SLU Research Fuels Hope for Hard-To-Treat Hepatitis C Patients

ST. LOUIS - The outlook for patients with hepatitis C continues to improve as results from a clinical trial led by a Saint Louis University researcher found that the drug boceprevir helped cure hard-to-treat patients. The findings were reported at the 61st annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease's earlier in November.

Bruce Bacon, M.D.

Bruce R. Bacon, M.D., professor of internal medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and co-principal investigator of the HCV RESPOND-2 study, studied the protease inhibitor, boceprevir, and found that it significantly increased the number of patients whose blood had undetectable levels of the virus.
"These findings are especially significant for patients who don't respond to initial treatment," said Bacon. "When the hepatitis C virus is not eliminated, debilitating fatigue and more serious problems can follow."
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that is transmitted by contact with blood. The infection may initially be asymptomatic, but for patients who develop chronic hepatitis C infection, inflammation of the liver may develop, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), as well as other complications including liver cancer and death.
The prognosis varies for patients with chronic hepatitis C. With the current standard therapy, about half fully recover after an initial course of peginterferon and ribavirin anti-viral therapy that may last from six months to a year.
The remaining patients, known as non-responders, may improve with initial treatment but the virus is not eliminated, or may not respond to treatment at all. For this group, the only current option is to retreat patients with the same or similar drugs, which increases the likelihood of severe treatment side-effects. In addition, researchers have found that the success of treatment depends on the major strain, or genotype, of hepatitis C that a patient has.
The HCV RESPOND-2 study looked at 403 patients with chronic hepatitis C infections with genotype one, the most difficult strain of the virus to treat, who still had significant levels of the virus after being treated with peginterferon and ribavirin, the standard hepatitis C treatment.
"These results are very exciting," Bacon said. "In this study, boceprevir helped cure significantly more patients in 36 weeks of therapy than did treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin alone."
A second study, HCV SPRINT-2, examined patients with hepatitis C with genotype one who had not yet been treated with the standard treatment. They, too, responded well to the drug.
Bacon calls the progress made in treating hepatitis C remarkable.
"We've gone from the discovery of the virus in 1989 to where we are now, 22 years later, when we have the ability to cure a large majority of those with hepatitis C," Bacon said. "It's a true success story."
"Drugs like boceprevir are going to revolutionize care of those with hepatitis C."
The clinical trial was funded by Merck, which expects to begin seeking FDA approval this year.
Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious disease.

Calculations for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

 

 This book is the first comprehensive guide devoted exclusively to calculations encountered in the genetic engineering laboratory. Mathematics, as a vital component of the successful design and interpretation of basic research, is used daily in laboratory work. This guide, written for students, technicians, and scientists, provides example calculations for the most frequently confronted problems encountered in gene discovery and analysis. The text and sample calculations are written in an easy-to-follow format. It is the perfect laboratory companion for anyone working in DNA manipulation and analysis.

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Molecular Diagnostics: Fundamentals, Methods, And Clinical Applications Ebook Download

 

The first text on molecular diagnostics specifically designed to educate students in clinical laboratory science programs! The authors have combined their knowledge and experience as educators to bring you the book you and your students have been asking for. This exceptional new resource introduces the fundamentals of nucleic acid biochemistry to students without previous molecular training, while also presenting advanced concepts for students learning at a higher level. And, your students will be better prepared for the future with discussions of general diagnostic procedures that emphasize the continuing emergence of new diagnostic technologies.

The application of molecular diagnostics to the clinical laboratory encompasses microbiology, virology, genetics, oncology, and human identification. Objectives guide the reader toward the knowledge that should be gained upon completion of each chapter. Advanced Concepts appear in boxes throughout the text to challenge those students interested in a higher level of learning. Historical Highlights enable interested students to apply a historical perspective to the topics. Case Studies in the clinical chapters show students how to apply molecular concepts to diagnostic testing. Key Terms are bolded and defined within the text where they first appear. Study Questions at the end of each chapter reinforce the content. Answers, included in the appendix, allow for self assessment outside of the classroom. Citations of seminal publications encourage the interested student to read and pursue at greater depth the various topics discussed DOWNLOAD HERE

UK scientists devise 'one-hour test' for TB

Scientists in the UK say they have devised a new ultra-sensitive test which can diagnose the presence of the tuberculosis bacterium in one hour.

The test has been developed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Its developers claim the test can spot all strains of the disease and could reduce both the incidence and the consequences of the disease worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2008, an estimated 1.3 million people died from TB worldwide.
Genetic signature The standard identification test for TB involves taking mucus coughed up from the lungs and growing a bacterial culture in the laboratory.
But it can take up to eight weeks to reach a diagnosis, by which time the individual might have infected many more people.
Other more rapid tests exist which scan for an antigen found in many TB strains, but they may not detect all infections, say the HPA.
The new test focuses on a particular DNA region within the bacterium which the researchers says is present in all strains of the disease.
Once a sample is taken, a scientific technique know as a "polymerase chain reaction" is used to amplify the volume of DNA available so that the genetic signature can be identified.

Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, which usually affects the lungs
• It is transmitted via droplets from the lungs of people with the active form of the disease
• In healthy people, infection often causes no symptoms
• Symptoms of active TB include coughing, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats
• Tuberculosis is treatable with a course of antibiotics
• In the UK, around 9,000 cases of TB are reported each year, mainly in big cities like London

Source: World Health Organization/HPA

"This is a new test," says the HPA's Dr Cath Arnold, who led the study. "We're looking for a genetic marker which is present in all strains of TB we've seen so far."

We're confident that it will pick up very small amounts and tests so far have show that it seems to be as sensitive as the gold standard of using culture, but there are various aspects which we need to develop further before we can offer it as an off-the-shelf product."
Details of the work are being presented at the HPA's annual conference at the University of Warwick.
The HPA test comes just weeks after details of a rival project were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The rival test is called "Xpert MTB/RIF" and its developers claim it can deliver a diagnosis in under two hours. They say their automated cartridge machine can also identify resistance to drugs used to treat TB.
Difficult diagnosis Dr Mario Raviglione, director of the World Heath Organization's Stop TB department, says these new generation tests could potentially revolutionise TB treatment.

"The diagnoses of TB is extremely difficult today. If you had a test which rapidly and at the point of care could detect TB immediately you would gain weeks or months in treating that person and avoid them going around for another five to eight weeks infecting others."
The WHO estimates that a third of the world's population carry TB bacteria. Only 5-10% of people who are infected become sick or infectious at some time during their life.
People with HIV and who carry TB bacteria are much more likely to develop the disease.
Recent years have seen a resurgence in TB infections in developed countries, and have seen the rise of strains resistant to medication.
Last year in the UK, the number of cases rose by more than 5% to 9,153, according to provisional figures from the HPA. More than a third of the cases were in London.

Hepatitis B linked to lymphoma in study

Hepatitis B was already known to cause liver cancer and some scientists had suspected it might cause lymphoma, too. The study, published in Lancet Oncology, confirms this. Hepatitis C is also linked to lymphoma.
The blood cancer is not common and widespread vaccination against the viruses is unlikely to affect non-Hodgkin lymphoma rates much, the researchers noted. But it may be possible to treat the virus and help non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, they said.
Dr. Eric Engels of the U.S. National Cancer Institute and Sun Ha Jee of Yonsei University in Seoul studied the records of more than 600,000 people in South Korea, where hepatitis B was extremely common before a vaccination campaign began in 1995.
Of these, 53,000 or about 9 percent had evidence of hepatitis B infection. After 14 years, rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were more common among the infected people -- 19.4 cases per 100,000 people compared to 12.3 per 100,000 who did not have hepatitis B.
Viral hepatitis is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The various hepatitis viruses are not closely related -- the word hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
An estimated 350 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B virus, which causes 340,000 cases of liver cancer a year and kills between 500,000 and 1.2 million people a year.
Researchers think both hepatitis B and C may cause lymphoma by overstimulating the immune system as it tries to fight off the liver infection.

Peg Interferon Launched by Pakistan Biotech: Getz Pharma to launch therapy for Hepatitis C patients

Biotechnology-based drug for hepatitis C will be manufactured by a Pakistani company for the first time

Getz Pharma would launch the Pegylated Interferon therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C in Pakistan. The new therapy would be highly cost-effective and easy to use as the manufacturer and presenters of the new therapy have considered patients' care and comfort. It would also be the first time that a biotechnology-based essential drug would be manufactured by Getz Pharma, a Pakistani company. It is pertinent to mention that approximately every 20th person in Pakistan is infected with hepatitis C.
 
The initiative taken by Getz Pharma to invest in the local manufacturing of Pegylated Interferon (Unipeg) in the country would substantially reduce the cost of treatment for a person suffering from hepatitis C. The company has invested in research and development to formulate this molecule with the help of a team of scientists from the Netherlands, led by Dr Ben Rademaker, a PhD-holder.
 
Getz Pharma Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Khalid Mehmood, during a press conference on Thursday, said the size of the country's pharmacy market is about Rs 119 billion, which is growing by 12 to 13 percent. Henceforth, they have been able to export pharmacy goods to 45 countries around the world. The pharmacy sector in the country is the largest employment provider, with around five million people employed. Pakistan's pharmacy industry meets 90 percent of the needs of pharmacy goods.
 
Pharmaceutical exports are at their highest as compared to other corporate sectors in the country and have achieved a 29 percent growth, which is four times of the country's textile exports. Still, the country's spending on health according to annual budgetary allocations is just 0.4 percent of the GDP, while Bangladesh is spending 0.8 percent, Khalid said.
 
Investment: He said Getz Pharma was set up in 1995 as a small company with only 45 employees, while today the number of its employees exceeded 2,500 worldwide, and 1,850 people in Pakistan. Getz Pharma invested Rs 4 billion in revamping existing facilities, in purchasing state-of-the-art production, quality control from 2005 to 2009. It has a plan to meet the 54 percent target of exporting medicines. According to the Federal Bureau of Revenue, Getz Pharma was the second largest taxpayer unit in terms of taxes and duties with an estimated Rs 636 million in 2009, he added.
 
Khalid said the company's total investment in Pakistan was Rs 4 billion in the last three years, including investment in manufacturing technology of the first locally manufactured recombinant human insulin. It plans to invest an equal amount in the coming two years in new technologies that would result in local manufacturing of drugs that are currently being imported at high costs. It may be mentioned that Getz Pharma is the single largest exporter of pharmaceutical products from the country. It was estimated that the company's exports account for approximately 40 percent of the country's total pharmaceutical exports.
 
Dr Bernardus Rademaker, speaking on the occasion, said the analytical, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies for Unipeg (Pegylated Interferon Alpha 2a) had been carried out in Europe, comparing it to the existing research molecule.
 
New era: He said in addition, bioactivity and potency had also been evaluated at the Centre for Applied Molecular Biology in Lahore, a premier institute of the Science and Technology Ministry. Specialised manufacturing and testing technology is required for manufacturing the Unipeg. He said Getz Pharma had acquired the technology at a substantial investment and a number of these tests were not currently available in the country's pharmaceutical industry. Through this molecule, Getz Pharma would herald a new biotech era in the country, he added.
 
To a question, Dr Rademaker said since the molecule was not available in the US, it was not necessary to seek approval form the US FDA. He also said collaboration with Getz Pharma was not business-oriented, but it had been overwhelmingly planned that the hepatitis C affected population of the country should be provided with a cost-effective and latest mode of treatment.
 
Dr Rademaker holds a PhD in biotechnology from the State University Utrecht, Holland. He is the founder and CEO of InProPharma, a company specialising in technology platforms for the production of biologically active proteins. Prior to setting up his own company, Rephartox BV, a contract research company for the pharmaceutical industry, he was the director of Corporate Drug Development at the Rhein Biotech NV, Maastricht and the Green Cross Vaccine Company, Seoul, Korea. He is a member of the Dutch Pharmacological Society and is a registered pharmacologist. He has authored more than 50 scientific publications, and many regulatory affairs documents.

Cholesterol gene discovered

US researchers have found that a recently discovered gene regulates HDL (high density lipoproteins) cholesterol, also known as 'good' cholesterol. The study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, could lead to new therapies for heart disease, said lead author Dr Thomas Quertermous.
"This is a significant and unexpected finding, and the gene is going to be a real target for the prevention and treatment of heart disease," said Quertermous, the William G. Irwin Professor and chief of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. "This type of thing doesn't happen every day."

HDL cholesterol, often referred to as the 'good' cholesterol, has been proven to impact a person's risk of developing heart disease. "HDL cholesterol is an independent predictor of one's risk," said Quertermous. "If you have a high level of HDL cholesterol your chance of getting heart disease is very low."

Researchers know that levels of HDL cholesterol are regulated in part by members of the lipase gene family. Three years ago, Quertermous' team and a laboratory on the east coast simultaneously discovered the newest member of that family and found that its protein was expressed in a variety of tissues. Subsequent studies showed that the new gene - the endothelial lipase gene (LIPG) - played a role in lipid metabolism.

"It was a striking, if not dramatic, finding that this gene that we found in the blood vessel walls appeared to regulate HDL cholesterol levels," said Quertermous.

Quertermous' team sought to examine the gene's exact role in regulating HDL cholesterol level by examining genetic models with altered levels of endothelial lipase (EL) expression. Working with mouse models, the researchers increased EL expression in one group by inserting copies of the human gene and decreased EL expression by knocking out the LIPG gene in another group.

Quertermous reports that the findings were striking: altering the genes showed a clear and significant inverse relationship between HDL cholesterol level and EL expression. Levels of HDL cholesterol decreased by 19 per cent in the first group and increased by 57 per cent in the group whose gene was knocked out.

"When we overexpressed the human gene in the mice, the HDL cholesterol levels dropped," said Quertermous. "Conversely, when we knocked out the gene in mice, the levels were much higher."

Quertermous said that his team lacks insight into the mechanism by which EL impacts HDL cholesterol levels, and that this is something his team will explore. The group will also further study mouse models, and a group of human patients, to see if changes in HDL cholesterol levels directly correlate with heart disease. "My hypothesis - and strong suspicion - is that if you knock out the gene, your chance of disease development is decreased," said Quertermous.

Quertermous said a greater understanding of this gene's role in HDL cholesterol's formation and metabolism will help researchers regulate this risk factor.

Gene VIII Ebook Download

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LEWIN BENJAMIN , GENES 8
Prentice-Hall | ISBN 0131239244 | Edition 8 | PDF | 67Mb
For courses in Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, and Gene Regulation. Two decades ago Benjamin Lewin's Genes revolutionized the teaching of molecular biology and molecular genetics by introducing a unified approach to bacteria and higher organisms. Genes has remained at the cutting edge of molecular biology, covering gene structure, organization, and expression. Originally the text opened with the genetic code and worked toward genome structure. Genes VIII changed the approach to begin with the sequence of the human and other genomes and starts with complete coverage of recent advances in genomics. The coverage of genomics is then integrated throughout the text. In striving to maintain currency, the new edition has updated coverage on genome organization, DNA replication, gene regulation and many other new topics.

Biotechnology, 2nd Edition, Volume 9: Enzymes, Biomass, Food

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Biotechnology, 2nd Edition, Volume 9: Enzymes, Biomass, Food and Feed by Gerald Reed, Tilak W. Nagodawithana
Wiley-VCH | 1996 | ISBN: 3527283196 | 804 pages | PDF | 56.8 MB

This volume examines the classical aspects of biotechnology: the application of biological principles for the purpose of converting foodstuffs into more palatable, nutritious or stable foods.
Four distinct, but related areas are covered in detail: enzymes, biomass production, food fermentations and feed fermentations. Particular attention is paid to the analytical uses of enzymes. Moreover, food fermentations are treated on a world-wide basis, from pickles to the Korean kimchi.
Topics included are: Production of Enzymes as Fine Chemicals - Nutritional Value of Microbial Biomass - Baked Goods - Baker's Yeast Production - Carbohydrate-Based Sweeteners - Wine and Brandy - Brewing - Cheese - Vinegar - Indigenous Fermented Foods - Fermented Feeds and Feed Supplements.

Food Biotechnology Second Edition

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Description: Revised and updated to reflect the latest research and advances available, Food Biotechnology, Second Edition demonstrates the effect that biotechnology has on food production and processing. It is an authoritative and exhaustive compilation that discusses the bioconversion of raw food materials to processed products, the improvement of food quality, the importance of food safety, the design of ingredients for functional foods, and the biochemical advances made in traditional fermentation. It also provides an international perspective on the discipline as a whole. The content of the book is divided into three sections for easy reference. The first section provides an overview of the basic principles and explains microbial applications. The next section explains plant tissue culture techniques, genetic engineering of plants and animals, functional food ingredients and their health benefits, probiotics, antibody production for oral vaccines, and topics on enzyme technologies. The final section discusses food safety issues and the various bio-processing and fermentation biotechnologies used throughout the world. Food Biotechnology, Second Edition is an indispensable guide for anyone who needs to understand the latest information on foodproduction and processing from a biotechnology perspective.

Gray's Anatomy Free Ebook Download

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A universal landmark in medicine ever since Drs. Henry Gray and H.V. Carter published the first edition in 1858, Gray's Anatomy now celebrates its 150th anniversary! From state-of-the-art coverage of important new areas such as functional neuroimaging, embryogenesis, and biomechanics . . . through a comprehensively revamped, lavish full-color art program . . . as well as convenient access to the complete contents online, with downloadable illustrations, the new 40th Edition sets a new world standard for accuracy, clarity, and clinical relevance. It is THE place to turn when you want to be sure about the anatomical considerations that pertain to safe and effective practice. You'll find it an invaluable clinical resource, a pleasure to consult, and a reference that you'll be proud to have on your shelf. 

Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 7th edition

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It is hard to imagine a pathologist, whether a trainee or consultant, who would not benefit from reading or at least referring to this book. Most older pathologists will possess earlier editions as Robbins has been a standard text for many years. This seventh edition represents the evolution of the best single volume textbook on general pathology and the editors are to be congratulated in having resisted the temptation to overturn the book's familiar order in the name of innovation. Instead, they have sympathetically expanded the text, which now includes a phenomenal amount of information. A particularly welcome development is the chapter on ocular pathology for the generalist and the reorganization of the chapter on infectious diseases taxonomically. The book has a very broad appeal: it could be read with profit by consultant pathologists, but is still suitable as an undergraduate text for medical students, as it starts from first principles and extends to the limits of knowledge. Robbins will remain the book of choice for diligent students, who will be inspired by the thorough scientific grounding in pathology that it provides. UK universities that believe this factual knowledge to be redundant should consider the popularity of Robbins in the US, and with practicing diagnostic pathologists in the UK, and think again.

Biogas from Waste and Renewable Resources: An Introduction

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Description: Written as a practical introduction to biogas plant design and operation, this book fills a huge gap by presenting a systematic guide to this emerging technology — information otherwise only available in poorly intelligible reports by US governmental and other official agencies. The author draws on teaching material from a university course as well as a wide variety of industrial biogas projects he has been involved with, thus combining didactical skill with real-life examples. Alongside biological and technical aspects of biogas generation, this timely work also looks at safety and legal aspects as well as environmental considerations.

Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry (26th Edition)

Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry (26th Edition)

By: Murray, Robert K.; Granner, Daryl K.; Mayes, Peter A. Rodwell, Victor, W. © 2003 McGraw-Hill
Description: This book offers concise yet authoritative coverage of the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology. It is perfect for any medical biochemistry course, and the added molecular biology completes the biochemical literature.

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Bruce Alberts Molecular Biology of The Cell 5th edition

For nearly a quarter century Molecular Biology of the Cell has been the leading cell biology textbook. This tradition continues with the new Fifth Edition, which has been completely revised and updated to describe our current, rapidly advancing understanding of cell biology. To list but a few examples, a large amount of new material is presented on epigenetics; stem cells; RNAi; comparative genomics; the latest cancer therapies; apoptosis (now its own separate chapter); and cell cycle control and the mechanics of M phase (now integrated into one chapter).

The hallmark features of Molecular Biology of the Cell have been retained, such as its consistent and comprehensive art program, clear concept headings, and succinct section summaries. Additionally, in response to extensive feedback from readers, the Fifth Edition now includes several new features. 

And for the first time, Molecular Biology of the Cell now contains end-of-chapter questions. These problems, written by John Wilson and Tim Hunt, emphasize a quantitative approach and the art of reasoning from experiments, and -they will help students review and extend their knowledge derived from reading the textbook.

PART 1
PART 2

Bioinformatics for Geneticists: A Bioinformatics Primer for the Analysis of Genetic Data, 2nd Edition

Bioinformatics for Geneticists: A Bioinformatics Primer for the Analysis of Genetic Data, 2nd 

Edition

 

 

 

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Praise from the reviews: "Without reservation, I endorse this text as the best resource I've encountered that neatly introduces and summarizes many points I've learned through years of experience.  The gems of truth found in this book will serve well those who wish to apply bioinformatics in their daily work, as well as help them advise others in this capacity." CIRC GENETICS
"This book may really help to get geneticists and bioinformaticians on 'speaking-terms'... contains some essential reading for almost any person working in the field of molecular genetics." EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS 
"... an excellent resource... this book should ensure that any researcher's skill base is maintained." GENETICAL RESEARCH
“… one of the best available and most accessible texts on bioinformatics and genetics in the postgenome age… The writing is clear, with succinct subsections within each chapter….Without reservation, I endorse this text as the best resource I’ve encountered that neatly introduces and summarizes many points I’ve learned through years of experience. The gems of truth found in this book will serve well those who wish to apply bioinformatics in their daily work, as well as help them advise others in this capacity.”  CIRCULATION: CARDIOVASCULAR GENETICS

A fully revised version of the successful First Edition, this one-stop reference book enables all geneticists to improve the efficiency of their research.
The study of human genetics is moving into a challenging new era. New technologies and data resources such as the HapMap are enabling genome-wide studies, which could potentially identify most common genetic determinants of human health, disease and drug response. With these tremendous new data resources at hand, more than ever care is required in their use. Faced with the sheer volume of genetics and genomic data, bioinformatics is essential to avoid drowning true signal in noise. Considering these challenges, Bioinformatics for Geneticists, Second Edition works at multiple levels: firstly, for the occasional user who simply wants to extract or analyse specific data; secondly, at the level of the advanced user providing explanations of how and why a tool works and how it can be used to greatest effect. Finally experts from fields allied to genetics give insight into the best genomics tools and data to enhance a genetic experiment.
Hallmark Features of the Second Edition:

• Illustrates the value of bioinformatics as a constantly evolving avenue into novel approaches to study genetics
• The only book specifically addressing the bioinformatics needs of geneticists
• More than 50% of chapters are completely new contributions
• Dramatically revised content in core areas of gene and genomic characterisation, pathway analysis, SNP functional analysis and statistical genetics
• Focused on freely available tools and web-based approaches to bioinformatics analysis, suitable for novices and experienced researchers alike

Bioinformatics for Geneticists, Second Edition describes the key bioinformatics and genetic analysis processes that are needed to identify human genetic determinants. The book is based upon the combined practical experience of domain experts from academic and industrial research environments and is of interest to a broad audience, including students, researchers and clinicians working in the human genetics domain.

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry Ebook Download

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry

David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox
Hardcover, 1100 Pages
5th Edition, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-716-77108-1
Palgrave Macmillan

Description
In the Fifth Edition, authors Dave Nelson and Mike Cox combine the best of the laboratory and best of the classroom, introducing exciting new developments while communicating basic principles through a variety of new learning tools such as new in-text worked examples and data analysis problems.
Editorial Review
Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry is a very comprehensive book, in which a surprising number of current subjects that reflect the state of the art are described with unique illustrations. The reader must have some basic chemical knowledge to understand the text, and in some places the authors refer back to subjects that are only discussed in detail later on. In any case, the work overall is readily understandable, and is elaborately detailed for use both for learning and as a reference.
Thus, with illustrations that are of top-level quality and content that is kept simple and readable, these two work very well together. This is definitely not a case of pretty pictures being used to obscure weaknesses in the wording! Readers who are still obliged to learn from older biochemistry textbooks should take a look at Lehninger in this regard, since the authors have succeeded in exemplifying the newest methods and findings with truly well-crafted diagrams and text. It is well known that, thanks to structure elucidation, the spatial arrangement of biomolecules and the resulting effects on their function have become a focus of attention in science. These rapid advances are covered definitively in Lehninger.
On all accounts, the many modifications between the 4th and 5th edition bring the book into line with the latest research. The scope of this work also warrants its purchase, since one can be almost certain just from the Table of Contents that Lehninger has the important areas covered. Though some students will probably be taken aback at the shear wealth of information, they nevertheless will have a book that proves quite handy later in their careers, when they need to find the details of the biochemical principles that underlie specific problems. Lehninger is also recommended for those who are already working in medicinal chemistry or related areas, since in addition to the elementary background material contained, current research topics such as signal transduction are addressed in exacting detail in the book. In many subject areas, Lehninger even bridges the gap to modern drug discovery, since a number of drugs and their functions are described in information boxes scattered throughout the text.
"Principles of Biochemistry" will be interesting to anyone who plans to work in the life sciences industry. Lehninger is a good tool for those students who intend to specialize in molecular biology, although the coverage is apt to be too comprehensive for others. The book is nevertheless a worthwhile investment, since one finds therein practically all the topics in biochemistry, each with detailed and well-illustrated explanations.

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Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction

Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction

Known world-wide as the standard introductory text to this important and exciting area, the sixth edition of Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis addresses new and growing areas of research whilst retaining the philosophy of the previous editions. Assuming the reader has little prior knowledge of the subject, its importance, the principles of the techniques used and their applications are all carefully laid out, with over 250 clearly presented four-colour illustrations.

In addition to a number of informative changes to the text throughout the book, the final four chapters have been significantly updated and extended to reflect the striking advances made in recent years in the applications of gene cloning and DNA analysis in biotechnology.

Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis remains an essential introductory text to a wide range of biological sciences students; including genetics and genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology and applied biology. It is also a perfect introductory text for any professional needing to learn the basics of the subject. All libraries in universities where medical, life and biological sciences are studied and taught should have copies available on their shelves.

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Lycopene

Lycopene

The deep red colour that is present in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava and watermelon is caused by lycopene, a carotenoid. Other carotenoids include beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, which give carrots their orange colour. Carotenoids are fat soluble and so in the human body are found in fatty tissue and transported by lipoproteins. They act as dietary precursors to Vitamin A and aid the immune system. However lycopene has a greater property than food colouring. It is a strong antioxidant, which can help to combat degenerative diseases such as heart disease. It was found that increased concentration of lycopene gave an increased protective effect, so the most concentrated food sources, like tomato puree and ketchup, are better protectors against these diseases. However the human body cannot produce this molecule and needs to obtain it from tomatoes in our diet. High lycopene foods like soup are the most effective against degenerative diseases.

It helps prevent degenerative diseases by donating its electrons to oxygen free radicals thus quenching and neutralising them before they can damage cells. Free radicals are molecules that have at least one unpaired electron. By donating an electron lycopene can stabilise the free molecule. There have been many recent studies into lycopene so that it can be used to its fullest potential in fighting these diseases. A heart study measuring lycopene in fatty tissue of 1,374 men showed that it could reduce the risk of a heart attack by 50%. Lycopene has though other ailing effects. It has been seen that lycopene can be used as an anti-carcinogen, greatly reducing the risk of some cancers. In a six-year study of 47,000 male health professionals Harvard Medical School found that eating tomato products more than twice a week was associated with 21-34% reduced risk of prostate cancer. In 1995 Harvard School of Public Health studied further into this and found that those men who ate more than 10 servings of tomato foods a week were 45% less at risk to prostate cancer; those with only 4-7 servings were 20% less at risk. The University of Illinois found that comparing woman with the highest levels of lycopene and those with the lowest showed that the highest levels were five times less likely to have cervical cancer. Tomatoes are therefore a very important part of our diet and if tests are conclusive then this could be.

Tomatoes are therefore a very important part of our diet and if tests are conclusive then this could be a serious step towards combating other cancers. However there are some that do not believe that lycopene can improve cancer protection. In January 1996 the National Cancer Institute issued a press release declaring beta-carotene to be useless and harmful. They claimed that it might increase the risk of lung cancer in long term smokers. This implies that the case would be the same for lycopene. Lycopene and beta-carotene are very similar and so they are implying that lycopene is harmful. The research though was not published and so other antioxidant researchers are not convinced by the argument. No doubt there will be plenty of further research into this molecule.

Avastin Phase III Study Shows Positive Results In Women With Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that a phase III study showed the combination of Avastin (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy followed by maintenance use of Avastin increased the time women with advanced ovarian cancer lived without their disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) compared to chemotherapy alone. A preliminary assessment of safety noted adverse events previously observed in pivotal trials with Avastin. Data from the study will be submitted for presentation at the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, June 4 to 8, 2010.

This is the first positive phase III study of an anti-angiogenic therapy in advanced ovarian cancer and continues to support Avastin and anti-angiogenesis as a fundamental pillar of cancer treatment today. Advanced ovarian cancer is a disease where outlook for patients remains poor and new effective therapies are needed. Avastin has shown the potential to provide this new therapy option for physicians and to bring hope to patients and their families.

In the three-arm study, known as Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 0218, women with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer who already had surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible were randomised to receive one of the following:

-- Arm 1: Placebo in combination with commonly-used chemotherapy followed by placebo for a total treatment duration of up to 15 months

-- Arm 2: Avastin in combination with commonly-used chemotherapy followed by placebo for a total treatment duration of up to 15 months

-- Arm 3: Avastin in combination with commonly-used chemotherapy followed by the continuation of Avastin alone, as maintenance therapy, for a total treatment duration of up to 15 months

The study showed that women who continued maintenance use of Avastin alone, after receiving Avastin in combination with chemotherapy (Arm 3), lived longer without the disease worsening compared to those who received chemotherapy alone. Women who received Avastin in combination with chemotherapy, but did not continue maintenance use of Avastin alone (Arm 2), did not live longer without the disease worsening compared to chemotherapy alone.

"We are greatly encouraged by these results which suggest that Avastin could offer women with advanced ovarian cancer more time without their disease worsening," said Pascal Soriot, COO of Roche's Pharmaceutical Division. "Women with this disease still have a poor outlook and we are committed to working with the relevant health authorities to make Avastin available to these patients."

About ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the eighth leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. Annually, an estimated 230,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer around the world and approximately 140,000 will die from the disease1. Currently, treatment options for women with this disease are limited to surgery, and chemotherapy. Ovarian cancer is associated with high concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein associated with tumor growth and spread. Studies have shown a correlation between a high concentration of VEGF and a poorer prognosis in women with ovarian cancer. Avastin is designed to specifically target VEGF.

New Method Of Peptide Synthesis Makes It Easier To Create Drugs Based On Natural Compounds:

A team of Vanderbilt chemists has developed a novel method for chemically synthesizing peptides that promises to lower the cost and increase the availability of drugs based on natural compounds.

The new synthesis technique is described in a paper published in the June 24 issue of the journal Nature.

Peptides are polymers made by stringing together two or more amino acids, the chemical building blocks of life, in a linear chain and folded into a globular form. DNA holds the blueprints for 20 "standard" amino acids, which cells use for manufacturing proteins - peptides that perform basic cell functions. However, cells also create peptides that contain "non-natural" amino acids for a variety of different purposes by modifying standard peptides after they are produced.

The pharmaceutical industry has a growing interest in using peptides and proteins as therapeutic agents because they have highly specific biological activity associated with low toxicity. However, peptide-based drugs currently make up only a few percent of the total pharmaceutical market . The vast majority of the drugs on the market today are "small molecule" drugs that are synthesized completely in the laboratory.

"Scientists from many disciplines have sought improved methods to streamline the synthesis of peptides through purely chemical means in order to increase the diversity of the chemical tools available for the design of improved therapeutics," says Professor of Chemistry Jeff Johnston, who directed the effort. "Our discovery of a conceptually new approach to peptide synthesis brings this capability much closer to reality."

In the last 40 years, peptide synthesis has become highly automated. Peptide synthesis machines are widely used in research laboratories around the world. However, these machines are limited to building molecules from standard amino acids and are best suited for making relatively small peptides.

The new approach addresses one of the key limitations of current methods of peptide synthesis: the difficulty of incorporating non-natural amino acids. That is one reason why most current pharmaceuticals based on "biologics" include active ingredients extracted from cells grown by the relatively difficult and expensive fermentation process instead of being synthesized "from scratch" in the laboratory.

The Vanderbilt process - developed by graduate students Bo Shen, who is now at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Dawn Makley - makes it much easier to create peptides that incorporate non-natural amino acids.

Another advantage of Johnston's technique is controlling the "handedness" - or chirality - of the molecules it creates. Most biological molecules, including amino acids, typically come in two versions - right-handed and left-handed - which can have significantly different biological activities. Cells generally create and use left-handed peptides. Controlling handedness in traditional methods of peptide synthesis requires adding a number of additional steps, which substantially reduces the overall efficiency of the synthesis. The new method significantly streamlines this process.

"Our method complements conventional peptide synthesis like the helicopter complements conventional jet transport," Johnston says, "If you wish to get from one major city to another quickly, the jet is your best option. But if you want greater diversity in destinations, the helicopter is your ticket. I must admit, however, that we have plans for a version of our chemistry comparable to the tilt-rotor Osprey that combines the advantages of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft."

fetus can't feel pain before 24 weeks

Human fetuses cannot feel pain before the age of 24 weeks, a British medical association said Friday -- delivering a setback for anti-abortion activists campaigning to lower the country's 24-week time limit.

Lawmakers who were considering lowering the limit to 20-22 weeks had commissioned the study by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Citing evidence from medical research and post-mortem reports, the group said nerve connections in the brain were not sufficiently formed to allow pain perception until after 24 weeks, and that even after 24 weeks, the fetus was in a state of sleep-like unconsciousness or sedation.

"There was fairly good evidence that the pathways necessary to feel pain really just aren't there before 24 weeks -- although they very clearly are there after," said Richard Anderson, a professor in human reproductive sciences with the University of Edinburgh, who was part of the study.

Some doctors disagree with the findings, arguing that fetuses can experience distress by the age of 20 weeks. The U.S. state of Nebraska recently passed a bill banning abortion at and after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has said it knows of no legitimate evidence that shows a fetus can experience pain. It said a fetus' brain begins its final stage of development between the 20th and 40th weeks of pregnancy, and that certain hormones that develop in the final trimester also must be present for it to feel pain. It's not known exactly when those hormones appear.

In Britain, the Abortion Act of 1967 allows surgical abortions up to 24 weeks. A woman can still abort her baby after 24 weeks if doctors agree the mother's life is in danger or there is strong evidence that the fetus would be born with a severe disability.

The law, however, does not extend to religiously conservative Northern Ireland, where abortions are still banned unless a woman's life is in danger or at mental or physical risk. As a result an estimated 1,400-2,000 women from the British territory travel annually to England or other European Union nations to end their pregnancies.

"We have no real evidence because the unborn baby can't speak," said Bernie Smyth, director of Precious Life, an anti-abortion group active in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. "The fact is babies have been born at 24 weeks, they have survived, and they do feel pain."

Prime Minister David Cameron had backed reducing the limit to between 20 and 22 weeks before he came to power in May. The House of Commons voted in 2008 to keep the existing limit, and Cameron's office issued a statement Friday saying no changes were planned in the policy. It said the prime minister would be led in his decision by science.

Campaigners against abortions said the report's conclusions were not definitive and did not change their view that terminating pregnancies is wrong.

"Performing abortion humanely does not justify the fact that you are terminating a human life," said Josephine Quintavalle of the London-based Comment on Reproductive Ethics.

But supporters of the current abortion laws said the findings would reassure women considering a late-term termination.

"It is vitally important to protect a woman's right to access abortion services, and British law rightly recognizes this principle," said Tony Kerridge of the sexual health charity Marie Stopes International. "The findings should give comfort and reassurance to any woman who finds herself in the extremely distressing position of having to make the decision to terminate a pregnancy at a later gestation."

The charity said late abortions were extremely rare in Britain. Last year there were fewer than 3,000 abortions above 20 weeks gestation, Kerridge said.

Institute of Biotech And Genetic Engineering in Pakistan

Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Faisalabad.	Dr. Ghulam Ahmad (Director General)	Ph: 041-657281-90 Ext. 229 agribt@fsd.brain.netpk agribt@fsd.paknet.com
2.	Center for Agricultural Biotechnology University of Agriculture, Faisalabad	Dr. lftkhar Ahmad (Chairman)	Ph: 041-9200161-70 Ext.2921 FaX: 041-647846 www.uaf.edu.pk
3.	Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Bilogy (NIAB). P.O.Box 128, Jhang Road, Faisalabad	Dr. Mohsin lqbal (Chief Scientist/Director NIAB )	Tel: 041-654210 FaX: 041-654213 niab@fsd.paknet.com.pk www.nibge.org
4.	National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE). P. 0. Box - 577, Jhang Road, Faisalabad	Dr. Ahmad Mukhtar Khalid (Director General )	Tel: 041-651471/75 FaX: 041-651472 amkhalid@nibge.org www.nibge.org
Rawalpindi / Islamabad
1.	Agriculture Biotechnology Institute, National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad	Dr. Rasped Anwar (Deputy Director General )	Tel: 051-9255217 FaX: 051-9255217 abi_narc@yahoo.com
2.	Biomedical & Genetic Engineering Division, Dr. A. Q. Khan Research Laboratories, P.O. Box-2891, islamabad	Dr. S. Qasim Mehdi (Director General)	Tel: 051-9261138 Fax: 051-9261144 E-mail: sqmehdi@comsats.net.pk
3.	Department of Biochemistry Uiversity of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi	Dr. Azra Khanum (Chairperson)	Tel: 9290151-2 Fax: 9290160 www.uaar-edu.pk
4.	Department of Plant Pathology University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi	Prof Dr. Irfan-ul-Haq (Chairman)	Tel: 9290151-2/ Ext-143 FaX: 9290160 www.uaar-edu.pk
5.	Department of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad	Dr. Afsari Qureshi (Chairperson)	Tel: 051-9219809 FaX: 051-9219888 :
Karachi
1.	Dr. Punjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research University of Karachi, Karachi	Dr. lqbal Chaudhary (Acting Director)	Tel: 021-9243224 Fax: 021-9243190-91 zainraa@digicom.net.pk hej@khi.comsats.net.pk
2.	Plant Tissue Culture Lab, H.E.J Institute Research Institute of Chemistry, Karachi	Dr. Saifullah Khan (Assistant Professor & lncharge)	Tel: 021-9243205 Ext-148 Fax: 021-9243190/91 drsaif@super.net.pk
3.	Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Karachi	Dr. Mujtaba Naqvi (Director	Tel: 021-4823885 FaX: 021-4823887 kibge@cyber.net.pk
4.	Department of Biotechnology, University of Karachi	Dr. Altaf Khan (Dean Faculty of Science)	Tel: 021-9243131-42 I FaX: 021-9243161 www.ku.edu.pk
5.	Center for Molecular Genetics University of Karachi, Karachi	Dr. Nuzhat Ahmad (Director Center)	Tel: 021-9243131-7 FaX: 021-4966045
6.	Dept. of Microbiology University of Karachi, Karachi	rof Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi (Chairperson)	Tel: 021-9243131-7 FaX: 021-4966045
Lahore
1.	Centre for Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, Lahore	Dr. S. Riazuddin (Director)	Tel; 042-5421235 Fax: 042-5421316 cambl@wol.net.pk
2.	Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Punjab, Lahore	Prof. M. Waheed Akhter (Dean Faculty of Science)	Tel: 042-9211612 Fax: 042-9230242 mwapu@brain.net.pk www.pu.edu.pk
3.	Biotechnology Laboratory Department of Botany Govt. College, University Lahore	Dr. lkram-ul-Haq (Head)	Tel: 042-9221634 Fax: 042-7243198 ikrhaq@yahoo.com
4.	School of Biological Sciences, Punjab University, P.o.Box - 54590, Lahore	Prof. M. Akhtar (Director General)	Tel: 042-5432746-47 Fax: 042-5462748
5.	Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. University of Punjab	Prof. Shahida Hasnain (Chairperson)	Tel: 042-9231249 Fax: 042-9230481
6.	Biotechnology and Food Research Centre, PCSIR Laboratories, Lahore	Dr. Nazir Hussain Shah (Director )	Tel: 042-9230688 FaX: 042-5877433
Peshawar
1.	Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, N.W.F.P Agricultural University, Peshawar	Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Swati (Director)	Tel: 091-9216553 6 FaX: 091-9216553 drzaswati@yahoo.com
2.	Center for Animal Biotechnology Veterinary Research Institute, N.W.F.P, Peshawar	Dr. Mohammad Subhan Qureshir Officer-in-charge CAB	Tel: 091-9210218-9 11 Fax: 091-9210220 vrmsqureshi@yahoo.com
3.	Department of Biotechnology University of Peshawar, Peshawar	Dr. Farrukh Hussain (Director)	Tel: 091-9216701-20 Ext-3070
Multan
1.	Central Cotton Research Institute, O1d Shujabad Road, P.O.Box - 572, Multan	Dr. Muhnmmad Islnm Gill (Chief Scientific Officer/ Director)	Tel: 061-9200340-41 FaX: 061-9200342 ccri@mul.paknet.com.pk www.ccri.org.pk
Quetta
1.	Institute of Biochemistry, University of Balochistan, Quetta	Dr. Masoom Yasin Zai (Professor )	Tel: 081-9211261 FaX: 081-9211277 masoom@infolink.net.pk
Jamshoro
1.	Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, University of Sindh, Jamshoro.	Dr. Umar Dahot (Director)	Tel: 0221-771681-90 udehot@yahoo.com

H1N1 virus lacks Spanish flu’s killer protein

Molecule responsible for extent of 1918 pandemic is missing in today’s swine variant

BOSTON — The H1N1 swine flu just doesn’t have what it takes to be a real killer, a new study of the 1918 Spanish flu suggests.

Scientists have been studying the 1918 Spanish flu virus to find out what made it so deadly. The virus caused a pandemic that killed 20 million to 40 million people — making it one of the most devastating epidemics in history.

The Spanish flu virus had a killer combination of surface proteins called neuraminidase (the N in H1N1) and hemagglutinin (the H in H1N1), and another protein called PB1-F2, says Peter Palese, a virologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. The combination of those three proteins made the virus a million times more virulent than an average seasonal influenza virus, he and his colleagues found.

While the two surface proteins are important, it’s really PB1-F2 that gave the Spanish flu its punch, Palese told scientists gathered June 14 for Genetics 2010: Model Organisms to Human Biology, a meeting of the Genetics Society of America. Now, he and his colleagues have discovered that the viral protein prevents the body from making an important antiviral compound called interferon. Without interferon to hold it back, the virus is able to replicate quickly and completely overwhelm the body’s defenses by three days after infection, Palese reported.

Other vicious pandemic influenza strains, such as those of 1957 and 1968, also possessed PB1-F2. But the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus lacks the protein. “It’s telling us that this virus is not as virulent as other pandemic influenza viruses,” Palese says.