Nucleotides News and Research

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TSRI scientists demonstrate repurposing of DNA to create new substances

DNA evolved to store genetic information, but in principle this special, chain-like molecule can also be adapted to make new materials. Chemists at The Scripps Research Institute have now published an important demonstration of this repurposing of DNA to create new substances with possible medical applications.

12 Oct 2017

DNA robot sorts molecules without external input

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have developed an autonomous molecular machine comprising a single strand of DNA that can move around, collect specific molecules and sort them into predefined locations. Furthermore, this nanobot has been designed in such a way that requires no external source of energy or instruction.

15 Sep 2017

Researchers develop model to explore hard-to-study mutations in human genome

A team of researchers led by a bioinformatician at the University of California San Diego has developed a method to help determine whether certain hard-to-study mutations in the human genome, called short tandem repeats or microsatellites, are likely to be involved in harmful conditions.

11 Sep 2017

Lack of 'editing' in microRNAs can potentially drive brain cancers

SCIENTISTS in the UK and India have observed a "significant" lack of 'editing' in microRNAs in brain tissue of brain cancer patients.

16 Jun 2017

Scientists identify ten new genetic variants linked to cardiac structure and function

Strong or weak, big or small - variations in our genome play a decisive part in how our heart is shaped and works.

24 May 2017

Positive CHMP opinion recognizes efficacy of Biogen’s SPINRAZA for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy

Biogen today announced the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicines Agency adopted a positive opinion recommending the granting of a marketing authorization for SPINRAZA to treat patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

21 Apr 2017

Study shows how antibiotics increase survival chances of bacteria

Antibiotics harm bacteria and stress them. Trimethoprim (TMP), an antibiotic, inhibits the growth of the bacterium Escherichia coli and induces a stress response.

25 Mar 2017

Scientists find evidence for gene that may be linked to social phobia

People with social anxiety avoid situations in which they are exposed to judgment by others. Those affected also lead a withdrawn life and maintain contact above all on the Internet.

9 Mar 2017

Researchers identify gene variants that may predispose individuals to develop gallbladder cancer

By comparing the genetic code of gallbladder cancer patients with those of healthy volunteers at nearly 700,000 different locations in the genome, researchers say they have found several gene variants which may predispose individuals to develop the disease.

6 Mar 2017

Metabolic vulnerability in triple-negative breast cancer cells may help quell chemotherapy resistance

A team of researchers led by Alex Toker of the Ludwig Center at Harvard has discovered a metabolic weakness in triple-negative breast cancer cells that may be exploited to quell their resistance to chemotherapy.

2 Mar 2017

Researchers develop improved method for using graphene-based transistors to detect harmful genes

Researchers in India and Japan have developed an improved method for using graphene-based transistors to detect disease-causing genes.

1 Mar 2017

Researchers identify genetic variants that may contribute to schizophrenia

New research has identified sections of DNA associated with altered regulation of gene expression underlying schizophrenia.

27 Feb 2017

Pitt study sheds light on shared roots of schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis

An in-depth computational analysis of genetic variants implicated in both schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh points to eight genes that may explain why susceptibility to one of the disorders could place individuals at lower risk for the other, according to the results of a study published today in the journal npj Schizophrenia.

24 Feb 2017

Computational software that evaluates DNA samples may help in diagnosis, treatment of cancer

A research team from the United States and Canada has developed and successfully tested new computational software that determines whether a human DNA sample includes an epigenetic add-on linked to cancer and other adverse health conditions.

From Oxford Nanopore Technologies 24 Feb 2017

Researchers find new evidence to support structure-based classification system for viruses

Professor Robert Sinclair at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University and Professor Dennis Bamford and Dr. Janne Ravantti from the University of Helsinki have found new evidence to support a classification system for viruses based on viral structure.

23 Feb 2017

Promega introduces new Spectrum Compact CE System for high quality DNA analysis

Soon scientists will be able to perform efficient DNA analysis right at their bench.

From Promega Corporation 21 Feb 2017

MRC researchers discover genetic 'switch' that plays key role in Parkinson's disease

A genetic 'switch' has been discovered by MRC researchers at the University of Leicester which could help to prevent or delay the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

17 Feb 2017

LMU study shows crucial role of microRNAs in protecting precursors of neurons

Programmed cell death is an integral part of embryonic development. Exploring the regulation of the process, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich researchers have shown that so-called microRNAs protect the precursors of neurons from 'precocious' elimination.

13 Feb 2017

Genetic variant encoded in NCF1 linked to increased risk for autoimmune diseases, study shows

Investigators at the Medical University of South Carolina report pre-clinical research showing that a genetic variant encoded in neutrophil cystolic factor 1 (NCF1) is associated with increased risk for autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's syndrome, in the January 2017 issue of Nature Genetics.

8 Feb 2017

UNC scientists confirm and clarify key molecular details of nucleotide excision repair

Day in and day out, in our bodies, the DNA in cells is damaged for a variety of reasons, and thus intercellular DNA-repair systems are fundamental to the maintenance of life.