair, say the researchers.
Dr Stuart MacGregor, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Nature
http://www.qimr.edu.au/page/News__Events/Media_Centre/Media_Releases/Archive/2011/Tiny_gene_big_melanoma_risk/
By using whole-genome DNA sequencing of strains obtained from patients during persistent bloodstream infections, Melbourne researchers have discovered how golden staph can make one small change to its DNA and then develop resistance to the last-line antibiotic, vancomycin.
Dr Timothy Stinear, A/Prof Ben Howden, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne
PLoS Pathogens
http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/n-689
Australia’s first live vaccine for fowl cholera in chickens, recently registered and approved for sale, is the result of a breakthrough in bacterial modification by Monash University researchers.
Highly contagious fowl cholera is a problem in all poultry-producing countries, particularly where the birds are intensively reared, and also due to organic and free-range practices. Treatment is very difficult due to the fast progression of the disease and so vaccination of layers and breeders, is considered a better option.
Prof Ben Adler, Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics
http://www.monash.edu.au/news/show/australias-first-fowl-cholera-vaccine
Researchers from UQ, Harvard University and RocheNimblegen Inc. have developed a new method for examining genetic information that reveals clues to understanding gene structure and activity in the body.
The method allows researchers to delve further than ever before into the human genome. It involves combining existing gene capture techniques with state-of-the-art ‘deep sequencing’ technology. Deep sequencing enables millions of different DNA molecules to be read in parallel.
Dr Tim Mercer, Prof John Mattick, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ
Nature Biotechnology
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24062
L’Oréal and UNESCO have just announced that Australian paediatric neurologist Professor Ingrid Scheffer is the Asia-Pacific L’Oréal-UNESCO
For Women in Science Laureate for 2012.
She is one of five international winners who will each receive US$100,000 in recognition of their contribution to the advancement of science at the Awards Ceremony on 22 March 2012 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
For more information:
Read the full article →
Issued by L'Oreal Australia
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science grants Australian Scientist US$100,000 in one of the world’s most prestigious Science prizes:
The 14th Annual L’ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science Award
Honouring five women who are moving science forward, the
L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science partnership announces its five exceptional women scientists from around the world who will receive the 2012 L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards in Life Sciences.
Read the full article →
Research scientists at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens have been able to show there’s hope for the survival of rare plants despite climate change.
A year-long study of a rare plant in the Northern Territory, a new species of Erythroxylum, has shown plants can adapt and survive despite having been restricted to very small populations by long-term climatic change.
By extracting DNA from plants cells, they can test the health and viability of the population.
Dr Maurizio Rossetto, Botanic Gardens Trust
Mothers, sisters and daughters from families with known breast cancer genetic mutations do not all share the same high risk of developing the disease, according to a new international study.
Women with the breast cancer genetic mutations BRCA1 or BRCA2 are at least 10 times more likely to develop breast cancer than the average. The new study found that women who do not have a genetic mutation, but are closely related to women who do have genetic mutations are at an average risk of developing the disease.
http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/n-679
Prof John Hopper, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne
Scientists have identified the genetic blueprint of the giant intestinal roundworm, Ascaris suum, revealing potential targets to control the devastating parasitic disease, ascariasis which affects more than one billion people in China, South East Asia, South America and parts of Africa, killing thousands of people annually and causing chronic effects in young children.
Dr Aaron Jex and Prof Robin Gasser, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne
Nature, http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/n-672
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about dolphin friends; guns around the house; laundry lint; mosquitoes in the rain; and more… Read the full article →
Scientists at UQ are part of an international team mapping the Brassica plant genome – that’s cabbages, broccoli and canola.
Australia is the world’s second largest exporter of canola. Mapping the genome will help scientists breed and engineer canola which is resistant to disease and fungal infection.
Dr David Edwards and Dr Jacqueline Batley, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, UQ
Nature Genetics, http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=23953
A large international study published today in the prestigious scientific journal Nature has revealed new insights into how the regulation of the entire genome has changed during mammalian evolution over the past 200 million years.
Associate Professor Frank Grützner, University of Adelaide
Nature, http://www.adelaide.edu.au/news/news48921.html
Centenary Institute Lawrence Creative Prize to be announced today
The winner of the Centenary Institute Lawrence Creative Prize will be announced at 1.45 pm today, Wednesday 19 October 2011, at a lunch at UBS in Sydney.
The winner will receive $25,000. Read the full article →
The Centenary Institute Lawrence Creative Prize is a $25,000 award for outstanding creativity in biomedical research by young scientists. Here are the three finalists. The winner will be announced at an awards luncheon on Wednesday 19 October at the UBS dining room in Sydney. For more information call Niall on 0417 131 977 or niall@scienceinpublic.com.au
Read the full article →
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about travelling faster than light; ancient proteins; a vaccine for acne; missing planets; and more… Read the full article →
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about lizard venom; fatherhood and testosterone; kamikaze ants; the voodoo virus; and more… Read the full article →
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about sex at sea; asteroid dust; breathless caterpillars; seeds as pills; and more…
Read the full article →
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about the far side of the moon; prostate cancer, one-way light; a lack of fingerprints; and more… Read the full article →
