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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).

Bisphenol A may decrease sperm quality, concentration: Research

In one of the first human studies of its kind, researchers have found that urinary concentrations of the controversial chemical Bisphenol A, or BPA, may be related to decreased sperm quality and sperm concentration.However, the researchers are quick to point out that these results are preliminary and more study is needed. Several studies have documented adverse effects of BPA on semen in rodents, but none are known to have reported similar relationships in humans.

4 Aug 2010

Special hearing on potential environmental health factors associated with autism spectrum disorders

Autism Speaks' Chief Science Officer Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D. emphasized the importance of research on environmental risk factors for autism spectrum disorders as the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Children's Health convened a special hearing on potential environmental health factors associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disorders. The hearing is examining the latest research on potential environmental factors that may increase the risk for autism spectrum disorders.

4 Aug 2010

Sangon Biotech, Bio Basic complete $10 million round of funding from Qiming Ventures

Sangon Biotech, a Shanghai based life science research service company, and Bio Basic Inc. (BBI), a Toronto based life science research service company, announced today the completion of a $10 million round of funding from Qiming Ventures. The company is using the funding to scale research & development, marketing and sales of its life science research tools including biochemical reagents, protein, antibody, research kit, DNA synthesis service, etc. to meet increasing demand.

3 Aug 2010

Vical second-quarter revenues decrease to $2.1 million

Vical Incorporated today reported financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010. Revenues decreased to $2.1 million for the second quarter of 2010 from $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of a $1.5 million milestone payment in 2009 from Merck & Co., Inc., based on Merck's ongoing Phase 1 clinical-stage development of an investigational cancer vaccine.

3 Aug 2010

Bode Technology expands international strategic distributor partnerships

GlobalOptions Group, Inc., a leading provider of domestic and international risk management services, today announced Bode Technology, its Forensic DNA Solutions and Products unit, is escalating its international distribution investments and reaffirming its commitment to help provide state-of-the-art, integrated forensic DNA solutions, though 7 new international strategic distributor partnerships this year.

3 Aug 2010

IntegenX selects Zeta's 3D to analyze dimensional properties of micro-channel biochips

Zeta Instruments, Inc. a leading provider of cost-effective, precision measurement solutions for micron-scale surface analysis, announced that its Zeta-20™ optical metrology system has been selected for the analysis and development of advanced microfluidics/biotechnology laboratory products. IntegenX, an innovative supplier of automation systems for DNA and RNA-based micro-sample preparation used in forensics and gene sequencing, has chosen Zeta's 3D surface measurement solution to analyze the dimensional properties of its micro-channel biochips.

3 Aug 2010

People insensitive to quinine's bitter taste may have varied absorption, metabolization capabilities: Study

Some people find quinine to be bitter while others can drink it like water. Now, scientists from the Monell Center and collaborators report that individual differences in how people experience quinine's bitterness are related to underlying differences in their genes.The findings, published online in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, demonstrate that genetic variation in regions of DNA that encode bitter taste receptors predicts a person's perception of bitterness from quinine.

3 Aug 2010

Idera announces $15 million registered direct offering

Idera Pharmaceuticals today announced that it has received commitments from certain institutional investors to purchase approximately $15 million of securities in a registered direct offering. Idera expects to receive net proceeds of approximately $14.2 million after deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses.

3 Aug 2010

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain.New research shows that this RNA segment sends signals that stop the activity of the gene that produces glutamine, an amino acid. Previous research has linked a shortage of glutamine in the gut with the seepage of toxins and bacteria through the intestinal wall, irritating nerves and creating disease symptoms.

3 Aug 2010

Trimega Laboratories CEO shortlisted for 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in National Business Awards

Avi Lasarow, CEO of Trimega Laboratories, has been shortlisted for 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in the National Business Awards for the second year running.

2 Aug 2010

Researchers create artificial RNA inhibitor to block excess blood cells formation

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered a key step in the creation of new red blood cells in an animal study.They found that a tiny fragment of ribonucleic acid (RNA), a chemical cousin of DNA, prompts stem cells to mature into red blood cells. The researchers also created an artificial RNA inhibitor to block this process.

2 Aug 2010

Body’s natural cell suicide program may trigger tumor development: Study

Cancer research springs a surprise. Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne have found that programmed cell death (apoptosis) or cell suicide plays a role in tumor development. This process is an important phenomenon in our body as it helps remove damaged cells. Now apoptosis has been found to be protective against cancer formation and autoimmune diseases.

1 Aug 2010

Complete Genomics files registration statement on Form S-1 with SEC

Complete Genomics, Inc. announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed initial public offering of shares of its common stock. The shares of common stock to be sold in this offering are proposed to be sold solely by Complete Genomics, Inc.

31 Jul 2010

Genta board approves one-for-one hundred reverse stock split

Genta Incorporated announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a one-for-one hundred reverse stock split of Genta's common stock, and that the split will be effective with the open of trading on August 2, 2010. As of that date, the Company's common stock will temporarily trade under the symbol GETAD.OB for 20 business days, at which time the symbol will revert to GETA.OB.

31 Jul 2010

Self assembly approaches to improve DNA sequencing

In an innovation critical to improved DNA sequencing, a markedly slower transmission of DNA through nanopores has been achieved by a team led by Sandia National Laboratories researchers.Solid-state nanopores sculpted from silicon dioxide are generally straight, tiny tunnels more than a thousand times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They are used as sensors to detect and characterize DNA, RNA and proteins. But these materials shoot through such holes so rapidly that sequencing the DNA passing through them, for example, is a problem.

31 Jul 2010

Epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers linked with environmental risk factors, tumor size: Study

Researchers from Brown University and the University of California San Francisco have found that epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers are related to environmental risk factors and tumor size, providing a window into the severity of the disease. The study is published in today's edition of PLoS Genetics. The researchers found that epigenetic profiles of tumors had a direct association with diet, alcohol, and tumor size.

31 Jul 2010

ZIOPHARM second-quarter net loss from operations increases to $5.1 million

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., a biopharmaceutical cancer company addressing unmet medical needs, today reported its financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and provided an update on the Company's continued progress with its clinical programs.

30 Jul 2010

Genetics research team discovers new recurrent translocations

A genetics research team based at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia continues to discover recurrent translocations—places in which two chromosomes exchange pieces of themselves. As many as 1 in 600 persons carry balanced chromosome translocations, which involve no loss or gain of DNA. Most such people appear healthy, but may have a child with abnormal chromosome composition and disabilities resulting from disrupted, extra or missing copies of genes.

30 Jul 2010

Helicos' single-molecule sequencing technology for detection, quantification of novel small RNA

Helicos BioSciences Corporation today announced a publication demonstrating the detection and quantification of novel small RNA molecules using Helicos' single-molecule sequencing technology. These data confirm a long-held, unproven hypothesis that mammalian cells are capable of synthesizing RNA by copying RNA molecules directly.

30 Jul 2010

Researchers discover tumor suppressor lincRNAs

The recent discovery of more than a thousand genes known as large intergenic non-coding RNAs (or "lincRNAs") opened up a new approach to understanding the function and organization of the genome. That surprising breakthrough is now made even more compelling with the finding that dozens of these lincRNAs are induced by p53 (the most commonly mutated gene in cancer), suggesting that this class of genes plays a critical role in cell development and regulation. Furthermore, the researchers identify one lincRNA in particular (lincRNA-p21), and demonstrate its critical role in suppressing the reading of many genes across the genome following p53 activation.

30 Jul 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Bisphenol A may decrease sperm quality, concentration: Research

Special hearing on potential environmental health factors associated with autism spectrum disorders

Sangon Biotech, Bio Basic complete $10 million round of funding from Qiming Ventures

Vical second-quarter revenues decrease to $2.1 million

Bode Technology expands international strategic distributor partnerships

IntegenX selects Zeta's 3D to analyze dimensional properties of micro-channel biochips

People insensitive to quinine's bitter taste may have varied absorption, metabolization capabilities: Study

Idera announces $15 million registered direct offering

Researchers discover manipulation of microRNA-29a shows potential of novel IBS treatment

Trimega Laboratories CEO shortlisted for 'Entrepreneur of the Year' in National Business Awards

Researchers create artificial RNA inhibitor to block excess blood cells formation

Body’s natural cell suicide program may trigger tumor development: Study

Complete Genomics files registration statement on Form S-1 with SEC

Genta board approves one-for-one hundred reverse stock split

Self assembly approaches to improve DNA sequencing

Epigenetic changes to DNA in breast cancers linked with environmental risk factors, tumor size: Study

ZIOPHARM second-quarter net loss from operations increases to $5.1 million

Genetics research team discovers new recurrent translocations

Helicos' single-molecule sequencing technology for detection, quantification of novel small RNA

Researchers discover tumor suppressor lincRNAs

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