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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).

Detecting diseases with no more to work with than a drop of blood

The dream of monitoring a patient's physical condition through blood testing has long been realized. But how about detecting diseases in their very early stages, or evaluating how they are responding to treatment, with no more to work with than a drop of blood!

22 Oct 2004

New evidence supports value of fruits and vegetables in reducing breast cancer risk

Fruits and vegetables are known to reduce the risk of some cancers. Their antioxidant properties have been found to inhibit the generation of reactive oxidant species (ROS) that can damage and change DNA and lead to cancer.

22 Oct 2004

Lag-3 gene dampens immune responses by controlling regulatory T-cell function

The discovery that the Lag-3 gene acts as a brake to prevent immune system responses from running out of control solves a mystery that has puzzled researchers since the gene was discovered 14 years ago.

22 Oct 2004

Molecule that helps DNA replicate may make good target for cancer therapy

In order to divide, cells must first replicate their chromosomes. Cells use an array of proteins to accomplish the job, including a large enzyme complex that synthesizes new strands of DNA.

21 Oct 2004

Research findings will likely aid efforts to develop a vaccine for Leishmania major

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the University of Pennsylvania have found an immune system cell can "remember" a parasite's attack and help the body mount a more effective defense against subsequent invasions by the same parasite.

21 Oct 2004

Discovery of the gene for a form of Joubert Syndrome

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine have discovered the gene for a form of Joubert Syndrome, a condition present before birth that affects an area of the brain controlling balance and coordination in about 1 in 10,000 individuals.

21 Oct 2004

Researchers trim count of human genes to 20,000-25,000

Scientific description of the finished human genome sequence, reducing the estimated number of human protein-coding genes from 35,000 to only 20,000-25,000, a surprisingly low number for our species.

21 Oct 2004

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and forensic genetics, maybe not such a perfect combination

Forensic genetics is the branch of genetics that, through DNA analysis and comparison, deals with the resolution of legal problems such as paternity tests.

21 Oct 2004

Genetic predictions may bring “quantum leap” in breast cancer treatment success

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center received a prestigious award and a $600,000 grant from the V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading organizations devoted exclusively to funding cancer research.

20 Oct 2004

Researchers are one step closer to understanding how high carbohydrate diets lead to obesity and diabetes

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas are one step closer to understanding how high carbohydrate diets lead to obesity and diabetes.

19 Oct 2004

UniSA to officially open its Nano and Bio Materials Centre

Some of the greatest wonders of the 21st century will probably occur on a small scale – in fact a tiny scale – smaller than a human blood cell, right down there at the level of atoms and molecules.

19 Oct 2004

Study suggests that some survivors have a genetic tendency to developing breast cancer as young women

Young women who were treated for cancer as children have a greater chance of developing breast cancer if their treatment included chest radiation, if they initially had cancer of the bones, muscles, or connective tissue, or had a family history of breast cancer

19 Oct 2004

Sister study that examines causes of breast cancer opens

A new study that will look at 50,000 sisters of women diagnosed with breast cancer opened today for enrollment across the United States. The Sister Study, conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), will investigate environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer.

18 Oct 2004

More efficient method to sequence the human genome

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have been tabbed to find a more efficient method to sequence the human genome.

18 Oct 2004

Comprehensive study raises questions about "demethylation" agents

Agents believed to selectively "restart" genes that limit cancer's growth -- a potential treatment option already in early clinical studies -- instead turn off as many genes as they turn on, a team of researchers from the National Cancer Institute and Johns Hopkins has discovered.

18 Oct 2004

Benitec receives exclusive rights to use DNA technology pioneered at Stanford University for all RNAi therapeutic uses

Benitec has announced an exclusive licensing deal with Stanford University. Under the license, Benitec receives exclusive rights to use the Minicircle DNA technology pioneered at Stanford University for all RNAi therapeutic uses, with sub-licensing rights.

18 Oct 2004

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Detecting diseases with no more to work with than a drop of blood

New evidence supports value of fruits and vegetables in reducing breast cancer risk

Lag-3 gene dampens immune responses by controlling regulatory T-cell function

Molecule that helps DNA replicate may make good target for cancer therapy

Research findings will likely aid efforts to develop a vaccine for Leishmania major

Discovery of the gene for a form of Joubert Syndrome

Researchers trim count of human genes to 20,000-25,000

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and forensic genetics, maybe not such a perfect combination

Genetic predictions may bring “quantum leap” in breast cancer treatment success

Researchers are one step closer to understanding how high carbohydrate diets lead to obesity and diabetes

UniSA to officially open its Nano and Bio Materials Centre

Study suggests that some survivors have a genetic tendency to developing breast cancer as young women

Sister study that examines causes of breast cancer opens

More efficient method to sequence the human genome

Comprehensive study raises questions about "demethylation" agents

Benitec receives exclusive rights to use DNA technology pioneered at Stanford University for all RNAi therapeutic uses

Mycophenolate mofetil is effective for managing symptoms of the most common type of lupus

Researchers have developed a novel drug-antidote pair

Genetic science gaining momentum by silencing genes

Technique for genetically modifying blood stem cells brings cure for blood diseases closer

Understanding the DNA Damage Response in Innate Immunity eBook

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