Autism susceptibility genes identified

There have been two genes associated with autistic spectrum disorders in a new study of 661 families. Researchers studied four candidate genes in families from the UK, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany. The proteins encoded by these two genes have been implicated in brian development, which is often impaired in autistic individuals. The study covered four brian enriched leucine-rich repeat candidates and taken together, there is converging evidence that common genetic variants in LRRTM3 and LRRN3 confer susceptibility to ASD.


http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/03/26/autism_susceptibility_genes_identified.html

The formula for making teeth will soon be found

Each cusp of our teeth is regulated by genes which controls the development. A team of researchers developed a computer model reproducing population level variation in structures like teeth and organs. The team has compiled so much data over the past 15years that the main aspects of a formula for making teeth are becoming clear. Researchers have tested there model proposed on a moose tooth. The mathematical model may give a new understanding to the three-dimensional shapes.

Groundbreaking research to find vaccine for hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that is transmitted through the contact of blood of other people who are affected. There are an estimated 1500 people in and around the Plymouth area who have the disease and most do not even know they have it. Once the virus is in the system people are at risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and possibly an early death. Researchers at the South West Liver Unit at Plymouth Hospitals and Peninsula Medical School are working to save more lives and improve the health of people who suffer from the virus by developing a vaccine for the disease. Treatment for the virus is available, however very expensive but is only effective in about half the people treated.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/03/04/groundbreaking_research_to_find_vaccine_for_hepatitis_c.html