DNA Replication News and Research

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DNA replication, the basis for biological inheritance, is a fundamental process occurring in all living organisms to copy their DNA. This process is "semiconservative" in that each strand of the original double-stranded DNA molecule serves as template for the reproduction of the complementary strand. Hence, following DNA replication, two identical DNA molecules have been produced from a single double-stranded DNA molecule. Cellular proofreading and error-checking mechanisms ensure near perfect fidelity for DNA replication.

HKU research advances understanding of the fundamental biological processes of gene regulation

A research team from the University of Hong Kong led by Professor Xiang David Li from the Department of Chemistry in collaboration with Dr Yuanliang Zhai from the HKU School of Biological Sciences and Dr Jason Wing Hon Wong and Dr Xiucong Bao from the HKU School of Biomedical Sciences recently made a key breakthrough in understanding how genetic information encoded in our DNA is 'read' and why errors in 'reading' such information can often lead to developmental defects or cancers.

20 Feb 2023

Researchers discover a new hexameric structure of the RepB protein and how it binds to DNA

In all living organisms, DNA replication is essential to ensure the genetic fidelity of the next generation. However, bacteria can also transfer genetic information horizontally to other bacteria.

3 Feb 2023

Targeting newly discovered signaling pathway could boost the potency of cancer therapeutics

Cells zealously protect the integrity of their genomes, because damage can lead to cancer or cell death. The genome -; a cell's complete set of DNA -; is most vulnerable while it is being duplicated before a cell divides. Cancer cells constantly are dividing, so their genomes are constantly in jeopardy.

24 Jan 2023

Study uncovers protein that acts as a brake for DNA replication

A protein that prepares DNA for replication also prevents the replication process from running out of control, according to a new study by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.

24 Jan 2023

Unique mass spectrometry-based approach to study specific changes in DNA after replication

A new method to study specific changes in DNA after replication has been published as a technical report in Nature Cell Biology.

12 Jan 2023

An updated framework for understanding the biology of the bacterial system

Nobody wants to be average. But for a long time, scientists have found it convenient to think of bacterial cells as just that: "average."

9 Jan 2023

New research on DNA-repair enzyme could help enhance cancer drug development

Researchers from Rice University and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, took a close look at one of ways cells repair broken strands of DNA and discovered details that could help make a particular enzyme a promising target for precision cancer therapy.

6 Jan 2023

Cryo-microscopy reveals high-resolution structure of monkeypox virus DNA polymerase holoenzyme

Using cryo-microscopy, researchers present a high-resolution structure of monkeypox virus DNA polymerase holoenzyme, a complex that plays a key role in the genome replication process of the virus.

16 Dec 2022

Better understanding of DNA repair mechanism may pave the way for effective cancer treatments

Better understanding of the mechanisms involved in DNA repair may pave the way for developing inhibitors to improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy.

9 Dec 2022

Scientists discover how an enzyme involved in DNA repair becomes vital to tumor survival

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, in collaboration with Artios, have identified how an enzyme involved in DNA repair (POLQ), becomes vital to the survival of certain cancers, if the cancer cells lose the ability to use a more common method of DNA repair.

30 Nov 2022

Error-prone DNA replication and repair may lead to cancer in people with inherited BRCA1 mutations

Error-prone DNA replication and repair may lead to mutations and cancer in individuals who inherit a mutant copy of the BRCA1 gene, according to a new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

15 Nov 2022

Researchers take a cue from viruses to make glioblastoma more vulnerable to treatment

In the tough war against glioblastoma, scientists are taking a cue from viruses on how to make the aggressive cancer more vulnerable to treatment.

1 Nov 2022

New breakthrough in understanding how deletion of certain genes can lead to cancer growth

Genetic mutations kick start cancers. Some mutations shuffle the genetic code, others come from the deletion of key genes.

28 Oct 2022

Researchers uncover an intriguing previously unknown ability of Swiss army knife enzyme

Blue-green algae (AKA cyanobacteria) have a superpower which likely helps them be highly successful as invaders of waterways.

5 Oct 2022

Discovery of novel pathway offers a potential solution for preventing cancer chemo-resistance

Researchers have uncovered a novel pathway that explains how cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapies, which in turn offers a potential solution for preventing chemo-resistance.

20 Sep 2022

The use of AlphaFold2-enabled molecular docking simulations to predict protein-ligand interactions for antibiotic drug discovery

Researchers demonstrated that advances in modeling protein-ligand interactions using machine learning-based approaches are needed to exploit AlphaFold2 for antibiotic discovery better.

9 Sep 2022

The virology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and prevention strategies associated with monkeypox

Scientists have described the epidemiology, transmission, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and preventive strategies of monkeypox infection among humans.

6 Sep 2022

New study provides comparison of replicating and non-replicating vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

A new study reported a single-cell adenovirus (SC-Ad) which replicates the antigen genes substantially without producing infectious progeny.

26 Aug 2022

New preclinical drug candidate shows promise in eradicating gonorrhea bacteria

A new preclinical drug candidate developed by scientists at the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) shows great promise in eradicating the bacteria causing gonorrhea, according to a new publication.

23 Aug 2022

Common molecular tool for DNA labelling shows unexpected anticancer properties

Scientists at the UNC School of Medicine have made the surprising discovery that a molecule called EdU, which is commonly used in laboratory experiments to label DNA, is in fact recognized by human cells as DNA damage, triggering a runaway process of DNA repair that is eventually fatal to affected cells, including cancer cells.