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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).

Histone H1 phosphorylation involved in control of ribosomal RNA gene transcription

A protein that helps pack DNA into the cell nucleus has an important role in regulating gene activity, scientists report. The researchers found that the protein, histone H1, also takes part in the formation of ribosomes, the cellular workbenches on which all proteins are made.

2 Jul 2010

Plant extract effective against ulcerative colitis in mice

A South Dakota State University scientist's research shows an extract made from a food plant in the Brassica family was effective in alleviating signs of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel condition, in mice.

2 Jul 2010

Genentech's second Phase III ICON7 study of Avastin in ovarian cancer meets primary endpoint

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that a second large, Phase III, international study showed that the combination of Avastin® (bevacizumab) and chemotherapy, followed by the continued use of Avastin alone, increased the time women with previously untreated ovarian cancer lived without the disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS, the primary endpoint), compared to chemotherapy alone.

2 Jul 2010

Frozen blood samples shows promise to study mechanism of blood disorders

Cells from frozen human blood samples can be reprogrammed to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. These cells can be multiplied and used to study the genetic and molecular mechanisms of blood disorders and other diseases.

2 Jul 2010

DNA damage caused by UVA radiation leads to melanoma

A new study by researchers at NYU School of Medicine found that UVA radiation damages the DNA in human melanocyte cells, causing mutations that can lead to melanoma. Melanocytes, which contain a substance called melanin that darkens the skin to protect it from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, are more vulnerable to UVA radiation than normal skin cells because they are unable to repair themselves as efficiently.

2 Jul 2010

Researchers identify gene abnormality for most common congenital birth defect, clubfoot

Although clubfoot is one of the most common congenital birth defects, few genetic causes have been found. Now, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found what they believe to be the most common cause of inherited clubfoot yet discovered.

2 Jul 2010

Adding nutrients could improve efficiency of deep sea biological pump

Adding nutrients to the sea could decrease viral infection rates among phytoplankton and enhance the efficiency of the biological pump, a means by which carbon is transferred from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, according to a new mathematical modelling study. The findings, published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, have implications for ocean geo-engineering schemes proposed for tackling global warming.

2 Jul 2010

Genes can predict longevity with 77% accuracy: Study

In an analysis of genes of more than 1,000 centenarians, American researchers have come to the conclusion that genes play a large role in completing a century in life. The research team studied 1,055 Caucasians born between 1890 and 1910 and compared them with 1,267 people born later. They claim that there are signatures in the genetic makeup of these people that have a possible link with their longevity.

2 Jul 2010

Advanced Analytical opens new sales office, lab in Technologiepark at Heidelberg University

Advanced Analytical, headquartered in Ames, IA, has opened a new sales office and laboratory in Heidelberg Germany. The new facility is located in the Technologiepark on the campus of the Heidelberg University. By opening this office, the company will be able to provide better representation over sales for our suite of products sold as well as provide better support and service for our current and future customer base.

2 Jul 2010

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics secures $10M in investments

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics (ACT), a for-profit private company dedicated to bringing new anti-cancer therapies to market, today announced that it has secured $10 million in investments from high net-worth individuals and institutions. This round of investment, which closed six months ahead of the company's year-end goal, will provide ACT additional capital to continue its development and commercialization of potentially lifesaving therapeutics for cancer patients.

2 Jul 2010

SAIC-Frederick, Fluidigm collaborate to decode entire genome of Epstein-Barr virus

SAIC-Frederick, Inc. and Fluidigm Corporation are collaborating to decode the entire genome of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) using technology that can speed up research on the genetic basis of cancer and other diseases.

1 Jul 2010

Ronin, Hcf-1 bind together to control gene program that stimulates growth of stem cells

Ronin, crucial to the self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, and a co-regulator called Hcf-1, binds to a small strand of DNA called a hyperconserved enhancer element to control a gene "program" that stimulates growth of the stem cells and may even play a role in cancer, said a group of researchers led by Baylor College of Medicine in a current report in the journal Genes and Development.

1 Jul 2010

Olive oil, Mediterranean diet modify expression of atherosclerosis-related genes

Everyone knows olive oil and a Mediterranean diet are associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, but a new research report published in the July 2010 print issue of the FASEB Journal offers a surprising reason why: These foods change how genes associated with atherosclerosis function.

1 Jul 2010

U-M scientists discover 12 more regions on genome with DNA variants associated with type 2 diabetes

An international team co-led by scientists from the University of Michigan have discovered 12 more regions on the genome with DNA variants that are associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes, bringing the number to 38.

1 Jul 2010

Mutations in Siglec-8 gene may play role in asthma: Research

A gene that encodes a protein responsible for determining whether certain immune cells live or die shows subtle differences in some people with asthma, a team led by Johns Hopkins researchers reports in the June European Journal of Human Genetics.

1 Jul 2010

BioImagene, KUMC partner to develop Companion Algorithms for digital pathology

BioImagene, Inc., the leading provider of innovative digital pathology solutions, announced a collaboration with the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine to develop Companion Algorithms™ for next generation companion diagnostics for digital pathology.

1 Jul 2010

Rubicon Genomics' PicoPlex linear WGA technology proves effective in clinical study

Rubicon Genomics today announced that its PicoPlex linear whole genome amplification technology was proven to be effective in an independent clinical study organized by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. At a press conference during its 26th Annual Meeting in Rome, ESHRE reported the success of its "groundbreaking proof of principle study" showing that a new approach incorporating PicoPlex could more accurately detect and characterize chromosomal abnormalities in human eggs.

1 Jul 2010

GeoVax Labs postpones proposed public offering

GeoVax Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company dedicated to developing vaccines that prevent and fight human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), today announced that it has decided to postpone its proposed public offering of units, each consisting of a share of common stock and a warrant to purchase another share.

1 Jul 2010

Roche, IBM announce agreement to develop nanopore-based sequencer for decoding human DNA

Roche and IBM announced today an agreement to develop a nanopore-based sequencer that will directly read and decode human DNA quickly and efficiently. Focused on advancing IBM's recently published "DNA Transistor" technology, the collaboration will take advantage of IBM's leadership in microelectronics, information technology and computational biology and Roche's expertise in medical diagnostics and genome sequencing.

1 Jul 2010

Key mechanism present in virgin olive oil protects body against breast cancer: Researchers

Researchers at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, led by Dr Eduard Escrich, have discovered a key mechanism by which virgin olive oil, in contrast to other vegetable oils, protects the body against breast cancer.

30 Jun 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Histone H1 phosphorylation involved in control of ribosomal RNA gene transcription

Plant extract effective against ulcerative colitis in mice

Genentech's second Phase III ICON7 study of Avastin in ovarian cancer meets primary endpoint

Frozen blood samples shows promise to study mechanism of blood disorders

DNA damage caused by UVA radiation leads to melanoma

Researchers identify gene abnormality for most common congenital birth defect, clubfoot

Adding nutrients could improve efficiency of deep sea biological pump

Genes can predict longevity with 77% accuracy: Study

Advanced Analytical opens new sales office, lab in Technologiepark at Heidelberg University

Advanced Cancer Therapeutics secures $10M in investments

SAIC-Frederick, Fluidigm collaborate to decode entire genome of Epstein-Barr virus

Ronin, Hcf-1 bind together to control gene program that stimulates growth of stem cells

Olive oil, Mediterranean diet modify expression of atherosclerosis-related genes

U-M scientists discover 12 more regions on genome with DNA variants associated with type 2 diabetes

Mutations in Siglec-8 gene may play role in asthma: Research

BioImagene, KUMC partner to develop Companion Algorithms for digital pathology

Rubicon Genomics' PicoPlex linear WGA technology proves effective in clinical study

GeoVax Labs postpones proposed public offering

Roche, IBM announce agreement to develop nanopore-based sequencer for decoding human DNA

Key mechanism present in virgin olive oil protects body against breast cancer: Researchers

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