Posts by: Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

October 7, 2019

New Fly Model of Gaucher Disease May Improve Knowledge of Disease Mechanisms, Researchers Say

News

A new fly model of Gaucher disease may more fully summarize and present the molecular complexities of the disease in humans than other animal models do, researchers say. This recapitulated ... Read more

October 3, 2019

Pilot Study Demonstrates Feasibility of Gaucher Monitoring with Cell Phones

News

Mobile phone-based monitoring may allow for better measurement of how Gaucher disease affects the lives of those who have it, a new pilot study reports. The investigators suggest that such ... Read more

September 12, 2019

‘Simple’ Algorithm Seen to Help Diagnose Rare Diseases Like Gaucher Type 3

News

A new algorithm that examines neurological and oculomotor signs may make it much easier to diagnose certain “often overlooked” rare neurological conditions, including Gaucher disease type 3 (GD3), the research team ... Read more

September 9, 2019

Stem Cell Injections May Treat Gaucher Disease with Brain Involvement, Mouse Study Finds

News

Stem cell therapy given via intravenous injection eased symptoms and prolonged survival in a mouse model of Gaucher disease with neuronal symptoms, a proof-of-concept study reports. The study, “Intravenous infusion ... Read more

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019

Case Report Suggests Misclassification of Pulmonary Hypertension in Gaucher

News

The case of a Gaucher disease patient who received a lung transplant to treat pulmonary hypertension calls into question assumptions about how Gaucher affects blood pressure in the lungs, researchers ... Read more

July 22, 2019

Pentosan Polysulfate May Reduce Inflammation in Gaucher, Fabry, Study Suggests

News

Pentosan polysulfate (PPS), an approved medicine, may be a potential add-on treatment for Gaucher disease, helping reduce inflammation and bone alterations in cellular models of the condition, a study found. ... Read more

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019

New Mouse Model of Gaucher Type 3 May Aid Studies into Disease and Possible Treatments

News

A new mouse model of Gaucher disease type 3 may be more useful for studies of disease biology and preliminary tests of possible treatments than those now in use. The ... Read more

May 30, 2019May 30, 2019

Saposin C Protein Key in Regulating Gaucher Disease Severity, Mouse Study Shows

News

Lack of a functional protein called saposin C protein and different mutations affecting its coding gene can significantly affect the severity of Gaucher disease symptoms, a study in mice shows. ... Read more

April 11, 2019

Computer Model Reveals Changes in Glucocerebrosidase Function in Certain Gaucher Mutations

News

Using machine-learning approaches, researchers unraveled how certain mutations in the GBA gene — responsible for Gaucher disease — affect the function of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme at the molecular level. The study with ... Read more

February 26, 2019

Four New Gaucher Disease Mutations Found in Indian Patients

News

A new study reports the spectrum of mutations present in Gaucher disease patients in India, identifying four previously unknown mutations and suggesting which ones might be most prevalent in that population. ... Read more