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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).

Tipsheet of story ideas from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

In an effort to better protect women from heart disease, Irene Pollin, a widely respected public health advocate who founded the nation's first organization dedicated to preventing heart disease in women, has donated $10 million to the Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute.

6 May 2013

Scientists create animal models by altering specific genes associated with a given disease

Whitehead Institute Founding Member Rudolf Jaenisch, who helped transform the study of genetics by creating the first transgenic mouse in 1974, is again revolutionizing how genetically altered animal models are created and perhaps even redefining what species may serve as models.

6 May 2013

New protocol for reducing the use of SPECT SPI is found to be diagnostically safe

A new stress test protocol that investigates reducing the use of perfusion imaging in low risk patients undergoing SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging for possible angina symptoms was found to be diagnostically safe, revealed a US retrospective analysis.

6 May 2013

Expert to explain how drugs induce damage to DNA in public lecture on May 16

Anticancer drugs save lives and/or improve the quality of life for many cancer patients. Many anti-cancer drugs work by killing tumor cells after inducing damage to DNA.

4 May 2013

Study reveals how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled

Scientists have made a fundamental discovery about how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled.

3 May 2013

Study: Gene mutations are associated with severe form of nearsightedness

People have long taken for granted that glasses and contact lenses improve vision for nearsightedness, but the genetic factors behind the common condition have remained blurry. Now researchers at Duke Medicine are closer to clearing this up.

3 May 2013

New mechanism that plays important role in meiosis identified

The Research Group headed by molecular biologist Andrea Pichler from the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg has made an important discovery in meiosis research.

3 May 2013

Researchers describe alterations in long noncoding RNA sequences in Rett syndrome

Researchers at the Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program at IDIBELL led by Manel Esteller, ICREA researcher and professor of genetics at the University of Barcelona, have described alterations in noncoding long chain RNA sequences in Rett syndrome.

3 May 2013

New approach could democratize viral surveillance, says UCSF scientist

The tick-borne Lone Star virus has been conclusively identified as part of a family of other tick-borne viruses called bunyaviruses, which often cause fever, respiratory problems and bleeding, according to new research led by scientists at UC San Francisco.

3 May 2013

Measurement variation influences gene expression profiles of breast cancer

An important new study has revealed the clearest picture yet of precisely how much measurement variation influences gene expression profiles of breast cancer.

3 May 2013

Research findings suggest new treatment for breast, colon, melanoma and other cancers

A common cancer pathway causing tumor growth is now being targeted by a number of new cancer drugs and shows promising results.

3 May 2013

Genomics-based testing could change recommended course of treatment for endometrial cancer

The most in-depth look yet at endometrial cancer shows that adding genomics-based testing to the standard diagnostic workup could change the recommended course of treatment for some women.

2 May 2013

Scientists study repeating patterns in nature to better understand role of immune system in cancer

Can the patterns in tree branches or the meandering bends in a river provide clues that could lead to better cancer therapies? According to a new study from Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, these self-similar, repeating patterns in nature known as fractals help scientists better understand how the immune system is organized and may one day be used to help improve stem cell transplant outcomes in leukemia patients by predicting the probability of transplant complications.

2 May 2013

Research findings pave the way for developing better treatments for AML

A team of researchers led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified virtually all of the major mutations that drive acute myeloid leukemia, a fast-growing blood cancer in adults that often is difficult to treat.

2 May 2013

Findings set the stage for identifying potential new drug targets, treatment strategies for AML

nvestigators for The Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network have detailed and broadly classified the genomic alterations that frequently underlie the development of acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

2 May 2013

Wistar researchers find surprising role for RNA-editing protein in gene silencing

RNA, once considered a bit player in the grand scheme by which genes encode protein, is increasingly seen to have a major role in human genetics.

2 May 2013

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

Two studies from The Cancer Genome Atlas program reveal details about the genomic landscapes of acute myeloid leukemia and endometrial cancer.

2 May 2013

PTSD study: Individuals with childhood abuse history have distinct changes in gene activity patterns

Abuse during childhood is different. A study of adult civilians with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) has shown that individuals with a history of childhood abuse have distinct, profound changes in gene activity patterns, compared to adults with PTSD but without a history of child abuse.

2 May 2013

New hope for patients with myotonic dystrophy

There's hope for patients with myotonic dystrophy. A new small molecule developed by researchers at the University of Illinois has been shown to break up the protein-RNA clusters that cause the disease in living human cells, an important first step toward developing a pharmaceutical treatment for the as-yet untreatable disease.

2 May 2013

Researchers identify gene variations linked to male and female infertility

Identification of genetic variations in the genes coding for the hormone FSH may provide new treatments for male and female infertility, according to work presented at the European Congress of Endocrinology in Copenhagen.

30 Apr 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Tipsheet of story ideas from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Scientists create animal models by altering specific genes associated with a given disease

New protocol for reducing the use of SPECT SPI is found to be diagnostically safe

Expert to explain how drugs induce damage to DNA in public lecture on May 16

Study reveals how the properties of embryonic stem cells are controlled

Study: Gene mutations are associated with severe form of nearsightedness

New mechanism that plays important role in meiosis identified

Researchers describe alterations in long noncoding RNA sequences in Rett syndrome

New approach could democratize viral surveillance, says UCSF scientist

Measurement variation influences gene expression profiles of breast cancer

Research findings suggest new treatment for breast, colon, melanoma and other cancers

Genomics-based testing could change recommended course of treatment for endometrial cancer

Scientists study repeating patterns in nature to better understand role of immune system in cancer

Research findings pave the way for developing better treatments for AML

Findings set the stage for identifying potential new drug targets, treatment strategies for AML

Wistar researchers find surprising role for RNA-editing protein in gene silencing

Details about genomic landscapes of AML and endometrial cancer revealed

PTSD study: Individuals with childhood abuse history have distinct changes in gene activity patterns

New hope for patients with myotonic dystrophy

Researchers identify gene variations linked to male and female infertility

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 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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