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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.

RPCI-led researchers identify strategies to prevent acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure, is one of the main contributors to death and disability worldwide, yet no preventive treatment for the condition has been established. In a new study published in the journal Cell Death and Differentiation, a team of researchers led by scientists from Roswell Park Cancer Institute reports that they have identified 10 genes whose inhibition appears to protect kidney cells.

25 Nov 2015

New sensor can detect estrogen levels in liquids

Estrogen is a tiny molecule, but it can have big effects on humans and other animals. Estrogen is one of the main hormones that regulates the female reproductive system - it can be monitored to track human fertility and is sometimes administered to livestock like cows and sheep to control the reproductive cycle.

25 Nov 2015

CRISPR tool unlocks potential for novel treatments across different therapeutic areas

CRISPR is one of the most exciting advances in gene-based medicine in decades. A uniquely powerful tool for editing the genome, it allows scientists to manipulate DNA with unprecedented precision by deleting unwanted or faulty genes and replacing them with different ones. Its promise in this field of medicine is immense, unlocking the potential for novel treatments across a wide range of therapeutic areas.

22 Nov 2015

Crucial tumor-suppressing gene protects immune attack against lung cancer

A crucial tumor-thwarting gene protects an immune attack against lung cancer by blocking the key to an off switch on T cells, the customized warriors of the immune system, a team led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

21 Nov 2015

Researchers suggest new way to target cancer protein

For years, scientists have struggled to find a way to block a protein known to play an important role in many cancers. The protein, STAT3, acts as a transcription factor -- it performs the crucial task of helping convert DNA into the RNA instructions used to make new proteins.

19 Nov 2015

New technique improves accuracy of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system

A new CRISPR/Cas9 technology developed by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School is precise enough to surgically edit DNA at nearly any genomic location, while avoiding potentially harmful off-target changes typically seen in standard CRISPR gene editing techniques.

19 Nov 2015

Scientists identify mechanism that may help prostate cancer cells escape effects of cancer drugs

Advanced prostate cancer is a disease notoriously resistant to treatment. New research by scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of California, San Francisco sheds light on a new mode of drug resistance to emerging therapies in metastatic prostate cancer.

18 Nov 2015

Bone protein can inhibit prostate cancer metastasis to bone

Scientists from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in collaboration with researchers from University of California campuses at Merced and Davis have found that a secreted protein predominantly expressed in bone inhibits prostate cancer metastasis to bone.

18 Nov 2015

Simple microRNA sensor holds promise for prognosis, treatment of pancreatic and other cancers

A simple, ultrasensitive microRNA sensor developed and tested by researchers from the schools of science and medicine at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center holds promise for the design of new diagnostic strategies and, potentially, for the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic and other cancers.

18 Nov 2015

MicroRNA reduces tumor growth, increases cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center have shown that the microRNA, miR-124, reduced tumor growth and increased cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

17 Nov 2015

RNA-based drugs provide many advantages over CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system

In just the past few years, researchers have found a way to use a naturally occurring bacterial system known as CRISPR/Cas9 to inactivate or correct specific genes in any organism. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing activity runs continuously, though, leading to risk of additional editing at unwanted sites. Now, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Ludwig Cancer Research and Isis Pharmaceuticals demonstrate a commercially feasible way to use RNA to turn the CRISPR-Cas9 system on and off as desired -- permanently editing a gene, but only temporarily activating CRISPR-Cas9.

17 Nov 2015

MIPT researchers patent graphene biosensors that may accelerate development of novel drugs

The US Patent Office has recently published the patent application (no. US 2015/0301039), which was filed by the MIPT in May this year and is titled Biological Sensor and a Method of the Production of Biological Sensor. In Russia, this development is already protected by the patent No. 2527699 with a priority date of February 20, 2013. The key feature of the sensor is the use of a linking layer for biomolecule immobilization comprising a thin film of graphene or graphene oxide.

17 Nov 2015

UC Irvine Health researchers develop one-step test to detect HCV infections

UC Irvine Health researchers have developed a cost-effective one-step test that screens, detects and confirms hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Dr. Ke-Qin Hu, director of hepatology services, will present findings at the Annual Meeting of American Association for the Study of Liver Disease in San Francisco, Nov. 14-16. Current blood-based HCV testing requires two steps and can be expensive, inconvenient and is not widely available or affordable globally.

15 Nov 2015

Entirely new enzymatic process of DNA synthesis

Cleaver Scientific has supplied a UV Sterilization Cabinet to Touchlight Genetics (Hampton, UK) who had sought a sterile workspace for the preparation of their RNA and DNA samples and templates.

From Cleaver Scientific Ltd 12 Nov 2015

New RNA test of blood platelets can be used to detect location of cancer

A new RNA test of blood platelets can be used to detect, classify and pinpoint the location of cancer by analysing a sample equivalent to one drop of blood. Using this new method for blood-based RNA tests of blood platelets, researchers have been able to identify cancer with 96 per cent accuracy. This according to a study at Umeå University in Sweden recently published in the journal Cancer Cell.

12 Nov 2015

Researchers reveal how charged gold nanoparticles influence structure of DNA and RNA

Researchers at North Carolina State University have used computational modelling to shed light on precisely how charged gold nanoparticles influence the structure of DNA and RNA - which may lead to new techniques for manipulating these genetic materials.

12 Nov 2015

Discovery could offer clues to how some viruses control expression of genetic material

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Michigan have produced the first image of an important human protein as it binds with ribonucleic acid (RNA), a discovery that could offer clues to how some viruses, including HIV, control expression of their genetic material.

12 Nov 2015

Research opens door for developing biomarker tests to detect cancers early

Biomarkers, which allow diseases to be diagnosed and staged based on relatively non-invasive blood tests, have been identified for several types of cancers, but for most cancers remain elusive. Now, research conducted at the RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies in Japan and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Australia has identified a large number of genes that are upregulated in many different types of cancer, opening the door for developing biomarker tests that could be used to detect cancers early, allowing for prompt treatment.

10 Nov 2015

Idera begins enrollment in IMO-8400 Phase 2 clinical trial for treatment of dermatomyositis

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing Toll-like receptor (TLR) and RNA therapeutics for patients with cancer and rare diseases, today announced that the company has commenced enrollment in a Phase 2 clinical trial of IMO-8400, an investigational TLR 7, 8 and 9 antagonist, in patients with dermatomyositis. Dermatomyositis is a rare and debilitating inflammatory muscle and skin disease associated with significant morbidity, decreased quality of life and an increased risk of premature death.

10 Nov 2015

Researchers identify factors that spark formation of pluripotent cells

Researchers at EMBL's European Bioinformatics Institute and the Wellcome Trust- Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge have identified factors that spark the formation of pluripotent cells.

10 Nov 2015

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

RPCI-led researchers identify strategies to prevent acute kidney injury

New sensor can detect estrogen levels in liquids

CRISPR tool unlocks potential for novel treatments across different therapeutic areas

Crucial tumor-suppressing gene protects immune attack against lung cancer

Researchers suggest new way to target cancer protein

New technique improves accuracy of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system

Scientists identify mechanism that may help prostate cancer cells escape effects of cancer drugs

Bone protein can inhibit prostate cancer metastasis to bone

Simple microRNA sensor holds promise for prognosis, treatment of pancreatic and other cancers

MicroRNA reduces tumor growth, increases cell death in castration-resistant prostate cancer

RNA-based drugs provide many advantages over CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system

MIPT researchers patent graphene biosensors that may accelerate development of novel drugs

UC Irvine Health researchers develop one-step test to detect HCV infections

Entirely new enzymatic process of DNA synthesis

New RNA test of blood platelets can be used to detect location of cancer

Researchers reveal how charged gold nanoparticles influence structure of DNA and RNA

Discovery could offer clues to how some viruses control expression of genetic material

Research opens door for developing biomarker tests to detect cancers early

Idera begins enrollment in IMO-8400 Phase 2 clinical trial for treatment of dermatomyositis

Researchers identify factors that spark formation of pluripotent cells

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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