Admission to a full-day event is free for patients, families, caregivers, and patient advocacy groups at the first ever NCATS Advocacy Day.  Join the conversation in Bethesda, MD June 30 from 9:00-4:15 pm.  Registration is encouraged as space is limited.

NIH Researcher has identified a muscle enzyme in mice, called DNA-PK that increases with age, slowing down the body's metabolism.  This increase may lead directly to weight gain.  Wouldn't it be great to have a magic pill that along with exercise and healthy diet helped us maintain that slim figure?  

Presenter Katherine Bowman was study director for the recently released report on human genome editing.  This webinar reported on the findings and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine committee.

Recording and slides now available

Almost 80% of those with childhood cancers do not develop other cancers in their lifetime.  However, a new study shows that genetic changes (either inherited or resulting from treatment) contribute to an increased lifetime cancer risk for the others.

Newly proposed U.S. Legislation threatens to weaken protections provided through the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.  Preserve the nondiscrimination protections afforded to all Americans by GINA and the ADA by opposing The Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act, H.R.1313 . 

Obesity is a global health problem, contributing to premature death and morbidity by increasing a person's risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers. While obesity mostly results from lifestyle and cultural factors, including excess calorie intake and inadequate levels of physical activity, it has a strong genomic component (NHGRI, 2017)

Education Summit Coming Soon!  Registration Information Here

In Greek mythology, the Chimera was an awesome fire-breathing monster visualized with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent. Today, a medical definition of chimera refers to the possibility to create human-animal chimeras for human organ transplant.

New genetic clues to why some women have a more difficult time with PMS.

The advent of a powerful gene-editing tool called Crispr-Cas9 allows researchers to snip, insert and delete genetic material of humans with increasing precision. But should we?  A new report out differs from perspectives in 2015.  

Opportunity for communities to help build a diverse research cohort of one million or more as part of the Precision Medicine efforts supported by the NIH. Applications are due March 24, 2017.

Genetic testing can be a powerful tool for both men and women with breast cancer. This tool can also help identify other family members at risk for disease. But many are not learning about this as an option in their care.

In a recent blog, the author emphasizes how important it is that patients “understand the basics of precision and personalized medicine and feel empowered to make decisions regarding how their data will be used for themselves and to save the lives of others.”

Potential new drug for the treatment of melanoma being evaluated.  Looks promising for future human studies. 

A study designed to assess what exercise does to and for us just launched!

June meeting on the horizon in Farmington, CT to discuss ethical, legal, and social issues of concern related to genomics and identify key research directions.

Ever think about the possibility of genome- scale sequencing in your baby? This publication shares some thoughts about this very real possibility.

What if you could get your whole genome sequenced for $100?  Would you be interested?

Familial hypercholesterolemia is more common in families than previously thought.  This hereditary condition that leads to increased risk for cardiovascular problems can be identified with genetic testing. This report summarizes study results of genomic screening in a community.

Jointly sponsored by the National Institute of Health's (NIH) National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and Clinical Center, Rare Disease Day at NIH Feb 27, 2017 aims to raise awareness about rare diseases, affected patients and their families, and NIH research collaborations to advance new treatments.