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).

New study reveals RNA may play a critical role in cancer treatment

Researchers from Yale University and Mirna Therapeutics, Inc., reversed the growth of lung tumors in mice using a naturally occurring tumor suppressor microRNA. The study reveals that a tiny bit of RNA may one day play a big role in cancer treatment, and provides hope for future patients battling one of the most prevalent and difficult to treat cancers.

7 Dec 2009

New approach to protein misfolding may lead to novel therapies for a number of diseases

In an encouraging new development, a team led by Scripps Research Institute scientists has restored partial function to lung cells collected from patients with cystic fibrosis. While there is still much work to be done before the therapy can be tested in humans, the discovery opens the door to a new class of therapies for this and a host of other chronic diseases.

7 Dec 2009

New study reveals genetic alteration can lead to severe childhood obesity

Scientists in Cambridge have discovered that the loss of a key segment of DNA can lead to severe childhood obesity. This is the first study to show that this kind of genetic alteration can cause obesity. The results are published today in Nature.

6 Dec 2009

NIH director to speak on new horizons for human health in biomedical research

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health and recipient of the nation’s highest scientific honors, will address the National Press Club Dec. 21 on “Biomedical research: New horizons for human health.”

5 Dec 2009

New discoveries to treat life-threatening blood disorder presented at ASH annual meeting

A genetic variation that may indicate a patient's risk of developing a potentially life-threatening blood disorder if exposed to certain pharmaceutical therapies or chemicals is one of several medical discoveries scientists at cancer diagnostics leader Quest Diagnostics will present during the 51st American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition, December 5-8, 2009, in New Orleans, LA.

4 Dec 2009

Oncologists optimistic about the potential of clinical trials for personalized medicine

According to a national poll of oncologists and clinical research professionals, there is a high level of optimism about the potential of clinical trials for personalized medicine. While oncologists view cost as a barrier to treatment and research, they think policy initiatives are opportunities to effectively promote personalized medicine.

4 Dec 2009

Researchers discover mechanism that explains how chromosomal translocations are not random

Researchers at the UC San Diego School of Medicine have pinpointed a mechanism that may help explain how chromosomal translocations - the supposedly random shuffling of large chunks of DNA that frequently lead to cancer - aren't so random after all. They have developed a model of such chromosomal mix-ups in prostate cancer which indicates that the male sex hormone (androgen) receptor unexpectedly plays a key role in driving specific translocations in the development of cancer.

4 Dec 2009

New step in the proofreading process that helps maintain accuracy of DNA replication identified

Wayne State researchers have for the first time observed the movement of a single molecule of DNA polymerase as it incorporates nucleotides one by one. More significantly, they have identified a previously unknown step that they speculate is part of the proofreading process known to prevent the polymerase from producing cancer-causing mutations.

4 Dec 2009

New SPC3649 drug found effective in treating HCV infections

In a dramatic finding, a new drug for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections that targets liver cells produced a substantial drop in blood levels of the virus in animals and continued to work up to several months after treatment, say scientists at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio.

4 Dec 2009

Findings suggest severity of atherosclerosis depends on the rate of white blood cell migration

By measuring the total gene activity in organs relevant for coronary artery disease (CAD), scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have identified a module of genes that is important for the recruitment of white blood cells into the atherosclerotic plaque.

4 Dec 2009

Scientists discover mechanism by which E6 oncoprotein of high-risk HPV16 promotes carcinogenesis

In the 1980s, Harald zur Hausen and his co-workers discovered that specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. Scientists soon found out how these pathogens cause cells to degenerate. It is known today that the main culprits are viral proteins E6 and E7. Both proteins switch off different cellular control functions, thus promoting cell growth.

4 Dec 2009

Kyto advancing with a program for humanization of the mAbTCR23 antibody

Kyto Biopharma Inc., is a biotechnology company focused on developing monoclonal antibody and oligonucleotide targeting therapeutics based on a proprietary vitamin B12 platform for the treatment of various forms of cancer.

4 Dec 2009

Protein plays a key role in cancer and DNA repair

A protein that plays a key role in copying DNA also plays a vital role in repairing breaks in it, UC Davis scientists have found. The work is helping researchers understand how cancer cells can resist radiation and chemotherapy, as well as how cells become cancerous in the first place.

4 Dec 2009

Study on Helicos BioSciences' single molecule sequencing technology published

Helicos BioSciences Corporation today announced the publication of a landmark study by Dr. Bradley Bernstein of the Massachusetts General Hospital describing the use of Helicos’ single molecule sequencing technology for the performance of genome-wide, epigenomic experiments using minute amounts of nucleic acid.

4 Dec 2009

Climate change can cause major impact on global mental health

Leading mental health researchers are warning that some of the most important health consequences of climate change will be on mental health, yet this issue is unlikely to be given much attention at the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen next week.

4 Dec 2009

TapeBeat.Com posts research on GeneLink

TapeBeat.Com the news and community portal for the serious investor has posted research on GeneLink (GNLK). GeneLink’s approach to well-being utilizes the science of pharmacogenenomics - using individual genetic variations to customize nutritional, skincare products and health maintenance products.

4 Dec 2009

Advantages of Helicos BioSciences' single molecule sequencing technology presented

Helicos BioSciences Corporation announced today that, as previously disclosed, it has posted a presentation on its website regarding the advantages of Helicos’ single molecule sequencing technology in clinical diagnostics.

4 Dec 2009

Discovery of antibiotic molecule may lead to the development of potent antibacterial drugs

An antibiotic that binds to a well-established target in a novel and unexpected way could be the inspiration for designing new, more potent antibacterial drugs.

4 Dec 2009

Avisio forms new subsidiary to market its virus detecting nano sensory technology

Avisio, Inc. announced today that it has formed a majority-owned subsidiary to market and commercialize Instant Detect, the company's new nano sensory technology that instantly detects biological viruses. The new company, Diagnostic Nano Applications (DNA), will be headquartered in Riverside, California.

3 Dec 2009

Children exposed to secondhand smoke face increased risk of lung cancer later in life

Children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke have an increased risk of developing lung cancer in adulthood, even if they never smoked.

3 Dec 2009

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New study reveals RNA may play a critical role in cancer treatment

New approach to protein misfolding may lead to novel therapies for a number of diseases

New study reveals genetic alteration can lead to severe childhood obesity

NIH director to speak on new horizons for human health in biomedical research

New discoveries to treat life-threatening blood disorder presented at ASH annual meeting

Oncologists optimistic about the potential of clinical trials for personalized medicine

Researchers discover mechanism that explains how chromosomal translocations are not random

New step in the proofreading process that helps maintain accuracy of DNA replication identified

New SPC3649 drug found effective in treating HCV infections

Findings suggest severity of atherosclerosis depends on the rate of white blood cell migration

Scientists discover mechanism by which E6 oncoprotein of high-risk HPV16 promotes carcinogenesis

Kyto advancing with a program for humanization of the mAbTCR23 antibody

Protein plays a key role in cancer and DNA repair

Study on Helicos BioSciences' single molecule sequencing technology published

Climate change can cause major impact on global mental health

TapeBeat.Com posts research on GeneLink

Advantages of Helicos BioSciences' single molecule sequencing technology presented

Discovery of antibiotic molecule may lead to the development of potent antibacterial drugs

Avisio forms new subsidiary to market its virus detecting nano sensory technology

Children exposed to secondhand smoke face increased risk of lung cancer later in life

Understanding the DNA Damage Response in Innate Immunity eBook

Latest eBooks

Industry Focus eBook - Analytical Chemistry (3rd edition)

Industry Focus eBook - Microbiome (1st edition)

Industry Focus eBook - Cell biology (5th edition)

Advancing degrader and proximity-based drug development

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo