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Alnylam identifies gene to lower abdominal fat and decrease cardiovascular risk

Pharmaceutical Technology

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and collaborators have identified rare mutations in the INHBE gene that is expressed in the liver, related to a lower waist-to-hip ratio for body mass index (BMI), which is often used as an indicator of abdominal fat and is correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary heart disease.

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When organoids meet coronaviruses

Scienmag

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers in collaboration with the group of Bart Haagmans (Erasmus MC) established an organoid biobank to search for the genes that are essential for the spreading of a SARS-CoV2 infection.

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Q&A: Gene therapy opportunities from long-read sequencing 

Drug Discovery World

Breakthroughs in gene therapy are only possible with an exact understanding of the genetic underpinnings of disease. To develop safe and effective gene therapies, researchers need confidence that genomic data is both complete and accurate. Recent years have seen a great deal of progress in both short- and long-read sequencing.

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Could genetics hold the key to preventing SIDS?

Scienmag

Credit: Unsplash A state-of-the-art genetic biobank could hold the key to preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), potentially saving the lives of hundreds of babies who die from the devastating condition each year.

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San Diego zoo global biobanking advances wildlife conservation and human medicine worldwide

Scienmag

In a study that has unprecedented implications to advance both medicine and biodiversity conservation, researchers have sequenced 131 new placental mammal genomes, bringing the worldwide total to more than 250 In a study that has unprecedented implications to advance both medicine and biodiversity conservation, researchers have sequenced 131 new placental (..)

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Alnylam finds belly fat gene and drug target in UK Biobank study

pharmaphorum

Alnylam Pharma has made a name for itself, developing gene-silencing therapies for rare disorders, but its latest discovery could take it into a much larger category – metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Transgenic mice in which the gene has been deleted have improved control of blood glucose and insulin sensitivity.

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Study reveals first genetic links in ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Drug Discovery World

The study also identified similarities with genes that are believed to be associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and long Covid. Using the PrecisionLife platform the study identified 14 novel genetic associations with ME/CFS from the UK Biobank cohort. Copyright: PrecisionLife.