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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).

Medicago included in President's report that examines drugs to prevent spread of infectious diseases

Medicago Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and affordable vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles, today announced that it was included in a report of President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology entitled "Report to the President on Reengineering the Influenza Vaccine Production Enterprise to Meet the Challenges of Pandemic Influenza", which was released earlier this month. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and other public health officials held a briefing to discuss this report and the $2 billion plan to accelerate the development of drugs and vaccines to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

31 Aug 2010

UBC researchers lead development of new 'toolbox of MiniPromoters' for gene research and therapy

University of British Columbia researchers have led the development of a new "toolbox of MiniPromoters" for research and future therapies on brain, spinal cord and eye function.

31 Aug 2010

New hybrid proteins may lead to better gene replacement and editing therapies

An Iowa State University team of researchers has developed a type of hybrid proteins that can make double-strand DNA breaks at specific sites in living cells, possibly leading to better gene replacement and gene editing therapies.

31 Aug 2010

Reactivation of CDX2 gene may halt progression of colon cancer

The intestines have to work properly if we are to benefit from the food we eat. Digestive juices must be secreted, the food broken down into smaller components and then transported through the gut wall and onwards to muscles and organs. The lining of the gut is coated in epithelial cells, a specialised layer that produces mucous and hormones while keeping dangerous bacteria and toxins at bay. Close contact with pathogenic microbes and toxins means that the epithelial cells may mutate to form cancer.

30 Aug 2010

PFF announces $400,000 grant for pulmonary fibrosis research

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation today announced that, in partnership with the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF), $400,000 in new pulmonary fibrosis research grants as part of the 2010 ATS Partner Award Program for Pulmonary Fibrosis Research.

30 Aug 2010

GWAS finds new genetic link between Parkinson's disease and inflammation

A hunt throughout the human genome for variants associated with common, late-onset Parkinson's disease has revealed a new genetic link that implicates the immune system and offers new targets for drug development.

30 Aug 2010

Study finds common risk factors linked with painkiller addiction

A new Geisinger study begins to unlock the puzzle of painkiller (opioid) addiction - why some people are more likely to become addicted than others. Geisinger investigators have found that patients with four common risk factors have a significantly higher risk of addiction. In addition, a history of severe drug dependence and drug abuse compounds the risk.

30 Aug 2010

Merck's initiation of IMO-2055 Phase 1b clinical trial in SCCHN triggers €3.0M milestone payment to Idera

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that it has achieved a milestone under its worldwide licensing and collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The milestone was achieved upon Merck KGaA's initiation of a Phase 1b clinical trial of IMO-2055 (EMD 1201081), an agonist of Toll-like Receptor 9 (TLR9), in combination with cisplatin, fluorouracil and cetuximab (Erbitux®) in first-line treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

27 Aug 2010

'Molecular Diagnostics Europe' conference debuts at BIOTECHNICA 2010

BIOTECHNICA, Europe's Leading Exhibition for Biotechnology and Life Sciences, is broadening its portfolio to include a new conference and special display on molecular diagnostics. Produced by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute, a leading organizer of biomedical conferences in the United States, the "Molecular Diagnostics Europe" (MDxEU) conference is making its debut this year. The main focus will be on new methods for molecular diagnostics, particularly with regard to cancer and infectious diseases.

27 Aug 2010

Light signaling pathways, circadian rhythms affect biological functions: Research

A new study of the genetic basis of circadian rhythms - the biological responses related to daily light exposure - has found that a few minutes of light exposure in a fungus directly affects a huge range of its biological functions, everything from reproduction to coloring and DNA repair.

27 Aug 2010

New York State permits Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests

The New York State Department of Health has licensed Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests for use by doctors in the state. The issued Clinical Laboratory Permit is for DNA testing of three enzymes, the cytochrome P450s, that process more than 50 percent of the most commonly prescribed medicines.

27 Aug 2010

Study on impact of harmful de novo gene mutations on autism, schizophrenia

An international study led by University of Montreal scientists suggests family history may not be a good predictor of the presence of mutations predisposing to autism or schizophrenia. The findings show how new or de novo gene mutations alterations of the cell's DNA play a role in these devastating conditions.

27 Aug 2010

Data from PLX4032 Phase 1 clinical trial in melanoma patients with BRAF mutation published

Plexxikon today announced publication of data from the Phase 1 clinical trial of PLX4032 (RG7204), confirming that treatment of metastatic melanoma patients with the BRAF V600E mutation resulted in significant tumor shrinkage in the majority of patients. Specifically, in the melanoma extension cohort of the study, nearly all patients showed some response; 81 percent of patients had tumor shrinkage of at least 30 percent.

26 Aug 2010

Developing specific liver cell lines from stem cells holds promise for new liver disease treatment: Researchers

By creating diseased liver cells from a small sample of human skin, scientists have for the first time shown that stem cells can be used to model a diverse range of inherited disorders. The University of Cambridge researchers' findings, which will hopefully lead to new treatments for those suffering from liver diseases, were published today in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

26 Aug 2010

FibroGen announces study results of recombinant human type III collagen in corneal damage

FibroGen, Inc., today announced results of a 2-year clinical study demonstrating that surgical implantation of biosynthetic corneas formulated with the company's proprietary recombinant human type III collagen (rhCIII) restored vision and promoted nerve regeneration (restoring sensitivity) in patients who had corneal damage and significant vision loss.

26 Aug 2010

CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

A rare form of kidney disease linked to a genetic mutation in the innate immune system has been identified by researchers funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

26 Aug 2010

Ataxin 2 gene mutation contributes to Lou Gehrig's disease: Research

An international study led by biologists and neuroscientists from the University of Pennsylvania has identified a new genetic risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

26 Aug 2010

Ambry Genetics acquires Illumina HiSeq 2000 Sequencing and BeadXpress Genotyping systems

Ambry Genetics, a global leader in genomic services, announced today that it has acquired the Illumina HiSeq 2000 Next Generation Sequencing System as well as received the first 510(K) approved Illumina BeadXpress Genotyping System. Ambry Genetics has been an early adapter of Illumina systems since late 2007 and has extensive experience as a Certified Service Provider.

26 Aug 2010

Research finds adenovirus impact on cell's suicide program pave way for new cancer therapy

A novel mechanism used by adenovirus to sidestep the cell's suicide program, could go a long way to explain how tumor suppressor genes are silenced in tumor cells and pave the way for a new type of targeted cancer therapy, report researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in the Aug. 26, 2010 issue of Nature.

26 Aug 2010

Advaxis' 'Prokaryotic peptides for enhancing antigen immunogenicity' European patent application allowed

Advaxis, Inc.,, the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) immunotherapy company, has been notified by the European Patent Office that patent application WO2001/072329, for the use of Prokaryotic PEST-Like Peptides for Enhancing Immunogenicity of Antigen has been allowed for issuance. This patent will be #1,303,299 when granted, and will be licensed exclusively to Advaxis by the University of Pennsylvania.

26 Aug 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Medicago included in President's report that examines drugs to prevent spread of infectious diseases

UBC researchers lead development of new 'toolbox of MiniPromoters' for gene research and therapy

New hybrid proteins may lead to better gene replacement and editing therapies

Reactivation of CDX2 gene may halt progression of colon cancer

PFF announces $400,000 grant for pulmonary fibrosis research

GWAS finds new genetic link between Parkinson's disease and inflammation

Study finds common risk factors linked with painkiller addiction

Merck's initiation of IMO-2055 Phase 1b clinical trial in SCCHN triggers €3.0M milestone payment to Idera

'Molecular Diagnostics Europe' conference debuts at BIOTECHNICA 2010

Light signaling pathways, circadian rhythms affect biological functions: Research

New York State permits Genelex Corporation's DNA Drug Sensitivity Tests

Study on impact of harmful de novo gene mutations on autism, schizophrenia

Data from PLX4032 Phase 1 clinical trial in melanoma patients with BRAF mutation published

Developing specific liver cell lines from stem cells holds promise for new liver disease treatment: Researchers

FibroGen announces study results of recombinant human type III collagen in corneal damage

CFHR5 nephropathy linked to genetic mutation in innate immune system

Ataxin 2 gene mutation contributes to Lou Gehrig's disease: Research

Ambry Genetics acquires Illumina HiSeq 2000 Sequencing and BeadXpress Genotyping systems

Research finds adenovirus impact on cell's suicide program pave way for new cancer therapy

Advaxis' 'Prokaryotic peptides for enhancing antigen immunogenicity' European patent application allowed

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