Study counters Parkinson's disease gene theory
An experimental approach to treating Parkinson's disease may need to be reconsidered following evidence suggesting that it may make patients worse...
Helen Brooks
Helen Brooks was previously a Volunteer Writer at BioNews, having originally joined the publication under the auspices of its writing scheme. She is currently studying for a PhD in Neuroscience at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, where her research is funded by the Medical Research Council and conducted in the Batten Disease/Paediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory. She is investigating a possible stem cell therapy for late infantile batten disease, a rare neurological disorder, finding out what happens to stem cells once they are grafted into the brain. Previously, she obtained a BSc in Biochemistry and then an MSc in Stem Cell Technology from the University of Nottingham. She has also written for the Stem Cell Technology from the London Student.
BioNews Articles by Helen Brooks
Mutation in immune response gene linked to Alzheimer's disease
A single genetic mutation increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by threefold, say scientists from two independent research groups...
Radio Review: The Life Scientific - Sir Mark Walport
If you're after a tough, probing Paxman-style interview you'll be disappointed. However, Jim Al-Khalili's interview with the UK's next chief scientific advisor makes for entertaining and diverting listening...
Father's age strongest predictor of genetic mutations
Children of older fathers inherit more genetic mutations than those of younger fathers, according to Icelandic scientists....
Genetic regions that are major risk factors for osteoarthritis identified
Scientists have identified eight regions of the genetic code associated with an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis...
Smoking and drinking have little impact on sperm quality but wearing tight pants does, study finds
An unhealthy lifestyle may not affect sperm quality as much as previously thought. A study in the journal Human Reproduction indicates that smoking, high alcohol consumption and being overweight all have little effect on semen quality...
Film Review: A Moral Dilemma - Saviour Sibling or Spare Part Baby?
Is creating a life to save another immoral? That is the question the winners of the year 12 to 13 category of Nuffield Council's 'Box Office Bioethics' film competition attempt to answer....
Heart failure patients' skin cells turned into beating heart muscle
For the first time, scientists have managed to turn heart attack patients' skin cells into healthy beating heart cells in the lab...
Stem cell therapy hope for heart failure patients after small clinical trial
Stem cell therapy may benefit patients with chronic heart disease, according to the results of a small clinical trial carried out by US scientists....
HIV gene therapy is safe and long-lasting, but is it effective?
HIV patients treated over a decade ago with genetically modified immune cells have suffered no serious side effects from the treatment. Although the cells may not have been successful in targeting and killing HIV-infected cells, the results are promising as they bolster the safety credentials of gene therapy for clinical use...