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Two More to the RNAi Therapeutics List

Dec 19, 2008

Scientists at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas have found that women with ovarian cancer who have low levels of critical RNAi proteins, Dicer and Drosha, die faster than those with high levels, says a story in The Wall Street Journal. Examining protein levels in 250 women with ovarian cancer, scientists led by Anil Sood found that women with high levels of Dicer and Drosha had a median survival of 11 years while women with low levels of one or both had a median survival of less than three years. Researchers hope to begin testing RNAi therapy on humans next year.

Breaking News
The Scan

Pig Organ Transplants Considered

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration may soon allow clinical trials that involve transplanting pig organs into humans.

'Poo-Bank' Proposal

Harvard Medical School researchers suggest people should bank stool samples when they are young to transplant when they later develop age-related diseases.

Spurred to Develop Again

New Scientist reports that researchers may have uncovered why about 60 percent of in vitro fertilization embryos stop developing.

Science Papers Examine Breast Milk Cell Populations, Cerebral Cortex Cellular Diversity, Micronesia Population History

In Science this week: unique cell populations found within breast milk, 100 transcriptionally distinct cell populations uncovered in the cerebral cortex, and more.