DNA News and Research

RSS

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).

Tumor DNA clearance reaches 39% in novel immunomodulator and ADC combination

The investigational combination of pumitamig and elfetabart drozuntecan (elfe-D) demonstrated a manageable safety profile and encouraging early antitumor activity in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), according to first clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1b/2 BNT324-01 trial presented at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 2026 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC).

12 Sep 2026

Study links heritability and polygenicity across complex human traits

Researchers at the University of Oslo have mapped which parts of our DNA carry the inherited differences behind complex traits and disorders.

11 Sep 2026

Giant-nucleus cells form the foundation of early-stage cancer

Iron is an essential micronutrient, but excess iron can damage cells and increase cancer risk. While many cells die from iron-induced oxidative stress, a subset survives and may become cancerous.

11 Sep 2026

Cancer treatments alter the landscape of genetic mutations in healthy body tissues

Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, give a growth advantage to cells with particular genetic changes in healthy tissue, new research finds.

11 Sep 2026

Childhood chemotherapy leaves lasting DNA damage in healthy cells

Chemotherapy, which saves the lives of many children with cancer, causes previously unknown DNA alterations in the liver and leaves genetic footprints in other healthy cells as well.

10 Sep 2026

Study reveals hidden DNA damage from childhood chemotherapy

The amount of DNA damage caused by certain chemotherapies used to effectively treat childhood cancer has been revealed, along with a hidden impact on the liver, paving the way for future research into new ways to mitigate these impacts.

10 Sep 2026

Rituximab alters T-cell metabolism in patients with nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is caused when the filtering system in the kidneys is damaged, allowing large amounts of protein to leak into the urine.

10 Sep 2026

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease research

Marcel Nelen discusses his team’s early evaluation of a new workflow for rare disease genomics.

From Illumina, Inc. 10 Sep 2026

Rentosertib shifts multiple proteomic aging clocks toward younger age profiles in IPF trial

Researchers applied six proteomic aging clocks to serum samples from a phase 2a trial of rentosertib in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and found treatment-associated shifts toward younger predicted biological-age profiles, particularly with the 30 mg twice-daily regimen. Additional proteomic analyses linked treatment to changes in senescence, metabolism, growth-factor signaling, and fibrosis-related pathways, although the study could not determine whether these effects reflected genuine geroprotection rather than disease modification.

10 Sep 2026

Study reveals processes driving DNA damage in prostate cancer

Cancer begins with errors in the DNA inside our cells, and those errors are often more complicated than a handful of mutated genes.

9 Sep 2026

New base editing techniques accurately modify genes in human embryos

A study by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons has found that new cutting-edge techniques can accurately edit genes in human embryos-giving scientists indispensable tools for understanding normal human development-but has also uncovered important risks that currently preclude the use of the techniques in the clinic.

9 Sep 2026

New genetic map helps track aggressive prostate cancer development

Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men globally. Yet, we still know relatively little about why the disease develops or why some men live with it for years while in others it progresses aggressively.

9 Sep 2026

New genomic language AI model excels in predicting the pathogenicity of genetic variants

More than two decades after scientists first sequenced the entire human genome - all 3 billion "letters," or base pairs, of DNA code - the meaning of much of this code remains a mystery.

9 Sep 2026

Caloric restriction reduces genetic mutations across the mouse genome

Mutations are changes in the molecular "letters" that make up DNA, the genetic blueprint for cells. Mutations build up with age in every cell when DNA is damaged or when cells make mistakes in fixing or copying it.

9 Sep 2026

Skin microbiome changes may predict infant eczema and food allergies

The first clues that a baby may develop eczema or food allergies could be hiding in the microscopic organisms living on their skin, according to a study led by researchers in Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

9 Sep 2026

New integrated framework advances precision surgery for liver cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common malignancy and the third leading cause of cancer-related death globally.

9 Sep 2026

AlphaGenome Atlas maps billions of genetic changes with AI

The human genome contains approximately 3 billion DNA letters, creating more than 9 billion possible single-letter changes.

9 Sep 2026

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may slow biological aging in older adults

A new UCLA Health study found that treatment of insomnia using cognitive behavioral therapy slowed the pace of biological aging in older adults.

8 Sep 2026

Study identifies 14 egg-layer gene variants linked to female infertility

Researchers determine 14 variants in the egg's protective layer associated with female infertility which can affect assisted reproductive technology outcomes.

8 Sep 2026

Researchers use an experimental drug to reverse the effects of systemic sclerosis

Investigators at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University used an experimental drug to reverse the effects of systemic sclerosis, a serious autoimmune disease. The study, conducted in a laboratory, was published in JCI Insight.

8 Sep 2026