August 1 - August 7, 2005

August 5th: "Cheap" Genome Sequencing Now Possible

Researchers say they had found a faster and cheaper way to do Genome sequencing and that it would cost only about $2.2 million. George Church and colleagues at Harvard Medical School hope eventually to reduce the cost further to $1,000 per genome -- the entire DNA code of a person, plant or other organism. Their new method uses color-coded beads, a microscope and a camera. It is considerably cheaper than the current methods, which cost an estimated $20 million for a human genome

August 4th: Scientists Pinpoint New Breast Cancer Genes

Scientists said on Thursday they had pinpointed four new genes believed to be involved in the development of breast cancer. By examining tissue from 53 breast cancer tumors and cells grown in the laboratory, researchers at the University of Cambridge in England narrowed down the search for the genes that that could provide a basis for new treatments for the disease. "By using the latest in DNA technology we've been able to pinpoint four new genes likely to be involved in the development of breast cancer," said Professor Carlos Caldas, who headed the research team.

August 3rd: Drug Companies Adopting New Ad Guidelines

New advertising guidelines being adopted by the pharmaceutical industry Tuesday will include a requirement that televised commercials clearly present drug risks and promote conversations with doctors. AdAge.com published the 15-point guidelines on its web site Tuesday ahead of their formal release later in the day by the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers of America at a meeting in Dallas.

August 2nd: Master Regulatory Gene Found That Guides Fate Of Blood-Producing Stem Cells

Researchers from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine found that a protein called NF-Ya activates several genes known to regulate the development of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), or blood-producing stem cells, in bone marrow. Knowing the details of this pathway may one day lead to new treatments for such blood diseases as leukemia, as well as a better understanding of how HSCs work in the context of bone-marrow and peripheral-stem-cell transplantation. The authors published their findings in the early August issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

August 1st:

Guidant received Food and Drug Administration approval to reintroduce a line of heart devices that the company had pulled from the market earlier this summer. The FDA decision covers Contak Renewal 3 cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators. The company expects to resume worldwide distribution and implants of its CRT defibrillators by the middle of the week.

Guidant had voluntarily removed the devices from the market in June after identifying performance and potential safety concerns related to a magnetic switch component. After further testing the company gained approval for a new component that resolves the matter. In addition, Guidant received U.S. clearance to distribute new software that's designed to help doctors better manage existing Renewal 3 patients. The new software will be available outside the U.S. later this year.

Last week, the Indianapolis-based medical devices maker received European regulatory approval to restart sales of the Contak Renewal 4 defibrillator for use outside the U.S. With the approvals, the company, which is in the process of being acquired by Johnson & Johnson, can resume sales of its products in the fastest growth area within cardiac rhythm management -- CRT defibrillators