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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.

Researchers discover new approach for treatment of myotonic dystrophy

Researchers at the Translational Genomics laboratory of Valencia University and the INCLIVA health research institute have just discovered a new approach for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy, a rare and incurable neuromuscular disease which does not have specific treatment.

27 Jun 2018

Polio returns to Papua New Guinea

A polio outbreak, the first in 18 years, has been reported by the health officials in Papua New Guinea (PNG). One case of the viral infection was confirmed in the Lufa Mountain settlement in Lae city which is the second largest city in PNG.

26 Jun 2018

Researchers examine new influenza drug's mode of action in detail

The new influenza drug Xofluza, developed by the Japanese pharmaceutical company Shionogi, was approved for clinical use in Japan in February 2018.

26 Jun 2018

Canadian researchers uncover new molecular mechanism to stop proliferation of cancer cells

Canadian researchers have discovered a new and direct molecular mechanism to stop cancer cells from proliferating. In the prestigious journal Nature Cell Biology, scientists from Université de Montréal show that a disruption of a fine balance in the composition of ribosomes (huge molecules that translate the genetic code into proteins) results in a shutdown of cancer cell proliferation, triggering a process called senescence.

26 Jun 2018

CRISPR technique reduces repetitive behavior in fragile X syndrome mouse models

Scientists have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to lessen some autism symptoms in mice with a form of fragile X syndrome, the most common known single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder.

25 Jun 2018

Researchers work on new treatment that could improve lives of cystic fibrosis patients

Researchers at Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University are working on a treatment that holds great promise for improving the lives of cystic fibrosis patients.

25 Jun 2018

New discovery suggests potential target for treating cancers and other diseases

When cells grow and divide to ensure a biological function - such as a properly working organ - DNA must be unwound from its typical tightly packed form and copied into RNA to create proteins.

25 Jun 2018

Researchers use gene editing to reduce autism symptoms in mice

Researchers have used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to treat symptoms of autism in mice. It is hoped that the tool could one day be used to help humans.

25 Jun 2018

Blocking viral-host interaction slows down flu virus replication, study shows

Influenza A (flu A) hijacks host proteins for viral RNA splicing and blocking these interactions caused replication of the virus to slow, according to new research published in Nature Communications by Kristin W. Lynch, PhD, chair of the department of Biochemistry and Biophysics in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and doctoral student Matthew Thompson.

25 Jun 2018

Unusual cell-to-cell communication in glioblastoma promotes aggressiveness and therapy resistance

A surprising form of cell-to-cell communication in glioblastoma promotes global changes in recipient cells, including aggressiveness, motility, and resistance to radiation or chemotherapy.

22 Jun 2018

Jumping genes or transposons and their role in the genetic code

Researchers have found that there a numerous transposons or “jumping genes” within the genetic code that is responsible for development of the embryo and its growth. These were earlier thought to be junk or useless parts of the genome.

22 Jun 2018

Researchers report unusually high levels of herpesvirus in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease

Two strains of human herpesvirus - human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) and human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) - are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease at levels up to twice as high as in those without Alzheimer's, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report.

21 Jun 2018

New computational method identifies molecular signatures that distinguish individuals

EMBL researchers have designed a computational method to jointly analyze multiple types of molecular data from patients in order to identify molecular signatures that distinguish individuals.

21 Jun 2018

Scientists explore interactions between chromosomes 12 and 17

How are chromosomes arranged in the cell nucleus? Is it possible that they communicate with one another by "touching" each other?

21 Jun 2018

Groundbreaking discovery could be key to preventing cancer metastasis

A groundbreaking discovery by University of Alberta researchers has identified previously-unknown therapeutic targets that could be key to preventing the spread of cancer.

21 Jun 2018

Researchers employ nucleotide-based gene silencing to mitigate common ataxia

In what researchers are calling a game changer for future ataxia treatments, a new study showed the ability to turn down the disease progression of the most common dominantly inherited ataxia.

20 Jun 2018

Increasing biodefense risks posed by synthetic biology

A US Department of Defense commissioned study has found that there are several genetic-engineering tools that could be used to devise biological weapons in a short amount of time.

19 Jun 2018

Inhibiting epigenetic proteins with drugs could prevent development of breast cancer

Researchers at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto have discovered that epigenetic proteins promote the proliferation of mammary gland stem cells in response to the sex hormone progesterone.

19 Jun 2018

Study finds more information about how gene linked to ASD affects the brain

New preclinical research shows a gene already linked to a subset of people with autism spectrum disorder is critical to healthy neuronal connections in the developing brain, and its loss can harm those connections to help fuel the complex developmental condition.

18 Jun 2018

Scientists discover genetic causes underlying group of related infant cancers

The genetic causes of a group of related infant cancers have been discovered by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Wuerzburg and their collaborators.

18 Jun 2018