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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).

Long telomeres linked to higher lymphoma risk in families

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Telomere Clinic at Johns Hopkins have identified a genetic syndrome in which unusually long telomeres - the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes - allow immune cells to remain biologically "younger" for longer than normal, predisposing affected individuals to lymphoma and other cancers.

7 May 2026

Chromosome abnormalities may help cancer cells resist treatment and spread

A new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers found that cancer cells are better able to resist treatments when they have an abnormal number of chromosomes, which are DNA strands wound up in bundles that control which genetic instructions are followed in each cell type.

7 May 2026

JAYseq test delivers rapid genomic profiling for multiple myeloma patients

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of City of Hope, today announced the launch of JAYseqTM, a clinical whole-genome sequencing (WGS) test specifically for multiple myeloma.

7 May 2026

Garlic-derived compound may help improve muscle strength during aging

Can a compound derived from a common kitchen ingredient help support muscle health during aging? A new study suggests it can.

7 May 2026

Building large DNA pieces to create custom microbes

A review in Quantitative Biology demonstrates that scientists can now reliably build and combine very large pieces of DNA, making it much easier to redesign microbes such as yeast and bacteria to act as efficient "cell factories."

7 May 2026

New CRISPR system selectively destroys cancer cells

Among the challenges in treating disease, including cancer, is wiping out malignancies, infection, contaminants or other pathologies, without destroying healthy tissue.

6 May 2026

New blood test predicts illness progression and treatment response

Scientists are developing a test which could one day be used to predict how a patient's illness will progress, and even how well they will respond to treatment.

6 May 2026

New discovery challenges a decades-old assumption in HIV biology

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism by which HIV-1 can infect resting immune cells.

6 May 2026

4basebio announces lease of an innovation hub and manufacturing facility in Cambridge, UK

4basebio PLC, a specialist in synthetic DNA manufacturing and nucleic acids for next-generation therapeutics, announces a significant expansion into a new innovation hub and manufacturing facility in Cambridge, UK, supporting growing demand for research and high-quality grade manufacturing of synthetic DNA for gene and cell therapies, mRNA vaccines, genome editing, or DNA vaccines.

From 4basebio PLC 6 May 2026

Chronic sunlight exposure disrupts body clocks in skin

Years of chronic exposure of human skin to sunlight strongly disrupts its body‑clock rhythm, according to a pioneering study led by University of Manchester, No7 Beauty Company, a member of The Boots Group, and University of Pennsylvania scientists.

6 May 2026

Human telomerase shows limited function across different animal species

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 13, 2026, titled "Cross species activity of TERT human telomerase component."

5 May 2026

Obesity and Alzheimer’s linked through early metabolic disruptions

By 2030, the population in the United States aged 65 and older is expected to reach 71 million or about 20% of Americans. This growth is likely to increase the burden of age-related diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), affecting about 1 in 9 adults over 65.

5 May 2026

Study reveals epigenetic adaptation of beta cells across lifespan and disease

As people age, most maintain normal blood sugar even as insulin resistance tends to rise. New research suggests that pancreatic beta cells help meet this demand through gradual epigenetic changes in regulatory regions of the genome that support beta-cell identity and function.

5 May 2026

GADD45B promotes apoptosis in intestinal injury through DNA demethylation

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathophysiological phenomenon that is widely present in various primary intestinal diseases and systemic critical illnesses, potentially leading to multiple organ dysfunction and failure, with high morbidity and mortality.

5 May 2026

AI model reads genetic code to trace evolutionary history

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can read genetic code the way large language models like ChatGPT read text. Scanning the genome for biological mutation patterns, the computer model traces pairs of genes back in time to their last common ancestor.

4 May 2026

New technique uses electronic jolt and nanoparticles to reveal early signs of pancreatic cancer

Scientists at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a new technique using an electronic jolt and nanoparticles to reveal the telltale signal of an insidious form of cancer.

4 May 2026

A more accurate tool for assessing Arsenic toxicity

Public health experts estimate that more than 200 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic through contaminated drinking water. Scientists know long-term exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risk of chronic illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease, but there hasn't been a reliable way to track these exposures and fully understand their effects on the body and the mechanisms behind them.

4 May 2026

New genomic study tracks rare blood disease in children

Aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder where patients are unable to make enough blood cells due to the immune system's attack on blood stem cells. The condition can progress to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and leukemia. A study led by scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with multiple collaborating institutions, used state-of-the-art genomic techniques to profile 619 children and adults with aplastic anemia.

4 May 2026

Cellular aging in immune cells signals early onset of cognitive depression

Blood tests measuring the aging of certain white blood cells can predict cognitive and mood-related symptoms of depression, rather than physical symptoms.

4 May 2026

AAD survey reveals Americans ignore sun risks despite skin cancer concerns

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) today released results from its annual Practice Safe Sun Survey, revealing many Americans still engage in risky sun behaviors driven by misinformation, social media, and persistent tanning myths despite their concerns about the long term aging effects of sun exposure. In recognition of Skin Cancer Awareness Month (May) and Melanoma Monday® on May 4, the AAD is encouraging the public to practice safe sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

4 May 2026