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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).

Many genes contribute to risk for Tourette's syndrome, genetic study shows

A meta-analysis of multiple studies into the genetic background of Tourette's syndrome (TS) - a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by chronic involuntary motor and vocal tics - finds that variants in hundreds of genes, working in combination, contribute to the development of the syndrome and suggests that Tourette's is part of a continuous spectrum of tic disorders, ranging from mild, sometimes transient tics to severe cases that can include psychiatric symptoms.

1 Mar 2019

New tool uncovers molecular causes of different diseases

Princeton University researchers are gaining new insights into the causes and characteristics of diseases by harnessing machine learning to analyze molecular patterns across hundreds of diseases simultaneously.

1 Mar 2019

Research shows how common fungus gets the flexibility to live in different host environments

The fungus Candida albicans is found in the gastrointestinal tract of about half of healthy adults with little if any effect, yet it also causes an oft-fatal blood infection among patients with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS.

1 Mar 2019

Research reveals how metabolites can be used to inhibit epigenetic mechanisms and treat MS

Understanding and mitigating the role of epigenetics (environmental influences that trigger changes in gene expression) in disease development is a major goal of researchers.

28 Feb 2019

Second-ever case of semi-identical (sesquizygotic) twins

Doctors report on a woman who gave birth to semi-identical twins in 2014. This is the second time this is known to have occurred after the first case in 2007.

28 Feb 2019

Personalized therapy for aggressive brain cancer shows potential

Advances in genetics and genomics have taught us that every single tumor is different, and yet most standard therapies treat them all in the same way, limiting the effectiveness of treatments offered to many cancer patients.

28 Feb 2019

Breakthrough chromosome imaging could aid in development of new treatments

Chromosomes, each containing hundreds or thousands of genes, act like a detailed instruction manual for how cells should develop and behave.

28 Feb 2019

Johns Hopkins researchers find genetic cause of olfactory neuroblastoma

By sequencing the entire genomes of tumor cells from six people with a rare cancer of the nose and sinus cavity, Johns Hopkins researchers report they unexpectedly found the same genetic change¾one in a gene involved in muscle formation¾in five of the tumors.

28 Feb 2019

Scientists identify how cells make choice between various mechanisms to repair DNA

When DNA in the cell nucleus gets damaged, our cells can resort to a variety of repair mechanisms. A recent study published in 'Nature Cell Biology', to which scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen made major contributions, elucidates the molecular basis by which a cell makes the choice between these repair mechanisms.

28 Feb 2019

Study finds specific mechanism that protects cells from natural DNA errors

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a specific mechanism that protects our cells from natural DNA errors - an 'enemy within' - which could permanently damage our genetic code and lead to diseases such as cancer.

27 Feb 2019

New test could be a ‘game changer’ in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The first test to quickly and accurately predict how people will respond to standard treatment for the most common type of leukemia has been developed at Cardiff University. The technology could guide doctors’ decisions on which drugs to give to patients.

27 Feb 2019

Porvair Sciences to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

Porvair Sciences reports on its involvement in a new £2.6 million project led by Swansea University (UK) that aims to dramatically improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 27 Feb 2019

Existing drug for rare kidney disease could benefit patients with mitochondrial disorders

New preclinical findings from extensive cell and animal studies suggest that a drug already used for a rare kidney disease could benefit patients with some mitochondrial disorders--complex conditions with severe energy deficiency for which no proven effective treatments exist.

27 Feb 2019

New study explores stem cells to gain insight into rotator cuff disease

Rotator cuff tears are common injuries, and proper healing of the shoulder muscle is often difficult.

27 Feb 2019

Suppressing cancer-causing protein could correct increased fibrosis in scleroderma patients

A protein known to play a role in cancer may also be increasing fibrosis in scleroderma patients.

27 Feb 2019

Cancer genes’ mutational status influenced by their evolutionary age, regulatory functions

Researchers have provided new insight on why some genes that formed during the evolution of the earliest animals on earth are particularly impaired (or dysregulated) by specific mechanisms during cancer development.

26 Feb 2019

Novel mechanism behind DNA damage control uncovered

DNA damage is occurring in our cells all the time due to external agents, such as exposure to sun, or internal agents, like reactive oxygen species.

26 Feb 2019

Study uncovers potential role of Foxp1 protein in control of autoimmune diseases

Scientists at the Higher School of Economics, the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center created a genetic model that helps to understand how the body restrains autoimmune and oncological diseases.

26 Feb 2019

Researchers outline targeted therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer

New findings put forth by the University of Maryland Fischell Department of Bioengineering and researchers from four other academic institutions outline a targeted therapeutic strategy to treat triple-negative breast cancer - a potential first for the particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.

26 Feb 2019

'Chromosome scanner' that protects against cancer identified

In a new study, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified one of the main mechanisms behind the repair of serious damage to the human DNA. A 'scanner' inside the cells decides whether or not so-called flawless DNA repair, which protects against cancer, is launched.

26 Feb 2019

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Many genes contribute to risk for Tourette's syndrome, genetic study shows

New tool uncovers molecular causes of different diseases

Research shows how common fungus gets the flexibility to live in different host environments

Research reveals how metabolites can be used to inhibit epigenetic mechanisms and treat MS

Second-ever case of semi-identical (sesquizygotic) twins

Personalized therapy for aggressive brain cancer shows potential

Breakthrough chromosome imaging could aid in development of new treatments

Johns Hopkins researchers find genetic cause of olfactory neuroblastoma

Scientists identify how cells make choice between various mechanisms to repair DNA

Study finds specific mechanism that protects cells from natural DNA errors

New test could be a ‘game changer’ in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Porvair Sciences to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

Existing drug for rare kidney disease could benefit patients with mitochondrial disorders

New study explores stem cells to gain insight into rotator cuff disease

Suppressing cancer-causing protein could correct increased fibrosis in scleroderma patients

Cancer genes’ mutational status influenced by their evolutionary age, regulatory functions

Novel mechanism behind DNA damage control uncovered

Study uncovers potential role of Foxp1 protein in control of autoimmune diseases

Researchers outline targeted therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer

'Chromosome scanner' that protects against cancer identified

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