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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).

NIH provides $14 million to support human genome research diversification

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received two large grants renewing funding for the Human Pangenome Reference Sequencing Project.

21 Jan 2025

Researchers uncover how PICH protein protects DNA during cell division

Researchers at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) have made an exciting discovery about how human cells protect DNA during cell division, offering new insights into combating diseases such as cancer.

21 Jan 2025

UCSF researchers discover molecular timer that regulates pregnancy length

UCSF researchers discovered a molecular timer that gets activated in the first days of pregnancy and influences when mice give birth.

21 Jan 2025

Research shows epigenetic aging in the blood as potential breast cancer marker

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) on December 5, 2024, Volume 16, Issue 22, titled "DNA-methylation age and accelerated epigenetic aging in blood as a tumor marker for predicting breast cancer susceptibility."

21 Jan 2025

Study finds potential target for stopping immune system attacks in autoimmune diseases

Houston Methodist researchers have identified a key protein as a potential therapeutic target for stopping the body's immune system from mistakenly attacking itself, offering new hope for treating autoimmune diseases and allergies.

21 Jan 2025

Gut microbes and plant foods: a powerful duo for healthy aging

Gut microbiota and phytochemicals synergize to produce bioactive metabolites that combat aging, reduce inflammation, and enhance healthspan by supporting gut and systemic health.

20 Jan 2025

Ancient viral DNA plays crucial role in early embryo development

Over half of our genomes consists of thousands of remnants of ancient viral DNA, known as transposable elements, which are widespread across the tree of life.

20 Jan 2025

Manuka vs. Ohia Lehua honey: Study reveals key antioxidant differences and health benefits

Study compares the antioxidant properties of Manuka honey (MH) and Ohia Lehua honey (OLH), revealing that MH contains ten times more phenolic content, while OLH demonstrates superior in vivo antioxidant activity by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant capacity.

19 Jan 2025

New insights into rare liver cancer as clinical trial for treatment begins

Like many rare diseases, fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLC) mounts a ferocious attack against an unlucky few-in this case, children, adolescents, and young adults.

17 Jan 2025

Breakthrough reveals how DNA and RNA epigenetics work together to control genes

Our genes contain all the instructions our body needs to function, but their expression must be finely regulated to guarantee that each cell performs its role optimally.

17 Jan 2025

Researchers investigate myocarditis in preschoolers caused by parvovirus B19 outbreak

Researchers document the harmful consequences of myocarditis in preschool students, caused by a regional outbreak of parvovirus B19 in northern Greece.

17 Jan 2025

RNA damage plays key role in sunburn reaction

Sunburn has traditionally been attributed to UV-induced DNA damage. However, a new study by the University of Copenhagen and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, reveals that RNA, another vital cellular molecule, plays a major role in triggering acute sunburn reactions.

17 Jan 2025

Over 500 European patients diagnosed through groundbreaking genetic research

More than 500 European patients with unknown conditions have received a diagnosis through new genetic research.

17 Jan 2025

Early brain changes in Huntington’s disease detected two decades before symptoms

Subtle changes in the brain, detectable through advanced imaging, blood and spinal fluid analysis, happen approximately twenty years before a clinical motor diagnosis in people with Huntington's disease, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

17 Jan 2025

New research identifies metabolic targets to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections

Targeting unique metabolic pathways in pathogens offers a novel approach to precision antibiotics, addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

17 Jan 2025

New approach shows promise in fighting multiple cancers

The tissue adjacent to a tumor behaves differently than areas farther away: The tumor's cancerous cells influence their surroundings, blocking the body's immune defenses and creating a sort of haven in which the tumor can grow. Treatments that target some of these pro-tumor actions are effective in a number of cancers, but only for some patients; in others, these treatments have little effect.

17 Jan 2025

Bidirectional movement drives DNA loop formation

Scientists from Delft, Vienna, and Lausanne discovered that the protein machines that shape our DNA can switch direction. Until now, researchers believed that these so-called SMC motors that make loops into DNA could move in one direction only. The discovery, which is published in Cell, is key to understanding how these motors shape our genome and regulate our genes.

17 Jan 2025