Newly discovered molecule could deliver drugs to treat diseases

Kansas State University researchers have designed molecules that may be capable of delivering drugs inside the body. For the first time, researchers have created membrane-bound vesicles formed entirely of polypeptides. The vesicles could serve as a new drug delivery system to safely treat cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

Bone grown from human embryonic stem cells

Researchers at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Laboratory have grown bone grafts from human embryonic stem cells for use in research and potential therapeutic application. This is the first example of deriving bone cell progenitors from human embryonic stem cells in large quantities for repair of centimeter-sized defects.

First gene therapy successful against aging-associated decline: Mouse lifespan extended up to 24% with a single treatment

Inducing cells to express telomerase, the enzyme which extends the telomeres (ends of linear chromosomes) also extends the lifespan of mice. This study shows that life extension is actually a doable thing and could improve the health span of us!

Many studies have shown that you can increase lifespan of many species, including mammals, by acting on specific genes, but that usually involves altering genes in embryos. Not something to be done with humans.

The genes behind human intelligence also made us vulnerable to autism

While the genetic cause(s) of autism are still mostly unknown, the most common single-gene cause is Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X Syndrome accounts for 5% of autism cases and involves errors on the X chromosome that disrupt normal brain development.

Fragile X Syndrome prevents the production of FMRP, an important brain protein needed to activate the NOS1 gene. The NOS1 gene product is found throughout the developing human brain, especially in guiding the maturation of the speech, language, and decision-making centers.