RNA direct FREE

by Gaspar Taroncher-Oldenburg, Executive Editor

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1459

Researchers at Helicos BioSciences have developed a protocol for directly sequencing RNA. The company plans to commercialize the approach as a research tool on its HeliScope platform, but direct RNA sequencing for diagnostic and clinical purposes is still far in the future.

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New role for Actos in MS

by Lev Osherovich, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1460

German researchers suggest the PPAR agonist Actos pioglitazone could be useful for treating multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The challenge now is to maximize the immunomodulatory benefits and minimize the cardiovascular risks of PPAR agonists.

Full text - New role for Actos in MS | PDF (158 KB) - New role for Actos in MS

Hitting HIF1 in cancer

by Tim Fulmer, Senior Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1461

Johns Hopkins researchers have identified the first compound that directly inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor 1, a central player in triggering angiogenesis and invasion in solid tumors. The compound, acriflavine, was used as an antibiotic nearly 100 years ago.

Full text - Hitting HIF1 in cancer | PDF (257 KB) - Hitting HIF1 in cancer

An inflammatory vaccine

by Lauren Martz, Staff Writer

doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.1462

M.D. Anderson researchers have developed a modified idiotype-based vaccination strategy to treat lymphoma and are already planning a clinical trial based on challenge studies in mice. But other researchers question whether the animal data will be reproduced in the clinic.

Full text - An inflammatory vaccine | PDF (152 KB) - An inflammatory vaccine

Salinosporamide A analogs to treat multiple myeloma or lymphoma; TGR5 agonists to treat diabetes; aminoimidazole compounds to treat Alzheimer's disease; a CFTR inhibitor to treat polycystic kidney disease; and more...

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Antidotes for aptamer-based therapeutics; polysaccharide vaccines with improved potency; engineered transcription factors for controlling gene splicing; and more...

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