Category Archives: AZBio News

Mayo study finds colon cancer driven by hereditary gene mutations in 1 in 6 patients

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — A new Mayo Clinic study bolsters evidence that colorectal cancer is often imprinted in family genes and passed on from one generation to the next.

In the study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, researchers within the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine found 1 in 6 patients with colorectal cancer had an inherited cancer-related gene mutation, which likely predisposed them to the disease. In addition, the researchers discovered that 60% of these cases would not have been detected if relying on a standard guideline-based approach.

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Biodesign Professor Dr. Alexandra Lucas Wins Third Annual ASU Faculty Startup Challenge

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Serpass Biologics, Dr. Lucas’ startup, is developing a new class of immune-modulating biologics for autoimmune disorders. These can be used to treat and suppress excessive immune system responses in a wide range of diseases, including arthritic, cardiac, gastrointestinal, pulmonary and vascular disorders.

 The annual competition is run by Skysong Innovations, which works across the university to help researchers pursue commercial applications for their work.

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Fruit Flies and Cellular Demise – Zeroing in on the Causes of ALS

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New UArizona research has identified a previously unknown pattern of protein creation in the motor neurons, which are the cells that malfunction in patients with ALS. By restoring the missing proteins at one end of the cell, movement returns. Next, the team hopes to determine if the surprising over-production at the other end of the cell also has consequences.

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Arizona’s bioscience community reports on ‘a robust industry cluster’

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The Flinn Foundation hosted its annual bioscience event April 14 to share the impressive progress of Arizona’s growing sector nearly two decades since the launch of Arizona’s Bioscience Roadmap. 

The virtual event featured a keynote address by Tom Osha of Wexford Science and Technology and a mix of live presentations and videos showcasing the innovative and growing bioscience ecosystem throughout Arizona, including Flagstaff, metro Phoenix, and the Tucson and Yuma regions. Continue reading→

TGen identifies gene that could help prevent or delay onset of Alzheimer’s disease

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Boosting ABCC1 could lessen the production of plaque linked to Alzheimer’s development

PHOENIX, Ariz. — April 13, 2021 — Findings of a study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, suggest that increasing expression of a gene known as ABCC1 could not only reduce the deposition of a hard plaque in the brain that leads to Alzheimer’s disease, but might also prevent or delay this memory-robbing disease from developing.

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Vaccine Navigators Available to Assist Medicaid Members with Appointment and Transportation Scheduling 

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The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), in partnership with Crisis Response Network, announces a new COVID-19 appointment and transportation navigation program for Medicaid members. Now, Medicaid members who need assistance scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, as well as transportation to and from that appointment, can call 1-844-542-8201, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.Continue reading→