Study nets record haul of disease genes

captainclaw submitted, created time 1 year 6 months (www.abc.net.au)

The UK scientists found that the largest ever study of genes in disease has found 24 genetic risk factors, half of them new, linked to seven common conditions.It represents the biggest single haul of disease-associated genes so far, underlining an accelerating pace of discovery that researchers say will help unpick the fundamental biology of major illnesses and may lead to more effective drugs.

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Stem cells: From adult to embryo

DanyC submitted, created time 1 year 7 months (www.newscientist.com)

It is stem cell research's ultimate prize - stem cells made from an individual's own cells without the need for a donated egg or embryo. Now, three research groups claim to have done just that - by reprogramming adult mouse cells into cells that are virtually indistinguishable from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). If they can repeat their success in humans, hopes are high that such cells could one day be used to regenerate healthy tissues in people with a range of illnesses.

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