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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).

Researchers find potential new genetic chemotherapy approach for cancer treatment

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory have identified a molecule that prevents repair of some cancer cells, providing a potential new "genetic chemotherapy" approach to cancer treatment that could significantly reduce side effects and the development of treatment resistance compared with traditional chemotherapy.

18 Apr 2013

Examining function of all genes in zebrafish genome could benefit human health, researchers say

Equipped with the zebrafish genome, researchers have designed a method to assay the function of each and every gene and to explore the effects genetic variation has on zebrafish.

18 Apr 2013

Tacere Therapeutics submits TT-034 clinical trial application to Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee

RNAi-based therapeutics company Benitec Biopharma Limited today announced that the company's wholly owned US subsidiary, Tacere Therapeutics Inc., has submitted an application to the US National Institutes of Health's Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee.

18 Apr 2013

Study suggests strain with Haiti cholera mutations may increase severity of disease

The cholera strain that transferred to Haiti in 2010 has multiple toxin gene mutations that may account for the severity of disease and is evolving to be more like an 1800s version of cholera, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

17 Apr 2013

UCSF study evaluates genetic predictors of lymphedema in women

A new UCSF study has found a clear association between certain genes and the development of lymphedema, a painful and chronic condition that often occurs after breast cancer surgery and some other cancer treatments.

17 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: 9 'brilliant legal minds' wrestle with tough biological questions in gene case; Drug overdoses take surprising toll in Calif.; VA case raises privacy questions

When the Supreme Court took up the question Monday of whether genes could be patented, the justices were clearly concerned about preserving innovation in medicine and biotechnology. But the issue presented by Myriad Genetics' patents on the BRCA genes cuts both ways, leading to a potential split among the justices (Jon Healey, 4/15).

17 Apr 2013

High court seems skeptical that biotech firm can patent human genes

Supreme Court justices seemed to express skepticism Monday that a biotech company can patent human genes isolated from the body that signal a greater likelihood of ovarian or breast cancer.

17 Apr 2013

Study finds genetic variation is associated with pulmonary fibrosis risk

A newly published study of patients with pulmonary fibrosis has discovered multiple genetic variations that should help with future efforts to treat the disease.

16 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 16, 2013

Today's headlines include coverage of the Supreme Court oral arguments regarding whether patents should be granted for human genes.

16 Apr 2013

Benitec to conduct phase I/II clinical trial of TT-034 in patients with HCV in UCSD site

RNAi-based therapeutics company Benitec Biopharma Limited today announced the selection of the University of California, San Diego, Health Sciences as the second site for its upcoming phase I/II first-in-man trial for TT-034 in Hepatitis C infections.

16 Apr 2013

Viewpoints: Editorial boards offer advice to Supreme Court on gene patents

On Monday, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear argument about that decision in Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics.

16 Apr 2013

Supreme Court to decide crucial case on patenting human genes

The high court will hear a challenge to Myriad Genetics' patent of breast and ovarian cancer genes in a case that will affect the future of biomedical research, the fight against diseases like breast and ovarian cancer and a multi-billion dollar biotechnology business.

16 Apr 2013

Junk DNA plays important role in brain development

Specific DNA once dismissed as junk plays an important role in brain development and might be involved in several devastating neurological diseases, UC San Francisco scientists have found.

16 Apr 2013

Researchers find three new regions of genome that influence obesity in people of African descent

The largest genetic search for "obesity genes" in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others.

16 Apr 2013

Researchers discover 14 new genetic variations associated with heart rate

Through a collaborative genome-wide study on individuals, researchers have discovered 14 new genetic variations that are associated with heart rate.

15 Apr 2013

First Edition: April 15, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about the Medicare provisions in the budget plan released last week by President Barack Obama as well as previews of the Supreme Court's consideration of arguments regarding whether human genes can be patented.

15 Apr 2013

RUB researchers develop new hypothesis on occurrence of Alzheimer's disease

A new hypothesis has been developed by researchers in Bochum on how Alzheimer's disease could occur. They analysed the interaction of the proteins FE65 and BLM that regulate cell division.

15 Apr 2013

New study examines role of mast cells in development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, deadly disease that affects five million people worldwide. It is irreversible, its cause is poorly understood, and it has a median survival of only about 3 years.

15 Apr 2013

Researchers use metagenomics to identify the cause of outbreaks of bacterial infection

Researchers have been able to reconstruct the genome sequence of an outbreak strain of Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), which caused over 50 deaths in Germany, using an approach known as metagenomics which bypasses the need for growing bacteria in the lab.

12 Apr 2013

Researchers identify defective gene responsible for isolated congenital asplenia

The spleen is rarely noticed, until it is missing. In children born without this organ, that doesn't happen until they become sick with life-threatening bacterial infections.

12 Apr 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers find potential new genetic chemotherapy approach for cancer treatment

Examining function of all genes in zebrafish genome could benefit human health, researchers say

Tacere Therapeutics submits TT-034 clinical trial application to Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee

Study suggests strain with Haiti cholera mutations may increase severity of disease

UCSF study evaluates genetic predictors of lymphedema in women

Viewpoints: 9 'brilliant legal minds' wrestle with tough biological questions in gene case; Drug overdoses take surprising toll in Calif.; VA case raises privacy questions

High court seems skeptical that biotech firm can patent human genes

Study finds genetic variation is associated with pulmonary fibrosis risk

First Edition: April 16, 2013

Benitec to conduct phase I/II clinical trial of TT-034 in patients with HCV in UCSD site

Viewpoints: Editorial boards offer advice to Supreme Court on gene patents

Supreme Court to decide crucial case on patenting human genes

Junk DNA plays important role in brain development

Researchers find three new regions of genome that influence obesity in people of African descent

Researchers discover 14 new genetic variations associated with heart rate

First Edition: April 15, 2013

RUB researchers develop new hypothesis on occurrence of Alzheimer's disease

New study examines role of mast cells in development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Researchers use metagenomics to identify the cause of outbreaks of bacterial infection

Researchers identify defective gene responsible for isolated congenital asplenia

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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