IBMM: Alpha-fetoprotein and brain sexual differenciation
A recent IBMM publication in Molecular and Cellular Biology shows that Alpha-Fetoprotein controls female fertility and prenatal development of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathway through an antiestrogenic action. [more]

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for DNAVision
DNAVision Lab is the first pharmacogenomic service laboratory to obtain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for SNP genotyping and expression profiling.[more]

IMI : Role of lymphocytes in atherosclerosis
A recent IMI publication suggests a major role of lymphocytes T-CD8 in atherosclerosis.[more]

Euroscreen and BioSystems to collaborate on Biomarker Discovery
BioSystems International and Euroscreen have signed a Collaboration Agreement for a Biomarker Discovery Programme in a chronic inflammatory disease.[more]

IBMM : to Jamaica
Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory characterizes the boa of Jamaica's genetic diversity. [more]

IBMM: Alpha-fetoprotein and brain sexual differenciation

It has been shown previously that female mice homozygous for an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) null allele are sterile as a result of anovulation, probably due to a defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

In a recent publication in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Developmental Biology Laboratory (IBMM) shows that these female mice exhibit specific anomalies in the expression of numerous genes in the pituitary, including genes involved in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathway, which are underexpressed. In the hypothalamus, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene, Gnrh1, was also found to be down-regulated. However, pituitary gene expression could be normalized and fertility could be rescued by blocking prenatal estrogen synthesis using an aromatase inhibitor.

These results show that AFP protects the developing female brain from the adverse effects of prenatal estrogen exposure and clarify a long-running debate on the role of this fetal protein in brain sexual differenciation.

A press conference will take place on Tuesday 14th March (9 o'clock) at Point Centre, Charleroi Aéropole (information : ngobbe@ulb.ac.be or 02 650 92 06).

Publication : Christelle De Mees, Jean-François Laes, Julie Bakker, Johan Smitz, Benoît Hennuy, Pascale Van Vooren, Philippe Gabant, Josiane Szpirer and Claude Szpirer, Alpha-Fetoprotein controls female fertility and prenatal development of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone pathway through an antiestrogenic action, Molecular and Cellular Biology, March 2006, pp 2012-2018.

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for DNAVision

DNAVision laboratory from BioVallée has obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation by BELAC. DNAVision is the first full-service pharmacogenetic/pharmacogenomic DNA testing laboratory to receive this accreditation in the world.

ISO 17025 is an international standard that assesses the technical competency of analytical laboratories and helps to ensure accurate data generation, controlled test methods and procedures and properly trained personnel. ISO 17025 covers every aspect of laboratory management, including sample preparation, analytical testing proficiency, report generation and record keeping.

"DNAVision is proud to be the first full-service European pharmacogenomic DNA testing laboratory to reach this globally-recognized accreditation. We are now in a new era where pharmacogenomic analytical data needs the highest quality requirements" said Jean-Pol Detiffe, business director of DNAVision laboratory. "Our success in meeting the stringent standards for this ISO designation reflects our ongoing efforts to ensure unsurpassed consistency in our procedures and the accuracy of our results."

DNAVision's accreditation scope includes different analytical methods: expression profiling, SNP genotyping, DNA sequencing, other tests in the field of food quality, animal diagnostic, etc.

Further information: Jean-Pol Detiffe, BioVallée DNAVision LAB, 071 37 85 27 or jp.detiffe@dnavision.be

IMI : Role of lymphocytes in atherosclerosis

Cecile Galle, doctor at CHU Tivoli (La Louvière) and researcher at IMI characterizes lymphocytes involved in the forming of aneurism of the abdominal aorta, a often serious result of atherosclerosis. Her last publication in February 2006 suggests a major role of lymphocytes T-CD8.

Publication : C. Galle, L. Schandene, JP Dereume, M Goldman, CD8+ T-cell subpopulations in human abdominal aortic aneurysm lesion, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., 2006.

Euroscreen and BioSystems to collaborate on Biomarker Discovery

BioSystems International and Euroscreen have signed a collaboration agreement for a Biomarker Discovery Programme in a chronic inflammatory disease.

BioSystems International ("BSI") discovers, validates and qualifies biomarkers through partnerships with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostics companies and in-house research programmes or academic cooperations. BSI merges pharmaceutical and diagnostics industry experience with leading scientific and technology expertise and know-how in separation science, proteomics, genomics and immunology.

As part of this programme, BSI will conduct clinical samples collection and biomarker discovery using its proprietary technology platform and Euroscreen will provide funding. According to the Agreement, BSI will retain rights and income from diagnostic applications and Euroscreen considers to test biomarkers discovered by BSI under the Research Programme in its further related GPCR Drug Development Programmes related to the considered disease. Financial terms have not been disclosed.

According to François Roman, VP Research and Development at Euroscreen: "It is further anticipated that this pilot study may provide the basis for additional and more detailed collaborative efforts".

BSI's objective is to establish a new standard in the research and discovery of biomarkers suitable for clinical development of drugs and the development of diagnostic tests. The technology platform and expertise of the BioSystems International team permits the identification of disease or pathology-specific biomarkers within a short time frame, compatible with the constrains of drug development. Biomarkers, which make it possible to diagnose a disease, follow its progression or evaluate drug efficacy are crucial for the pharmaceutical industry. They are expected to result in a significant reduction in the cost and duration of clinical trials and improve the clinical follow-up of patients.

According to Laszlo Takacs, CEO and President of BioSystems International: "BSI's mAb based global plasma proteome profiling technology holds the key for rapid discovery and validation of biomarkers in a single step!".

Further information : Al Gray, Euroscreen, 071 34 85 00 or algray@euroscreen.com

IBMM : to Jamaica

Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory's research activies are based on theorical and experimental developments for the study of genes and organisms' evolution. An application of molecular markers' use is to characterize genetic diversity of in danger of extinction species in wild and captive population. These analysis play a great role in improving reproduction in captivity programmes and plans for control in situ.

Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory is recognized internationaly for its competence in this research activity : e.a. its study about Galapagos turtles.

More recently the IBMM laboratory has initiated a similar project about Epicrates subflavus, the yellow boa of Jamaica. This species has to cope with forested habitat 's reduction, introduced species predators and human persecution caused by local beliefs.

In the seventies, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (UK) repatriated adults boas to Jersey zoo and introduced a captivity reproduction programme. Today, more than 15 european zoos are involved in this programme coordinated by Christophe Rémy, Tournai Vivarium.

Since May 2005, Athanasia Tzika, PhD at IBMM has began the genetic analysis for captive population. She has isolated specific molecular markers that will be used to characterize the genetic diversity for wild and captive populations.

In March, Michel Milinkovitch (director of the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory) and Athanasia Tzika go to Jamaica to collect samples to characterize wild populations. This work is made in collaboration with local authorities for environmental education and management.