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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Patients with rare epilepsy aphasia share mutations on same gene

Some patients with a rare type of epilepsy called epilepsy aphasia have something else in common. They have mutations in the same gene. Epilepsy aphasia disorders are characterized by seizures and speech abnormalities.

13 Aug 2013

Bacterial strains that delay cell division might be used to design drugs that stop division entirely

In 1958 a group of scientists working in Denmark made the striking observation that bacterial cells are about twice as large when they are cultured on a rich nutrient source than when they are cultured on a meager one.

13 Aug 2013

Researchers create an efficient technique to target and repair defective genes

Using human pluripotent stem cells and DNA-cutting protein from meningitis bacteria, researchers from the Morgridge Institute for Research and Northwestern University have created an efficient way to target and repair defective genes.

13 Aug 2013

Nuevolution forms scientific collaboration to investigate biological mechanism of GPCR drug target

Nuevolution A/S today announced that it has entered into a scientific collaboration with Duke University, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the investigation of the biological mechanism of action of a specified GPCR drug target.

13 Aug 2013

Learning "grammar" helps determine whether gene gets switched on or not

Researchers have probed deep into the cell's genome, beyond the basic genetic code, to begin learning the "grammar" that helps determine whether or not a gene gets switched on to make the protein it encodes.

13 Aug 2013

Scientists present novel method to visualize how nuclear protein mobility changes following DNA damage

Understanding the cellular response to DNA strand breaks is crucial to decipher the mechanisms maintaining the integrity of our genome. In eukaryotic cells, the molecular events triggered by DNA damage are strongly influenced by the local chromatin environment surrounding the lesion. The ensuing DNA repair process, in turn, impacts on chromatin structure. In order to understand how these two fundamental processes are mutually connected, both chromatin rearrangements induced by DNA damage as well as DNA repair activity have to be visualized in living cells.

12 Aug 2013

Research: Chronic cocaine use may reduce body's ability to store fat

Chronic cocaine use may reduce the body's ability to store fat, new research from the University of Cambridge suggests. The scientists found that cocaine use may cause profound metabolic changes which can result in dramatic weight gain during recovery, a distressing phenomenon that can lead to relapse.

12 Aug 2013

Study of childhood epilepsies links two new genes to severe forms of disease

A genetic study of childhood epilepsies has linked two new genes to severe forms of disease and provides a novel strategy for identifying therapy targets. This study used a cutting-edge genetic technique, called exome sequencing, to search for new mutations that are not inherited.

12 Aug 2013

Study reveals genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's may play a role in death of brain cells

Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's disease might play a key role in the death of brain cells, potentially paving the way for the development of more effective drug treatments.

12 Aug 2013

Scientists use nanoparticles to regulate DNA interactions in self-assembly, drug-delivery

A team of chemists in SU's Cf ollege oArts and Scientists has used a temperature-sensitive polymer to regulate DNA interactions in both a DNA-mediated assembly system and a DNA-encoded drug-delivery system.

12 Aug 2013

Four genetic variants in non-small cell lung cancer patients help predict survival, treatment response

Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center have identified four inherited genetic variants in non-small cell lung cancer patients that can help predict survival and treatment response. Their findings could help lead to more personalized treatment options and improved outcomes for patients.

9 Aug 2013

Research suggests blocking DNA repair complex helps fight therapy-resistant leukemia

New research posted online by the Nature journal Leukemia suggests blocking part of a DNA repair complex that helps some types of leukemia resist treatment can increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and enhance survival.

9 Aug 2013

Children born by Caesarean section more vulnerable to allergies

Children who came into the world by Caesarean section are more often affected by allergies than those born in the natural way. The reason for this may be that they have a less diverse gut microbiota, according to a study by universities in Sweden and Scotland.

9 Aug 2013

GE, UW scientists to develop new medical device for detecting infectious disease

You've heard of on-demand TV, now imagine on-demand medical diagnosis - anytime, anywhere in the world. Scientists at GE Global Research, the technology development arm of the General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), are working with a team based at the University of Washington to develop a new medical device, the size of a pack of playing cards, that can detect infectious disease by way of a simple nasal swab, in less than an hour.

9 Aug 2013

New reagent kits for intracellular staining from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

PerFix-Expose1 and PerFix-nc1, innovative new reagent kits for intracellular staining from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, minimize sample manipulation for a streamlined workflow that delivers high quality results. Developed for use on Beckman Coulter’s Gallios1 and Navios2 series flow cytometers and compatible with all Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ fluorochromes, the kits enable a clear focus on the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments of the cell.

8 Aug 2013

High mobility group (HMG) genes and cancer: an interview with Dr. Linda Resar, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

High mobility group A genes are highly expressed in all aggressive cancers studied to date. These genes encode the high mobility group A (HMGA) proteins. In other words, these genes provide the genetic “code” necessary to produce HMGA proteins.

8 Aug 2013

DASA Group to offer Natera's non-invasive prenatal test for detection of genetic syndromes

DASA Group and Natera today announced that DASA Group will begin offering Natera's non-invasive prenatal test Panorama for the detection of genetic syndromes common in the population, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome ), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and monosomy X (Turner syndrome).

From Natera 8 Aug 2013

Penn State researchers find that protein changes can control gene functions

A Penn State-led research team has found that changes to proteins called histones, which are associated with DNA, can control whether or not a gene is allowed to function. The changes may be important in maintaining the genes' "expression potential" so that future cells behave as their parent cells did.

8 Aug 2013

Researchers unveil comprehensive portrait of the genome of world's first immortal cell line

A team from the University of Washington has unveiled a comprehensive portrait of the genome of the world's first immortal cell line, known as HeLa. The cell line was derived in 1951 from an aggressive cervical cancer that killed Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old African-American tobacco farmer and mother of five - the subject of the 2010 New York Times bestseller, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

8 Aug 2013

Cognitive decline with age is natural part of life, OSU researchers find

If you forget where you put your car keys and you can't seem to remember things as well as you used to, the problem may well be with the GluN2B subunits in your NMDA receptors.

8 Aug 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Patients with rare epilepsy aphasia share mutations on same gene

Bacterial strains that delay cell division might be used to design drugs that stop division entirely

Researchers create an efficient technique to target and repair defective genes

Nuevolution forms scientific collaboration to investigate biological mechanism of GPCR drug target

Learning "grammar" helps determine whether gene gets switched on or not

Scientists present novel method to visualize how nuclear protein mobility changes following DNA damage

Research: Chronic cocaine use may reduce body's ability to store fat

Study of childhood epilepsies links two new genes to severe forms of disease

Study reveals genetic mutations linked to Parkinson's may play a role in death of brain cells

Scientists use nanoparticles to regulate DNA interactions in self-assembly, drug-delivery

Four genetic variants in non-small cell lung cancer patients help predict survival, treatment response

Research suggests blocking DNA repair complex helps fight therapy-resistant leukemia

Children born by Caesarean section more vulnerable to allergies

GE, UW scientists to develop new medical device for detecting infectious disease

New reagent kits for intracellular staining from Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

High mobility group (HMG) genes and cancer: an interview with Dr. Linda Resar, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

DASA Group to offer Natera's non-invasive prenatal test for detection of genetic syndromes

Penn State researchers find that protein changes can control gene functions

Researchers unveil comprehensive portrait of the genome of world's first immortal cell line

Cognitive decline with age is natural part of life, OSU researchers find

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