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Australian scientists have identified a genetic cause of birth defects, and found when vitamin B3 was given to pregnant mice with the defect-causing genes, the mice gave birth to healthy pups. The researchers identified gene variants in 13 human families, and discovered that the genes are responsible for an enzyme which the body usually makes from vitamin B3. When researchers genetically engineered mice with the same gene variants, they found that pups were born with birth defects, but that this could be prevented by giving the mouse mums vitamin B3 during pregnancy.
Journal/conference: New England Journal of Medicine
Research: Paper
Organisation/s: Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI), The University of New South Wales, The University of Sydney, Macquarie University, The University of Adelaide, , QUT, University of Queensland
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Expert Reaction
These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.
Professor Claire Roberts is Professorial Research Fellow at the Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide
Associate Professor David Amor is Lorenzo and Pamela Galli Chair in the Department of Paediatrics at University of Melbourne, and a Clinical Geneticist at Royal Childrens Hospital and Victorian Clinical Genetics Services