Obama may do little for stem cell companies; homosexuality influenced by genetics; new cancer R&D facility;

Stem Cell Research

The Motley Fool assesses the likely impact of the Obama administration on the fortunes of stem cell companies and finds little to cheer about. Report

"There are still a number of major hurdles in the path of stem cell research today that are preventing the routine application of the technology in regenerative medicine." So say UK scientists writing in the International Journal of Biotechnology. Release

Genetics

New research is likely to underscore a growing consensus that homosexuality is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental influences. Report

A group of infectious disease researchers say they've identified one group of genes that are linked to prolonged suffering and severe symptoms and another group that helps make people resistant to disease. Story

An international team of researchers, led by Karsten Suhre, has conducted a genome-wide association study with metabolomics, identifying genetic variants in genes involved in the breakdown of fats. Release

A new genetic test that is supposed to help identify a child's sporting ability has drawn a wave of expert criticism and quite a few buyers as well. Article

Cancer Research

Nebraska-based BioTarget has leased space at the University of Kansas Medical Center for a new R&D facility that will employ 13. BioTarget is working on preclinical studies of its cancer therapies. Report

Novogen says its collaboration with a Yale University research team led by Associate Professor Gil Mor, MD, PhD, has revealed its novel mTOR inhibitor NV-128 has the potential to act against cancer stem cells in addition to rapidly proliferating cells in established solid tumors. Release

In their Nature Medicine report, investigators from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Cancer Center report that combining two different kinase inhibitors--drugs that interfere with specific cell-growth pathways - led to significant tumor shrinkage in mice with lung cancer driven by mutations in the K-Ras gene. Release

Symphogen A/S announced that CSO John Haurum and Michael Kragh, director of antibody pharmacology, will present positive preclinical data on the company's program for the development of antibodies against EGF receptor (EGFR)-positive cancers. Release