http://ec.europa.eu//research/index.cfm?pg=whatsnew en Fri, 24 May 2013 07:44:54 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss For more RSS news feeds click the link above. Fri, 24 May 2013 07:44:54 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_11_05_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27873 Huntington's disease is an inherited, neurodegenerative disorder that usually appears in mid-adult life and leads to uncoordinated body movements and cognitive decline. The disease is due to multiple repetitions of a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence (i.e. the nucleotides CAG) in the gene encoding the 'Huntingtin' protein. This sequence is present more than 35 times in patients suffering from this disease, while it is repeated 10 to 29 times in healthy patients. In a recent study, published in the journal PNAS, researchers in Spain succeeded in reducing the chromosomal expression of the mutant gene, which could potentially hinder disease development. The study was supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to Dr. Mark Isalan from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Spain, worth more than EUR 1.32 million under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-11-05:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_11_05_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27873 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_10_24_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27714 Investigating the genetic footprint that drug resistance causes in HIV, researchers in Europe have discovered that compensatory polymorphisms enable resistant viruses to survive. Presented in the journal Retrovirology, the study was supported in part by three EU-funded projects: VIROLAB, EURESIST and CHAIN. Both the VIROLAB ('A virtual laboratory for decision support in viral diseases treatment') and EURESIST ('Integration of viral genomics with clinical data to predict response to anti-HIV treatment') projects were funded under the 'Information society technologies' Thematic area of the FP6 to the tune of EUR 3.3 million and EUR 2.1 million, respectively. CHAIN ('Collaborative HIV and anti-HIV drug resistance network') has received almost EUR 10 million under the Health Theme of the FP7.]]> Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-10-24:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_10_24_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27714 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_10_10_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27373 Researchers funded in part by the EU have discovered that five genes play a key role in determining human facial shapes. Presented in the journal PLoS Genetics, the genome-wide association study on facial phenotype can help scientists identify more genes for other complex human phenotypes, including height. The research can help advance our understanding of the complex molecular interactions governing normal and pathological differences in facial shape (when combined with sophisticated three-dimensional imaging techniques).]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-10-10:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_10_10_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=27373 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_05_09_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=24813 An international team of researchers has discovered 32 previously unidentified genetic regions linked with osteoporosis and fracture. Presented in the journal Nature Genetics, the study identified that variations in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences in these regions confer either risk or protection from the disease that weakens bone. Most regions encode proteins involved in pathways that concern the health of bone. The study was funded in part by the GEFOS ('Genetic factors for osteoporosis') project, which has received almost EUR 3 million under the Health Theme of the FP7.]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-05-09:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_05_09_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=24813 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_03_21_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=24273 Researchers in France, the United Kingdom and the United States have shed new light on how plants swap genes from plant to plant to help stimulate their evolutionary development. The findings, presented in the journal Current Biology, highlighted that enzymes key to photosynthesis had been shared among plants with only a distant ancestral relationship, and that the metabolic cycle of the recipient plant absorbed the genes, contributing to adaptation. The study was funded in part by a Marie Curie grant under the FP7.]]> Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-03-21:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_03_21_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=24273 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_02_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=23833 A European team of scientists has discovered how cells accurately inherit information that is not contained in their genes. The research, presented in the journal Developmental Cell, was funded in part by the EPICENTROMERE ('Determining the epigenetic mechanism of centromere propagation') project, which has clinched a Marie Curie Action 'International Reintegration Grant' worth EUR 100 000 under the FP7. The results help piece together a puzzle on the biological processes of genes and cells, and in particular on cell division.]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-02-03:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_02_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=23833 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=121_main&item=Infocentre&artid=23574 Jack and his parents live on the east coast of England. Every now and then they come to London, trying to make the most of their day out. But the reason for their regular visits beats inside Jack’s little chest.]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-01-16:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=121_main&item=Infocentre&artid=23574