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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).

Weekend reading: Volunteers in the battle with heart disease; Psychiatry without medication; Owning your genes

Psychiatrists who take time with their patients are not the norm. It's not because others don't care. Rather the system rewards efficiency, not empathy.

17 May 2013

New GWA can pose major ethical problems if used incorrectly, say ESHG recommendations

The use of genome-wide analysis, where the entirety of an individual's DNA is examined to look for the genomic mutations or variants which can cause health problems is a massively useful technology for diagnosing disease.

17 May 2013

Study provides new evidence that genetic risk for schizophrenia associated with lower IQ

The relationship between the heritable risk for schizophrenia and low intelligence has not been clear. Schizophrenia is commonly associated with cognitive impairments that may cause functional disability. There are clues that reduced IQ may be linked to the risk for developing schizophrenia.

17 May 2013

Transgenomic launches new mutation detection test for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced the global, commercial availability of CRC RAScan, a new mutation detection test to screen patients with metastatic colorectal cancer for RAS mutations (KRAS and NRAS).

16 May 2013

Illumina releases genomics cloud computing and storage platform

Illumina, Inc. today announced the full commercial availability of BaseSpace, the Company's genomics cloud computing and storage platform.

From Illumina, Inc. 16 May 2013

Bayer HealthCare to present new data on oncology portfolio at ASCO meeting

Bayer HealthCare announced today that new data on the oncology portfolio, including Nexavar (sorafenib) tablets, Stivarga (regorafenib) tablets and the recently U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved product Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection will be presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, May 31 – June 4, in Chicago, IL (USA).

16 May 2013

Study reveals how and why developmental genes often take inputs from 2 independent sources

Albert Erives, associate professor in the University of Iowa Department of Biology, and his graduate student, Justin Crocker, currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Farm Research Campus, have conducted a study that reveals important and useful insights into how and why developmental genes often take inputs from two independent "morphogen concentration gradients."

16 May 2013

Melbourne scientists' discovery may pave way for developing antimalarial drugs

Melbourne scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other - a social behaviour to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans.

16 May 2013

Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center have successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body.

16 May 2013

Avian-origin influenza A virus associated with severe lower respiratory tract diseases

A novel avian-origin reassortant influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged in China in February 2013, and is associated with severe lower respiratory tract diseases. To date, more than 100 human cases of infection, including at least 20 deaths, have been reported in China.

15 May 2013

Novel drug may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for brain cancer

A novel drug may help increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for the most deadly form of brain cancer, report scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center. In mouse models of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the new drug helped significantly extend survival when used in combination with radiation therapy.

15 May 2013

Echevarne to distribute Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test in Spain

Natera, a leading innovator in prenatal genetic testing, and Echevarne, a leading clinical analysis laboratory in Spain, today announced the signing of a distribution agreement for Echevarne to offer Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test, Panorama, through its facilities in Spain.

From Natera 15 May 2013

IFR scientists mine the genome of C. botulinum to reveal new information about toxin genes

The toxin that causes botulism is the most potent that we know of. Eating an amount of toxin just 1000th the weight of a grain of salt can be fatal, which is why so much effort has been put into keeping Clostridium botulinum, which produces the toxin, out of our food.

15 May 2013

Better understanding of cells' development has implications in study of inflammatory diseases

Labs around the world, and a core group at Penn, have been studying recently described populations of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells. Some researchers liken them to foot soldiers that protect boundary tissues such as the skin, the lining of the lung, and the lining of the gut from microbial onslaught. They also have shown they play a role in inflammatory disease, when the body's immune system is too active.

15 May 2013

ALKBH7 protein plays key role in controlling programmed necrosis pathway

When cells suffer too much DNA damage, they are usually forced to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. However, cancer cells often ignore these signals, flourishing even after chemotherapy drugs have ravaged their DNA.

15 May 2013

Annual Century for the Cure bike ride supports research on hematologic malignancies

The annual Century for the Cure bike ride that has raised more than $1 million since 2005 for research at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey is now making it possible for new scientific exploration in the area of hematologic malignancies.

14 May 2013

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been seeking out funds from private sources to support efforts to publicize the health law.

13 May 2013

Scientists make novel discoveries concerning current vaccine against whooping cough

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have made novel discoveries concerning the current vaccine against whooping cough that may lead to the development of an improved future vaccine.

13 May 2013

New research shows that spontaneous mutations contribute to congenital heart disease

Every year, thousands of babies are born with severely malformed hearts, disorders known collectively as congenital heart disease. Many of these defects can be repaired though surgery, but researchers don't understand what causes them or how to prevent them. New research shows that about 10 percent of these defects are caused by genetic mutations that are absent in the parents of affected children.

13 May 2013

Disease-in-a-dish models show promise for treating ataxia telangiectasia

Led by Dr. Peiyee Lee and Dr. Richard Gatti, researchers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA have used induced pluripotent stem cells to advance disease-in-a-dish modeling of a rare genetic disorder, ataxia telangiectasia.

13 May 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Weekend reading: Volunteers in the battle with heart disease; Psychiatry without medication; Owning your genes

New GWA can pose major ethical problems if used incorrectly, say ESHG recommendations

Study provides new evidence that genetic risk for schizophrenia associated with lower IQ

Transgenomic launches new mutation detection test for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Illumina releases genomics cloud computing and storage platform

Bayer HealthCare to present new data on oncology portfolio at ASCO meeting

Study reveals how and why developmental genes often take inputs from 2 independent sources

Melbourne scientists' discovery may pave way for developing antimalarial drugs

Research breakthrough: Human skin cells becomes embryonic stem cells

Avian-origin influenza A virus associated with severe lower respiratory tract diseases

Novel drug may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for brain cancer

Echevarne to distribute Natera's non-invasive prenatal screening test in Spain

IFR scientists mine the genome of C. botulinum to reveal new information about toxin genes

Better understanding of cells' development has implications in study of inflammatory diseases

ALKBH7 protein plays key role in controlling programmed necrosis pathway

Annual Century for the Cure bike ride supports research on hematologic malignancies

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Scientists make novel discoveries concerning current vaccine against whooping cough

New research shows that spontaneous mutations contribute to congenital heart disease

Disease-in-a-dish models show promise for treating ataxia telangiectasia

Achieving and maintaining ISO 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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