| " Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre systematically blocked the function of individual genes to test their effect. " " The Nature study found in 87 cases blocking the gene seemed to boost the impact of chemotherapy. " " This could be useful to allow lower chemotherapy doses to be used to reduce side effects for patients. " "Identifying genes that make chemotherapy drugs more potent at lower doses is a first step toward alleviating these effects in patients" " The researchers used small molecules, called small interfering RNAs, to block the activity of individual genes. " " RNA plays a crucial role in converting the genetic DNA code into proteins - but interfering sabotages the process. " " After each gene was blocked the researchers tested the survival rate of cancer cells cultured with the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. " " The advantage of the technique is that huge numbers of genes can be tested quickly, as no prior knowledge of the genes involved is required. " " In total they tested more than 20,000 genes in this way, using robots to make up the cultures. " " Professor White, senior author of the report, said: "The idea of the screen was to be able to take advantage of the new generation of technology to silence any gene we want. " " For some genes, blocking drugs already exist and these drugs could be used in combination with chemotherapy to boost its effect. " " He said: "Chemotherapy is a very blunt instrument.
... read the whole article |