WASHINGTON: In a major breakthrough, scientists have discovered a gene which helps to regulate iron and haemoglobin levels, a finding they claim may soon pave the way for treatments for anaemia.

An international team, led by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, has identified the new variant of a gene, TMPRSS6, by analysing the genome of 4,800 healthy individuals from Australia and the Netherlands.

According to the scientists, the gene has previously been linked to a severe form of anaemia -- and these findings provide information about the subtle natural variation in iron control amongst healthy people...read more