Molecular Pathology & Genomics

The big question: Are we entering a new era in which mRNA vaccines are the future?

In May, AstraZeneca began the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine, due to a “surplus of updated vaccines” that target new variants. Then in June, Moderna announced positive late-stage trial results for its single COVID/flu combination vaccine, mRNA-1083. On the back of this, we look at the future impact of mRNA vaccines.

Predicting the return of breast cancer

Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas discusses a new blood test that can predict if breast cancer will return years before the disease shows on scans.

Study points to potential treatments for restless leg syndrome

Scientists have discovered genetic clues to the cause of restless leg syndrome. The discovery could help identify those individuals at greatest risk of the condition and point to potential ways to treat it.

My lab: stem cell transplant and cellular therapy lab

Advanced Specialist Biomedical Scientist Mel Green gives a guided tour of the stem cell transplant lab at Nottingham University Hospitals.

Telomere findings may offer insights

A new study shows that an enzyme called PARP1 is involved in repair of telomeres – the lengths of DNA that protect the tips of chromosomes – and that impairing this process can lead to telomere shortening and genomic instability that can cause cancer.

Beyond SARS-COV-2

Dr Jennifer Cane, a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, asks what sequencing respiratory viruses can tell us.

Microsatellite instability cancer tests

New US research compares the data of newly diagnosed cancer patients who received two different types of tests to determine their course of treatment.

DNA biosensor for low-cost diagnostics

A new biosensor chip that boasts an accurate and inexpensive design may increase accessibility to high-quality diagnostics, it is claimed. 

Diagnostic potential of amniotic fluid cells

A clinical research team from the University of Hong Kong is behind the discovery of applying amniotic fluid cells obtained during 16-24 weeks of pregnancy as a novel sample type for RNA sequencing in prenatal diagnosis.

CRISPR and developing diagnostics

In a first for the genetic toolset CRISPR, a recently discovered protein has been found to act as a kind of multipurpose self-destruct system for bacteria, capable of degrading single-stranded RNA and single- and double-stranded DNA.

Top