Gene for Premature Aging Disorder Reported in Nature

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Hi All, I thought that this was interesting:

-Gene for Premature Aging Disorder Reported in Nature

1) http://www.bio.com/jump.jhtml?id=4900019 & u=93294387

2) http://www.bio.com/jump.jhtml?id=4900020 & u=93294387

Two research teams have announced the discovery of the genetic basis of a

disorder that causes the most dramatic form of premature aging, a finding

that promises to shed new light on the rare disease, as well as on normal

human aging.

Gene for Premature Aging Disorder Reported in Nature

4/16/2003 -- A team led by the National Human Genome Research Institute

today announced the discovery of the genetic basis of a disorder that causes

the most dramatic form of premature aging, a finding that promises to shed

new light on the rare disease, as well as on normal human aging.

In their study, to be released online next week in the journal Nature,

researchers identified the genetic mutations responsible for

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

(HGPS), commonly referred to as progeria. Derived from the Greek word for

old age,

" geras, " progeria is estimated to affect 1 in 8 million newborns worldwide.

There currently are no diagnostic tests or treatments for the progressive,

fatal disorder. ….

Cheers, Al.

Alan Pater, Ph.D.; Faculty of Medicine; Memorial University; St. 's, NL

A1B 3V6 Canada; Tel. No.: (709) 777-6488; Fax No.: (709) 777-7010; email:

apater@...