In 2010 the UK Royal Society will celebrate its 350th birthday. Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is the oldest science academy of the world. Its motto "Nullius in verba" nothing in words perfectly explains the aim of the Society: nothing is true without an experimental demonstration. For this reason, from the beginning the Royal Society granted scientists with its prestigious fellowships to guarantee the Britannic scientific advances.

BRCA1 is one important marker for breast cancer; in particular BRCA1 is mutated in the invasive ductal cancer and in general is associated with lack of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her/ ERB2, making useless current therapies for breast cancer. Giving the lethality of double mutant Brca1, none animal models were available up to date to study the role of this gene in tumorigenesis.

Large expansion of direct to consumer genetic services is observed world-wide. This service offer single gene tests as well as screening of customer’s DNA at various loci to identify some polymorphism associated with certain disease. For instance, in women with familiar past history of breast cancer can be monitored for BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, that are recognized as elevated risk factors. Furthermore, some genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease can be tested.

December 1st is the AIDS day and around the world conferences, events and discussions remember us what serious consequence on human health has this epidemics. December 1st has been chosen because the first case of AIDS was diagnosed in 1981 on this date. Since 1980s, numerous information about HIV infection have been collected and published in scientific literature. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a condition in which the immune system is less efficient because of viral infection and human body is more susceptible to opportunistic diseases and tumors.

RFID means radio-frequency identification and is used to define tagged object that can be recognized through radio-waves. This system is composed by two part: the first one is an integrated circuit in which is possible to store and process information and modulate and de-modulated radio frequency; the second part is usually an antenna required for receiving and transmitting the signal.

iRNA is a tool currently used in molecular biology to define the function of a gene: indeed scientists block mRNA transcription of specific gene and observe the cellular response. This technique is extremely potent and specific and allows to study one protein at time. In yeast, certain strains lack the normal RNA interference machinery and have alternative enzyme variants which can be transplanted into truly deficient species.

Two main databases are now available: the EMBL-EBI and the NCBI for Europe and US, respectively. These two databases are connected and all the information present are available in both systems. Another database is provided by a Japanese laboratory and is online at genome.jp.

Bioinformatics is a modern scientific discipline which wants to apply mathematical model to biology in particular to cellular and molecular biology and biochemistry. Even if in the last years important projects, such as the Genome or the Proteome project, have required a large use of bioinformatic tools, a lot of work will be done to exactly correlate biological results to in silico models. Bioinformatics is useful to create statistical model to explain biological experiments and identify significant trends.

Ancient Romains knew some pharmacological effect of Marijuana and have used it in their medicine. In the last time other positive effects have been identified for this plant. Unfortunately cannabis is often used out of medical control and is considered as a drug.

At the moment no animal models are available for human Parkinson’s disease. Everyone knows the importance to have right model to study a disease or test drug to care it; this lack must be rapidly overcome, giving the high number of people that suffers for this disease.