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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Lunatic fringe gene plays role in regulating fate of neural stem cells

The discovery that the brain can generate new cells - about 700 new neurons each day - has triggered investigations to uncover how this process is regulated.

19 Jul 2017

Study shows how cancer cells force normal cells to act like viruses to enable tumor growth

In a study that could explain why some breast cancers are more aggressive than others, researchers say they now understand how cancer cells force normal cells to act like viruses – allowing tumors to grow, resist treatment, and spread.

19 Jul 2017

Genetic therapy for two inherited neurologic diseases moves closer to human clinical trials

Researchers at University of Massachusetts Medical School and Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine are nearing human clinical trials on a genetic therapy for two rare neurological diseases that are fatal to children.

19 Jul 2017

Researchers discover gene mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children

Researchers funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation have discovered mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children. Their study explains the mechanism involved.

18 Jul 2017

MGH researchers identify novel mechanism behind resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors

A Massachusetts General Hospital research team has identified a novel mechanism behind resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors - drugs that fight cancer by suppressing the formation of new blood vessels.

14 Jul 2017

Scientists uncover new gene therapy treatment routes for motor neurone disease

Scientists investigating the genetic causes and altered functioning of nerve cells in motor neurone disease (MND) have discovered a new mechanism that could lead to fresh treatment approaches for one of the most common forms of the disease.

14 Jul 2017

BWH researchers use specific microRNA to identify, alter makeup of glioblastoma subtypes

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an extremely aggressive brain cancer, is a very complex disease. It is characterized by a fast-growing tumor in the brain composed of many subpopulations of cells, including glioblastoma stem cells, which play a crucial role in glioblastoma initiation, expansion and therapy-resistance.

14 Jul 2017

Study demonstrates potential nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy for deadly brain tumors

Early phase Northwestern Medicine research has demonstrated a potential new therapeutic strategy for treating deadly glioblastoma brain tumors.

13 Jul 2017

Study shows potential of whole genome sequencing and AI to help clinicians scale precision oncology

In a study published today in the July 11, 2017 issue of Neurology Genetics, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, researchers at the New York Genome Center, The Rockefeller University and other NYGC member institutions, and IBM have illustrated the potential of IBM Watson for Genomics to analyze complex genomic data from state-of-the-art DNA sequencing of whole genomes.

11 Jul 2017

Researchers discover basic genetic mechanism that causes congenital myotonic dystrophy

For years, the underlying process that causes a debilitating muscle disorder in infants and young children has been largely unknown.

11 Jul 2017

Synthetic compound that reads mitochondrial DNA could lead to treatments for nerve, muscle diseases

For the first time, a synthetic compound has been made that can bind to DNA in the cells' energy powerhouses, suppressing a gene associated with nerve and muscle disease.

11 Jul 2017

Scientists find single protein that controls genes essential for spermatogenesis

Scientists have found a single protein--Ptbp2--controls a network of over 200 genes central to how developing sperm move and communicate. The protein works by regulating how RNA is processed during each stage of sperm development.

10 Jul 2017

New marker may help diagnose late-stage lung cancer

Investigators have found a new marker that might be used for diagnosing a common form of lung cancer, especially at late stages.

10 Jul 2017

Clinical management of patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary using new epigenetic test

The invention of the EPICUP epigenetic test last year allowed physicians to elucidate what type of primary tumor had metastasized in patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP).

10 Jul 2017

Scientists shed new light on how tau protein transitions from liquid state to solid tangles

While much about Alzheimer's disease remains a mystery, scientists do know that part of the disease's progression involves a normal protein called tau, aggregating to form ropelike inclusions within brain cells that eventually strangle the neurons.

6 Jul 2017

New single probe method provides PCR-free detection of microRNA linked to liver toxicity

Quanterix Corporation, a company digitizing biomarker analysis with the goal of advancing the science of precision health, and DestiNA Genomics Ltd, a manufacturer of patented reagents for nucleic acid detection, today announced that PLOS ONE has published a proof-of-concept single probe method for detecting microRNA biomarkers associated with liver toxicity.

6 Jul 2017

Study: Personalized neoantigen vaccine stimulates strong anti-tumor response in melanoma patients

A personal cancer treatment vaccine that targets distinctive "neoantigens" on tumor cells has been shown to stimulate a potent, safe, and highly specific immune anti-tumor response in melanoma patients, report scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

5 Jul 2017

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Lunatic fringe gene plays role in regulating fate of neural stem cells

Study shows how cancer cells force normal cells to act like viruses to enable tumor growth

Genetic therapy for two inherited neurologic diseases moves closer to human clinical trials

Researchers discover gene mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children

MGH researchers identify novel mechanism behind resistance to angiogenesis inhibitors

Scientists uncover new gene therapy treatment routes for motor neurone disease

BWH researchers use specific microRNA to identify, alter makeup of glioblastoma subtypes

Study demonstrates potential nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy for deadly brain tumors

Study shows potential of whole genome sequencing and AI to help clinicians scale precision oncology

Researchers discover basic genetic mechanism that causes congenital myotonic dystrophy

Synthetic compound that reads mitochondrial DNA could lead to treatments for nerve, muscle diseases

Scientists find single protein that controls genes essential for spermatogenesis

New marker may help diagnose late-stage lung cancer

Clinical management of patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary using new epigenetic test

Scientists shed new light on how tau protein transitions from liquid state to solid tangles

New single probe method provides PCR-free detection of microRNA linked to liver toxicity

Study: Personalized neoantigen vaccine stimulates strong anti-tumor response in melanoma patients

Study indicates new element involved in genome instability

Research provides new insights into how telomeres regulate cellular senescence

Differential RNA splicing may play role in prostate cancer disparities in African-American men

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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