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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).

Study of changes in transcription factor binding can help understand evolution of gene regulation

As published today in Science, researchers from Cambridge, Glasgow and Greece have discovered a remarkable amount of plasticity in how transcription factors, the proteins that bind to DNA to control the activation of genes, maintain their function over large evolutionary distances.

12 Apr 2010

FBI re-evaluating outsourcing of forensic DNA testing to private labs, Orchid Cellmark praises decision

Orchid Cellmark Inc., a leading international provider of identity DNA testing services, today praised the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) announcement that it will re-evaluate the requirements for outsourcing forensic DNA testing to private laboratories.

12 Apr 2010

Gene playing crucial role in immune system balance identified

A team led by St. Jude researchers identified a gene pivotal for immune system balance. Ultimately, the discovery may aid efforts to tame allergies and asthma.

12 Apr 2010

Ku protein employs unique mechanism for DNA repair: Researchers

Scientists have shown in multiple contexts that DNA damage over our lifetimes is a key mechanism behind the development of cancer and other age-related diseases. Not everyone gets these diseases, because the body has multiple mechanisms for repairing the damage caused to DNA by aging, the environment and other human behaviors - but the mechanisms behind certain kinds of DNA repair have not been well-understood.

12 Apr 2010

Drugs that affect methylation state of genes could reverse autism's effects: The FASEB Journal

A new discovery raises hope that autism may be more easily diagnosed and that its effects may be more reversible than previously thought. In a new study appearing online in The FASEB Journal, scientists have identified a way to detect the disorder using blood and have discovered that drugs which affect the methylation state of genes could reverse autism's effects.

9 Apr 2010

New methodology helps investigate unfolding of DNA

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers have developed a powerful new method to investigate the discrete steps necessary to turn on individual genes and examine how the process goes wrong in cancer and other diseases. The finding, based on seven years of research and described in the April 9 issue of Molecular Cell, allows scientists to investigate the unfolding of DNA, a process required for gene activation.

9 Apr 2010

Inovio Biomedical receives $2.8M grant to develop DNA vaccine for HCV

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that the company and its collaborators from Drexel University, Cheyney University, and the University of Pennsylvania have received a $2.8 million grant to develop a DNA vaccine to treat hepatitis C virus.

9 Apr 2010

Recql5 identified as a tumor suppressor in GI tract

Recql5 is a member of the mammalian RecQ helicase family. Genetic mutations that result in loss of RecQ helicase activity give rise to disorders that are associated with cancer predisposition and premature aging, such as Bloom, Werner, and Rothmund-Thomson syndromes. This class of enzymes is best known for their role in maintaining the integrity of the genome to prevent oncogenic mutations.

9 Apr 2010

Bayer CropScience, Precision BioSciences modify plant genomes using DNE technology

Precision BioSciences Inc., announced today that Bayer CropScience and Precision BioSciences have successfully modified plant genomes using Precision's Directed Nuclease EditorTM technology.

9 Apr 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR antagonists exert anti atherogenic effects in preclinical model of atherosclerosis

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today presented data from a preclinical study evaluating the mechanism of action of a Toll-like Receptor (TLR) antagonist in a preclinical model of atherosclerosis. The presentation entitled "A novel antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9 exerts anti atherogenic effects in ApoE-/- mouse model of atherosclerosis" (abstract P259) was made by Idera scientists at the American Heart Association conference "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology 2010 Scientific Sessions" being held April 8-10 in San Francisco, CA.

9 Apr 2010

Cell Therapeutics receives FDA Complete Response Letter for Pixuvri NDA

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced that it had received a Complete Response Letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding its New Drug Application for Pixuvri™ (pixantrone dimaleate) for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ("NHL").

9 Apr 2010

ZIOPHARM Oncology commences Phase I/II study of Zybulin for metastatic breast cancer

ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc., announced today it has initiated a Phase I/II study at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for the novel, mathematically - determined administration of oral indibulin (Zybulin™ or ZIO-301) in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

9 Apr 2010

UBC doctoral candidate discovers a mechanism for silencing retroviruses

A University of British Columbia doctoral candidate has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for silencing retroviruses, segments of genetic material that can lead to fatal mutations in a cell's DNA.

8 Apr 2010

Enrollment completes for Inovio Biomedical's dose escalation phase I trial of cervical cancer vaccine

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that the company has completed enrollment of all subjects for its therapeutic cervical cancer vaccine (VGX-3100) phase I trial. VGX-3100 is a DNA vaccine targeting the E6 and E7 proteins of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, and is delivered via in vivo electroporation.

8 Apr 2010

Molecular gauge helps examine working of new drugs when they bind to DNA or RNA

Luminescent markers are an indispensable tool for researchers working with DNA. But the markers are troublesome. Some tend to destroy the function and structure of DNA when inserted. Others emit so little light, that they can barely be detected in the hereditary material. So researchers have been asking for alternative markers.

8 Apr 2010

Roche NimbleGen to implement GMP for DNA microarrays suite

Roche NimbleGen, announced today a company-wide initiative to implement Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) for its suite of DNA microarrays. The implementation of GMP will cover the full scope of processes from development through manufacturing and will include all locations. The company plans on achieving GMP compliance followed by subsequent submission for clearance or approval of select array products to the US Food and Drug Administration.

8 Apr 2010

Biocartis closes Series 'B' equity financing round

Biocartis SA, a biotech company active in the field of personalized medicine and focused on fast, multiplexed and fully integrated molecular diagnostics based on its proprietary micro-technology and sample preparation platforms, today announced the successful closing of a Series B equity financing round. The Company raised EUR 30 million (~ USD 41.3 million) from its current shareholder base of leading life science investors and two new strategic investors from the pharmaceutical/diagnostic industry.

From Biocartis 8 Apr 2010

Debiopharm Group, Biocartis sign investment agreement

Debiopharm Group, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical group of companies with a focus on the development of innovative prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs, and which has embarked in the field of companion diagnostics with a view to progressing in the area of personalized medicine, today announced the signature of an investment agreement with Biocartis.

8 Apr 2010

Phase II clinical trial of Avastin and Tarceva in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Patients suffering from recently diagnosed malignant brain tumors called glioblastoma multiforme or a rare variant called gliosarcoma may be eligible to participate in a Phase II clinical trial at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center that combines two innovative drugs.

8 Apr 2010

Updates from Phase I/IIa clinical trial of DIABECELL treatment in insulin-dependent diabetics

Living Cell Technologies Limited, a global company pioneering the development of a cell implant to treat diabetes, today provided a penultimate update regarding the three-year follow up of its Phase I/IIa clinical trial in Russia of its DIABECELL® treatment in insulin-dependent diabetics.

7 Apr 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Study of changes in transcription factor binding can help understand evolution of gene regulation

FBI re-evaluating outsourcing of forensic DNA testing to private labs, Orchid Cellmark praises decision

Gene playing crucial role in immune system balance identified

Ku protein employs unique mechanism for DNA repair: Researchers

Drugs that affect methylation state of genes could reverse autism's effects: The FASEB Journal

New methodology helps investigate unfolding of DNA

Inovio Biomedical receives $2.8M grant to develop DNA vaccine for HCV

Recql5 identified as a tumor suppressor in GI tract

Bayer CropScience, Precision BioSciences modify plant genomes using DNE technology

Idera Pharmaceuticals' TLR antagonists exert anti atherogenic effects in preclinical model of atherosclerosis

Cell Therapeutics receives FDA Complete Response Letter for Pixuvri NDA

ZIOPHARM Oncology commences Phase I/II study of Zybulin for metastatic breast cancer

UBC doctoral candidate discovers a mechanism for silencing retroviruses

Enrollment completes for Inovio Biomedical's dose escalation phase I trial of cervical cancer vaccine

Molecular gauge helps examine working of new drugs when they bind to DNA or RNA

Roche NimbleGen to implement GMP for DNA microarrays suite

Biocartis closes Series 'B' equity financing round

Debiopharm Group, Biocartis sign investment agreement

Phase II clinical trial of Avastin and Tarceva in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Updates from Phase I/IIa clinical trial of DIABECELL treatment in insulin-dependent diabetics

Understanding the DNA Damage Response in Innate Immunity eBook

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